Thursday, November 25, 2010

UPDATES: School, family and Onsugarettes love!

Hey Muffins (:

As aforementioned, I'll be pulling a disappearing act for the month of December (Until 20th, anyway.) because of my finals. Thanks for being very patient with me over the past few months, even though I'm slow in replying comments, haven't been commenting much and have been completely negligent where Sunbathing Muffins is concerned. Do pardon me. I'll be back before you know it, with more reviews and haul posts (OMG. TRUST ME ON THIS. I HAULED SO MUCH MORE THAN I DID OVER THE 4-MONTH LONG SUMMER VACATION.)! (:
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Another thing that I want to mention is something that happened to my family. For those following me on Twitter, you would have known that my brother was diagnosed with dengue fever and it was a very serious case. He had high fever, shortness of breaths and chest pains.

A healthy person has a normal platelet count that is between 150,000 and 450,000 per microlitre of blood, but my brother's dropped from 74,000 to 31,000 to 19,000 within a day before the doctors did a blood transfusion for him (Their rule is that the platelet count has to be 20,000 and below before they do any blood transfusion.). My family doctor was really furious because from 74,000 to 31,000 overnight was very drastic.

The worst thing was that Dad was away and Mum had to run the whole show. I couldn't be at the hospital because I couldn't leave Gran alone at home and it was just all very, very scary. And to see my usually mischievous brother so sick... It was very, very heart-breaking for me (He went to the loo to brush his teeth and then, just sat on the floor because he didn't have the strength to walk back to the bed.).

I am pretty positive that my tear ducts have officially ceased functioning. My brother's better now, though his platelet count is still very low after 2 blood transfusions. He needs to be under observation 24/7, to ensure that he doesn't get cut or anything like that because his blood can't clot now.
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Okay, the point that I want to make is that, without the Onsugarettes on Twitter (and off Twitter), I don't think I could have 'survived' the past few days. Off the top of my head, MAJOR shoutouts to

Michelle, Ru, Kim, Jo, Fatin, Joyce, Amie and Charlene.

(I don't think I have missed out anyone but I'm really sorry if I did!)

Thank you so so SO much for the tweets and SMSes of encouragement! They really meant so so SO much to me (I wish I could emphasize the 'so' some more!). There is just SO much love from me to you guys! Tuesday night was the worst (because Dad was still overseas, Mum was crying, it was just Gran and I at home...) but your constant tweets (and SMSes from Charlene) were a great source of comfort and really, thank you so much for that. <333
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I told Ru before that joining Onsugar is probably one of the best things that I have ever happened done. My 'offline' friends have hardly any interest in makeup (Or American dramas. *grins at Fatin* Go watch 'Pretty Little Liars' if you haven't!!!). My best friend is a tomboy who loves soccer to death so yeah... You get the picture.

But the thing is that though I have joined clubs/communities (in school), I have never felt this close to a community before. I made an Onsugar account because I was reading some Onsugar beauty blogs but I really didn't think that I would make such awesome friends through my own beauty blog (I have been blogging since I was in Primary 3. I made a few friends through web-designing sites but we weren't THIS close.). And for that, I am very, very thankful and grateful. It is really one of the very big blessings that I have received this year. I have to mention Hazel too, who was also a fab ex-neighbour! (: You guys make me SMILE. (:

Yes, you can totally tell that I am a person who cares about all the small things so please don't be freaked out by this crazy long declaration of love to my Onsugarette buds. Haha. I'm just really very, very grateful and incredibly thankful. (:

Anyway, till the 20th Muffins!
Take care. (:

Love,
Charlene J.
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REVIEW: Eucerin's DermoPURIFYER Skincare Range

When The Sample Store emailed me an application to review Eucerin products, I immediately jumped at the chance. I have been using the Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Creme-Gel for about 2-3 years now (I wrote a little paragraph on it a while back.) and to me, it's an absolutely fab product for maintenance.

As mentioned before, I'm very particular when it comes to skincare products, so even though I love the Creme-Gel, I didn't venture into Eucerin's other products. Also, their products aren't exactly cheap. :\

So you can bet that I was extremely thrilled when my application was accepted and the products were sent to me on the 16th.

(Do note that my review will be based on my experience for the last 9 days. It usually takes about 2 months to really 'judge' skincare products. But as I have a deadline to meet... I'll definitely update again, when I'm close to finishing the products.)



Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Cleanser (200ml), $21.20
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Scrub (100ml), $18.60
Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Creme-Gel (60ml), $25.70

The range is oil-free, has anti-bacterial properties and is non-comedogenic. It prevents skin irritation and is compatible with most acne medication.

The cleanser contains salicylic acid, while the scrub and the creme-gel have lactic acid in them. Salicylic acid is probably the next most common ingredient found in over-the-counter medications for acne in drugstores here, with the first being benzoyl peroxide. But please don't quote me on this. It's just an observation that I have made over the years.



