Hand Sanitiser Madness

According to my Dictionary! App, Sanitise is a verb that means to make things sanitary (free of germs) by cleaning or sterilising. I’m sure that no one would ever want to sit on a toilet seat in a public toilet as we don’t know how many people have used them and it is obvious that it is contaminated with who knows what or to touch our face with our sweaty and dusty hands after we do some work. Thus, it has been our norm to carry sanitisers around wherever we are. Sanitising is very important whether we are just in our homes or when we are outside because it helps to get rid of harmful germs that might (in a way) infect us with diseases.

During my holidays in Manila, I came across tons and tons of women who have sanitisers hanging from their bag’s shoulder straps. I guess it’s “in”, nowadays, to carry one of these because although sanitising has been essential ever since a long long time ago, it is only now that I see people carry these around all the time. 

Since the “sanitary hand” saga has been on for quite a while, many companies have released different kinds of hand sanitisers that are very affordable and convenient to carry around. 

Hanging Hand Sanitisers

Bench hand sanitisers

Hygienix hand sanitisers (The spray type is my favourite)

Rubbing alcohol with moisturisers

I also saw this product that can be used to clean and disinfect messy toilet seats.

Holy Seat!

Hand sanitisers, which used to be just a normal Dettol disinfectant, has been revolutionised, became varied and more creative to glam up our hand bags and moisturise our hands while getting rid of dirt.

Xx,

Pascaley

Style Icon: MARY KATE and ASHLEY OLSEN

The Olsen twins, Mary Kate and Ashley, are my blog’s style icon for the month of December because their fashion sense has been one of the most creative the industry has ever been crazy for. We’ve seen them in rolling films, under the camera, as well as when they took their ideas concretely into the fashion industry. The grungy-edgy-rockstar-layered-boho-expensive-feminine-like style that they wear whenever they go out of their house, have became a staple image in the industry because they are the type of people that can “carry” whatever piece of clothing they wish to wear.

Practising their skills in the fashion industry, they released several lines that carry their ideals and sense of fashion. Recently, we encountered the “MINT” in their newly-opened clothing line: STYLE MINT that has been warmly welcomed, adored, and worn by heaps of customers and famous Hollywood stars like Rachel Bilson and Emma Roberts.

Face Masks (Sheet masks)

Hello everyone! As promised, I will be blogging about face masks. 

There are different kinds of face masks. They can be the cream mask where you put a generous amount of essence (volcanic ash, hydrating milk, red wine, Q10, etc.) to your face and wash it off after a certain amount of time (which is usually 10 to 15 minutes); a peel-off face mask which is a mask that dries up on your face that you have to peel-off like peeling of stickers after a certain amount of time; and lastly the sheet mask which is a thick paper or a fabric mask with holes for your eyes, nose and mouth and is soaked with essence in its tightly sealed foil packet. In this blog post, I will be talking about the sheet mask.

Ooh La La!

SHEET MASKS

Sheet masks are facial masks that are created for people to give their facial skin a treat. You can conveniently use it while you're watching TV at home, or whether you're on a long flight. After a long day of our skin being exposed to stress, pollution, and other harsh conditions, it is always nice to treat yourself with a sheet mask that is full of "good stuff" for your skin. For my own, I prefer to use sheet masks twice or thrice a week depending on how dry or moisturised my face and décolletage feels. But as I have said, different people have their own preferences. 

HOW TO USE A SHEET MASK?

*Usually used at night time to achieve full moisturising effects

1. Wash your face clean using your favourite facial wash, and rinse of with lukewarm water. (This method will open up your pores that will help the essence of the sheet mask to penetrate deep into the skin). Pat off excess water gently. Don't dry off your whole face with the towel.

2. Remove the sheet mask from the packet carefully enough not to rip it. Then place on it on your face. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. (You will then be flooding your skin with the essence that aids the skin to absorb all the nutrients in it.

3. Don't throw the packet right away. Keep it in the fridge, put the left-over essence on your face and to your décolletage area after your remove the sheet mask.

