June/July Skincare Faves!
Posted by ilyana | Filed under Announcements, Make-Up & Beauty
Whenever I get a breakout, I involve myself in a lil chemical warfare by slathering a thick layer of benzoyl peroxide on the affected areas but I believe my overzealous use of benzoyl peroxide over the years have led the pimples to develop a strong defense system against my favourite chemical. Damn. I needed to find something as potent as benzyl peroxide and fast because waking up to a bump infested face isn’t a good way to start a day. It was a hard search - how do you expect to find something more potent than a chemical that has ‘peroxide’ in its name for god’s sake? Well, people. I haz found it. The DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask works better than my 2% benzoyl peroxide pimple cream, might burn a hole in your pocket depending on the budget you’ve allotted for skincare but the good news: It won’t burn a hole in your face.
This mask has single-handedly cleared the hormonal breakouts I’ve been getting on my forehead and I’m honestly amazed. The DDF mask is similar to the cult favourite Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque except it’s pricier and the sulfur percentage is higher. The texture is a lot smoother too - I find the Queen Helene version to be so much thicker and a lil’ hard to apply. I like using this as an overnight treatment whenever I have a breakout everyday until my skin gets clear again and it’s been working so well! I wake up to nice, oil-free skin and blemishes are either gone or making plans to move back wherever they came from. Definitely HG material here.
The bad thing about being fair is that it’s incredibly easy to get post-pimple scarring. Whenever I get a zit, I try my best not to pop/touch it but when it goes away, it gives me a little ZIT #2104 WAS HERE BITCH tat on my face every. single. time. That just pisses the fork out of me. I leave you alone most of the time while battling the urge to shove you off my face, treat you with respect mainly fostered by fear and this is how you repay my hospitality?? Bitch plz.
I did some research on natural oils that would help get rid of the redness and apparently, rosehip oil is your best bet so here’s my new anti-redness treatment/night-time moisturizer: Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil. I’ve been using this for a month now and the redness I get on my skin has been reduced slightly! It’s not a dramatic change but I think I’m getting there. Rosehip oil isn’t an overnight miracle and you need to be patient to see results but my skin condition has improved significantly since including this in my skincare routine, it’s more supple now so I’m just waiting for the day all the redness goes away.
You can use any rosehip oil from the health store but a lot of people seem to like the Trilogy version and since it’s readily available here (It’s from NZ), there was no reason not to check it out. The lovely minimal bottle it comes in is a nice bonus too + the cheap price tag- It’s $18 for a 20ml bottle. I know it’s not a lot but you only need 3 drops a night so it’s going to last forever.
I’ve tried a lot of sunscreens from drugstore brands to Dior but I count the Sekkisei Day Essence SPF 25 PA+ from Kose as my favourite. It doesn’t smell or feel like ordinary sunscreen and doesn’t leave the dreaded ghoulish white cast on your face. I hate that sticky feeling you get after applying sunscreen- you get none of that from the Day Essence. You only need about two pumps to cover your face and mmm the scent! Smells very “Sekkisei” lol, if you’re an avid fan like I am you’d prolly know what I’m talking about. It’s slightly floral and smells like ordinary moisturizer- it applies like one too which is one of the reasons why I love it so much. It glides on like a light emulsion on the skin and makes an excellent base for make-up!
I know this isn’t a skincare item but I’m so impressed by this gel liner that it would be horribly selfish of me not to share this with the world. I am IN LOVE with this gel liner. I don’t know why, it’s not like it doesn’t have flaws - no sir, it does. I’ve tried using this to line my lower lash line and it feathered away into a smudgy muddle after a couple of hours. However, it is absolute PERFECTION on the upper lash line. This is the best drugstore gel eyeliner for the quintessential cat eye. It’s a rich, glossy black and actually comes with a brush that isn’t rubbish! It’s comparable to MAC’s fluidline except it’s much cheaper (can’t remember how much I got it for, I think it was SGD$16?) and despite its inadequacy to stay put on my lower lash line (I prefer using my pencil eyeliners for my lower lash line anyway), I really like this little gem.
So that wraps up my skincare review post! School starts tomorrow and it’s probably going to be as stressful as the previous semester so I might not have time to blog as often. I hate talking about academic stuff on this blog because it’s dry, boring and extremely depressing but school will always be my top priority. It’s not easy being here and certainly not easy on my parents’ bank account either. I am constantly filled with guilt every time I check my school fees, God my mother can easily buy herself a Hermès bag with the kind of money we’re paying the university every semester.
Sometimes I wonder if I was even meant to be here at all since I only chose to come here because my ass got rejected by my own local university twice. It’s not the usual sob story where girl graduates from poly with lacklustre results, gets rejected by her local university and decides to go abroad instead. No. This girl here graduated third in her cohort, received a damn medal from the school for it and STILL got rejected by her local university. It’s heartbreaking to work so hard for a damn good GPA only to be deemed unworthy by your own local university but well, I’m over it. There’s no point in remaining bitter about Singapore’s remarkable education system because I’m here now and I’m determined to do well. I scored straight As last semester by some bizarre stroke of luck and I’m hoping to repeat the same feat. My subjects this semester are slightly more daunting than the previous but I have nothing to say except: BRING IT.
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Tags: beauty: maybelline, skincare: DDF, skincare: Kose, skincare: Trilogy
21 Responses to “June/July Skincare Faves!”
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AtelierGal Says:
July 25th, 2010 at 8:09 pmI’ve heard good stuff about DDF, but it’s not available locally. Friend even went to Sephora but no go…
Used to love Maybelline’s gel-liner, but I’ve changed ever since I’ve tried L’Oreal.
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Dee Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 2:29 amYou’ll do great this semester too! Good luck dear! I think I’m going to have to look into that Sekkisei Day Essence. I’ve heard some good things about Sekkisei.
ilyana's reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 5:12 pmI hope so! I just had my first day of school today and the new subjects are kinda scary lol.
Check it out, it’s all kinds of awesome
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iqa Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 5:56 amhey babe god i got wipe out a few time surfing aint tht fun till u mastered it. omg yea i ben to bali but i did parasailling instead i love bali wanna go back there late this year! omg does the trilogy thing works? i hate being patient! i think i might end up doing laser but heard its x good as well? haih. im going back to uni later this oct and im already dreading it since its going to be my final year! good luck to u darl! i love the poloroid effect!
ilyana's reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 5:15 pmWow you did parasailing in Bali? That sounds MAJOR. You’re so adventurous, I’m kinda envious.
Well so far, things are looking good but slow. I’m prolly as impatient as you are but I’ve learned skincare always takes time to produce results. Omg laser, are you serious? How much is that going to be, you reckon?
Aah enjoy your last year at uni! I wish I could fast forward to my last year :/ Sadly, I have 2.5 years left to go and thank you! <3
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daisydiana Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 10:06 amhey babe!
i believe things happen for a very good reason everytime. and even though i dont know you im pretty proud of you nonetheless.
wherever you are, whatever you do, even if you think you dont ‘deserve’ this, just do your damn best in it and be the best there.
take care and IM USING THAT MAYBELINE EYELINER TOO! haha.
ilyana's reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 5:32 pmHi diana!
Thank you so much for this! I’ve been rereading this comment since I got back from school because it’s so uplifting. I’ll definitely try my best this semester (even if it means shit skin and bad sleeping habits)
I’m thrilled I have amazing readers like yourself, it’s one of the reasons why I set up this blog in the first place - I love making new friends so we should really meet up once I fly back home!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! <3333333
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yumeh Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 10:44 amHMMM I should try the mask thing. Hmm mmmm.
ilyana's reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 5:32 pmYou should! It’s at Myers on Bourke St ;D Under Kit Cosmetics.
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[nadz] Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 11:06 amThe Day Essence is only SPF 25!? ;____;
ilyana's reply:
July 26th, 2010 at 5:33 pmWell SPF25 is all you need lol! (shut up lah I know you have your SPF100000 bb cream)
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Catherine Says:
July 26th, 2010 at 11:04 pmOooh I love the polaroid thingy you did with the pictures!! Very nice.
Hmm, I think I might need to try the DDF mask again. I do love the Mario Badescu Buffering Lotion (which also has sulfur and allantoin) but I think a clay type mask would help dry out these stupid under the surface but not going anywhere zits. I’m actually almost out of the Buffering Lotion, maybe I’ll try the DDF next. Though, I actually do have MB’s drying cream too, maybe I should try that LOL.
The rosehip oil sounds so nice, hehe. If you want to see faster results with fading you should try a vitamin C serum. =)
& dude, I’m sure you’re gonna kick butt this semester! Best wishes and hope we can still chat every now and then. =P
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makeup morsels Says:
July 27th, 2010 at 8:27 amI think I’m going to check that Sekkisei sunscreen out, sounds like the Lancome one that has become my HG but 20 bucks cheaper, plus I love Kose skincare products. Oh, and I saw that comment above about the L’oreal Liner. I did a swatch on this post: http://makeupmorsels.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/cvs-mini-i-promise-haul/
it’s super black and creamy. My only issue is that it leaves a slight imprint on my lids, but then again everything smears/smudges/creases/etc. on me.
psh it wasn’t a bizarre stroke of luck, you worked your butt off, you deserved those grades. Wishing you the best this semester! -
amy Says:
August 1st, 2010 at 9:44 amCongrats on your excellent uni results!
Good luck with your next subjects.
I am using that Rosehip Oil as well. I am using it for my super duper dry skin. Am also using Bio Oil - not sure which one is better but I’m kind of combining the 2 ! haha! -
fuzzygreenlights Says:
August 14th, 2010 at 12:34 amI think I need that mask! I get really bad hormonal pimples! urgh. Haha! Do you think they have it in sg?
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knownever Says:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:18 amI love the polaroid style borders around your pictures. It’s really different and interesting.
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Strawberry Cube Says:
August 24th, 2010 at 11:45 amHi! I’m retarded and I can’t find the ‘reply’ button on my blog, so I’m replying here. Heh. (I didn’t know if you would be notified if I just posted a comment too)
Ohmygod MOCHI ICE CREAM. BEST THING EVER. I can eat boxes and boxes of those. The strawberry and vanilla ones are so goood~~
Heck yea, Miyavi! I love that man. ヽ(･∀･)ﾉ I’ve waited years and years and years. FINALLYYYYY I GOT TO SEE HIM LIVEEE! <3
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Eve Says:
August 30th, 2010 at 9:59 pmHey babe, i’ve been a silent reader for close to a year now…. way back when you were at livejournal..!
Anyway, my question is… HOW TO GET RID/LIGHTEN ACNE SCARS?????? I’m so frustrated of them and no amount of concealer/foundation can cover them up fully 
making me damn depressed and all..!
Hope you can help TIA!
Anyway, im in singapore so hope you can recommend me products that can be found in sg thanks !ilyana's reply:
August 31st, 2010 at 6:47 amHi Eve! Thank you for commenting and reading my blog, I can’t believe you’ve read my super dead lj too lol. Anyway, acne scars are so. fricking. annoying. I’m still trying to get rid of this mark on my cheek for the past 2 months now and it’s taking such a long time to fade away. K just to give you a warning, the products I’m about to recommend are not miracles - you have to be patient and use them diligently to see results and even then I can’t guarantee your scars will be 100% gone.
I like the Paul & Joe whitening serum, you can get it from Isetan but it’s pricey - I think it’s close to $80.
You can also try rosehip oil I talked about in this entry, you don’t have to use the Trilogy one since it’s not available in sg because rosehip oil is essentially the same anyway. I’m not sure where you can get rosehip oil in sg but I think you can probably find it somewhere in a health store? Or order online! Most of my skincare isn’t from singapore anyway, I really like drugstore.com
I also like Dermalogica’s Microfoliant. I’ve been meaning to do a review on that but as you can see from the lack of updates on this blog, I don’t have time to write it up. It’s a very gentle daily exfoliator that brightens the face.
And what sort of acne scars do you have? Mine are just reddish marks. Also what concealer are you using? Try the MAC studio finish concealer I think it covers everything!
Let me know if you have any other questions xx
July 26th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Oh no I’m so sorry to hear that! guess you can only get it from the US website. You should check it out if you can tho, it’s a great mask.
o rly? how much better is L’Oreal’s?
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