Beginnings of a beauty junkie?

I’ve been in the pursuit of better skin for as long as I remember, but some of us just aren’t blessed with perfect skin. What works, what doesn’t, I’d love to share my experiences here with anyone who is interested, perhaps, you could share your experiences with me too? :)

Could this be the beginning of a beauty junkie?

Can a girl have too much makeup? Well, maybe, but variety is the spice of life!

I won this Victoria’s Secret Runway Ready Makeup Kit in a recent blog contest held by Fashionide.com and 313 Somerset. The entire kit consists of 64 eyeshadows, 8 lipsticks, 8 lip glosses, 3 blushers, 2 bronzers, and 1 luminous powder. WOW! I’ve never owned this many colors, but there’s always a first, right? It’s actually pretty overwhelming, the colors, that is. I’ve always stuck to safe colors, brown, black, no crazy colors like blue or green; simply cause I never really learned how to use colors in a bold way.

I’ll probably need lots of time to get acquainted with the vast array of colors, but I am definitely loving the lip glosses!

I recently discovered iHerb.com, thanks to the recommendations from a few of my customers. Gosh! I was completely sold. I was actually just looking to get something that would help with sleep but I ended up with a whole box full of stuff.

So what’s in my first iHerb haul?

1. Reviva Labs Green Papaya & Hydrogen Peroxide Oxygen mask
2. Reviva Labs Problem Skin mask
3. Now Foods European Clay Powder
4. Herbs Etc. Deep Sleep Fast-acting Softgels
5. Gaia St John’s Wort Liquid Phyto-caps
6. Frontier Natural Porducts French Green Clay Powder
7. Badger Sleep Balm

I haven’t tried all the products yet, but I did try the European Clay Powder. I mixed it with Thayers Lavender Witch Hazel and applied it for approximately 20 minutes before washing off. At least 50% of the stubborn blackheads I had on my nose were “dislodged” or should I say, extracted with a light squeeze. Ill probably try to use it with a vitamin E oil or leave it on for a shorter period of time the next time I use it. It really tugs at your skin as it dries, so you’ll know to wash it off when it starts to get a bit uncomfortable, which is why mixing with a face oil is recommended if you have dry skin.

It may or may not be the result of the mask but the itchy patches I had on my forehead seem to have gotten irritated and started itching and getting red (yet again) so I’m falling back on Beprosalic for a couple of days until it subsides. I’m beginning to suspect it is some sort of eczema. I might try using this as a spot treatment on stubborn acne though. Let’s see how that goes!

♥ If you are new to iHerb, enter my Rewards Code CDK163 to enjoy up to $10 off your first purchase!

Now on to my first purchase from Enavose!

I really appreciate the effort they put into packing the order, nicely packed and topped with a pretty bow! If you’ve read my blog, I’m sure you’ve read about my review of Enavose’s Swiss Glacial Loose Powder SPF 15, otherwise, read it here.

After exhausting the sample of the Probiotics Exfoliance Gommage they sent me previously, I knew I had to order a full size so I can keep using it! I’ll tell you what I like about it when I get down to reviewing it, but here’s what’s in my Enavose order, you can click on the links to find out more about the products.

1. Swiss Glacial Loose Powder SPF 15
2. 1st Line Probiotics Exfoliance Gommage
3. H20sis Black Tea Quench Mask (Complimentary travel-size)
4. Purific Bitter Almond Decongestant Serum

♥ If you’re interested in purchasing the Swiss Glacial Loose Powder, the special price of $29.90 + a complimentary travel-sized Black Tea Quench Mask ends 26th July!

Ijustwannajoin on Qoo10 has been one of my go-tos for USA brands like Burt’s Bees, Queen Helene and Thayers before I discovered iHerb. In comparison I’d say the prices on iHerb are lower, BUT! If you are only looking to buy one or two items that won’t qualify you for free shipping on iHerb, this is probably a good alternative if you’re living in Singapore. The seller, Amy likes to throw in the occasional freebie or two! :)

I think I may have gone a bit overboard with my purchase but, anyways. The ones with the ♥s are my top favourites and most recommended products!

1. ♥ Burt’s Bees Res-Q Ointment
2. Burt’s Bees Honey Lip Balm
3. ♥ Thayers Lavender Witch Hazel
4. ♥ Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque
5. Queen Helene Oatmeal ‘n Honey Natural Facial Scrub
6. ♥ Queen Helene Mint Julep Natural Facial Scrub
7. Queen Helene Grape Seed Extract Peel Off Masque
8. ♥ Monistat Chaffing Relief Powder Gel
9. ♥ GNC Aloe Vera Skin Gel

I loveeee the Res-Q Ointment, and so does my dad. I’ve already ordered a second “tin” because my dad wants to have one of his own. The price is a little steep for a balm but I like that it is natural yet effective, and very compact to keep in my bag. The Burt’s Bees Honey lip balm was a disappointment though, it didn’t smell the way I expected it to smell. I assumed honey would smell something like the honey lip gloss I got from Paul Frank previously but it smells NOTHING like it. I don’t know what it smells like, but definitely not honey.

I was running out of my Thayers Rose Witch Hazel so I decided to try the Lavender, I still like the rose one more but the lavender has its perks too. In fact I love the rose one so much that I already placed an order for another bottle. Perfect for using with my clay powders from iHerb!

The Monistat Chaffing Relief Powder Gel is actually meant for intimate areas, but I came across a few blogs that have claimed this makes an amazing primer for a fraction of the cost of professional high end primers, I just had to try. And it really does work very well as a primer, it creates a nice silky finish that’s make up ready.

The GNC Aloe Vera Gel was a super buy and came in very helpful when I was battling red patches on my face. It is 99% aloe vera and I only paid  S$4.90 for this generous tube.

Queen Helene’s Mint Julep Natural Facial Scrub has been the only scrub I have been using for awhile now. I use Gamila Secret’s Wild Rose bar soap on a daily basis and that doesn’t really provide thorough exfoliation, so I use the scrub 2-3 times a week. It is gentle enough for daily use if you like. This is a very mild and refreshing scrub at a very reasonable price. The mask is also worth every penny and is gentle even on sensitive skin.

What are your favourite beauty products? :)