Atomy Evening Care 4 Set & Instructions

Technically this post should come before the Atomy Skin Care 6 System because cleansing comes before moisturising, but I'm sure you'll work it out :)

I actually bought the Atomy Evening Care 4 Set after using the Atomy Skin Care 6 System because I noticed that my skin had become firmer and hydrated. Convinced that something in those creams must be working, I decided to tackle my biggest skin problem - blackheads! I can't get rid of them often enough and it just keeps terrorising my face. As I have said in my previous post that I use the Biore Pore Pack on a weekly basis to remove the blackheads, but I'll be much happier if I didn't have to spend that much time fussing with removing instead just not have them to begin with. As with all Atomy skin care products, they are developed with fresh herbs and natural ingredients, suitable for all skin types, even sensitive, problem skin like mine.

Logic would say that if you cleanse your face well, then blackheads will be there. Simple. So let's get on with it. The 4 items in this goodie box, listed in the order that you should use it, are:

1. Deep Cleanser - removes make up and cleanses clogged pores

2. Foam Cleanser - the rich lather washes away impurities and dirt in pores

3. Peeling Gel - gently peels off dead skin cells (i.e. non abrasive exfoliator)

4. Peel Off Mask - firms skin and tightens pores

Reviews & Instructions by Product:

1. Deep Cleanser - this cleanser has a cream like consistency and can be used to remove make up. Foundation, BB Cream and Powder definitely comes off. For your eye make up, especially waterproof eye liner/mascara, it's always best to use and eye makeup remover first. 

To use: squeeze a dollop onto fingers and rub all over face for 2 minutes. You can also do this cleanse on your neck. Rubbing in circular motions all over dislodges the makeup out of your pores and also improves circulation. Once this is done, you can either wipe the cleanser off with tissue or wash if off with warm water. I prefer to wash it off because I feel that the tissue can be abrasive and I generally don't like being too rough with my skin.

2. Foam Cleanser - this cleanser lathers up really well, smells really fresh and cleans your skin really well. It will leave your skin feeling clean and fresh yet not dried out and tight. sKin feels hydrated and clean. I really like this cleanser a lot! 

To use: squeeze a bit of cleanser onto hand, you don't really need a large amount. Work up a lather by rubbing with wet hands, then massage all over face and neck for 2 minutes as well. Just like when removing make up, the foam cleanser will be able to dislodge any dirt and impurities caught in the pores but working the lather in circular motions all over the face. After that, rinse off thoroughly.

*As a side note, I have been told before that you should wash your face with warm water, but always finish off with cool water. The warm water is supposed to open up the pores which will allow the dirt to be removed, and once your skin is clean, the cool water can help to close the pores. 

3. Peeling Gel - this gel has a slightly silicon kind of texture and peels off dead skin cells. By exfoliating away the dead skin cells, your skin will look brighter. Dead skin cells causes skin to look dull. This made my skin feel softer, smoother after and next level cleaner. 

To use: squeeze a bit of peeling gel onto fingers, then massage and spread all over face and neck, avoid the eyes. Wait for 2 minutes for the peeling gel to softer the dead skin cells which will then enable you to rub it off. After 2 minutes, rub off the gel in circular motions. You will see the dead skin cells coming off. 

4. Peel Off Mask - this mask has a slight rubbery texture which is quiet interesting. This is the final step of this set which tightens up the pores after all the cleansing you've been doing. Result is clean, fresh skin.

To use: spread the mask all over face, avoiding eye area. Applying a thicker layer makes it easier to peel off after, but I don't think you should go over the top with this. Just make sure all areas are sufficiently covered. Let it dry completely. If you like, you can also sleep with the mask on. Once it's dry, you start from the chin area and rub the edge of the mask upwards. Once a bit of the mask comes away from the skin, you will be able to pull the mask off the rest of the face. Pull upwards. 

Then you're done cleansing. Sounds really tedious but I think for good skin, what's a few minutes?! Of course after this you use the Atomy Skin Care 6 System.

