UPGRADE Your Skincare Routine ~ CLEANSING

There are a number of changes I've made in my beauty routines - face, body, hair - and ditched some habitual things too, which I regret not doing sooner. 

~  CLEANSING  ~

Ahh... I wish I'd done this sooner, not when I'm already in my 40s!

The rule is to treat your neck & décolletage area the same as your face, because we want that harmony. 

I'm not one to apply makeup on my neck & ears, so this process ensures I won't even need to!

Matching Skincare To Your Outfit?

It's a YES from me!

It somehow re-arranges my scattered thoughts into a right angle. Some people will get it, some won't.

It doesn't happen often, so it's nice when sometimes something gives you a sense of harmony & makes your routine feel a bit unusual and special.

I always do pink colour, so I like that this time it's a springy bright yellow! I mean, how bright is this sweater top?! I was immediately drawn to it at the store - I kept walking away from it, but it kept looking at me!

Lakmé Vitamin C+ Serum ~ Does It WORK?

My bottle is near empty, the last few drops of serum rest still at the bottom, quite like the last sip of tea at the bottom of a lone tea cup in my kitchen sink. It's habitual, the tea thing. The last drops of skincare product, on the other hand, is a harbinger of either 'Need More' or 'Never Again'.

‘I’ll try it over my Mamonde Rose Water Toner today.’, I thought to myself many weeks ago, while standing under the hot shower. It had been raining, and I made the water January-weather hot. My body wash smelled so good, like Blueberries dipped in cotton candy spring water, and I reminded myself to have some Blueberry Greek Yogurt later. Blueberry became my #1 flavour overnight, overshadowing all the other fruit flavours. *Deleted Squid Games on Netflix Top 10 analogy here, because I couldn't get through even 1 episode - yet*

'I wonder what Kakudu Plum tastes like... like the plums that grew in the backyard of my childhood home? Nah... 'kakudu' just doesn't sound like something sweet to me. I'm thinking... somewhat bitter-sour, like amla (gooseberry). It also sounds like something with a hard shell - like coconut, something you can knock on & it'd make a ka-ku-du type of sound...' 

Before my face dried completely, it had been rose water-toned with a cotton pad. The glass dropper felt cold like a shard of ice against my face as I dragged it like a feather across half my face & squeezed little drops of Lakmé Vitamin C+ Serum. Only half my face, because I wanted to compare - and I do this as a consumer, not a f------  critic.

Then I just stood there & stared at the one half of my face in the mirror. Waiting....waiting for a (miracle) different outcome : filtered-looking pores, invisible blackheads, that plush reflective skin, that stark yang-like difference, that 'something' in a skincare product that makes you glow like you're about set to go on Instagram Reels and sync your expert skincare advice & tips with some bhangra type dance moves (hip thrust & pointing, yo). You're using all the ABC's now, after all  - AHA, BHA, Vit C. You're on the righteous path of being the Baba Ramdev of skincare.

Innisfree Pomegranate Revitalizing Capsule Sleeping Pack

When I'm buying skincare products online, I'm often disappointed that there aren't many photos of what their textures are like. I want pictures I can feel & touch, you know what I mean?

Which is why, every now & then, I'll quickly post photos of brand new skincare products.

Here is a new product I'm trying out:

INNISFREE Pomegranate Revitalizing Capsule Sleeping Pack

Pimples? Then You NEED This Product!

How many social events did you have to attend with a massive cystic pimple, that you can't conceal? 

Maybe it's too painful, maybe it's too big, maybe you don't want to antagonize the little b*tch more with makeup.......

One time, in Dundee, before heading out, I thought about putting a piece of cotton & then a band-aid on top of one gross cystic pimple I had. I can't recall whether I really did it, though. Knowing me, I probably did not have band-aid.

You even dread people staring at it, because they say pimples/sty get bigger/worst.

Worry no more. Now we have the answer to all that: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch.

