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Posts Tagged ‘Asian model’

Recently, I’ve been testing out products that can refine the pores on my face and also cleanse it well enough to get rid of the pollution grime I get from the air in Hong Kong. And when I saw this face cleanser offered on Groupon HK, I decided to give it a try! Bought 2 boxes for HKD338. Each box contains 32 little capsules that contains the right amount of powder for a single use.

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This Beauty Clear Powder is formulated for women is their 20s-30s for deep cleansing that is gentle enough not to dry out your skin. It removes excess grime & dirt in your pores so that blackheads won’t build up and controls sebum on your skin so that your facial pores are tight. Since I bought it, this cleanser has been added to my morning routine to test it out.

Each capsule is really tiny! About the size of the thumbnail. But it packs a punch!

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To use it, gets some getting used to as I’ve always been using foaming cleansers from a bottle or tube not in powder form. First pour out the powder onto the palm of your hand.

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The amount of powder is a mere 1.5cm in diameter. So adding the right amount of water is crucial to make it foam nicely. Too much it becomes a white runny liquid and too little it’s just gummy. I found the right amount after a few tries which is half the capsule. After pouring out the powder onto your palm, use the same container to collect half a capsule of water from your tap (barely a few drops of water) and pour it onto the powder and mix it up till it totally dissolves.

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It is now a nice foamy mixture to massage into your damp face. Use it as with any facial wash – circular motion and concentrating on “dirtier” areas like the sides of your nostrils and chin.

This is an example of my first few attempts with too much water until it was so runny an hard to use.

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After using this for about a week, I did find my pores tighter and blackheads reduced, leaving my skin brighter and more radiant.

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I will definitely keep on using it because I am loving the results! Now I need to look out for this on Groupon again for a good deal! 😉

XOXO

Jessica

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REGEN is a household name for most Koreans as they are the largest leading beauty medical group that provides services like plastic surgery, dermatology & dentistry. Since 2010 REGEN received the Grand Prize of Medical Korea every year and they are the no.1 brand in the plastic surgery part of the Korean Customer Satisfaction Index.

Dr. Kim Woo Jung, Director of REGEN Clinic, who is ahead of his time, went ahead and developed cosmetics to reflect the distinct characteristics of cosmetic surgery and help the cubic effect. As a result he founded a way to provide a off-the-counter mask to satisfy Asia’s thirst to achieve a small & cubic face through the 2 Step Synergy Effect Mask & V Fill-Up Mask.

I got myself some of their masks to try out and was eager to see the effects of a more V-Shaped and firmer face. (who doesn’t want a slimmer firmer face with smooth pore-less skin?!) Did some research and managed to find out the key ingredients used in their masks. As the packaging is entirely in Korean, I did up a simple table of the key ingredients in English to share with all of you!

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The above list is for the 5 different mask types the REGEN has for the 2 Step Synergy Effect Masks. They all carry the same 2nd step mask for the V-Shaping effect. This mask uses Halophyte, which is an ingredient from the polar region, to help moisture circulation of the skin to provide a sharper face contour. It reduces water retention in the jawline area making the face look slimmer and more picture perfect.

I decided to try out the masks for pores first as I am most concerned with my open pores around my cheeks. The application of the mask is fairly straight forward with the only difference of the V-shaping mask in step 2. Since the instructions is entirely in Korean, this video helps a lot with the application of the mask just to ensure we are using it right.

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Apply the sheet mask as Step 1

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Step 2 – V-Shaping mask

Leave the mask on for a minimum of 20 minutes. I removed the step 1 mask after about 25 minutes but left the shaping mask on for an additional 10 minutes hoping to get better results.

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Immediately, I went to the mirror to check my pores and miraculously they were shut tight. The exact results I wanted! As you can see from the photo below with my make-up free face.

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That additional 10 minutes came up and I removed the step 2 mask. I could tell that my jawline was slightly smaller. So I used the mask again on the following night to enforce the results. This time I found jawline slimmer and sharper looking with the puffiness of water retention gone.

