NicaBell Review: Simple Skincare Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser

I know that the face is not naturally matte but who would like to have oil slick on their face, right?

Hello peeps! 

I love the Simple Skincare "Kind To Skin" line. So I figure the other range should be good as well. Thus, my next mission is to try the Simple Skincare "Clear Skin" Oil Balancing Moisturiser.

Brand: Simple Skincare

Made in: UK

Range: Clear Skin/ Oil Balancing

Skincare Type: Moisturizer/ face primer/ makeup base/ shine controller

Product Volume: 75ml

Main promoted/key/active ingredients: Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin B5, Zinc PCA, Phytosphingosine

Claims: Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser is a perfect blend of ingredients to help maintain moisture levels throughout the day whilst giving long lasting shine control. Perfect for even sensitive skin.

What it says on the tube: Zinc PCA goodness for healthy clear skin natural antibacterial 

Ingredients: Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Bisabolol, Anthemis Nobilis Oil (Chamomile Oil),Zinc PCA,Phytosphingosine / Phytosphingosine HCL, Aqua, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Nylon-12, Dimethicone, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Corn Starch Modified, PEG-100 Stearate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Benzophenone-4, Methylparaben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

Pricing: Bought this for RM17.68 at Guardian Store in 1Borneo. It was on sale so I am not sure how much is it when it is on normal price. I doubt it will be expensive. A great value for 75ml worth of product^^

Texture: It has a gel like texture. White color.

Application: It doesn't feel oily, greasy nor is it heavy. It has a light fresh scent, nothing overwhelming. A small amount, pea size, is enough to cover the whole face. Easily absorbed into the skin. Your skin will feel dry but won't feel uncomfortable or tight. Smoothen the surface of my face after application.

My skin looked matte for longer hours. If I wore this around 6 or 6.10am, my skin will start slight but healthy shine around/after 10. Then looked more dewy afternoon, 2pm. I only need to blot excessive oil after my working ours on 5pm. For me, this is well enough to control shine!

Good as a makeup base as well. Smaller pores and better staying power for makeup.

Start using this around the last week of May and still using it now. I found that there are less blemishes on my face. Still some pimples popping out (I have crazy hormone) but it will dry out/calms down/ less angry after using this moisturizer.

Dry skin is not recommended to use. I have angry dry skin on the side of my nose at the moment and it does not tolerate well with the moisturizer. (But I suspected that the dryness was cause by me, using the Simple Skincare Deep Cleansing Mask for too long before hand though) The skin on the side of my nose become even drier till the corner of my nose produces/leaks clear fluid that will turn crusty. The skin surrounding  the corner of the two side of my nose become red and very dry. I have to use the Simple Skincare Hydrating Light Moisturiser on the area to boost hydration. It is okay for now because I am still using different moisturizers on the other port of my face and the side of my nose. My forehead is dry but not as dry as the side of my nose but still tolerable with the moisturizer.

I love that:-
~ It is light and easily absorb.
~ Control shine
~ Calms down the angry acne
~ Didn't feel tightness
~ Minimize pores
~ Didn't break me out
~ Moisturize the face quite well
~ If I pinch/pop a pimple, I'll just put this on the surface of the pimple to minimize bacterial infection and cure the pimple at the same time.

I dislike that:-
~ The dry area of my skin needs more hydrating which can't get enough from the moisturizer. (But I often use the Garnier Aqua Defense Essence before moisturizer if I feel that I need more hydrating power. Do this only at night!)
~ If only it can control redness, this moisturizer will be the BOMB!
~ May be drying your skin, you combination peeps...

Will I purchase it again? Definitely yes! It may not tolerable to the dry area but it work wonders for the oily/acne prone/sensitive skin which all I am.

I'll give this product 4 out of 5 stars. I have good experience with the product. So why not give it a good grade^^

Till next time.

Buh bye^^

xoxo

NicaBell

NicaBell: Ingredients List. Do you read them?

