Review of Physiogel

My first encounter with the brand Physiogel when I was pregnant with my first child (about 6 years ago). The skin on my ever-growing belly was so stretched and dry, I was told I must apply some lotion in order to prevent stretch marks. So I tried many brands, including expensive ones like Clarins Stretch Marks Control and cheaper ones like Palmers Cocoa Butter, but they left me itching like a monkey with fleas. My gynaecologist suspected that I might have sensitive skin, so she prescribed Physiogel Lotion for me, and it worked like wonders!

So I used Physiogel Lotion during my second pregnancy too because I knew it will work perfect for me, just like the first. Although I still get some stretch marks and loose skin, but at the very least, my skin was well hydrated, it didn't itch and I was absolutely confident that Physiogel is safe to use during pregnancy.

After the births of my children, I stopped buying Physiogel as I thought I didn't need it any longer, until my daughter started showing signs of dry skin and eczema on her limbs when she was four. I tried applying many creams and lotions on her, but didn't see much improvement, so again I turned to Physiogel, and I bought her the Physiogel Cream.

So when Physiogel approached me to do a review for three of their products, Physiogel Cream, Lotion and Cleanser, I was more than willing, since I am already so familiar with the Cream and Lotion. But I knew little about the Cleanser.

Physiogel Cleanser turns out to be a hypoallergenic, soap-free (doesn't lather) cleanser that cleanses, soothes and softens, without drying the skin, unlike shower gel or soap. Its non-greasy formula (like a lotion) maintains skin pH balance and is suitable for all skin types, even babies can use it. It can be rinsed off or just tissue off with wipe or cotton wool for delicate skin (like those of the babies).

No bubbles, no lather? Is it clean? That was the question I had as well. So I try it on my own before I use it on my kids. I use a black ink pen and made a scribble on my skin. Then I put some Physiogel Cleanser on my skin, and I massage it in circular motion until the ink disappear then I rinsed it all off. It was clean and clear!

So I have started using Physiogel Cleanser on my kids for about a month now, and Physiogel Cream faithfully on my daughter's dry limbs. Here are the results:

Before and After

The skin on the creases of the back of her knees has improved. The dry, thicken patches of skin on her feet has appeared less red and she has been having lesser complains about the itch on her legs.

Physiogel is so kind to throw in 3 bottles of 300 ml Physiogel Cleansers for 3 lucky readers residing in Singapore. To get a chance to be one of the three lucky winners, you just need to:
1) Share this post on your Facebook page.
2) Take a screen-shot of your sharing on Facebook
3) Lastly, email me that screen-shot, your name and mailing address to myokiki@yahoo.com.sg

This give-away will end a week from today, on 22nd May 2013, at 12am. Late submissions will not be considered. Winners will be randomly selected and will be contacted by email on the delivery details. I reserved the right to choose the winners, my decision will be final, dispute will not be entertained. Only for readers with valid Singapore addresses only.






Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review for the products of Physiogel. The above comments are my experiences when reviewing the complimentary products I received.

PPP Laser - Why you shouldn't go to them

I naturally have some light freckles, but after two pregnancies, those spots just grew and got a lot darker. I had my first laser done about three years back using MedLite at a local aesthetic clinic. After the third sessions (5 sessions in my package), my spots were virtually vanquished. The result was unexpectedly good, despite the slight discomfort during the process, which was tolerable for me.

After my last laser treatment two and half years ago, my skin remains relatively good except the freckles seem to be creeping back, probably because I go under the sun more often now (chasing after my kids).

Friends told me about a promotion at PPP Laser Clinic, where I only need to pay a fraction of the price I did with MedLite, to receive 25 times of laser treatments. I jumped at the chance, I thought I had discovered a GREAT buy. PPP Laser claims that it works for Pores, Pigmentations and Pimples. I had two out of the three concerns I want to see improvement for, I was really excited.

Twelve times of laser treatments later, the only difference I notice is my facial hairs - they are absolutely bleached; the spots and pores are, unfortunately, still here. Although a few people had commented that my skin looks more radiant, that might well be the work of the new SK-II LXP Perfecting Series that I had recently started using, instead of the benefit of the laser.

