I first read about this product on the newspaper before the official launch in malls. Lancome sent out 5ml samples for people to try out the product and I was lucky to lay my hands on one of these.

The retail price of $170+ (Singapore Dollars) may be expensive to many, and seriously, I was pretty skeptical about the product and its "youth-activating" promises initially. I was thinking it could be one of those marketing strategies whereby the fancy price adds value to the efficacy of the product.

Lancome Genifique - Youth is in your genes, reactivate it. Discover the skin you were born to have. - Lancome's tagline

My 5ml tube sample lasted me at least a good 12-14 days. I was supposed to use it twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. However, that 5ml tube was so precious to me I used only at night.

The Product

This is the first full size bottle I purchased after trying out the 5ml sample. It comes in a 30ml, 1 oz. glass bottle, with a suction dropper inside. It costs me about $125 Singapore Dollars from onboard an airplane's inflight sales, much cheaper as compared to retail malls' price.

The suction dropper draws out a drop of the essence with every single pump. The essence is of a very slight milky colour, light-bodied with a very light floral fragrance.

The essence glides and adheres well to your skin upon application. It is non-greasy and feels very refreshing. You need around 3-4 pumps to spread it over your entire face. The dropper constantly reminds me of how exorbitantly priced the 30ml essence costs with each pump of the suction.

How it works?

With just my first night of use, I woke up next day having smoother and softer skin. Just with one application! I was pretty amazed as this product really seems to work. I have never tried a product that shows significant improvement with just one time usage.

I finished the 5ml sample and decided that I need to, FOR ONCE, invest on an expensive skincare product. It makes my skin smoother and more refined, my makeup seems to adhere better to the skin. On many days when I choose to go out without my makeup, I feel my skin looking younger too. Perhaps its all psychological, as my guy did not notice visible changes, however he felt my skin was really smooth to the touch, akin to a baby's skin!

How I use it?

I like to apply this product to fresh clean face. Spread it over entire face, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before applying an alcohol free toner followed by regular moisturizer. It is recommended (on the packaging) to use this product in the morning and evening, before your regular skincare routine.

Ingredients List :

Aqua/Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Ammonium Polyacryldmethyltauramide, Limonene, Xanthan GUm, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Octyldodecanol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Parfum/Fragrance. Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Butylparaben

*do note : There is denatured Alcohol present in the product, and because it is pretty high on the ingredients list, it means that there is a reasonably high amount of denatured alcohol present. It could have a drying effect for some people. Therefore it is recommended to use a good moisturizer with this product. However the presence of Humectants such as Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate counters the dehydrating properties by introducing a Glycol (Glycerin and Sodium Hyaluronate) into the essence.

Verdict?

4 out of 5 ♥

This is a good product for use on age groups ranging from 20s - 60s. It promises smoother and softer and more youthful skin and it actually works! Pores are refined, uneven skin tones are even out to give skin an even baby-like glow. However, for the hefty price that one has to pay for this, it may not be the best value-for-money product.

Good skin can be achieved not just by using chemical skincare products, our diet and personal hygiene plays an important role too. Remember, lots of fruits and vegetables and fluids a day keeps your skin clear of toxins and well hydrated. Keep the effects of aging away today!

*Me and my aging makeup model!

♥ Bets

This ugly and unassuming plant, Aloe Vera, is very much a household name, which mothers like to use for treatment of bites, stings and cuts etc. In fact, mothers are doing it right. Such practice to use Aloe Vera has been used since long time ago before modern medicine is available.

Benefits of Aloe Vera :

• Generates skin regrowth
• Rebuilds scarred damaged skin area
• Has anti-inflammatory properties
• Boosts immune system

What exactly is in Aloe Vera?

From a research info I read online, it says the Aloe Vera leaf is of pH 4.5, mild enough to use on our skin.

In the solid frame, it consists of over 75 different nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, hormones, enzymes, sugars, amino acids, salicyclic acid, sterols etc.

