Product Review: Curél Sebum Care Range

Finding the right skincare for people with sensitive facial skin is a challenge for many, and even more so for those with oily or combination skin types.

For this group of people with sensitive facial skin paired with oily or combination skin types, skin sensitivity is seen as a greater issue to be resolved as compared to the excess sebum secretion issue. However, they might not realise that disregarding the latter when choosing skincare products can potentially aggravate skin sensitivity.

However, this is not enough. Excess sebum generated will deteriorate as skin gets more alkaline, turning into irritants to cause flare-ups within the skin layers. Hence it is important to choose products that effectively control skin sensitivity while reducing sebum secretion from the source.

Curél, Japan’s No. 1 brand for sensitive Asian skin, introduces a new skincare range specially formulated for sensitive and oily or combination skin types. The Curél Sebum Care range - comprising a Foaming Wash, Lotion and Moisture Gel - offers the skincare essentials to properly manage both skin sensitivity and sebum secretion.

Product Review: Hacudei Palau White Clay Facial Soap

Received my Hacudei Palau White Clay Facial Soap from SampleStore.com a few days ago, together with Collection Cosmetics Primed and Ready Makeup Primer and Meishoku Detclear Bright & Peel Peeling Jelly Fruits Scrub Wash! (Read my reviews of the other two products by clicking on the links at the end of this post).

Hacudei Palau White Clay Facial Soap is a unique and exclusive White Clay Soap made from the wonder of the sea. It is made from the white clay that is deposited at the bottom of Milky Way of Palau. This natural cosmetic is free from artificial colouring and fragrance and rich in natural minerals, papaya fruit extract, hibiscus essence and other botanical ingredients to soften, smoothen and beautify the skin. Clogged pores can be absorbed by the spongy bubbles of the white clay and the five kinds of botanical extracts naturally moisturise the skin.

Product review: Collection Cosmetics Primed and Ready Makeup Primer

Received my Collection Cosmetics Primed and Ready Makeup Primer from SampleStore.com a few days ago, together with Meishoku Detclear Bright & Peel Peeling Jelly Fruits Scrub Wash and Hacudei Palau White Clay Facial Soap! (Read my review the Peeling Jelly Fruits Scrub Wash by clicking on the link at the end of this post! The other review is coming up soon!).

Photo from press release.

The silky formula provides a light coverage for a flawless complexion and a noticeably natural finish. A 

soothing makeup base, it minimizes pore problems, smoothes uneven skin and hides unsightly blemishes for 

the perfect base.

Product Review: Meishoku Detclear Bright & Peel Peeling Jelly Fruits Scrub Wash

Received my Meishoku Detclear Bright & Peel Peeling Jelly Fruits Scrub Wash  from SampleStore.com a few days ago, together with Collection Cosmetics Primed and Ready Makeup Primer and Hacudei Palau White Clay Facial Soap! (Other two reviews coming up soon. Stay tuned!)

Meishoku Detclear Peeling Jelly is a newly developed skin peeling jelly series that has been introduced to markets around the world. It has a natural fruits derived AHA and plant derived BHA formula that is suitable for dry and sensitive skin. This product is additive-free and will gently peel away melanin-containing dead skin while dissolving black heads and impurities from the pores to reveal a fresh, smooth and radiant
complexion. The resulting “new skin” allows the easy application of your daily skincare and makeup
products. This amazing peeling jelly is especially suitable for people who have dull-looking skin,
blackheads, acne and black spots.

Meishoku Detclear Peeling Jelly comes in 3 variants of mixed fruits, mixed berries and unscented. So
ladies, fret no more as you can now simply peel away your “old skin” and have “new skin” every day!

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Cave-tubing & Prambanan Temple)

Photo credits to Zul.

Day 6 (Cave-tubing & Prambanan Temple):

We set off at about 8am for Gua Pindul, cave tubing. First time trying this out so I was actually quite excited for it! After putting on our life jackets and changing into the rubber shoes they provided, we were transported by a lorry to the cave. On the way, they were trying out Choong's monopod.

And here is how that turned out.

Photo credits to Choong.

So after a short briefing, we went into the water. We just sat on the tube and went into the cave in a line, holding on to each other's tube.

