Beyond Happy Snail Moisture Cream

Happy Snail Moisture Cream, 50ml ($78)

Beautiful, isn't it. The 24K gold flakes swirls around like the galaxy, promising to work wonders with its added Korean red Ginseng.

Endorsed by Korean actor, Kim Soo Hyun, the fine gel spread thinly and easily on the skin. My tired face immediately felt moistened, pumped and tightened - just like what a good face mask does, but without the mess of liquid essence dripping around the neck. Lying back, i relax and enjoy the sensation as i scripted this review in my mind.

After a good 3 hours, the skin still felt pumped and tight. Night wash my face before bed, and no sticky residues were found. By the morning, the skin still felt much hydrated. Much as i was looking forward to applying the gel again, the effects of the gel was less prominent on the following night - I could well explain it with my already 'well fed' skin from the very first application.

Six Healing Sounds Qigong (六字诀）

Courtesy of 医学百科

I was prompted to pen this post after 2 recent ailments, when my knowledge of the 6 healing sounds truly alleviated my pain. I hope this sharing will benefit more people. So what is this 6 healing sounds?

As according to here, "Six Healing Sound Qigong was found circa 250 A.D. during the Chin dynasty in China. The earliest record of the six healing sound qigong was found in the book called "Nourish mind and longevity record" which was written by Tao Hong Jing (581-681), a famous ancient Chinese medicine doctor, thinker."

Now the 6 healing sound qigong has at least 1760 years of history. In 2003, the China Health Qigong Association officially recognised it as a form of health Qigong, and promotes it nationwide. A practice that uses sounds, breath and movements to improve energy (Qi) circulation to each of our respective organs. Each sound is associated with an internal organ system, and an external sense organ.

1. Liver, (eye) - Sound is “Xu” 嘘, pronounced “She eee”.
2. Heart, (tongue) - Sound is “Her” 呵, pronounced “Her rrr”.
3. Spleen, (mouth) - Sound is “Hu” 呼, pronounced “Who ooo”.
4. Lung, (nose) - Sound is “Si” 四, pronounced “Si ssssss”.
5. Kidney, (ear) - Sound is “Chui” 吹, pronounced “Chui aaa”.
6. Triple Burner Meridian - Sound is “Xi” 嘻, pronounced “See eee”.

No doubt, instructions suggest practicing in standing position with designed hands movement (video here) to guarantee efficiency, but i found it effective in all sitting and lying positions. Using the nose for inhaling and exhale through the mouth, uttering the word softly. Without any body movement.

-----

1. Heart Burn - After a heavy dinner, my pain came in the night, in bed. The agonizing pain came in waves and i curled up in pain, struggling to get back to sleep. Without a choice, i start deep breathing with the 'Hu' sound (thinking it's my gastric pain, as this is my first heart burn experience). It didn't work one bit. I'm still in pain. Then i tired the 'Her' sound for the heart, this time it worked! I continued breathing in, out for about 10 mins, and falling back to sleep. Then i was woken by a second wave of acid attack on the heart. Did my breathing again to subside the pain and got back to sleep.

2. Stomach Upset/ Diarrhea - After a day of discomfort and loose stools, my stomach flipped during the night, feeling of trapped gases. Did the 'Hu' sound for the digestive system for 5 mins, pain subsided and i manage to burp the gases out! Got out of bed to the toilet to discharge. Slept in, but was woken by a second waves of pain. Did the 'Hu' again, the pain subsided, and i managed a burp and a fart. Got back to peaceful sleep. Morning came, and i toilet to clear out a large load.

-----

Now if you can't remember all the 6 sounds, just remember those which your body is more susceptible to attack. In my case, i have a weak digestive system, so the 'Hu' and 'Her' are my life savior. If you commonly suffer from sore eye, then consider the 'Xu' sound. Or the practice of the 'Chui' sound to strengthen a weak kidney. 'Her' to soothe a tongue/ mouth blister, 'Si' to relieve flu symptoms. And 'Xi' to improve bowel movements.