They are there for a reason you know. I started to learn to be aware of the products' ingredients about 1 and a half year ago. Reason? Since my skin developed from oily to combination. Plus, my skin's sensitivity (which I still can't figure out toward what, yet) and acne prone.

Hello gorgeous! 

So here some story: Growing up, I never use sunscreen and the freaking teachers & headmaster at my (primary) school said: "the sunshine is good for you. It provide vitamin D." Thinking back now, huh! Good my a**. Vitamin D is good. Yeah! I get that. But exposing the skin to the blaring sun as punishment or for an hour of school assembly? My mother didn't even know there are product to protect your skin from sun exposure even existed! Though I never blamed my mother for her lack of knowledge/ information, I do have some grudge toward my primary school teachers and headmaster for the sun thingy. To much of sun damage on my younger days have resulted discoloration mostly on my arms. I only started to use sunscreen/ sunblock after I finished high school, about 18. 

You might think and cringe that me, being acne prone skin, cannot use sunscreen. Well now, I might not be a beauty expert or dermatologist, but believe when I say: Yes, we could use sunscreen only if the ingredients in the product does not contained any ingredient that can cause inflammatory to the skin. 

So what does my topic with sun exposure story have to do with each other? 

- Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)

Titanium Dioxide is often used in sunscreen for its effective ability to protect the skin from UV light (sun exposure). And most sunscreens that are designed for people with sensitive skin, are often based on Titanium Dioxide. Because Titanium Dioxide believed to cause less irritation tan other UV absorbing chemicals.

If you have acne prone and sensitive skin, I am a living proof to tell you that TiO2 is the one ingredient you should avoid. In my previous post,  a review of the Dr. G Gowoonsesang Brightening Balm SPF 30 PA++, you will read how I said it broke me out. It got even worse if used in a long run. The product itself is actually good, if only it uses other alternative as UV protector. But I'm no scientist, they might have their reason on why they prefer TiO2 in their product.

I learned through my research online, that Titanium Dioxide can clog pores, and both nano or non-nano version of TiO2 can be inflammatory due to their propensity to release free radical. The best alternative for TiO2 that is also suitable for sensitive skin is Zinc Oxide (ZnO). Zinc Oxide is actually good for acne for its anti-inflammatory benefits.


There are other ingredients to avoid when you are going out to grab a sunscreen if you are acne prone skin. And when the product said "Oil-Free", I wouldn't be so fast to believe it either. Because some product do not contain anything oily but still felt greasy on your skin; they use BEEWAX! Beewax is good, but not good if its greasy. This link will lead you more information of what to avoid.

Till next time^^

xoxo

NicaBell

NicaBell Review: Dr. G Gowoonsesang Brightening Balm SPF 30 PA++

Do you ever have a cosmetic or skincare that you love to use it at the first few week (or more), then you kinda dislike it and turn out you really really dislike it? I'd like to say 'hate' but thought the word is too harsh.

Heya peeps!

I first learned about BB cream around 2009 and boy, how excited was I to buy it! After looking through many reviews and stores that sell cosmetic product in KKcity, I finally set my eyes and bought the Dr. G (Gowoonsesang) Brightening Balm SPF 30 PA++.

What is BB cream? Click this link to Wikipedia.

I bought this at Sasa, Warisan Square for RM98 (60ml)

Brand: Dr G. (Gowoonsesang)

Made in: Korea

Range: Functional Line

Skincare Type: BB cream/ tinted moisturizer/ face primer/ makeup base

Product contains/weight: 60ml

Main promoted/key/active ingredients: Arbutin, Titanium Dioxide, Hydrophilic & Lipophilic ingredients. 

Claims: (Taken from Dr. G Website)It is BB cream that serves as whitening essence, makeup base of controlling sebum, and foundation of light after-usage-feeling. As it contains the ingredients that protects a skin from UV light and various botanical elements, it is highly effective in hydrating and soothing a skin.