4. Don't rinse it off, leave the essence on your skin till it dries and evaporates completely. Have a good night's sleep and wake up feeling very hydrated and moisturised.

HOW DOES THE SHEET MASK WORK?

Sheet masks work wonders by cooling down the skin and letting your skin absorb the vitamins and nutrients from the essence. It maybe the same as putting on moisturising creams after you wash your face, but treating your skin with essence masks are great because it gives a different kind of hydration and moisturising effect compared to using normal face creams.

By leaving it on your skin for up to 15 minutes, you will find that your skin will have time to cool and therefore pores will usually close up, giving the appearance of smaller tighter pores. You are also flooding your skin with the lotion or essence in the mask you are using. This effect is beneficial for hydrating and whitening products as only by leaving it on your face can it work well.

MY TOP 5 FAVOURITE ASIAN SHEET MASKS

Treat yourself with a mask twice or thrice a week.

1. MY BEAUTY DIARY facial sheet masks (我的美丽日记面膜)

- My most favourite sheet mask as of the moment. I have tried the different varieties they have such as the black pearl whitening, arbutin, Southern France apricot, red wine, Q10, royal jelly, cherry blossoms, and more! The packaging is good as the sheet masks comes with a plastic cover that helps to avoid ripping the mask. And I really like the essence that they use because the scents are just very lovely and the formula is very thick, meaning, rich in good ingredients. A good quality mask for a very affordable price. Can be purchased in Asian beauty shops or online. ($15 for 10 pcs.)

2. SILK WHITIA facial sheet masks

- Love this mask because it makes my skin feel so soft even just after application. The scent is also good as well as the packaging. If you will do research on sheet masks, this brand is one of the most popular Asian ones in the market. Can be purchased in some Asian beauty shops (Sydney) or online. ($20 a box)

3. MG facial sheet masks

- Bought these at Watson's in Shenzhen, I'm sure this brand is popular in China because its not that pricey and the quality is really really good. What I mean't by really really good was, I think the ingredients were 80% essence and 20% H2O. Very very hydrating and moisturising. I don't think you can purchase it at any Asian beauty shops in Sydney but I'm pretty sure you can find them online. (RMB 200 a box)

4. NARUKO raw job's tears facial sheet masks

- I immediately fell inlove with this brand after I used it once. When I went back to the store to repurchase the next day, they already ran out of stock. Crazy. LOL. ($5 per sheet)

5. MG dynamic hydrating eye mask

- This eye mask came with the MG face masks that I bought in Shenzhen. Good quality. Very gentle and hydrating for the skin around the eyes.

SHEET MASK TIPS

*the links will lead you to YT videos :) Don't be afraid to click on them for more info. :)

Sheet mask application: sheet mask application http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URIOj4jOpGU

How to use up your mask and the left over essence, and storage tips: Getting the most out of your sheet mask

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtxak_rlOdM&feature=related

OWN OPINION

Using sheet masks that claims to whiten, brighten, make your skin tighter, younger, and smoother does not guarantee that you will get the results as to what they claim. After usage, you may feel its effects for several hours but it will definitely degenerate after few hours. More or less, you will still get benefits by using sheet masks because it makes the skin more hydrated and moisturised as it is rich in essence. Thus, it makes the skin more soft, flexible, and more resistant to wrinkling. It is very convenient to use and affordable.

xoxo, Pascaley

Face Mapping

Do you know that your overall health condition can be seen just by noticing where you get most of your breakouts on your face? If you're breaking out mostly on some part of your face, it might be an indication of some internal causes. We may apply topical treatments to dry out all of the acne but it will still come back if the internal culprits are not halted. Although face mapping may seem to be too general in the causes that it shows, it does not necessarily mean that when you get an acne on some part of your face it means that you already have internal problems.