It will protect, peel & heal those damn pimples in no time!

The patches, that look like glue drops, are fantastic & really work. The also come in 3 sizes.

Ingredients

Skincare Organizer ~ Rose Gold

I wanted a portable skincare organizer which isn't acrylic or plastic + would look alright on the vanity, and I think that's sorted for now. You don't know how many times I almost knocked these bottles off the table, because I was keeping them all over the place!

This basket tray is actually real stainless copper.

I keep cotton pads in that tin container, which was a birthday gift from my friends.

Real Copper Organizer Tray & Pop-up Cotton Swab Dispenser: From Viny Pop, a store like Miniso Japan.

Copper Organizer: Rs.550 

(They had a whole set of copper organizers too - pen/brush holder & a smaller basket tray like this)

Cotton Swab Dispenser: Rs.250

If you're interested, you can check out some rose gold organizers on Amazon India HERE

If you're new, and eyeing my skincare products, you can check out my skincare post HERE

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I Used Only Korean Skincare Products For 3 Years

~ I recently had to wish for a pimple, just so I'd be able to test the CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch. What I'm saying is, I haven't had any serious, hi-fi pimples for the past 3 years. 

(Just 1 time: I was at a Watson's in Bangkok in May 2018, and I saw this Garnier Sakura White Serum. It was pink & pretty, so I bought a sample-sized tube. I applied it on my face that night, and next morning I woke up with a big cystic pimple on my forehead.)

~ I was gonna get fillers on 2 deep frown lines on my forehead. Now they look ironed out. Though I started making a conscious effort not to frown so much & wear sunglasses whenever I'm out, I know it's hugely due to the extra products I was using.

~ Pitted scars are smaller & those tiny white bumps under eyes (milia seeds) are gone.

~ Skin texture is smoother & more polished than when it was in my early 20's.

~ As for dark spots, lighter sun spots are gone. But deeply-embedded pigmentation patches have not changed much. However, I must say that I haven't used many heavy-duty Korean"Whitening" products yet.

*******

Those are some of the results I got from using only Korean Skincare products consistently for the past 3, or so, years.

I came across a quote, which says: "Don't sell a product, sell an experience."

My mind instantly traveled to all my Korean Skincare Products, because each and every product I've used have been an experience.

I started in 2015, and then it slowly became my BIGGEST OBSESSION. If I'm not using a K-Beauty product yet, I'm reading about it & researching the benefits of its ingredients.

Products I've used. *Derma Roller is another story.*

*Earlier products*

The K-Beauty 10 Step Routine (My Way):

STEP 1: DOUBLE CLEANSING. Using a cleansing oil/balm & then a foam/gel cleanser.

STEP 2: SCRUB or PEELING GEL

(Only 1-2 times a week)

STEP 3: TONER. 

STEP 4: EYE CREAM.

STEP 5: SHEET MASK 

(Only 1-3 times a month)

STEP 6: ESSENCE

STEP 7: SERUM/AMPOULE

(I never skip this step.)

STEP 8: MOISTURIZER or EMULSION

STEP 9: SUNBLOCK

(Only during day time)

STEP 10: SLEEPING MASK or NIGHT TREATMENT. 

*You skip STEP 10 during the day & STEP 9 at night.

To simplify it, here are the products I'm currently using most of the time.....

1. Double Cleansing: Banila Co Zero Cleansing Balm to remove makeup. Foam cleansers I've been using are: The Face Shop Rice Water Bright, Innisfree Volcanic Pore Cleanser & It's Skin Mangowhite Cleansing Foam.

2. Peeling Gel: It's Skin Mangowhite Peeling Gel (My favorite so far)

3. Toner: Son & Park Beauty Water.

4. Eye Cream: Etude House Pink Vital Water Eye Serum

5. Sheet Mask (not shown): Not a necessity for me, really. Though I've used most of the Innisfree ones.

6. Essence (not shown): I was using Innisfree Soybean Essence.

7.  Serum/Ampoule: It's Skin Caviar Serum (which I LOVE & will repurchase) or Klaire's Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop.