What leaves me flabbergasted is the service and their system, or should I say lack of it. When I just signed up for the package, I was told I could call and make appointment, so I did. Even with appointments, at times, I had to wait a freaking 30-mins before I was being attended to. Then low and behold, they changed it to NO APPOINTMENT, only walk-in. When you walk-in, there could be 20 or more people ahead of you and you might have to wait for over 2 hours, at the more popular outlets. All that waiting for just for a 2-mins laser treatment, I think it's insane! And that's not the worst, the treatment time also shrunk, instead of 2-mins, it is probably now, nothing more than a minute! I guess the doctors just can't wait to get us out of the clinic to ease the crowd.

And it's not just one outlet of PPP Laser Clinic that is disappointing, I have visited 4 different outlets and every outlet is the same; long waiting time, hasten laser process and insignificant results.

Whenever I mentioned about not seeing much improvement, the doctors would advise me to have patience and wait, or come for the treatment more often. And when I grumble about the long waiting time, the nurses would tell me, "Wait. Take a seat first."

I think PPP Laser should change its name to WWW Laser, because all I ever do is wait, wait and more wait!

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Amazing Make-up Skills

I truly believe one of the most important skill a woman MUST possesses is the ability to do make-up for herself. This is the skill that will transform you from an ugly duckling into a gorgeous-looking swan without having to go under the knife.

I certainly know that too well. With make-up, hair and a good photo app, this is how I would look.

But trust me, 90% of the time I look the exact opposite of the above. Haha...

I am always fascinated by Taiwanese show and blogs that feature before and after make-up of young women who did their own transformation with simple foundations, some eye colors, blusher and lipsticks.

But this person below, I must say, I seriously had my socks knock off.

After make-up, wig and a sexy pose, don't this sweet young thing looks damn desirable? I bet guys would have love to see her take off her top!

There, your wish is granted. She He took off his top.

Did you guess it? HE IS A GUY! What a make-up wizard!

You can visit his blog here!

Camwhoring

I used to camwhore a lot when I was younger (when I wasn't a mom yet). But with the little ones start popping out one by one, I am shooting them more often than having the camera turned on for myself.

It's such a pity that I had lost that insane obsession to take my own pictures, because with the amount of apps available to mobile phones, it is almost impossible to take a bad camwhoring picture, which doesn't even require Photoshop. Just look at the two photo of me below. 

The Original.
Pretty, but... kind of ordinary.

The Enhanced! 

Wow! Dreamily enchanting instantly!

The person that I came across as the King of Camwhoring in the Singapore's blogsphere is...... 

not Xiaxue, although she is good at Photoshop, but this amazing guy - Yutaki James. A young talented man, while waiting for his army enlistment, did such an extensive work on camwhoring.

He recently published his second online photobook, Summer Love, featuring about 300 camwhoring pictures of himself (using tripod, wireless remote and self-timer). Yes, he even he did his own makeup, styling, and editing! Amazing isn't he?!

Yutaki is no model, all the pictures are not taken by any professional photographer, but himself! This is what it takes to be a CAMWHORE KING!! *salute!

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Plastic and Makeups

Take a look at the pictures below. Do you know who is this pretty lady?

 



If your answer is Dawn Yang, our local celebrity blogger, you are only correct by about 15%. Because the pictures above are actually 7 different girls (only the 4th photo is Dawn Yang). I was surfing this blog site called Daily Lenglui which features pretty gals and I found many of them all looking freakishly alike, as though they were dolls coming from the same factory or something.

Most of the 'leng lui' are rumoured to have plastic surgeries to look the way they look. Could they have all gone to the same plastic surgeons?!

On a different note, something else from the net amazes me.

This is Promise Phan, an Asian girl living in USA. And this is her on a normal day without makeup. Very ordinary-looking.

Now this is Promise Phan, with makeups. WOW!! I know.

She didn't have just one type of gorgeous look, she is versatile like a chameleon.

She can even transform herself into Disney's princesses. Here, you have her as Jasmine in Aladdin and Ariel, the mermaid.

Not just that, she can also make herself up to resemble superstars; save going under the knife. Check out her miraculous transformations! I was so blown away!

Promise Phan VS Angelina Jolie

Promise Phan VS Taylor Swift

Promise Phan VS Scarlett Johansson

Even Captain Jack Sparrow!

Before seeing what Promise can do with makeup, I was contemplating to have double eyelids surgery. I do have double eyelids already but they are flaring into multiple eyelids and also they are on the faint side. Anyway, now I am bloody inspired, I will learn to live with my natural eyelids and accentuate them with makeup instead.

Have a good super long weekend! No diff for me, I am still on MC.

Makeup Does Wonders!

Ugly duckling can turn into a swan, all it needs is to learn to put on makeups!