Our body. It is this amazing.

White Fungus Tea (雪耳桂肉鸡蛋茶)

Ingredients

I don't usually take notice of the many herbal soups or cooling tea, which mum cooked for us. But this time it's different. Because once i gulped a mouthful of it, i felt my entire respiratory system being nourished! I really feel it. So i went back to the kitchen to ask for more to drink, and the recipe for you too.

When i asked for the recipe, mum showed me an old recipe book, dictated in olden Chinese. There's a translation in English. Do email me if you need the copy in Chinese.

The benefits are: Moisten complexion, brain feeding, calming effect for quality sleep, improve memory, tinnitus due to weakening kidney, cold and cough, easing constipation.

INGREDIENTS:

A handful of White Fungus, and Dried Longan.

4 Eggs

Water

Rock Sugar (optional)

STEPS:

1. Soak the white fungus in water. Wait for it to soften up, as in the above picture. Wash and remove any silt/ sand from it.

2. Cook your hard boiled eggs and remove the shells.

3. Add all ingredients, including the dried longan into soup pot and cover with water.

4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 30 mins, or more if you like a syrupy texture. We do. If you have a thermal pot, leave it in for half a day before serving. 

5. After removing from heat, add rock sugar to taste.

Overnight Oats - My Daily Breakfast

Banana Fresh Milk, with Oats, Chia seeds and Walnuts

INGREDIENTS:

7 Tbs Rolled Oats

1/2 Cup Fresh Milk/ or Soya Bean Milk/ or Yogurt 

1/2 Tsp Chia Seeds

Topping (Optional): Nuts or Fruits of your choice.

This has been my weekday breakfast for the past 4 months - 7 tablespoonfuls of rolled Oats with fresh Soya milk and Chia seeds. Now you don't freak out, because this is a tasty and healthy breakfast to start a busy morning. And it kept me well energized till lunch.

1. Chia seeds, Rolled Oats and few Raisins with Melon seeds.

2. Pour in Soya milk, with just enough to cover.

Every evening, i'll prepare the oats for the next morning. The Chia seeds and rolled oats will go first, then the milk poured to cover them sufficiently. Left in the refrigerator, the oats would have softened up by the next day. Even if you have a change of plans, the oats can be kept till the second morning. My hour journey to the office, left it at a comfortable temperature for consuming. This recipe is certainly more manageable than cooking up a hot gooey cereal paste for breakfast. 

Selecting cow milk over soya milk yield a creamier mix, so we didn't like it so much. It can be made with yogurt too. But our favourite is still the soya milk. And do try to include Chia seeds as it adds a delightful crunch to the otherwise dull mushy bite of the soaked oats; or consider melon seeds and raisins (Lowan Original Harvest has all of this). Play around. Find a taste that best suits you. 

We experiment with the many brands of fresh Soya milk and rolled oats available in our local supermarket. Our favourites are the NTUC Hi-Calcium Fresh Soya Milk Reduced Sugar, 1L ($1.55); NTUC Rolled Oats, 1kg ($4.35); Lowan Rolled Oats, 1kg ($5.75); Lowan Original Harvest, 1kg ($7.95)

Biocos Swiss, Pure Black Olive Smoothing Shampoo

Biocos Pure Black Olive, 800ml ($8.90)

Biocos Swiss, isn't a hair shampoo from Swiss. Salesgirl from Swanston @ Chinatown was honest to tell us when inquired. She explained it is a repackaged product. A search on the internet revealed its place of origin to be Guangdong, China (Mainland). So there's really no telling the amount of pure olive oil we could expect in this bottle.

Identity aside, the shampoo has a soft feel on shampooing. I feel it between the fingers. Compared to my Korean Organia shampoo which is double the price, the Biocos falls behind. But it will do. The man like that it is light, lesser moistening, yet not harsh like many commercial shampoos. It is also cheaper. So this identity chaos of Biocos is forgiven for now.