8. Moisturizer: Etude House Pink Vital Water Cream. I need a moisturizer when I'm using a whitening serum, which is usually watery. But if I'm using a Snail serum/ampoule, which is slimy in texture, I skip moisturizer. This all also depends on the weather.

9. Sunblock: Innisfree Daily UV Essence Water Base SPF 50+ PA+++. This is not my favorite. I like Missha one. I prefer sunblocks in essence form

10. Sleeping Mask: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. 

My absolute favorite skincare product of all time.

Do I do this full 9-10 step routine everyday? Yes, only at night. Then, in the morning, I use only foam cleanser---till Step 9. But, of course, I sleep with my makeup on quite often too. So the routine is done in the morning.

I had gotten bored of using the same products, coz they really do last a while! So I recently got some of the popular Korean skincare products right now:

Yes Style Haul:

Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel

Dear Klaires Freshly Juiced Serum Vitamin C & Centella Asiatica Extracts

Etude House Lash Serum

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Borabit Ampoule

Koelf Ruby Bulgarian Rose Hydro Gel Eye Patch

Nacific Phyto Niacin Whitening Essence

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm

Son & Park Beauty Water

Skin & Lab Pink Clay Facial Mask

CosRX Acne Pimple Master Patch (Mentioned at the start of this post)

Klaire's Gentle Black Cleansing Puff (FREE with purchase, with a sheet mask)

*Yes Style shipped my package from Singapore & I did not have to pay Customs charges, coz they*

********

Myntra Haul:

The Face Shop Chia Seed Hydrating Facial Toner

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Lotion

*Myntra was selling The Face Shop products at discounted prices - upto 30% off.*

*******

♡

This is a topic that shall continue. This post has been sitting in my drafts for over a year, and I will click publish NOW, whether it's good/informative enough or not.

In the next posts, I'll list down The BEST MUST-TRY Korean Skincare Products I've tried so far, and in another, I'll share my weekly/monthly routines and how I rotate between ALL the products - because I'm about to buy more ;p

This. 

This is where I'll try everything, if I could. 

This is where I'm going ALL IN.

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Veet Sensitive Touch Electric Trimmer Review

You know what's the equivalent of a Fidget Spinner in my world? (Basically, what I find relaxing & calming.)

I like to sit down on my couch, inspect my hair ends, and cut the split ends with mini eyebrow scissors. The scissors would always hurt & leave red marks on my fingers during & after. Now, instead of painful scissors, I use the NEW Veet Sensitive Touch Electric Trimmer. Because it's electronic, it feels like I'm sawing my split ends. Very satisfying!

But that's not what it's meant for, really.

What it is: An Electric Trimmer specially tailored to gently trim and precisely shape your delicate body parts, such as face, bikini and underarms.

It is also Waterproof & can be used in the shower.

*This is a NEW version, another one was launched some time back.

Accessories included: 

- 2-sided Precision Adjustable Head: 16 mm & 6 mm for optimal eyebrow shaping. 

- Comb Attachment: To uniform hair to 2 different lengths - 2 mm & 4 mm.

- Horizontal Trimming Head: 20 mm. You can use this to fully trim your bikini area & underarms. 

- 2 Comb Attachments: 2 mm & 4 mm, for trimming bikini.

- Cleaning Brush: To dust off hair that gets stuck in the trimmers. 

- Beauty Pouch: To compactly store everything especially while travelling. 

- AA battery.

Confessions From A Beauty Salon

"Spread your legs.", she said, and we both burst out laughing.

She, amused.

Me, red-faced. 

Though it's not my first time.

******

Okay, we'll get to that later in the blog post. 

 I have been meaning to do this post for quite some time, just because I feel like not many people 

talk about salon services in detail. Most of the time, I never get a satisfying review 

or information on certain services/products that I'm curious about. 