16 years in the beauty industry, I think my greatest achievement is being able to transform myself with various technique of makeup application. Retrospectively, I am very grateful to Prescriptives, my ex-company, who had sent me to countless back-breaking assignments, doing runway makeups for fashion shows. I used to KPKB doing makeovers after makeovers and more makeovers all for FREE; but I am glad coz that was where I got my skill polished up.

To prove my point, I have decided to remove half side of my makeup at the end of the day for the sake of comparison. Purely makeup. Nothing fake and absolutely untouched by Photoshop.

Eyes are the most challenging area in doing makeup, however the result can be the most satisfying.

It is still me, but looking so much better with the makeups.

Even though makeup does wonders and I confident to face the world with my naked face because apart from makeup, I have good skin for my age (I am 4 months short of becoming 35!). And for that I thank SK-II!

A Misayaki Fan

I remember a time (before there is Laetitia), I was all about nails. Either I took crazy amount of time, to painstaking paint them to my perfection or I would crossed over to JB, where I can indulge myself in one of the more prestigious nail salon, but only paying a fraction of the price charged for the equivalent in Singapore. In my opinion, the nail salons here were either too pathetic or seriously over-priced or over-rated.

Before yesterday, the place where I would often visit for my mani & pedi was this nail salon near my office, at Square 2, Novena. I had like it there because of its location (very convenient for me to spend my after work hour, doing my nails while waiting for Mr Hubby to pick me up) and the friendly staff, but there was one thing that irks me to death about that salon. I hate that the nail files and buffing blocks are shared among the clients without proper sanitation. Although the staff had clarified that the hands of all clients are cleansed before using any equipments on them, I am still kind of bothered by that minimal level of hygiene.

However I always return to the same salon because I like my manicurist and I had not gotten any fungus infections through their service. Unlike one very fucked-up nail salon which I swear I would burn down if arson is not a crime here in Singapore. That damn salon gave me a nasty fungus infections on my toe nail and the service... opss, I mean, no service at all, just made everything a lot worst! And they kept pressuring me to get nail package, hair package, facial package, blah.. blah.. blah.. Disgusted to the core!

So much for my bad experience, when I was invited to the opening of Misayaki, a new Japanese Concept Nail Salon; I went, but along with high amount of skepticism.

Misayaki is this new Japanese concept nail salon which boost its complete selection of nail colors from OPI and using only premium quality products on their clients.

OK. Just what the hell is "Japanese Concept Nail Salon"?! Because the salon has a Jap-like name? I had seen too many so-called "Japanese" or "Korean" concept shops which are run by Mainland Chinese or local, who tried to punk us by calling some fanciful names and yet everything in these shops just scream MEDIOCRITY!!

Is Misayaki truly a Japanese concept nail salon?

Misayaki focused on what the Japanese would essentially have in their salon.

1) Uniformed staff with certificates (hanging on their wall) to proof their professionalism.

2) Their manicurists are tested, graded and ranked accordingly to ensure that you are paying for what you are getting.

3) Service oriented and not purely sale-driven. The shop even has CCTV to monitor their manicurists to ensure that there is no hard-selling at all times.

4) Their unprecedented level of hygiene is impressive. Everything which they can be disposable, are disposed, only those indispensable are sanitized to death.

The lady boss, Ms Kam, who has that same pet peeve as me when it comes to sharing nail files and buffing blocks, makes it a point not to reuse any nail files and buffing blocks. She even went to the extent of having separate sets of files and buffing blocks for hands and feet, for a single client. I am so impressed.

By the way, her nails are gorgeous!! Love them!

You know something, those same files and buffing blocks used on me were given as gifts, for me to bring home because they would never reuse them on the next client. They even indicated which are for pedi, so that I wouldn't get them mixed up. But I am quite sure, I would just grab any one to use, without caring much about which is for which because they are mine, very personally mine. :P




So much said about Misayaki, you might be wondering how big a hole is this prestige little nail loft going to burn in your pocket. My sentiment indeed too! But surprise, surprise. You get the ultimate pampering you might receive in some upper-class, premium town area salons, but listen here; you only pay an extremely reasonable suburban price! It was like WOW!! How can Misayaki be such a HDB tai tai's heaven, but comes fully equipped with service that any prima donnas would approve of. Simply AWESOME!

I walked out of Misayaki, from a cynic to a fan!

Misayaki, all I can say is, YOU

my socks off !!

........ so that I can do more pedi! Hehehe....