Category Archives: Eyecare

My Current Morning Skincare Routine

Posted in Cleansers & Removers, Eyecare, Face Oil, Moisturisers, Serums, Skincare, Toner / Essence / Face Mist, UV protection by

I know I know. I’ve been MIA again but I think you guys are already used to this sudden disappearance. It’s the school holidays, and it basically means I’m a full time mother and babysitter, without any break. It’s been so noisy at home, whenever I have a few minutes of quiet time, I just feel like hiding under my blanket and block out all the noises from the world. It’s an exaggeration of course, but you know what I mean. I love my kids, but I’m also an introvert who desperately needs her alone time.

I want to share with you what I’ve been using in the mornings, skincare wise. I never skip any skincare but I’d skip any makeup without hesitation.

 

 

I’ve been keeping my morning routine quite minimal by my standards. A gentle milk cleanser followed by a hydrating lotion. I’ve been using the Hada Labo Premium Lotion because it’s affordable, and it’s effective! My skin has been getting drier with some texture, and I’ve added the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Oil to my morning routine. It has helped tremendously. I just apply 3 drops before another 3 drops of Klairs Vitamin C serum.

It preps my skin just enough for the moisturizer, eye cream and sunblock to come. These are my regulars, except for the Trilogy eye cream, which is a newbie in the line up. I bought everything here, but this eye cream is sent to me by TNS Skin Lab. Let me just tell you that if you like your eye creams to be light, and to be absorbed immediately, then this is for you. It’s great for normal to oily skin, and it’s especially great for the day time when we want to apply makeup after.

I thought it might not do anything for me because of its light texture, but after using it every day the last couple of months, I have to say it actually keeps my under eyes hydrated enough without creasing my makeup. It’s not rich enough for me for night time, so I’ve been using my Zelens triple action eye cream.

This line up has been serving me well especially the Estee Lauder ANR oil. I know it says NIGHT repair, but it can be used in the day as well if you have dry skin. It penetrates deep into the skin to keep it moisturized, and it takes away some texture, for sure.

 

morning skincare routine

 

What does your morning skincare routine look like? Do you wash your face with a cleanser? I know there are many who use exfoliating pads to replace their cleanser but I haven’t tried that. What do you think of that?

It’s only 2 weeks left of 2018 and I feel like the older I get, the faster time flies. Are you all prepared for the coming festivities? 

 

xoxo Lily

 

ps: I don’t really like this new WordPress setting. My paragraphs and formats are all messed up. Please excuse the bunched up look until I figure out how to use this new thing. Urgh.

 

 

 

Empties and Blog Update

Posted in Cleansers & Removers, Discussion, Eyecare, Face Oil, Hair, Others, Skincare, Toner / Essence / Face Mist, UV protection by

Are empties boring for you? I need to keep a record of what I used though. See anything you like? If you want a one liner on how I feel about the products, read on.

 

 

The Chanel hand cream is really nice, but towards the end, it was a pain to get the cream out. Packaging problem I think. I thought it was cute and ergonomic, but towards the end, it got on my nerve. Shiseido Perfect Sunscreen is my HG and I already repurchased another. Shiseido eye and lip remover is great to remove waterproof mascara or long wearing eye liner. It’s bi phase but not too oily. Ren cleanser, gentle and comfortable, repurchased. Pixi Glow Tonic, gets rid of dead skin cells effectively, repurchased. Klorane dry shampoo is not bad. I also like the Batiste one. I used to buy these from Singapore, but they’re now available in Malaysia. You can find Klorane at Watsons and Batiste at Guardian.

Reverie Restorative Scalp Tonic is AMAZING! I noticed my hair getting stronger, falling less and I also notice lots of little baby hair coming out of my scalp. They’re also strong enough to get longer, so definitely a repurchase. It’s out of stock at Cult Beauty at the moment, so I’m on waitlist. The Sarah Chapman eye cream is very average. Save your money for something else. There’s also a sample of the Laneige eye and lip remover but I prefer the Shiseido one. Gets the job done faster. Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate is an old purchase. I used it daily for a few months, and for the last month, I also went without it. I don’t really see a difference whether I’m on it or not, so nah. Last but not least, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair capsules. I think it’s similar to the ANR serum, just in oil form. Better for those with really dry skin but very pricey!

