Avène Eye Cream, Moisturiser and Mask

My previous post focuses on the cleansing products, this is all about hydration!

AVÈNE SOOTHING EYE CONTOUR CREAM  

This is to replace the Korean Mizon snail eye cream. I am really not used to the small tube as compared to the generous size of Mizon eye cream. Then again, a little goes a long way for this one! 

Description:Protect the most sensitive part of your face with the Soothing Eye Contour Cream from Avène, specialists in gentle and sensitive skin care. The eye cream boasts a formula, made up of moisturising and anti-free radical actives, which works to hydrate your eye contour ensuring that the delicate skin is always left in the best possible condition. 

The powerful yet gentle formula uses the Avène Thermal Spring Water as a base, which alleviates tightness and the appearance of redness on the skin, whilst also including Alpha Bisabolol, which helps to calm the eye contour, as well as Dextran Sulphate, which calms sensitive eyelids thanks to its well-known cooling properties. Appropriate for all types of sensitive skin, the Avène Soothing Eye Contour Cream will leave you with perfectly hydrated and protected skin. A.W. Paraben-free. Non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic.  

Instruction:
Apply to the area around your eyes morning and night after cleansing. Apply a small amount of the product by gently massaging and then gently dab around the eyes. 

Ingredients:
Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Mineral Oil (Paraffin Liquidum). Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride. Cyclomethicone. Glycerin. Sucrose Stearate. Peg-12. Sucrose Distearate. Triethanolamine. Batyl Alcohol. Bisabolol. Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides. Carbomer. Dextran Sulfate. Disodium Edta. Sodium Hyaluronate. Tocopheryl Glucoside.

Verdict: A small amount goes a long way with this, it’s well absorbed leaving the skin soft and supple. I don’t know if it helps with wrinkles or lines since I don’t have deep wrinkles yet, but I do have some fine creases due to the dryer climate in Perth. 

AVÈNE RICH COMPENSATING CREAM

This is to replace my favorite Mizon snail cream. I figure I really need something more hydrating for the colder season anyway.

Description:

Nourish dry and sensitive skin with the Rich Compensating Cream from Avène, specialists in gentle and sensitive skin care. Boasting a smooth and rich, creamy texture, the compensating cream keeps skin hydrated throughout the day helping it to heal and stay soft, smooth and supple.

Plant based active ingredients make up the formula helping the cream to restore any essential lipids that may have been lost due to irritation and damage whilst improving the skin’s natural protective barrier. Pretocopheryl keeps the skin protected from external aggressors and the ageing effect of free radicals. Thanks to the Avène Rich Compensating Cream you will be left with a radiant and revitalised complexion. A.W. Non-comedogenic. Hypoallergenic. Paraben free.

Instruction: 
Apply the cream morning and night to your face and neck after cleansing and toning.

Ingredients: 

Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua), Cyclomethicone, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Decyl Oleate, Glyceryl Stearate, Peg-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Benzoic Acid, Beta-Sitosterol, Bht, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Chlorphenesin, Disodium Edta, Fragrance (Parfum), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract (Glycine Soja), Laureth-7, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Glucoside, Water (Aqua), Xanthan Gum.

Verdit: It gives me the hydration I need for colder season. It is very light on skin yet hydrating. They have another cream that is Extremely rich compensation cream which I am quite interested to try on my next order. That would be great when winter comes. I am currently using this at night, but I might switch it up to day cream when it gets dryer and colder. 

AVÈNE SOOTHING MOISTURE MASK 

I love mask, cream mask, clay mask, sheet masks! I managed to get some Korean sheet masks in, and I am focusing on aqua feature to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate the skin. One of the advantages of living in Singapore is the humidity in the air; our skin tend to age quite gracefully aka resistant to wrinkles due to the humidity level. The downside is probably oily T-zone and breakouts I guess. I am getting fine lines on my skin, so I am frantically trying to remedy and reverse the effects. :P  

Description:Care for dehydrated and weak skin with the Soothing Moisture Mask from Avène, specialists in gentle and sensitive skin care. Perfect for sensitive skin suffering symptoms of redness, tightness and stinging caused by environmental aggressors, the moisturising mask will leave the skin with a healthy and radiant appearance. 