What it says on the tube: (BACK) Gowoonsesang applied special skin moisturization system using 2 ingredients, hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients. It focused inner and outer in human skin. Inner careis for the water holding effect using Hydrophilic ingredient. outer care is for the water preventing effect using lipophilic ingredient. 

(FRONT) Dr. G {Gowoonsesang Brightening Balm SPF 30 PA++} 

Inner and outer care system using Arbutin and Titanium Dioxide ingredients

__

Dermatologically tested & used 

Ingredients: There are no ingredient list on the tube or on the box; but still point out some of the key/active ingredients. 

Pricing: I would say RM98 is expensive. However, considering that you only need a pea size of the BB cream for the whole face and neck, RM98 is a quite affordable investment. If use regularly, I think a tube can last for 2 years or probably more. Depends on your usage.

Application: On first application, I felt like I put on nothing on the skin. The BB cream becomes dry and powdery after it blends on the skin. My face looked matte. Most of my acne scars (not including those big dark ones) seems gone! Or at least the appearance is less noticeable. Those pores diminished! 

But as time goes by before noon, my face became dewy. The sight is still okay though. Then, on the later of the day, around 2pm/3pm, my face become too "dewy" for my liking. I can feel like there is a layer of "something" (or rather, oil) on my skin. 

Comes with only ONE shade. If you have very fair skin, this might makes you even paler because it has grey tint. I am medium fair-beige skin tone but have no problem with it as it oxidizes few minutes after application. 

I didn't get any breakouts on the first few weeks when I use the BB cream. And I wasn't that aware of when I started to get acne here and there. But I continue using the BB cream because it works well covering the redness of the acne; made my skin looked I don't have acne. 

As I kept using it, my acne became worse. I even bought Biore Oil Cleanser to wash it off, just to make sure I remove it properly. But they kept popping. Especially around my cheeks, nose, chin, jaw and neck.

And after my skin developed from oily to combination, I was unable to put on this product anymore because it made those dry patchy skin looks obvious. I guess dry skin peeps can't use this; unless you exfoliate with mild exfoliator and put on tons of moisturizers.

I love that:- 

~ Mild coverage. It covers redness, small/light scars, dullness, pigmentation and minimize pores. 

~ Build-able. Just add/dab some more to conceal the problematic area.

~ I can honestly say it had lightened the slight pigmentation and discoloration that started to form on my face. 

~ SPF 30 PA++, just enough protection! 

~ The nozzle is good enough to control the amount I need. 

I dislike that:- 

~ I got breakouts everytime I use it. Too bad!

~ It do not actually control the oil/shine on my face all day. My face was "shining" by afternoon.

~ I can't use it anymore as my skin developed to combination. 

~ It does not feel heavy on the first application. But as time goes by, I can feel like there is a layer of barrier on my skin. And I feel uncomfortable. 

~ There was a leak on my tube which made me think that the tube is not designed/made well enough? 

~ The grey-ish tint! A friend said that it probably for light reflective effect. I'm not sure. 

~ No other shade to choose from. But then again, not much of a problem for me because it oxidizes few minutes after application.

How it suppose to look like
photo taken from Dr G website^^

What mine looks like. See the pool of BB cream?

Will I purchase it again? No, I won't. I still like the BB cream for all the good thing it made my skin look. But I don't want to risk to get more acne. Yikes! 

I'll give this product 2.5 out of 5 stars. That's still quite high because it does do some nice result on my face. I just dislike it when acne pop out. Oil controlling claim is a fail too. Not to forget that it only have ONE color and it got some grey tint in it. However, it might suitable for normal skin folks. 

Till next time. Buh bye^^ 

xoxo

NicaBell

NicaBell Review: Pure Beauty Treatment Essence Water with Camellia Seed Oil

I have been loving a beautiful Malay's proverb, I quote, "Rambut itu mahkota wanita" ; which essentially means "The hair is women's crown".

