Gifts for Her: Affordable Skincare and Body care!

Monday, 21 May 2018 at May 21, 2018

Birthdays, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Christmas Day, Anniversaries,... Too many occasions, too little gift ideas? Well, even as a girl, I too struggle at times to think of what gifts to get for all the women in my life, especially when I've been gifting them gifts for years. Over the years, if there's anything I've learnt about gifting gifts to women, it's that you can hardly go wrong with skincare and body care products, especially if they're from a reputable brand, of course. Nobody wants to put anything dubious on their skin. So today, I'm back with another gift guide which will include a total of 5 affordable, gift-worthy (and coincidentally insta-worthy for those insta-babes) skincare and body care products that will sure meet the standards of your receiver!



Did you know that our hands is one of the first places on our body that'll show signs of aging? Well, now you do. And if there's a common fear in all women, it's probably the fear of showing signs of aging. We moisturize our face and neck every day and night, so why not do the same for our overworked hands? First up on the list, I've got the 1. Lavender Hand Cream from L'Occitane (US$21).

I don't think any girl, or anyone really, likes greasy fingerprints all over their phone. Thus, this hand cream is sure to steal the hearts of all with its non-greasy and lightweight formula. Enriched with shea butter, this hand cream will bound to leave their hands feeling smooth and well-nourished.  Lavender is so effective for relieving stress and anxiety that some people actually carry around sachets of lavender to give it a little whiff when they're feeling overwhelmed. Since this hand cream is Lavender scented, it works just as well as a sachet of lavender. If you don't know yet, Lavender is one of my favourite scents when it comes to relaxing scents, and I can assure you that this hand cream smells incredible and non-artificial.


I love how huge this cream is compared to regular hand creams because it looks extra special, plus it's in this cool aluminium tube which gives off an industrial vibe.

We've got well-moisturised hands now, but how about the largest organ on our body? I used to be so lazy when it comes to moisturising my body, but after I finding a body lotion I love, I started using one religiously every night, and it honestly makes such a huge difference! The key to developing the habit is to find a body lotion that smells and feels incredible, so here, I have 2. L'Occitane's Aromachologie Relaxing Body Cream (US$38).



Although this body cream has a non-greasy formula, I personally prefer to use it at night because of its rich texture and 100% natural soothing scent (*no artificial fragrance used!). Made with a blend of essential oils along with sweet almond oil, this body cream is sure to help your girl relax with its comforting yet captivating scent. My favourite part about applying body lotions at night is waking up to ultra smooth and soft skin! This body cream also comes in this hefty glass tub which will look bomb in any flat-lays vanity.
If your receiver is already someone who's into moisturising their body, why not let her try out something new! You guys know I love my bath and shower oils, so it's only right that I introduce you once again to the goodness and wonders of a shower oil! Even though it's not very commonly used here in Singapore, there are actually a huge range and selection of shower oils available in the market. Being one of L'Occitane's most loved products... I feel like the 3. L'Occitane's Almond Shower Oil (US$18) is a safe bet.



This shower oil not only cleanses your body like a regular body wash, but it also hydrates and nourishes your skin with the almond oil. If you're new to shower oils, don't let the word "oil" fool you! Shower oils will not leave your skin oily at all after you've rinsed it off, but the thin layer of oil left on your skin, will keep it feeling extra soft, silky, and smooth for the entire day. Another reason why I love shower oils is that it never fails to make the bathing experience so luxurious and therapeutic. The subtle calming nutty fragrance makes it suitable for day and night use. Also, how cute is the packaging of this shower oil!


Enough love for the body, now let's go back to the face. No woman enjoys seeing her skin sag and turn wrinkly. Therefore, a firming skincare product is definitely a must-have in every woman's vanity. Glamglow has been making headlines ever since it entered the beauty scene, and it has been proven multiple times that their products are definitely worth the hype! So for my first skincare recommendation, I suggest treating your lady to an at-home-facial with the 4. Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment (US$48)!