The rich, creamy formula is made up of the Avène Thermal Spring Water meaning that your skin benefits from the soothing and anti-irritating properties of the water whilst Triglycerides help to restore the hydrolipic barrier therefore nourishing dehydrated skin. The mask works to restore the skin’s natural barrier meaning that the skin absorbs more water and therefore increases the skin’s levels of hydration. Appropriate for all types of sensitive skin, the Avène Soothing Moisture Mask will leave you with soft, smooth and supple skin boasting a healthy glow. A.W. Paraben-free. 

Instruction:Apply the mask in thick layers to the face and neck. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes and remove the excess product with a cotton pad. 

Ingredients:Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua), Mineral Oil (Paraffin Liquidum), Stearic Acid.Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (CarthamusTinctorius), Hydrogenated Palm/Palm Kernel Oil Peg-6 Esters, Triethanolamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina). Peg-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Carbomer, Disodium Edta, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenyl Trimethicone 

Verdict: Haven’t used it enough times to know if it’s helping with my goal of remedying and reversing the fine lines - I guess preventing further damage is more plausible, while it may take a lot more time and effort to reverse the effect. I do like how it leaves my skin feeling very hydrated but not oily. Different from heavy moisturiser infused mask, this hydrates deeply and doesn’t leave any film of product. Quite impressive for a small price tag. 

Have you used Avène products? What do you use and how do you find them?

Avène Cleanse and Tone

I am gradually switching out from my Korean skincare range for reasons mentioned in my previous post.

Avène products are not new to me. Coming from Singapore, we are accessible to most of the brands, and that also means that skincare products are highly competitive too. I used to use their thermal water mist, and that’s about it.

I first discovered Micellar (water) lotion when I moved to Denmark 2 months ago and was planning some road trips, so I explored into skincare products “on the go” that are simplified but effective. I chanced upon the Micellar lotion and instantly hooked!

AVÈNE MICELLAR LOTION 

I have tried another brand of micellar water in prior to Avène’s, but I am definitely loving Avène’s because it smells so good! 

Description:Specially developed for sensitive skin and the delicate eye area, the Micellar Lotion from Avène gently removes dirt, make-up and impurities. Formulated with mild cleansing agents and the brand's Thermal Spring Water to support the skin's natural protective barrier, whilst leaving skin supple, smooth and soft. With its no-rinse formula, the soothing lotion prevents irritation and dryness by boosting moisture levels for healthy-looking skin and a balanced complexion. E.N. Paraben free.

Instruction:Apply the Micellar Lotion with a cotton pad to the face. No-rinse formula.

Ingredients:Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Pentylene Glycol. Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides. Disodium Edta. Fragrance (Parfum). Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil. Sclerotium Gum. Sodium Benzoate. Sodium Chloride.

• Basically, it’s a no-rinse cleanser, so you see why it is ideal for traveling or on road trips when you want to pack light, but not compromising on skincare routine. I use this to remove basic makeup like non-waterproof eyeliner, CC/BB cream on face, and lip stain. I do use proper eye makeup remover to remove waterproof mascara though.  

  Verdict: I really love it!

  AVÈNE GENTLE MILK CLEANSER
  I am running out of my AHA gentle cleanser, and I am finding my skin dryer now so I decide to switch it out to something gentler and more hydrating - I still have my AHA exfoliator and mask, so I am covered in the exfoliation department.
  
  I only ordered Avène cleanser on my third order on lookfantastic after I have tried some of the Avène’s products. 
  Description:
  The Gentle Milk Cleanser from Avène intensely hydrates dry and extremely dry skin. Specially formulated with mild cleansing agents to gently remove dirt, make-up and impurities, the milky cleanser leaves skin supple with a silky smooth texture. Enriched with the brand's kind-to-skin Thermal Spring Water to prevent irritation and restore the skin's natural protective barrier. No need to rinse, the cleanser allows you to experience healthy-looking, revitalised skin, without leaving behind any sticky residue. E.N.
  
  Instruction:
  Apply with fingertips or damp cotton wool and massage lightly with light circular movements. Remove excess product using a cotton pad.
  Ingredients:
  Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum). Propylene Glycol. Peg-6 Stearate. Peg-32 Stearate. Butylparaben. Carbomer. Fragrance (Parfum). Phenoxyethanol. Propylene Glycol Stearate Se. Sodium Hyaluronate. Stearic Acid. Triethanolamine. Trisodium Edta.
  • Verdict: I have only used it a few times, but so far it cleanses really well, and doesn’t dry out my skin, so that’s a super plus point. I love how it leaves the skin soft and supple. Definitely a keeper.

