Review: PCA Skin pHaze 13 Pigment Bar, Nexcare Facial Cleansing Cloth

PCA Skin pHaze 13 Pigment Bar
I bought the PCA Skin Pigment Bar about 3 years ago, used it on-and-off within the last 2 years and have been using it very conscientiously within the last 6 months. I don't think many people have heard of this brand because in Singapore it's only sold through dermatologists or skin clinics. I bought it online at Drugstore.com for US$30 for about 90g which is pricier than what I usually spend on a cleanser, but after trying it, I think it's money well spent because I think a jar can last me a year (or more!) when used once in the evening daily.


Here's what it looks like - an amber-coloured bar soap with little white bubbles in it that look quite creepy.

Ingredients: Water, Saponins, Glycerin, Vegetable Oil, Sorbitol, Lecithin, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Powder, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Maltose Monohydrate, Glucosamine HCl, Tannic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Water (Witch Hazel), Sodium Lactate, Niacinamide, Calcium Ascorbate, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Oil (Rosewood)

The Pigment Bar is supposed to treat hyperpigmentation, so the kogic acid and azelaic acid work to exfoliate and make skin more even-toned. It comes with 3 flat little sponge discs - the sponges inflate after you wet them, really cool! You're supposed to use the soap with the sponge, leave the foam on your face for a few minutes, then rinse off. I find the included sponge way too rough for use on my face (and even my body) so I use my Nexcare facial cleansing cloth instead (which I shall review further on in the post). I have also tried using the soap with a muslin cloth or the Fancl facial sponge which works pretty well too. I've also heard of people using their Clarisonic with this. The main thing is, don't just use your hands, because it's difficult to get anything out with just your fingers because it's a hard bar soap. I usually moisten my cleansing cloth, use it to rub the surface of the soap which makes it easier to get product out since it's damp. While the instructions ask you to leave the foam on for a few minutes, I just cleanse and rinse, cos leaving the foam on too long makes my skin tingle.

I use the Pigment Bar daily in the evenings (it's a little harsh for morning use) and it really cleans out every pore really well. It can be drying for some, so you really need to moisturize well after use, and always use sunscreen because the acids will sensitize your skin. I do notice my skin becoming more even-toned, my pores becoming smaller and the great thing is, the Pigment Bar actually helps prevent breakouts! I find that if I use the Pigment Bar and my cleansing cloth every day, it actually exfoliates enough so that I don't have to use a face scrub or deep-cleansing mask so often, which saves time for lazy me.

There's an offer on Drugstore.com now, it's going for US$24 (instead of US$30) and I'm seriously thinking of getting a back-up if not for the fact that I have like 20 more cleansers waiting for some love. :(

Rating: 9/10



Nexcare Facial Cleansing Cloth
Speaking of my Nexcare cleansing cloth, I've been including it in my evening routine for quite a while now. I find it helps remove gunk from my face better, and I also think it is absolutely necessary when using a mild cleanser (which might not cleanse well enough). I only use it for evening though, I find I don't need such heavy duty cleansing in the mornings.


Here's how the cloth looks like up close - really soft (feels like a cloud when I use foamy cleansers) and the little loops help remove dirt and oils well. It's not harsh at all and it does not in any way replace my face scrubs/exfoliants. Comparing the cleansing cloth with a muslin cloth, I'd say the muslin cloth has more bite and a muslin cloth actually exfoliates while the cleansing cloth merely lifts dirt using the little loops. For foaming cleansers, using them with a muslin cloth might cause the foam to go flat, but Nexcare cleansing cloth doesn't do that. (Not as badly as the muslin cloth anyway). This Nexcare cleansing cloth is also gentler than the Fancl facial sponge and easier to dry.



Ok, here you have a seriously disgusting photo of my Nexcare cleansing cloth, before and after. :P The cleansing cloth, at first, feels like a cloud. I think after a couple months' uses, it'll start feeling less soft (but still does the job) and you can see the loops very clearly. I used the old Nexcare cloth to remove clay masks from my face, which is why its condition deteriorated quite rapidly (it's pretty difficult to remove clay from the cloth and I think the clay ruins it, so I'm not using it like that anymore).

