When I move to Korea in future, I’ll set up a chocolate store during the month of February and March – it’s such a money-maker. hah. Today’s the day that all women in Korea give chocolates to the men, and on March 14, if the men give you back chocolates, it’s supposedly a sign that they are reciprocating your love.

If they don’t, I suppose you could drown your sorrows in jjajangmyeon (black bean paste noodles).

For me, I went on an impulse date with the fooster – well, technically we just went to eat, shop, yoga, and eat again.

stuffing our faces at piquenique – the yummiest waffle + ice cream and hot ranch chilli cheese fries. noms. so much for yoga.

Anyhoos, whether you’re single, double (in a couple), or upsized with kids and a family, here’s wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day with a handwritten love note and a handmade straw origami heart! -smooches galore-  :D

\P.S. Thanks to belif for showering me with some Valentine’s Day love :D

Now it’s been crazy hot these days – I can’t be the only one on the verge of a near-heatstroke. Now temperatures are definitely rising globally  – who knows, in another 10 years, we might all be in near-40 degrees Celsius weather -horror of horrors –

Do your part (no matter how minute) in preventing this happening – go green in any way you can, and that includes recycling. What’s better than recycling? Getting something freeeeee. C’mon, everyone likes free stuff.

This weekend, Belif will be giving you a 10ml Peat Miracle Revival Cream and a 10% storewide discount with any empty full-sized belif bottle.

Don’t have any empty Belif bottles? You’ll still receive a 10ml Peat Miracle Revival Cream and a $5 voucher when you present them with any empty full-sized skincare bottle.

Time to get your freebies nao! there’s a Belif outlet at Basement 1, Wisma Atria :D

I really feel sorry for the brand Belif – it’s got really good products, but due to its name being similar with b.liv (whose products caused a girl’s face to break out into Mordor landscape), it doesn’t seem to have as much popularity as it should. What’s more, Belif is a brand that prides itself on its products rather than marketing and star appeal, there are no celebrity ambassadors (and thus the lack of star factor). It is such a waste though – Belif really does have good products.

Belif Numero 10 Essence – $46

To see the difference in skin texture, click on the above image to enlarge it – I’ve intentionally saved a higher-resolution version this time :D

I say….

Now I seldom blog about a skincare product very promptly, because I need time to test and see its effects. I received this about 1-2 weeks ago, and the fact that I’m already blogging about it must mean something :D

This is another first care serum / essence, something that you apply directly onto your freshly-cleansed face so that the maximum benefits can be absorbed. It’s something like Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum.

This is the marketing spiel: Moisture in the skin tends to be lost within 10 seconds after washing up.  This unique Essence locks in moisture in the skin by forming a moisture-protective layer upon application, before stepping out of the bathroom! Formulated with the extract of the Rose of Jericho, the moisture level in the skin is increased by 40% within 10 seconds, and the efficacy of the subsequent skincare products is also boosted through this Bathroom Essence.

What’s my spiel?

• It is soooo easily absorbed.
• It doesn’t leave a sticky residue.
• More importantly, after just a couple of weeks of usage (on the left half of my face), I have actually noticed my skin getting brighter and clearer. Woah. -mindblown-
• My skin also feels firmer, smoother and tighter, with pores perhaps 0.001% smaller.
• The scent is also rather neutral – it doesn’t annoy me but it’s not an alluring scent either.
• It comes in a pump-dispenser bottle, which dispenses an appropriate amount for half the face.
• You can see the difference in my skin (click on the photo above).  woahhhh. me loves.

At $46, it’s a decent price for a good skincare starter product – I’m not a big fan of toners cos I find that it doesn’t do the skin as much good as a serum or essence would :D

Everyday, the moment I step into my house, I have a certain routine I must go through :  1) wash my feet and 2) wash and cleanse my face. Yes yes I can be really pedantic. Yet my dad somehow has this strangest 6th sense – no matter what time of the day I come home, he always happens to be in the toilet. I’m pretty sure he’s bugged me somehow.

I can always wash my feet in the other toilet, but all my cleansing stuff are in the toilet that my dad uses, so yes, I’m pretty much stuck. During that few minutes, my angst level rises to Mount Doom levels, simply cos I can feel the oil and sweat on my face clogging up my pores.

These days, I’ve found a temporary solution – cleansing water that I leave in my room.

Belif Herb Cleansing Water

Immediately after application

After usage – a slight film over the skin

I say…

• The product is what the name says – cleansing water (100% liquid and 0% gel / cream / what-nots).
• Just soak a cotton pad with it, swipe it across your face and watch all the makeup and dirt come away on the pad.
• It’s a flip-top with a small hole to dispense the liquid, which surprisingly doesn’t flow out. Instead, you can squeeze the bottle slightly and an appropriate amount will come out.
• I usually use 2 cotton pads to remove most of the makeup on my face, including the eye area.
• BB cream and blusher come off easily with 2 swipes. However,  because of the potential sting (if it gets into your eyes) I prefer to use my usual Biore makeup remover wipes to remove eye makeup.
• It leaves a slightly minty cooling sensation after usage – I think it’s cos of the eucalyptus content.
• After usage, there’s an almost-negligible film over my skin which isn’t sticky nor greasy. It’s a non-rinse cleanser, which is really convenient. But if you want, iIt can be easily rinsed off with water (and it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth). If you’re really pedantic  like me, you can use the facial cleanser after for a more thorough cleanse.