The Glamglow Gravitymud Firming Treatment is a hassle-free peel off mud mask, most suitable for all the busy #girlbosses (or #justanybusygirls haha) out there. Simply apply a generous amount with the mask brush provided and wait 20 minutes for it to dry before peeling it off. This mask is made to instantly leave your skin looking firmer and more lifted! The mask is originally white, but once it has dried, it will transform into a cool silver chrome shade - the perfect time to snap a shot for Instagram. If you're gifting this to someone older like your mum... Well, my mum is pretty old-school, so I think the colour-changing technology will really give her a fun and new experience!

My very last skincare recommendation is for those who don't even have 20 minutes to spare for a face mask, but still wants to pamper herself with a short, but effective mask session. Here I have the 5. Origin's Out Of Trouble 10 Minute Mask (US$25), and yes, like the name says, you'll only need 10 minutes for this mask to work its wonders.



In Chinese, "acne" are called "青春痘" (qing chun dou), direct translating to "youthful spots", because technically you only get acne when you're young. But acne is not to be confused with pimples! Pimples can still haunt you even when you're done with puberty. That said, even my mum have pimples occasionally and like I said, she's kinda old-school... So she actually uses baking soda to deal with them which I actually think might be too harsh. For all younger, oily girls out there like myself, pimples are a frequent uninvited visitor, but thankfully with this mask, it promises to effectively get rid of all the nasty oils, whiteheads and blackheads within 10 minutes to keep pimples out of sight. If putting it on her entire face is too much, she can also have the option of using it as a spot treatment!


And that's it! Those are my 5 skincare and body care gift recommendations for all the wonderful women in our lives. You can get everything on this list from Cosme-de.com, and while you're there, don't forget to input my discount code "thatxxrin15" for an additional 15% off all your purchases on Cosme-de.com!

Labels: bath, beauty, bodycare, face, review, skincare, stress relief, tips

Introducing Lush's Mother's Day Bath Bombs

Monday, 30 April 2018 at April 30, 2018

My mum is a hardworker, and I think that's mainly because she loves and cares so much for each and everyone in my family. She's the one who does all the housework, she's the one who cooks all our meals, she's the one who voluntarily tidies our stuff, and she's the one who will always put us before herself. I'm forever thankful to have such a wonderful and caring mum in my life, unfortunately, I'm not one who expresses my gratitude well because of how introverted I am and how I hate showing my emotions (any INFJs here?). Thankfully, we have Mother's Day - a day specifically to thank the wonder woman in our lives.


Mother's Day is approaching in less than a month's time, and if you're still clueless on what to get for your mum, fret no more, as today I will be sharing with you the new limited edition Mother's Day bath bombs from Lush which will make the perfect at-home-pamper-myself gift, this Mother's Day.

1. Mum, Look What I Made You

First up on the list is this adorable flower bath bomb. When I was in primary (elementary) school, I used to buy a single stalk of fake flower from my school's bookshop for my mum during Mother's day and for some reasons, this bath bomb just reminds me of those single stalks of flowers I used to bring home for her. Maybe it's because of the messy pattern on this bath bomb that makes it look like the work of a primary school kid.


This bath bomb is definitely my favourite out of all the bath bombs I'll be sharing today because it contains coconut milk powder, cocoa absolute, coconut blossom nectar, as well as almond essential oil which makes it the most delicious, tropical smelling bath bomb. This bath bomb is soothing, nourishing, and you bet she's going to step out of the bath with soft, moisturized, baby-like skin.


I think this bath bomb is the perfect alternative for those mums out there who just can't keep real flowers alive and would prefer someone "usable".

2. Incredible Mum


Have you ever thought, "wow, my mum is incredible!"? Well, I definitely have in numerous occasions. Especially when she smacks those bugs till they're dead, when she wakes up in the wee hours just to prepare and pack breakfast and lunch for me (yes, even now when I'm 26!), when she cooks dinner every single night even after a day of work, and so much more.

If you think your mum is a superhero, then the Incredible Mum bath bomb cannot be more suitable for her. This bath bomb has a blend of uplifting citrus scents from the orange flower absolute and bergamot oil, and a touch of sweet calming scent from ylang ylang oil to keep her energy recharged for another busy day being a supermum.


Can we also notice about how cute this bath bomb looks with the eye mask and cape?

3. Madame President


Last on the list is the Madame President bath bomb which is designed similar to the US flag. I love the vibrant blue on this bath bomb, as well as the distinctly-shaped stars! The other half of the bath bomb is a hot pink which once mixed with the blue, will transform your bath into a magical purple shade - my mum's favourite colour actually!

This bath bomb contains grapefruit oil which adds to its uplifting and fresh fragrance, alongside petitgrain oil which not only provides a punch of fresh floral scent, but it's also known for it's antiseptic properties as it's able to help counter depression, anxiety, cough, cramps, congestion, and more! Being a mum is not an easy task, and we, as children, often brings her more stress than we should. So I think this bath bomb is perfect to help our mum distress by keeping her physical, and mental health in check while she relaxes her tired muscles in a hot bath.

And that wraps up the newly released bath bombs for Mother's Day! Can't make up your mind on which bath bomb is most suitable for your mum? Why not get all 3 in the Incredible Mum gift set! This gift set includes all 3 bath bombs to guarantee your mum 3 relaxing at home pamper sessions, and the best part is, it's already wrapped. I personally love a bath with bubbles, so while you're at it, make sure to check out the Mother's Day bubbleroons too!

Labels: bath, beauty, bodycare, health, skincare

Review: Introduction to Bath Oils (Aromatherapy Associates, Jo Malone)

Monday, 9 April 2018 at April 09, 2018

Unlike other countries, taking baths is very uncommon here in Singapore. Most Singaporeans find bathtubs a waste of space, a waste of money, and a waste of water. I've had the bathtub in my house for more than 10 years, but it was only until recently that I've learnt how to appreciate taking a bath.


To me, the most important thing to do when it comes to taking a bath, is to use the right products. Soaking in plain warm water is not relaxing, and not fun, at all. But soaking in good smelling, soft water that is good for your skin, is. I have a total of 3 products that I absolutely love to include in my bath. One, bath bombs. Bath bombs are amazing for softening the water, and adding a lovely colour to your bath. Two, bubble bars. Bubble bars and bubbleroons are best for creating bubbles and trust me when I say that you will never be able to achieve the same amount of bubbles using your regular body wash. Most bath bombs and bubble bars also contain ingredients and essential oils that will benefit your skin, body, and mind. The third product is what this blog post is going to all about because it's probably one that majority are not familiar with, and that is, a bath oil.


After I became obsessed with taking baths, I decided to expand my comfort zone by trying out new bath-related products, and that was when I stumbled upon bath oils on Cosme-de.com.


The first bath oil I fell in love with is the Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax bath and shower oil. There are a total of 3 main ingredient in this bath oil. Vertivert, a grass often cultivated for its essential oil, known to have a grounding, soothing, calming and relaxing fragrance. Vertivert oil is also often use as a massage oil to warm and ease tense aching muscles. English Chamomile oil, known for it's comforting scent that will help relax your mind and calm your emotions. And last but not least, Sandalwood oil, that can help protect and soothe not only your body, but also your skin.

I love this bath oil, as you can see, I've already used up more than half of it. Like the name suggests, this bath oil helps me to relax myself whenever I'm feeling worn out, physically, or mentally as I find that the scent is very comforting and intense.


After I noticed I'm running out of my favourite bath oil, I thought I'd order a few more Aromatherapy Associates bath oil to stock up, and at the same time, try out a different scented one. Browsing through Cosme-de.com, I found 2 other bath oils.

The first one is the Aromatherapy Associates Support Lavender & Peppermint bath and shower oil. If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you might already know that Lavender is one of my favourite scents when it comes to relaxing. Therefore, I chose this as obviously one of its main ingredient is Lavender. Lavender is widely used in aromatherapy because of its ability to help reduce emotional stress and anxiety. It also improves sleep quality, which is great for people who suffers from occasional insomnia like myself. Lavender is so commonly used to help one relax that some people even carry a small pouch of lavender in their bag! The second main ingredient in this bath oil is Eucalyptus, another commonly used essential oil in aromatherapy. Eucalyptus has natural antiviral and decongesting benefits, and it is also able to aid in breathing, and even lymph circulation!


The next bath oil is the Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Mind bath and shower oil. Juggling a full-time job, a Youtube channel, and a blog, on top of my social life and exercise routine, can be very stressful at times, especially when due dates clashes. Therefore, stress is something I deal with very often, and it is something that I honestly hate. Stress can lead to several other health problems and even break outs, which is why I keep in mind to go through my de-stress routine every now and then, even when I'm not feeling the most stressed out. I believe maintaining low stress levels is better than trying to tackle it when it has reached its peak. Therefore, when I saw that a de-stress bath oil was available, I immediately knew that I had to get it.


This bath oil smells fairly similar to my Deep relax bath oil, probably because they both contain Chamomile. It also contains 2 other main ingredients. Frankincense, an aromatic resin that helps to counter anxiety and trauma by encourage deep breathing. And Petitgrain, an essential oil obtained from the leaves and tree bark of citrus plants that is also effective for combating anxiety and relaxing the body.


The last bath oil is from Jo Malone, as I thought I'd give another brand a go too. I have been enjoying the candle I got from Jo Malone, so since then, it has left me with a good impression of the brand. Out of all the fragrance available, I decided to go with the Jo Malone Blackberry and Bay bath oil because one of my favourite Youtubers, Zoella, mentioned that this is her favourite scent from Jo Malone.


This bath oil has a fresher, and cleaner fragrance as it contains the fruity accents of blackberry juice. I find that this scent is also rather musky and woody, due to the addition of bay. With that, this is definitely not something I will use if I am looking for a relaxing, please-put-me-to-sleep bath time, but I'll most probably use it on days where I want to smell amazing for the day. This bath oil is also enriched with a mix of sweet almond, avocado, and jojoba oil which are oils best known for conditioning and hydrating the skin and hair, so be prepared to step out of the bath with smooth supple skin.


There are two ways to incorporate these bath oils in your bath. The first method is to directly pour a cap-ful of oil into your bath and simply soak in your oil-infused bath. Sometimes when I'm feeling really down, I like to go a little over a cap-ful to make the scent even stronger. The second method is to massage the oil onto your torso, or wherever that needs a little massage really, before stepping into your warm bath.

Got no tub at home? No worries, as there are other methods to use these oils. To use them in a shower, all you need to do is apply the oil all over your body, give yourself a little massage if you want to, before rinsing it off with water. The water will not be able to completely rinse the oil away, but it will leave your skin feeling moisturized and you will still be able to smell the oil when you're out of the shower, which is the best part. You can also dap a teeny tiny little drop of oil on your wrist for a hint of fragrance.


My favourite thing about bath oils is that unlike a bath bomb or bubble bar, the scent of the bath oils is really intense and it follows you even after you're out of the tub or shower. Whenever I use my bath oils, my entire bathroom will smell like it and even when I wake up the next morning, I will still be able to smell the scent on my skin. I also love how my skin feels so soft, smooth, and enriched with the nutrients and moisture from the bath oil.

If you're keen on trying out bath oils to help yourself de-stress, or relax, Cosme-de.com has a great selection of bath oils for you to pick the one most suitable for your needs. Bath oils are not the cheapest products, so make sure to utilize my discount code, "thatxxrin15" for an additional 15% off all your purhases on Cosme-de.com.

Labels: bath, beauty, bodycare, review, skincare, stress relief, tips, tutorials

Have a Good Night's Sleep with LUSH

Monday, 12 February 2018 at February 12, 2018

Labels: bath, bodycare, review, stress relief, tips