So, I'm just gonna ramble about the things I've gotten done on myself, just to put it out there.

I say ramble, because this is a very hotchpotch blog post. Most of the photos are old. I had to search for them in my emails and computer, because I always had to clear out my phone's storage space (damn iphone!)

Anyway.....

One Word: Rica 

I can't get enough of their White Chocolate Wax!

Ever since I started choosing this over the regular wax, my hair has been growing at a much slower pace, become softer, and my underarm hair have definitely lessened. 

This is the Rica Aloe Vera one, which I prefer lately, 

coz my legs are very easily agitated these days.

***ALWAYS TELL THE BEAUTY THERAPIST NOT TO MAKE THE WAX TOO HOT BEFOREHAND.***

Doesn't matter how reputed the salon is or how experienced the person waxing your body/facial hair is. If the wax feels too hot, it is too hot and it will burn your skin....and like in one of my underarm waxing sesh, it will peel the skin off! (Which healed, thankfully!)

Price: Rs.1799 for full body. Depends on the salon.

*

It's Skin ~ Now In India

Remember when the brand Lush pulled out of India? Honestly, I'd never been that big a fan of the brand, but a whole lot of bath bomb addicts were crushed!

The other brand that has become elusive in India is Bourjois. I just don't know where it went! And you guys know it's my favorite! 

So now, I've taken it upon myself to support all the new brands that are testing the waters here in India. Especially Asian/Korean brands that I'm all about lately (skincare), in the hope that many others will see we are very happening & India is the place to be =D

Etude House, Missha, Laneige, Tony Moly...  Are you listening??!!

Back in May, when I'd dropped by New U to get a new tube of mascara, I saw a new counter- It's Skin. I got acquainted with this brand on Ebay when I was browsing Korean skincare stuff, and I only bought an eyebrow gel mascara before. That day I went crazy! I couldn't even. 

14 types of serums to pick from, for starters.

So  here are all the products I've got and been using so far....

Gillette Venus Breeze ~ Unboxing Video & Review

Hey Everyone! =)

Remember in How I Met Your Mother when Robin was on a date that's going well & she desperately needed to shave her legs in the restaurant restroom, and she applied butter all over her legs? (Yes, that made me cringe!) Well, she wouldn't have had to go to such lengths if she had this new razor in town -  Gillette Venus Breeze!

Below is a video of me unboxing the pretty box and showing everything that came in it....

Click Play:

A post shared by Cynthia Zacharica (@czloves) on Mar 17, 2017 at 11:46am PDT

Features:

~ Moisture Gel Bars: Formulated with body butters (Olive, Avocado, Kokum) and glycerine to help retain skin moisture.

~ Sensorial Experience: Scented with Freesia, a tropical fragrance to give you an enhanced experience.

~ Three Blades: Designed with 3 blades to give you an ultra-close and revealing smooth shave

How To Use:

Simply wet the razor and your skin for a light lather, and start shaving.

What I Think:

~ First things first, the gel bars smell amazing! They're actually more slimy than lathery, which makes the skin more slippery, so the razor glides on smoothly and effortlessly even on tricky areas.

~ I don't use any body lotion right after shaving, and that usually makes my skin feel dry afterwards, but with this, my skin feels normal and smooth the whole day.

~ It's travel-friendly. Yes, you can carry it in your handbag - just in case!

~ The razor itself is very well-designed and sturdy....and pretty.  

~ I love it! If I have to have a holy grail razor, or if I have to recommend one razor to anyone, this would be it!

Price: 

Razor - Rs.299

Extra Cartridges (pack of 2 razor blades) - Rs.350

♥

Have a great weekend......

Thanks for reading & speak again soon!

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions on the products are my own, as always.

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Best Beauty Products | Current

Hello, all! Hope you're having a good week. I've been busy apartment-hunting for a while, and we finalized on one today. So relieved, and you know what I learned? I mean I've always known it, but now I know without a shadow of a doubt! 

When people say: "It's not about the money."

Translation: "It is about the money. Maybe we don't know it yet.

It's a-lll-w-a-y-s about the money. Wake up, silly woman! Stop wondering how MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande Lipstick would look on you!"

Okay. So I've been using some amazing products for the past month, so wanted to share with y'all: 

L'Oreal Extraordinary Skin Boosting Oil: Favoritest, this! Best not-so-pricey premium facial oil in the Indian market right now, which also smells the best. By that, I mean it doesn't have a strong scent. Clarins Facial Oil & The Body Shop Oils Of Life have a similar strong scent, and they are super duper pricey. Hi, The Body Shop, Rs.3095? Really?

Formulated with 3 Oils:

Desert nut oil : Deeply nourishes

Geranium essential oil : Replumps skin layer by layer

Rosa canina fruit oil : Illuminates the skin 

 Will do a detailed post on this.

Price: Rs.1550  from Lifestyle

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream : OH-EM-GEE! I'm so mad at myself for not trying this sooner. The back of my right hand was damaged until this came along. I will post before & after pictures in a separate post.

Price: Rs.300 from local supermarket

Dove Moisture Go Fresh Beauty Cream Bar with Green Tea & Cucumber Scent ~ Hello, simple soap! I started using this only because I ran out of face wash, and was surprised by how gentle and non-drying it is. Recently, I was doing research (ya, let's call it that) on anti-ageing facial cleansers, and I stumbled on an article on Oprah, where they said that expensive anti-ageing face washes are a waste of money, because they don't stay on your skin long enough to do anything. Don't you think that makes total sense? I think this is where I'll be saving my monies ;D

Price: Rs.46 from local supermarket

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Stockholm ~  It's a pinky beige that's become one of my favorite nude lippies. Swatches to come.

Price: Rs.710 from Sephora

Maybelline Lip Gradation in Coral1 ~ This color! So bright, so pigmented! The finish is creamy to matte, so dry chapped lips will need extra work before application. Will wear this in a look sometime.

Price: Rs.500 from Lifestyle

Ardell Luckies False Lashes ~ Looking for falsies that aren't too long, that look like mascara-ed lashes? These are them.

Price: Rs.375 from Jabong

Any special products you'd like to share with the rest of us?

Enjoy your Friday!

See you again soon :*

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Ted Baker Bow Bag DUPE ~ For FREE!

Hola! How are you all doing? I'm back from my mini vacation. But more on that in the next post. I wanted to get this post up first.

Seriously, the best things really are FREE! I hauled quite a bit, but this particular haul's the one that got me the MOST excited! This.Bag. I can't even! If you've been haunted by the bow-tiful, but pricey, Ted Baker bags, go get one of these ASAP before they sell out!

Ted Baker bags are available in India at a store called 'The Collective', which has a few outlets in Delhi/NCR, like at Ambience Mall Gurgaon. The bag similar to this one costs Rs.3500. I crossed it off my wishlist, now that I have this free version =D

 

Products Of The Week: The Body Shop Strawberry Range

A couple weeks ago:

Me: "I want strawberries."

Family: "Oh, they're not in season right now. Why, you're craving them?"

Me: "Yes.", I lied.

I wasn't craving them, I wanted to click pictures of them along with these Strawberry goodies from The Body Shop. Yeah, I'd eat them afterwards - sprinkled with powdered sugar....mmm - but they'd have to pose for pictures first ;p

Video: My Night Time Skincare Routine ~ No Pimples, No Wrinkles

Hi all, hope you had a great weekend. Mine was half spent on editing & tweaking this video. I wanted to put this up because skincare is one of the most requested posts from readers & this routine is the one that suits my skin the best.

I had major pimple issues (big cystic ones!) in early 2013 (Post here), and ever since I started this routine, I stopped getting pimples & my skin became smoother and firmer.