Hormones 

Aloe Vera contains 2 hormones, the Auxins and Gibberellins. These hormones promotes the healing of wounds and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Salicyclic Acids

Salicyclic Acids are found in our BHA facial products. BHA are oil-soluble and therefore able to penetrate through our sebum into our skin. It smoothes our wrinkles and has anti-aging properties. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacteria properties. This is very good for people with acne prone skin too.

Amino Acids

Amino Acids are our body's "building blocks". 8 amino acid types are essential (cannot be manufactured by our body), whereas 12 amino acid types are non-essential (can be manufactured by the body). Aloe Vera contains 7 out of 8 of these essential amino acid types.

ALOE VERA FOR SKIN FACIALS

Obtain a fresh aloe vera from your supermart, or cut off a stem of it from your neighbour's plant. Cut it open and obtain the jelly-like substance from the plant. I will usually add in 2-3 capsules of my Vitamin E oil into the jelly to help it preserve longer. It can then be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for approx. 6-8 weeks.

Apply the mix onto fresh clean face, leave it on for as long as u like, till your skin feels drying. Wash it off and apply your regular moisturizer.

Alternatively, there are a variety of Aloe Vera products in the market, from soap bars, to creams, gels etc.. I always just keep to the pure Aloe Vera Gel. Easy for application and totally fuss-free! (if plucking the pricky aloe vera plant isn't for you)

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Aloe Vera promotes the well-being of your skin. It helps to keep harmful bacteria away thus promoting a healthier looking skin. For acne prone skin, Aloe Vera helps to reduce the redness and inflammation of the acne, though it does not help in subsiding acne. However, with regular and proper use, bacteria is thus reduced and your skin will become less prone to outbreaks. It also acts like a moisturizer which can target flaky and dry skin.  Prolong usage will give a natural glow to your skin.

Have a great weekend! I am having my final make up exam this Saturday! I need all the luck to last through the 8 hour long exam. Gosh

♥ Betsy

While doing some research reading on acne treatment, I came across this weirdest and most intriguing method that claims to actually work!

It says to take a wet diaper or use the first urine in the morning to apply it onto the acne spots! Some people swear that it works! Have anyone tried it yet?

Just the thought is enough to put me off and keep me feeling disgusted throughout. I mean, will any sane humans do that to their face?!?! I am pretty sure no one in the right frame of mind will dare to try it.

Will you? For the sake of beauty......

I'm all yucked up! Eeeeeewwwww.......

How health conscious are you? I am, in fact, quite disciplined, when it comes to taking care of my body. Since birth, I have a weaker constitution that makes me very prone to common colds and flu. I fall sick on the average of once every 2-3 mths when I was a kid.

Our health is only given to us once. Therefore learning how to take good care of it is very important, at least to me.

Here are the health supplements I take :

1. Innershine Berry Essence

I am continuing with my berry treat every morning! It has been a while since I started taking it, and I must say, this product really works! My eyes never feel tired after long hours of facing the computer. They stopped hurting and feeling dry like they used to towards the end of the day.

As we know, berries contain lots of vitamin C. InnerShine Berry Essence contains specially selected premium quality Acai Berries, Blueberries, Chokeberries, Cranberries, Elderberries, Strawberries and Black Currants. These 7 berry types aid in building up body immunity as well as maintaining healthy urinary tract. I used to be very prone to common colds and flu. However, I feel fitter now on the whole and whenever I feel like I am falling ill, I actually recover much faster after.

The Innershine Berry Essence also contains no artificial colorings and preservatives! An all natural treat that you can consume safely. It is also recommended for vegetarians. You should try one today....its quite an addiction once you start taking it !

    2.   Scott's Emulsion Cod Liver Oil

This is one health food that has been with me since a kid. People often ask how do I keep my skin looking smooth, and slim (without even exercising), since my friends will have known by now that I actually EAT ALOT!  

Cod liver oil, derived from the liver of Cod fish, has high level of Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, and very high levels of vitamin A and vitamin D. Cod liver oil is widely taken to ease the pain and joint stiffness associated with arthritis, but has also been clinically proven to have a positive effect on heart, bone, and brain, as well as helping to nourish skin, hair, and nails.

I even read on an article that ingesting Cod Liver Oil will curb excessive cravings for food as the high fatty acids keep your stomach feeling full (comfortably). Many Hollywood stars take this product to keep themselves slim.

    3.   Nature's Farm Pycnogenol Premium Antioxidants

Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract obtained from the bark of the French Maritime Pine Tree, pinus maritima. It has an antioxidant action that is said to be 100 times more powerful than Vitamin C and E, and 16 times more active than grapeseed extract.

This product is good for maintaining overall well-being of the body system, as well as benefit the cardiovascular health and for ladies, menstrual discomfort.

Learn what works for your body, and what you need to optimize its performance. However, always remember, nothing in excessive is good either. Do not replace such supplements for your regular diet intake. As the name suggests, these are just supplements that are supposed to work added on to your main diet. So, eating healthy and right is always the priority.

Stay healthy, my lovely readers!

♥ Betsy

The Classic Beauty

Think : Marilyn Monroe, Penelope Cruz, Audrey Hepburn, Audrey Tautou

Makeup Look : 1940s-1950s inspired look

• Eyebrows slightly arched and thick(not extreme), very defined
• Eyeshadow to give definition at socket (or crease)
• Lips to be clearly defined and fully colored, very hard and opaque lips
• Eyeliner has a slight winged effect to suggest elegance

Fashion :

• Pencil skirts
• little black dresses,  fitting shirts and pants,
• covered heels, often more "chunky" heels suggest more vintage classic
• satin / silk material
• bows and laces
• clothes should accentuate figure lines but not body hugging
• simple lines

The Polished Glamourous Beauty

Think : Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Victoria Beckham, Scarlett Johannson

Makeup look :

• Glamourous makeup
• Use of shimmer pigments, gloss and shine
• To achieve radiant and glowy skin, avoid total matt looks
• Eyebrows are defined yet less accentuated
• Eyeliner and Mascara to add definition to the eyes
• Face to be sculpted with light and dark tone foundation to create depth and shadow, or use of bronzer at appropriate areas
• Blusher should be light and indicate just a healthy glow
• Lips to be defined and with gloss to look "polished"

Fashion :

• Figure Hugging clothes
• Wearing of inner garments like bustiers and corsets to accentuate body curves
• Tops that "reveal" more like camisoles and drop shoulder tops to reveal body confidence
• Donning of loud accessories and jewels
• Bright and clear colours will add to the radiance
• High stiletto heels and fashion hottest bags

The Eccentric Beauty

Think : Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Agyness Deyn, Alison Goldfrapp

Makeup :

• Use of loud clear colours in eyeshadows
• Contrast entire makeup between warm and cool hues
• Eyeliner to be drawn in loud and hard lines to add punctuation
• Cheeks to vary depending on eyeshadow; if very hard strong eye makeup, cheeks should be a soft hue.
• Eyebrows to be soft so as not to draw extra attention
• Face to be softly sculpted , not too strong.
• Mascara and use of fake dramatic eyelashes add to the look

Fashion :

• Qwerky prints and loud colours
• Eccentric and weird cutting of clothes
• Contrast the colours and prints ( lines with checkers etc.. )
• AvantGarde looks with Psychedelic colours
• Anything over and in excess is the key here
• Wear the contrast between a "Boy" and a "girl", like boysuits with girly big bows
• Accessorize, loud accessories and in excess!
• Modish heels and "elf-y" shoes

The Natural Beauty

Think : Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, Megan Fox

Makeup :

• Natural and earthy eyeshadow tones
• Brows to be neat and lightly filled in
• Accentuate the crease of the eyes by using a darker tone to simulate "depth"
• Use of a good concealor and highlighter to take away tiredness of eyes
• Soft pencil eyeliner to add a soft definition
• Soft and natural blusher to achieve a natural glow
• Nude or natural lip colour
• Add a little gloss for some shine

Fashion :

• Casual comfortable outfits
• Light, cotton organic tops
• Comfortable jeans
• Brown leather belts
• Simple Carry-all bags
• Easy sandals or converse trainers

What style typifies your everyday look?

I am secretly in love with Lady Gaga's weird sense of fashion!* Screaming wtih such creative individuality! Her vintage Versace are just as tempting......

Have fun!

♥ Betsy