ATM: Dealing with Hair Loss

Earlier this year, I had quite a bit on my plate and started dropping a lot of hair. I do drop more hair during stressful periods but I had never woken up to a pillow covered in hair strands. Yes, it was crazy frightening and it only compounded the stress I was going under. Gosh, I hope I never go through anything like that again. *shudders*

Anyway, I told some friends about it and I realised that hair loss is actually quite a common problem. For some people, bald spots start developing and for others, it's general hair loss. Mine was the latter and I visited both Chinese and Western doctors. Both doctors said that I didn't have enough blood so my body wasn't absorbing nutrients. It was distributing blood to the more important organs, so things like hair and nails were left out. The Chinese doctor prescribed medicine that 补血, while the Western doctor gave me iron tablets and vitamins (Consultation and supplements cost me 90 friggin' bucks. *curses*). Yes, I took both at the same time since the latter was just vitamins (Did check with the Chinese doctor first.). I also bought a couple of hair tonics to drown my scalp in.

So... Did the above work??? Yep, I'm back to dropping my usual amounts which I don't even notice so yay! :DDD *jumps and throws imaginary flowers around* (:

Here are the 2 main products I used during that period and am still using:

• Yohmo Tonic
  This was recommended by a shop assistant at a Chinese Medical Hall which I happened to pass by. It smells like a warm, kind grandfather who just came out of a shower... Lol! It's flowery and I really have no idea how to describe the scent. It's okay but it isn't something that I would wear in the day because it's rather strong. And grandfather-y. Lol! I don't know why but that word just pops into my head every time I smell it. Lol. Anyway, this has quite a number of raving reviews online and yeah, I think this did help my hair grow quite a bit. I was dropping baby hair too (Never, in all of the XX years of my life. )': ), but not anymore. In fact, I have new ones sprouting out! :D
• Country Life's Maxi-Hair
  This was given to me by the Western doctor. I can't remember how much it was but iHerb stocks this too. It has B Vitamins and Biotin, among many others. I didn't experience any adverse reactions to this and it helped curb the hair loss and boost hair growth for me. Anyway, it's just vitamins that are also good for the nails and skin. Haven't seen any improvements in those departments yet but I'll be carrying on with this for a while.

REVIEW: The BlackBox Exclusive Pack - The Beautiful Truth

"Never love anybody who treats you like you're ordinary."
-Oscar Wilde

For their latest Exclusive Pack, BlackBox is going all out for our skin with some really premium beauty products. The Beautiful Truth pack contains

• SOTHYS Sensitive Discovery Kit
  This little travel-sized kit covers all your skincare needs. First, we have the Micellar Cleansing Water which sensitive skin will love. It removes makeup and impurities easily and quickly. Perfect for lazy days or when we can't wait to hop into bed. The best thing about this? No rinsing needed! Second, comes the Soothing SOS Serum, which is going to be our skin's guardian angel. It instantly soothes discomfort and reduces redness. This is great for skin that is dehydrated. Third, the Soothing Melting Fluid makes the perfect daily protection for our skin against external aggressors. Sensitive, combination skin will find much comfort in this. Fourth, the Nutri-soothing Mask ends our little regimen nicely with a quick emergency care to provide immediate relief for any discomfort and to maintain the balance of sensitive skin.

• d'Skin UV Defense
  This sunscreen provides protection against 99.6% of UVA and UVB rays that are harmful to our skin. It is also formulated with Ascorbyl Glucoside, which helps to reduce the production of melanin and lighten existing melanin. Other ingredients include roots extract of Scutellaria Baicalensis, Arnica Montana Flower, Paeonia Suffruticosa and Daucus Carota Sativa. These help to nourish dehydrated skin and prevent skin from premature ageing.

• ITOH Japan Crystal Collagen 5300
  As we are all well aware of, we are what we eat and a collagen a day will mean that we keep ageing at bay. This Japanese beauty drink contains a blend of 7 revitalizing ingredients; 5,300mg of Micro-collagen Peptides for skin elasticity and firmness, Vitamin C for antioxidant action, Hyaluronic Acid for moisture boost, Kiwi Seed Extract to repair damaged cells and reduce inflammation, Shell Ginger Leaf to increase collagen production, Pomegranate Flower Extract for its anti-ageing properties and Soy Isoflavone for stronger bones. It helps to tackle signs of ageing, restore our skin's radiance and takes us a step closer to younger, crystal clear and supple-looking skin.