How to buy? It's an online store, the one I use is www.atomy.com.sg and I have signed up for membership to get some discounts (shopaholics like me need it!). Membership costs nothing and there's no monthly spend amounts to maintain your membership account so no worries there. Happy Shopping!

Atomy Skin Care 6 System & Instructions

In my never ceasing quest for more stuff to buy (somebody help me!) I have found another new brand to tell them to TAKE MY MONEY! Atomy is my new found play thing. The first set that I got was the Atomy Skin Care 6 System. Called 6 system because there are 6 items in there. When I came home with this, it really felt like Christmas morning. Except it's not Christmas and it was about 10pm at night. The excitement of opening this however, was comparable.

Atomy Skin Care 6 System is made with all natural ingredients extracted from plants in their natural state. Now as much as I hate jumping on the Korean beauty product bandwagon, I have to say that Korean products are more suitable for my skin. It could be because they were formulated for Asian skin instead of Caucasian skin, resulting in products that are less harsh. 

Another interesting point about Atomy skin care products is that they are produced by high purification technology and biotechnology derived from fermentation science (whatever that means!). Long story short is they say the have done research at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Kolmar BNH Co. Ltd. and Kolmar Korea Co. Ltd. To be perfectly honest, they can say whatever they like about what's been done to develop the product, but what's really important is what it does for my skin. So we already know it's au natural and I think that's good, no harsh chemicals = two thumbs up. Now let's move on to the goodies shall we?!

The 6 items in the goody box are:

1. Toner - Trouble Care

2. Eye Cream - Wrinkle Improvement

3. Essence - Nutrition Care

4. Lotion - Moisturising Care

5. Cream - Aging Care

6. BB Cream - Broad Spectrum SPF30

I've listed it in the order that it is to be applied. I did promise that this is also an instructional since I didn't find any instructions on the bottles like you normally do, I thought it might be handy to give a quick run through for your convenience. You can find YouTube videos online about how to use, but if you're reading this, it might take you only a minute (for people who like to cut to the chase).

Reviews & Instructions by Product:

1. Toner - This toner has a slightly thicker than water, liquid consistency, to be used after cleansing. It also removes any residue that might not have been cleansed off properly. Skin feels very refreshed and clean after, smooth to the touch and not sticky. Feels like there's nothing there. I really like this Toner! 

To use: 2 pumps, spread all over face and neck, massaging into skin

2. Eye Cream - This is especially important for people in their mid thirties where wrinkles are starting to form. The important thing that people overlook is that they should begin using these creams BEFORE the wrinkles occur. After is a little late. It's like doing corrective action instead of preventative action. Very slight sticky feeling after application but not too bad. Eye Creams have to be thick to moisturise the eye area which has thinner skin compared to the rest of the face. Once the skin is moisturised, stretching from facial movements like smiling will not cause micro tears in the skin which after repeated times, cause wrinkles. 

To use: Dab a small amount, you can use a clean cotton bud, massage the area above and below the eyes in a circular motion. Be careful not to use too much as using too much eye cream can cause milia seeds (little bumps around the eye area, like little oil seeds under the skin)

3. Essence - This essence is a medium weight cream that is 100% nano particles that can penetrate deep into the skin. By being able to penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis, the essence can nourish the skin beyond just the outer most layer. This also feels only slightly sticky after application but thirsty skin starts to feel quenched from here on.

To use: 2 pumps, spread all over face and neck, massaging into skin avoiding eye area

4. Lotion - This lotion is developed by fermentation life science and attracts moisture in the air into the skin, thus continuously moisturising the skin. This lotion is similar to the toner consistency wise, except this is white and the toner is sort of colourless. It goes onto the skin smoothly and like all creams, has a slight sticky feeling upon touching.