In general, this is a convenient item to have around for facial cleansing, especially for days when you’ve had a late night. More product information here.

It’s the Great Singapore Sale again! Now I’m not a huge believer of shopping during GSS – having to squeeze with the whole world isn’t my idea of retail therapy. What’s more, if you don’t manage to get anything that you want/like after hours of shoving, well damn, that just puts a major damper on your mood.

Anyhoos, here’s a list of Belif’s discounts during the GSS, so all you have to do is zoom down and pick up what you want! It’s a pity that the Numero 10 essence that I’m loving isn’t on sale though. Heh.

Click on image to enlarge :D

How was everybardy’s long, long, nong nong weekend? Mine was too activity-packed that I don’t even know where to start. Heh. For those who had a getaway and came back relaxed, behold my evil jealous dagger stares. muahahaha.

For those who didn’t, well, here’s something that you can do in preparation of the next long weekend / getaway –  a free 20-inch red limited edition luggage!

When: 8 August ~ 19 August 2013 (winner will be notified by 26 August 2013)

How can you win?

• Method 1:  Upload your favourite picture of Singapore on your own Facebook Wall & tag @Belif Singapore
• Method 2:  Upload your favourite picture of Singapore on your Instagram & hash-tag #belifheartsingapore (Don’t forget to set your profile to public!)

I can’t believe I actually sat on this product for more than a month before using it – this has got to be one of my most favourite items at the moment! Besides the fact that there’s a dropper delivery system (simply cos I’m frivolous and like to  put some fun into my skincare regime), the efficacy is really astounding.

Belif Peat Miracle Revital Serum Concentrate – S$85

Really meticulously packed product – the dropper is separated from the bottle in a mini box within the box. Boxception!

Just one droplet on the back of my hand…

… which is absorbed rather quickly

Can you see the difference?

I say…

I love, love, love, love this product.

• First of all, I love the packaging – it comes all separated and you have to put it together. In a way, it ensures that the serum keeps its product integrity intact.
• There’s a faint herbal scent that’s not overpowering, but subtle enough to give a slight aromatherapy feel.
• The serum itself is slightly thicker in consistency than usual serums – it actually reminds me slightly of oil but it is not oily.
• All I need is 3 drops for my entire face.
• It spreads so smoothly and is relatively quickly absorbed (not superbly quickly). Note that the finish is slightly sticky (I attribute this to the concentration of the serum/essence). You’ll need a few pats to set it in, so be patient.
• Once it sets in, my skin feels firmer with a distinct increase in the skin’s bounciness.
• Since it doesn’t have a matte/velvety finish, I love using this in the mornings, cos it helps my makeup to adhere better to my face, and sort of acts as a primer (although I still steadfastly apply the Sulwhasoo Luminature Essential Finisher as my main primer).
• After just one week of use, I find that my skin’s clarity has increased. It looks brighter and more radiant, and is smoother, softer and yet firmer.
• I apply this twice a day -morning and night- after my Orbis Toner and DRX Comedone Formula. It’s kinda like Sulwhasoo’s First Care Serum and belif’s Numero 10 Essence (which come before the rest of your skincare), so I alternate between the two.

I did get a slight shock of horror when I first saw the price tag of $85, but I guess it’s justified – it really works well. These days, I can see a nice glow in my sans-makeup face, to the extent that I don’t even feel that self-conscious when making video calls with my Korean oppa 오빠 friends :D

As the year draws to a close, so does my energy level. I feel all lethargic and totally in a I-wanna-sleep-till-the-cows-come-home mood. Looks like my prediction of a zombie apocalypse will come true soon – I will be the queen of all zombies, except I’ll be totally fabulous and have great skin.

Despite my mindless wandering around the house in search of food to eat, I still steadfastly stick to my skincare regime, and this few weeks, I’ve welcomed a new recruit into my skincare army.

Belif Problem Solution Green Essence – S$57

I say…

As you can tell, I’m a total fan of belif, although I’ve yet to conquer all their products. In fact, you could say that I’ve got belief in belif lolol ok sorry for the lame-ass pun.

• As with all belif products, the packaging is simple and fuss-free, and free from the slew of artificial preservatives.
• It also consists of many herbs, and prolly accounts for the faint aroma scent, which I love.
• The cream-gel is slightly yellowish in colour (Y U not green?) and is easily absorbed, despite it looking slightly thick. It’s pretty lightweight actually.
• It leaves my skin feeling refreshed, and when applied onto irritated skin, more calm.
• There’s no sticky nor oily residue.
• It’s meant for the full face, but I’ve been using it on problem areas such as the chin and jawline. Note that this is not a targeted spot treatment – it’s more of a skincare regime that will help in the prevention of outbreaks.
• It can also function as a daytime lightweight moisturiser if you run out of creams or just prefer a lighter finish. In fact, I’d say that it feels even lighter than the Numero 10 essence, which isn’t even heavy in the first place.

So far, this new recruit has been performing well, and I find that the skin at the chin area is softer and not so dry, despite me picking and poking at the bumps in an attempt to excavate them. This is  also suitable for sensitive skin.

Now I’ve more or less given up on trying to get rid of the raccoon eyes, because to be really honest, there’s nothing that can really do that. It all boils down to getting enough sleep and having good circulation internally. In the meantime, I do what I can – I try to improve the texture and quality of the skin around my eye.

