Pages

Saturday, May 24, 2014

How to Get Rid of or Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs can be an annoyance. It's unsightly and I tried getting rid of a particularly big one with the methods suggested on blogs, WikiHow and other similar websites but to no avail. Eventually, it got infected and inflamed. It was a nightmare and I had to go to my GP for antibiotics. Moral of the story? Please go see your doctor. They can help you get rid of the ingrown hair safely and effectively.

In terms of preventing ingrown hairs, I've now found an easy sure-fire solution. I'll use plucking my eyebrows as an example. First I always disinfect my tweezers with some rubbing alcohol. After I'm done plucking my brows. I'd apply a small amount of Caron Bump eRaiser Medi Paste to the areas plucked. And ta-da! I'm done. I told you it's easy.


This product is specifically formulated to prevent and "get rid" of ingrown hairs. I'm trying to be careful with the term "get rid" because I've only tested this on small early ingrown hairs. I applied it when I first noticed the bump forming. And the very next day, I was able to see the that tiny hair has sprung out. Disaster was averted.

I also apply this to my armpits after epilating. The skin in those areas used to be bumpy with ingrown hairs. Now, it's completely smooth! Okay, I know I sound like an advertisement. No, I'm NOT being paid to write this post! I bought this product after reading some promising reviews and I'm just happy to report that this product actually does what it says on its packaging!


Don't be fooled by the name. It's a cream, not a paste. The product is a bit expensive; AUD16.75 for a tiny tube of 30mL but I promise you only need a small amount each time. A little bit goes a long way. Most importantly, this stuff really works. So for those of you ladies battling with ingrown hairs, I highly recommend you give this product a try.

If you're not interested in purchasing a product to prevent your ingrown hairs, apart from disinfecting your tweezers, try cleansing your skin before and after plucking. This will help prevent the hair follicle from getting clogged or infected.


Do you have any other tips on preventing ingrown hairs? Please do share!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser + Daily Face Cream + Ultra Repair Cream Review


I've been trying out three products from First Aid Beauty this past month. Now I'm here to report my findings!

Overall review: I love how the products come in tubes or with a pump. FAB gets points for hygiene and minimal contamination! However, keep in mind that if you buy the next size up for the Ultra Repair Cream, it comes in a jar. The pricing is reasonable, in line with its quality both in terms of product and packaging. All the products are designed to be suitable for sensitive skin. I review the products separately below.


First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
RRP: AUD19.95
Review: This is an excellent cleanser. I would not describe it as gentle but neither it is harsh (although FAB calls it a mild and gentle). For me it strikes the right balance. It's effective at cleaning without stripping the skin. I use this in morning and then at night with my Clarisonic Mia. It lathers easily so be careful not to get this in your eyes. It will sting like hell! And I mean it when I say you only need a bit to cover your entire face. The tube is massive and contains ~140g of product. I expect this to last me till the end of the year at the rate I'm going.



First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream 
RRP: AUD23.95
Review: If you're after a lightweight moisturiser that keeps your skin hydrated until you wash your face again at night, this might just be the product for you. The weather has gotten cold and dry where I live and this face cream has held up really well. I use this in the morning after cleansing. Two pumps (shown in the photo above) is sufficient for me to cover my entire face. And I almost never find myself needing to reapply.



First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream 
RRP: AUD14.95
Review: Out of the three products, I love this one the most! You can use this on your face and body. I use this as my nighttime moisturiser and my hand cream. I have very dry and irritated patches on my right hand from all the hand-washing and disinfecting that comes with working/studying in the health care industry. This product has been aptly named because now my hand is on its way to full recovery. My skin is not as scaly and itchy as before. I am so obsessed with this product that I've already emptied half the tube!


Have you ever tried any of First Aid Beauty products?

Sunday, May 11, 2014

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment Review


GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment
RRP: AUD75
Packaging: 4.5 out of 5
Review: I cannot stress how hyped up this product has been, particularly over at Youtube land. I've been swept along with the hysteria of cult products before and coming out disappointed or underwhelmed. And yet, I still find myself wanting to try this product. I mentioned that I have a problem with blackheads here. This mask is one of the several purchases that I've made in an attempt to tackle that problem.



This mask comes in a luxurious plastic and glass jar. At least I believe it is the case from the feel of it. I gave it a 4.5 for packaging because beauty products are easily contaminated in jars. Otherwise, I think the quality is excellent. The "mud" is a dark grey with chunks in it. As it dries on your face, it turns into a lighter shade of grey. This is an expensive mask. To get more mileage out of it, I only apply it to my problem areas, essentially my T-zone. All you need is one layer and it takes 15-20 minutes to work its magic.



Now comes the answer to the most important question. Does it work? It depends on what you're after. If you want something that clears out your blackheads then this is the mask for you. Mind you, it only rids you of black heads temporarily. My pores are usually replaced with fresh blackheads by the end of the day. My skin definitely feels cleaner and looks clearer immediately after using this product. However, it is not effective at busting pimples or acne.

Overall, I do think that this is by far the best mask I've tried. It's unfortunate that it's not the magical solution that some reviewers imply it to be. Perhaps my expectations were raised a little too high from all the hype. It is still more efficacious than other masks that I've used. At this point, I'm not sure if I'd repurchase it. But I do know that until I find something even better, this is the top go-to mask on my beauty shelf.

Have you ever tried GlamGlow? Do you have a favourite mask? 

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Katy Perry Roar Inspired Makeup Tutorial

If you can recall my Instagram posts a few weeks back, you'd remembered I posted photos of parts of my Katy Perry Roar costume for a jungle-themed party.


I filmed myself doing my makeup for the party. So if you want to know how I achieved the look, watch the video below!



Katy Perry had very bronzed dewy skin in her music video. She also wore very minimal makeup on her eyes and lips. I did my best to recreate the look. Products used are listed in the video. 


I apologise for the terrible full outfit photo. I didn't have anyone else to help me. And in case you're wondering, I made the flower crown and skirt myself! I hope you enjoyed the "tutorial". I did not record a voice-over because I figured my actions in the video were pretty self-explanatory. Please feel free to leave any comments on how I can improve my tutorials. Constructive criticism is welcomed here!


Have you ever been to a jungle-themed party? Who/what did you go as?