Review: Liese Bubble Hair Colour: Sweet Apricot

Yes! This hair dye is of Japanese origin and made for Asian hair. I have been disappointed by drug store brand hair dyes because the colours simply don't show up. The colour that I purchased was Sweet Apricot. The box shows three different results with different hair colours before use.

Packaging: Solution 1 (40mL), Solution 2 developer (60mL), Foamer top, hair lotion, gloves, instructions, allergy testing kit. Enough for shoulder length hair.

Price: $10-15 CAD, can be purchased in Pacific Mall in Toronto, Watson's in Hong Kong

Review: I love how the two solutions are in resealable containers; because of that design, a tiny bit of the solutions can be poured, mixed and tested on my skin for sensitivity prior to using. The foam makes it very easy to apply, minimal mess and staining. Instead of leaving the foam in the hair for up to the recommended 30 minutes, I left it in for another 5-10 minutes as recommended by the sales because my hair was black. I washed my hair with Shiseido Tsubaki Shampoo and condition, which are sulphate and preservatives free.The colour was even and very similar to the one suggested on the box and man, my hair shined, despite being coloured. The pictures below were taken after 7 washes. It is pretty much the same as the colour immediately after dyeing.

Repurchase?: Yes!

Review: Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum Fortifying & Soothing 24Hr Hydrating Concentrate

I have been looking for a good hydrating and hypoallergenic serum ever since I finished La Roche Posay's non-oily emulsion serum. It wasn't enough for the winter... Found this on sale in a Vichy set containing the Purete Thermale 3 in 1 One Step Cleanser, 24Hr Hydrating Cream and Thermal Water spray.

Packaging: 30mL

Price: $31 CAD (if not on sale) from Shopper's Drug Mart

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Product Description: Relies on Thermal water and hyaluronic acid to retain moisture in skin.
Clinical research shows the follow hydration trends: increase in hydration after 4 hrs, + 57%; after 8 hrs, 44%; after 24hrs, +28%

Suggested Use: Layer under daily skincare routine.

Review: This is perfect for my sensitive dry skin. I have been using it religiously for almost a month. First and foremost, it is paraben free and non-comodogenic. Second, it gets absorbed very quickly, no greasy feeling at all. My skin looks moist and feels soft immediately after. I wake up in the morning, not feeling dry at all. Third, it smells so fresh and nice. I usually apply it day and night under the Vichy moisturizer that came with the kit. One pump is enough for the entire face but it seems to run out pretty fast. I have already used a third of the bottle. I think I will only use it in the evening when the weather gets warmer and less dry.

Ingredients: Aqua, glycerin, dimethicone, serine, alcohol denat, propylene glycol, peg-60 hydrogenated hyaluronate, ammonium polyacryldimethyltauramide, disodium EDTA, caprylyl glycol, citric acid, biosaccharid gum-1, parfum 

Review: Rote Fabrik Anti-Pollutant Deep Cleanser

The smog and all the exhaust that I got in my face as I walked on the streets made my skin so dull and mucky.The sensitivity of my skin, dryness on cheeks and under eyes, and blemishes got worse while I was there. I was recommended this cleanser when I visited a Bonjour cosmetics store in Hong Kong.

Packaging: 120mL

Price: $196-248 HKD (around $25-32 CAD)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Product Description: The cleanser's formula of natural extracts and "Nano-Whitening Factor" neutralizes free radicals and defends against UV rays (not sure how), thereby prevents/slows the aging caused by exposure to the elements. It contains tea-cocyl glutamate, cucumber extract, anthemis nobilis flower, which, when combined, dissolve pollutants, cleanse pores, restore skin pH and remove dead skin cells.

Suggested use: Without wetting the face, massage a pump of the cleanser onto face in circular motion until the cleanser turns from being gel-like, runny and clear to stringy yellow-brown blobs of impurities, skin cells, and make up. Rinse with water.

Review after 2 weeks: PRINCESS and GLAMOUR! The glass bottle is all pink, sleek, with elegant engravings and the cap is like crystal. It is so pretty! The formula goes on skin easily and really does pick up the impurities on my skin, as evidenced by the change in colour and consistency in the cleanser after use. The cleanser simply melts them away. The only downside is that I need 2-3 pumps to clean my entire face - and even more if I have make up on. So cleaning can get messy at the beginning when the cleanser is still runny. My skin is no longer red (for real! from being red prior to cleansing to being calm after!) around the nose and cheeks, and feels cool, dewy, and supple.  I think it's good to use as maintenance of the skin, but once I break out, I need something else.


Repurchase?: I am more used to foam/cream cleansers to be honest, just because it feels easier to be able to work up a lather on the face to cleanse. This product no doubt cleanses deeply. I think I would use it on days when I don't have too much make up on but feel gunky on the face from being outside. I would repurchase if it was sold in Canada, since it is considerably cheaper than other comparable cleansers found here. If I were in Hong Kong, I would definitely repurchase.

***update: I realized that I can no longer use it. I tried to use it again last week and patches of my skin started to sting and peel as though I was sunburned. I think my skin was too dehydrated to use it. The only thing helped it heal faster was using my black bean scrub, a cucumber juice mask, spraying thermal water and an emollient cream. I think it was fine when I was in Hong Kong but my skin has changed since I came back to North America, making this product unsuitable for me.

Review: Singer Brilliance 6180

The simple stitch sewing machine I bought from Wal-mart doesn't work anymore and my family's old Euro-pro sewing machine was never so pro to begin with. Having seen my frustrations with my sewing fun coming to a halt, my dad surprised me with this sewing machine last week. He got it from Costco at $140CAD. It was on sale!

It is such an awesome toy to have around home when there's nothing else to do. I am a beginner in sewing and honest to say, this sewing machine saved my hemming expenses. The manual is not too user friendly because of all the different languages on the same page instead of having instructions in different languages in separate sections. However, it is very easy to use. I have already hemmed pants of knit, denim, cotton, and stretchy material. Finished making curtains and a fleece blanket. No problems at all. I even tried making the button hole and sewing on buttons. Very simple and quick. 8 presser feet! Only three bobbins, but that's okay for now... only need black and white so far anyways. Oh and it is "hand picked by Martha" haha. I can't wait to start other sewing projects. It better last for decades, as many other Singer sewing machines have :)