It's a pretty cheap cleansing cloth, costs about S$4 or US$3 when I bought it in Hong Kong (but slightly more expensive in Singapore), and if you take care of it well and wash it regularly, I think it could last you a pretty long time. A cheaper alternative to the Clarisonic I think! (I'm still waiting for the Sephora Friends and Family sale to get the Clarisonic Mia)

Rating: 9/10

Review: B.Liv Got Me Covered sunscreen + foundation

I've been using this tinted sunblock from B.Liv for 2 months and I really love it! I've been using tinted sunscreens since forever and I think this is a keeper. The B.Liv website describes it as a BB cream. It's a sunblock, SPF35 PA+++ which seems less than my regular SPF50 sunblocks; I suppose if I were on vacation at a sunny place I'd choose a sunblock with higher protection, but SPF35 is sufficient for me for daily use.


You can see it blended out a little on the left, and totally blended in on the right. It has a really creamy and moisturizing texture which is refreshing compared to my other Japanese sunscreen lotions with the shaker balls inside, which can be drying. Surprisingly, while it's creamy, it controls oil really well and gives me really nice looking semi-matte skin. Plus, it's not chalky at all and I love the yellow undertone which is really suitable for Asian skin. I've also gotten compliments that my skin is more radiant when I have this on. -flips hair- LOL. Love it.

Plus, while I've been using it for 2 months, I've barely gone through half the bottle! I'm not too sure about the regular retail price cos I got this in a value set, but I think it costs about SGD45/USD35 for a 45ml bottle. It might seem pricey but a bottle can last for a really long time! And I love the light coverage it gives me without making my face scary white.

Ingredients: Purified Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Iron Oxide, Cyclohexasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cyclomethicone, Titanium Dioxide, Silica, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Zinc Oxide, Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) Flower Extract, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Talc, Salicylic Acid (BHA), Diazolidinyl Urea, Sodium Citrate, Methicone, Methylparaben, Mica, Dimethicone, Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate), Zinc Stearate, Propylparaben.

From the ingredients, I think this is mainly a physical sunblock which is good for sensitive skin, as opposed to chemical sunscreen which might cause irritations for some. Plus it contains vitamin C! And I guess the -cones are what make it give the illusion of smooth skin. It contains salicylic acid too, making it good for oily, acne-prone skin. I really do recommend this sunblock - it's a really great formulation, creamy and moisturizing while oil-controlling and the tinted colour works really well to even out skintone. While it's creamy, it feels light on my skin, not suffocating at all! I'm in love and have already purchased -cough- two back-ups though I'm barely halfway through my current bottle. Plus, did I mention, it smells great? It has a light fragrance that smells expensive. Can't really describe it, but expensive and luxurious is what it evokes for me. (The packaging isn't very luxurious though, but hey, functionality is good.)

Rating: 10/10.

Ultra-holy grail stuff.

Short entry this week; gotta rush to do some shopping and catch the last Harry Potter movie. Toodles!

Organization and Review: Kevin Beautymaker Skin Repair Awakening Gel

Recently for day I've been using Kevin Beautymaker Skin Repair Awakening Gel. Just one of the many items in my stash I've resolved to use up before I go to Taiwan again next year to stock up!

It comes in a frosted glass jar, quite classy-looking, NT330 for 50g which is about S$16 or US$12 thereabouts. The description is pretty cute - "It has a tender, friendly texture. Only a pearl-size particle is enough to apply to your entire face." I think it does have a 'tender' texture - an easily absorbed gel-serum, but because it's quite light, I think I need to apply more - like, probably a really huge and expensive freshwater pearl-sized amount? Lol.

The description suggests 2 ways of using - as part of your regular morning routine as a massage gel, or as a sleeping pck at night -

Use before make-up:
Natural rose wter can calm the skin down; combining natural yeast extract with facial massage can remove the old corneum and brighten your skin.

