Oxygen For You?

Note: Blogged one new post under this post.

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Feeling bored at home?

How about doing something fun and also ultra good for you, like a FACIAL MASK??

I hate to sound like one of those girls who are always going on about skincare, but it's really time to start. :(

And yes, I regret not putting in more effort when I was younger.

I've heard so many aunties say that sentence to me when I was a teen and it irritated me so much that I vowed never to repeat that. But here I am, repeating it! Golden advice!

Nowadays all my girlfriends who are about my age are putting on face masks all the time! After a mask, skin feels hydrated, rejuvenated, and well... it gives me the illusion that I'm 18 again. Except ironically when I was 18 my skin was damn shitty. But that's not the point.

I'm constantly on the lookout for better skin care products because the technology is always improving anyway!

So. I got sponsored 3 new skincare products and I'm gonna introduce them to you!

Available at SA SA outlets:

Beauty Talk's OxySolution



Beauty Talk's OxyMask



Beauty Talk's OxyAqua

Maybe some of you have seen, heard of, or even used these before.

Afterall, they have been featured on Taiwan’s hottest TV programme 女人我最大 before!

So what's so special about Beauty Talk's products?

As is obvious from the product names and my blog title, the answer is OXYGEN.

Did you know that even if you keep a stringent skincase regime, your skin can still appear yellowish and dull if it doesn't have enough oxygen in it?

"Oxygen is important for our skin as it renews skin cells, promotes metabolism and provides energy to the skin.

Without fresh oxygen, blood circulation is slower and unable to detoxify, causing dark and dull skin."

Well. That's kinda lousy news.

So now we know that on top of moisturizing and hydrating, sunblock, and an amass of other things we need to do to keep looking young, we can now add "giving skin OXYGEN" to the list.

But no worries, I'm gonna give my skin oxygen if that's what it wants. It's like a demanding girlfriend, never stops requesting for stuff.

First step is to use OxySolution!



Give the bottle a little shake to make sure it's mixed well.



Prepare a cotton pad



SQUEEZE!



So cute :D





When it's drenched in OxyGoodness, gently tap on skin!







This mousse is actually a multi-functional toner.
It moisturizes and even cleanses while firming up your skin!

And it can even double as a make-up remover!







Eyeliner and eyeshadows easily rubbed off.



Now for the stellar OxyMask!







Pardon me I'm trying to take artsy shots of me squeezing my mask out.



Here it goes!


For demonstration purposes, I shall only do the mask on half of my face:



Massaging OxyMask into my face in a circular manner as instructed.

This exfoliates dead skin, treats clogged pores and whitens!





And I must say I never expect a mask to be so fun!

After mere seconds the seemingly boring mask starts to FIZZLE!

Many many bubbles start surfacing, giving me a tickling sensation!
It's so amazing!

I even hopped into Mike's room and told him,
"See? It's has bubbles!! Can you see?? Can you see??"

Until the poor guy says "Oh yes",
I go back into my room, still amazed.

The bubbles popping excitedly



Here's a close up of the bubbles...

The mask stops fizzing after a short while, forming a cooling gel mask.
I suppose they finished their job of giving oxygen to my skin.

It's now time to wash!

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The mask is supposed to have lifting purposes and make your lighten your labii folds. These are the creases at the sides of our mouths when we smile.

That is not obvious in the photo I took but CHECK OUT HOW MUCH FAIRER I AM on the right side of my face where I put the mask!

I won't believe it but I really look brighter and much more radiant on that side! Granted, my left side still has blusher on (strictly no foundation), but you can see that even my forehead lightened!

Not only that, my skin feels super soft, silky and supple!

If you think I photoshopped the effects in, do watch this clip and you will be thoroughly convinced:




Super amazing isn't it?

Polish off the routine with OxyAqua: Intensive Hydrating Essense and you are done!

This gel cream moisturiser is water-based and not oily at all. The perfect companion for the toner and mask!

Celebrate good skin with Camwhoring!

Here's me with some blusher put on. I can't live without blusher, sorry.

It's Beauty Talk's 1st BIRTHDAY!

So to celebrate this successful 1st year anniversary, you are given discounts!


OxySolution + OxyMask + OxyAqua used to go for $195.70, but now they are selling for $138!!

Almost $60 off the usual price
for the 3-pack deal!

Old customers must quickly grab a spare set and new customers should try it now while it's so cheap!


Beauty Talk products are available at all SA SA outlets.

p/s: Just to reillustrate, I didn't put foundation for all these pictures, though I did apply some blusher. Tiny blemishes or zits are also smoothed out, but I definitely did not use photoshop to create the lightened effect on the after photo!

