How I repaired my damaged skin barrier

Recently I suffered from a really damaged skin barrier that came seemingly out of nowhere. I didn't switch up anything in my skin care or makeup routines, I haven't been travelling, I literally did nothing different than what I haven't already been doing for months before.

The first sign I had that my skin barrier was damaged was that my skin started feeling really rough, like the best way I could describe how my skin felt was that it felt like "alligator" skin and nothing I did could get my skin feeling better. Then it got progressively worse, I started noticing my skin becoming really red and hot to the touch, then it started getting really sensitive and products that worked fine for my skin previously started burning my face which really started to scare me. The only part on my face that ever gets sensitive is the area around my nose but I started getting burning sensations around my cheeks, my mouth, and even around my forehead. I also started feeling like my skin was extremely dry and tight which I rarely experience, and even then, only when I go to cold countries where the climate is a lot drier. There were some areas on my face that started peeling as well.

I started an extensive testing session with all my products and figured out what worked for my skin and what needed to take a back seat till my skin got better. What I did was to apply a small amount of the product on my skin to see if it stung, if it did, I immediately washed it off my face and started with something else. I don't know if there's a better method to this but it was the one that worked for me.

Review | Etude House Soon Jung 5-Panthensoside Cica Balm

I'm always on the hunt for acne treatment products because if your skin is anything like mine, you'll understand why it's a necessity in my skin care routine. I suffer from hormonal acne every single month, and my skin scars and gets post-acne pigmentation very easily, yet takes a really long time to heal fully. Essentially, I have a ready supply of acne every single month.

I first chanced upon this product when I bought something from Etude House and they gave a mini tube of the 5-Panthensoside Cica Balm from the Soon Jung line as a sample. I tried it on my skin with zero expectations (at that point in time, I hadn't even researched on what this did) and was pleasantly surprised with how decently it worked for my skin. I've actually mentioned this product in a post titled "How I clear acne spots fast" and today I'll be doing a more in-depth review on this product.

Current Makeup Favourites | April 2019

When I find something I like, I tend to go back to it over and over again so having monthly favourites isn't something that comes easy for me. However, I do switch up the products in my routine every once in a while and sometimes, I discover new favourite items. If you want to know what makeup products I've been loving at the moment, please carry on reading~

How I clear acne spots fast

Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I've been struggling with acne, specifically hormonal acne, for a very long time. I first started getting hormonal acne when I was around 19 years old and it has plagued me ever since then. The problem with hormonal acne is that you can't really stop the problem unless I go on medication to regulate hormones, so the best thing I can do is attempt to calm down the spots as fast as possible and try to prevent the pigmentation that follows a spot.

I've been trying out different products for many years and I finally figured out what works for my skin (right now). My skin is ever-changing so what works now, may not work in the future. So if you're interested in finding out what works for my skin to clear the spots up fast, please carry on reading.

My Updated Night Skin Care Routine

I AM BACK. I said I would and I'm on a roll so I'm back with my updated night skin care routine. If you haven't already read my morning skin care routine, you can read it HERE. There are some products in my morning routine that I use in my night routine so I won't be elaborating on them here so if you're interested in knowing my thoughts on them then do check the post out before reading this.

My Updated Morning Skin Care Routine

Hello my friendsssss. It has been a long time since I updated this space because I sort of fell out of love with blogging. It takes a lot of effort to craft out words when you're not the best at describing things but since this is a space which I've had for like 12 years at this point (I went back to check the date on the very first post I uploaded) I've decided to make an effort in doing sporadic updates. I do like to look back upon this space to see what I've done, what I've loved, and just the thousands of memories housed in this treasure trove. If any one reads this, you're welcome to take a peek into my thoughts but I thought I would kick start this year with an update to my current morning skin care routine. If you would like to see what I'm using, then please carry on reading~

Product Empties #8

I have left my blog dead for wayyyy too long. Honestly, I don't even know if any one reads this anymore but I've got a whole paper bag full of empties that I really want to throw away but I can't until I actually do up all these empties posts so guess what's coming your way... Loads of empties hahaha. I'll do what I usually do, 10 items per post to keep it short and sweet so without further ado, shall we get started?