So if you're breaking out alot on your:

FOREHEAD

CAUSES: Digestive problems (hard time breaking down certain foods); Small intestine issues; Liver issues; Irregular sleep schedule; Stress; Bad tempers; Too much worrying; Too much sugary foods; Toxin build-up; Hair products; Bangs; Wearing dirty caps/hats

TEMPLES AND BETWEEN BROWS

CAUSES:
(TEMPLES) Poor lymphatic circulation; Diet too high in fat; Gallbladder issues; Too much processed food

(BETWEEN BROWS) Weak heart; Too much alcohol; Too much tobacco

LEFT CHEEK

CAUSES: Liver; Overeating; Nutrition hard to absorb; Stress; Stomach problems; Dirty cell phones; Dirty pillow cases; Dirty makeup brushes; Blush

RIGHT CHEEK

CAUSES: Lungs; Allergies; Stress; Stomach problems; Too much sugar; Dirty cell phones; Dirty pillow cases; Dirty makeup brushes; Blush

NOSE

CAUSES: Poor diet; Constipation; Bloating; Gastrointestinal imbalance; Indigestion; Poor blood circulation if skin on nose peels

LIP AREA

CAUSES: Constipation; Irregular bowels; Too much spicy or fried foods; Toothpaste

CHIN AND JAW

CAUSES: Hormonal problems; Gynecological issues; Kidney imbalance (for under the face/chin pimples); Resting hands on face; Toothpaste

AROUND THE EARS

CAUSES: Lack of water; Too much salt on diet

I even made a drawing :)

According to Skinacea.com, there are a number of remedies that can be done to prevent and halt the increase of acne in each facial region mentioned above.

FOREHEAD

• Go to bed early (10pm) and wake up early (6am). Even if you can't fall asleep. it's good to relax so your liver can rest and be ready for work the next day
• Drink plenty of water
• 20-30 minutes of light exercise every day, especially outdoors
• Practice relaxation techniques to worry less
• Get enough sleep with a regular sleep schedule
• Eat healthy foods, chewing thoroughly
• Better hygiene (washing hair, hats)

TEMPLES

• Eat less processed food, junk food, and fast food
• Reduce the amount of fat in your diet
• Eat cooling foods like bitter melon, cucumbers, and gourds

BETWEEN EYEBROWS

• Exercise, but avoid strenuous exercise
• Get more sleep
• Avoid alcohol
• Avoid smoking

NOSE

• Eat less pungent foods (spices, garlic, etc)
• Eat less meat
• Eat warm temperature foods (not too cold or hot)
• Get more fresh air
• Exercise everyday (like going for a walk)
• Massage the area around your nose
• Make sure you are getting enough Vitamin B

LEFT CHEEK

• Maintain a normal daily routine
• Try to keep a positive mood
• Don't let your body overheat
• Eat more cooling foods such as gourds, winter melons, and green beans
• Don't overeat
• Try to decompress and relax
• The liver is the strongest from 1-3 AM. This is when you should be sleeping
• The liver is weakest at 1-5 PM, so schedule difficult work for the morning
• If you have to work in the afternoon, rest your eyes for 5 minutes every hour
• Practice proper hygiene

RIGHT CHEEK

• Avoid fast food and junk food
• Avoid mango, taro root, wine, and seafood or other foods you may be sensitive to
• Eat less sugar
• Get more fresh air
• The lung is strongest at 7-9 AM. This is the best time for aerobic exercise
• Practice proper hygiene

LIP AREA

• Eat more fiber
• Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet
• Eat less spicy and fried foods
• Massage abdominal area in a clockwise motion
• Change your toothpaste

CHIN AND JAW AREA

• Reduce the habit of eating before bed
• Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables
• Get more rest
• Get your hormones checked
• Get 20 minutes of exercise each day
• Sleep early and wake up early
• Massage your body for relaxation
• Practice proper hygiene

AROUND THE EARS

• Drink more than 1L of water every day
• Avoid eating junk foods
• Avoid salty foods
• Avoid processed foods

A lot of the above suggested remedies focus more on lifestyle and diet changes than topical treatments. You don't have to follow them exactly (I sure don't), but I have come to realize that living a healthier and happier life tends to complement getting better skin.