Description:
A gentle daily clenaser
6% Ampho-tenside system
Anti-bacterial
Non-comedogenic
Fragrance-free
Soap-free


I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the fact that the cleanser is soap-free! Those that aren't always leave my skin feeling too clean, tight and dry. So this is really awesome! (I also love it that I can keep my eyes open when washing my face!) I won't exactly say that my skin feels 'supple' after usage, but it definitely doesn't make my skin go dry, which is a major plus point for me. For those who have tried Cetaphil, yes, this feels similar to Cetaphil. But do note that Cetaphil does not contain any acne-fighting ingredients.

The cleanser is supposedly good for removing makeup as well. But I find that, in this area, it lacks. You still do need a makeup remover to get rid of your makeup before using this.



Description:
Lactic Acid beads deliver lactic acide directly where blemishes originate.
Pore refining micro particles
Non-comedogenic


Scrubs are really meant to use once or twice a week because your skin takes time to remove itself. But for the purpose of writing this review, I have been using this almost every other day, on a dry face (I find that scrubs are more effective on a dry face. Perhaps, due to more friction being generated? Do take note to be extra gentle then.).

The scrub leaves my skin feeling very smooth. As for whether it reduces blackheads and blemishes, I can't really say much about that, having used it for a short while only. The beads are small and I don't find it the least bit harsh. It stung a little around the sides of my nose at the beginning but the stinging feeling soon subsided.

I didn't notice any brightening effect, like the Skinfood's scrubs. But that's really fine with me, since the brightening effect fades off after a while.



Description:
A daily, oil-free moisturizer
2% Lactic Acid Follicle Targeting System
Non-comedogenic
Anti-bacterial
Comedolytic action


Okay, THIS, this I absolutely LOVE! I mean, I have been using this for an incredibly long time already! Way back when it was under a different packaging! This helps to maintain my complexion. For me, this isn't good for killing off spots that are threatening to rear their ugly heads or have already made their presence known to the whole entire world (I strongly recommend Eryacne for zits of all sorts.). It is a little slow and ineffective in this area. But yes, I do believe that it reduces the frequency of the occurrence of blemishes.

Another thing that I like about this is that it is very moisturizing. Thumbs and toes up for that because most of such treatments can be rather drying.

The range also contains a toner (200ml), $21.20, and a cover stick (2.5gm), $26.00.

Anyway, here's a link for you to redeem a Eucerin DermoPURIFYER 3-in-1 Kit! (:


I hope you like the range as much as I do (Do let me know your thoughts about it!)! (:
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Monday, November 15, 2010

SPOTTED: K-Palette's Facebook X'mas Contest

Hey Muffins!

Christmas decorations are almost all up (The little Christmas tree in my house has been put up since last month!) but I'm all kinds of sad because my finals end only on the 20th (I have exactly 4 days to rush my Christmas presents!)! And we all know that the build-up to Christmas is the BEST part of Christmas (The atmosphere, the hanging anticipation in the air... At least for me. Heh.).

Anyway, K-Palette's celebrating Christmas this year by holding a Facebook contest! It is from the 15th of November to the 13th of December! You stand a chance to win their much raved-about products, like their 24H Real Lasting Eyeliner and the Teka Oil Control Mat Powder (Which holds PR status in my makeup pouch. (: )!

Details are below and best of luck! (:

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Sunday, November 7, 2010

TAG: What's in your 'medicine cabinet'?!?

'The Zack Files' was my all-time favourite series back when I was a kid. After reading 'Through the Medicine Cabinet', I badly wanted a medicine cabinet! But I guess, medicine cabinets aren't common in Asian countries? I asked Mum why we didn't have medicine cabinets in our current and ex-houses and she was like "They are too troublesome!". *GLOOM*

But that's alright, because I can have one, right here in the virtual world (Better than nothing right? Hehe.), on my blog!!! *cheers and dances*


I know my 'cabinet''s a little bare. Trust me, my toilet's way crowded with toiletries of all sorts but I don't use everything (Then what are they doing there? I have no idea. Just sitting, I guess. Haha.). The above products pretty much make up my nightcare routine. I use Clinique's Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer and Skin Inc (SKINC)'s Okinawa Deepsea Hydra Mask but I can't say that I have been very regular with them. :\

(When googling pictures of Hazeline Snow so that I can get the colours for it, I came across this very interesting article about its history! Don't you just LOVE the old packaging?!?)

What's in your 'medicine cabinet'?!?

And just in case you're in the mood for some doodling, here's an empty 'cabinet' for you!


(The image is in .png format. It doesn't come with the border. I put it there just so that you know the sides of the 'cabinet' don't go on forever!)
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Hey Muffins!

I'm so incredibly sorry for the lack of entries. I was having my mid-terms for the past 2 weeks and in the midst of studying for them, my family and I were shifting to a new house, so there was a lot of packing and unpacking to do. The school semester is drawing to an end so I'm going to 'disappear' again in December. But I'll do my best to come up with one entry a week. (:

Meanwhile, I do tweet a lot! About beauty-related stuff, like what makeup I have on, whether some products I am using kick asses or stink... I tweet about school too, though. But anyway, here's my link just in case you're interested.

Alrighty! It's time for me to head off to lala land!

Have a fab Sunday!

Lots of love,
Charlene J.
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