Product Empties #7

It has been literally months since I last did an update. I'm not going to apologise because I've been swamped with everything that's been going on in my life. For more frequent updates on what is going on, you can check out all my social media handles (@YiQingggg on Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat/Twitter). I've been beyond stressed so I decided to head back to what relaxes me, which is playing around with beauty items. 

Because I haven't been updating anything here lately, yet I've been still keeping up with my skin care and makeup everyday, I've collected my largest collection of empties to date. So I thought I will kick start my blog with a new product empties post. 

Review | Etude House Moistfull Collagen Eye Cream

I haven't changed up my eye cream in ages because I've been using Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment for the longest time. But I am finally glad that I am done with 2 huge tubs of that and I have moved on to trying something new. I have been using the Moistfull Collagen Eye Cream from Etude House for about 2 months or so and I can safely gather my thoughts about this eye cream and type them out here. So if you're interested to see what I thought about this eye cream then please carry on reading.

Review | Etude House Color My Brows

Have you ever had the problem where your hair colour does not match the colour of your brows? I think this is an issue that everyone who dyes their hair faces, especially if you dye your hair a shade that isn't close to your natural hair colour.

I've dyed my hair a lighter shade recently and although I knew my brow shade did not match my hair colour, I didn't really pay much attention to that because my makeup routine is complicated enough without adding yet another step in. That is, until my sister asked me to try her brow mascara, and I was then sucked into the world of amazing brow mascaras.

Review // Etude House I Need You, Pomegranate! Sheet Mask

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Mixed Brands Haul

What's in my Travel Makeup Bag?

I have been doing quite a lot of travelling in the past few months and what better time to do a What's in my Travel Makeup Bag then when I'm actually halfway through my travels? I took this photos whilst I was in my B&B in Snowdonia National Park so this is legitimately what I brought with my when I travelled.

Besides the number of lipsticks I brought (it WAS a bit excessive), I think I pretty much brought what I needed and that was about it. So if you're interested to see what I brought, please carry on reading.

Night Skin Care Routine

It's been quite some time since I did an updated skin care routine so I thought it was time I did one. I've changed quite a bit of products in my routine and some of them I'm still using so if you're interested in more details/explanations about my skin care routine and to see what products I used to use, you can check out my Sunday Night Pamper Routine. Without further ado, let's get on with this post.

Since I wear makeup on a daily basis, I always start my skin care routine with a double cleanse to full remove the makeup from my face and the face makeup remover I'm using at the moment is from Innisfree and it is the Olive Real Cleansing Oil. I'm planning to do a review on this soon so stay tuned for that but it smells great and is really effective at removing my makeup without leaving a greasy layer on my face so I am really liking it.

For my eye makeup remover I'm currently using The Face Shop's Rice Water Bright Lip & Eye Makeup Remover. I love how this removes my waterproof mascara and all my eyeshadows well and it doesn't sting my eyes at all. It does take a while to properly break down my waterproof mascara but it removes my eyeshadows really quickly.

For my facial cleanser, I'm currently using the same range as my eye makeup remover and it is the Rice Water Bright Cleansing Foam from The Face Shop. I feel that this is a decent cleanser but not my favourite one, especially since it doesn't really help to remove makeup.

For toner, I am back to using my holy grail Boots Botanics Cleansing Toner All Bright. I have used up a good 4 bottles of this and despite trying different toners, I always find myself gravitating back to this because it is just THAT good. Nothing beats this toner when it comes to brightening the skin so if you're looking for a toner that does just that, then this is the one for you. 

After toner I like to use an eye cream and the one I'm using at the moment is from Innisfree and it is the White Tone Up Eye Serum. It's a pretty comfortable eye serum on the eyes and it provides the basic hydration but I wouldn't say there is anything special about it. 

The essence of the moment is from Nature Republic and it is The First Essence. This essence suffices as an essence but I don't really see much effect from it. At this point of time, I'm pretty much waiting for it to finish before I can move on to the next one. If you're looking for a better essence and you're willing to spend a bit more on it, I would recommend the IOPE Bio Essence Intensive Conditioning. It is a lot more pricey but it works a lot better.