Keep yourself healthy,

Pascaley

SOJU drinking games

According to Trifood.com, Soju is the best known liquor from Korea.  It is distilled, vodka-like, rice liquor with high potency and often flavoured similarly. It is smooth and clean in taste, which makes it easy to drink in combination with various Korean dishes. The main ingredient of soju is rice, almost always in combination with other ingredients such as wheat, barley, or sweet potatoes. Soju is clear-colored and typically varies in alcohol content from 10% to 25% proof. It was first known to have been distilled around 1300 A.D.

Last Friday, I went out with my friends. We ate some Korean food and drank Soju. 

And one of them taught the whole group some games that can be played while drinking Soju.






GUESS THE NUMBER
- Every Soju bottle cap contains a number inside it. I'm not sure if it's somekind of an item manufacturing number or the manufacturer of the Soju bottle caps intended to leave a number there to create a game for Soju drinkers but anyhow, playing this game is fun and very interactive.

Gaming instructions:
Someone (only one person) in the group has to look at the number inside the cap. This person will be the "host" of the game. The players must guess the number in a clockwise order with the host only replying them with the words "higher" or "lower". The person who can guess the number correctly has to drink one whole shot glass of soju.


FLICK THE TWISTED CAP METAL
- You know how every metal bottle caps have the remaining metal springing out like this?

Gaming instructions:
The person starting the game must twist the metal fully (in the direction given in the picture) without separating it from the cap itself. After twisting it fully, the players will have to flick the metal in a clockwise order. If the person who flicks and removes it is a MALE, all the female players have to drink one whole shot glass of soju. And if the person who flicks and removes it is a FEMALE, then all male players will have to drink one whole shot glass of soju.














SPIN THE BOTTLE
- Assuming that the group has already finished a couple or a few bottles of Soju, then the group can use one empty bottle.

Gaming instructions:
Place the empty bottle in the middle of the group (the group must sit in a circular order), spin the bottle, and the person pointed by the bottle when it stops should drink a whole shot glass of soju.


NEVER HAVE I EVER
- A game which you can use to know your friends more. LOL.

Gaming instructions:
the first player says a simple statement starting with "Never have I ever ......." (eg. Never have I ever talked to strangers on the street; or Never have I ever evaded paying my debts to people). Anyone who has done what the first player has not must drink one whole shot glass of soju. Each player gets to say a statement in an orderly manner.


These games make every drinking time with friends fun and interactive instead of being idle and boring.


Have fun,

Pascaley

Acne and Proactiv Solution

Hello everyone? How's everyone doing these days? For me, I've been enjoying my holidays to the point that I have been out everyday last week. It was fun. I'm actually thinking of writing a blogpost about some "drinking" games that I've learned last time I went out with my friends. For today, I will blog about my skin, acne, and the Proactiv solution.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned were purchased with the author's own money. The products mentioned may have different reactions when applied by different people.

First of all, I would like to introduce my skin type to you guys. I have a combination to oily skin type which is:

• Oily on all parts of the face (T-zone and cheeks)
• Very sensitive to different products
• Acne prone
• Have hyperpigmentations

So, all of you must have imagined how it is already. Well, 5 months ago, I still clearly remember that it was winter time here in Australia, I had a lot of acne to the point that I was really desperate to try everything just to get rid of it.  I know that having acne or pimples is a situation that everyone goes through and is very normal but the feeling that it gives you is not really a pleasant one. I admit that I felt really down, embarrassed, and hurt due to my acne. All in all, it has affected my confidence. I just kept telling myself that although I don't have flawless skin, "people will love me for who I am".

I really don't have any idea why I was having a lot of acne ever since I arrived Australia. I am not sure if it's because of the food that I eat, the climate, the water, or the environment. All I know is that I am having a lot of it on my forehead.

So, 5 months ago, I decided to use Proactiv again. I have used it last year but I think it didn't work at that time, or maybe I just wasn't patient to wait for the results. But now, I have seen the results.