Updates

I was going on and on about losing my blogging mojo and I was THIS close to shutting down my blog. I also tried to transfer my blog to a free hosting, but there were so many restrictions that I got fed up. I want to keep my content. It’s been 8 years after all. So in the end, I renewed my web hosting with a basic plan for the next 3 years so ChloeAsh won’t die. I’m still not as enthusiastic as before in updating the blog, but then again, I know I always have a platform to come back to now. So, that’s done and dusted.

So yeah, just letting you know the blog is resuscitated in a way and I’m hoping there will be something new in the horizon some time in the near future.

In the mean time, I hope life is treating you well, that you’re staying healthy and happy! I was down with viral infection, with fever, vomits and diarrhea, and it totally sucked. I’m so glad to be back to normal now.

Keep well!

 

xoxo Lily

 

 

How I Care For My Eyes Lately

Posted in Eyecare, Skincare by

I know some of you don’t believe in eye creams. I call it good genes. I am a firm believer of consistent use of eye creams AND sunscreen. I apply eye creams every morning and every evening without fail. The past few years, I noticed my eye area getting drier than usual (ageing and all), so I switched from light eye gels that provide hydration to something richer.

 

 

I’ve gone through tubs, tubes and bottles of eye creams and I find myself still searching for that holy grail. However, in the end, self care matters too. Drink loads of water, and get plenty of sleep. Not all of us are that lucky to get enough sleep, so I make sure I exercise regularly, and drink enough water. Smoking and drinking do batshit things to our skin too, so if you do, you might want to manage it properly. I never smoked, and I drink very little. In the photo above, you see a bottle of Sarah Chapman Skinesis Eye Recovery, Zelens triple action advanced eye cream and 2 different types of Jayjun gel eye patch – green tea and roselle tea.

If I were to be honest, I bought the Jayjun eye patches initially because of how pretty they look. They provide temporary relief for dry skin and puffy eyes. I’ve been using them daily because I like how cooling they feel under my eyes. They don’t slip and slide, and I can leave it on for an entire hour. After I remove the eye patches, my under eye area is VISIBLY smooth and plump, with not a pore in sight. However, this effect is only TEMPORARY.

 

 

I like to use these eye patches when I’m watching a drama or when I’m editing photos. If you’re curious, I bought the Jayjun gel eye patches online from Style Korean and it shipped directly from Korea. I received the package about a week from the day of purchase.

In the morning, I’ve been using the Sarah Chapman eye cream, and for me, it feels very basic. It comes in a pump, and the pump does not work very well. It sometimes dispenses way too much product, and at times, none at all. I have to exercise control when I pump and even then, the eye cream does not come out the way I want it to. It is finicky and it bothers me. Towards the end, I couldn’t reach the rest of the eye cream, so I opened it up and scooped out the rest of the product. Needless to say, I will NOT be repurchasing this, nor will I recommend it. For a basic eye cream, I’d rather use Clinique All About Eyes (if you have normal or oily skin). Something more affordable like Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil eye cream is great for dry skin.

 

 

Zelens Triple Action Advanced Eye Cream is very expensive. I bought it at Cult Beauty when there was a 15% off discount. For us living outside of EU, there is a VAT discount of about 20% so this particular purchase did not hurt as badly. Since I ran out of Sarah Chapman eye cream, this is the only eye cream I have and I’ve been using it every day and night. It smooths out my eye area, and I don’t even notice my dark circles anymore. I didn’t think it is possible. I only need a tiny bit, like the size of a grain of rice, for both my eyes. I warm it up between both my ring fingers and it melts a little, then I massage it onto my eyes in circular motion.

 

 

Will I repurchase this? When there’s another 15% discount, yes. Otherwise, it is beyond my budget for an eye cream. I do splurge every now and then, and in between, I just make do with what I can afford. We mere humans gotta live within our means, eh?

Do you take care of your eyes? What eye cream do you like?