At the moment, I'm using 2 different serums at night, one for basic hydration and the other as an added on treatment. Both of them are from the brand It's Skin Power 10 Formula line and if you don't already know, I love their VC Effector. The hydrating serum is the GF Effector which does a decent job at providing moisture to my skin. I also like to use the CO Effector which helps with anti-aging. Using 2 serums at one go creates a pretty thick layer on the skin so I only do this at night.

For spot treatments, I alternate between using the Nature Republic Aloe Soothing Gel and It's Skin Power 10 VB Effector. Both help in speeding up the healing process of my spots. I wouldn't say either are holy grail products yet because they don't actually work all the time but they suffice for now.

If I have the time, I like to do a sheet mask before I put on a sleeping pack. I'm finishing up the sheet masks from Etude House and while they're not exactly my favourite ones to use, they are pretty decent for an every day pick-me-up. The sleeping mask of choice is the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX. I used to love this product a lot last time but now, not so much. It just doesn't do anything for me anymore so once agin, I'm just finishing this up.

I hope this has helped you in some way in forming your own skin care routine! Till next time, thank you for reading!

Review | Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

I've heard so many amazing things about the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion but I can never find it in me to blow over $30 on an eyeshadow primer so when my friends told me that a good dupe for that was the Proof 10 Eye Primer from the brand Etude House I thought I would get that to try out first because I've never used an eyeshadow primer before actually (I never thought I needed one).

Review | Etude House I Need You, Pearl! Sheet Mask

When you hear the word pearl in relation to skin care, what do you think of? I pretty much think of whitening and brightening and that's just what this sheet mask promises to do. The Etude House I Need You, Pearl! (Bright Complexion) sheet mask claims to contain pearl extract (Hydrolyzed Pearl) full of amino acids and minerals which helps to brighten up dull skin for a bright and clear complexion.

This sheet mask contains 0.67 fl. oz./ 20 ml.

[Directions] 

1. Apply toner to skin after cleansing. 
2. Remove mask from pouch and apply to face, placing mask to for eye and lip area. 
3. Remove mask after 10~15 minutes and lightly massage remaining solution into skin with hands.

[Caution] 

1. For external use only. 
2. Avoid contact with eyes. 
3. Keep out of reach of children. 
4. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear.

There is a light scent to this mask, nothing overpowering, and nothing I can accurately describe. I really need to learn how to describe scents properly because I am rubbish at doing so but all I can say is that it doesn't smell bad. 

It felt really cooling on the skin, which I can't say all sheet masks does, but it felt really good to apply this as a little pick-me-up for the skin after a long day out or at work. 

It does not provide a lot of hydration though, but it does brighten up my skin tone slightly. My skin looks a tad clearer after using this mask than before and it does leave a dewy finish. 

On the flip side, it does leave my skin feeling slightly sticky but I'm not normally bothered by this because I don't touch my face once I'm done with my skin care.

Overall:

PROS:

• Reasonably priced
• Light scent
• Cooling on the skin
• Brightens skin tone
• Leaves a dewy finish

CONS:

• The fit
• Slightly sticky
• Not very hydrating

I thought this mask held a lot of potential but I have to say that this wasn't one of my favourite masks. The basic purpose of a face mask (I feel) is to provide hydration and while this did provide a bit, it wasn't exactly hydrating enough for my skin. I'm not a huge fan of this and I will definitely purpose other "flavours" over this one. 

Review | Etude House I Need You, Royal Jelly! Sheet Mask

Royal jelly, together with honey, are well-known ingredients in skin care products and are popular for their moisturising capabilities. Royal jelly is full of anti-oxidants and vitamins, helps reduce inflammation, is anti-aging...

So let's get started. This review will be on Etude House's I Need You, Royal Jelly! (Smooth Hydration) sheet mask. It contains 0.67 fl. oz / 20ml.