    AVÈNE GENTLE TONER 

    This is to replace my favorite Korean toner mist (infused with vitamins!). All Avène products have a powdery scent, which is really pleasant. I am not exactly a fragrance-free person, as I find fragrance-free actually reeks of plastic and odd smell. I like some light refreshing scent that is not overwhelming, which adds pleasure (to olfactory) to the routine. 

    Description:
    The Gentle Toner from Avène effectively tones skin to deliver a fresh and rebalanced complexion. Specially developed for dry and sensitive skin, the delicate toner is formulated with natural silicates to shield the skin from environmental aggressors, whilst restoring the skin's natural hydrolipidic film to maintain moisture levels. Enriched with the brand's Thermal Spring Water to prevent irritation and leave skin calm, hydrated and soothed. E.N. Paraben and alcohol free. 

    Instruction:
    Shake well before use. Apply the toner with a cotton pad to a cleansed face. 

    Ingredients:Avene Thermal Spring Water (Avene Aqua). Fragrance (Parfum). Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate. Phenoxyethanol. Sorbitol. Stearalkonium Hectorite. Trisodium Edta. Water (Aqua). 

    Verdit: It is sounding regimented but I truly love all the Avène products that I have bought so far. I love using toner, as it wipes the last traces of makeup and impurities that could be missed during cleansing - especially that I have left my clarisonic brush in Singapore (I brought the charger instead, duh!). Cleansing is probably the most important step in the skincare routine, so I am quite particular about it. This toner is really gentle, containing no alcohol, so it doesn’t dry out the skin. All their products leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft to touch.  

The next post is on the moisturising range that I’ve bought. 

My Alternate Source for Beauty Products - LookFantastic

I have been THE online shopping Queen back in Singapore, then I moved to Perth, Australia and even before I arrived in Perth, I had sourced out the shopping links for my beauty products hoarding to continue.

Now that I have moved to Denmark, there is minimal culture shock, except for online shopping culture shock! Well, you know about EU right? So, my past beauty stash sources are predominantly from Asian continents - think Korea! It had little impact when I moved to Perth except for some price changes - so much cheaper to buy from Korea when I was in Singapore. It’s a whole lot of tax and duty change when I move to Denmark!

For an order of AUD45, I have to pay a tax and duty of approximately AUD40! What! Ok, so I have been actively sourcing for product alternatives (I do miss my snail creams. sob sob), and new online shopping venues in the Europe (buy from Europe, and there is no tax!).

I have found LookFantastic and have since ordered thrice with them - and I’ve only been in Denmark for two months! Speedy delivery, and fabulous free gifts, and discounts! Not only that I found great discounts on there, my HG products like Alpha-H and Moronccooil are available on there too, at better prices!

Tips:
1. Subscribe to their newsletter, they have different beauty bags every so frequently, you will find yourself wanting to buy something just so that you get their beauty bags!
2. With the newsletter, you will get updates not on the freebies, but also special discount codes to use (up to 22% discount) on your order. As usual, conditions apply.
3. Check your country of delivery and try to meet the minimum order to qualify for free tracked delivery.

I will be reviewing the Avene products over the weekend - 1-2 products per post. They are not sponsored products, I paid for every one of them. They are so good!

P/S: I have also found alternative source for my supplements supplies, iHerb orders got taxed too much, so I decide to put iHerb aside for now, until I am back in Australia. 

Another source is Amazon.

Vitamin E, Lip scrub, Probiotics, and Whitening Soap

I have changed out the probiotics to Jarrow Formula brand - no real reason, I review the supplements from time to time, and especially when there is a sale, I take it as an opportunity to try new brand. The reviews for this particular probiotics are quite amazing, so I thought I give it try.

Along with that, I bought a few more stuff:

• Madre Labs, CafeCeps, Instant Organic Coffee Beverage, 3.52 oz (100 g)
• Jarrow Formulas, Jarro-Dophilus EPS, 120 Veggie Caps
• Chocolove, Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate, 3.2 oz (90 g)
• Now Foods, Solutions, Certified Organic, Jojoba Oil, 4 fl oz (118 ml)
• Hobe Labs, Naturals, Vitamin E Oil, 50,000 IU, 2 fl oz (59 ml)
• Dr. Woods, English Rose Soap, Skin Lightening, 5.25 oz (149 g)
• Eco Lips Inc., Organic, Lipscrub, Vanilla Bean, .5 oz (14.2 g)

Organic Cofee - I am more of a tea person than a coffee person. It’s something to do with how coffee causes migraine for me, and also that I really don’t do ‘sour’ very well. Only some coffee tastes less acidic, but most of them leave this acidic aftertaste that I don’t like. I like Madre Labs organic coffee though,  but coffee preference is very personal, so it might not be your cup of ‘coffee’. 