As I dug through my trove of To-Try products, I unearthed this product that somehow managed to slip under my beauty junkie radar. Instead of your usual eye creams and eye serums, here’s a sleeping mask / sleeping pack for your eyes. woah.

Belif First Aid 360 Eye Care Mask – S$39

A seemingly nondescript common-looking white product. Or is it?

It has a unique texture – one of those memory gel-type products that you can leave a depression with your finger. Yay! It’s play time!

It’s kinda clumpy at first, but after spreading it and massaging it into your skin…

…it breaks down into a more liquid form and is absorbed.

I say…

As the Koreans would say – 신기하네요~ which means something like “so fascinating”.

• The packaging, as with all belif products, isn’t anything fancy or eye-catching. I’m alright with that (unless some brand decides to launch a fluffy animal print-covered bottle with bedazzled portions – that, I would buy without blinking an eye).
• The texture is what sets this apart from other eye products – it’s a gel-cream that probably has those memory-form-gel technology. I’m not a scientist so don’t quote me on this. Essentially, this means you can poke the ballocks outta the product but it will slowly recover some its original shape – but it’s not as bouncy as the Laneige Firming SleepingPack (which freakishly looks like it’s untouched).
• After gouging some outta the tub, I apply it to my skin, and it still retains some of its shape. After some massaging, it breaks down into a more liquid watery form and is then absorbed into my skin.
• The instructions say to apply a thick area and leave it on overnight. I prefer to apply a moderate amount – everything in moderation, except for hot topless men in jeans :D
• Like most sleeping packs, it can have a slight stick-to-pillow effect.
• It’s really cooling and makes me emit a satisfied “ahhhh” whenever I apply it around my eyes.
• When I’m feeling particularly fatigued during the day, I apply it for a perk-me-up, and then wash it off after 10-15 mins.
• It leaves the area around my eyes feeling distinctly more moisturized, softer and my eyes also feel more energized.

It’s a pretty different and efficient product that’s worth a try. What’s more, its price tag is surprisingly affordable. Get yours todayyyy.

Sometimes, people (well fine, me instead) tend to focus more on serums and essences cos of the perceived concentration of product. It got to a point where I realised I had too many serums and not enough creams to seal the deal (and also to seal the goodness into my skin).

Belif Peat Miracle Revital Cream

I say…

• It comes in a frosted/matte finished plastic tub that’s easy to open. I also like that it’s lightweight (and not a heavy glass container).
• It doesn’t come with a spatula, so make sure your hands are clean before you start dipping those grubby ones in.
• The cream itself has not much of a scent, just your usual Belif herbal scents, which can be rather aromatherapeutic.
• It’s somewhat thick in consistency, almost rich, and yet doesn’t feel greasy or heavy.
• Because of its texture, it also doesn’t require you to dig into the tub – I usually move my fingers in a circular motion across the top of the cream and it’s enough to pick up enough cream for half the face.
• It’s relatively quickly absorbed into the skin (but not as quickly compared with other serums and essences simply cos of the difference in texture). It’s still a pretty good absorption rate.
• There’s no sticky nor greasy after-feel, but if you were to jump into bed immediately after application, there will be some sticking of le face to le pillow. Just remember to let it set for about 15-30 seconds.

After I used the Belif Peat Miracle Revital Serum Concentrate (which I love, love, love and encourage everyone to get it), I guess my expectations were raised. Although this Cream did not deliver as awesome results as the Serum Concentrate, it still gave my skin a firming and lifting effect after several weeks of usage. Don’t be expecting an overnight miracle though. Good skin takes hard work :D

I’m having one of the worst breakouts ever – major sad face. I’m sprouting blemishes and spots at the most horrid place ever – the jawline, and even the neck. It’s like my puberty all over again. No wait, that isn’t neccsarily the worst thing – it means.. I’m young! YAYYYYY.

Self-deluded gloating aside, I had to do something to address the issue (which was caused by using a cleanser that my skin clearly didn’t take too kindly to). I changed to the Senka Speedy Whip, which didn’t really work, and this was my next choice. I was actually saving this for my pilgramage to Korea in April, but desperate times skin call for the breaking out of the good stuff.

Belif Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist

I say…

Now this has to be the first (or one of the rare few) product(s) that I have reviewed even without owning a full-sized version.

• It is an almost-pale brown cream with a refreshing herbal minty scent.
• The scent also gives an aromatherapeutic effect.
• As it is so aptly named, it is creamy indeed – just add some water and it’ll work into a nice rich lather that’s suitable for use alone, or with your Clarisonic (that’s what I do).
• It leaves my skin feeling softer and smoother, with a slightly tight feeling that’s enough to let me know that my skin is clean, but not overly stripped.
• It stopped any further breakouts (thank goodness omg), and my skin is slowly recuperating.
• It upped my skin’s radiance levels (finally!) and stopped it from looking so dull.
• It’s supposed to be suitable for dry/combination skin, but I have oily/combi skin and it works well for me.

I like it enough to want to head out and buy a full sized tube, so should you do the same? Yesssss.  The full size is 160ml and retails for $33. My little 30ml tube lasted me about 2 weeks, so your $33 should be well spent :D

Although I didn’t meet my Jack when I went on the Kbeauty cruise a couple of weeks back with The Face Shop, Belif and VDL (yes, yes, s blog entry on which is long overdue, but coming up soon!), I did receive a good alternative – a first glance at Belif’s new whitening products. These babies couldn’t have come at a better time – since I’m recovering from that horrid breakout, as well as an extraction process done by the IDS Clinic (which is healing oh so beautifully). I needz to get rid of acne/blemish scars asap!

