NicaBell Opinions: Skincare For Men?

Living with brothers are not as fun as having sisters. That is what a friend of mine said anyway. I don't have any sisters and grateful that I don't have one. Living with house full of boys made me understand boys and men better. There might be some similarities between my brothers, but they have a lot more differences than similarities.

My mom is not familiar with skincare. She only know and believe that oily skin needs no moisturizing, needs constant face wash and scrubs is the best daily facial wash for acne and oily skin. That was what she taught us. Oh! The HORROR!!! I blamed her for my problematic skin as well! But I have since begins using the 3-step-regime while my brother only use facial wash and moisturize SOMETIMES only.

Most of their skincare brands and lines that they have used and using are made specifically for men. I know and heard people kept saying how "men's skin are different and rougher than women's" I don't know and not sure if that is a definite truth or not. Because I also read somewhere in the internet saying men's skin are thinner than women's? Huh? I'm confuse now.

"Women are from Venus; Men are from Mars"
So skincare for Martians can only be used by Martians?

So when my colleague asked me if women can use men's skincare and vice-versa, all I say is yes. At least that it works for me. These men's skincare only pop out like mushrooms after rainy days just recently. If men cannot use women skincare, then why men can have healthy skin before men's products were introduced?

I believe that if the product is good then its good. There is no definite differences (between men's and women's skincare) other than the smells. I used my brothers' skincare many times, I love some and I hate some. It's all depends on your skin types and for who the products are targeted for.

Here are the list of products my brothers have used or using that I have tried:-

- Nivea For Men Oil Control Face Wash (100ml)
- Mandom Gatsby Facial Wash Oil Control (130g)
- Brylcreem Deep Cleansing 2in1 Action Facial Wash (100ml)
- Brylcreem Zit Manager 2in1 Action Facial Wash (100ml)
- L'Oreal Paris Men Expert White Activ Brightening Foam with Pro Exfoliatine (100ml)
- Garnier MEN Turbo Light Oil Control Charcoal Black Foam (100ml)
- the are others but I cannot recall them within my memories.

Men's skincare are have stronger and more prominent smell. They smell rancid in my nostril, but not all of them though. Though must I remind, that the after use result is pretty amazing! The one I love most among all the products my brothers have used is the Brylcreem Deep Cleansing 2in1 Action Facial Wash. I should make a review on this later in the future. The one I don't like is the one from Gatsby because it is a scrub that has grains in it. But they are surprisingly not harsh though. It is just me hating on scrubs with grains. lol!

After using each on of them, I didn't felt manly or stinging or anything. Felt just like normal. I have to point out that most men's face cleansers are targeted on oily skin. Probably because men produce more sebum compare to women. But that doesn't mean women cannot use it. They were targeted towards men and the products have never had "No women allowed" printed on the products.

For me, for men or for women , they are actually unisex product. Just make sure to determine your accurate skin types, then decides what skincare you use. And I aware that men's skincare are a bit cheaper than women's. Is it because not many man used skincare?

p/s: Look at the price tag of women's razor and compare it to men's razors. The only differences are the "extra moisturizing Aloe Vera Strip" and the pretty girlish color. But both have 2/3/4/5 blades, same qualities, work the same, strip moisture off the skin and for same function - to shave hair. wink!

Till Then

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: Rules on beauty? Wha..?

Do you have beauty rules? Or are you following any beauty rules?

Apart from the 3 steps regime, I don't have any particular beauty rules.

You don't need to stick on one face wash day and night. You can use 2 face wash: one in the morning, another one at night. Pick a simple, gentle, mild, non creamy one in the morning. I use Simple "Kind To Skin" Refreshing Face Wash or Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. Then you can use a heavier one, creamy, chemical scrub, etc in the evening. I use Hada Labo Tamagohada AHA+BHA Face Wash- chemical scrubs. If you are super oily, you can wash your face 3 times a day. I used to do it when my face was super oily. But I use the same face wash I use in the morning and never skip toner and moisturizer after that.

If you have dry skin, you can skip this one because toner usually make your skin drier. However, if the idea makes you cringe, not to worry, you can always opt for the Japanese lotion like the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion for example. It moisturize the skin so well! Oily peeps can use it also. But I opt for regular mild soothing toner like Simple "Kind To Skin" Soothing Toner and double with Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion when I need more moisture.

I have 2 moisturizers that I use back and forth depending on the condition of my skin.
When I have dry patches, I'll use Simple "Kind To Skin" Hydrating Light Moisturizer.
But regular basis, I'll use my new favorite Simple "Clear Skin" Oil Balancing Moisturizer.
When I feel like I need more moisture I'll use my Garnier Aqua Defense Non-Stop Moisturizing Essence as my serum.

Who say oily peeps can only use clay masque to reduce oil. Oily skin doesn't mean your skin are hydrated enough. You still need hydrating masque, just make sure you pick the one that suitable for oily or acne prone skin. I use my Beauty Diary Apple Polyphenol Mask one a month or when I have time!

Do you shampoo your hair after conditioner or the other way around? I always put conditioner on my hair first before shampooing. My reason is because I use anti-dandruff shampoo. And I beat the odds doing that! I know some peeps will say: "hey! dandruff peeps shouldn't use conditioner, it worsen't your dandruff prob!" Well I say: "What! a bluff!" I doubt that conditioner the cause of dandruff. If it does, why didn't my dandruff gets better when I quit using conditioner then? Any doubts that you have, put conditioner ONLY on your hair, NEVER on the scalp! Wait for a minute or 3 - brushing teeth or wash your face. Rinse the hair and shampoo your scalp. SHAMPOO YOUR SCALP INSTEAD OF YOUR HAIR. The lather will slide on it's own when you rinse.

Do you use lotion or body oil? I prefer using body oil than lotion. Most lotion are sticky or wear off after hand washing. I use Johnson baby oil (The feather white cap or lavender purple cap) after shower. I don't dry my skin with towel but put oil directly onto the skin.

I think that is all my beauty "defy the rules" rules. LoL! If you have your beauty rules or any odd rules or perhaps you have anything to share, don't be shy to comment here.

xoxo

NicaBell

NicaBell: What is STIPPLING?

I was thinking to make my review on the M.A.C 187 Duo Fibre brush and I know there are already many reviews out there about it but I just want to make mine too! 

But before that I would like people to understand what stippling actually means! 

The bristles like the skunk brush bristles for example are very fine and stippling with it gives an airbrush finish which is similar to the airbrushing technique; spraying the foundation onto the skin where the small particle of the product forms small dots onto the face. So, tapping/ stippling the foundation onto the skin gives a fine/micro foundation dots. Those fine/ micro dots gives a flawless finish without using too much product.

Many people have misunderstood what stippling is. 

Most people think: 

1. pour/pump the foundation 

2. tap/dip the flat top surface brush on the foundation

3. tap on the surface of the skin 

4. swirl to blend the foundation 

The actuality: 

1. pour/pump the foundation 

2. tap/dip the flat top surface brush on the foundation

3. tap on the surface of the skin

4. and tap tap tap 

5. keep tapping until your face covered with foundation. 

If you tap and swirl, that is not stippling. There are possible for you to get streak marks with that too. 

People who have acne scars, pores, freckles, uneven skin tone and blemishes would definitely fall in love with this technique!

It is a remarkable technique anyone could try. You doesn't necessarily have to own a M.A.C 187 brush. Just a regular but dense flat top brush will do. And make sure it is synthetic because natural bristles tend to absorbs more product! 

Till then! 

xoxo

NicaBell