Use before sleep:
Kinds of algae and the three-dimensional amino acid moisturizing membrane can retain all active cosmetic ingredients and accelerate the speed of absorption; like wearing a non-sticky mask while sleeping.

Ingredients:
Purified water, ethyl alcohol, cabbage rose water, butylene glycol, glycerin, pineapple extract, gama-polyglutamic acid, glycine, methylparaben, propylene glycol and yeast extract, codium tomentosum extract and propylene glycol, tocopheryl acetate, methylisothiazolinone, serine, hydrolyzed ulva lactuca extract, auqa and chrondus crispus, fragrance, squalane.

As I'm using Vitacreme B12 at night, I ony use this in the morning. I don't use it for facial massage though, because facial massages always go upwards and I don't like applying stuff other than toner upwards cos I'm afraid it'll clog my pores. So basically I can only comment on the moisturizing aspect.

Skin Repair Awakening Gel smells really really good, like rose water! Cos of the cabbage rose water. It also contains Vitamin E and hydrating stuff like glycerin and squalane. Also, yeast extract is a good humectant and apparently helps accelerate cell turnover. (Googled!) I like that this moisturizer is a light watery gel that doesn't make my skin more oily, just that it's kind of sticky. It absorbs quite well and the scent is very relaxing. I do find my skin clarity improved after using it, so it does "awaken" my skin somewhat. This gel should suit oily skin well but those with drier skin would do well to use another moisturizing serum underneath. That's cos I find if I'm in a room with strong air-conditioning for about 12+ hours, my skin can get slightly dry at the end of the day. For regular 10 hour days in places that aren't too cold and dry, it's quite sufficient. The only other thing I don't really like (other than the stickiness) is the fact that it comes in a jar - not too hygienic!

Rating: 9/10 (I'd prefer Kevin Beautymaker Aquamarine Hydrating Serum! It's more moisturizing and smells just as good.)

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In other news, The Body Shop's having a sale on organic cotton pads - each roll has 100 dual-sided pieces and 2 rolls are going for S$5.90. Pretty good deal I'd say! I put them in my Daiso glittery pink box, fits one roll perfectly. Love it. The cotton pads are very nice and thick and the textured side can be used for exfoliation. I know some people say toner is useless, but I find it very important because when you use cotton to apply it upwards, you're actually exfoliating your skin gently and hydrating your skin so that it's better primed for absorption of skincare. (From Saeki Chizu, my skincare guru. Lol.)



Recently I've been crazy about organizing. I went to Daiso to get my super cute glittery pink acrylic box series - they're so versatile. I hope they restock! I didn't manage to get enough. :( This is but about 50% of my stash; I didn't take photos of the other drawers which are still kind of messy. >_< I've already thrown away quite a bit of stuff. Must get rid of stuff so that I can go on more vacations and buy more stuff! :D

My current vanity area. Love the pink beaded mirror from IKEA. And I love the owl, it's an ocarina from Australia. I got the brush holders from Muji (so expensive; you can probably find good acrylic alternatives from Daiso) and all the glittery pink ones from Daiso. Love. Them. To. Bits.

Shelf for skincare/hair stuff/shower stuff. I have enough make-up removers for another year. Cleansers too I think. I have a list of them written down and filed and cancel them off neatly when I finish a bottle. I need to do stuff like that or I'd go crazy.

Some unopened boxes of masks, and discarded packaging for products I haven't gotten around to reviewing. Also, some empty used-up bottles for products which were bought overseas or are difficult to find, so that when I search for them in the shops I have something to refer to.

Foundation, loose powder, blush - stuff I don't use often.

Cheek and eye stuff.

Shelf of unused brushes, SPF sunscreen, my whole stash of eyeliners, BB creams (in box, hidden), stashes of foundation refills and boxes of eyedrops.