Here are my thoughts on them! (:

SOTHYS is a brand which I got acquainted with when I was a lot younger (Heh.). I had a lip balm from them and it was great at keeping my lips all moisturized and soft. So I was really quite excited to break open this SOTHYS Sensitive Discovery Kit, which is so compatible for sensitive me. The whole regimen doesn't irritate my skin and works great at keeping it clean and well-moisturized. My favourite item is the Micellar Cleansing Water. It is light, refreshing and removes my light everyday makeup easily with a few swipes!

Made in Japan, the liquid, cream-coloured d'Skin UV Defence comes in a small 40ml bottle that fits nicely into any bag. It can be used alone or after moisturizer. I quite enjoy this sunscreen because it smells pleasant, is incredibly lightweight, spreads easily across the skin and sinks in quickly. I usually dust on powder foundation right after applying this and it doesn't cause any caking.

ITOH Japan Crystal Collagen 5300 comes in a box of 16 500ml bottles and there are 2 regimens you can follow; for some intensive anti-ageing, take one bottle a day or if you're just looking for some maintenance, 1 bottle every other day will do fine. It is best consumed before breakfast or before sleep, chilled and well-shaken. Collagen drinks take a while to work so I can't quite comment on the effects. But this white peach-flavoured supplement is one of the more pleasant collagen drinks I have drunk. It's quite sweet, but it's not very sour (I cannot do sour.). It's not quite handy to bring around because it's in a glass bottle, but if you make it a habit to drink it at the start or at the end of the day, then it's very convenient. (:

Here's a recent photo after trying out the Beautiful Truth Pack!

The Beautiful Truth Pack (worth $261.15) is now at a promo price of ONLY $17.90 from October 1st. But this is only for the first 40 sets, so you'd better hurry!

Click here to buy this pack now: www.blackbox.sg/luxury/detail/exclusive/The_Beautiful_Truth
For more info, head over to www.blackbox.sg.
For other Exclusive Boxes at BlackBox e-store, key in BBXCJ10 to get a 10% discount! :D

EVENT: Watsons' Girls' Day Out

Back in March, I attended Watson's Girls' Day Out with Fel. It was the drugstore's 27th birthday and they were launching several new brands/ products and also, their very own Watsons eStore! ああ～ Shopping in the comfort of my own home is the best thing ever. No crowds, no sweltering heat, no lugging of heavy bags... Really, everything should be done online (Though convenience does spell trouble for the pockets... Ahem.). Haha.

Anyway, here are 5 brands/ products that I'm really looking forward to discover:

1. Asience
   This hair care brand has been with me since secondary school (Well, on and off. I still like Shiseido Tsubaki best.) because Mum loves it. They are revamping their formula to include a new Beauty Serum, which is a concentrated infusion of precious oils and essences. 2 ranges are available - Inner Rich for dry, frizzy and unmanageable hair and Nature Smooth for oily scalp and tangled ends.
2. Bioderma
   I have been using the Créaline H2O Micellar Solution for about 2 years now and it cleans off makeup effectively and without any irritation. Last month, they launched the Sensibio Lait Cleansing Milk which contains the Toleridine patent. It increases skin's tolerance level and reduces skin's sensitivity over time.
3. Béne Premium
   This line is created by award-wining professional hair care brand, MoltoBene. It is formulated to be enzyme-rich and free from silicones through the use of only the best natural ingredients. 2 ranges are available - Bluria to restore hair health through deep cleansing and Rougeria to rejuvenate damaged hair with intense conditioning.
4. Honeycé
   Another line under MoltoBene, this one targets both the hair and the scalp with the use of different types of honey. 2 ranges are available - Moisture Repair Series contains 8 different types of honey to care for even the most damaged hair and Juicy Spa Series which improves overall hair and scalp conditions with clay, sea salt lemon, royal jelly and honey.
5. Kustie
   Formulated in France, this brand uses a potent concoction of specially handpicked flowers, essential oils and natural nutrients for an indulgent and luxurious shower. 4 ranges are available - Rose, Chamomile, Cherry Blossom and Lavender. They are suitable for all skin types.

REVIEW: December's BlackBox

If you haven't already seen, I became a BlackBox influencer last December. Really appreciate the opportunity, so big thank you to Melle and Zoe for roping me in! :D

Now, what exactly is BlackBox?