This mask sheet contains richly nutritious Royal Jelly extract (Royal Jelly Extract), helping to enhance smooth, moist healthy skin by protecting weak and rough skin from the outer environment.

[Directions]

1. Apply toner to skin after cleansing.
2. Remove mask from pouch and apply to face, placing mask to fit eye and lip area.
3. Remove mask after 10-15 minutes and lightly massage remaining solution into skin with hands.

[Caution] 

1. For external use only. 
2. Avoid contact with eyes. 
3. Keep out of reach of children. 
4. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear.

The liquid from the mask is milky-white and is a tad thicker than water. I actually really like masks with this type of solution because it makes me feel that it is a lot more hydrating than normal transparent solutions.

It smells unsurprisingly like honey which I adore. I love products with nice scents and this is definitely one of those.

After application, my skin felt so soft and moisturised I was in love. While all of these masks provide hydration, this was really hydrating. What amazed me the most was the fact that it sped up the healing of my spots. By the next day, all my spots were a lot less red and obvious than the night before. I cannot say that I have had a sheet mask do this for my skin before but it does live up to it's name of reducing inflammation.

Overall:

PROS:

• Reasonably priced
• Hydrating
• Smells great
• Reduces redness
• Heals spots
• Skin feels soft

CONS:

• The fit around my eye and mouth area

I like this mask and if I were to repurchase any from Etude House, this will definitely be one of them. If you're like me and suffer from spots then this will definitely be the one for you because it helps to reduce redness and heal the spots. 

Review | Etude House I Need You, Mango! Sheet Mask

I've really been into mango products recently. I've been loving my Boots Extracts Mango Body Butter and when my face is exceptionally dry, I've been digging The Face Shop's Mango Seed Butter. All these mango products smell amazing and they are so hydrating on the skin, I can't even begin to describe how products with mangoes are my new found love.

You can imagine my delight when I finally got around to trying the I Need You, Mango! sheet mask from Etude House. It definitely took me long enough to finally give this baby a try. 

I took the liberty of finding out what skin benefits mangoes have and I was pleasantly surprised to note that there were quite a few!

1. Mangoes for Glowing Skin:

Mangoes are great for your skin as they have the ability to reduce dark spots, blemishes and acne, thus imparting a natural glow to your skin. Vitamin A and Beta carotene in this fruit restore, rejuvenate and revive your skin with vigor as well as add shine to your skin.

2. Treatment of Blackheads:

This might appear a bit surprising but mangoes can be used to remove blackheads. For this purpose, prepare a scrub by mixing a teaspoon of mango pulp, half a teaspoon of milk or milk powder and honey. Rub it all over your face in a circular motion. This will help in removing dead skin and blackheads, thus adding a glow to your face.

3. Anti-aging Benefits:

The antioxidants present in this fruit delay the onset of skin aging and pigmentation. They also protect your skin against the harmful free radicals which can cause skin cancer. Vitamin C helps in curing pimples and acne. When applied directly, it smoothens out your skin and acts as a natural moisturizer.

4. Improves Complexion:

Mangoes are packed with Vitamin A which is a vital nutrient for maintaining healthy skin and complexion as well as the integrity of mucous membranes. Mango skin is a great de-tanning agent. You can rub your face and hands with the skin of a ripe or raw mango and apply some milk cream on it. Wash off with cold water after 10-15 minutes. Doing this at least 2 to 3 times a week will reduce tanning drastically. Regular consumption of mangoes provides you with fair and smooth skin.

5. Treatment of Dark Spots: 

Mango skin is also beneficial in reducing dark spots. You can make a powder from sun-dried mango skin and mix it with a teaspoon of yoghurt. Using this as a face pack will help reduce dark spots, blemishes, and add a golden glow to your complexion.

6. Treatment of Acne:

Raw mango juice is an excellent astringent that can remove acne. You can boil a slice of baby mango or raw mango in water and use this water on your face as an acne remover.

7. Great Cleanser:

To cleanse your skin, take a teaspoon of wheat flour and add mango pulp to it. This acts as a perfect cleanser by cleaning your pores from deep within.