Not too organized yet but will be trying to clear! Hope to take a comparison photo in half a year's time to see how much I've used up. I'm definitely not adding to my stash right now, just trying to clear so that I can purchase more when I go on holiday in the future. (:

Review: Burt's Bees Beeswax Lipbalm

These are my favourite lipbalms of the moment. Both the tin and tube cost USD$3 each, but the tube contains 4.25g while the tin contains 8.5g. They cost a lot more than this when shipped to Singapore or purchased from brick and mortar shops here, but I love these so much I believe I'd repurchase readily!

The ingredients differ slightly (taken from Burtsbees.com). As far as I can see, the tube contains sunflower seed oil while the tin contains sweet almond oil, and that's the only difference.

Tube: cera alba (beeswax, cire d'abeille), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, lanolin, tocopherol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, glycine soja (soybean) oil, canola oil (huile de colza), limonene
Tin: cera alba (beeswax, cire d'abeille), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, lanolin, tocopherol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, glycine soja (soybean) oil, canola oil (huile de colza), limonene

Honestly I can't tell the difference in formula between the tube and the tin. I would have expected the formula for the tin to be more creamy as you'll be using your fingers for application, but no - it feels totally solid, just like the lipbalm in the tube, which makes it difficult to get enough product out using my fingers. I find I have to keep swiping at the lipbalm in the tin to get enough product. However, the product itself (both tin and tube) is really awesome - there's enough natural tasting mintiness and moisturization and I can really feel it healing my lips when they're dry and chapped. The thing I love most is how everything is natural and tastes natural - I don't have to worry about ingesting weird chemicals. For me, Burt's Bees works a lot better than Carmex - the mintiness is not overwhelming unlike Carmex which can sting a little, and it also heals cracked lips faster than Carmex.

If you're deciding between tin or tube, well, the tin looks prettier and contains more product for the price, but it's kind of unhygienic to use your fingers and application is time-consuming. Plus if you bring it around, the tin will get banged up. For me, I'd prefer the tube for the ease of application even though it contains only half the amount of product for the price, also because I'm a hygiene freak and it's troublesome ensuring my fingers are clean before using the tin version. What I do right now is that I carry the tube with me all the time, while I keep the tin at home to use before bedtime, so the tin remains quite pristine.

Rating: 10/10

You know, lipbalms are the kind of cheap thing that you'll keep buying a lot of, from different brands, just because they're cheap and there's so much variety! But I can see that Burt's Bees will be something I'll go back to over and over again, and always keep a back-up tube of. Sometimes I find it annoying when I find a HG (holy grail) item like that though, because I feel like I won't be able to try other products. Is that weird? :P

Review: Carmex lipbalms!

I bought a whole load of stuff from the US and haven't gotten around to reviewing all of them. I bought like 5 lipbalms? 3 from Carmex and 2 from Burt's Bees... I forgot where I put the photo of my Burt's Bees lipbalms so I guess I'll do a review next week.

I read this other beauty blogger Kimoko really likes Carmex so I bought these to try them out. Carmex comes in a jar too (it's the original form), followed by squeeze tubes then stick form.


I bought the cherry flavour in a squeeze tube, and cherry and strawberry in stick form. Between the squeeze tube and the sticks, I'd choose the lipbalm sticks because they're more convenient and I kind of like the texture better. One thing about the lipbalm sticks - I don't know if it's because Singapore is really humid, but the Carmex sticks have the most amazingly thick melting texture as compared to other solid lipbalm sticks. (However this may just be due to the weather; I remember bringing a pot of beeswax lipbalm to the US in spring and to my amazement it solidified in the spring weather; so different from its regular texture in Singapore which was creamy soft)

Both the squeeze tubes and the sticks have the same minty feel - it's a little too strong for my taste though. And yes I really really detest the taste of Carmex - minty and artificial cherry/strawberry tasting, very unnatural and chemically artificial, imho. The ingredients: menthol, camphor, phenol, lanolin, cocoa butter, salicylic acid, vitamin E, shea butter, and petroleum jelly. Salicylic acid? To exfoliate your lips? I don't know, man. I do find it quite moisturizing and I really like that this is one of the few lipbalms that contain SPF15, but the taste! Yuck.