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Mt. Merbabu)

Day 5 (Mt. Merbabu):

After preparing and changing into our trekking gears in Suroto's house, we set off for Mt. Merbabu at about 12am. We had 6 guides with us on this trek, which actually turned out to be a good thing since we got split into 3 groups (or was it 4) in the end. Originally, we were suppose to climb Mt. Merapi, but due to the recent volcanic activity on Merapi, we changed to Mt. Merbabu instead.

We walked on proper footpaths up till the starting point of the climb. From the starting point onwards, we walked on soft ground. Not sure if it's soil or volcanic ash. Mt. Merbabu is also a volcano but it's a dormant volcano, unlike Merapi, which is still very active.

So, our 5-6 hour ascend began. The terrain was steep too. But unlike Mt. Welirang, it was literally like climbing stairs. Thankfully I had Choong's trusty trekking pole once more, and it became my extended hand, helping me up those steep "stairs".

Stuck with the group though most of the trekking, though my tummy gave me trouble again. Seemed like high altitude is really not my thing cause I was feeling light-headed as we trekked higher. 

Anyway, pushed myself up slowly but well, after 4 plus hours of trekking, I was just too exhausted to carry on... It was getting way too uncomfortable. #girlproblems . The guide who was with us had to pull me up to Pos 3, literally. Hahaha. When he said that there were 7 Pos in total to reach the summit and that the climb from Pos 3-4 (or isit 4-5) is the steepest, I didn't want to move anymore. So, since the sun was about to rise in a few minutes time, we decided to stop at Pos 3 to watch sunrise. The guide seemed happy that we didn't want to continue anymore. Hahaha. 

So he set up a small camp fire and woah the fire was soooo warm! & we waited for sunrise.

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Mt. Bromo)

Day 4 (Mt. Bromo x Transfer to Yogyakarta):

So we woke up at 2:30am to take a Jeep up to Penanjakan View Point to see the sunrise. It was really crowded when we went up there, which was surprising considering it was a weekday. Hung around outside the shops, getting hot drinks while we waited before heading to the view point. It was already flooded by the time we went up. Just had to squeeze to the front and even so, couldn't really get a good spot. The sunrise that day wasn't that fantastic. We all agreed it was the longest sunrise ever...

That's the best I could get of the sunrise that day. Went over to the adjacent side of the view point to get a photo of Mt. Bromo crater. The view there was much better, after the crowd dispersed a little after the sunrise. The shorter peak in the front is Mount Batok. The one with the smoke coming out is Mount Bromo and the tallest one in the background is Mount Semeru.

Travelogue: NTU ODAC Trek Recce (Mt. Welirang)

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

It felt like it was only yesterday that we were in Indonesia. One week ago, I was in Indonesia doing a recce with 7rek committee. Now I'm back in SG suffering from post-trip syndrome... That aside, I shall do a blog post on this recce trip while my memory is still fresh.


Day 1 (Flight to Surabaya x R&R):

We met up at 9am in the morning at Changi ariport T1 for our 11:15am flight. Was really excited for the trip since it was my first time flying without my parents and my second trip with 7rek after the Berkelah Subcom Trip in September last year.

My whole family accompanied me to the airport to send me off. Felt so much loveeee on a Sunday morning!

Anyway, we checked in when everyone arrived at about 9:45am and went in to eat breakfast.

Photo credits to Denise.

Product Review: BeautyBiotics Exfoliating Jelly

Received my BeautyBiotics Exfoliating Jelly from SampleStore.com about 2 weeks ago. 

Here's the product.

Exfoliating Jelly is a dermatologically formulated gentle exfoliating peel that helps unclog pores, remove
impurities and dead skin to enhance your skin’s absorption of nutrients. It contains fruit derived AHA + BHA enzymes that gently exfoliates skin to restore clarity, brilliance and radiance.

Directions:
Ensure that the face is completely dry. Dispense and apply exfoliating jelly onto the face and massage deeply in a circular motion until you see impurities and dead skin exfoliated. Wash face with water and pat dry. Use once to twice weekly.

Caution:
For external use only. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light. Stop using the product immediately if you develop allergic reaction. Product ingredients may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen rater SPF 15 or greater every day and avoid prolonged sun exposure.