REVIEW: John Frieda's Full Repair Range

Back in July, I received John Frieda's Full Repair Range and tested it out for 2 months. This range is formulated with Omega-packed Inca Inchi Oil. Culled from the rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon, this lightweight micro-oil pumps up hair body while repairing and protecting each strand with its high levels of fatty acids (Omega-3, 6 and 9!) from stresses caused by heat. It works best with the use of heat to create soft, shiny, full-bodied hair styles.

The shampoo left my hair feeling light and clean, without the strip-of-all-oils feeling that some shampoos tend to give. There were some days when I actually just stopped my hair routine here and my hair didn't feel the least bit dry. But it is advisable to always condition your hair (Recently, I read about a beauty editor who only uses conditioners on her hair. No shampoos. At all.). I applied it on the bottom half of my hair and it provided just the right amount of moisture needed. There was no oily residue after rinsing it off and my hair didn't feel like it was being weighed down. The deep conditioner is a hair mask which I used once or twice a week to enhance the effects of the shampoo and the conditioner.

Despite the fact that I blow-dried my hair every day during the 2 months and did the occasional straightening, my hair remained soft and the ends were healthy. I also noticed that my hair was slightly fuller, especially at the top (Which is usually as flat as a plateau.). However, one thing to note is that these products aren't free of silicones.

John Frieda's Full Repair Range is available at Guardian and Watsons outlets.

REVIEW: Belif's Tinted Moisturizer Waterdrop B.B.

During the recent summer sale at Napiers, I checked out some of my favourites from Belif along with a few strangers. And one stranger which quickly upgraded its status is the Tinted Moisturizer Waterdrop B.B.. Previously, I tried the original version and I loved it to bits (Read my review here.). I did make an order for it but I thought I try the version meant for dry skin too (Late nights, sigh. Thank you, school.).

The Tinted Moisturizer Waterdrop B.B. is said to naturally enhance the skin tone while it wraps the skin lightly with natural bursts of moisture. It contains Plantain, which is an agent for maintaining the skin's moisture balance. This gives the skin a soft and rosy glow without dryness, even after makeup. At the same time, it also protects the skin from harmful sun rays with its SPF20 PA++.

The tinted moisturizer comes in a 30ml squeeze tube, which is a little larger than palm-sized and fits into most bags. Sadly, it comes in only one shade which is a little too white. I combat this by dusting a light layer of Zao's Compact Powder in 302 Beige Orange. As for its texture, it is watery, glides across the skin like a dream and keeps it moisturized (No dry patches!). However, as like most tinted moisturizers, it isn't very long lasting and a touch-up is needed after about 4 hours. At the end of the day, when I clean it off, my skin is left feeling smooth and still moisturized. Hello, new best friend. :D

Belif's Tinted Moisturizer Waterdrop B.B. will be loved by those who are looking for a fuss-free, light weight moisturizer. I bought mine from Napiers' website here but you can also get it from their Singapore outlets at Wisma and Plaza Singapura at $33.

REVIEW: BelleWave's White-Neurogist Express Lightening Expert+

During one of my busiest week in October, I sneaked in a break by heading down to Bali Tangi, under Warisan Spa, for a little treat by BelleWave. Thanks so much for arranging this, Celia! :D

BelleWave is a Swiss skin care brand that aims to bring skin perfection through precision. It combines the precise nature of Swiss work culture, the pinpoint accuracy of U.S. technology and effective botanical ingredients to produce professional treatments and homecare products.

The little treat I was going for was BelleWave's ultimate skin whitening treatment, the White-Neurogist Express Lightening Expert+. It is an intensive 6-step treatment that corrects dull and uneven skin tones. At the same time, it also eradicates pigmentation and prevents new ones from surfacing. The treatment is powered by the following ingredients:

DiamondLite 60
It is a Nobel Prize discovery active that holds a similar structure to diamond. Containing up to 125 times more antioxidant power than Vitamin C, it brightens skin, suppresses melanin formation and controls cell-death.

3D-White Complex
It is a dynamic complex of 7 potent lightening actives that work to combat melanin synthesis before, during and after formation. The 3-dimensional pathway blocks pigmentation from the root source by inhibiting melanin synthesis pathways.

NeuroEase
A unique tri-peptide, it calms the skin to prevent and decrease melanin. It also helps in soothing irritation symptoms like redness and swellings. It also balances the skin sensitivity threshold.

YouthWhite
Comprising of a dynamic complex of Rabdosia Rubescens and Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract, it counters oxidative stress on skin, which is the primary cause of skin aging (By as much as 4.5 years in 2 months!) and damage. It does so by reducing melanin and improving collagen production.

Here's the cozy room where I had my facial! Each room comes equipped with a basin and a mirror so that you can do your touch-ups conveniently.

The 6 steps took about 2 hours to complete. But first, my therapist did a thorough cleansing of my face. She used a makeup remover to remove my foundation. This was then followed up with a milk cleanser which cleaned off the makeup remover. And then, the BelleWave experience began and it was incredibly relaxing and soothing! I fell asleep at one point. Heh.

For those with sensitive skin, you may feel a little 'biting' when you have the Quartz Instant Radiance Peel. But not to worry, just let your therapist know and she will reduce the application time of 20 minutes. I do have sensitive skin and my face did turn red. But I did not experience any 'biting' and had it on for the full 20 minutes.

At Bali Tang, the NeuroEase Rebalancing Essence was applied with a tool that utilized ultrasound waves. This helped the essence penetrate deeper into the skin. For ladies who are pregnant, the essence will be applied with a series of massages. (:

And therapist was a total dear! She tidied up my eyebrows and even did some extractions for me. I had a lovely time conversing with her during the treatment. If I remembered it right, she has been in the industry for 7 years and counting.

from left to right: before and after

It was a little difficult to capture the effects of the treatment because of the lighting but it left my skin feeling incredibly smooth, radiant and moisturized. One noticeable difference was my dark circles. I have been sleeping past 2am for the past few weeks so you can imagine how terrible they were! But this treatment reduced the darkness significantly. :D

From now till November 20th, 2013, you can also experience the effectiveness of BelleWave's White-Neurogist Express Lightening Expert+ at a 1st trial offer of $48 (U.P. $397)! :D Applicable only for participating BelleWave-affiliated salons, please contact Celia at 6775 9026. She will provide you with the information regarding the salon locations and details to purchase the e-voucher for the treatment. (: All treatments should be done by November 27th, 2013.

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WARISAN SPA
138 Tampines Street 11
#01-140
Singapore 521138