Belif The True Brightening Cleansing Foam – $37

Note the little micro beads?

I say…

• It comes in a fuss-free plastic squeeze tube with a flip-open cap.
• I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning, but it has a matte finishing, which makes it slightly less slippery with wet hands.
• The cleanser itself is creamy, and when you spread it out, you’ll notice very micro granules/beads.
• I assume that these beads are for exfoliating, and are not too harsh on the skin.
• I love the herbal (almost minty and refreshing) scent, which is quite signature of belif products i.e. the Moist Creamy Cleansing Foam, the Peat Miracle Serum Concentrate etc.
• The instructions say to massage for 30-60 seconds before rinsing off, and once you do that, you’ll notice most of the little beads dissolving.
• Also, since this is a wonderfully lather-full cleanser, I like to use it with my Clarisonic after cleansing with my hands (remember to only use it once the beads have dissolved, or else it’ll be too abrasive to your skin!)
• The after feel is soft, smooth, non-greasy but not overly-stripped of moisture as well. There’s a very slight feeling of squeaky cleanliness, but my skin doesn’t feel too tight.
• Whitening products are usually known to be slightly drying, but I’m glad to report that this cleanser doesn’t do that.
• Also, my skin seems to have recovered to its post-breakout radiance – fairer and less dullness in the skin tone. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I’ve upped one skin tone, but it’s pretty decent enough.
• I also haven’t had any breakout (thankfully).

I am loving this cleansing foam so far, and methinks you guys should try it too. At $37, it’s a decent price tag for a decent product :D

The last time I went on a cruise was back in 1999 with my JC classmates – yes, it was that long ago, way before the era of handphones (much less smartphones!). Why, it’s only been 15 years – of course there’s no reason to turn down the kind invite from The Face Shop, Belif and VDL to hop aboard the Kbeauty Cruise on SuperStar Virgo.

Photo taken from here.  I was too excited to go aboard so I totally forgot to take a photo of the ship before going on.

Reaching the Grand Piazza on Level 7, which is essentially the lobby with all the guest services.

The Grand Piazza is indeed grand – we boarded the ship on Valentine’s Day, which was still CNY, and thus explains the festive decor. Note that on Level 8, there’s now a Duty Free area where you can shop for skincare, fragrances and makeup.

The Duty Free area even sells timepieces. Your money is not safe hohoho.

Entering our balcony class room on Level 11 – hey,  what’s that sitting on my bed?

Omg the best welcoming gift(s) ever! Goodies from The Face Shop, Belif and VDL, perfect for a makeup and skincare junkie like me :D

Temporarily diverting my attention from the goodies on my bed to the neighbouring ship that we can see from our balcony wheeee.

Just look at the super blue waters!

2 seats on the balcony for cosy tete-a-tete chats

Sticking my arm out to get this shot (and secretly having a death grip so that my camera or I don’t fall into the waters)

  Sort of a selca? Maybe a bel-ca instead – I was so bloated that day that my belly has come out to say hellooooo. haha.

More welcome goodies (which was a really sweet gesture), but we ended up too busy to eat them anyway -sad face-

Time to tour the ship ! I noticed that the lifts usually took a long time to get to your level, and by the time they came, they were usually packed full, or I had to give up the space to whichever old lady was standing beside me . I just seem to attract them. Why?!

Anyhoos – Valentine’s Day decor in the Mediterranean Buffet area

This is but a fraction of the amount of food available – we had a Korean ship staff member bringing us around, so I didn’t want to lag the group too much by being too trigger happy.

Walk to the al fresco area of the Mediterranean Buffet, and you’ll see this – the children’s pool

So tempted to dip my feet in, but clearly, I’m way past children-age.

Wandering over to the other area of the ship to the Pantheon Pool – isn’t it pretty?

Ooh mama – check out the (covered)  slide that leads into the Pantheon Pool

Although I didn’t bring my swimsuit, I probably wouldn’t have had time to get wet and wild either. Such a waste – I’ll conquer you one day!

   
Our last view of Singapore – we’ll be back in 3 days!

Heading down towards Samurai (the japanese restaurant) for our dinner with The Face Shop, VDL and Belif

Delicious food accompanied by awesome skincare products – seriously, this is what rocks my boat (thankfully there really wasn’t much rocking of the actual boat)

Day 2

Making our way to The Lido for our Kbeauty Workshop

And the stage is set!

The Lido is really grand and can sit plenty of audience

Lenus from VDL blowing my mind with her amayzzing Mandarin hosting skills. Oh yes, those legs are to die for too.

The Face Shop’s suncare product range  -did you know they even have a sunblock specifically for babies and infants? They’ve also gone down the Eco lane with their products :D

Next up – Belif’s new range of whitening and brightening products! Check out my review of the Brightening Cleanser here.

Belif’s Trainer telling us about Belif and how it’s all about herbs and Napier’s Original Formula. By now, you should know that I’m a fan of Belif products and it’s super good for my skin :D

During the intermission – I actually thought the crowd was zooming off to the toilet, but I was wrong. This is  the first time in my life that I see people thronging, rushing, cheonging to spend moneh. Woah.

