One of the best cleansers I’ve tried thus far has got to be Kanebo’s Suisai Beauty Clear Powder. It is the star product in Kanebo’s Suisai range and was ranked the number one facial wash in Japan for 3 consecutive years! A good facial wash is probably one of the most underrated skincare products in any skincare regime. But did you know that proper and thorough cleansing is the only way to ensure that your power packed serums and moisturizers can be readily absorbed into your skin?

Before I delve deeper into the benefits of this cleanser, did you know that the entire Suisai range is inspired by the “Gift of Fermentation”? The fermentation process is said to produce incredible beautifying ingredients. This particular range contains moisturising elements such as fermented soy milk extract, pear juice extract and Double Hyaluronic Acid. The results? Radiant, nourished and hydrated skin.

What’s special about Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder?

Aside from the fact that it is packaged in tiny individual capsules in powder form ($27 for a pack of 32 and $14 for a pack of 15) and are hence a breeze to travel with, these babies actually do pack a punch when it comes to cleansing. If your key concerns include rough skin, unwanted shine, clogged pores and excess sebum, Suisai Beauty Clear Powder is the perfect fit for you.

It contains unique enzymes and amino acid cleansing ingredients to decompose keratin plugs and exfoliate dead skin cells. Simply pour the powder onto your palm, add a few drops of water and rub your hands together to work up a foamy lather, then massage onto your skin.

How long have I been using it? Is it effective?

I have been using this for 2 weeks now. Not only does it prime my skin and enhance the absorption of my serum and moisturizer, it also makes my skin visibly brighter and more hydrated.  I love how the granule-structured powder formula enables me to achieve humidity-resistant, rich and voluminous lather that feels absolutely silky smooth yet effectively lifts impurities and deeply cleanses my skin to reduce visible pores, blackheads and acne. My skin feels much cleaner immediately, similar to when I have just enjoyed a deep cleansing facial at the beauty salon. I finally understand why this product is highly raved by beauty enthusiasts in Asia, including Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Go on, redeem your free sample here and try it for yourself! You can also purchase this from Don Don Donki, Welcia-BHG and Lazada.

Minimalism may be right up my alley when it comes to style, but did you know I’m a closet Sanrio fan too? My favourite character is My Melody!

Thanks to baby R, I have every reason to indulge in this Jujube Hello Sanrio Sweets Mini Helix bag. It’s a cute little bag that fits all my essentials when I want to travel light (when we grab groceries in the neighbourhood or when the hubby carries the diaper bag)!

Believe it or not, my iphone 7+, keys, cards, cash and hand sanitizer fit beautifully in this bag. I can even slip in a lip balm in the front zippered compartment. It’s so handy and I really adore the aquamarine strap which adds a pop of colour. The sweet combination of pastel hues also makes it a breeze to match with most casual wear in solid colours. In this series of photos, I was feeling a little cutesy so I amped up the cute factor by adding a unicorn keychain from my Little Twin Stars collection.

What I love most about this bag is that baby R gets to use it when she’s older. As you can tell, even at the tender age of 7 months, she can’t keep her hands and eyes off it.

Jujube Hello Sanrio Sweets collection will be launched alongside Red Ruby and Cleopatra on 17 July at 12pm. I’m hoping to snag a Be Neat to match my Mini Helix!

It never struck me that it was a culture here to touch babies who belong to strangers until I had a baby myself. When I first shared about a waiter at So Pho (Clementi Mall) who had the audacity to kiss (yes, not just touch!!!) baby R without any warning on my igstories, I received a deluge of direct messages from fellow mummies who empathized with me and told me they shared similar experiences. In my case, I told the waiter and the manager off right away but many mummies were shocked beyond words and couldn’t react in time.

Some mummies told me that they’re afraid of offending people who touch their babies as they are just friendly souls who probably mean no harm. But  what truly bothers me is the issue of awareness over here. Isn’t it common sense that babies are the most vulnerable to diseases?

