Review on Lancome's Genifique Yeux Eye Cream

This is my review on Lancome's Genifique Yeux Eye Cream, also known as the "Youth Activating Eye Cream".  An elegant cream with gel-like texture enriched with Genifique patented technology, this amazing eye cream helps protect the delicate eye area against the visible signs of ageing and fatigue.

The key ingredients are water, cyclohexasiloxane, bifida ferment lysate, glycerin, propenadiol and alcohol denat etc, a full list of powerful ingredients set to bring about younger, brighter eyes with softer contours within 7 days of use (do note that results differ with each individual though).

For 15g, the price is around SGD$98.00 per tub. The packaging is in stunning black, with the signature Lancome rose painted in silver on the top of the lid.  There is visible smell to this product.

The eye cream itself is smooth and velvety to the touch, very easy to apply. The correct way of application is to massage the cream gently onto the upper and lower eye contour areas with 2 finger tips. For extra measure, you can also tap lightly to let it "sink in". Use this once in the morning and once at night.

This is a "before" photo of me. The Eyebags were more prominent here due to late nights and early morning. I have tried several types of eye cream, eye gel and eye serum before, but to no avail.

Here is an "after" photo, where the Eyebags have been reduced over prolonged usage of Lancome's Genifique Yeux Youth Activating Eye Cream. The eye areas feel smoother, softer, and the flaws have reduced rather significantly. As you can see, makeup is minimal here.

Verdict is that this cream works like a wonder, just like its Youth Activating counterpart in the same series (review here). The price is a little steep at SGD$98.00 for a small tub, but it lasts around 1 to 3 months, so it is reasonable if you divide the sum out. I am in love and in awe with yet another of Lancome's wonderful products.

Outfit of the Day - black tiered tulle dress with spaghetti-straps

"Fashion has to reflect who you are, what you feel at the moment, and where you’re going.” — Pharrell Williams

The "Christmas Tree dress" that I only wear once a year - for festive reasons.

Black tiered tulle dress with low U-neckline and thin spaghetti-straps; body hugging but conceals bulges very well. Suitable for functions and outings.

Dress from OG (SGD$99.00)
Pearl Necklace: Chomel
Bracelet: Tiffany's and Co

Dinner at Oasis Taiwan Porridge Restaurant @ Toa Payoh (Revisit)

303 Toa Payoh Lorong 6 Town Park, Singapore 319393

Tel: 6346 4418

Website: http://oasisbay.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OasisTaiwanPorridgehaiJingLouTaiWanZhou

Visited Oasis Seafood Restaurant a little over a year ago to celebrate my mother's birthday (review here) to revisit for a larger-scale family dinner,  because of the stellar service, pond surroundings and good food.

Oasis Taiwan Porridge Restaurant serves a menu primarily focused on Teochew cuisine, and this time, we decided to go for the Sweet Potato Porridge (free-flow). It was smooth and delicious, going very well with the other food dishes.

A plate of crispy mini Silver Fish started the meal, prepping our appetite.

Minced Meat Omelette was our first dish, fried to a lovely golden brown. The minced meat was tender and a lovely savoury flavour; each piece of egg was like a meat pie.

The Deep-fried Beancurd was also tasty, cooked in a luscious pool of dark sauce. Some crunchy, chopped vegetables topped the beancurd, adding texture.

Next, Braised Duck with Tofu, a traditional Teochew dish, also in a pool of sweet-savoury dark sauce. Meat was succulent and immersed with the sauce's delicious flavour; the tofu cubes were silken and lovely.

Following that, we had Steamed Garoupa Fish, in a clear light sauce tossed with carrots, button mushrooms, leek and spring onion. Flesh was flakey and springy, with a natural luscious taste.

Then Cereal Prawns was served, crackling with deep-fried oat flakes and the flesh was bouncy flesh. A light curry flavour blanketed the delicious seafood dish.

Minced Chicken was shaped like a pie as well, garnished with spring onions and chilli, gently redolent of a mild wine sauce.

Last but not least, Braised Large Intestines with their powdery-textured, murky-flavoured interior and a crunchy exterior.

For desserts, Mango Pudding with fragrant mango flavour and a satiny texture.

Longan Almond Tofu was cool to the touch and nectarous, soothing the palate after a tasty, savoury meal.

