REVIEW: YVES ROCHER

April 26, 2019

First of all, congrats for 60^th anniversary of Yves Rocher. Do you know that this French beauty brand is using 100% botanicals extracts and has 1100 ingredients of natural ingredients in their portfolio? And lately, they’re continuously developing an eco-design approach, too. So they have been decreasing their consumption of non-raw materials and using recyclable materials for their packaging. Beauty that does good, me likey!

Thanks to C&F Store that sent me this naturally beautiful PR Kit to celebrate the brand’s 60^th anniversary. Inside the kit, there are some products that I’ve been using and only one that I’ve not tried before. Let’s break them down one by one, shall we?

CONCENTRATED SHOWER GEL – MANGO CORIANDER

CWhy concentrated? Because you don’t need that much to actually make foams and cleanse your body. They claim that this 100ml bottle will last us for 40 showers. It is pH balanced, preservative and paraben free. Personally, I love the small recyclable plastic bottle, very practical for traveling purpose. This is my second bottle already, and I love how it also made my bathroom smells fruity like mango after I showered.

CThis concentrated 100ml format will last for 30 shampoos. I love the fact that it is colorant and silicone free. And the fresh scent that long lasting. But I warn you, you might need conditioner afterward, especially if you have medium to long hair. It might give you tangled hair.

RThis shall be use at the very last step of your shampooing business. It contains raspberry vinegar (don’t worry it actually smells more like raspberry than ordinary vinegar), known for its’ hair smoothing properties and reducing build-up (from haircare or hairstyling products). I believe this is my third bottle already, I love how it made my hair shinier and smells better longer. Yes, if there’s one vinegar that actually can make you smell good, this is the one!

If you have no fungal-acne problem, you will love this. It contains Isopropyl Palmitate and Sunflower Seed Oil which noted as Fungal-Acne trigger on skincarisma.com. Other than that, it is actually colorant free, mineral oil free and paraben free. And it contains pure organic chamomile extract, renowned for its soothing, softening and hydrating properties. This silky but non-greasy oil will transform into a milky fluid in contact with water and help to dissolve makeup.

In Indonesia, you can get Yves Rocher’s products in C&F stores or buy online here.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

OVER EXFOLIATED SKIN: WHAT HAPPENED & WHAT TO DO

April 19, 2019

Well, they didn’t say too much of everything will kill you for nothing.

I had angry skin issue before (click here for the post), so this one is another round of angry skin (read: over exfoliated skin).

So, what the heck happen? Obviously, I was too excited with my recent haul: new acid products, and konjac sponge. Too excited, I use them every morning. To added to the worsen condition, I still apply my exfoliating toner, Biologique Recherche Lotion P50T every night. So yeah, my skin is super angry and over exfoliated for sure!

These are lethal combination, when use all together, everyday.

Angry red spots, white heads, cystic acnes. Oh well!

First sign of over exfoliated skin: redness, dryness, and it stings whenever you apply something on it.

What I’ve learned:

Stick to one acid and do it every other day, NOT EVERYDAY!
Add skin calming and healing products to my regime.
Doing toner masking with oat will help a lot!

So, what would I do to save my over exfoliated skin? One, stay away from any exfoliating products for two weeks or at least until healed completely. Two, using gentle products that will restore skin’s natural epidermal barrier. Here’s all the products that I use currently for my over exfoliated skin.

URIAGE EAU THERMALE CLEANSING CREAM: it’s a soap-free cleanser, with 1/3 nourishing milk and Thermal Water. This protects skin against the drying effects of hard water.

LA ROCHE POSAY SEROZINC: I’m skipping exfoliating toner and hydrating toner for now. Instead, I use this face mist as a toner. It does help to soothe irritation and inflamed skin, and as a bonus it keeps my oily skin balanced.

COSRX ADVANCED SNAIL 96 MUCIN POWER ESSENCE: it contains 96% of snail secretion filtrate, known for super intense repair and hydration. And snail mucin has that repair ability purpose, so I’m loving this.

VELY VELY PINK CALMING GEL: this is actually a face & body moisturizer. It contains pink microbeads from Calamine powder, known for its’ ability to soothe tired and damage skin.

As I’ve experienced this before, I’m positive that it’ll be back to a tip top condition in about two weeks. So, I’m going to update you on this matter. Meanwhile, I’m going to take care of my skin the way it should be. Cheers!

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

FIRST IMPRESSION: BANILA CO

April 14, 2019

Woohoo!!! Another K-Brand is entering J-Town. This time is Banila Co. Thanks to C&F Store for sending me these.