There are so many brands and products coming out all the time, promising to do this and that. Beauty junkies like me will want to 'catch 'em all' but we often need to purchase them in full sizes, even when we aren't certain if they would work out for us. So here, is where BlackBox comes in! BlackBox offers samples of the latest brands and products, so that we can try them out first before making commitments of any sort. It is basically the quintessential lifestyle kit for you to get a taste of everything at pocket-friendly prices; $5.90 for 4 samples or $9.90 for 9 samples, which you can pick!

Here's what I received last month:

Tahpre's Everyday Mask
What it is: This 5-in-1 treatment silk mask is 100% essence base of aronia extract essence, antioxidants, anthocyanin, Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Formulated for everyday use, it helps to moisturize, whiten, maintain your skin's elasticity and replenish nutrients.

What I think: I'm always a little wary when using new skincare products, especially when it's from brands I have never heard of. I mean, I get excited and all but you know, I have only one face which is made compulsory by biology to show it to the world. Heh. I tried googling this brand and ummm, didn't find much. But I really like is that it's free from parabens, artifical preservatives, artificial dyes, artificial perfumes and mineral oils.

Anyway, it was with a lot of caution that I placed this mask on my face and I was constantly trying to feel for any stinging because I have sensitive skin. But it was so comfy that I only remembered I had it on when my Anime finished. Haha. When I took it off, my skin was hydrated and looked brighter and clearer, with a visible reduction in redness around my nose and my cheeks. I have only used this thrice, so I can't vouch for its long-term effects. BUT it does make a pretty good everyday mask!

Klarity's Lasertox CC Miracle White Lotion
What it is: This lotion helps to restore your natural beauty with diamond powder sans stickiness and oily shine. It also contains wild rosehip extract to help prolong your skin's youthfulness. It comes with a sunscreen factor of SPF30 PA++.

What I think: This lotion is highly raved by local beauty bloggers and I was quite eager to try it. It comes out white, so it will instantly brighten any complexion when you have it on. I have pretty fair skin, so it blends right in and doesn't look too jarring. It's works great as a base; lightweight, feels like a second skin and provides a smooth canvas for foundation to go on. I'm trying to use less makeup, so I use this alone with some concealer if need be. I haven't experienced any irritations but in Singapore's weather, I still apply some mattifying powder over it.

Avalon's NaturBeauty Skin Whitening
What it is: This packet contains little sachets that help to promote skin whitening and moisturize your skin from inside out in 28 days. Clinically proven, it helps reduce 85% of melanin production, blocks 67% of UV rays and provides up to 8X more water absorption capacity.

What I think: I have a sweet tooth, so this really makes my taste buds go into a frenzy! Unlike other supplements I have tried, this can actually be eaten straight from the convenient slim sachets. However, it's a little tough spotting effects from oral supplements for me because I'm not very regular with them. Also, even though I really like the taste, I think it can be a little too sweet for everyday consumption.

Ladrome's Purifying Herbal tea with Tangerine
What I think: Being a creature of habit, I rarely stray from green tea. So this was a refreshing change. Haha. I love the tangy tangerine (HAHA.) notes because it really perks you up. Works great as a way to start or end work!

Omical's Real Organic Calcium Tablets
What it is: This organic calcium helps promote strong and healthy bones and teeth in one small tablet.

What I think: I'm lactose-intolerant, so I don't drink milk very often. I do understand the importance of calcium because I live with my Gran. So yeah, it's great that I have these tablets as an alternative source of calcium and they are really convenient, especially when work gets busy (I take a couple of supplements every morning!)

Dr+Nu:ell's BB Cream SPF30 Triple Action (not pictured)
What it is: This B.B. cream contains polyglutamic acid from Korean natto beans to moisturize skin, radish root ferment filtrate to purify skin, arbutin for whitening and adenosine for anti-wrinkle effects. It leaves your skin supple, helathy and naturally radiant.

What I think: I received this separately from the rest, hence no photo. I was really looking forward to its arrival because... B.B. creams excite me? HAHA. I mean, there's something so 'alluring' about multi-functional products, no? #crazybeautyjunkiehere Okay, anyway, this comes out as a light beige, but it does darken after a while to match my skin tone. It dries to a matte finish and sits very light and comfortably on my skin. It hides redness but spots will probably need some help from a concealer. Also, you will still need a mattifying powder in our unforgiving weather!