To use: 2 pumps, spread all over face and neck, massaging into skin avoiding eye area

5. Cream - This is the thickest of all the 5 skin care products in this set. The thick cream consistency is due to the skin protection ingredient and helps gives skin elasticity. This cream although has a sticky feeling after, is very suitable for dry skin types or if you're in the aircon all day at work and at night while you sleep. This feels super moisturising and skin feels nourished.

To use: Dab a small amount on finger, or again you can use a clean cotton bud, massage all over the face and neck, avoiding eye area

6. BB Cream - This is quite a nice product that gives light coverage of blemishes, feels moisturising and has SPF30. Colour sort of works even though I'm quite fair but doesn't give that pasty white look that some other BB creams do.

To use: Squeeze a small amount onto finger and spread evenly over face, if it feels a bit too wet/sticky after smoothing out or if you don't like the dewy look, you can use a piece of tissue and gently lay it over ur face and press lightly. This actually works really well and creates a matte look instead of the dewy look.

Just bear with me a while more, I know this is quite a long post but I feel all the things are quite essential. My skin can get quite oily and is plagued with a lot of blackheads *cry*. But you may or may not already know that skin becomes oily because it is dry. Sounds weird I know, but it makes total sense. You body thinks the skin is try to it revs up the oil production to compensate for the dryness. This increase in oil is partially contributing to my blackheads. The other factor contributing to my blackheads I imagine would be due to improper cleansing. 

I've used the Atomy Skin Care 6 System for a week now. I can feel my skin slowly changing (for the better *yay*). I feel it's less sticky after application and my skin feels bouncier. I think this is from the Cream, which is really good. Means my skin is absorbing all the stuff I'm applying. I use this twice a day, morning and evening (although BB cream only in the day).

How to buy? It's an online store, the one I use is www.atomy.com.sg and I have signed up for membership to get some discounts (shopaholics like me need it!). Membership costs nothing and there's no monthly spend amounts to maintain your membership account so no worries there. This set if purchased alone costs SGD$220. Sounds expensive but there are 6 luxury skin care products in there, so works out to SGD$37 a piece right? But of course I buy a few at a time to get it at a highly discounted rate. If you need help signing up, you can contact me here. 

The next thing I will try and buy the Atomy Evening Care Set, that way I can properly cleanse and deep cleanse my skin before using the Atomy Skin Care 6 System and see if the condition of my skin improves.

Meanwhile, all you Atomy fans, happy shopping!

Laneige BB Cushion

Getting sucked into this whole BB cushion craze has led me to the Laneige BB Cushion. The first one I bought was from iOPE which turned out to be too oily for my combination skin. It felt sticky and I wasn't very comfortable with that, so I decided to look for other alternatives. 

The Laneige BB Cushion [Pore Control] seems to be of a slightly thicker consistency. This provides more coverage and it turns out, still a bit sticky on my skin but not as. I can wear this all day at work and though my skin gets oily, it's less oily in comparison to iOPE. I can make it to lunch time without feeling like a greasy pan. The coverage from Laneige is also much better, I think because of the thicker consistency.

Laneige BB Cushion has SPF50++ and PA+++ so that's ok for a normal day at the office. Of course if you're going to be out in the sun for prolonged periods of time, definitely put on sunscreen before this. I don't feel the need to brush on powder after unless it's a special occasion and I want to make sure it stays in place. Most days I wear it on it's own to work, add on some blush and I'm good to go. It's so convenient. 

Laneige has 3 different types: Air Cushion, Air Cushion Anti-Aging and Air Cushion Pore Control. I bought the Pore Control because I have quite large pores. I feel this evens out my skin quite nicely. My pores aren't that obvious anymore. Of course this means that the makeup is going into your pores and filling up the holes, so when you take your makeup off at the end of the day, make sure you clean your skin thoroughly. They each come in 7 shades to match almost all skin tones which is great! I'm the fairest so I'm a No.13. It doesn't make me look pasty white which is a very important point. 

