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. (:

HAUL: The Final iHerb Haul 2013

If I were a bee, iHerb would be my honey. If I were a moth, iHerb would be my light. If I were a magpie, iHerb would be my shiny thing... You get the picture. I mean, iHerb is online shopping and grocery shopping combined, and that is basically my biggest, unhealthiest addiction.

This haul marked my 7th and final haul for 2013. It is also my biggest because I threw in some healthy snacks as part of the usual will-only-stick-to-it-for-the-first-few-days New Year resolution of eating clean (So not going to happen. But you know, you still make it your NY resolution because it's a tradition. Haha. And I had Maccas' Breakfast Deluxe this morning. After yoga. HAHAHA.).

Here are the items that I got and a little about them:

1. Arrowhead Mills' Organic Oat Flour: Oats are extremely calming and moisturizing for eczema and heat rashes. I add a little water to this and use it as a face and body exfoliator. The flour is fine enough so it won't choke up your sink.
2. Heritage Products' Aura Glow - Almond: I LOVE almond oil. It's incredibly moisturizing, significantly lightens marks and keeps my skin really clear. I typically use a different brand (Read on!) but a model mentioned this one in an interview so I thought I give it a try.
3. Now Foods' Solutions - Avocado Oil: Recently, I came across an article about avocado oil and how it can get rid of blackheads. I have been using this for a week or so. My complexion has been pretty okay (It's the time of the month.) but I haven't seen any reduction in the number of blackheads. :\ BUT I haven't been sleeping very well so maybe that's why. Meh. :\
4. Now Foods' Solution - Sweet Almond Oil: This is my 3rd bottle! BUY IT!
5. Stridex's Single-Step Acne Control - Maximum (Alcohol Free): JH has been using this, in place of Paula's Choice's BHA. He mentioned that it worked just as well and he has really good and clear complexion, despite sleeping weird hours (Life of an architect.). I got this for the sister.
6. Stridex's Single-Step Acne Control - Sensitive (Alcohol Free): This is for me!
7. Thayers' Lemon Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Formula: Thayers' has been my toner for a large part of 2013. It's huge, cheap and does the whole toning job splendidly.
8. Bare Fruit' Organic Bake-Dried Mango Chunks: Just because it's mango. Huge obsession with mango sticky rice now. I know, so NOT healthy.
9. Danielle Chips' Royal Sweet Potato Chips: I ate these last week. You can skip them, unless you just love hearing things go crunch-crunch in your mouth. They were pretty bland.
10. Now Foods' Crystallized Ginger Slices: Currently just sitting on the shelf because I'm too afraid to eat them. :\
11. Thayers' Two Trees Slippery Elm Lozenges - Pure Maple Sugar: I really ordered these just because they are from Thayers' but man, are these awesome! You know how some nights you wake up and your throat's all dry and itchy. So you swallow repeatedly and then it starts to hurt? I usually take Sanjin Watermelon Frost Lozenges but I ran out of them so I tried these, completely NOT expecting them to work. BUT they did! And without leaving any sappy Chinese herbal taste!
12. Yummy Earth Organics' Gummy Bears: They are GUMMY BEARS. Everyone needs them.

RAMBLINGS: New beginnings