-

And I'm finally done! I know I can get pretty long-winded. I mean, even when it comes to Math, my secondary school teacher told me I'm long-winded. Like whut, okay. Haha. Anyway, if you're going to purchase a BlackBox, key in BBXCJ10 for a 10% discount! :D Alrighty, TGIF!

HAUL: The Final iHerb Haul 2014

Since discovering iHerb early last year, it has been my to-go place for most things. It's where I get my supplements, my ingredients for DIY beauty stuff, my 'healthy' makeup etc. This year's final haul isn't as extensive as last year's, but it's my biggest iHerb one so far (Hauling a lot less now, because I'm in the midst of discovering K-beauty.).

Here's what I got:

• LavAzza's Caffè Espresso: I love coffee as a face and body scrub. It leaves behind the smoothest and healthiest-feeling skin! Be extra gentle when you're using on the face though as the grinds can be pretty coarse! The sister had been providing me with coffee grinds until she decided to make Dublin her home for a year. I tried commercial body scrubs but somehow, they just aren't good enough for me. Haha. This is a new brand that I'm trying out!
• Now Foods' Aloe Vera Gels: I have been taking them every morning for the past year. When I first took them, I felt less lethargic. It's probably psychological but there's no harm in adding them to my diet. Heh.
• Arrowhead Mills' Organic Oat Flour: When I had my rash, I made little oat packs with this. After showering, I soaked a pack in water and basically just rubbed it over the affected areas. It really helped calm the rash. I also used a pack for my face and it was moisturizing, so I'm going to continue with it. I do this after my toner and serum, before my moisturizer.
• Nature Gate's Shine Enhancing Henna Shampoo and Conditioner: I started trying out hair care products from iHerb. Am currently using Avalon Organics, which isn't too bad but I wanted to try other popular brands.
• E.L.F. Cosmetics' Eyeshadow Palettes: Dude, US$15 each.

WORLD CUP 2014: CONTEST + 5 weird superstitions of soccer players

The Contest

UPDATE: Hey everyone, apologies for the delay!
For Image No. 1, congrats Hock Guan for winning it! :D

Over the next 7 days, three images will be posted here on this blog. For each image, be the first to spot all of the bottles of BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken hidden and stand to win

• A pack of BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken
• $50 Takashimaya Voucher

To participate:

1. Drop me an email at lovecharlenejudith@hotmail.com and tell me the image no. and the specific columns and rows where you think the bottles are! For example:

   Image No.: 2
   Bottles are at: A2 (Where A is the column and 2 is the row.), B3 etc.

2. There will only be one winner per image.
3. The first to spot all the bottles of BRAND'S Essence of Chicken wins for that particular image.
4. If none of the participants spot all the bottles of BRAND'S Essence of Chicken, the participant who spotted the most number of bottles wins.

Good luck! :D

Image 2 (Click on the image to enlarge it.) -

The FIFA World Cup is known to be one of the, if not the, biggest sporting events the world currently knows, bringing together some of the best soccer players from all over. But besides their prowess on the field, these iconic players have some pretty interesting or plain weird quirks behind them too. Here are some of them:

1. Luis Suarez
   Not all hat-tricks are celebrated in the soccer world, as Luis Suarez has come to prove. Seemingly living by the motto "If you can't beat 'em, bite 'em.", Suarez recently completed his hat-trick of bites with Ajax, Liverpool and just a few days ago, Uruguay. Nobody knows for sure the reason behind his weird fetish but what we do know is that the Uruguay star player has been banned for 9 matches, all football activity for four months and fined US$112,000. Way to go Suarez.
   
2. Cristiano Ronaldo
   The Portuguese team captain and Real Madrid forward is widely known as the world's best player, the world's most expensive player and the player with the ever-changing hairstyles. Well, there could be a good reason for that too. Ronaldo fans are probably familiar with his famously weird pre-game 'rituals', but for those who aren't too familiar, here are a few superstitions the world class player reportedly practices.
   • Ronaldo insists on sitting alone in the back row and he must be the last one to leave the bus.
   • The Portuguese player has to change his hairstyle in the locker room at halftime during every game.
   • In fact, he needs a new hairstyle before every game he plays.
   • He must touch the ball before leaving the dressing room.
   • In the Portugal national team, he is the only Portuguese who is allowed to start off with a long-sleeve jersey.
   • He always steps onto the pitch with his right foot first.