Chinese Tea and Red Wine accompanied the meal as well, quenching our thirst as we dipped into the dishes here.

Overall dining experience here was again, joyous, surrounding by waters and willows and warm service by the crew.

Outfit of the Day - brown patterned dress with short pleated skirt

"There's more to clothing than just adornment. It does more than merely change how the world perceives us. It changes how we perceive ourselves." - Jacqueline Carey

My brown patterned dress with short pleated skirt, lifts the mood whenever I wear it. Have a fairytale Friday my loves.

Dress: Bought in Hong Kong (SGD$89.00)
Watch: Rado

Outfit of the Day - black low-cut sundress with glitters

"Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say, more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world’s view of us." – Virginia Woolf

A simple sheath that looks like a pool of stars in the dark night skies. I need a sundress for more casual events.

Dress: The Editors' Market (SGD$59.90)
Bracelet: Tiffany and Co
Watch: Rado

Review on VEET Hair Removal (Depilatory) Cream

Not easy being a female sometimes - besides the monthly physical pains we undergo, and sometimes being weighed lightly in a society of males, we also have to ensure that we do not walk around with bare limbs full of hair. The crowning glory is very fine - but other than that, we try not to sport hairy arms and hairy legs, so we succumb to various means of getting rid of unwanted hair on a monthly / weekly / daily basis (depending on how fast your hair grows back).

IPL Hair Removal is a good method - pain levels vary from person to person (and the therapists administering it), and it is said to slow down hair growth in the long term - if you don't mind the exorbitant price. Waxing is effective as well, and one could choose from hot wax or cold wax, but the compulsive pulling out of hairs' roots could hurt very badly, and leave pores sore or bleeding in extreme cases. This may not be suitable for persons with sensitive skin, like myself, who sometimes opt for Tweezing with a pair of tweezers literally - the latter could be rather therapeutic, strangely. That leaves the last alternative in lieu of covering up - Shaving. This method is very cost-effective as well, but new hair grows back thicker; one may also cut themselves accidentally if not careful with the blades.

That is why I choose VEET's Hair Removal Cream, also known as depilatory cream.  It is inexpensive, around SGD$15.00 for a 100ml tube, and readily available in Watsons, Guardians and some supermarkets. Besides this, VEET's hair removal cream is also scent-free, and has a few types to suit different individuals (i.e. I use the Sensitive Skin type, formulated with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera).

Besides that, it is effective and pain-free, literally. The entire process takes only around 10 to 15 minutes for each limb, so it can be done anytime, anywhere, even when you are travelling.  It removes hair by breaking down protein structure (keratin) of hair, dissolving the hair at the skin's surface.

HOW IT WORKS
Squeeze out a substantial layer over the area to be creamed, like your arms or legs. Use the included spatula to spread the cream evenly across your skin surface. Ensure that this cream is NOT used over open wounds or sensitive areas - also note that this is not ideal for bikini line and Brazilian areas.

If you are unsure whether your skin will react adversely to this product, test a small portion out first. Wipe the spatula clean after you have finished applying the cream over your body.

Leave the cream on for 10 minutes to dry. Use the spatula to remove the hair by pushing it in the reverse direction of hair growth. Start with a small area to test - if hair is still intact, leave it on for another 10 minutes before cleaning the cream off. Do not leave on for longer than 15 minutes.

The discarded cream should now be darkened and filled with tiny hairs that you have successfully removed from your limbs. Your skin, in turn, should be satin smooth and bare right now, with no visible bodily hair in sight. This would last a week to a month, depending on the growth rate of your body hairs.

Skin may be a little sensitive over the next 1 or 2 days, especially if you use harsh soaps or hit the beaches. Be sure to use a good moisturizer or aloe vera gel to soothe it, or avoid swimming in the next couple of days.

Also remember to wash and clean your spatula well, because you will be using it for the next few times as well. A tube of VEET's hair removal cream can last for 4 to 8 uses, depending on  how much cream you require each session and the frequency of your hair growth.

Curious? Go out and get your own tube of VEET's depilatory cream right now.


Disclaimer: results may vary from individual to individual, and a little practice may be required before you find it 100% effective. While every care is being taken to inform of the risks of using this product here (i.e. skin sensitivity, testing a little before slathering everything onto your skin etc), please also read instructions on box before use.