In a nutshell - I'd choose the stick over the tube, and strawberry over cherry any time.

I'd choose Burt's Bees over Carmex though, because Burt's Bees is natural while Carmex makes me feel like I'm ingesting yucky chemically-flavoured stuff. Also, Burt's Bees is more moisturizing and heals my lips faster when they're dry and cracked from drinking too much green tea in a cold air-conditioned office.

Rating: 8/10

Some photos to share:


A mask set with a bowl, brush and measuring spoons for mixing your own masks - purchased at a small shop in ShenZhen, China. They sell this at Bonjour and Sasa as well. After opening it I realised the bowl was rubbery and smells like rubber too. Yucks. You know, the kind that gets sticky in the heat. Kinda regret it.

Rilakuma envirobags!

Cute Hello Kitty lipbalm!

My new white iphone! And Rilakuma case (ok I don't know what the white one is called, I like Rilakuma better but the white one matches my white iphone better, so...)

My current collection of Rilakuma plushies.

A photocard my interns gave me... sweet!

Have a great week ahead everyone!!! I'm praying my breakout subsides... Busy-ness ahead...

Review: Vitacreme B12 Regenerative Cream

About a month ago, I purchased Vitacreme B12 and started using it when my Body Shop Vitamin E Serum was used up. I've used it every night for about a month, over Bliv's blackhead sebum gel, and I am definitely repurchasing, despite how expensive it is. I got this 50 ml tube online for about S$40, but I think the regular retail price at Isetan's Nishino Pharmacy is about $50.

Honestly, I only bought it because I heard of it and it seemed to famous but I actually had no idea what it was famous for. :P I went online and searched, and it's supposed to be good for skin reconditioning, reducing wrinkles, improving skin elasticity and correcting skin dryness. I don't have any wrinkles so I can't say anything about that aspect, but after just one night's usage, I could seriously feel that my skin was much much smoother. I can definitely feel the reconditioning and improvements in skin elasticity. Seriously amazing.


Vitacreme B12 comes in a 50ml metal tube which you have to pierce open with the cap. Reminds me of Dettol cream, or Burnol. :P It's a thick pink cream that feels a little greasy and adds a slight sheen (typical of anti-aging products) when applied to the skin. It feels like it's just sitting on my skin, but when I wake up the next morning, it's all absorbed. I apply a pea-sized amount and only in the evening (as advised in the instructions). The trick is to apply sparingly or it might be too rich/heavy. I let my mum try it and she loves it too. I think it helps my acne scars heal faster too! Every morning when I wash my face, it feels amazing cos I can feel how smooth my skin is.

Ingredients list:

If you notice, there's a 6 month use-by period, but I fully expect to use it up by then. After about a month's usage, my tube is still quite full! I think I can expect to last about 5 or 6 months, just nice. Also, you'll notice that one of the ingredients is salicylic acid which is good for oily/acne-prone skin cos it unclogs pores. That's why though the cream feels thick and rich, it doesn't break me out!

The company also makes a body milk, anti-ageing serum and lightening beauty cream. I want to try them all but I don't know if they're available in Singapore, must really go check it out one day!

Rating: 10/10

Review: Kose Seikisho/Sekkisei Mask White, Exfoliating Massage Gel, Lotion and Mist

I thought I should do a review on this bunch of products from Kose. They confuse me though, you can see that the 2 tube masks are Seikisho while the lotion and mist are Sekkisei (the last character is different). Overall I think I'd only repurchase the Kose Seikisho Mask White (I've already repurchased once).




Kose Seikisho Mask White
This is one famous mask that has been reviewed by lots of people. It's about SGD$36 a tube (but you can get it for SGD$29.90 at the airport's duty-free shops and at Beaute Spring outlets), which seems quite affordable for a counter brand, but each tube lasts me about 10 applications tops, so it isn't as cheap if you calculate the cost per usage as compared to other peeling masks.