Jarrow Formulas, Probiotics - I have changed out my probiotics, and this is working really well for me, so I am going to stick with it for a bit. The great reviews have definitely boosted my confidence.

Chocolove sea salt chocolate - I used to order this a lot, but it’s either my ageing tastebuds are changing or the quality of the chocolate is changing. I don’t find the ‘kick’ out of it anymore. I used to find it more ‘creamy’ despite the 55% cocoa contents in the dark chocolate, but I find it less creamy now, so there is a lack of satisfaction. 

Now Foods, Organic Jojoba oil - I am out of Jojoba oil as I am using more of it for the homemade salt scrub. 

Vitamin E oil - I had a few ‘oil seeds’ under my eye, and they were an eye-sore, so I picked them out with needle and tweezer (not recommend!!) and that left dark spots instead. I scar very easily. I am using the Vitamin E to hopefully lighten the marks and also dabs it around my smile line and around my lips. As with most vitamin E oil, it’s thick in consistency, so a little goes a long way. Have yet seen noticeable result, but will continue to use nonetheless. I also use it in the mud mask! 

Lightening soap - I was rarely out in the past. I am considered fair-skinned. Since arriving in Perth, I developed a love-hate relationship with the open spaces. I love how spacious Perth is as compared to the densely populated Singapore, however there are also lots of open spaces and Australia has the highest pfravelance rate for skin cancer because of the UV rate is higher. My exposed skin is a shade darker than my skin, and I am not happy. I really don’t like inconsistency. This English rose soap seems to receive many successful reviews on lightening and washing out tan-lines. I am alternating this with my salt scrub and nice smelling mango body wash! It’s been only a week, so I can’t tell if it’s working yet. 

Lip sugar scrub - I hate dry lips and lips with dead skin. While my gentle exfoliator for skin seems to work well for lips too, it can be too drying. I like this sugar scrub that leaves my lips soft, exfoliated and moisturised. 

Alternatively, I shop at Amazon because the boy has a Prime account.

20% off Probiotics

This week’s special discount is Probiotics! See, I am quite ‘well stocked’ for my staple supplements, but when iHerb runs specials on this supplements, I will stock a few more.



Another sale going on is the greens items! I have recently bought some Matcha powder, it’s so good!
I made ice cream out of it, and I love it!


Don’t forget to check out the weekly special’s section for great buys.

My Story:

Probiotics is one of my staple supplements, so I jumped on the opportunity and ordered some more. I had experience sever acid reflux problem (GERD) some years ago, it became so severe that I could not swallow food or liquid. The problem was eventually managed, but it never really go away. It was kind of ‘dormant’ for a few years and then came back with a vengeance. When it returned, I was not able to digest solid or more ‘dense’ food by mid-day (I suspect that the digestive system was worn out by mid-day), so it was quite annoying when meeting with friends or when holidaying as I was missing out on many food choices. Probiotics have been keeping my reflux problem at bay.

I save at least 30% when buying on iHerb for high quality supplements, health, beauty and household products. 

If it's your first time ordering from iHerb, you can save $5 off your first order using this link: 

http://goo.gl/vGyZ5u

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars.

Happy Smart Shopping! 

Savvy Tip - Get the Most from Pump Container

I love the convenience of pump packaging for body lotion that I am using a lot since I moved to Perth.

However, I really hate the part when there is still a fair bit of contents left in the bottle and the pump is ‘spitting’ the lotion or cream in a spiteful manner like a spoilt little brat.

You can turn the bottle over and unscrew the pump cap, or you can do this easy trick (remember, there is nothing to be ashamed about being frugal, and not being wasteful!):

Extra 20% off Beauty Products!

Ends Wednesday, April 27th, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Extra discount will be seen in the shopping cart.I always stock up when iHerb runs specials on beauty products or my staple products. Absolutely buy:

• Real Techniques by Samantha and Nic

I am not a zealous fan, but I do buy some items from EcoTools:

• EcoTools

These are my go-to, but I’m sure you may have different likes. Go through the list!
I am working to meet all the assignments deadlines and stay on top of lectures and tutorials, but I am dying to review a product range that I have started to use. Perhaps in 2 weeks’ time, I hope.