 

xoxo Lily

 

 

An Evening Routine with Chanel Blue Serum and Hydra Beauty Mask

Posted in Eyecare, Masks, Serums, Skincare by

I was sent these skincare products a few months ago, and I’ve been testing them. Let me first put it out there that Chanel skincare is quite notorious for its fragrance. Yes, they smell beautiful, but some of you might be sensitive to it. It is usually the case with high end brands. Dior, Shiseido, Estee Lauder, Lancome, they are all guilty. Then again, Chanel skincare smells the best.

 

 

Here we have Blue Serum for the face, Blue Serum for the eyes, and Hydra Beauty mask. The serums are to be used under moisturizer or eye cream, and the mask is an overnight one which I use to replace my moisturizer. The Blue Serum revitalizes, regenerates and boosts the skin preserving its youthfulness. The Blue Serum has a beautiful texture that melts into the skin, leaving no trace of tackiness. I use it after toner and before another serum then moisturizer. Claimed to be a universal booster that does a lot of things, including firming up the skin and boosting hydration, The Blue Serum alone is not enough for my 40-year-old skin. When used alone, I find that it does keep the hydration level up in the day, but when used alone at night, I wake up with skin that is not as plump as, say, when I use a facial oil. If you’re much younger and have a very minimal routine, then the addition of this serum will surely give you results. That said, for me, this has to be in ADDITION to my routine, and I do notice an increase in plumpness in my skin.

However, when I use the Blue Serum before the Hydra Beauty Overnight Mask, I wake up to beautiful glowy skin. The Hydra Beauty mask is a gel that turns into water droplets when it is massaged into the skin. So, I use the applicator that comes with it, one that resembles a flower petal, to spread the mask all over my face. After 2 minutes, I use my warm fingers to massage it in. I use this immediately after the Blue Serum, replacing my moisturizer. The mask sinks into the skin without leaving any trace, unlike most sleeping / overnight mask. Then, the next morning, I wake up to beautifully hydrated plump skin. That is why I love using these products together, and I do this routine at least twice a week.

The Blue Serum Eye is a question mark for me. I don’t know what to think of it. When I first applied it, it stung the area around my eyes. I wonder if it’s because of the high alcohol content, and the skin around my eyes is drier. I tried again the next day, and it did not sting anymore. I use this serum under my eye cream, and I notice an increase in hydration as well, but I can’t credit it for taking lines away because I don’t see any difference. Then again, compared to using only an eye cream, the additional serum will surely give added benefits. So, I’m on the fence about this Blue Serum Eye.

Perhaps that’s also why it took me a long time to write this review. I couldn’t form a solid opinion on the Blue Serums. I really like the Hydra Beauty mask, because it gives lovely results and I love the super light non sticky texture. However, something less pricey will also give you lovely results, just perhaps more tacky in texture.

I haven’t really tried a lot of Chanel skincare, but honestly speaking, I’d rather put my money on Chanel makeup. I LOVE their makeup line. Speaking of which, I need to pick up their mascara and repurchase the Vitalumiere Aqua. I remember loving the foundation (went through 2 bottles) and I’ve been looking for something lightweight.

Thanks for reading this lengthy ramble! Ingredients are listed below.

 

xoxo Lily

 

 

 

 

Review: Chanel SUBLIMAGE La Crème Yeux

Posted in Eyecare, Skincare by

I never skip eye creams. Sunscreens and eye creams. No matter how lazy or tired I am, I never skip these two. I started using eye creams since I was 25 years old, and I can say that it has delayed the onset of wrinkles around my eye area. Sure, I have fine lines (I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes which may or may not have contributed to this as well) but I do not have wrinkles, yet. And I’m turning 39 years old in 2 weeks. I used to start with eye gels, basic ones that boost hydration. I’ve always preferred those with light texture because I was afraid the richer ones might cause milia (little oil seeds around the eyes). I then transitioned to gel creams and a few years ago, I started using anti aging ones. 2 years ago, I started noticing sudden increase in dryness around my eye area, and so I dabbled in richer eye creams.

The Chanel SUBLIMAGE La Crème Yeux (RM680) is a rich eye cream. That said, if you’re looking for something that’s really light, this is not for you. This 3rd generation eye cream promises to reduce puffiness and dark circles, while making the eyes look more open, all the while, making sure the eyes are nourished.