Results: I would say that this mask is really effective in both the pore reduction and V-shaping. Especially so for those of you who tend to have a rounder face from water retention and fatty deposits and not because of bone structure. (Why I emphasise on bone structure is because I have a squarer jawline on one side compared to the other and this won’t make my face magically symmetrical, just smaller and sharper) The pressure applied from the V-Shaping mask applies a comfortable but firm pressure that tightens the skin tone and flushes away excessive fluids in the unwanted areas including your double chin.

It’s no wonder that Paris Hilton unveiled that REGEN’s Synergy mask is her secret go-to mask especially on plane rides.

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This mask is really worth a try and I am always a fan of home facials, using masks on myself every night to maintain a naturally healthy youthful looking skin. (A hardworking girl will always be beautiful ;P)

It is available in:

Hong Kong – Watsons  at HKD$187.50/box of 5 or HKD$37.50/piece

Singapore – http://www.hermo.sg/flagship/regencos.html at SGD$32.20/box of 5 or SGD$7/piece

Look out for my next blog post of REGEN’s V Fill-Up Mask for smoothening out fine lines and wrinkles on top of reshaping your face shape naturally.

XOXO

Jessica

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Ever since I came to Hong Kong, I didn’t have the luxury to visit Mosche Hair Salon back home (Singapore) as often as I would love to to maintain my locks. So I had to find DIY home-care kits to give my hair the much needed moisture boost every month especially with the constant heat styling done to my hair due to my job nature. This is my to-go-to “steamer” for my hair that does wonders and gives me that same salon quality treatment, leaving my hair soft, filled with moisture and luscious! This simple kit consists of only the heater cap and a matching coloured fabric shower cap. Safe and easy to use. I’ll use this together with facial masks when I’m watching my favourite dramas in the evening after a shower.

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Here’s how to use it:

Step 1

Wash your hair with a scalp cleansing/anti-pollution shampoo. I use Rene Furterer Forticea for a cleaner scalp and prevent thinning hair.Rene-Furterer-Forticia_Shampoo-2_zps6080ff4f

Rinse off shampoo and apply a light layer of conditioner (just to be able to comb through the wet hair more easily to apply treatment).  Rinse conditioner off. Towel dry.

Step 2

Apply any good hair treatment onto your towel dried hair. I am using Shiseido Professional Sleekliner Hair Mask currently.

IMG_7140Comb in the hair mask throughout your hair and avoid your scalp area. I would emphasise more on the ends as its usually a lot more dry and prone to breakage in my case.

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After hair mask/treatment is throughly applied throughout, twist your hair up into a bun for those with long hair and place the fabric shower cap over as such.IMG_7146

Step 4

Now place the heater cap over the shower cap. Avoiding your ears. And flick the switch on (lights will light up). Simple. Leave it on for about 20 minutes. IMG_6895The heating coil in the hear cap will slowly heat up. With water left behind in your towel-dried hair together with the hair mask, steam will form inside the hair mask enabling the hair mask to better work its magic on your hair.

Step 5

After 20 minutes, switch off the heating cap. Remove it and rinse out your hair with cold water. Cold water will help close up your hair follicles and trap in the moisture absorbed from the mask. And you are set to blow dry your newly revitalised hair!

This DIY kit saves a lot of time and money as I can use it as and when I want to even at 3am in the morning. Great for people who hates visiting the salon and sitting there for hours to get your hair done!

This hair steamer cap can be found in various online stores and costs between USD$10-15 depending on stores. Girls… time to hunt it down!

Happy Mid-Autumn festival everyone!

XOXO

Jessica

 

 

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Today, I am going to share with all you girls this simple yet really effective way to curl your eyelashes with tools that you definitely have at home – a hairdryer & your eyelash curler.

Firstly, choose a good eyelash curler suitable to the shape of your eye socket. To me, Asian eyes tend to be less deep set and flatter in the curvature, so brands like Shu Uemura & Shiseido are likely to be more suitable to our eyes. My personal favourite is Shu Uemura. Invest in a good eyelash curler and it will last you for many years!