Managing to squeeze my way in between to see what’s on sale – special edition VDL eyeshadows with casings!

Woah. Big lady boss of The Face Shop is also helping with the customers.  It’s rare these days to see the big bosses taking the floor.

Happy and satisfied customers lugging their purchases back to their rooms

As for us, it was time to head over to the Celebrity Disco for our VDL makeover!

My VDL look!

More goodies after our makeover – I’m in heavennnnn.

Heading to the Gala Dinner with Isabelle :D

Two special guests at our dinner – Mediacorp artists and real-life couple Edmund Chen and Xiang Yun

And time for the traditional lohei! Check out the ginormous pair of chopsticks!

The non-Chinese (Filipino I think) staff happily and merrily chanting out traditional Chinese proverbs

 Dawn (who’s SUPER CHIO and I totally have a girl crush on her) telling Elaine “don’t take photo already! time to lohei!”

And there, the aftermath – we Chinese like to toss our salads as high as possible (and create a gigantic mess in the process).

Dinner is served!

Edmund Chen (who’s really friendly and has a good command of English as well), me, Carol from VDL and Xiang Yun

And another surprise guest – Daren Tan (of Project SuperStar fame), who’s also an oldddd friend of mine and we go wayyy back and used to parteh together at Zouk.

 After dinner, we rushed over to Samurai to finish our dining credits – look at that.. $13 for one Chawanmushi (steamed egg beancurd).

What we ordered – I don’t care if I was already half-full from dinner. Nobody turns down Japanese food. Nobody.

The next morning…

It was time to check out, and since we were special guests of both The Face Shop Group and SuperStar Cruises, we got to alight first. Like numero uno. hohoho.

As we awaited the ship to dock at the harbour, this was what I saw (and totally wakened me up)  – 3 of The Face Shop Group’s lady boss’s children. OMG TOO CUTE I WANTS TO BRING THEM HOME!

Here they are, checking out each other’s game processes on their respective ipads, whilst the youngest one entertains himself with the luggages. Note that the children are sitting on their own luggages (which can be rolled along as well, super convenient!)

And didi gives up and decides to stone. AWWWWWW.

Many, many, many thanks to both The Face Shop group (The Face Shop, VDL and Belif) for inviting me along on this trip, and also to SuperStar Virgo for being such gracious hosts. :D  I had such a ball of a time and I totally can’t wait for the next one! xoxo

Coming from a very Asian and Singaporean Chinese background, I grew up eating in coffeeshops and elderly belly-rubbing old men who loved to open their wet tissues with an almighty “POP” sound. It’s just kinda bizarre – there are perforations, but no, them uncles don’t ever use it. They just clench the tissues into their hands, which results in an air bubble, and then they just smack it gooood. Why am I saying that all that? Cos you’ll need this particular “skill set” to use this product I’m able to review.

Belif The True-Whitening Facial Sheet Mask – SGD$60 for 5 sheets

Notice something different? The essence/serum is separate from the sheet itself

In the bottom portion is where the milky serum/essence is

Dotted lines are where you need to fold…

… fold it into 3s, and then clench the bottom and squeeze! The serum will burst into the facial mask sheet, and it’s ready to be used!

(Now I don’t have any photos of the sheet mask itself, cos it doesn’t make for a pretty photo – it’s just your usual pulp sheet mask)

I say… 

• Now packaging-wise, it does sound as a novel item. Good in concept, but for someone as coordination-challenged as me, it’s somewhat of a task.
• I keep thinking that it’ll explode all over my face, which is why I don’t dare to exert more energy. But because of this, I end up struggling with opening it immediately.
• Once you get the angle and amount of strength correct, the serum will pop right into the sheet mask compartment.
• Now the mask sheet is your usual pulp mask sheet -nothing fancy, adheres pretty well to the facial contours, and dries out in about 15-20 mins.
• I love that the milky serum is thick enough to make it feel like a luxurious treatment, but not too heavy to make your skin feel weighed down.
• There’s a nice fragrant scent, and gives a good aromatherapeutic effect.
• It leaves my skin feeling softer and more hydrated, and the next morning is what sets this apart from the other masks – a slight increase in radiance and fairness.

I daresay it’s a good mask, but unfortunately, it’s a tad on the pricey side – at $60 for 5 masks, it works out to be $12 a piece, and this compares to SK-II’s $22 per piece and other Korean masks for about $3-8 per piece.

Filed under: - Belif, : Mask / Sleeping Pack

Ever since that crazy hoo-ha about a certain blogger having the most horrendous reaction to a facial, most of us have become a little more wary about accepting facial treatments, especioally those who have sensitive skin types. However, when I got this invite (I was checking my emails while waiting for the subway at Eujiro-1-ga station in Seoul – I know, typical Singaporean who have to be connected 24-7) – I immediately mooched onto someone’s Wifi and replied with a very affirmative YES I WANTZ I CAN HAZ A FACIAL PLEASEEEE. Well, not in those exact words, but you get my gist.

My Cozy Room is located at 56A Cairnhill Road, which is the row of shophouses just around the corner of the road – head on up to level 2 (and 3, and 4) to get your facial done.

Isn’t this such a beautiful setting?! ( sorry for the blurry portion on the right – the warm lighting was all cozy and great for relaxation, but apparently not good for photo taking).