I save at least 30% when buying on iHerb for high quality supplements, health, beauty and household products. 

If it's your first time ordering from iHerb, you can save $5 off your first order using this link: 

http://goo.gl/vGyZ5u

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars.

Happy Smart Shopping! 

Mizon All in One Black Snail Cream Review

I have been using Mizon Snail Creams:

• Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream 
• Mizon Repair Eye Cream
• Mizon All In One Black Snail Cream
• Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule 
• Mizon Snail Recovery Gel

(Click on the individual link to read the reviews that I blogged on quirkymissy blog). 

ReFa Carat Face Slimming Gadget

I ‘invested’ in a face shopping gadget in 2014, and I am still diligently using it. The original post was blogged on my Quirky Missy blog, but I am updating the results here as I plan to move the health and beauty products review over here.

ReFa is a Japanese made product and this is not anywhere near cheap, as with most Japanese products. However, I would think it is by far one of my most prized investments. Simply, it delivers results.

(Pop over to the other blog to read about the introduction and whatnot, this post is just an update.)

Herbatint Hair Color

• Herbatint, Permanent Haircolor Gel, 5M, Light Mahogany Chestnut, 4.56 fl oz (135 ml)
• Herbatint, Permanent Haircolor Gel, 5M, Light Mahogany Chestnut, 4.56 fl oz (135 ml)

These are my current mix of shades now. 5N is my base color (I never had Asian black hair, my sister and I have a golden dark brown sheen on our hair, her children have at least one shade lighter than ours), and ’N’ series tend to run dark. I like a bit of red to brighten the shine, but not so much of bright mahogany red, but still leaning toward the brown shade - copper. 

See Herbatint official website for tips. 

AHA, Omega-3, and Herbatint

• Now Foods, Omega-3, 500 Softgels
• Now Foods, Hyaluronic Acid, Double Strength, 100 mg, 60 Veggie Caps
• Herbatint, Permanent Haircolor Gel, 5R Light Copper Chestnut, 4.56 fl oz (135 ml)

Omega-3 - I ran out of my usual omega3 supplements and decided to try another brand which is easier on the wallet, but doesn’t compromise on the quality - at least the reviews said so. The down side is that instead of taking one soft gels, I have to take 2. 

Homemade Dead Sea Salt Scrub

Ingredients

• Aura Cacia, Organic, Skin Care Oil, Balancing Jojoba, 4 fl oz (118ml)
• Frontier Natural Products, Dead Sea Salt, 80 oz (2267 g) or
• Sea Minerals, Mineral Bath Salt, 32 oz (906 g)
• Aura Cacia, Organic, Lavender, .25 fl oz (7.4 ml)
• Aura Cacia, Organic, Tamanu Oil, Nourishing , 1 fl oz (30 ml)
• Aura Cacia, 100% Pure Essential Oil, Rose Absolute, Equalizing, 0.125 fl oz (3.7 ml)
• Now Foods, Organic Essential Oils, Orange, 1 fl oz (30 ml)

Buy ALL ingredients (with 906g Sea Minerals Bath Salt)

Buy ALL ingredients (with 2267g Frontier Dead Sea Salt)

Shampoos at 20% Discount!

Great shampoos are on 20% discount until 30 March!

My personal favourites:

Selected Brands Specials 20% Discount

Shop smart and savvy. I always watch for the specials section to enjoy the additional discount for my staple supplements, or to try out a new product.

This week’s specials include these brands:

20% Off Favourite Brands - till 23 March

I am sure there is an error on the day, on the promotion image. It should be Wednesday instead of Monday.

Remember I blogged about the Earth Mama body lotion? It’s on 20% discount now! They have may great products that have many fantastic reviews. This is the time to try them!

I save at least 30% when buying on iHerb for high quality supplements, health, beauty and household products. 

If it's your first time ordering from iHerb, you can save $5 off your first order using this link: 

http://goo.gl/vGyZ5u

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars.

Happy Smart Shopping! 

Natural Teeth Whitening Paste

• Nutiva, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 fl oz (1.6 L)
• Now Foods, Essential Oils, Peppermint, 1 fl oz (30 ml)
• Frontier Natural Products, Ground Turmeric Root, 16 oz (453 g)

So, I saw many videos about teeth whitening paste using natural ingredients. I have most of them, and so I decided to try it out. 

