beauty – Page 9 – Regina Chow

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John Frieda Frizz Ease Range: Battling Frizz Has Never Been Easier

July 21, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

I have very fine hair which is naturally prone to flyaways and frizz. My ends are especially dull and frizzy as a result of chemical treatments like colouring and perming. While I don’t perm my hair as often these days (it has been 7 months since my last perm), repeated colouring has left my ends damaged and dry.

Hence, you can imagine my delight when I received an invitation to try out John Frieda’s Frizz Ease range just when my current hair care products were running out. How very timely indeed!

Background of John Frieda

John Frieda is a British celebrity hairstylist who began his hairstyling career way back in 1968 and eventually started his own line of hair products. Today, the John Frieda team is led by a team of celebrity stylists, including Kerry Warn, the hair designer for The Great Gatsby movie.

More importantly, John Frieda’s team of stylists aims to understand and solve your biggest hair woes and transform your hair using salon-calibre products to achieve the look that you have always desired.

About the Frizz Ease Range

The Frizz Ease Range is specially formulated for ladies with unruly, frizzy hair and would like to tame her tresses and keep frizz at bay.

Having tried many products that claimed to battle frizz and tame flyaways, only to realize that the results were temporary, I was initially a little skeptical that John Frieda’s Frizz Ease Range would work. But, photos certainly don’t lie. Look how smooth and glossy my hair was after just one day of usage!

Even JW
complimented me on my hair when I first switched over to John Frieda’s
products, which really surprised me because he usually doesn’t notice anything. I guess that only means that the products do work!

Step 1: Frizz-Ease Straight Ahead Shampoo & Conditioner

Most moisturizing shampoos weigh my hair down. Some even leave a residual film in my hair which causes my scalp to itch.

Surprisingly, the Frizz-Ease Straight Ahead Shampoo turned out to be different. The lightweight formula delivers moisture to my hair without any residue. My scalp feels clean and my hair is smoother and silkier.

I have used many types of conditioners, including several famous salon brands, but my vote goes to the Frizz-Ease Straight Ahead Conditioner as it is the best conditioner I’ve used thus far. The unique formula comprises a Frizz Mending complex and olive oil which boosts moisture and provides optimal nourishment to my hair. My hair immediately feels softer and more manageable.

Step 2: Frizz Ease Hair Serum

The Frizz Ease Hair Serum for Medium to Coarse Frizzy Hair is the most highly acclaimed hair product in the entire Frizz Ease Range. Voted as the best styling and anti-frizz product in over 10 magazines in the UK and US, this award-winning serum is also John Frieda’s best-selling product, with 1 bottle being sold every 30 seconds.

For those of you who have been reading my blog, you would probably know that I sleep with sponge curlers to achieve my curls. Sponge curlers deliver bouncier and more long-lasting curls as compared to curling tongs. More importantly, the absence of heat also means that this curling method does not damage my hair at all.

I have been applying this serum on damp hair everyday after shampoo and conditioner, before I use my sponge curlers, and the results have been nothing short of amazing. Not only does the serum help to seal in moisture and tame frizz through its humidity repelling formulation, it also lends a healthy shine to my tresses. My hair remains glossy lasts throughout the day until my next shampoo! This is my favourite product out of the entire range.

Step 3: Dream Curls Styling Spray

I use the Dream Curls Styling Spray together with the Frizz Ease Serum to achieve bouncier, more defined curls. Its non-alcohol and magnesium-enriched formula penetrates every strand of hair to restore elasticity and spring. After smoothing on the serum, I spray a light mist of this styling product on my hair ends before proceeding to curl my hair with my sponge curlers.

On days when I attend functions and events, I would also lightly spritz the Frizz Ease Firm Hold Hairspray all over my hair for better hold. I like that it contains sunscreen and can protect your hair from harmful UV rays.

Weekly Intensive Care: Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masque

This masque replenishes moisture to restore balance, shine and softness for frizz-defying results. Formulated with milk protein, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil, it mends the hair surface and transforms dry, brittle hair into silky soft hair. I have used this twice so far, and a little goes a long way. I can foresee that this tub will last me a couple of months at least.