The plethora of skincare products that would be used on my face for the day’s facial – now most normal people would be worried about piling on too much stuff on the face for fear of breakout, but hey,  not me. Why? #1: cos I am an insane beauty junkie, and #2: cos I know belif’s products and trust it them 100% – I have never had a breakout from using belif products before (in fact, I use them to recover from breakouts), so the more the merrier! Check out my list of reviewed Belif products here~

At the little lobby before going into my room – isn’t it such a pretty place? Too bad I had to mar your view with my super unglam plastic bag that held my breakfast bun lolol.

The rooms have a nice european-style to them, and the beds are comfy while the blankets are snuggle-worthy. My only issue is the floorboards. Since this is a vintage shophouse, the floorboards do creak under my hefty weight, and at times, I can actually peek through the gaps and see the floor beneath. Omg major acrophobe going bonkers here!

And here’s where the magic happens – even though there was no extraction, I still saw a significant increase in my skin’s radiance, especially at night (when I have that weird habit of peering into a mirror upclose to examine my skin).

Belif in Miracles Facial :

Step 1: Makeup Removal with belif Cleansing Gel Oil Enriched – this is very gentle and I didn’t feel my skin going all dry or stripped.

Step 2: Cleansing with the Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist (which I love, love, love – read my review here).

Step 3: Exfoliation with the Mild and Effective Facial Scrub. The grains are a good mix of coarse / fine, and are encased in a gel so that exfoliation is both effective and gentle.

Step 4: Toning with the Bergamot Herbal Extract Toner.

Step 5: Massage with The True Facial Oil. The scent isn’t super strong for this (vs other products) and is great for those who prefer a milder scent. It contains pomegranate oil, almond oil, calendula oil and borage oil. When combined with the massage, it was pretty soothing (and still gentle enough since I’d just done the whole wisdom tooth extraction sometime back). It also comes with a head and shoulder massage, but fret not – the therapist’s somewhat-oily hands won’t come into contact with your hair. It’s done through a towel so that you won’t have flat hair when you leave :D

Step 6: Eye Mask with belif’s top-selling First Aid 360 Eye Care Mask (also reviewed here!). It’s usually a leave-on sleeping mask, but for the purpose of this facial, a thicker layer is applied (concurrently with the face mask in the next step), and then removed together later.

Step 7: Face mask with the Peat Miracle Revital Mask – the clay mask is great for clarifying as well as skin tightening.

Step 8: Once the masks (eye and face) are removed, the therapist will apply the Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream which promotes collagen synthesis and increases skin elasticity.

Step 9: Here comes one of my mostest favouritesttesttest product – Peat Miracle Revital Serum Concentrate – this is what I always go to for skin recovery, especially when it’s dehydrated, unbalanced, recovering or suffering from a breakout. It works wonders for improving my skin health.

Step 10: The Hungarian Water Essence is then applied, which is said to increase your skin’s hydration levels by a whopping 20%. Woah.

Step 11: Pack and lock in all the goodness with the Peat Miracle Revital Cream which is great for anti-ageing and not overly rich.

And voila, in one session, I managed to try all 11 of their products! I found my skin more radiant on that very night as well as the next day. Plus, it’s been a week and I have absolutely no breakouts. – very happy-  In fact, I’ve never had a bad reaction to any of belief’s products.

I’d say that this brand is particularly great for those who have sensitive skin – (as far as I know), their ingredients are  very herbal and natural and are suitable for all skin types. Even my male cousin, a non-skincare type of person, has become a convert to belif products. For more information in Belif, check out their Facebook page or their website.

If you wanna try out the Belif in Miracles Facial, you’re in for a treat! Its usual price is S$188, but my readers get it at just S$48! All you have to do is:

1. Follow My Cozy Room Spa on Instagram (@mycozyroomspa)
2. Repost any of my photos (can be this or this) with the following hashtags: #MyCozyRoomSpa #belifinMyCozyRoom
3. Quote “Belif in Miracle Facial” during your reservation

And that’s it!

T&Cs: Only for 1st-time clients. Vaid till 31 October 2014. Call 6732-0030 for reservations

My Cozy Room Boutique Spa is located at 56A Cairnhill Road, Singapore 229667

Website: http://www.MyCozyRoom.com.sg

Here’s the second hamper that’s up for giveaway – now I’ve been waxing lyrical and raving about how belif’s products always, always cure my skin whenever I have some sort of major breakout, and you can finally share the love. They’ve kindly sponsored this beautifullllllllll advent calendar that contains not just 12, or 15, but 25 travel-sized versions of their products! It’s almost their entire range packed into this gorgeous belif house – which is the beauty junkie’s version of a dollhouse where you can try them all out to gauge the efficacy for yourself. I LOVE.

belif’s Believe in the Magic of Christmas’ Advent Calendar 2014

Please use the above photo to repost onto IG :D

The belif house flips open like a book to reveal all these little windows…

…which you can tear open to unveil a product as well as an inspirational quote of the day!

This advent calendar contains 25 belif products including my all-time favourite Peat Miracle Revital Serum Concentrate as well as probably every other belif product I’ve ever reviewed (and more!).

HOW TO WIN

To have a chance of winning, follow my below instructions (please read carefully!):

You can join this giveaway using Email, Facebook, Instagram. You can use 1 method, and you can use all.

This means that if you send in via email, you’ll get 1 chance* of winning this hamper.