Kimdo BBQ, 金都串串烧

Why is BBQ food bad for us?

Barbecuing causes the surface of food to become contaminated by smoke - the smoke emitted contains poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide and PAHs. For people on the go, we simply do not care about scraping the black bits off the meats to reduce PAHs. And business at Kim Do BBQ was too good for the server to bother about the strong fire that causes the burn.

Our last stop at Johor Bahru City Square was at Kim Do where we eat at our own risk. Sinfully enjoying their signature 'Single Bone Chicken Wings' and 'BBQ Fresh Squids', dribbled in special hot sourish chili dip! Then hoping to justify our wants with some freshly squashed Balonglong fruit juice, served with a preserved plum fruit - surely this detoxify us? Else it quenches our thirst most explicitly!

Kimdo Single Bone Chicken Wing (RM$1.90, S$0.65) x2

Taiwan Eryngli Mushroom (RM$2.50, S$0.85), Crispy Bean Curd (RM$1.60, S$0.55)

Local Fresh Squid, RM$16, S$5.40 (RM$12, S$4 per 100g) 

Fresh Balonglong Juice (RM$5.50, S$1.80)

MA CHERIE Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner by Shiseido

Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner Travel Set, 50ml each ($8.90)

For the longest time, i was repulsive towards moisture shampoo and conditioner. In our humid weather, they drag down my thick rough hair after a night's sleep; by the next afternoon my hair starts feeling and looking lumpy. So i tend to stick to 'everyday wash' shampoo.

These days, i was too much in the sun and running into the cool dryness of the strong air-conditioning - i think my ends might be splitting? So when i don on the luxurious shampoo of Ma Cherie, i immediately felt pampered! Just a size of a twenty cent coin has been enough to produce a cheery mass of sweet laundering for my short cropped bob. The hair feels soft, moisturized and airy till the next evening. It feels and smell wonderful.

Then i plucked up the courage to try the conditioner; for this blogging. The dollop on my palm disappears as soon as i applied it on my hair! This is so unlike our usual conditioner, so i added another dollop, and the same thing happened. Nothing much was left to be washed off! This time round the hair felt really moistened but still light.

I am saving the conditioner as a weekly treat for the hair. And am earnestly sourcing out the cheapest shop that houses this moisture shampoo from Shiseido, Japan.

(Malin+Goetz) Apothecary and Lab. New York

Complimentary Tube Samples for Qantas Business Customers

It was year-end spring cleaning that got me to finish the Malin and Goetz sample tubes.

As promised, the face moisturizer and hand+body lotion are the non-sticky type that effectively coats the skin to protect yet doesn't feel a tad clinging or heavy. I emptied the entire tube of oil-free body lotion in 1 application; and the man who is in dire of gummy rubs, approves it. This is seriously one of the best that doesn't melt on you in the Tropics.

I adore its natural scents that quickly evaporate - it feels free and clean; not having to worry about stains on the clothes that will smell. The lotion causes zero epidermal irritation on my occasional sensitive skin, it feels really easy. Even when a speck of it sprayed into my eye, the stink quickly subsided!

A check on their website however, brought back the reality of cost for such exemplary product.

The Face Shop - Baby Face Hydrogel Mask

Baby Face Hydrogel Mask - Collagen, Hyaluronic, Platinum, 25g ($7.90)

This is my first try on rubbery-feel - Hydrogel mask. It is certainly not our usual cotton sheet masks that cost less than half the price here. 

I was skeptical, for it feels funny - the heavier mask piece was slippery and rubbery, dripped with rich and dense liquid essence! I worried if it ever gets absorbed after 20 mins? Or i'll be left with a wet sticky face! Ha. The trial was more than satisfactory. Read on.

Was glad to find the mask in 2 parts - one for the upper part of the face, and one for the lower. So i fitted the face with ease. After a 20 mins application, the strong sticky essence was fully absorbed into my skin! How do i know that? Because i have the habit of splashing wash my face after every mask application and those that doesn't work will left lots to be wash off! This one doesn't.