I wasn't a planned video. Remember when I said I did something else after packing my makeup in this post? Well, I just decided to point my camera at me while I was doing my usual end-of-the-night face routine that night early morning (time flew to 4am!) That night, I was staying alone in Scotland while Mr.CZ was in Newcastle.

Play the video below. Hope you'll find it helpful!

Products Used:

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Cleansing Oil ~ I usually use MAC Cleanse Off Oil, which contains no Mineral Oil like this one, but it was finished. However, this is good too, and my skin has no issues with the mineral oil. I don't know why people say it's bad, considering it's in most baby products.

Clean&Clear Morning Energy Skin Brightening Facial Scrub.

Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliant Astringent Lotion.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo.

Olay Total Effects Day Cream (Normal)

Maybelline Baby Lips Hydrate.

The Body Shop Vanilla Bliss Hand Lotion.

♥

If you liked this video, please SUBSCRIBE to my Youtube Channel HERE! Maybe I'll do a Day Time Routine & Special Skin Treatments Routine too someday. I have another video planned when I move to our new apartment. Hopefully, soon!

Mr.CZ & I would like to THANK all of you from the bottom of our hearts for all the good wishes & love on the Baby CZ post! I was so overwhelmed by all the heartfelt wishes & reading them made me feel a lil' more excited about this change in my life =)

I had gone for my first scan & I put a pic on my 2nd blog CZloves: here

Talk to you again shortly.

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The Body Shop Haul ~ All Half Off!

Last week, I noticed that I had only one body moisturizer left on my nightstand- a tiny amount of Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Oil. I admit, it depressed me a little bit. I don't....I don't know how it came to that.

So, The Body Shop SALE couldn't have come at a better time. I ordered all these goodies online. All 50% off *insert opera music*

The Body Shop All-In-One BB Cream 01 Review [Edited]

Sorry for posting so late! It's almost quarter past 5 pm over here, and I was hesitating to post this. But.....

Since so many of you were waiting eagerly for this review, I put it it at the top of my to-do list. Also, I want you to read it asap, coz I guess most if you ladies must have just gotten your paychecks a few days back & all ready to pounce on all the new beauties on the block ;)

What it is: A white BB Cream that changes color once it touches your skin, and adapts to your skin tone. A little flag next to it in the stores read "No.1 Selling Product in Indonesia". They mean in The Body Shop store, I'm assuming. 

* BB stands for Blemish/Beauty Balm. Please read more about the purpose of BB Creams here

Shade: I am using 01. I picked 02 the first time, coz in my hurry to buy it I just saw 02 & 03, not knowing there's also a shade #01! I reached home, and googled. Found swatches, and saw 02 looked pinker than 01, so I decided to go exchange it while it's still sealed. Unfortunately, 01 wasn't in stock for weeks (even on the day I bought it), so I got my cash back & returned the BB Cream. Long story short: 01 was finally in stock and....and.... I got it for a little bit cheaper than the first time coz  of some discount. Woohoo! 

*All 3 shades are on the pinker side. No yellow undertones, which I prefer. 

SPF & PA Facts ~ Pick The Right Sunscreen For You!

Today, I want to share with you some information about SPF & PA stuff. We buy sunscreens, but are we buying the right one? I, for one, have learnt a lot from this, and I know exactly what type of sunscreen I should be buying henceforth.

Hope it will guide you too!

Information below provided by HUL India, and I'm in no way an expert on such things =)

What is SPF & PA?

What SPF is right for you?

Step 1- Choose Your Skin Type: Type III, Type IV, Type V, Type VI

I'd say I'm a Type III 

Step 2- Duration of time spent in the sun: Less than 2 hours, More than 2 hours 

For me it's less than 2 hours, on most days.

Step 3- Recommended SPF: According to the chart, I'd need SPF 30. If I spend more time in the sun, like at a beach (woohoo!), I'd have to use SPF 50.