However, for an extra chance, repost the above photo of the belif hamper onto Instagram, insert the hashtag #15DaysOfChristmasLove and then send in your email entry (you must still send in an email!) note: only for valid Instagram accounts – reposting on Instagram accounts set up specifically for giveaway purposes will not be accepted. You must also be my follower on Instagram. 

And if you’d like to have yet another extra chance, share the link of this blog entry onto your Facebook account, and then send in your email entry (yes, eventually, you can’t avoid the email submission).

* (a chance means a slip of paper with your name will go into the relatively unglam empty tissue paper box that I’ll be drawing the winner’s name out from. E.g. if you sent in an email and reposted the photo on IG, 2 slips of paper bearing your name will go into the box. If you’ve made the colossal effort of reposting onto IG as well as Facebook, you’ll get 3 slips of paper bearing your name and triple the chances of being selected!). 

Send an email to beautifulbuns.sg@gmail.com with the following details:

• Email header “15 Days of Christmas Love – I wanna win the belif advent calendar!”.
• Name
• Mobile number
• Age
• Occupation
• Instagram ID if you have reposted the photo (pls make sure your profile is not private, or else I won’t be able to check that you’ve reposted the photo)
• Facebook page link if you have reposted the link of this blog entry (please also make sure that your profile is not private, or else I won’t be able to check that you’ve reposted the link).

I hope this isn’t too confusing for you guys – Lemme know if I can further clarify if you have any questions?

Otherwise, let the giveaway commence! 

Terms & conditions: Only open to those residing in Singapore (because our local post office restricts the shipping of liquids out of our country). You can participate in all the giveaways if you wish. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. If winner does not respond to the notification email within 2 days (48 hours), a new winner will be redrawn. Collection can be done in person or via registered postage. Giveaway will close at 11.59pm, 12 Dec 2014 Friday.

 – 15 Dec 2014 Update: CONGRATULATIONS JOYCELYN! Enjoy the hamper you’ve won! –

These days, I’m having a really hard time keeping my eyes open – I’m not sure if it’s cos of the influx of year-end events, or perhaps it’s really age catching up with me. In any case, I’m trying to hide all signs of fatigue with makeup, and of course, the quintessential eye care products.

Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream – S$71

The ingredient list for those who need it

I love how the cap looks like a top hat :D

I say…

The Look: This comes in the usual belif tub – sturdy, practical and handy. I love how the cap looks like a top hat. It’s also pretty much similar to the entire Peat Miracle range.

It’s a considerably larger tub of eye cream versus some others – this is 25ml while the other eye creams are normally of smaller quantity. This is one eye cream that’s gonna last you a while.

The Scent: It has the typical belif scent – herbal and refreshing and yet soothing.

The Texture: It’s a rather thick consistency which surprisingly, is really quickly absorbed and leaves barely any residue. There’s no greasiness nor stickiness on the skin once you pat / massage it in (and you don’t even have to take a long time to do that). You can apply makeup right over it and it won’t slide off (tried and tested during my belif facial)

The Effect: There’s a very very slight tingly-refreshing sensation once you apply it – kinda like your skin being awakened with a dose of vitamin.

The skin feels significantly bouncier and softer.

Now it’s been said that to avoid millia seed, you should go for products that are gel-based, but even though this is clearly a cream, I’m so glad it didn’t add to the existing number of millia seeds under my eyes. Phew.

It hasn’t done anything much to improve the dark eye circles (again, I must reiterate that those are mostly caused by your lifestyle and body – those with sinus problems will have severe dark eye circles because of congestion, while late nights are a sure-win method of getting the darkest of eye circles).

It has improved the texture of the skin under the eye though – as I mentioned earlier, it’s softer (but without compromising on firmness).

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s helped to reduce the appearance of fine lines, but at least no new ones have appeared, and the existing ones haven’t deepened.

Overall: This is a pretty decent eye cream – besides its quick absorption powers and refreshing sensation, I particularly like its scent which serves as aromatherapy. What’s more, it’s total bang for your buck – yes it may not be the cheapest at $71, but I am pretty sure it will last you for 9-12 months at the very least, so that’s your entire year’s supply settled :D

Unlike Kim Kardashian, I don’t have junk in my trunk (us normal folk just call it a big ass). However, I do have lots of gunk in my (facial) trunk though – the nose has its very own civilisation of blackheads, whiteheads, and what-nots. Because of this, I’ve recently become a hugeee fan of clay masks cos I love how it manages to suck allll the accumulated crap outta the pores. Plus, I’ve yet to come come across a clay mask that doesn’t work wonders for me (thankfully!).

Belif Peat Miracle Revital Mask – SGD$50

I say…

The Packaging: Again, another sensible packaging from one of my favourite Kbeauty brands. The flat-topped cap is easy to twist open, and the wider base makes for a stable product that doesn’t topple over easily. The tub has a wide mouth so that you can dig out all the product (to the very last drop!) with your fingers/brush if need be, and has a matte finish on the exterior so that it doesn’t do the slip and slide when your hands are greasy/wet.

The Scent: A faint herbal scent that’s pretty much associated with belif products. It’s not too strong so it should appeal to most (unless you really hate nature?!).

The Texture: It’s very creamy and thick, and spreads over the skin very easily without pulling or dragging.