I have typically Asian eyelashes, short & straight, but I found a way to keep my lashes curled all day with heavy layers of mascara. Usually, with many layers of mascara, my lashes tend to droop pretty quickly and loose the curled effect.

This is how I do it:

1. Heat up the eyelash curler with your hairdryer at low speed for 5-10 seconds till the curler is heated up but not too hot on your eyelids.

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2. Curl your lashes as per normal. Gently clamp down on your lashes closest to your eyelids, release, and clamp down again in an upward motion towards the tip of your eyelashes almost perpendicular to your eye. It is about 10 gentle clamps with the curler.

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TIP: Make sure you do not heat your eyelash curler for more than 10 seconds or you may overheat the metal and burn your eyelids.

3. Repeat Step 1 and Step 2. I usually will do this 3 times on each eye.

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My lashes before curling – straight as hell

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My lashes after using a heated eyelash curler

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I love how easy my eyelashes curls, opening up my eyes instantly

4. Once you have achieved the curled effect you want, apply 2-3 coats of mascara.

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A false lash effect achieved!

I find this method much more effective than just using an eyelash curler on its own, or even an expensive heated eyelash curler. Especially for my type of short and straight eyelashes. The compression and heat from using a hairdryer with your eyelash curler will create a temporary permed effect to last you throughout the day. It’s the same concept as using a heated tong for your hair to create curls – this is the miniature version!

Try it to believe it!

XOXO

Jessica

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Attended the Miss Dior fragrance event last night at IFC’s oval atrium graced by the guest-of-honour, HK celebrity, Kelly Chen. A group of us models of mixed nationalities (ranging from Japan, Taiwan, Korean, Hong Kong and of course Singapore) represented Starz People HK at the event.

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When we arrived at the event, we were greeted by a swarm of photographers, flashlights bursting non-stop, adding to the glitz & glamour of it. At the entrance, Dior’s perfumers, who are specially flown in from France, sat a workstation to show off their craft of perfumery.

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Each bottle of perfume is painstakingly bottled, capped and bow-tied by hand by these Artisans, making every single bottle of Dior’s perfume unique.

We were each given a bottle of J’Adore Voile de Parfum.

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This fragrance has strong rose scent and is a mixture of musky, powdery & floral. Extremely feminine. One spritz of this leaves you feeling all sexy yet elegant with the right amount of feminine charm. Perfect for that special date-night!

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Which also explains the huge bed of fresh pink roses as the backdrop for their signature “CD” brand. The rose fragrance is the main focus in all Dior’s range of perfumes.

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Totally in love with all the pretty pink hues from fresh roses to the feminine Miss Dior bottle! Can’t help to take lots of photos of anything in PINK – my favourite colour! Decked out in my rainbow knitted-dress that fits the perfect summery look!

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One last selfie with fellow models from Starz People before the night ended!

XOXO

Jessica

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Ever since I went to Tokyo over the Easter long weekend to celebrate my birthday, I was inspired to have my hair curled and styled just like the Japanese! So when I returned back to Hong Kong, I immediately took out my new Miracurl and started fiddling with it. And it was a pleasant surprise that Miracurl made, the once gruelling and time-consuming, hair-curling easy and straightforward more than ever.

 

Previously, I used my heating tongs (which I had given away since) to create curly locks on my own. This always took me eons and I had to be constantly mindful to not burn my face/neck with the heating tong… Hence, unless I had tons of time, I would never touch those heating tongs.

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But with this latest product from Babyliss Pro, it took me a mere 10 minutes or less! And the curls turned out beautiful and looked as if they were professionally done. It is such a simple tool to use – basically you section your hair no more than 3cm, put the bunch of hair into the V-shaped part of the Miracurl, squeeze, wait for 10 seconds, and it’s done!