I’ve been eyeing on their Cleansing Balm for awhile, but moving on back and forth to purchase it because of my sudden fungal-acne attack. Yes, unfortunately most of cleansing balms contain Ethylhexyl Palmitate (noted as fungal acne trigger on skincarisma.com). But I can see why this is such a hype product for beauty enthusiast. First, their packaging is very ‘now’, looking very instagramable, and instead of renewing just the packaging, they also updated the formula. For the Original (the pink jar), there used to be mineral oil in their ingredients, but they replaced it with natural ester oil. I just wish there are fungal-acne safe cleansing balm out there (please let me know if there’s any).

There’s one that is actually safe for fungal-acne, and I’ve enjoyed using so far. It’s not silicone-free, though (hello it’s a primer, so no surprise there). Their Classic Primer. Comes in a pump bottle, it is a makeup primer with satin finish. Yes, you heard me correctly. It is rare that a primer comes in a satin, not matte finish. I use this occasionally though, as primer is not a must makeup step for me.

Before Classic Primer (Left) & After Classic Primer (Right)

One interesting product, their Sun Primer. It is a primer plus sun protection, so perfect for traveling to save baggage. If you have no problem with fungal acne, you will love this (it contains Ethylhexyl Palmitate, which might trigger fungal acne according to skincarisma.com).

As for their range of makeup named B. by Banila, they sent me Lipdraw Melting Serum Stick and Liplike Lip Slip. Love their super simple but very instagramable tubes.

Lipdraw Melting Serum Stick is perfect for those who love gradient lips look. It felt melting when applied on lips, maybe because it contains argan oil and honey extract that feel very moisturizing.

Liplike Lip Slip is a lip lacquer that combines the color pay-off of a lipstick, the moisture of a lip gloss and the longevity of a lip tint. How awesome! It is lightweight and looks matte on lips. Might purchase another shade as I’m so not into reds.

Now you can purchase all the originals Banila Co at some C&F Stores, or online here.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

SAFE AMPOULES FOR FUNGAL-ACNE

April 11, 2019

Personally, I prefer to use ampoule and skip moisturizer when my fungal acne attacks. But, why ampoule? You might ask.

Well, did you notice that most of ampoule comes in smaller bottle (except the Skin 1004 ones)? It’s because they are mostly very concentrated, and we only need up to 3 drops each time. Ampoule is like an extra booster of help, when your skin needs it the most. That’s why you can skip ampoule step if your skin doesn’t need any help and already in its’ tip top condition.

So, if you want to jump to this ampoule wagon, please note that the general rule is to apply essence, serum then ampoule. But, that depends on what kind of texture it has. Just remember to use the thin texture first, than move on the thickest.

Let me tell you why I love these ampoules for my fungal acne prone skin.

I’m going to start with Skin 1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100. It comes with a huge 100 ml pipet glass bottle (which I never brought to travel with me, for sure!). As Centella Asiatica is a plant that is rich in saponins and is an anti-inflammatory, I believe this ampoule calm my redness and help reducing rashes, including fungal acne which mostly attacked my temple area. I use this every morning, because it’s not sticky and good for layering under makeup.

Moving on to Leegeehaam Grow Vita Propolis Ampoule. I used raw honey mask to help tone down my fungal acne. So no surprised when I tried propolis, it did good as well. It contains a whipping 50% propolis extract, which is basically a combination of beeswax, enzymes and tree sap used by bees to seal, disinfect and waterproof their hive. You see, propolis has powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. However, this might feel sticky when used alone. So I like to mix it with Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster and apply at night. This will give instant glow when applied (yes, even at night I want my skin to glow, LOL).

Last but not least, the latest find of mine: CNP Laboratory Mugener Ampoule. My first encounter with the brand and snail mucus. And thankfully, it did just fine for my fungal-acne and the rest of my face. This works to relieve redness, calms blemished skin and soothes sensitive skin. This has the thickest texture out of two ampoules above and the most hydrating, too. First applied, it will be sticky but soon disappeared after few pats. The only con, it’s a bit hard to pull the pipet out of the glass bottle. Can’t do it with one hand if I’m in a hurry.

PHOTOS: SHINTA ROSVITA

REVIEW: SULWHASOO SHEER LASTING FOUNDATION

April 7, 2019

Thanks Sulwhasoo Indonesia for sending me this liquid foundation for an honest review.

I believe most of Korean foundation designed to look as natural as possible. This one, too. Infused with sea buckthorn berries (which is rich in antioxidants), and powered with Sheer Hydra Formula Technology, this foundation adheres to skin gently, with a natural glowing finish. The formula contains non-oily moisturizing ingredients for that fresh powdery finished look and long-lasting effect.

Unfortunately, according to skincarisma.com, this foundation is not fungal-acne safe due to one of its’ ingredient (Sorbitan Sesquioleate), but it’s not one of the top 5 main ingredients. If you don’t have any problem with fungal acne, it should be fine.