Overall Review

I only decided to
write a comprehensive review 2 weeks after using this range because I
wanted to test if the results would last, and I am happy to report that 2
weeks on, my hair has remained smooth and shiny. I wouldn’t say my hair
is completely frizz free now, but it is approximately 90% frizz free,
which is good enough for me.

If you’ve an issue with frizzy hair, give John Frieda’s Frizz Ease range a go!

For more information, do visit John Frieda’s website:

http://www.johnfrieda.com.sg

John Frieda Frizz Ease Range can also be found in selected Watsons stores and Guardian pharmacies.

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June Vanity Trove & Personalized Vanity Trove

July 11, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

Vanity Trove never fails to spring a treasure trove of surprises on me every month, and the June edition was no exception.

The Apivita range came as part of June’s Vanity Trove. Founded in 1979, Apivita is the first Greek company to incorporate natural ingredients into beauty products. Did you know that all Apvita products contain high biological value bee products, Greek plant extracts from organic cultivations and 100% pure organic oils? All their products are free of mineral oil, Parabens, silicone and Propylene Glycol.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to try out the natural goodness of Apivita products. The Cleansing Purifying Tonic Lotion (S$36 for 200ml) contains natural cleansing agents specially formulated to for oily and combination skin. The unique combination of propolis, citrus and tea tree essential oils gently removes dirt and oil while refreshing and rejuvenating your skin. I am a fan of citrus scents and I personally think that the citrus and tea tree essential oils energize my skin and give me the much needed pick-me-up in the morning.

The other Apivita products in my June Vanity Trove include the Light Texture Face Cream for Oily-Combination Skin SPF 30 (S$56 for 50ml) and Express Beauty Green Clay Mask (S$58 for a box of 12).

I have yet to try out the face cream, but I have tried the Express Beauty Green Clay Mask and found it to be an effective deep cleansing mask. One sachet goes a long way and I was able to get 3 applications from this little sachet alone.

Whenever I felt that my pores were starting to get clogged or when little bumps started appearing, I would slather on a thin layer of the clay mask. It is great for purging impurities and has a soothing effect on my skin. My pores feel clean and my skin feels revitalized after just one application.

Besides the Apivita range, I was also very happy to find Korea’s No. 1 preferred collagen, Ultimate Colla-gen (S$88 for 30 sachets) in my trove.

I have been taking DHC’s collagen drink and collagen powder for a while (albeit on and off) and I feel that my skin is more supple when I drink it. I am interested in finding out if other collagen brands are just as effective, and the fact that Ultimate Colla-gen offers nano-molecular collagen and thus increases the level of absorption into our body, makes it all the more enticing. These handy sachets are great for travelling too as you can simply add them into your drinks when you’re on the go!

I love the multitude of quality beauty products ranging from skincare, haircare, health, and bodycare randomly selected by Vanity Trove, as it allows us to discover and try out the latest products in the market before purchasing the full-size products in stores. However, wouldn’t it be better if your Vanity Trove now consists of products that are specially customized based on your beauty profile and preferences?

Well, that is exactly what Vanity Trove has in store for all of us! The June Edition of Vanity Trove is the last of its kind and moving forward, all Vanity Troves will be personalized. Isn’t that good news? 🙂

Here’re the steps to take to receive your own personalized trove:

To create your own personalized trove consisting of 8 beauty samples at $25, you would first have to complete your beauty profile. These are just some simple questions to help the VT team come up with beauty recommendations that are tailored to your needs.

Now, for the good news! All my lovely readers will also receive an additional surprise in your personalized Vanity Trove!

All you have to do is to click on the following link to fill up your beauty profile:

http://bit.ly/10AKDzc

Are there products that you’ve been wanting to try out? Add them to Wishlist, Like the Brand and the Product to unlock more samples for you. That way, you can pick up these samples the moment they are released.

You can also share your thoughts about the products that you have used by Adding them to your Beauty Table and Writing a Review. Follow your friends and fellow beauty aficionados to read their reviews and find out about the latest beauty products!

I’m so excited to receive my first Vanity Trove! I will be doing a review on it when it arrives, so do watch this space for more details!

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Vanity Trove May 2013

May 13, 2013 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

Vanity Trove’s May Edition arrived at my doorstep earlier this month, and I couldn’t wait to unbox it to find out what beauty finds it had in stall for me. If you enjoy the thrill of online shopping, trust me, signing up for a monthly subscription with Vanity Trove is even more exciting because you’ll be sent a box full of surprises every month!