I have since purchased another set so I vote this above iOPE for combination skin. It comes with a refill, so you essentially get 2 for S$68. I got mine a couple of months ago and it was the PLAY NOMORE design, very cute!

IOPE Air Cushion® XP Natural

I've bought into the fad I'm slightly embarrassed to admit. After a night of discussion with my girl friends and some reading on the internet, I went to Strawberrynet and got me some IOPE Air Cushion® XP Natural, Colour N21. There are 3 different ranges of Air Cushion, Natural, Shimmer and Cover. For Natural there are 2 shades N21 and N23. For Cover there are 2 shades C21 and C23. Shimmer however only has 1 shade S22. 

The main difference between Natural and Cover is the amount of coverage it provides. The Natural range provides light coverage, good for evening out uneven skin tones or slight pigmentation and the Cover range provides more coverage. Shimmer gives a luminous end result. What I do like about the IOPE Air Cushion® XP is that the coverage is build-able. I got N21 which is the fairest colour of them all and doesn't really look like you're wearing make up. However for areas where I have a pimple or some red marks, I find that I can apply 2 or 3 layers and it will cover that blotchy spot up quite well. 

All IOPE Air Cushion® XP has SPF50+ and PA+++ which is pretty high protection for normal day wear, unless you're going outdoors for extended periods of time, you might want to apply sunblock before applying Air Cushion just for that bit more added protection. I'm in the office all day except for lunch time so I don't use any additional sunscreen under. 

The IOPE Air Cushion® XP is very moisturising and I have combination skin. So I've found myself asking people over the course of the day - does my skin look dewy or oily? Just to get an idea of how it actually looks. For the first few hours of the day it looks ok (without any outdoor activity and only sitting in the aircon) but later it does look oily. My skin might be too oily to use this on its own, I might have to use powder on top of it to prevent it looking too greasy. In which case I could use it like a foundation and finish off with powder. That would bring the coverage factor up one notch.

IOPE Air Cushion® XP has quite a strong perfume smell when you first apply but it wears off quite quickly so I wouldn't worry about the smell. The puff is a rubbery sort of texture which means none of the product gets absorbed into the sponge which is good, and it transfers to the skin nicely. I do wish the weather here was less humid then I could use this product on its own coz I really do like how it looks. It feels a bit sticky so I try not to touch my face too much which is probably a good idea. 

 

I think I will repurchase this once I'm done despite the oily look. I think I can sort that out quite simply... either with a dusting of powder or something. I do like it quite a bit especially the light weight feel. The IOPE Air Cushion® XP pack I bought was one in the compact with one refill for SGD$60 on Strawberrynet. It arrived within a week, pretty good!

Benefit Oxygen Wow

The first thing I said when I used Oxygen Wow! for the first time was... WOW! I had purchased Petal, the same shade as the Hello Flawless! powder that I use. I bought this online and didn't even go to the shop to test the colour. If that's not brave, I don't know what is.

I used Stay Flawless before applying Oxygen Wow! since that's what everyone was recommending. (If you have read my previous posts about Stay Flawless, you would have seen how my entire face began to shrivel up and crack when I used Stay Flawless with PlaySticks. It was horrors! Thank goodness it didn't happen with Oxygen Wow) This liquid foundation went on really easily. One pump was sufficient. It blended and spread well. The coverage level is very high. I think this possibly provides better coverage than PlaySticks. Oxygen Wow! is also very lightweight and doesn't make you feel like you have a layer of make up on, which I think is pretty good considering it's got good coverage. 

PlaySticks is of a cream consistency which I felt was too oily for my combination skin and for this humid weather. Oxygen Wow! is liquid and for that reason I think managed to even my face out much better. Oxygen Wow! is also Oil-Free which is ideal for oily or combination skin. It doubles up as sunscreen, broad spectrum SPF 25. Not enough sunscreen for extended periods outdoors in my opinion but for going to the office, I think that's ok. 