Bentonite Clay Powder

• Now Foods, Solutions, Bentonite Clay Powder, 1 lb (454 g)

This is different from the European clay powder that I posted earlier. The european clay powder is superfine and easy to mix. This bentonite powder clumps easily, but it's great for other purposes. 

Tip: Google for bentonite clay benefits and you will see an endless list of benefits about this powder. 

Bentonite powder is used in many of our cleansing products already. I am using this externally only, specially to treat oily scalp problem, and also as body mask for quick overall skin detox (only when I have lots of time).

I save at least 30% when buying on iHerb for high quality supplements, health, beauty and household products. 

If it's your first time ordering from iHerb, you can save $5 off your first order using this link: 

http://goo.gl/vGyZ5u

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars.

Happy Smart Shopping! 

A Path of Light Lavender Shea Butter Hand Cream

• Andalou Naturals, A Path of Light, Shea Butter + Cocoa Butter Hand Cream, Lavender, 3.4 fl oz (100 ml)

Whether you are working in an airconditioned office or living in a dryer climate country, handcream is something we cannot live without.

I love how lovely scent of this hand cream - although it can also smell a little like plastic, I feel that lavender almost always leave a subtle plastic after smell - and it's so moisturizing yet easily absorbed quickly!

I also bought the Sea Buckthorn scent, but I prefer the lavender better. 

I save at least 30% when buying on iHerb for high quality supplements, health, beauty and household products. 

If it's your first time ordering from iHerb, you can save $5 off your first order using this link: 

http://goo.gl/vGyZ5u

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars.

Happy Smart Shopping! 

Room Fragrance Diffuser - Essential Oils

• Aura Cacia, 100% Pure Essential Oil, Lavender, 2 fl oz (59 ml)
• Now Foods, Essential Oils, Peppermint, 1 fl oz (30 ml)
• Aura Cacia, 100% Pure Essential Oil, Lemon, .5 fl oz (15 ml)

Madre Labs Organic Coffee, Cocoa, Spirulina

• Madre Labs, CafeCeps, Instant Organic Coffee Beverage, 3.52 oz (100 g)
• Madre Labs, CocoCeps, Instant Organic Dark Cocoa Beverage, 7.93 oz (225 g)
• Healthy Origins, Probiotic, 30 Billion CFU's, 150 Vcaps
• Healthy Origins, Organic Spirulina, 500 mg, 720 Tablets

Organic Coffee - I am more of a tea person than coffee person. Coffee tastes too acidic for me. I am very taste sensitive. I used to drink coffee, 2-in-1 coffee with too much coffee mate! I am more of a casual coffee drinker now, and regular tea drinker. When I do take coffee, I like this organic coffee. It's probably the tastiest coffee I had ever tried! It is not acidic and knowing that it has reishi powder makes me feel healthier already! 

Earth Mama Body Butter, Valerian Root, Silymarin Liver Support

• Now Foods, Double Strength Silymarin, 300 mg, 200 Vegan Caps
• Earth Mama Angel Baby, Earth Mama Body Butter, 8 fl oz (240 ml)
• Now Foods, Valerian Root, 500 mg, 250 Capsules
• Now Foods, Essential Oils, Orange, 1 fl oz (30 ml)
• Now Foods, Essential Oils, Tea Tree, 1 fl oz (30 ml)

These just came in through the delivery earlier this week. 

Silymarin - Liver support supplements. This is especially beneficial to generate liver cells damaged by alcohol and drugs consumptions. I have chronic skin conditions that are managed through long-term medication; and I also enjoy (a lot) the distilled liquids (wines, whiskey). The least I could do is to step up on protecting the liver. 

Body Butter - My first purchase, and have been using it for days. To be honest, I am using this primary to prevent skin sagging. I read an article recently that the skin around our boobs and neck age faster than other areas. Rave reviews, so I decided to give it a try. I like that it absorbs pretty quickly but not fully. It does leaves a film of smooth creamy touch on the skin. I imagine that it may be more pronounced if used in humid climate. 