So I tried a Dye and my hand @ Crochet :)

Before Dye

After Dye

OK so I dyed my hair last night with Henna and Indigo but I don't think there is much of a change. I do like the fact that it is deep black now since I felt that my hair was dirty looking before but of course we are almost the most critical of ourselves. It was brownish black and now my hair is blue black (or is it just me? lol :P) .... I'm still afraid to dye the tips the reddish or light brown I want but maybe when they are longer and more mature, right now my hair is matting but still very soft. Anyway just wanted to show the difference from then and now. What do you think not much of a differences huh? The flash from my camera also messes with reflection of light so yeah I can't really tell. I'm not to sad about it anyhow I do know that henna provides conditioning properties to the hair and makes it stronger and grow something fierce..... something a regular chemical dye could not do but dye with a fry if your not careful.


YA Dig My Tam Man?!





My first attempt at making a hat for myself. I tried taking a up knitting but I found it a little slow not to mention I'm the impatient sort, crocheting is a little faster. Although I threw my project across the room a few times and left it sitting I finally came back and finished the job. I like it :) Now I'm onto my next project its across the room right now (thrown in frustration) as we speak waiting for me to finish it.

Peace

NAt

A Natural Indulgence: At-Home Scalp Massage

In this recession there are many indulgences we natural ladies have had to skimp on. But, lucky for us, there is one simple indulgence we can hold on to that can be done daily in the privacy of our own homes. I am talking about a soothing, stimulating scalp massage!

Many naturals swear by it for relaxation and hair growth so I am thinking about adding it to my normal routine. If nothing else, it will be a soothing way to unwind before bed after a long day at work.

So here's what you need to know about scalp massages:

A properly done scalp massage can increase blood circulation to the hair follicles, increase relaxation, decrease stress, condition the scalp, and boost the strength of the hair roots. The kneading pressure applied by massage warms the skin and opens up blood vessels to increase flow and boost circulation. Increased circulation means that the cells of the hair follicle will receive more of the nutrients necessary to optimal hair growth function. The rubbing motion promotes relaxation and feels good, thus increasing the production of "feel good" chemicals that work to lower levels of stress hormone in the body. Lower stress levels allow your organs to function more efficiently, thus boosting your hair follicle's ability to grow hair.

If you use nourishing oil (like grapeseed, coconut, or jojoba) during scalp massage the oils will condition the scalp, reducing the occurrence of dandruff and dry skin that can interfere with the hair growth process. Oils also condition the hair shaft and root lessening the chances of brittleness, hair strand breakage, and split ends. (Info taken from HERE)

Follow these tips for great scalp massaging technique:

*1. Start from the forehead hairline along the arteries in the front, side, and back of the head, making small circles with your fingertips.

2. Work your way toward the top of the head as if drawing a circle.

3. Massage your hair/scalp for just ten minutes a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Do not give up after a few days. Make it a habit! You can also massage your scalp when shampooing your hair.

*Info from HairBoutique

Triple Pork Fried Rice - totally worth the choked veins later

Randomly decided to fry rice that day and it turned out really muthafucking yummy so I cooked it again and took some pictures to share the recipe!

Cooking is definitely not one of my stronger suits**, so if I can make it nice so can you!

**Although my maternal grandpa and uncle were both chefs. I guess the gene didn't pass on to me.

Here are the ingredients:

White rice: 2 cups full

Coconut milk, half a packet

Eggs: 2

Taiwan sausage: 2

Spam luncheon meat: Half a small can

1 can 3 layered pork, also known as Kong ba (Hokkien) or Kou rou (Chinese)

UPDATE: After cooking this many times I've decided that a full packet of coconut milk and THREE eggs is the way to go! Definitely no mushrooms though.

You may notice that I left out the shiitake mushrooms. That's cos I think the fried rice actually tastes nicer without the mushrooms.

I only added them in this time round coz I had them in the fridge and they looked like they are about to go bad. So it's your choice if you wanna put the mushrooms in!

First sort out your rice... 2 cups full cooked in rice steamer with 3 cups of water.





While rice is cooking you may prepare other ingredients, though there is not much to do:





Dice SPAM and Taiwan Sausage into little cubes.

Here's the 3 layered pork. It looks FUCKING gross with loads of opaque white fats in it which I already fished out. But it tastes sooo good.

Slice the pieces and keep the brownish oil.



Dice mushrooms. I guess if you are a big fan of mushrooms you can add them in.



Crack eggs.



I added in about 1 tablespoon full of light soy sauce to the mixture for taste.



Froth it!



Here's my favourite bigass frying pan which BFF bought for me.

Add in oil from the 3 layered pork can!

I strongly believe that how yummy fried rice is is directly proportional to how much oil is used so be generous!

I poured half the can in and added a bit of sunflower oil. I already feel damn guilty about using the unhealthy oil so I tried to make myself feel better by mixing in normal cooking oil.

Frying the mushrooms first... They don't take to frying that well as they keep leaking moisture and making the oil hop like mad. And also sticks to the pan. But oh well.

If you are not using mushrooms skip to next step.

Fry the pork cubes!

When they are sizzling...



Add in rice!

After frying for a bit, add in...



Eggs!

AND half a packet of coconut milk.

I know it's unconventional but what doesn't taste good with coconut milk? Ok fine, many things, but generally coconut milk is awesome!

Frying



Frying



And done! Worthless self-shot with half of my face in it!


It's love!