This power combination of Stay Flawless + Oxygen Wow! + Hello Flawless! lasted me from 8am to 11pm. Throughout the day I only touched up once, at 6pm I blotted my face and brushed on a light layer of Hello Flawless! to look a bit fresher before going out for dinner. 

Oxygen Wow! is a foundation that I would highly recommend. It's got good coverage, matches my sallow skin tone well, lasting power, non oily, sunscreen... not sure what else you could ask for. I got it from Benefit online for US$36. Considering exchange rates aren't so great for me at the moment, I still think it is worth it. Go check it out!

For some reviews about the other products which I am talking about... You can read my previous posts about PlaySticks, PlaySticks Verdict, Hello Flawless! and Stay Flawless

Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer

So you probably know by now that I'm a big fan of Benefit Cosmetics. I find their make up to be good to my skin and colours suitable for my skin tone. During my last big buy, I decided to try Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer. Primers are especially important in hot and humid climates like Singapore. From the moment you leave the comfort of your air conditioned room, you feel your whole face melting off. Literally. Followed by consistent blotting and soon enough, you have almost no make up left and it's not even noon yet. 

Stay Flawless comes in a stick which I find particularly useful when I have to travel. It glides on your skin really easily and is almost colourless. What I particularly like is the slightly cool sensation you get when you put it on. I'm not sure why that happens, but it feels soothing. It feels slightly tacky on your skin but that's to make your make up stick to your face for 15 hours right?

The first time I used it, I was extremely shocked! I had used it and then applied Play Sticks, the followed by Hello Flawless! powder. Almost immediately, my skin started to crease and crack. Play Sticks has a very creamy consistency, like a soft crayon. I could feel my face tightening and I when I looked in the mirror, I saw my face cracking up. It looked like dried up clay mask... I quickly washed everything off my face and heaved a sigh of relief.

The next time I used it, I got a slightly better results. I used Stay Flawless then I used You Rebel Lite. Being a tinted moisturiser with a more liquid consistency, it didn't cause that dryness that I had when I paired Stay Flawless with Play Sticks. So a word of caution... make sure you use a liquid foundation when you use Stay Flawless.

When my next shipment come, I will try it with Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! This is a liquid foundation and the reviews that say that Stay Flawless is good, they all use it with Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! So till next time... Let's see if this US$32 that I spent on Stay Flawless was worth it in the end.

You read about my reviews about Play Sticks, Play Sticks Verdict, Hello Flawless! and You Rebel Lite

It's Skin PO Effector

I haven't fallen into the whole Korean craze. Not the music, not the make up, not the style, no Psy or Rain... but I found one of the BEST products I've ever used. I was in the Changi Airport DFS waiting for my friends to purchase their alcohol and was browsing the cosmetics section. I saw a row of colourful bottles, what looked like serum and it was calling my name. It's not very expensive, under S$20. So I just took a chance and picked out. It's a dream come true!!!

Power 10 Formula PO Effector

Pore Minimiser

Now I have all along had pretty large pores and lately I haven't been going for my laser treatments. So I've been noticing that my pores are larger and it is getting to me. However I don't have the time to get to the clinic. Therefore anything that says that it minimises pores, I'm willing to give it a go. 

After using it for a week, I now realise how it works. What is does is make your pores look smaller by filling in the pores. This is why the PO Effector is a thick starchy consistency, unlike the other serums which felt like a dense liquid.

How to use: After cleansing, apply PO Effector (amount depends on how large your pores are), followed by moisturiser, foundation, powder. The PO Effector makes your skin look so flawless. It's really amazing! It also lasts well... in the terrible heat and humidity (it's about 35 degrees everyday now with 90% humidity), my pores are still not visible after a whole day at work. I think that's just never been possible... up till now.

This is my new favourite thing and I highly recommend you get it... I saw it on Strawberrynet for S$17 only. At the airport I paid like $18.90 or something like that.

