Beauty – Page 2

HOW I CLEARED MY ACNE USING SAE SKINCARE

June 7, 2021 by Little Miss Honey

I noted that whenever I moved to another country, one of the things that is majorly reacting and adjusting to the move is my skin! I remember when I started my expat life in Singapore after being offered a job there, in a few months of settling in, my face broke up so badly, I didn’t even want to leave the house to meet up with my friends. It was not just mild to moderate acne breakouts. Some will even think I got some skin disease because it was really bad. My family visited me 4 months after my move to Singapore during Christmas break and they were so surprised at how I looked. My face was really horrible. I was already panicking because five months after December of that year, I will have my wedding in the Philippines and I wanted to have a clear skin on my wedding day. Thankfully, I managed to have my acne-free skin before my wedding with the help of Dr. Z and Dr. Aivee Teo with a weekly treatment at their Aivee Clinic at Paragon Orchard. If you want me to share how I cleared my acne in Singapore, let me know and I will blog about it.

Now, in my move to Oman in 2019, my skin started acting up again. It didn’t help that the regular skincare and makeup products I usually use in Singapore are not available in Oman. Plus the weather here is really harsh to the skin. When I arrived in April, it was started to get very hot. I even have chapped lips and lots of flakiness in my skin like I have never had my skin experienced such dryness before. The environment was also very dusty and without a proper cleansing products, my skin was started to get clogged. Also since I cannot hardly find any of the face products I previously are using and being based far from the city, I kept experimenting with new skincare and makeup products that I will replace my previous skincare and makeup products. With all that experimentation lead to worsening of my skin condition. My skin was so confused if it was dry or oily or dehydrated or sensitive or all of the above. On top of acne, I was having eczema flares too. The winter weather starting at November and December didn’t help at all too. Gosh, my skin seems to more sensitive with the change of geographical location than the actual person moving to a new country!

One of my holy grail skincare products is Paula Choice Skin-Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. I can’t seem to find that here and shipping products here can be so inconvenient especially I was transferred residences several times in my first year here. But after months of scouring through the internet for good skincare products and trying out different acne treatments in a bottle (and resulted to more skin issues), I discovered Sae Skincare online. It looked promising and decided to order their products.

SAE SKINCARE

Sae Skincare is a family owned company with a mission to improved skin health by providing advanced skincare backed by science. The company was started in 2015 and founded by their CEO, Ms. Sarah. Their products are made in UK. They ship worldwide and I am glad that they are based in GCC.

I contacted Sae Skincare through their business WhatsApp number. They will asked your skin concerns and if you are willing to send a photo of your skin so they can better assist you in finding a right product for your skin. I shared my skin concerns and they will give you advice on what products would be suitable for you. I love that the service is so personalised.

I choose to try the 8% Niacinamide Toner, 2% Peel Salicylic Acid Lotion, Intense Repair Skin Perfecting Night Oil with Argan Oil, Hydrating Gel B5 with Hyaluronic Acid and Calming Pink Clay Cleanser. I was excited when the package was delivered in my house. It was beautifully packed and the packaging of items was so lovely. I love the minimalist clean branding in their glass dropper containers. The box contains a paper of a personalised skin regimen for the buyer, wrapped in a large black ribbon with the company’s logo. I was so happy to find freebies with small glass dropper container for me to try too.

After using it for a month, I saw my skin improving. My skin became less clogged. My hyperpigmentation from acne breakouts were slowly fading. My skin became more hydrated and smooth. My skin responded well to certain products from Sae Skincare that helped cleared my acne. I purchased again and tried out the 2% Exfoliator Salicylic Acid Lotion.

After almost 6 months of usage, I am happy to say that my skin is now acne-free and all thanks to Sae Skincare. I noticed one time when my 2% Peel Salicylic Acid Lotion was finished and I haven’t repurchased yet, my skin was started to be clogged again with starting signs of milia and acne on my chin. I was glad that the products I ordered arrived in a few days so I was able to control another impending acne breakout. After months of use, here are my favorite Sae Skincare products and how I use them:

2% Exfoliator Salicylic Acid Lotion

This replaces my Paula Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. It works perfectly. I used it every other day. The bottle advised to use it two to four times a week. My skin wasn’t sensitive to the Salicylic Acid so it works perfectly. On the early days when my skin was still in full pimple mode, I used the 2% Peel Salicylic Acid Lotion daily without causing my skin any redness or irritation. I don’t mind interchanging the 2% Exfoliator and 2% Peel, both works well for my skin though if I were to choose one, I will get the Exfoliator. I used every night after washing my face with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser. I tried applying it before by dropping the liquid in my fingers and swipe it all over my face like what I did with Paula Choice BHA Liquid but with Sae Skincare Salicylic Acid, I realised it is best to soak the full facial pad with the dropper and wipe it allover my face