Warning: This might look really gross but I just want to show you guys the before and after 5 months difference

after 5 months of using Proactiv Solution

As you can see the difference, in the Before photo:

• red cystic acnes
• acne scars

After photo:

• only 2 active acnes
• no redness
• acne scars left by the previous cystic acnes
• most of the scars have already faded

I could say that the Proactiv Solution have really helped my skin externally.

.....................................................................................................................................................................

But what is Proactiv anyway? According to Proactiv's website, Proactiv is a range of blemish control and skin care products that combine powerful ingredients that work to prevent and control blemishes, as well as keep skin clear and beautiful. 

The secret to what makes Proactiv so incredibly effective at clearing and preventing spots is the Proactiv system, with our exclusive Benzoyl Peroxide microcrystal technology. It penetrates fast to deliver rapid pimple-fighting action.

Proactiv's Benzoyl Peroxide is more finely milled, so it can penetrate deep into the pore where it belongs. Watch as forehead blemishes vanish! Stubborn breakouts on the chin and jaw line disappear! Proactiv clears blemishes on your back, neck and shoulders too. Proactiv is different because it is designed to fight existing pimples and control future breakouts before they even surface on your skin. Proactiv is designed to be used on the entire blemish prone area every day and because it’s formulated with soothing botanicals like allantoin, panthenol, aloe and chamomile, it leaves your skin feeling smooth, healthy and hydrated. Our exclusive Proactiv system means rapid zit fighting action. With Proactiv, it's micro, and it works.

......................................................................................................................................................................

So that's what it claims to do. And as you saw from my before and after photo, it really worked the same way as how it claims to. =)

......................................................................................................................................................................

The Proactiv System daily routine

* for the first 3 days: must do a patch test of Step 1 and Step 3 on jawline

AM

1. Deep Cleansing Wash
2. Step 2 Toner
3. Step 3 Repair (only add this in the AM routine after 3 weeks)
4. Oil free moisture
5. Face sunscreen

PM

1. Step 1 Cleanse
2. Step 2 Toner
3. Step 3 Repair

My routine is more than the basic 3 steps of the Proactiv skin care system because it has a Deep Cleansing Wash. I think all of these cost me more than AU$100.

Here are the swatches of the products and some description:

DEEP CLEANSING WASH: cleanser for the AM routine. a moderately foamy face wash with blue beads in it. when used to wash the face, it gives a menthol-ly feeling. My favourite wash product from Proactiv.

Step 2 TONE: a lotion-type toner (sticky) that you apply after washing your face. Scent: mild. sometimes gives you a stingy feeling when your skin is too dry after washing.

Step 1 CLEANSE: cleanser for PM routine. Does not create any form of foam. Has white micro beads that will slough off the dead skin cells on your face.

Step 3 REPAIR: a lotion that repairs your breakouts. only applied in a pea-sized amount, will cause scaly-dryness if applied excessively.

OIL FREE MOISTURISER with SPF 15: light moisturiser used as a top coat of moisturiser every AM. should be topped with a separate sunscreen to protect the skin from harmful sun rays.

So I guess that's about it. My skin is not totally healed yet but I am going to see a dermatologist soon. Always remember that when you have acne, there is a solution for that. It might not be Proactiv but it can be and there should be something else that could cure it. Just keep on trying and don't lose hope because you're not alone. Seek help if you can and always remember that this is a common skin condition. Your loved ones will love you for who you are and not for how you look.

Always,

Pascaley

Lipsticks, Lipbalms, Lip tints, and Lipglosses: Mini Haul/ Review

Hi! I have been writing entries more often now since I am already on holidays! (Yes! 2 months of it, baby!) And since, I've been thinking on what else should I put on my blog other than the style icons or my random rants. So I came up with this idea of showing you guys and I guess I would do a mini haul/review (for the first time ever) of my most used lippies. 

I am obsessed with lip products eversince I was young. I always had those little lipshiner keyholders, that my mom used to buy for me when she goes to overseas, hanging on the zipper of my school bag, or on my ID card lace, and as far as I can remember, I used to go over my older sister's vanity drawers and try out all the lip products that she had. LOL. Ok, enough of the chitty chatty and let's get down to business.