With some left-over essence in the packaging, i then applied them randomly over my arms, and you know what? This doesn't get absorbed! Maybe this is where the rubbery mask comes in.

Now. What is Hyaluronic Acid? (The ingredient used in the mask)

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring polysaccharide found in the human body, acting as a cushioning and lubrication agent for our joints, nerves, hair, skin and eyes.

It's particularly important to skin appearance because about 50 percent of the body's supply is in its skin tissues. And our ability to produce the acid declines with age! So that's one reason why skincare companies are promoting synthetically-derived hyaluronic acid products which they claim to help replenish our lost stores of it.

Well, as with all masks application, the skin soon forgets about the conditioning after a good 48 hrs. Time for a re-application - No fuss here. I like this gel mask that sticks to the face firmly and holds its liquid so well, i could sit up and watch TV or scroll the iPad.

Laneige, Korea - Washing, Melting, Peeling!

1. Laneige Pore Clear Wash Off Pack, 120ml ($40),  2. Laneige Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel, 150ml ($45),

3. Laneige Blackhead Melting Gel, 20ml ($37.95)

Classic Laneige product in old packaging still proves to be fairly effective. You gotten try these 2. Except for the blackhead melting gel (not in pic); at post time, i don't see my blackheads diminishing in anyway...


1. Both Ric and myself love the pore clear wash-off pack. It is foam-less, in white clay state. It doesn't dry your skins after washing off, in fact the skin feels clean, yet tender and slightly moisten. I like this. The product is most effective on Ric's large pores - after just 1 wash, we both noticed his skin brightening up! Because as his pores tighten, we see less of the blackish spots! And he learns to enjoy the obvious smoothness of his skin. Being one who refuses skin product profusely, the guy now advocates this.


2. I have absolutely no dependence on exfoliating gel or sea scrub, believing that particles that got kneaded off was actually from the gel content itself. I trusted only bath gloves and body mitt, faithfully exfoliating myself on a weekly basis. Then came a crisis - wrongfully applied some body lotion for an extended period, and developed patches of coarse skin on my arms! Working on them for 4 months with my weekly scrub couldn't remove them.

That morning when i decided to use the peeling gel on my arms, i was redeemed. No kidding. I was thankfully relieved when the smoothness on my arms was restored! And i felt certain that those rubbery particles produced from scrubbing weren't from the gel, they were really the dead skins removed; because subsequent scrub produces nothing!

Applying the gel on the face, i discovered my nasty areas to be my nose, mouth and chin, the T-zone. The other zones drew blank. The skin feels absolutely silky to touch! Also don't worry; this peeling gel is gentle and calming to the facial skin.


3. The blackhead treatment gel is one product that many are condemning. Contrary to claim, it is ineffective - from several applications. The nose reddens slightly from the abrasion of the silicon brush that dispenses the liquid gel, and a warm sensation follows. That was all about it.

Washing the transparent liquid off, had me staring blank at my blackheads.

More from The Body Shop

Strawberry shower gel and body lotion, 60ml. (Christmas pack) 

Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz, 100ml ($20.90)

Just when i'm starting to take for granted, The Body Shop. They never fail to surprise me with the above. I was thus prompted to write.

The Strawberry Shower Gel and Body Lotion - since Christmas. I was trying to finish the small packaging and discard it. Thinking, yucky! Strawberry!? But the strawberry scent was less than revolting; in fact, it left the bathroom with a nice fragrance. The body lotion was the best - containing real strawberry seed oil, it is really lightweight. The skin absorbs it totally within 15 mins of application, feeling soft and unsticky. Love it.

The Vitamin C Energizing Face Spritz is a convenient product, compared to cream moisturizer. After bath or face wash, i'll simply put the spray on my palm and pat it on my check and forehead. Done! Instant hydration that left the skin feeling pumped up! It works like the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, but feels denser. I like the idea of Vitamin C on the skin albeit its distinct orange scent.

I had since left Ric with the Vitamin C face spritz. With the ease of application, i expect no more excuse from the man for not taking care of his dull skin!

The Yogurt Diet - It Works!

Yoplait low fat yogurt, 1kg ($7.85)

Objective - Rest the digestive system, feeding it with good bacteria and improve bowel movement. Weight-loss that comes with this exercise is an added bonus!

Returning to work in a new office; the initial rush and anxieties are putting a strain on my digestive system again - the embarrassing Constipation, you called it.

Chinese medical program Xdoctor, 《我是大医生》 by China Beijing BTV Channel, gave the idea to start this 2 days Yogurt diet. If you are really determined, repeat the diet of Day 2 for Day 3. Hosted by real doctors, the informative program is available on tv.Sohu website.

***************************************

Day 1 Menu - 1 bowl yogurt, with 1 banana (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

On a non-working day, my ordeal began. Quite amazingly, i don't feel hungry, just a tad weaker than normal. Does my morning Qigong and Taiji exercises, full laundry, light gardening and cross-stitches craft. In between meal time, drink some water shall you feels hungry. After my 2nd cup of yogurt for lunch, i began to fart frequently and foul-smellingly; which are evident that the good bacteria are fighting against the many bad bacteria in my system! If you've got a balanced digestive system, this wouldn't happen. So i advise you stay home for the day.

Total intake today is 1kg of yogurt and 3 raw bananas. I rested early for the night, no hunger pangs, feeling just right and light, with a flattened tummy!

***************************************

Day 2 Menu - 1 bowl yogurt, with 1 banana (breakfast), 1 bowl of rice and vegetable salad (lunch), high-fiber mains and vegetables (dinner)

After my morning exercises and breakfast, my bowel starts moving (and spontaneously for the rest of the week!). The gases in the tummy are less and they don't smell so badly anymore. Therefore, after breakfast i could go out with friends! And that's when i noticed my easily satisfied appetite, both today and the many days that follow! I am eating less, effortlessly!

***************************************

You are advised to perform the yogurt diet once a month, or more frequently on alternate weeks. But feeling so bright and freshen up with an emptied bowel, i'm going to do it again this weekend! This is so much safer and healthier than any starving diet or expensive detox juice!

You've got to try this, ok!

Bitter Grass, 苦草/ 穿心莲

It is well-known that this Andrographis herb is especially effective for heat-clearing - easing sore throat or swollen tonsils from too much heaty (fried, dry) food. But we seldom resort to applying it because of its extreme bitterness!

Bite into a leaf of it, and you will be knock off with the most unforgettable bitterness! It is almost brain freezing!

But i had my worst this month - all started with a swollen gum on my left cheek with a slight fever. Ignoring it, it gets worse after a week with a swell that becomes so visible, i felt embarrassed. By this time, my left tonsil had bulged also, resembling that of a Mumps virus infection. I was alarmed and in serious pain; it is unbearable! - desperate, i places all hope on my most unsweetened friend.

We found that the most comfortable way of taking the bitter grass is through drinking; cut 2 leaves and make tea out of it, letting the bitterness slowly sip in. Refill with a second cup, washing down the leaves finally. And i actually felt noticeably better after 3 hours. By the next morning, half the battle is won!

If you want a seedling of this plant, give me a jingle.

Qigong and Yoga

Nine years of Yoga practice, i finally decided the switch to Qigong after a month of intense Health Qigong - a system which comprises some oldest Qigongs in China.

A month without Yoga. I was unsure. Today the body was feeling a little weary and tense, so i lay out my mat and start the hour routine - this was when i observed improved body flexibility! I was able to reach out much easier than the month before! With that, i too realized the tough pulling actions of Yoga exercise versus graceful and gentle Qigong movements. Of course, years of Yoga stretching exercise does help lay a good foundation for practice of the Qigong.

Our 1 hour of Health Qigong runs the course from 1)Yi Jin Jing - Good stretching exercise to loosen the stiffen muscles (this feels more effective and safer than the Sun Salutation!), 2)Wu Qin Xi - Massaging our 5 major internal organs through physical movements, 3)Liu Zi Jue - Massaging our major organs through breathing exercises driven by 6 verbal pronunciation, and 4)Ba Duan Jin - Repairs and heals the body of internal injuries.

I strongly affirms its health benefits as the body felt "awaken" by the proclaimed circulation of Qi and strengthening of the internal organs! My weak digestive system improves most significantly. Praise God for this magnificent body indeed!

Do experience the marvelous effects of Health Qigong; the below official videos by the China Sports Council shall aid your work-out.

Yi Jin Jing (易筋经) - Muscle-Tendon Change Classic (12 routines),
developed by ancient Indian Shaolin monk Da Mo (達摩).

 

Wu Qin Xi (五禽戏) - Five Animals Movements (10 routines),
developed by ancient Chinese physician Hua Tuo (华佗).

 

Liu Zi Jue (六字诀) - Six Healing Sounds (6 routines),
written by Tao Hong Jing, ancient Chinese medicine doctor.

 

Ba Duan Jin (八段锦) - Eight Pieces of Brocade (8 routines),
passed down from ancient China.

Rock Sugar Lemon Drink (Hot/ Cold)

It's the season for influenza; and Ric always join in. 

You know how these big guys when not feeling well, always reject your offer of everything that you promises to make them feel better? This is one drink Ric can be coaxed to; and enjoys it. Do remember to have enough food at hand, as this lemonade will be making the men hungry.

INGREDIENTS:
4 pcs    China Rock Honey Sugar
1 pcs    Lemon (wash and dry)
1/4 pcs    Ginger, thinly scraped/sliced (optional)

STEPS:
1. Wash and dry a clean glass bottle.
2. Wash and dry the lemon. Sliced it up.
3. Stack the honey sugar and lemon slices in the bottle. You can add in the ginger slices at this stage.
4. Leave the bottle on the kitchen table for 1-2 days, until all the rock sugar melted into a beautiful golden color. Then you store it in the fridge until you need it.


We love to make this as a warm beverage. Just 2 slices of the lemon and 4 teaspoons of the melted sugar does a cup. For that added punch, hand crushed some fresh peppermint leaves and top it all up with hot water. Now you have your very own lemon syrup!

Bio-essence Basic Face Care

Face Lifting Cream, 10g 

Radiant Youth Essence, 5ml 

Deep Moisturizing Cleansing Foam, 100g

Blogging about beauty products; it is truly difficult to judge the effectiveness of it without running our skin under microscopic lens. I usually decide my support for the product based on the comfort of application and after-skin-feel, that's it.

This month i got to try Bio-Essence, our very own Singapore branding which was established in 1985.

1. Bio-Essence Youth Essence - This is rich but super absorbent! I can even use it on a warm, humid day without sweating on a sticky face! The skin seems to lock in the essence and feels hydrated and powdery smooth. Soft to touch, almost immediately. I love this.

2. Bio-Essence Face Lifting Cream - This is very oily. Not for application if you are venturing to the outdoor. But it does feels effective; the skin feels bouncy even after that evening wash-off. Perfect for the dry air of air-conditioned office, it helps preserve my skin throughout the day.

3. Bio-Essence Deep Moisturizing Cleansing Foam - It feels luxurious doing the simple face wash every time. The foam is fine and gentle; and there seems to be 'bubbles' cushioning my rough palm and the face. It feels great. The facial skin felt clean, yet softly moisturized. I can skip the moisturizer if i'm staying indoor, in non air-conditioned room. Just a light pat of my Olay White Radiance Cellucent Essence Water after wash, will do. 

Bio-Life, 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil

26 Apr 2014, Sat

Woke up on Saturday morning and hurried to check at the mirror - cos i was amazed to feel my stubborn pimple finally subsiding! Just after 1 night application of the Tea Tree Oil! 

You had no idea how disturbed i was when this pimple stayed for weeks and refused to go away by itself - which it usually does. Being such a pig head, i refused to apply my trusty Hazeline Snow cream. Then every salesperson i met during this period tries to recommend products for pimples! That was when i realized how glaring my redness was. Believe me, it was a swelling red, much worse than this first photo. I became desperate.

No stinging pain when i first dripped the oil onto my broken pimple that Friday night. Just a little stinging followed by an amazingly cool peppermint sensation; i was grateful. A few more applications on the weekend while i left the pimple alone on the busy work week, checking back and administering it only on the weekends. See it is healing? Slowly but surely.

4 May 2014, Sun

11 May 2014, Sun

Body Moisturizers for 2014

To effectively care for your skin, you don't need expensive products that you don't use often, but cheaper products working just as well if you apply them regularly. Here's 3 mid-range priced body moisturizing lotion which i received, and will be using this year.

1. Green Finger Intensely Hydrating Lotion (320ml) from Kimberly-Clark, the global leader of baby and child care brands. When most intense hydrating lotion tends to feel heavy and sticky, Green Finger feels thick but absorb well and fast into the skin! And it comes in light sweet fragrant of a body soap.

2. Milk Plus Calming Moisture Body Lotion (300ml) from the The Face Shop. The Korean lotion contains calming moisture complex and promises to help skin grow better - i didn't know about the latter, but the lotion surely relaxes the skin; if you know how it feels like! and distresses the mind with its light talcum powder fragrance.

3. Nivea Q10 Firming Body Lotion (400ml). This bottle has proven to pump up my skin from wrinkles when i was having obvious loosen skin from weight lost, many years back. I hasn't stick with the product after the skin recovers as i didn't quite enjoy its stronger floral sense; also the cream that feels heavy and took a while to be absorbed by the skin.

In the cabinets, there are also body butter/cream from the Body Shop that needs to be consumed this year. But, don't you finds them too thick and sticky for our temperate climate? So i am procrastinating...

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil, Original Cocoa and Rosehip 60ml ($15.90)

Oil. Have never thought of using oil on my body, only cream.
But now, i only wish to use oil.

Received some 10 sample packs of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula, and i grew increasingly reluctant to apply the usual body moistening cream on the skin. Its abilities to reduce scars and marks aside, i love the naturally smelling Rosehip and touch of the non-greasy and fast absorbing oil. Good even for the facial skin.

It is noticeably effective as a moisturiser which fed my slight wrinkled skin, leaving it supple throughout the day! Even after a rinse of water, the skin still felt silky to touch.

Before

After

Then, i tried it on the stubborn scar on my leg - one which I thought is never going away. Can you see the difference here!? It was achieved after my tireless application every once a day, for a period of 30 days.

Yes, the scar has been reduced! And i'll be continuing the treatment every other day, until my flawless skin returns.

Before

After

Henna Tattooing

There was an event last night, one which i had absented from for many years. No regret in going, for i did have a happy time - good food, good company, full entertainment, two teasing minutes with the Dondurma's vendor (Turkey Ice-cream) and having my first Henna tattooing done!

Some say this will stay on the hand for 2 weeks! But no, just 6 days when it starts fading and i decide to rub and wash it off.

This was the patient Indian lady who does my hand after i chose a pattern from the templates she displayed. I mused with the thought of having my entire hand covered with the dye paintings! What would Ric say?

DONE!

Dry and cracking up...

The Henna dried, cracked up and fell. Immediately, i have this orange stain. By the next morning, it darkens to a beautiful reddish brown (the first picture)!

Like the young ladies since the Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean, i meant for the Henna to bring joy and good luck. Seeking beauty too, in this temporary body decoration. The fire symbol was selected to add energy, i hoped. 

Will definitely do this again.