The Application: For a strange reason, I always slather on a pile of these sort of clay masks (to a nice thick layer) because of the twisted mentality that more is merrier (which might explain why my GlamGlow and Kiehl’s masks run out so damn fast), but for this, there’s no reason to do so. Just a moderate layer will do so. It works well, and applying too much will require a little more effort in removal cos it needs more rinsing (yes I’m a bum, and I want to scrimp on even a few seconds). Drying of the mask takes just a couple of minutes, and unlike GlamGlow/Kose , this doesn’t have that tingling sensation. It will feel slightly tighter on the skin as it dries.

The Effect: The usual clay masks that I use (GlamGlow, Kiehl’s and Kose) have a stronger “sucking” power aka a greater ability to extract dirt from deep inside the pores, but can strip the skin if used too often (fine, so I admit using it everyday is too much). However, this one seems milder by comparison – it still has the ability to help clarify the skin’s clogged pores, but I’d say it’s about 75% of GlamGlow/Kiehls’ efficacy. However, it is a lot more moisturising and hydrating –  to the extent that I can use it everyday and it leaves my skin feeling slightly smoother and more hydrated.

The Verdict: Suitable for those who have slightly drier skin types and still want to have a clarifying process – this is something I use everyday (which may or may not be the most recommended application method), but still gives me rather healthy and radiant skin. It is worth noting that it’s also the most affordable of all the deep cleansing purifying masks I have (GlamGlow Tingexfoliate ($92), Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque ($50ish) and Kose Infinity Pure Advance Deep Clear Mask ($55)), especially if you take into account the fact that a little goes a long way for this product.

When I was on my trip for Laneige’s Global Beauty Camp, I learned from one of the other journos that your hands are the first signs of age betrayal (and here I was thinking it’d be the neck or the eyes). Ah well. In any case, it doesn’t matter – your body deserves to be taken care of from top to toe, and this includes your hands. It’s important that you have a good hand cream to keep them moisturised and line-free, especially in this age of non-stop texting and Candy Crushing.

belif Velvety Coat Hand Cream – $26

I say…

The Packaging: It’s a larger-than-normal tube of hand cream, measuring in at 12.5cm (cap included) and about 4.5cm wide. It’s pretty stable cos of the rounded cap bottom, (that, along with its 60ml weightage). It’s pretty fuss-free and simple.

The Application: Well, this is a no-brainer – simply twist open the cap and squeeze out the hand cream through the tiny little hole (which allows for an appropriate amount to be dispensed).

The Scent: I love the scent – a good mix of herbal products that don’t overpower the senses. It smells somewhat like the other belif products as well.

The Texture: It’s a medium-weight cream that helps in hydrating and rejuvenating tired dry hands. However, there is a very slight remnant layer on the skin despite repeated masssaging in of the product. There’s a slight sheen over the skin (which I’m guessing is some film to help seal in the moisture), but I’m not a fan of this. Also, I noticed that when I went to wash my hands, I could feel a distinct residual layer of hand cream over my skin (kinda more slippery, like residual conditioner that wasn’t cleansed off).

The Verdict: Yes, it helps to hydrate and soothe the skin on the hands after they’ve been through a typing storm, and yes, I do love the scent. It also has a huge volume that could probably last the entire year, especially if you take into account the fact that a little droplet can go a long, long way.  However, it has a somewhat medium-heavy texture that I’m not particularly a fan of – I like my hand creams to make do like Superman – in and out without a trace. I’m also not particularly fond of that residual layer when I wash my hands, so I’m probably gonna give this one a pass (as in passing it on to those who are in greater need of moisture). I personally still prefer Laneige’s Hand Creams.

Experience the soothing efficacies of the true tincture of chamomile!

Belief has launched its Chamomile Tincture range (which I’m adoring), and so am sharing the information with you. Now, not many people know about tincture (in fact, even I didn’t know much about it until I attended the launch), so here you go! Review to come really soon!

What is tincture?

A traditional herbal extraction method to extract the efficacies of herbs in their most original form to ensure its quality and freshness.

Main Herb | Chamomile

Commonly known as “The Plant Doctor”, Chamomile has been widely used to aid the growth and health of other plants growing nearby. The German Chamomile was chosen for its natural anti-inflammatory and soothing efficacies.

The true tincture of chamomile 75ml | S$65

A concentrated skin supplement which instantly brightens, soothes, replenishes and enhances delivery of nutrition by promoting blood circulation to restore skin vitality and health. It contains a potent blend of 93% Pure Organic Chamomile Tincture™ created by patented belif Exclusive Dual Tincture Extraction Technique.

Directions of usage: After toner, dispense adequate amount on palms and spread it evenly on the skin via gentle patting motions.

 The true tincture mask – chamomile 50ml | S$40

A cooling gel-capsulated moisturizing rinse-off mask which soothes and awakens the skin as it replenishes skin nutrition. Generously infused with Chamomile petals and 10% pure organic Chamomile Tincture™ which soothes and refreshes skin and the senses.

Directions of usage

After cleansing, while face is still damp, dispense adequate amount and spread it evenly on the skin.

Gently rinse off with warm water after 10mins and finish off with cool water before continuing with the daily skincare regime.

Now available at:

• Junction 8 #01-28B (Tel: 6734-8615)
• Jurong Point #01-01 (Tel: 6794-3873)
• Plaza Singapura (Extension) #01-61 (Tel: 6884-8662)
• Suntec City West Wing #02-337 (Tel: 6837-0211)
• TANGS VivoCity #01-187 (Tel: 6278-5751)