Valerian Root - I get anxious easily (for so many reasons!) and I also have a hyperactive mind that sometimes gets super fueled up in the night. I had been given prescriptive drugs to calm the nerves, but they tend to compromise my memory and I need my brain functions up at 100% since I am back to school. Valerian root does a beautiful job in calming my sensory processing activities without compromising on my memory functions. However, I would recommend that you do a thorough research before trying this herbal supplement in place of your sleeping pills or anxiety pills, it may work differently for everyone. 

Orange Essential Oil - I really love my room to be subtly sweet and pleasant smelling. Orange is very uplifting yet not overwhelming. It reminds me of Lunar New Year when we would be peeling mandarin oranges and filling the house with fragrant orange scent. 

Tea Tree Essential Oil - I use this in the bathroom, as it has a sharper scent that rids of odor. I use this together with eucalyptus oil which gives a good balance and tone down the sharp notes. This would be great to add to the DIY mud mask on days of breakouts too. 

I save at least 30% when buying on iHerb for high quality supplements, health, beauty and household products. 

If it's your first time ordering from iHerb, you can save $5 off your first order using this link: 

http://goo.gl/vGyZ5u

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars.

Happy Smart Shopping! 

DIY Clay Mud Mask

Ingredients:

• Now Foods, Solutions, European Clay Powder, 6 oz (170 g)
• Aura Cacia, Organic, Skin Care Oil, Balancing Jojoba, 4 fl oz (118ml)
• Aura Cacia, Organic, Tamanu Oil, Nourishing , 1 fl oz (30 ml)
• Now Foods, Essential Oils, Rose Absolute, 1 fl oz (30 ml)

My Personal Formula - Suitable for Dry Skin

1 tablespoon of clay powder

1 squeeze of jojoba oil

3-4 drops of tamanu oil

5 drops of rose absolute oil

Water (at your discretion)

Biotin, Lutein, Coenzyme Q10, Probiotics

• Natural Factors, Coenzyme Q10, Enhanced Absorption, 100 mg, 60 Softgels
• Healthy Origins, Probiotic, 30 Billion CFU's, 150 Vcaps
• Natrol, Biotin, Maximum Strength, 10,000 mcg, 100 Tablets
• Now Foods, Lutein, 10 mg, 120 Softgels
• Alba Botanica, Leave-in Conditioner, Fragrance Free, 7 oz (198 g)

Coenzyme Q10 - I have since 'upgraded' to Ubiquinol after being advised by a friend that it's the 'purer' quality and would probably be more beneficial to me. 

Everyday Shea Bubble Bath

Every now and then, I desire for a bubble bath. It is more of an idea to soaking your exhausted body into a tub of foam and imagining that you are on fluffy clouds! I absolutely love this bubble bath, great reviews from users too.

• Everyday Shea, Bubble Bath, Gentle for Babies on Up, Lemon-Lavender, 32 fl oz (950 ml)

Matcha Powder and Ubiquinol

I have been wanting to make some matcha green tea ice cream, but matcha powder is quite expensive! I found Rishi matcha green tea on iherb at much affordable prices, and successfully made a batch of yummy ice cream.

With FREE SHIPPING option offered by iHerb, it helps to stretch my dollars. Tips: split the order if your order is getting big so that you enjoy free shipping for each order (there is a qualifying amount).

• Healthy Origins, Ubiquinol , 100 mg, 150 Softgels
• Rishi Tea, Organic Matcha Green Tea, Teahouse Matcha, 0.70 oz (20 g)
• Andalou Naturals, A Path of Light, Shea Butter + Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream, Clementine, 3.4 fl oz (100 ml)
• Now Foods, Solutions, European Clay Powder, 6 oz (170 g)

Neocell Super Collagen Powder - iHerb

Cost of living in Australia is on the rise, and there are many products that are only available in the States, so I 'resorted' to online shopping.

These are some of my stash of supplements, household products and I even grabbed some cosmetic on their clearance page and trial products at unbelievably cheap prices.

• Neocell, Super Collagen, Type 1 & 3, 7 oz (198 g) Powder
• Now Foods, Super Enzymes, 180 Capsules
• Method, Gel Hand Wash Refill, Pink Grapefruit, 34 fl oz (1 l)
• Alba Botanica, Natural Very Emollient Bath & Shower Gel, Honey Mango, 32 fl oz (946 ml)
• E.L.F. Cosmetics, 6 Piece Eyeshadow Compact, Smokey Eyes, 0.25 oz (7 g) (Clearance)
• California Gold Nutrition, LactoBif Probiotics, 30 Billion CFU, 60 Veggie Caps