I did up a simple video tutorial to show you how simple and easy it really is:

Miracurl is now retailing in Hong Kong at:

LOG-ON, City Store, SOGO, AEON, Fortress, Rosy Rain  at HKD$1689.

In Singapore it is retailing at: 

Selected Watsons stores island-wide at promotional price of SGD$199 from 01-28 May 2014. Retail price is SGD$259.

I know it is one of the more pricey hair curlers in the market, but it is worth every penny; it saves time, it is safe (no more burning of your face or neck *ouch!*) and it is versatile with any hair length! (you can share this with just about anyone, including your boyfriend).

Also, be mindful of the cheaper priced “Miracurls” in the market as there are plenty of knock-offs owing to its world-wide popularity. These knock-offs may not have complied with strict quality controls and may be a hazard to use.

Miracurl has the thumbs up from this happy customer! 🙂

XOXO

Jessica

For more information, do visit:

Facebook Page

BaByliss PRO Asia Facebook Fan Page

MiraCurl ™ Website:

http://www.babylisspro-asia-miracurl.com

Miracurl

 

 

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Ever since winning the award of Best Smile for the New Paper New Face modelling competition, I have always been really particular about how white my teeth are and how I need to keep them plaque-free so no cavities will come bother me. (Also, hate visiting the dentist! So I invest more in home-care) So when a friend of mine introduced to me this Philips Sonicare toothbrush back in 2007  I got hooked! It was back in 2007 when I joined Miss Singapore Universe competition so natually I was a lot more conscious about my smile, my looks, my hair, my body etc as I was going to appear on live TV to compete. So buying this toothbrush was a no brainer. I did feel the immediate results of using Sonicare – my teeth felt smooth and plaque-free without any bits of food stuck in-between the gaps of my teeth! I became a FAN instantly! You know how when you use a manual toothbrush and you still feel like you have missed a spot after brushing? You never get it with Sonicare! Well… as the saying goes, “once you go Sonicare, you won’t turn back!”

Since then, I’ve been using Sonicare (and Sonicare lasts you a good 3-5 years depending on how well you maintain the toothbrush). I was using their Healthy White model and recently, I decided to give their top of the line model a try – Diamond Clean.

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This model has 5 different modes – Clean, White, Polish, Gum Care & Sensitive – compared to the more basic model that I was using which only had Clean, Sensitive & Clean and White. I’ve been using the White mode for the past 2 weeks and so far loving it more and more. Found the sonic oscillations more vigorous yet still gentle on the gums and has a different rhythm compared to the regular Clean mode. And I actually feel my teeth looking a bit whiter (could be psychological but who cares! I AM more confident with my smile now!)

IMG_9370Sonicare is keeping it current for those tech-savvy peeps(which is practically everyone) by creating a USB charger built into the travel case for people like us who are always on the go! And you must also be wondering why the toothbrush packaging also came with a whiskey-like glass. That’s actually the charger and water glass for your daily use! How smart and sleek is that? With their toothbrush case updated in the design (the previous one from Healthy White was just a plain plastic white case), it’s nicer to carry it in you handbag or even slim enough to fit it into your clutch ladies! We can now brush your teeth at work, after lunch or in my case, before a photoshoot to ensure that perfect smile every time.

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As you all know that I am now living in Hong Kong, the apartments here are wayyyyyy smaller than those back home in Singapore. So compact is key! And it’s nice to see Diamond Clean fitting right in on my make-up table before I whisk it off for shoots in my bag without taking up too much space.

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So yeah… I am an extremely satisfied & loyal customer to Philips Sonicare and now with the Diamond Clean, I am definitely looking forward to even whiter and sparkly smiles for my photoshoots! Well good things don’t come cheap right as it has a heftier price-tag because it is the top of the line for Sonicare. (Guys, they have a more masculine Black edition) To me, it is absolutely money well spent!

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Retailing at HKD$1798 or SGD$319. Find it at most departmental stores like Robinsons, Sogo & Fortress etc.

Happy Easter & Happy smiles everyone!

XOXO

Jessica

 

 

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