2. Intense Repair Skin Perfecting Night Oil with Argan Oil

I am in love with this facial oil! Before in Singapore I make my own facial oil. I used to buy a bulk of jojoba oil in an online shop called Singapore Soap. I would put it in amber glass dropper container and put drops of essential oils like lavender, lemon, rosemary and other essential oils that I would purchase in the same shop. I would make facial oils and body oil too. I couldn’t find a shop that sell good carrier oils in Oman. I tried a few shops here but it didn’t give me good results. I even used olive oil from supermarkets on my face and that didn’t work out well. So I am glad Sae Skin got this wonderful facial oil. Some people with acne prone are scared of using facial oils because they think it may even cause more acne but so far with jojoba oil and now with Sae Skin Intense Skin Perfecting Night Oil, it doesn’t cause me to breakout. I apply this daily at night. I put 3 small drops on my palm and massage it all over my face. I even mix it with my foundation sometimes if I am going to a party or apply a bit on my nose & cheeks after makeup for an extra glow.

3. Hydrating Gel B5 with Hyaluronic Acid

This is a great serum moisturiser to use morning and night. It is very light and doesn’t feel sticky at all. It absorbs well in my skin. It make my skin feels plump and healthy. I would interchange using this with my Cetaphil Moisturiser or I would use it before applying the Cetaphil Moisturiser if I need more hydration.

4. Calming Pink Clay Cleanser

This can be used 3 ways: cleanser, make-up remover and mask. I prefer to use it as my once-a -week mask. I would get 3 heaps of clay with its scooper and put it in my palm. Then I was add a bit of water on the clay and mix it together in both palms. I would apply allover my face. I will wait for it to dry. My face would look like a funny pale tomato face for a few minutes which my kids find so amusing when they see me. Once it hardens, I would wash it with lukewarm water and my face feels so smooth and healthy.

I am so glad I found Sae Skincare here in Oman. It is such a life-saver, a face-saver! Goodbye Acne! Hello Happy Skin!

If you want to order and check out their prices, head over to their website: Sae Skincare

You can also check their Instagram page or contact them at message them in WhatsApp #+968 9770 7019

3 FAVORITE SUNSCREENS TO BEAT THE OMAN SUN

August 8, 2020 by Little Miss Honey

Summer in Oman falls during June to September months. So yes, it is still summer days here in Oman. If you haven’t experienced hot summer in Oman, you are in for a shock. I know I did and to think I had lived in Saudi Arabia when I was younger. But somehow, I felt Oman sun was way more hotter, way more imposing, way more acrimonious. The temperature can reached to more than 40 degrees Celsius even up to 50 degrees sometimes. The heat would seep through your clothes, feeling like you are in a big wide sauna and your face would tighten from the blaze of the Oman sun.

I am always exposed to the sun here. I would often walk to work with my almost-retiring umbrella and of course, sunscreen to protect me from the sun. It is essential to use sunscreen daily here and any part of the world, I might say, to avoid the following:

the premature signs of ageing
sun damage to skin like uneven complexion, etc
risks of skin cancer
sunburn
reduce appearance of facial red veins and blotchiness

Before, I hated wearing sunscreen because it can cause a white cast on the face and when I apply it along with my cosmetics, it doesn’t blend well as I like it. But good thing, I found 3 sunscreen that I highly recommend to people who hates using sunscreens. I also added 2 extra bonus ones. However , one can only be found in the Philippine and the other has been discontinued, unfortunately.

Kiehl’s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50PA ++++

Credit: Kiehl’s

I love that this feels very light on the skin. It doesn’t make you look like a Kabuki makeup. It has an advanced UVA/UVB technology and pollution protection which helps defend against UV rays and pollution. It provides all-day hydration and absorbs quickly into the skin. It comes in a 30 ml and 60 ml easy to squeeze container. This can be purchased in their store at Muscat City Center Seeb, Ground Floor.

2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL SPF 50 Ultra Light Fluid

Credit: Amazon

I am currently using this one. You can find this in most Muscat Pharmacy branches around Oman. I love the consistency of this sunscreen. It acts like perfect primer to my face. It absorbs well like a moisturiser and is not sticky. It is ultra-light and perfume-free so it is a great sunscreen for sensitive skin like me. It is provides high protection from the sun with spf 50. It comes in 50 ml unique-looking shape container.