I’m sick and tired of having to avoid strangers who can’t wait to lay their hands on baby R.
I don’t know where you’ve been, what you’ve touched and if your hands or mouth are clean before you happily reach over to touch my baby. There have been actual cases of babies dying from cold sores because of an “innocent” kiss from a stranger. In fact, more than half the population carries the oral herpes virus. Did you know that when this virus is passed on to a baby through what you may think is just a kiss, it can cause serious illness or even death? Our hygiene awareness surely isn’t on par with our economic development (most people still choose not to wear a mask when they’re sick) and I’m not sure if that could be one of the causes of the HFMD outbreak here in recent years.

Also, just because babies can’t defend themselves yet doesn’t mean that you can treat them any way you wish. Babies are not toys. They are little human beings and should be treated with respect. How would you feel if a stranger suddenly came up to you on the streets and pinched your cheeks, let alone give you a kiss just because he or she thought you were cute? Wouldn’t that be akin to molest?

We all know how difficult it is to care for babies, even more so when they are not in the best of health. So please spare a thought to the next parent you see on the street. No matter how cute his or her baby may be, exercise some self-control and do not, I repeat, do not, reach over to touch the baby without the parent’s consent.

Blackmores – Australia’s leading natural health company

When you mention Blackmores, health supplements naturally come to mind. No wonder, since this leading natural health company has been around since 1932 and is very much a household name. Founded by naturopath Maurice Blackmore in 1932, the brand combines traditional naturopathic expertise and scientific research with the aim of achieving optimal health and wellbeing. To date, Blackmores is available in 17 markets!

As one of the most trusted brands in the industry, Blackmores’ vitamins, herbal and mineral supplements as well as nutritional foods use only premium ingredients sourced from around the world and are produced based on Australia’s strict manufacturing standards. Did you know that they use sustainable packaging and focus on waste reduction practices too?

Now, were you aware that Blackmores has a skincare range as well? Blackmores Vitamin E Cream was launched in 1978 and has become a mainstay in the brand’s suite of products.

What’s special about Blackmores Vitamin E cream?

Ever since I gave birth, I’ve been experiencing random bouts of dry spots and eczema on my body. It appears that the hormones have wrecked havoc on my skin. Besides relying solely on eczema creams that are usually high in steroid content, I’ve decided to take preventive measures by moisturising my skin regularly.  With skin loving ingredients such as natural vitamin E, avocado oil and apricot kernel oil, I can always trust Blackmores Vitamin E cream to come to the rescue!

I love that this moisturizer can be used on both my face and body. It’s soothing and moisturizing, perfect if you sleep in air-conditioned rooms like yours truly. Natural Vitamin E provides antioxidants to the skin’s cells and conditions your skin at the same time, while avocado oil nourishes your skin and protects it from dry climates. Apricot kernel oil, on the other hand, helps sustain and nourish your skin, keeping it hydrated at all times. Most importantly, it is 100% made in Australia without any artificial colouring or fragrance.

Lanolin is another skin-loving ingredient in this product that packs a punch. Did you know that Lanolin has similar functions to our skin’s natural sebum? Both Lanolin and sebum act as a protective barrier on the skin to prevent the skin from becoming dry and brittle due to dehydration. Lanolin is purified secretion from sheep’s sebaceous glands and is commonly found in sheep wool. Its fatty acids reduce the evaporation of water from the deepest layers of the skin. Now, that’s the secret to silky soft and smooth skin.

Simply massage a small amount into your skin after cleansing. I use it twice a day for optimal results. The cream absorbs readily into your skin and feels absolutely lightweight. My skin feels soft and supple immediately, and after using it for a week, I find my dry spots are more hydrated too. The handy packaging also made it a breeze to pack it in my luggage for our recent staycation with baby R!

And this is how I apply my skincare everyday – with baby R in tow. I wanted a photo by myself but she kept fussing until I held her up. As you can see from her pose, she wanted to be in the frame as well. Perhaps she knows she’s the cause of my dry skin? 😉

If you’ll like to try this skin cream for yourself, click here to register for Blackmores Singapore and Sample Store’s By-Invite Sampling today!