 

 

The key ingredient is Vanilla Planifolia, and with the combination of active ingredients, it intensifies the skin’s regeneration action. Drainage is improved, so the microcirculation stimulation around the eyes reduces the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. The first thing I notice when I use this eye cream is how comfortable it makes my eyes feel. This is especially so when the skin around the eye area feels dry and taut. As soon as I massage this eye cream onto it, the thirst is quenched. I get the ‘aaahhhh’ feeling, if you know what I mean.

 

 

I use the massage accessory to massage my eye contours and the coolness of it makes it very soothing. I like to do this especially in the morning when I wake up with puffy eyes. Definitely helps better than fingers. When I’m in a hurry, I just make do with my fingers. Because this eye cream is quite rich, I make sure I use it sparingly in the day if I apply eye makeup. At night, I use it generously because it makes me wake up with well nourished eyes with less fine lines. I kid you not.

 

 

This cream also doubles as a mask if you want to have a boost before an event. Just apply generously, leave it on for 10 minutes, wipe it off and go about your makeup. I personally think it’s a bit of a waste to wipe it off. This eye cream is RM680, cheap it is not! And for the 15ml, I want to savour every bit of it.

 

 

Do you use eye creams? I like to try many different brands and price range. The Chanel SUBLIMAGE eye cream is definitely a splurge but the cream itself is a luxury to use.

 

xoxo Lily

 

 

 

Review: Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty

Posted in Cleansers & Removers, Eyecare, Moisturisers, Skincare by

Other than their cleansing oil, I haven’t tried any skincare from Shu Uemura before. A few months ago, I was sent the Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil (150ml, RM180), Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Eye & Lip Contour Cream (15ml, RM340) and the Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Oil in Emulsion (50ml, RM410).

I think we’re all familiar with Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil. It’s one of their cult products! Their Fresh Cleansing Oil was one of my first cleansing oils ever, when I’d shy away from all sorts of oils if possible. I thought it broke me out a few years back, and it felt dry on my skin, but this Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil did none of those. In fact, it left my skin clean, soft and luscious! It cleans very well, including waterproof mascara. As usual, clean with dry hands on dry skin then emulsify with some water. It’s very pricey for just 150ml, and for a bigger bottle of 450ml, it costs RM430! If the price tag is not a deterrent, I’d definitely recommend this cleansing oil for those with drier skin. That, or wait for the Sephora sale and get 20% off 🙂

 

 

The Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Eye & Lip Contour Cream (15ml, RM340) is a rich cream that helps minimize fine lines around the eyes and lips. While dimethicone sits very high on the ingredients list, it doesn’t feel slippery nor does it just sit on top of my skin. The silicone acts as a filler to give an illusion of smoother skin, and makeup that goes after doesn’t sit in the fine lines. I mainly use this cream for my eyes. I don’t have lines around my lips, so I don’t need this. While fine lines around my eyes did not lessen (nor did I expect it to!), my eyes have been kept comfortable and moisturized.

 

 

The Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Oil in Emulsion (50ml, RM410) is a very rich cream that is suited for dry skin. I only use it at night because I find it too rich to use in the day. I scoop a small dollop of cream onto my palm, warm it up then massage onto my face. I usually mix a few drops of oil into my moisturizer at night, and I don’t have to for this cream. That’s how rich it is. After using for a few consecutive nights, I broke out. I’d feel a huge pimple about to surface – a bigger than usual bump under my skin (near my chin) which hurt. I stopped using this moisturizer immediately, and the bump went away after 2 days. I tried using this cream again, and the bump came back, on the other side of my chin! I have concluded that this cream breaks me out. Maybe it’s too rich, maybe it’s the mixture of oils that my skin is sensitive to, I don’t know.

 

 

Have you tried any of these before? I really like the cleansing oil, and when I’m done with the few bottles of different cleansing oils in my cupboard, I’d repurchase this one (during one of Sephora’s sale, because that’s RM36 off!).

 

xoxo Lily

 

 

Ingredients

Moisturizer

Eye Cream

Cleansing Oil