Hello peeps^^ 

I am no expert on beauty and neither on hair. But I do take care of my personal crown and try to do 'at home' treatment. I have a lot of hair (passed down from mom), but they are fine hair, which (I think) passed down from my father. Mine are naturally straight and black. I dyed my hair once in a while and straighten them with rebonding treatment every year to minimize flyaways and frizzes; and to prevent taking to much time in front of the mirror in the morning. I can say that my scalp do not produce oil excessively, so I wash my hair once every two days. 

Definition of fine hair: There are two types of hair texture which determines thickness or diameter each of the hair. It is either fine hair or coarse hair. The thickness of each of course hair are generally fat; while fine hair are skinny. 

I know first hand that it is not easy to style fine hair. I have tried temporary curl mine, no success, unless I use super strong mousse and hair spray; which could also made the hair seem plastic-ky. And using such strong product would made fine hair dry out even faster. Washing everyday is quite fatal for the hair ends, but possible to do if I could find thick moisturizing conditioner. Hair serum within my hand reach is a must too! Another great product I use on my fine hair is the Pure Beauty Treatment Essence Water with Camellia Seed Oil.

I bought this before doing any research on the net. I just bought it and was hoping it would be great and it turn out, it IS GREAT! It moisturizes the hair without weighing it down or oiling it.

INGREDIENTs: Aqua (Water), Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Propylene Glycol, PEG-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium PCA, PEG-12, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Betaine, Polyquaternium-7, Polysorbate 20, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Benzophenone-9, Panthenol, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil.

I know, alcohol would usually dry out hair, fine hair especially. However, ladies and gentlemen, this one do wonders to my hair. There are times when I run out of hair conditioner, I use this one as my temporary replacement (which I don't recommend you to do though). If you have fine hair and have tried leave-in conditioner before, you will know that out fine hair hate them! Leave-in conditioner usually weigh fine hair down, but if you are able to find one that doesn't, please suggest them to me^^

You can use this after wash and conditioned your hair (pat excessive water with towel before doing so). With elbow length, spray all over the hair. Then comb through your hair with sparse comb or just leave it. You can also use it whenever you like to smoothen the hair or as de-tangler when combing..

In term of packaging, the spray atomize the product fine! It is also comfortable to grip the nozzle.

The smell is nice, flowery and sweet. Boyfie complimented that I smell nice and ask what perfume I wore. But it is not overpowering though. People have to hug you to smell it.

It does minimize frizz and flyaway. MINIMIZE not completely gone though. I have just cut and straighten my hair 22nd June last month so I have no worries for those currently. Won't effect or ruin your color-treated hair. Cost you less than RM30 for 200ml of product, that won't break your bank!

I give this product 4.5 out of 5. The price is affordable, smell nice and not overpowering, really work on moisturizing the hair, great work on the atomizer, hair become naturally smooth and good job in de-tangling the hair while combing, last but not least, won't weight you hair down.

Till then.

xoxo

NicaBell

June 2012: NicaBell's Syiok Sendiri Sisters Haul

This is a late post of my June purchase with Syiok Sendiri Sisters. (^-^)

If you read my previous posts, you'll know how I adore the Syiok Sendiri Sisters! They sell items and had opened many exciting spree, which I found, with amazingly affordable price. Too bad they are on a "Temporary Partial Hiatus" as they call it. No spree will be open until further notice. I hope they'll be back on business as soon as possible.


So I joined their Ecotools, RealTechniques & Badger Balm Spree Order. I was on a small budget at the time, so I only get a little items in the spree.

I always wanted to get Ecotools but I don't want to spend my limited budget on things that I not necessarily needed. I already own a complete set of brushes from the ELF Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection, so there are no brushes that I really need from Ecotools. But I do love to get my hands on the Limited Edition Beautiful Expressions Kabuki Set! Then again, I don't own any mineral product that I could use the kabuki set with.

These are all I got from SSS that I received on 4 June 2012^^

The white bag at the back is actually poly pellets that I ordered from SSS. I use the poly pellets as filler beads to hold my brushes like this. I haven't start using it at the moment because I haven't have the idea how to sort out my makeup storage. Oh! They are not apart of the spree. 