Here's what I got for my most used lipbalms and lipglosses:

1. Lucas' papaw ointment

- I should say that this ointment is so much like Vaseline petroleum jelly. It makes any rough skin super soft and smooth especially when left overnight. I put this on my lips after I take a shower at night and leave it on 'till the next day. At the back of the tube it is written that this papaw ointment can also be used or applied for boils, burns, chafing, cuts, cracked skin, gravel rash, splinters, open wounds, insect bites and nappy rash.

2. Dior Kiss in 118 Barbe a papa/ Cotton Candy

- This actually came with 5 other colours in one box but I think I gave away the others to my cousins. This lipgloss never fails to give me the extra shine that I need when I apply very matte lipsticks. It applies smoothly and makes my lips look so dewy and watery. (lol, drooling look?)

3. Prestige Jetstream lipgloss

- This is one of those lipglosses that you has a mechanism where you have to twist the bottom to squeeze the product out. The gloss is shiny, and I don't use it that often but I still like to keep it with me.

4. The Face Shop fresh lip balm in RD 301

- A very nice quality lip balm. I love the yummy cherry scent of this lip balm. I think I bought it a year or two years ago but I still haven't finished it all up until now.

5. Mentholatum medicated lipbalm

- My bf's sister gave this to me when I visited them in China. The brand Mentholatum is a very reliable brand in China and this lip balm is widely used in there. As per its brand name, the balm is made up with some menthol so when you apply it on your lips, it gives you that mentho-ly feeling. 

6. Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cherry

- I always use this balm as a base before apply any lipstick. It's just like a normal petroleum jelly that feels lighter and softer. It also has a flavour and a scent.

7. TonyMoly Petite bunny gloss bar in 04

- Bought this because it looks really cute. It can be used alone as a "lipstick" substitute because its texture is matte and its colour pigment is good enough.

For Liptints:

1. The Body Shop lip and cheek stain (rose pink 01)

2. Sportsgirl lip and cheek tint (discontinued)

3. TonyMoly lip tint (cherry pink)

I really love lip and cheek tint/stains because they are very multi-purpose and very handy. I can bring it even when I'm just carrying a small purse. I use this for an instant pick-me-up especially when I stay in the uni for the whole day since it's not practical to carry all of my makeup one by one like my blush-on, lipstick, and all. So I just use this. A little dab on the lips and on the cheek and I instantly look fresh again. :) My favourite is the Body Shop lip and Cheek stain which is around AU$28 so I'm gonna buy a lot of this when I get back to the Philippines.

Favourite Lipsticks:

1. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 52 Fetiche

2. Natio Lip colour in Spring

3. Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de gloss in 61 Fatale

If you have noticed that I sticked with warm reddish colours with pink undertones for my lipsticks. I personally prefer these shades because I think it flatters my skin tone and it gives me the natural look that I want for everyday use. As of now, I don't have other lippy shades that are not monochromatic with these ones. (3) is not really a lipstick but it is a lipgloss, I just categorised it with the lipsticks because it is super pigmented. The Chanel lip products mentioned above are very hydrating for the lips. The coco shine is more like a hydrating lipstick that gives a natural shine to the lips, its not matte. Natio lip colour is like a basic creamy lipstick.

Here are some swatches

(L-R) 1. Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait de gloss in 61 Fatale, 2. Natio Lip colour in Spring, 3. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 52 Fetiche

I hope the post wasn't that long! :)

for all ya'll lippy junkies, you're not alone. :) -Pascaley

Creepy Footwear

While browsing through Prada's website, I stumbled upon Prada's Mary Jane Knee-high boots from its F/W 2011 Collection. I should say that this US$1400-priced pair of boots reminds me of Texas Chainsaw Massacre and makes me imagine how a chopped-off leg from a very classy woman would look. Creepy!

I know that its starting to get cold and wintry in the northern-hemisphere at this moment but isn't this going to scare your mates' heads out? LOL.

Still have cravings to see more creepy footwear? Scroll down mate.

LOL,

Pascaley