   Well, we don't know how true all of the above are, but we know you are going to be looking out for these signs from now on.

   
3. Cesc Fabregas
   In case you have never watched the "Beats by Dre" commercial, here's how Fabregas, star midfielder of the Spanish national team wishes himself good luck – by kissing a ring given to him by his girlfriend four times.
   
4. Kolo Toure
   Kolo Toure, a highly valued member of the Ivory Coast national team, always insists on being the last player from his team to walk onto the playing field. This pre-game ritual is so important to Toure that he reportedly once missed the start of the second half of a Champions League Game while waiting for a teammate to precede him.
   
5. Iker Casillas
   Goalkeeper of the Spanish national team, Iker Casillas is interestingly known to be one of soccer's most superstitious players. He has countless rituals that he modifies depending on the progress of the match, such as changing his jersey every time he concedes a goal or cutting the sleeves off his shirts, etc. His most consistent one would be touching the crossbar every time his team scores. And his most disgusting one? Wearing his socks inside-out during matches. But he has reportedly kicked that habit since 2009. Thank goodness.

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's. Images are taken from Google.

WORLD CUP 2014: CONTEST + 5 Things to Bring to a Football Match As a Fan

The Contest
Over the next 7 days, three images will be posted here on this blog. For each image, be the first to spot all of the bottles of BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken hidden and stand to win

• A pack of BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken
• $50 Takashimaya Voucher

To participate:

1. Drop me an email at lovecharlenejudith@hotmail.com and tell me the image no. and the specific columns and rows where you think the bottles are! For example:

   Image No.: 1
   Bottles are at: A2 (Where A is the column and 2 is the row.), B3 etc.

2. There will only be one winner per image.
3. The first to spot all the bottles of BRAND'S Essence of Chicken wins for that particular image.
4. If none of the participants spot all the bottles of BRAND'S Essence of Chicken, the participant who spotted the most number of bottles wins.

Good luck! :D

Image 1 (Click on the image to enlarge it.) -

One thing the World Cup always brings to the screens around the world is the adoring, and sometimes crazy, fans. I'm sure you have seen photos of fans decked out entirely in their country's colours, faces painted with the flag, arms raising the team scarf up high.

If you are a football fan, you'll want to make pilgrimage to a major football game – be it during the World Cup or even the league matches. But what should you bring with you to the stadium to make sure that you are 100% ready to cheer your team on? Here are the top 5 things every fan should have with them.

1. Lozenges
   Extremely practical and it may just save your life. Lozenges are a must have when you are screaming yourself hoarse for your team. At the stadium, the cheering never stops, so make sure you are ready for all that action!
   
2. Cheer Gear
   As the 12th Man, the least a football fan can do at a match is to dress in the team's colours. At the World Cup, fans take things up a notch and things get very, very creative (check this out: http://bzfd.it/1lihtLn). Wear your team colours and bring your cheer gear along. This includes: face paint, team scarves, hats, noise makers, and if you would like, a cute plushie of the team's mascot.
   
3. The Right Bag
   When you're heading to the games, you'll want a bag that is roomy, but won't get in the way. Plus, the stadium would be littered with spilled drinks and wrappers, so you'll want a bag that you don't mind getting at least a little dirty. There are also restrictions on bags at the World Cup so you may want to consider a sling bag over a backpack.
   
4. A Good Camera
   At the World Cup, the stadium is huge so your iPhone camera probably won't cut it if you want to get some nice photos of the players and the game. This is where your 15 megapixel camera with a 20x zoom would come in handy!
   
5. BRAND'S Sesamin with Schisandra Extract
   The party only starts after the match is over when everyone takes it to the nearest pub for some pub grub and drinks. If you're a fan, you definitely can't skip out of the after party. So make sure your body is ready by bringing along a few of this to keep your liver at its best!

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's. Images are taken from Google.

WORLD CUP 2014: 5 Ways to Stay Awake after the Game

Being on the other side of the world means unearthly match hours in Singapore time. While we would all love to have 25 days of leave (Maybe more...), chances are you're better off finding ways to cope in office post-match. Here are 5 quick ways you can fight the World Cup snooze:

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's.

WORLD CUP 2014: Your Guide to Surviving the Football Season

5 weeks, 64 matches.