I have problem with focusing on my work sometimes. I think it is due to stress! I bought Focus Balm by Badger Balm! I didn't buy the Stress Soother because I can get anything with lavender or chamomile smells in them. I do love Palmolive Aromatherapy Shower Gel for Anti-stress.

RealTechniques by Samantha Chapman - Lash/Brow Groomer

RealTechniques by Samantha Chapman - Expert Face Brush

I got 2 brushes from the RealTechniques brushes. RealTechniques are high-tech brushes designed by a pro MUA of 15 years, Samantha Chapman. Before I confirmed my purchase to Flie, I didn't know who Samantha Chapman is. I live in Sabah(Northern Borneo), Malaysia. How do I know who Samantha Chapman, who live in the UK? Well I just guess Samantha Chapman is someone famous, which I didn't really care much at the time. I only know who Samantha Chapman is after watching Wayne Goss of gossmakeupartist made review on these brushes.

I was interested with the brushes because they are simply unique! They look cute too! And it really hard to find this kind of lash-brow groomer in my hometown. It was always in my wish list since I watch a particular video from Wayne Goss from gossmakeupartist in Youtube, titled The New Way To Apply Mascara. 

And before I decided to get the Expert Face Brush, I was thinking of getting their Stippling Brush. I want to try it to see and to compare it with my MAC 187 and my ELF Studio powder brush (Which I personally name it flat-top kabuki). But then again, Wayne Goss video titled 10 Ways to Apply Foundation, changed my mind. He compared the Expert Face Brush to his high-end brush, which the bristles are made of goat hair. What Wayne Goss suggested, I would get my hands on them! 

That's all for June Haul! Till then^^ 

xoxo

NicaBell

NicaBell Review: Leptin Green Coffee 1000 (My Final Say)

Disclaimer: The product that I'm reviewing in this post was bought with my own money. I don't recommend anyone to take a shortcut for loose weight. This product does not suitable for those with diabetes, cardiac problems, etc. Please check with your dietitian or doctor before consume. Everybody is not the same. What works for me, might not works for you and like wise.

Hola chicas!

I love Spanish! I will get some money and learn to speak Spanish ONE DAY!! 

Back to the topic peeps^^

I have known to this product for quite a while before purchasing and I have doubts if the product would work. Then, I saw my friend was tag by an agent, who live within my state, of  (before & after) picture of herself and claim she consume Leptin products to loss her extra weight! She Lost 10kg within 55days. I was so convinced by the picture, I prepare my budget to buy a month worth of stock of the Leptin Green coffee 1000.

A box contains 18 sachets of 10g Leptin Green Coffee 1000. And below is the nutrition panel:-

Nutrition Panel
Ingredients	Average Quantity per serving 10g (187ml)	Average Quantity per 100ml
Energy	39.049 kj (Cal)	20.882 kj (Cal)
Protein	0.594g	0.318g
Fat Saturated	0.132g	0.070g
Carbohydrate	9.274g	4.960g
Sodium	0mg	0mg

What it say on the the back of the box: Suppresses appetite safely
Greencoffee1000 Formula is a "drug-free" dietary supplement that was developed from a blend of herbal extracts. When used with a healthy diet plan, Greencoffee 1000, curbs your appetite and stimulates your body to burn fat and calories.
The herbal extracts and minerals used in this product have been gathered from all over the world to make this all natural diet supplement. Greencoffee contains the anti-oxidant qualities necessary to cause thermogenesis which increases the metabolism of fat. Chromium increases carbohydrate burn and metabolic rate, and Panax Ginseng helps to maintain energy level while dieting.
Another ingredients, Heartleaf starts the fat burning process while curbing the appetite.