3. The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Super Perfect Sun Water SPF50+ PA+++

Credit: Amazon

When my Body Shop sunscreen run out here in Oman and I was still discovering what are the shops where I can find a good sunscreen or skincare products here, I decided to try out the sunscreen in the only Korean store I found in malls here. They have store in City Center Seeb and Oman Avenue Malls. I always love Korean products. They tend to me more gentle to the skin and I often gravitate to their skincare products. I tried out this sunscreen and it worked well for me. I am happy as long as it is not thick and doesn’t give you a white cast on the skin so this fits the bill. It can be a little runny and too-watery for me than the Kiehl’s and La Roche-Posay which are more in the creamier side. But it I love that it came in a 80 ml plastic bottle which last for months. Though I didn’t like the container which is made of thick plastic. I prefer Kiehl’s container which is similar to my Body Shop sunscreen container.

The 2 other contender for my favourite sunscreens are:

The Body Shop Skin Defence Multi-Protection Lotion SPF 50+ PA++++

The texture, the container and its effects are very similar to Kiehl’s. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it here in Oman. They have a spray version of this one but I prefer mine to be slathered on my face rather than sprayed on. I don’t trust that spray can protect me enough from the harmful rays of the sun.

VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Face Cover 30 and 45

This is the first sunscreen that I really love. It wasn’t sticky or thick at all. I like that it is hypoallergenic so it is great for sensitive skin. I only got to purchase this in the Philippines. I haven’t used this sunscreen for years. I will love to try this sunscreen again once I get a hold of it.

The important things you need to look for in choosing a sunscreen are:

high spf of at least 30
broad spectrum that protects from Ultra Violet A (UVA) and Ultra Violet B (UVB)
formula that you prefer (gels, cream, spray, etc.)

So layer on that sunscreen and beat that summer sun with a smile. Remember when in doubt, just know that too much sun protection is never a bad thing.

If you have other sunscreen suggestion, do share with us too. It will be highly appreciated.

MY EYEBROW MICROBLADING EXPERIENCE AT LUCKY LASH & BROW

December 12, 2018 by Little Miss Honey 1,998 Comments

Warning: This post has a lot of selfies. Proceed with caution...

One thing that I have absolutely no talent for: drawing the perfect eyebrows. Somedays I would draw it like I am one of the Angry Birds and somedays I would end up looking like Friday Kahlo. It doesn’t help that I inherited my thin scattered eyebrows from my dad and besides my lack of luck in drawing eyebrows, I am also horrible with blades & tweezers.

Then I heard everyone talking about Eyebrow Embroidery. I said, “Is this the answer to my eyebrow problem?” I jumped at the idea of having an Eyebrow Embroidery. I was happy to know an eyebrow specialist salon, Lucky Lash & Brow that will make my eyebrow dreams come true.

Lucky Lash & Brow is a home-based beauty salon of certified beauty artist Valerie Teo together with another certified beauty expert Janice Soh. They provide lash extension, lift & tint and brow, lip & eye embroidery. They also do BB mesotherapy. So I was so excited to have my eyebrows done by Valerie.

I will share with you my experience for those are interested in going for Eyebrow Embroidery. I hope this post would help you in deciding if you should go for Eyebrow Embroidery. I envisioned Eyebrow Embroidery would provide me a Cara Delevingne-esque eyebrows by having little faux eyebrow hairs glued to your eyebrows. My goodness, I am so wrong and clearly haven’t researched enough. Eyebrow Embroidery is also known as “microblading”, “semi-permanent tattoo”, “cosmetic tattooing”, or “pigment embroidery”. It is basically a semi-permanent tattoo which involves implanting pigments beneath the surface of the skin with disposable needles using featherlike strokes to create realistic hair-like resemblance of eyebrows.

It is tattoo! Oh no, I am scared!

I know, I know. You got scared at the thought that this procedure is technically a tattoo. I was too. But let me put your fears to rest. I, too, never had a tattoo. I was scared that it is permanent. I was scared it would look like my relative’s eyebrow tattoo she had done 15 years ago that look like a stamp-one thick black line. I was scared it might hurt. Those thoughts made me think if I will just forget about Eyebrow Embroidery and practice the art of drawing my eyebrows everyday. But Valerie explained to me the whole procedure. She listened to my concerns and answered all my questions. For procedures like these, it is important to find someone who you feel comfortable with and you feel you can trust.

Valerie told me that microblading is a semi-permanent tattoo. The pigment would last for 1-2 years old. She said she will draw the eyebrow that I prefer to show me first and use that as a guide for the procedure. She said she will apply a topical anesthesia to numb the eyebrows so I wouldn’t feel any pain. Before the procedure, she asked me to fill up a form to know any conditions like allergy, keloid formation, etc to provide a customised and quality service for her clients.

The Procedure

Valerie made me feel at ease on the day of the procedure. She offered me a drink while I fill up the form for her. She explained to me thoroughly and clearly the process of eyebrow embroidery. She then shaped and draw the eyebrow that I told her I wanted. I wanted a natural looking brows – not too thick, not to dark and slightly arched. I wanted it to look like natural eyebrows just like I prefer when I go for eyelash extension – the fewest single lashes only.