There's simply no escaping the month-long football madness that is currently taking the world by storm. Both fans and non-fans need to be prepared for the biggest event of the season. If you're a huge soccer fanatic, be sure to check out this comprehensive guide to surviving the summer's soccer fever. I'll be sure to use some of these handy tips!

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's. Images are taken from Google.

WORLD CUP 2014: Soccer Season Match Schedule!

And... The biggest football tournament has begun and is into its 2nd day!

There are already a number of great posts on the Internet on where to watch the games, but it'll be extra convenient for everyone to have the Singapore timings of all the matches at a glance, won't it? BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken has come up with a convenient infographic for everyone to easily note the day and time of all the matches!

Download and print the above schedule via this link: http://bit.ly/1pFIv4h

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's.

WORLD CUP 2014: 5 Things to Stock Your Fridge Up with during the Football Season

And... World Cup 2014 begins tonight! The first match is between Brazil and Croatia and it kicks off at 4am, which is a pretty unearthly hour for us Singaporeans. Actually, most of the games will be held when we are supposed to be in bed... Resting, dreaming, recuperating our bodies and the ilk. But I mean, it's THE World Cup. What's sleep? Can we eat it?

Starting from tonight onwards, we can look forward to greasy and unhealthy but oh-SO-good suppers, awesome drink deals at the bars (Check out Harry's, Bar Bar Black Sheep and Muddy Murphy's!), hot footballers (Fernando Torres used to be my cutie.), the games themselves (OF COURSE.) and maybe, having a girls' night out!

For those who will be at homes watching the games, here are 5 things you need to have in your fridge to enhance your World Cup experience.

1. Beer
   Studies have shown that consuming everyone's favourite fermented beverage in moderation can lower your risk of stroke – but it's okay to go slightly above moderation on occasion when you're celebrating the win of the country you’re supporting! Be sure to stock up your fridge with ample supply for you and your friends, and check out #15 of this awesome article on how to maximize the space in your fridge for this football season!
   
2. Hummus
   Simply because everything goes with it. Hummus makes for a perfect dip, and is delicious with pretzels, pita bread red peppers, carrots, you name it! An easy crowd pleaser with crackers for the gatherings of 15 hungry people in your house watching the next big game. Need we say more? More reasons to have more hummus here.
   
3. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
   One of my favorite alternatives to fries are baked sweet potato! This superfood tastes great on its own and takes less than 30 minutes to leave the kitchen. Simply chop up the sweet potato into your desired length, bake, scatter salt and pepper for taste, and voilà!
   
4. Salsa and Tortilla Chips
   A quick hack to making a wholesome salsa dip is to buy a batch of chunky salsa, and then making it even heartier by adding in more fresh ingredients like chopped fresh tomatoes, onions and chilies. Don't forget the corn chips too – salsa is only complete with you dip some tortilla chips in and savour the chunky sauce with crunchy chips.
   
5. Brand's Essence of Chicken
   As an all-natural health food supplement, BRAND'S® Essence of Chicken can help reduce stress levels and contribute to a relaxed mood. It also increases mental concentration, improves short-term memory and immunity, alleviates task-induced stress, increases metabolic rate, and boost energy. Perfect as a pick-me-up and vitality booster in this season of late nights!

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's. Images are taken from Google.

WORLD CUP 2014: 5 Soccer Players to Watch Out for This Season

Wohoo, it's just 2 days more till the first match between Brazil and Croatia! This year, I'm pretty excited about it because my bestie, Audrey, and I will be joining Eli's club come July (We used to be in our junior college's soccer team.). But just the recreation team. Haha. Anyway, to commemorate this quadrennial event, Brand's and I will be teaming up to help 'prep' you for the games.

Today, let's get to know 5 soccer players to watch out for this season! (:

1. Lionel Messi for Argentina
   At just 26, four-time World Player of the Year Messi is arguably one of the most outstanding players over the past five years. If Argentina wins the World Cup, and Messi has the influence that he so often has at club level, then he would surely be elevated to the status of Maradona and Pele, among the greatest we've ever seen.
   
2. Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal
   Everybody knows who he is; Ronaldo is now perhaps, alongside Lionel Messi and David Beckham, the best-known player on the planet. The Portugal captain is also the 2013 winner of the FIFA Ballon d'Or, and has also won the Champions League with Real Madrid. Scoring 55 goals in just 45 appearances for club and country in 2013-14, a large part of his country's hopes for winning rest upon his shoulders.
   