INGREDIENT:
- 70mg Calcium
- 250mcg Proprietary Picolinate
- 700mg Proprietary Herbal Blend:
   Green tea leaf standardized extract (180 mg antioxidant polyphenols, 90 mg epigallocatechin gallate
   (EGCG), 50mg naturally occuring caffeine), Asian (Panax) ginseng root standardized
- 2g Dietary fiber

So I started consuming the Leptin Green Coffee 1000 on 25 May 2012 and my last sachet is on 28 June 2012. I didn't loose much weight like other people that have taken Leptin Green Coffee 1000. But I did loose some 3kg!! Some people might say, "ceh! 3kg only! What's the big deal?" for us, who are basically overweight, 3kg is a big deal! So on this day, I am a 24 year-old-female, 5ft 3inch, 72kg!!

Make sure they are original!!

In the period of time I was on Green Coffee 1000, I did eat less. I didn't have supper like I used to. To say it suppress my hunger, I can honestly say drinking a lot of water helps in that department. If you are on Green Coffee, you will understand that Green Coffee made you crave for water. You'll feel thirsty and tend to reach water again and again. So when I drink a lot of water, I feel full. Thus, hunger curbed! The only thing that is obvious for me is that I didn't crave for fatty food. When I saw any goreng (fried) stuff, I felt nausea. When I ate anything fatty, even though I only ate a little, I felt I ate enough. I am Sabahan Sino-Kadazan (chinese mix), so pork is like our daily staple with white rice. Since Green Coffee, pork have a bland taste on my tongue. (boyfie found it as a horror!)

On the last week of the month, I did took a double dose of the Green Coffee 1000. My agent told me before that if I don't feel anything when I consume a sachet a day of Green Coffee 1000, she suggest to try on 2 sachet per day. "feel anything" means like burning sensation or feverish kinda feeling. I don't recommend you peeps to do it, I am just sharing what I do. Not much difference with a sachet per day. Though I do loss 1 kg on the last week I was doing so.

The agent whom I get my Green Coffee is also a Leptin consumer. She was able to loose 10kg in only 55 days! However, she said she didn't just took Green Coffee alone. She also have soybean to replace her dinner, dried plum to detox and metabo patch-slimming patch everyday. Thus, her quick weight loss. 4 product for a month. Each product cost RM60 per box, so total RM240. For a month worth of those is RM240 times 2, you calculate it. I can't afford that! sobs sobs

So my lovely agent recommend me to this Malaysian slimming drinks that works for her customer who don't have the big budget, and found it hard to loose weight with just Green Coffee 1000 - like me.

I rate this product 3.5 out 5. It stops my crazy crave of fatty food. Suppress my hunger with my crave of water drinking. No gastric, tummy ache, constipation, etc. I did loose 3 kg, even though that is not a lot but still quite effective loosing a little weight. Plus, even though I am not one coffee fan, it is not a bad coffee - strong but it's not bitter. You can add some sugar if you want to as well.

For those who are thinking to try Green Coffee 1000, don't let my review, my judgement to influence your decisions. There are many peeps out there that tried the Green Coffee 1000 alone and able to loose weight effectively. Well in my case, 3 kg. That's quite effective actually.
And those who have tried this product and works for you, and you've read this post, feel that I have wronged about the effectiveness of this product in any way, please accept my apology because that is not what I am intend to do.

Like I say in my disclaimer, everybody is not the same. What works for me might not works for you and likewise. It could be that my body does not react much to the Green Coffee alone. Those who take Green Coffee alone and able to loose 5 kg and above, read this, I ENVY YOU!!!

Like I have said, I am trying a Malaysian brand slimming drink for a month to try and I am on my fourth day today. I will blog about it like I did with the Green Coffee 1000. If it's not working like I think it suppose to be, I'll be going back with Green Coffee 1000 or may be with the Leptin entourages. LoL!

But we will see. I am one confuse puppy, I change my mind a lot!

Till next time.

xoxo

NicaBell

Update 9Aug2012: Here is the link to the review of the Malaysian brand slimming drink I have tried: Passion Slim (renamed to Passion Slinn) It is a good choice if you encountered the same unsatisfactory result from Leptin Green Coffee 1000.