Outfit of the Day - black bandage dress with bare bits

"I am a fashion person, and fashion is not only about clothes -- it's about all kinds of change" - Karl Lagerfeld 

Events are gonna be a big part of this new project. Would it be a good excuse to shop more for events clothes now?  Happy in this sensual black bandage dress with bare bits for the neckline.

Dress: River Island (SGD$109.00)
Clutch: Vivienne Westwood
Bangle: Hermes

Lunch at Sushi Express Restaurant @ Citylink Mall

1 Raffles Link, #B1-23 Citylink Mall, Singapore 039393

Tel: 6238 9811 / 6509 5002

Website: http://www.sushiexpress.com.sg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sushi-Express-Singapore-229773040373367

Have been thinking of visiting Sushi Express for a while, because I love Japanese food and sushi. Also, the idea that every plate is a mere SGD $1.50 is unbelievable, isn't it? And this includes sashimi, desserts, and some other items that would be marked "red plate" at other Japanese restaurants.

So we headed into the simply-decorated restaurant with its large communal-style tables around conveyor belts. Service was decent at best, as staff led us to a table and we were left pretty much alone to pick our own dishes; fuss-free dining. There were many types of sushi, sashimi, vegetables and desserts going around.

Started with Salmon Sashimi - succulent but one is not to hold high expectations at any semblence of springy freshness. It satiated the constant desire for sashimi though.

Other items included Cheese Masago Sushi, which was a little too rich and moistened for my liking, with a strong buttery taste.

Cooked Octopus Sushi was rather nice - chewy and firm, leaving nothing much to the imagination except its gentle sweetness.

I did enjoy the Cooked Squid Sushi very much though - tender and tasty, garnished with little spring onions and wasabi.

The Wasabi Octopus Sushi was so-so, a mish-mash of items tossed together and the wasabi flavour was near bland.

A plate of fresh Lady's Fingers for balance - firm, crunchy and juicy, one of the better items here for me.

Following that, Jumbo Eel Sushi, bound with a single strip of seaweed for that added flavour.

Finally,  a slice of Japanese Cheesecake with blueberry swirls for dessert - creamy and firm, not not overly indulgent, concluding the meal gently, beautifully.

At the payment counter, I also grabbed a Peach Vinegar (SGD $1.50) to take away. The beverage was sweet, light peachy notes creeping in, laced with slight sourness.

The total damage for me was only SGD13.85, all in.

Sushi Express is a good place for quick, affordable sushi dining, especially when one is enjoying a solo meal by themselves and not want the fawning over by the service crew. They also replenish varieties of sushi very quickly, so one could enjoy a good assortment.

Outfit of the Day - checked black and white halter dress

"Fashion does not have to prove that it is serious. It is the proof that intelligent frivolity can be something creative and positive" - Karl Lagerfeld 

Checked black and white dress with a stiff open collar, low halter back and ruffled waistline. From none other than Bebe.  I bought it simply because I thought Marilyn Monroe wore something similar.

Dress: Bebe (SGD$300.00)
Bangle: Hermes
Earrings: Poh Heng

Review on WILD Products' Rosehip & Hibiscus Facial Creme

The quest for vegan, natural products led to my discovery of WILD Products' Rosehip and Hibiscus Facial Creme (SGD$22.00) for a slim, compact 50ml bottle.  It can be ordered via Sephora (ex-Luxola)'s website.

I have read mixed reviews about this product, but it was the ingredients that clearly drew me to puchasw this cream - rosehip, hibiscus, and a multitude of vitamins - created to improve skin conditions, rejuvenation and combat signs of aging.

The product is lightweight and definitely good to bring out or for travels. I also like how it comes with a pump - easy to control amount to use, and more hygienic.

I squeezed a small amount to get a feel of its texture, and what greeted me was a light, sweet floral scent, like fresh cream on desserts.

Texture was creamy, easy to apply and smoothen over the face. It felt thick upon application, but was absorbed. Face felt soothed and hydrated thereafter.

I like this product, but have to concur that it does feel a little heavy for daily daytime hydration, so I alternate it with a lighter moisturizer, sometimes also applying a thicker layer for nighttime hydration.