REVIEW: 3-Step Foot Spa at Home with Carnation Footcare x BlackBox

Carnation Footcare is a UK brand that has been taking care of people's feet for over 85 years, in more than 40 different countries. The brand provides remedies to most common foot problems with their range of licensed medicated products and devices, and products for general comfort. BlackBox has teamed up with Carnation Footcare to come up with an exclusive 3-Step Foot Spa Pack. This pack contains:

• Carnation Exfoliating Foot Scrub 100ml for $13.90
  This scrub contains walnut shell and mineral oil to remove dead and rough skin, while keeping it soft and smooth. After washing your feet, pat it dry lightly so that your skin is a tad damp. Apply the scrub in gentle circular motions and rinse off.
• Carnation Intensive Moisturizing Foot Cream 100ml for $11.90
  Infused with peppermint oil, this cream nourishes and relives dry and rough feet without any greasy feeling. Apply to clean feet in gentle circular motions after shower.
• Carnation Cracked Heel Cream 50ml for $12.90
  Formulated with 10% urea, this cream rehydrates your feet with a refreshing peppermint scent. The brand promises visible results within 3 days. Apply to clean heels in gentle circular motions.

For me, I have always had rough feet from days of dancing barefooted and soccer, and not really caring for my feet because, well, they are usually not visible since I wear covered shoes. But Christmas is approaching and with a few dinners scheduled, I do want to dress my feet up in pretty strappy heels. So... This little spa kit is really timely. Heh.

I have never actually thought of scrubbing my feet before (I scrub everywhere but not my feet. I have no idea why.) so the Carnation Exfoliating Foot Scrub was something different for me. The walnut shell pieces are coarse because the skin on our feet, especially the heels, is tougher. It immediately smoothens rough skin and leaves my feet feeling really soft. Right before bed, I apply a thin layer of the Carnation Intensive Moisturizing Foot Cream. Despite the name, this cream is lightweight and sinks in easily and quickly. And because it has peppermint oil, there's a cooling after-effect which is a really nice and relaxing way to end the day. Every now and then, I would apply the Carnation Cracked Heel Cream. This cream is thicker and so, takes a little longer to sink in. I don't use this everyday but it's a more intensive treatment for the heels. My heels feel more moisturised and smoother than when I used just the foot cream alone.

BlackBox's 3-Step Foot Spa Exclusive Box is available at $29.90. Key in the code BBXCHARLENELEE10 for an additional 10% off. ◡̈

SPOTTED: Get Party Ready with Crystal Clear Skin from SK-II!

Hi all! Singapore F1 Grand Prix is happening this week and as we gear ourselves up for it, don't forget to keep your skin glowing and healthy with SK-II's iconic Pitera Essentials range.

For a quick perk-me-up before all the upcoming F1 parties, the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask offers a fuss-free indulgent immersion into the world of Pitera goodness. This miracle ingredient is rich in vitamins, amino acids and nutrients and is responsible for leaving your skin in exceptional radiance and crystal clarity.

Those who seek a more complete routine can turn to the SK-II Mid-Day Miracle Essence and SK-II Mid-Night Miracle Essence. The former holds the power of Pitera in a handy bottle that's small enough to slip into any clutch. It sets makeup and keeps you fresh and photo-ready all day. Night time calls for the latter, which offers a cooling sensation to refresh your skin after all the heat and dust from the race tracks, bringing you trackside in the day to partying at night with ease!

ATM: Post-laser Skincare Routine

After my laser with The Clifford Clinic, I tried to be very careful with my skincare. I carried on washing with Cetaphil (Which I have since abandoned. Another story for another day!) and did as instructed, patting on Skinceuticals's Phyto Corrective Gel for a week and then Foban Cream for the first 3 days. Thereafter, I switched to La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5 and Thermal Spring Water. Outdoors called for copious amounts of La Roche-Posay's Uvidea XL Aqua Fresh Gel SPF50 PA++++, the umbrella and a lot of running to seek shade. Lol.

Here are my reviews:

• Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel
  This oil-free gel is a concoction of hyaluronic acid, cucumber, thyme, mulberry and other botanical ingredients. It calms, soothes and hydrates sensitive, acne-prone skin and is non-comedogenic. I used this during the first week after laser, stopped for a while and am currently using it again because my skin decided to be naughty.

  With all the herbs in it, it's not surprising that it has a very herbal-ish scent which I love. I pat about 2-3 drops into my skin. It feels a little sticky upon application but it isn't uncomfy. After applying moisturiser, the stickiness is barely noticeable. There isn't any immediate soothing effect but I find that it does calm the skin a little and take away some redness. However, I don't find it particularly moisturising. My sensitive skin hasn't experienced any irritation and I do enjoy using it (only because it smells so good!)... But for a product that costs so much, I do expect some kind of a miracle so it's rather disappointing. :\

• Foban Cream
  This cream is a topical antibiotic to prevent and treat infections. I applied just a thin layer and because it's cream-based, it provided quite a bit of relief for my swollen face. Anyway, this is really effective for infections. I have used this on piercing infections and they all healed nicely. But of course, please use under doctor's directions because it's a medicine after all.

• La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
  This repairing multi-purpose balm contains a triple-action complete formula which helps with skin recovery (Madecassoside, Copper, Zinc and Manganese), soothes dry and irritated areas (5% Panthenol) and protects the skin. It is suitable for sensitive skin and free from parabens, fragrances and lanolin. I used this as a moisturiser throughout my recovery period.

  This cream comes out thick but sinks into skin quite easily and leaves behind a slightly waxy residue. There was a little stinging upon application, but it didn't last and didn't cause any other problems. My skin was kept well-hydrated, soft and plump. And because it's a balm, it actually had a slight BB cream effect where my pores were blurred out and my skin just looked even better after the laser??? I really love this.

• La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water
  This thermal spring water face mist really doesn't need an introduction but anyway, it is rich in Selenium (A powerful natural antioxidant.), mineral salts and trace elements that have been proven to be scientifically soothing. I was spraying this really liberally when the scabs came off sooner than they should and am still doing so.

  This is really an essential for me, especially when our sun has gone crazy. It really soothed my new skin and took away a lot of redness. And right now, it's battling dryness and heat rash for me. IT'S MY BAE.

• La Roche-Posay Uvidea XL Aqua Fresh Gel SPF50 PA++++
  This sunscreen contains an enhanced anti-UVA filtering system with Mexoryl XL and of course, LRP's thermal spring water. It has a gel texture that's lightweight and keeps skin hydrated and refreshed. It is also non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic and is free from parabens and fragrances. I have been using this for quite some time now.

  I'm really not good with sunscreens because they are usually so thick, I feel like they are choking my pores. And usually my foundations have SPF, which I know isn't enough but you know, at least there's some sun protection... *twirls hair*. But anyway, after laser, I wanted to avoid foundations, went through my stash, found this (Yes, my stash is like an entire Watsons store. *cries*) and fell in love with it. It's feathery-light and incredibly hydrating. There isn't any sticky or greasy residue... And it just feels so good on my skin! Top marks, really.