This is pretty much the only peel-off mask that peels off in a single piece, but you also have to slather quite a thick amount. Drying time is pretty long (about 20 mins to half an hour in humid Singapore) but if you apply it correctly (upwards into your pores), you can peel off some tiny clogs which is so satisfying! Of course, you have to be very patient with the long drying time, and it adheres so well to my skin that it stings a little when I peel it off, but wow! Love the pore-unclogging effect. I can see the little oil droplets sucked up on the mask from every pore. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest using it on oilier areas like the T-zone only. And avoid your eyebrows. :P

This mask will not improve your skin significantly, but it is good for those who already have pretty clear skin and just want to maintain their good skin. Also good for people with sensitive skin; it doesn't react to my skin (because it physically unclogs pores rather than chemically exfoliates), leaves it feeling quite moist and tight. Don't expect miracles like getting all your blackheads removed (this stuff is not a Biore pore pack), but it does shrink my pores and suck up oil. :D I loved it so much that even when I reached home at 2am after work, I'd use it and wait for it to dry while I napped.

Rating: 10/10

Kose Seikisho Exfoliating Massage Gel
This is a relatively new product that was released after the popularity of Mask White. Texture is pretty much the same, except this is a scrub. It is a warming scrub and the black gel will turn grey after a while which signals that exfoliation is complete, but I kind of doubt the self-timing effect, so I just continue exfoliating. :P Also, I find the scrubby bits a little too huge (but not harsh) and sparse for exfoliation as I prefer finer and more concentrated scrubs for microexfoliation. I like that this scrub is not harsh and the gel leaves my skin moist (unlike regular microexfoliants which can dry out skin). I wouldn't repurchase though. Price is the same as Kose Seikisho Mask White.

Rating: 6/10

Kose Sekkisei Lotion
This is what most people use for lotion masks. I honestly don't know how to use this (as a toner with a cotton square or just patting?) so I just use it occasionally as a lotion mask. Sometimes I use a paper mask pill and pop it into this lotion, or I also use cotton squares and saturate it with the lotion to leave on my face in the Saeki Chizu method. The Saeki Chizu method advocates saturating the cotton squares with plain water (tap is fine I suppose) first, then squeezing out excess water and putting lotion on it. I find I do have to follow this method, because the Kose Sekkisei Lotion has such a high concentration of alcohol that my eyes become red (with the alcohol fumes) if I don't saturate the cotton squares with water first.

Honestly, I can't see the hype about this product. It's not particularly moisturizing or whitening or pore-shrinking... Very average. And the high alcohol content just ruins it for me. :( You can probaby find a more gentle and effective product elsewhere. I did a lotion mask with Simple toner, and it worked even better than this. And my Simple toner only costs like SGD$7. I have no idea how much the Kose lotion costs, but it's definitely way more expensive.

Rating: Fail

Kose Sekkisei Lotion Mist
I couldn't find this product on the website, but I got it as a gift with purchase. I think it's pretty much the lotion in a mist bottle. Feels quite nice and lightly moisturizing when I spray it on my face on a hot day, but nothing amazing. I wouldn't repurchase this either.

Rating: 6/10



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I hate to be so negative about products, but well, some brands are just hit-and-miss I suppose! I especially hate it when I find some cult product (like the Kose lotion) that is so popular with others, doesn't work for me. :(


Anyway, here's a photo of the books I bought in China. They're between SGD$5-10 each, all in Chinese. So cheap! My Chinese is seriously improving when I read them. I find the skincare methods much better and relevant than Western methods. Moisture and lymphatic massage seems to be the hype - I'm just very lazy about lymphatic massage because I find it troublesome to look at the photos and I can't remember the steps. :(





The Abekawa mochi with kinako is awesome!!!!!!! LOVE IT. This is at Ministry of Food.


Mango pomelo sago at Honeymoon Desserts. It's a Hong Kong franchise that opened in Singapore. Not bad but the mango was a little sour.

Have a good week everyone (: