REVIEW: Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum and Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream

Last month, Vanity Trove and L'Oreal Paris collaborated to come up with an exclusive Vichy trove to mark the launch of the brand's latest product, the Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum. Accompanying it in the trove was the Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream. I tried both products for close to a month and here are my two cents' worth!

To begin, here's a little update on my current skin condition. I have combination skin that's sensitive, so... It's the usual; oily T-zone, dry cheeks and light redness all around. The redness usually intensifies when I use new products. This is especially so during this period, when I'm not sleeping very much and my skin's a lot more sensitive than usual.

Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum is described as the first hydrating power serum that contains 3 energizing sugars and Vichy Thermal Spa Water that can capture and retain moisture.

• Carrageenans: This unique active ingredient is derived from the marine red algae and aids in repairing our skin's barrier function. At the same time, it softens and smoothens it.
• Aquabioryl: This patented L'Oreal ingredient ensures a continuous supply of moisture to all our facial zones via dynamic water diffusion.
• Hyaluronic Acid: This efficient hydrating ingredient re-plumps our skin's surface by enhancing its capacity to retain water.
• Vichy Thermal Spa Water: This water is 100% pure and naturally rich with 15 different types of rare minerals. It is clinically proven to regenerate, soothe and protect our skin.

The serum ensures a uniform hydration distribution, maintaining a good moisture balance in all our facial zones.

The serum comes out gel-like but spreads out like water. It sinks into my skin easily, leaving no uncomfortable greasy residue. The parched areas on my face are immediately quenched, while the usual oily ones remain adequately hydrated with no oily feeling. As it contains dimethicone (A type of silicone.), it creates the perfect smooth canvas for makeup; foundation glides across the surface of my skin easily and sits comfortably all day.

Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream hydrates skin millimeter by millimeter. Vichy Thermal Spa Water opens up our skin's intercells gateways so that active ingredients can circulate in each facial zone. Hyaluronic Acid and Aquabioryl bring much needed water to our skin, while λ-Carracghennans reconstruct our skin's barrier function so as to maintain a long-lasting hydration. Our skin is left radiant, bouncy and smooth.

The cream appears thick and rich but just like the serum, it has a watery-like texture when applied. My skin plumps up immediately and my skin looks youthful and healthy in the morning. I apply it only at night though, because I feel that it's a tad too much for the day, especially so in Singapore's sweltering heat.

The Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration duo is most suitable for anyone looking for a simple hydration regimen. Even those with oily skin will find the serum quite enjoyable. However, I do think that both products are heavily laden with silicones so, those who are allergic may want to take caution.

Vichy's Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Serum and Aqualia Thermal Dynamic Hydration Light Cream are both available at selected Guardian, Unity, Watsons, hospital pharmacies and Derma Centre.

REVIEW: Sulwhasoo's First Care Activating Serum and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream

Two years back, I received Sulwhasoo's First Care Activating Serum and Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream at Amorepacific Corporation's Gala Dinner. Yes, it has been quite a while now and I should really throw them out. But before I do, I thought I write a review on my 2 most luxurious and loved products (I mean, c'mon! It SMELLS sooo good! Ginseng, ahhh...).

For the uninitiated, Sulwhasoo hails from Korea and was founded by Sunghwan Suh, the founder of Amorepacific. He came from Gaeseong, a city which was known for quality ginseng. After launching the first Ginseng cream in 1966, he decided to develop Sulwhasoo. Since then, Sulwhasoo has been creating products with Ginseng and other Korean medicinal herbs as its key ingredients.

Currently, Sulwhasoo has 4 different ranges; Essential Line, Snowise Line, Timetreasure Line, Men's Line and standing by itself, the Concentrated Ginseng Cream. Each line is subjected to a different treatment, where ingredients are baked, steamed, fermented, or vinegared so that they are detoxified, enriched, or preserved for a longer period of time. This is known as The Poje Method and you can read more about it here.

Now, onto the products that I have been using frequently for the past half year or so. :D

The First Care Activating Serum (160ml) is jam-packed with Korean medicinal herbs to boost your skincare regimen and ensure optimal skin care results. It helps to promote balance and replenish essential moisture and nutrients so that your skin is soft, smooth, supple and all ready to receive the next step of your skincare regimen.

I use this after cleansing and applying toner. 2 pumps are enough for my face, though sometimes I use a wee bit more. Just because it smells sooo good! If you love Chinese herbs like I do, you're in a for a treat! This smells like, premium Chinese herbs. It spreads out like water and is absorbed quickly and easily. My skin is left feeling pretty matte and velvety soft.

The Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream (60ml) is a revitalizing cream that delivers nutrients from the root and fruit of the Korean Ginseng to the deepest layers of your skin. It awakens damaged and depleted skin, strengthening your skin's defense against signs of aging and restoring clear, radiant skin.

Though this looks pretty thick, it is actually quite light and sinks into my skin very easily. It smells like Ginseng heaven and I swear I eat it if I could. Haha. But anyway, there is a slightly greasy feeling left behind but it's really slight and not uncomfortable at all. I use this only at night and I wake up to skin that's plump with moisture.

Together, these 2 products give me a really radiant and clear complexion and it's great joy 'decorating' (Yes, this is the word Dad uses when I go about applying my skincare regimen.) your face with them. And I really wish I could just switch entirely to Sulwhasoo. Like, seriously. I would LOVE to use the Snowise Line. Unfortunately, and as always, everything has its downside; Sulwhasoo comes with a rather hefty price tag. :\ And I will only repurchase them, as a reward to myself or something. Meh. :\

Sulwhasoo is available at TANGS Orchard, TANGS VivoCity, Takashimaya Departmental Store and Robinsons Orchard.

RAMBLINGS: Departures and a grey Saturday.

Today means that I am down to the remaining month of my (extended) education. God knows how bleeding long I have waited for this. (Okay. Just to interject, my front door just swung open, by itself. It's the wind right? RIGHT?!?) This journey has been so much more than I bargained for, not just in terms of school but also, in my own personal life. (Okay, the door just swung shut. And now, it's slowly swinging open.) I'm getting fiercely protective of my own independence now and I wonder if I will die alone.(The leaves outside are swaying. It's definitely the wind.)

But anyway, this morning I woke up with thoughts of departure and no, it isn't the first time that I realized. But each time the fog of those thoughts starts taking shape, I buried it with life. So I guess, this is quite possibly the first time that I'm properly thinking about it before it actually happens? Departures are going to be 'my thing' now. It started out with 3 months last year, graduating to 10 weeks (Or a year? Let it be a year please.) this year and eventually, it's going to be a 2-year cycle (Or one and a half.).

I love what I'm doing (I still have so much to work on though. :\ So incredibly thankful to have such a splendid mentor!) but I wonder if it's going to be too emotionally draining. I don't want to be numbed to departures because I refuse to accept them as a way of life. But fact is, they are a way of life. In whichever profession you are in, in whatever that you are doing in your life. Just that mine's going to be a regular cycle.

Sigh pie. I still remember my previous class so vividly and sometimes it gets a little 'difficult' sitting in the classroom that we used to be in and knowing that the little moments won't happen again (I know, I'm very melodramatic.). And I really want to be able to help them when the big As come. Even now, actually. And when I think about my 2 current classes, I kinda just want to bawl my eyes out really badly. Like now. I'm SUCH a girl, damnit. *buries head*

It makes me wonder how thick a line I should draw between this being just a job or something that is so, so much more. And if this is going to be so, so much more, what is going to happen to my own life? Another story for another morose day. This, can never be just a job. Okay, the grey Saturday is doing my head in. Seriously. May 9th, whether I like it or not, will come eventually and I will deal with it... Eventually. For now, I'll just rack my brains for ways to make Math easy.

And really, I can choose to look at the whole situation from a completely different angle. They are growing up, are moving on to the next chapter of JC life and becoming more independent, thinking, mature and responsible along the way. They are going to be MORE than awesome. *beams* #myclassesareTHEbest #nooneelse

Am currently feeling like such a Mother Hen. Or a Sister Hen. Mmhmm.

Also, am feeling very glad and relieved that I didn't go into nursing... Or dentistry (Epic failure. Still feeling thoroughly embarrassed. Most bimbo-tic moment of my life. In front of 3 friggin' professionals. Thinking about it makes me cringe. Ground, swallow me up. NOW.).

SPOTTED: Current obsession - Nike

Back when I was a JC kid who spent evenings kicking balls on a muddy field (Now, it’s all synthetic grass. Bleagh!), I was completely obsessed with sports brands, one of which was Nike. Especially Nike. Their slogan 'Just Do It' can be interpreted in a gazillion ways but for the meek 17-year-old me, it meant grabbing every opportunity that came my way… No matter how tired I was, how lazy I felt and how many doubts my insides were casting upon me. My JC life was far from being smooth but it was a time when I started venturing out of my comfort zone, pushing my boundaries and just doing the things that I really wanted to.

So gawd knows how over the moon I was when Dad got me my very first soccer boots from said brand. They were red and loud and extremely proud to have 2 big white ticks emblazoned across their lengths. And then, both of my school and shoe bags were Nike, my socks were Nike, my water bottle was Nike... You get the picture. Heh.

Even though I have hung up my boots a long time ago and am no longer that brand-conscious, I swear my heart skipped a beat when I stepped into their Raffles City outlet recently to look for yoga gear. And... And the tiniest hint of the vines of obsession taking root. Heh.

Anyway, here are my top 5 picks from Nike at the moment:

View Nike at Zalora Singapore here.