Valerie draw the eyebrows that I wanted

Once I was happy with the look of the sample eyebrows she will do, Valerie applied topical anesthesia for 20-30 minutes covered by saran wrap. When 30 minutes was over, Valerie said she will start with the microblading.

She showed me the new blade/needle she will be using that is inside a sterile container. Then she started. I was surprised I didn’t feel any pain at all. I did felt and heard a bit of a scraping sound but nothing more. With several skillful hand strokes on my numb eyebrows which seems to be like for around 20minutes, Valerie was done. She then applied a brown dye to my eyebrows for a few minutes. She wiped off the brown dye and it was done.

The tools

Dye applied during my touch up

Post Care & the results

Even just a few hours after the microblading, I was already loving my eyebrows. I can get used to this, having perfect eyebrows with minimal effort in my part.

I was taught by Valerie some post care tips. She gave me a gel to apply on eyebrows 3x a day for 1 week. I must not wet my eyebrows in the next 3 days after the procedure and I should avoid hot showers for 2 weeks. I was expected to have some scabbing on the area. I should never scratch it off or pull the scabs even how itchy it is. I did felt a mild tingling pain on my eyebrows but it was tolerable I didn’t need to take painkillers

Day 2-3 post-microblading

This is Day 1 before it got really dark

My eyebrows got darker than it’s the day after microblading. I was glad nobody seem to mentioned that I have overdone using my eyebrow pencil that day and it didn’t look bad at all. I expected it already because Valerie told me that it is common for the eyebrows to darken a day after the embroidery but it will slowly lighten. I just continued on using the gel.

Day 4-7 post-microblading

My eyebrows started to scab. It doesn’t look too unflattering so I didn’t mind it at all. It is just the unbearable itching of the scabs that tempts to scratch it off. There were no bleeding nor any signs of infection & keloid scars. Some of the scabs fell off and my eyebrows have a few minimal patchy spots.

Day 9-14 post-microblading

No makeup needed. Just lovely eyebrows

All the scabs fell off and no more itching. My eyebrows looked lighter than its color in Day 2-3. It looked natural and many have complemented on how my eyebrows look, not look like a stamp-on obvious tattoo. My eyebrows looked just like a perfectly drawn eyebrows by a beauty expert.

Why you should do Eyebrow Embroidery

I am completely sold in the whole Eyebrow Embroidery hype. I highly recommend it for everyone especially for those who have sparing eyebrows and needs help in eyebrow resurrection. It is particularly advantageous in my part because I am a busy mom of 3 young boys. I go to work early and go home late. Having a perfectly drawn eyebrows by the time I wake up saves my makeup time in the morning by 15-20 mins. Now with a semi-permanent tattoo, I can just go out of the house, put a bit of a lip balm and I am good to go. I am glad my hubby loves it too. He usually would comment if he sees I have drawn my eyebrows too heavily on certain days. But with eyebrow embroidery, I don’t need to have that light hand precision technique for eyebrow makeup.

Things you have to do before going for Eyebrow Embroidery:

1. Do your research first

2. Know what type of eyebrows that would suit your face

3. Check with your doctor if you have bleeding disorders, skin conditions, blood-transmittable conditions and acute infections.

4. Find the perfect eyebrow specialist you can trust. I highly recommend Lucky Lash & Brow.

5. Go and ask other people who had gone through Eyebrow Embroidery of their experiences.

6. If you have low tolerance to pain, it is not bad to take pain medications before the procedure.

7. Communicate what you want to your eyebrow specialist before she does the actual eyebrow embroidery.

8. Cover all the basics in how to care for your eyebrows

9. Expect that there will be days after your procedure that it would look darker than usual and it would scab & itch a lot.

10. Be sure you really want to have an Eyebrow Embroidery done.

Eyebrow embroidery usually last for 1-2 years. Touch ups are needed to maintain your eyebrows. I had my touch up done one month after my Eyebrow Embroidery.

Here are the prices for Lucky Lash & Brow eyebrow services:

Classic 6D Brow Microblading $488 – 1hr 30 min

Signature Luck Brows $688 – 2hr

Korean Misty – $688 – 2hr

6D & Korean Misty Combi – $888 – $888

Mine was the Classic 6D Brow. Do you want a fuss-free pretty eyebrows too?

Book appointment for an eyebrow embroidery with Lucky Lash & Brow and quote “LITTLE MISS HONEY” and you’ll get a 15% discount with free repair cream.

Lucky Lash & Brow

262 Waterloo Street

Singapore 180262

Tel: +65 91293112

Email: hello@luckylashbrow.com

Website / Instagram / Facebook

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Lucky Lash & Brow. All opinions are my own. Regardless, I only recommend products which I personally believe will be good for my readers.