3. Neymar for Brazil
   Born on February 5, 1992, in São Paulo, Brazil, Neymar drew attention for his impressive soccer abilities at an early age. His small frame masks incredible skill and speed, silencing doubters with his top-class ability to finish off both feet
   
4. Mesut Ozil for Germany
   Arsenal attacking midfielder Ozil is only 25, but has already been compared to football legends his finesse and skills. Former manager José Mourinho likened him to Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, massive shoes which he has no trouble filling.
   
5. Andres Iniesta for Spain
   With recent rumors of links to Manchester United, 29-year-old Iniesta is a beast on midfield, and is even hailed by fellow superstar Xavi as 'Spain's most complete player.' Known for his passing, dribbling, vision and movement, he is definitely a player to watch on the Spanish team, and in fact even the whole tournament.

Will you be watching the matches? And who are you watching out for? :D

The World Cup 2014 series is a collaboration between Charlene J. Lee and Brand's. Images are taken from Google.

REVIEW: ORBIS' Petit Shake

Back in April, ORBIS launched its popular one-meal replacement Petit Shake in limited edition tropical flavours:

• Yoghurt & Pink Grapefruit: Mixed flavours of mildly sour yoghurt and juicy pink grapefruit.
• Mixed Tropical Fruits: Well-balanced sour and sweet pink guava, passionfruit and pineapple flavours.
• Mango: Sweet burst of ripe mango flavour.
• Acai, Banana & Red Grape: Contains 'superfruit' Acai, known for its weight loss and anti-aging properties.

Containing 10 types of vitamins, iron and a water-soluble dietary fiber, these Petit Shakes make a healthy diet option with its good nutritional balance. Pectin, a thickening agent and a natural ingredient found in apples and strawberries, is also used in the making of these shakes. It mixes with the calcium in milk to create a smoothie-like beverage. The shakes' flavours are enhanced with the natural sweetness of fruit extracts and real fruit pulps. Hence, satisfying your sweet tooth even when you're dieting. (:

Each packet of Petit Shake, when mixed with 100ml of cold milk, makes up 150kCal approximately. A month of these shakes reduces calorie intake and helps to bring about a weight loss of approximately 2.5kg of body fat.

Of the 4 different flavours, Mango is my favourite. It tastes almost exactly like a mango yoghurt smoothie; sweet (Not diabetically sweet. Just right. (: ) but with an edge of tanginess.

For me, I don't use this to replace an entire meal because I'm really quite skinny (Thanks Mum, for the metabolism rate.). But I do get hungry easily so I snack a lot, especially in the afternoon. So I drink one of these shakes around 3pm, to replace all my (very unhealthy) tidbits and it lasts me all the way till dinner time. It really helps when I go for my evening jogs because I usually get hungry halfway and it totally zaps away the fun (Running IS fun.).

The Petit Shakes are very easy to make. It consists of just 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Empty the packet into a cup.

Step 2: Add 100ml of cold milk.

Step 3: Blend well till the beverage thickens.

Psst! The Petit Shake is a one-meal replacement, so do take note that you don't replace more than 1 meal in a day.

The ORBIS Petit Shakes retails at $8.90 and $6.90 per box of 2 servings, for limited edition and regular flavours respectively. They can be found in Robinsons Orchard Level 1 Beauty Hall, Bishan Junction 8 #01-46 and Raffles City Shopping Centre Level 1 Beauty Hall.

REVIEW: Brand's InnerShine Marine Collagen Essence (Kyoho Grape)

Back in December *starts singing the Taylor Swift song*, the lovely people at Brand's and DeVries sent me a kit filled with essentials... All in pink! Thanks so much, guys! :D How on earth did you know that pink is THE colour for me now?!? :DDD

I very nearly painted my room a dusty pink. But the sibs thought that I would outgrow the colour in a few years' time, so that idea was scrapped. :\ I'm getting pink desk accessories though. Heh. Anyway...

In the kit, there were

• Batiste's Dry Shampoo in Blush: Revitalises hair instantly by removing grease and adding volume.
• Sephora's Blotting Papers with Glacial Clay and Salicylic Acid: Absorbs oil and treats breakouts.
• Korres' Lip Butter in Quince: Deeply hydrates and softens lips with a hint of colour and shine.
• Pink perfume atomizer: So that one will always smell nice every time and everywhere.
• China Glaze's Nail Lacquer in Shocking Pink: Brightens up any day, even the dullest!

Last but not least, and also the star of the kit, Brand's InnerShine Marine Collagen Essence (Kyoho Grape)! It comes in a box of ten strips and each contains

1. Hydrolyzed deep sea fish-derived collagen (1000mg): Collagen is responsible for the structural support and elasticity of the skin. The collagen used is derived from deep sea fish, with a low molecular weight of 3,000 dalton to aid in faster absorption.
2. Vitamin E (3IU): An indispensable antioxidant for skin health, it protects the skin from photo aging effects, the prolonged or excessive UV radiation that accelerates the formation of wrinkles and age spots.
3. Niacinamide (A form of Vitamin B3) (4mg): It supports the health of the skin tissues by providing our cells with the energy necessary for growth and repair.

Just take 1 to 3 strips (Only 12Kcal per strip!) daily to give your skin a beauty boost anytime and anywhere. (:

This is my 2nd box and it is actually quite addictive. Once you tear open the strip, you just slurp the grape-flavoured jelly all at one go. It's really quite fun. Haha. Anyway, as I have mentioned in previous entries, the effects of such supplements aren't instant; it takes a while to show something. But I do like that this is really convenient, tasty and not too sweet, unlike some bottled ones that I have tried (They are like loaded with diabetes. And to have to drink a bottle everyday... :\).

Two other flavours are available; Acai Berry and Japanese Mikan. Click here to learn more about Brand's InnerShine Marine Collagen Essence. You can purchase them online as well. (:

MAIL: Brand's Essence of Chicken

Brand's Essence of Chicken played a major role in my childhood because Gran thought it would help me get good grades. On the mornings of examinations, she would warm up a bottle and prepare a little cup of sweets beside it. I drank it all the way till the big Os (Without the sweets, of course.) and then, it just kind of stopped. Actually, no. Dad started drinkinggulping it. Haha.

Anyway, even though I have consumed so many bottles of it, I had no idea that Brand's Essence of Chicken has been around for 170 years. Truth be told, I thought it was a young Singaporean brand because of all the top PSLE kids' endorsements. Haha. Yes, it doesn't make sense. And yes, I amwas ignorant.

The birth of the brand actually dates all the way back to the 1820s, when King George IV's health was deteriorating. It inspired the royal chef Henderson William Brand to develop a chicken tonic and it boosted the king's health. Of course, word got around and backed by popular demand, Mr. Brand decided to establish his own business in 1935. He started selling Brand's Essence of Chicken as a supplement for both the young and the old.

For the uninitiated, Brand's Essence of Chicken is an extract from high quality chicken in an easily digestible form. A holistic, all-natural, ready-to-drink product, it is free of fats, cholesterol and preservatives. Here are some of its benefits:

• Boosts brain health and brain fitness.
• Reduces stress levels and contributes to a relaxed mood.
• Increases levels of stress tolerance.
• Increases mental concentration and improves short-term memory.
• Improves immunity.
• Increases metabolic rate.
• Boosts energy.

And Brand's Essence of Chicken now comes in various flavours to suit our needs!

Brand's Essence of Chicken
For people of all ages.
The original Essence of Chicken provides us with the daily nutrients required for health maintenance and mental alertness. It is fat-, cholesterol- and preservatives-free.

Brand's Essence of Chicken with Cordyceps
For busy working professionals who require a mental, emotional and physical boost.
Coupled with the goodness of premium Cordyceps, this helps to enhance and strengthen out immune system. It stimulates the production of natural 'killer' cells that attack pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.

Brand's Essence of Chicken with American Ginseng
For athletes, students and professionals who require maintenance and a boost in mental and physical strength and stamina.
American ginseng is known to be an effective stress reducer and energy booster. Containing Zinc, Vitamins A, B6 and C and Polysaccharide Glycans, it is often used to enhance out mental and physical performance.

Brand's Essence of Chicken with Tangkwei
For women who need a boost in their performance during the time of the month.
An excellent herbal tonic for blood circulation, Tangkwei is added to help balance our estrogen levels and regulate our menstrual cycle. It also helps to alleviate symptoms of menopause, ease menstrual cramps, reduce pain, dilate blood vessels and stimulate the relaxation of uterine muscles.

Thank you, Brand's and DeVries for sending me the 5 boxes to try out! (: I know my health will be well taken care of for the next month... That is, if Dad doesn't get to them first!