Benefit Play Sticks

I did a big shop at Benefit Cosmetics recently and bought some interesting stuff. In the past I didn't use foundation, instead I used You Rebel Lite which is a tinted moisturizer that provides light coverage and doesn't feel like you're wearing a thick layer of makeup. This time I thought I'd try something with a bit more coverage for a few reasons. I was hoping that it will be able to disguise my big pores and make my skin look a little better.

Play Sticks

I have been using it daily, after moisturizer but before Hello Flawless! Play Sticks does provide slightly better coverage being that it's a creamy consistency so it can fill in any holes and reasonably cover any red pimples. I do feel that my skin is a little oilier these days and I am not sure if it's because of the Play Sticks or just our bad weather. 

Play Sticks comes in only 3 colours, so if it doesn't suit you, then you might prefer to go for Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! which comes in more colours (matchy matchy with the Hello Flawless! powders). The next round I will buy Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! to try, I hear good things about it. I use light beige with Hello Flawless! in petal. 

The three colours are playfully named, as with all their stuff:

• Spin the bottle (light beige)
• Tea party (medium beige)
• Jump rope (medium tan)

Because it comes in a stick, it makes application extremely easy which is a real plus for me. The consistency of the foundation is also a winner coz it's smooth. However, I'm still entirely sold on this product. There's something about the way the powder goes on that I don't really like. It seems to be a bit... coagulated. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't feel like it sits well into my skin. Only after some light perspiration then it settles. Perhaps my moisturizer is too light.

For now if you're interested, I'd suggest you go to the Benefit Boutique to test it out before buying, to see if you like it and also for the colour. It cost me US$36 and I'm 50/50 on this one. I might post a conclusion later on how I feel about this product.

For the verdict - go HERE

Benefit Hello Flawless!

Hello Flawless! by Benefit is a powder foundation with SPF15 that glides on silky and sheer and lasts all day.  The coverage can be customised depending on how and how much you choose to apply.  It comes with a sponge and a brush that keeps neatly under the powder.  If you want sheer light coverage or for touch ups later in the day, I'd recommend using the brush.  This creates a matte "no make up" kind of look.  If you want more coverage (generally for going out at night), then I'd recommend using the sponge.  Applying the powder with the sponge can cover up small imperfections on the skin and create a flawless look.  For daily use I'd say it lasts me for at least 2 months.  I personally don't have very good complexion so I use the sponge... That helps cover up big pores quite well.

It comes in a range of 9 shades so you would definitely be able to find a shade that is perfect for your skin tone.  The 9 shades from lightest to deepest shade:

• "I love me!" Ivory
• "Never Settle" Petal
• "Me, vain?" Champagne
• "I'm cute as a bunny" Honey
• "All the world's my stage" Beige
• "What I crave" Toasted Beige
• "I'm haute for sure" Amber
• "Why walk when you can strut?" Hazelnut
• "Too fierce to beg" Nutmeg

I have a very sallow yellow tone to my skin which makes it really difficult to buy face powder.  I've tried many other brands but so long as they have an underlying orange or pink tone to it, my face turns too orange or too pink and I look super weird.  "Never Settle" Petal is the best for me.  It doesn't make my face look pasty white, nor does it make it look too pink or orange.  This shade works for me is I suspect is because the undertones are yellow.  Not to mention, Hello Flawless! does not irritate my sensitive skin nor cause me any unsightly allergies.

Benefit's website also has a Shadefinder page to help you choose the most ideal shade.  What I like best is that their shades caters to Asians and Africans, not only Caucasians.  I'd imagine a Caucasian with olive skin would experience the same troubles finding the right shade of powder, they would probably find something at Benefit.  You can also go to their stores and ask them for help in choosing a shade if this is your first time buying from Benefit.  I however, being the queen of lazy and online shopping did not go to the stores.  When I started buying Benefit makeup, they didn't have any stores that sold it here so it's not like there was a choice.  Hello Flawless! goes for US$34 online, in Singapore stores I think they go for S$54.  Buying online is a good option when they have free worldwide shipping for purchases above US$125.