Here are the products that I received in this month’s Vanity Trove box:

Every Vanity Trove box comes with a handy Vanity magazine on the latest beauty trends. I was intrigued by the current nail trends in this month’s issue and found the tips on how to achieve camouflage print nails particularly interesting. Not only is it on trend, it sounds easy enough to achieve even for a noob like me.

GO60 Mask

Retail Price: $60 for 5 masks

Go60 is a lifestyle and wellness concept by Mary Chia. I like that this hydrating treatment masque can be left on overnight and it even comes with an additional flap that extends beyond your face to cover your neck as well, which I feel is very thoughtful. Most of us are usually so obsessed with our facial care regime that we often forget that our neck needs hydration too.

I love that the essence is instantly absorbed without any sticky after feel and it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth thereafter. I like this mask so much, I’m actually contemplating buying a box of it.

Aqua Rine Japanese Aroma Bath Salt

Retail Price: S$10.80 for Peach Bath Sea Salt

and S$9.80 for Rose Bath Sea Salt

Exfoliate your dead skin cells and cleanse your skin with Aqua Rine’s Japanese aroma bath sea salt range. I’m particularly keen on trying the Peach Bath Sea Salt as it has detoxifying and anti-ageing ingredients.

Sebamed Feminine Intimate Wash

Retail Price: S$17.45

I personally think it’s very important to use feminine wash but most come in huge bottles which are a pain to lug around on overseas trips. This Sebamed feminine wash regulates female hygiene at an optimal pH level of 3.8 and comes in a convenient size for travelling. Love this!

Nuxe Melting Cleansing Gel

Retail Price: S$28

Nuxe prides itself for using rose petals in its gentle skincare range. This melting cleansing gel cleanses well and relieves tightness at the same time.

Kose Infinity Deep Protection UV

Retail Price: S$54

Kose’s Deep Protection UV, which comes with SPF 50+++, is an emulsion-like sunscreen formula that blends into your skin to achieve a clear, transparent finish. I tried it on my hand and I like that it is non-sticky and mildly hydrating. I personally think it would make a pretty good make-up base.

Lunarmer Brightener

Retail Price: S$60

Lunamer’s signature product is its Brightener, which is essentially a beauty essence that revitalizes your skin by reducing dullness. It has the highest concentration of Clear Nanovitamin E in the Lunamer series and is able to boost collagen and skin cell renewal.

I tested this on my hand too and I really liked its extremely light, watery texture. It absorbs into my skin immediately and felt absolutely featherlight, which makes it great for our humid climate. Lunamer products are exclusively available at Astalift Boutiques located at Centrepoint and Ion Orchard.

All Vanity Trove members are also entitled to redeem a free 3-piece travel sized kit at Astalift Boutiques with the Lunamer coupon in this month’s Vanity magazine.

Remember to take a peek into your Vanity magazine when you next receive your Vanity Trove box! In it, you’ll find discount or redemption coupons exclusive only to Vanity Trove members. 🙂

Bach Rescue Pastilles

Retail Price: S$18.90

With the flu bug going around these days, it’s always handy to keep a packet of alcohol and sugar free lozenges to battle against a sore or itchy throat. Bach’s rescue pastilles are made from natural remedies of flower essences. You can actually taste the flower essences infused in the chewy lozenges!

Subscribe to Vanity Trove now for June’s edition!

You can also visit Vanity Trove’s Facebook Page HERE for more updates.

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DHC Event at Cookyn Inc

May 2, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

I’ve been meaning to try out DHC products, so you can imagine my excitement when I was invited to the DHC event at Cookyn Inc (Thanks Smith!).

It is true that beauty comes from within…..within bottles, jars, sachets and boxes. After all, without beauty products, maintaining a youthful appearance with clear, translucent skin would be an impossible task, isn’t it?

And when it comes to skincare for Asians, Japanese skincare label DHC knows best. Did you know that DHC is the number 1 direct mail skincare company in Japan? Japanese are known for their discerning tastes and rigorous quality standards, both of which are clearly reflected in DHC’s products.

What I especially adore about DHC products is that they are fragrance free, free from mineral oil and paraben free. Plant extracts coupled with state-of-the-art scientific research form the bedrock of DHC’s formulation, so consumers like us can be assured that DHC products are safe and effective.

I am currently using DHC’s washing powder and make-up wipes (pictured above) as part of my skincare routine and I really love how effective these products are in removing all the dirt and grime from my face after a long day. I usually bring the washing powder and make-up wipes with me when I travel because there’s no need to pack them in my check-in luggage, which makes washing up a breeze during long flights.

1. DHC Washing Powder (S$22.90)

Its plant-based formula is very gentle on dry skin yet effective in removing dirt as well as dead skin. It uses natural ingredients and small amounts of amino acid derivatives to match our skin’s PH level and retain moisture. I like how my skin is clean, silky smooth and moisturized after each wash.

2. DHC Make-Off sheet (S$17.50 for 50 sheets)

These handy make-up wipes are made of 100% cotton and formulated with plant-based skincare ingredients such as Chamomile Extract and Ginseng Extract to ensure that your skin remains moisturized. I used this during my Taipei, Shanghai and Jakarta trips this month and I find that these make-up wipes are very effective at removing every trace of make-up. As with all other DHC products, I love that these wipes are unscented, uncolored and paraben free too.

DHC has also recently launched its new anti-ageing skincare series, DHC Kakonjuka Skincare Series.

The Kakonjuka Skincare Series is formulated with six carefully selected Japanese and Korean botanicals extracted from the plants’ nuts, leaves, stems, flowers and fruits. It includes ingredients such as Olive leaf Extract, Trehalose derivatives and Lingzhi to promote collagen production so as to enhance the skin’s elasticity and firmness.

Ms Kimiko Ikeda, Beauty Advisor from DHC Japan, specially flew down to introduce DHC’s latest products and beauty tips on how to maintain our youth and beauty.

After masking, it’s always important to follow up with your usual skincare routine (e.g. serum and moisturizer). DHC’s Kakonjuka Cream is one moisturizer that you may want to try for its anti-ageing properties as it helps to improve skin elasticity and prevent wrinkles!

After the beauty workshop, it was time for us to cook up a storm using DHC’s collagen drink and collagen powder! A daily skincare regime is essential, but it is also important to pay attention to beauty food recipes for beautiful, glowing skin.

Group picture with the rest of the bloggers at my table:

Here are the ingredients for our first dish on the menu, Baked Buttery Mentaiko Ramen.

Shredding mushrooms to complement our mentaiko ramen. I added a huge dollop of mentaiko roe because it is so yummy!

After mixing the ingredients with ready cooked ramen, we wrapped our ramen into a little parcel and popped it in the oven to bake.

When it’s out from the oven, add nori seaweed, bonito flakes, DHC collagen powder (remember to add this only after cooking) and some pepper to taste, and you’re done!

Here’s the recipe for this delicious dish with collagen boosting properties:

Baked Buttery Mentaiko Ramen
– Serves 4-6 small portions

Ingredients:
1 packet of dry ramen (270g)
0.5 cups of mentaiko roe
4 teaspoons of onion powder
2 teaspoons of chopped garlic
100g of enoli mushrooms (cut into 1cm)
100g of shiitake mushrooms (chopped finely)
50g of salted butter
50g of salted butter
1/3 cup of heavy cream
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1/3 cup of mirin
2 x tablespoons of Japanese Mayonnaise
0.5 lemon
Black pitted olives
Nori Seaweed (garnish)
Bontio flakes (garnish)
Chives (Garnish)
Sakt and pepper (to taste)
4-6 pcs of baking paper (15 x 15cm)

Directions for preparation:

1. Cook ramen in boiling water till slightly soft (about 1.5-2 minutes)
2. Plunge in ice-cold water to stop cooking process. Set aside.
3. Melt butter in frying pan. Set aside and let it cool slightly.
4. Mix melted butter with garlic, onion powder and a pinch of salt until dissolved.
5. Addi n mayonnaise, cream and mentaiko. Combine well.
6. Place a sheet of baking paper on table and put a handful of cold soba in the middle of the parcel.
7. Toss with 1 tablespoon of mentaiko butter prepared earlier.
8. Top with handful of assorted mushrooms.
9. Drizzle with some mentaiko butter and a tablespoon of chicken broth. Add pepper to taste.
10. Wrap and seal parcel
11. Place in preheated oven of 160 deg Celsius and cook for 12 minutes.

Next up on the menu was sushi! All we had to do was to roll avocado, cucumbers, salmon, collagen powder and sushi rice on a sheet of Nori seaweed before slicing the sushi roll. Sounds simple enough, but one look at this picture below shows that I am probably not cut out to be a Japanese housewife.

Karen on the other hand looks like the perfect Japanese housewife with her immaculately rolled sushi.

The last dish on the menu was dessert! We created our own yogurt anmitsu with fresh fruit and the DHC collagen drink. It is incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious to boot!

Add in fruits, mochi balls, konnyaku jelly cubes and low fat yogurt layer by layer, then pour a bottle of the DHC collagen drink into the glass and you’re done. Easy isn’t it?

I had an enjoyable time whipping up these simple delicacies infused with the goodness of DHC collagen with the girls!

I went to the event after work that day so I was dressed more formally.

Dress: Chanel

Shoes: Salvatore Ferragamo

Statement Necklace from my supplier

Before we left, DHC gave each of us a bundle of goodies!

Next, I’m going to share a beauty drink that I’ve been taking with DHC’s collagen powder every night for a couple of weeks before my crazy travelling schedule in April.

It is about time I resumed my routine now that I’m back in Singapore for a longer period of time.

I came across Rooibos tea one day in the supermarket and was immediately drawn to its health benefits. Rooibos tea contains powerful antioxidants and promotes good health and skin. Sounds good right? If you can’t take caffeinated drinks like me, you’ll be happy to know that rooibos tea is caffeine-free. In fact, it helps you to sleep better, hence I personally prefer to take it at night.

I typically stir a spoonful of collagen powder into my rooibos tea and it is almost tasteless. It dissolves readily too!What I like about the collagen powder is that it doesn’t have a fishy taste and it blends very well with most drinks.

If you’re interested to try rooibos tea, it can be found in NTUC and most supermarkets that carry organic products. Hope you’ll like this drink as much as I do!

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Vanity Trove April Edition and Giveaway!

April 18, 2013 by Regina Chow 3 Comments

I’ve been thinking of trying out Vanity Trove for the longest time and was absolutely thrilled when Camy from Vanity Trove very kindly sent the April Edition over!

I’m sure most of you know what Vanity Trove is, but for the benefit of those who have not been introduced to its concept yet, I will give you all the details.

Vanity Trove is a subscription based platform for you to try out new beauty
products every month. Upon subscribing, you’ll receive a box chock full of various beauty
products in trial or even full size delivered right to your doorstep once a month!

I personally think that this is the best way for
testing out new products before buying the full size ones and you get to try a myriad of brands at a fraction of the cost! Honestly, what’s there not to love? 🙂

Now, let’s take a look at what the April Edition of Vanity Trove offers, shall we?

April’s Edition comes complete with Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Whitening Range as well as products from popular Japanese brand Dr C: Labo.

Specially formulated for and tested on Asian skin, Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Whitening range is designed to prevent melanin production and reduce pigmentation to ensure that your skin is brighter and more radiant than before.

Visible Whitening Smoothing Cleanser

The enzymatic micro-beads in this cleanser gently removes dead surface cells and evens out your skin tone by reducing the appearance of sun spots.

Visible Whitening Melanin Control Night Capsules

If you are concerned about pigmentation, you may also wish to try out the Melanin Control Night Capsules which deliver potent natural hop extract to inhibit melanin formation at every stage as well as minimize the appearance of pigmentation. The powerful botanicals, vitamin C derivative and environmental protectants not only battle against the harmful effects of pollution, but also support the skin’s natural collagen and elastin matrix.

The end result? You’ll get brighter, smoother skin!

Visible Whitening Multi-targeted UV shield BB Cream SPF 30 PA++

We all know the importance of using sunscreen, especially in sunny Singapore. What I like about this BB cream is that it provides ample sun protection, hydrates as well as brightens your skin. The anti-aging technology also serves to prevent the appearance of discolorations and fine lines, giving you beautiful, glowing skin.

I have heard rave reviews about Dr Ci: Labo’s products, which are made of natural ingredients and are paraben free! That explains why I was especially excited to see its star product, the Aqua-Collagen-Gel, in this month’s edition of Vanity Trove.

Touted as the simplest skincare, the Aqua-Collagen-Gel sold over 23 million jars worldwide thanks to its wonderful multi-tasking capabilities. You’ll receive the benefits of 6 products (Toner, Milky lotion, Beauty essence, Facial mask, Facial cream, and Makeup base), all in just one little jar. That sure saves us a lot of time and cost!

Visit Vanity Trove’s website and subscribe for your monthly box of goodies HERE!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Have you joined my International Giveaway? I have decided to extend the deadline for another week, and to sweeten the deal, I’m going to give away a stash of brand new beauty products to all my local readers who participate in this giveaway!

Yes, you heard right! 1 lucky Singapore reader will also stand to walk away with all these products, in addition to Nail Vibe’s discount voucher!

If the response is good, I will add even more items to this giveaway!

1. Vanity Trove Box April Edition

If you like what you see in my review above, this is good news for you. I’m giving away a brand new box so you can try out the products for yourself. 🙂

2. Laniege White Plus Renew Trial Set

Here’s another set of whitening products to combat melanin production and block out the sun’s harmful rays!

These are the products that you will be receiving:

3. DHC Mild Lotion and DHC Collagen Pills

I’m taking DHC’s collagen powder currently and I thought I would share the love here by giving you a brand new pack of collagen pills!

4. Hair Curlers

I have been receiving queries on how I curl my hair recently, and truth be told, the secret lies in these sponge hair curlers. The curlers are made entirely out of sponge and are pretty soft so you can actually sleep with them on. I’m giving away a set of 4 for you to try them out too! 😀

I had my hair permed in Jan 2013, but the perm is fast wearing off and these sponge curlers are the only reason why I can still achieve bouncy curls! I typically start rolling my hair with these curlers after washing my hair, when my hair is about 80-90% dry. Then, I jump into bed, drift into slumberland and when the next morning arrives, this is what my hair looks like:

Amazing right? The curls last the entire day and I don’t need any styling products at all. 🙂

Now, here’s a quick recap of what you have to do to receive all these goodies:

1. Follow me @reginachow_sg on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook

(The more platforms you follow, the higher your chances!)

2. Follow @NailVibeSG on Instagram

3. Register as a user on Nailvibe.com

Remember to contact me via Facebook or e-mail me at regina.chow@gmail.com to let me know when you’ve done all of the above!

(Please note that for the purpose of this giveaway, I would have to meet up with the winner as there are too many bulky items.)

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Purple Highlights in Taipei

April 15, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

I
just returned from a work trip to China and am in the midst of
unpacking my luggage, finishing up some work and also sorting out all
the photos from my Taipei trip (erm I still have photos from Australia
and New Zealand too!) as well as from several blogger events/reviews.

To start the ball rolling, I thought I’ll just share some photos of my new hairstyle. 😉

I wanted to get highlights done in Taipei and my friend recommended that I try out Crazy Cut Salon located across Rainbow Hotel at Ximending. Her regular stylist, Angel, suggested I go with either dark purple highlights or greenish ash highlights. I thought it would be an interesting change to have purple highlights, since ash is way too similar to my base colour.

My only reservation was that I was afraid the purple highlights would turn out too bold and inappropriate for work, but Angel assured me that it would blend in very well with my existing base colour.

These photos were taken indoors and they have not been edited in any way. Isn’t it amazing how subtle the purple highlights are?

This is what it looks like under sunlight, 2 weeks after my colour job (photo taken from Instagram @reginachow_sg)

The colour is definitely more obvious under sunlight, but it is still somewhat subtle and not too in-your-face.

I took the opportunity to touch up my roots at the salon as well and the entire process took a little over 3 hours. The service was wonderful and I was really happy with the end result! The best part was, the total cost was extremely affordable compared to prices in Singapore. I had my roots touched up, highlights and also treatment done at about S$180! I would highly recommend Angel at Crazy Cut Salon if you’re thinking of getting your hair done in Taipei. 🙂

Alright, enough of my hair for now. I will be sharing more about Taipei in a bit, but meanwhile, have a great week ahead!

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International Giveaway: Nail Vibe Discount Vouchers

April 8, 2013 by Regina Chow No Comments

I apologize for the lack of updates on my blog. I have just returned from a short trip to Taipei and come tomorrow, I’ll be heading to China for work the entire week.

To make up for my absence, I’m throwing a giveaway for all my local AND international readers hosted by Melva, the lovely owner of Nail Vibe!

If you love nail polish, you have to visit Nail Vibe because the nail polish brands (OPI, China Glaze, Essie etc.) stocked by them are so reasonably priced, you can gain huge savings of at least 50% by shopping with them!

The best part is, they ship internationally so you can get your nail polish fix anywhere, anytime!

Nail Vibe has a
physical store at China Square Central, and in conjunction with their
2nd anniversary, 3x 15% discount vouchers will be given away to 3 lucky
readers of my blog!

The vouchers can either be used at the Nail Vibe store at China Square or online at Nailvibe.com!

Here are the steps to participate in this giveaway:

1. Follow me @reginachow_sg on Instagram

2. Follow @NailVibeSG on Instagram

3. Register as a user on Nailvibe.com

After you have done the above, please e-mail me at regina.chow@gmail.com with:

1. A screenshot of your instagram account showing that you have followed @NailvibeSG and @reginachow_sg

2. Quote your customer ID from registration on Nailvibe.com as a user (This is important because Nailvibe will be sending out your vouchers!!)

Terms and Conditions:

1. This giveaway is open to all my international readers.

2. The deadline for participating in this giveaway is 29th April 2013.

2. Winners will be selected randomly and notified via e-mail.

3. The discount vouchers will be sent out by Nail Vibe.

4. For other terms and conditions, please refer to the image below. (Click on image to enlarge)

Hope this drives your Monday blues away!

Have a great week ahead and remember to participate before the deadline is up!:)

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New Additions to My Skincare Routine

February 24, 2013 by Regina Chow 6 Comments

I’ve been using a number of newly discovered facial products for a few months now, and I thought I’d share the products that worked for me. I don’t usually like to try new products on my face, but I succumbed to these after my friends strongly recommended them to me, and I’m happy to report that I’m pretty impressed with these products!

1) Likas Papaya Skin Whitening Herbal Soap

The most unexpected find among this stash of new products which I’ve incorporated into my daily routine is the Likas Papaya Skin Whitening Herbal Soap, recommended by my good friend Veron.

At just over S$2 (yes, you’re not seeing things here!), Likas hails from the Philippines and is well-known for being the country’s first organic herbal soap. It is enriched with natural papaya enzymes to whiten your skin and can be used on your face and body. I’ve been using this soap as a facial wash everyday and I like how it makes my skin feel so smooth and clean thereafter. I was darker when I first used it thanks to my New Zealand holiday (everyone asked if I got a tan on purpose!), but now I’m almost as fair as before!

For those who are interested, you can find this in any of the shops selling Filipino products at Lucky Plaza.

2) St Ives Green Tea Scrub

Besides the Likas soap, I’ve also been using this St Ives’ Green Tea Scrub which I bought from Sydney before heading back to Singapore for good.

I’ve been trying to cut back on products that are artificially enhanced by chemicals, and this paraben-free scrub totally fits the bill. This green tea scrub is meant for acne prone skin but it’s great for preventing spots too. The tiny exfoliating beads are very gentle on the skin, which means that the scrub can be used on a daily basis to stimulate cell renewal. If your skin is sensitive, then it’s probably best to just use it once a week. My sis-in-law was the one who uncovered this gem of a scrub when she went over to Sydney to visit us. I haven’t been able to find this green tea scrub in Singapore, so if you know where I can find this, please let me know!

I switch between the Likas soap and this St Ives scrub everyday. Sometimes, I’ll even use them together. I know it sounds harsh to double cleanse like this, but I find that this method has been effective in keeping my skin zit-free. This routine also helps to even out my skin tone. That’s the reason why I no longer require tinted sunscreens. Now, I just dab on my Jane Ardell powder sunscreen (which is translucent) and I’m all ready to face the world!

3) Etude House Daily Masks

I know there are
many brands of sheet masks around. I’ve tried a number of them and some
are either too rich, which leaves your skin with a sticky after-feel,
while others just didn’t have much effect on my skin. Well, that was until I tried Etude House’s masks.

Grace first got me hooked onto Etude House’s Daily Masks when she got me a pack of the ginseng masks as a gift. Each box comes with 20 sheet masks and I’ve since finished my first box. There’re three different types of masks to target different problems such as whitening, hydrating or acne. I’m now on my 2nd box and I’ve decided to give the yeast and Vit C masks a try this time.

The yeast and vitamin C masks are meant for acne control, skin tone correction and anti-aging. I was drawn to this for its whitening and anti-aging properties, and I love how supple my skin feels after masking. Yeast has oil-control properties, which is good for acne prone skin or if you have oily skin/T-zone like me. Vitamin C has whitening and anti-ageing properties, which is great for maintaining your skin texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines.

These 3 products that I shared today are probably the most inexpensive skincare products that I own, but in terms of efficacy, I can safely say that they have surpassed many of my more expensive skincare items.

Whoever said that good things don’t come cheap certainly didn’t know what he/she was talking about! 😉

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My Face Make-up Products

January 5, 2013 by Regina Chow 1 Comment

After I shared that I’ve stopped using powder foundation on my face, I started receiving enquiries about the face make-up that I am currently using. Today, I’ll share more about these products with you. 🙂

1. Jane Iredale’s Powder Me SPF 30 (Translucent)

My skincare routine has not changed in years (I use DRx products) but in place of their tinted sunscreen, I have switched to Jane Iredale’s Powder Me SPF. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked DRx’s sunscreen, but the thick texture made my face look greasy all the time when I’m in Singapore. However, it is great for drier climates as it is very moisturizing, hence I would still use it when I travel.

Jane Iredale’s Powder Me SPF, as the name suggests, is a powder sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. It’s actually skincare, as it is made of Titanium Dioxide (as with all sunscreens) and a unique clay that contains minerals to nourish the skin. Karen first recommended this product to me and I fell in love with it the moment I tried it on. I use this like any other powder, after primer and concealer, before applying blusher. There is no greasy after-feel and the best part is, it is water resistant, made of natural ingredients and doesn’t clog pores at all! This product is highly recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as well. My mother-in-law bought this for me from her regular facial salon. You can also check out their official facebook page for more information on where to get their products in Singapore.

2. Loreal BaseMagique

Loreal BaseMagique is great for minimizing imperfections such as pores and fine lines. You can use this all over your face alone or under make-up, but I only use this on my undereye circles before concealer. Not only does it help the concealer to go on smoothly, it also ensures that eye make-up lasts longer without caking. I have tried this on my forehead as well, where I’ve got some fine lines, and lo and behold, the lines vanished miraculously upon application!

3. MAC Blusher and Mineralize Skinfinish Make-up

I use MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Dark for contouring my cheekbones, jawline and forehead. I also use MAC’s sheertone blusher in Pinch O’ Peach. This is the last step of my face make-up. 🙂 I generally like MAC products as they are very pigmented.

4. YSL Touch E’clat and Ettusais Medicated Acne Real Concealer

I turn to my Ettusais medicated concealer on days when I have small zits as it has healing properties and SPF 12. I also like that it’s extremely versatile! I use it together with YSL’s Touche Eclat in shade no. 1 to conceal my dark eye circles as well, and this formula seems to work pretty well for now.

So there you have it, a list of all my face make-up products!

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Back in Singapore for good!

December 27, 2012 by Regina Chow 2 Comments

Hello!

Sorry for the lack of updates. After my New Zealand holiday, I was busy tying up loose ends in Sydney as we were heading back to Singapore for good. Now that I’m back in Singapore, I have to set aside time to unpack our luggage and clean up the house.

Mundane affairs aside, I bought the iPhone 5 and yes I know I’m slow, but I finally have Instagram too!! I’ll be updating Instagram throughout the day, so if you’re interested, you can follow me @reginachow_sg or click HERE to follow me!

I promise to sort out my photos soon so you can look forward to more blog posts, but meanwhile, here’re some of my instagram updates over the past 3 days: