La Mer Refining Facial – exfoliant December 5, 2007

Reviewer: Jenny, Skin Status: Combination/ Dry skin, Age group: 26 – 30 years old

This is the only exfoliant that I use repeatedly and I have been using this refining facial for many years. I tried other brands of exfoliant before but I think this is the best exfoliant in the market. It may seem expensive for exfoliant but this product really gives me the necessary instant pick me up. A 3.4Oz tube will last me about a year. I believe this product has been reformulated from the original refining facial formula. The original formula, after the tube has been opened, it has a weird scent after first week of use, La Me’s new formula keeps the refining facial smells like a minty toothpaste even after first week of opening the tube. This product is great at removing dead skin and the diamond powder will make your face glow radiantly. This product must be used on clean wet skin, you only need a pea size dab and massage it onto your face (avoid eye area & open wounds , ie fresh pimples). Then wash your face with a lot of water so you won’t have little particles left on your face. Usually I leave the exfoliant on my face for a minute before washing it off, I find the results is better than just massaging onto face then washing it off right after. I use this product about once a week during winter and twice a week during summer. Usually I apply hydrating mask the night before and use the refining facial the next morning, you will be amazed by the results. This product do reveal dry skin patches for those who have dry patches on their skin but if you use a hydrating mask right after using La Mer refining facial, it does take away some of the glowing affects. And for those who wear makeup, you can still see your skin glow under your makeup.

Instant Bright Skin – Yogurt Mask October 30, 2007

Yogurt Mask has always been one of my favorite masks. It is easy to find, easy to use and effective! It instantly brightens up my face! It was my cousin who first told me about using yogurt as a mask long long time ago and I’ve been using it as instant pick me up since then. Yogurt mask is really simple, you can buy them at grocery store, convenient store, and almost anywhere that sells food.

All you have to do is wash your face, apply a not too thick layer onto your face (about 1-2 tablespoon) and let it sit for about 15 – 30mins depending on your skin before washing it off with water. The most important part of yogurt mask is to use regular yogurt that has fat, do not use non-fat yogurt as a mask, the result will not be noticeable or the mask won’t work at all. Personally, I prefer using yogurt that is in cream form, it is easier to apply and no dripping problem. If you can only get the regular form of yogurt, there are 2 ways around the dripping problem. First option: Lick the excess, very yummy! Especially if you use the recipe with a twist. Or, apply a thin layer of yogurt onto your face and then gently press cotton pads on top of the area where you apply yogurt and leave the cotton pads on your face until you are ready to wipe and rinse off the mask. That way, the mask will stay and it won’t drip everywhere. My other personal preference of this mask is using organic french vanilla yogurt to use as my mask because of the pleasant vanilla scent sort of like aromatherapy. After rinsing off the mask, remember to use moisturizer immediately, yogurt mask may leave your face feeling a bit tight afterwards. I recommend using this mask the night before a special event of as a quick pick me up. This is also a great mask to use while traveling because your skin won’t look tired and you have less things to carry in your luggage. Plus, you can get it at the local food store at your destination.

* Remember always to a test patch on your skin before applying it all over the face to see if your skin has allergic reaction.

Yogurt Mask with a Twist!

Here are a few twists that you can add to the original yogurt mask:

1) 1-2 drops of lemon juice and mix it with yogurt before applying, do not use too much because too much citric acid may irritate your face. Citric acid has lightening properties, making your face brighter.  

2) 1-2 teaspoon of honey and mix it with yogurt before, honey will calm any inflammation in skin. Even better is to combine both lemon juice and honey =)! Honey alone can also be used alone as a mask to reduce redness.

3) 1 teaspoon of Cane or Brown sugar, if you add cane sugar with yogurt, it sort of became a natural exfoliant.