(Credits: x)

Starting off with some specifics like I always do...

The mask I'll be talking about today is Etude House's I Need You, Mango! Mask Sheet (Nourishing & Firming).

This mask contains 0.67 fl. oz. / 20 ml.

This mask sheet contains mango extract (Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract) known for its variety of vitamins and fiber, helping to provide firm and healthy skin with its sweet and gentle touch.

[Directions] 

1. Apply toner to skin after cleansing. 
2. Remove mask from pouch and apply to face, placing mask to for eye and lip area. 
3. Remove mask after 10~15 minutes and lightly massage remaining solution into skin with hands.

[Caution] 

1. For external use only. 
2. Avoid contact with eyes. 
3. Keep out of reach of children. 
4. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear.

Overall:

PROS:

• Smells amazing
• Hydrating
• Cooling on the skin
• Skin texture feels smoother
• Skin feels slightly firmer

CONS:

• Besides the fit around the eye area, none really

Oh my word, this mask smells heavenly. If you love the smell of mangoes, you'll love the smell of the mask. It smells faintly of mangoes, nothing overpowering, but I really like it! I like it when masks or products in general smell like the ingredients they are made from, especially when I like the scent of the fruits in the first place.

I like how this mask is pretty hydrating, because surprisingly, not all masks are hydrating and my skin isn't even that dry. My skin felt slightly smoother and firmer after using this mask as well. I don't usually feel my skin feeling firmer after doing a sheet mask so I was surprised that this mask did that.

All in all, this is one of my favourite masks from the range!

Review | Etude House I Need You, Olive! Sheet Mask

If there is one particular mask that feels like a dream on the skin, it definitely is the I Need You, Olive! mask from Etude House. What really surprised me was how much I love this mask. I've always known that olive has so many skin benefits, everyone raves about the goodness of extra virgin olive oil for the skin. Despite this, I've never actually tried any products with olive being the main acting ingredient. I'm not the fastest reactor to trends if you haven't already realised.

Another reason why I've never tried products containing olive is because I don't particularly like the taste of olives. If I don't like the taste, why would I put it on my face right. Boy was I wrong for the longest time. Okay, enough rambling. Let's start with what skin benefits olives are reputed to have.

Olive oil is closer in chemical structure to the skin’s natural oil than any other naturally occurring oil. Thus it acts as the perfect moisturiser especially for dry skin 

Olive oil has regenerative power over skin tissue and thus regular usage ensures that your skin remains soft and smooth while keeping it toned and firmed . 

The regenerative power of olive oil also helps in stimulating the process of skin healing.

It can be used to soothe and heal skin irritations. The same property also helps in treating sunburn. Just apply olive oil on the affected area directly.

The main cause behind the olive oil benefits for skin is that it is rich in healthy fats and phenolic antioxidant vitamin E along with squalene and oleic acidas. These help in getting rid of free radicals as well as repair the damage done due to exposure to sun. These elements are also known to reduce the chances of skin cancer as they inhibit growth of tumour cells

You don’t need to spend big bucks on buying fancy makeup removers. All you need is a bottle of olive oil. Olive oil doesn’t sting the eye and is not harsh on the skin unlike some cosmetic make up removers. It is definitely an alternative that people with sensitive skin should look into. In case you are worried about the oiliness it will leave behind, that problem can easily be resolved by washing your face with your regular face wash after you remove your makeup with olive oil. This will also ensure that there are no traces of makeup left on the skin. 

The antioxidants present in olive oil- hydroxytyrosol along with the vitamin E help in preventing cell degeneration in your skin, thus preventing premature aging. 

The squalene present in this oil helps in increasing the elasticity of the skin thus preventing sagging of skin and leaving it firmly toned with youthful glow. To reduce the wrinkles around your eyes, massage olive oil into the skin around your eyes. Make sure that you are very careful and delicate when you work around the eyes, as the skin is so delicate that you can damage and stretch the skin very easily doing more harm than good. (Credit: x)

So today, I'll be talking about Etude House's I Need You, Olive! (Deep Moisture) sheet mask.

This mask contains 0.67 fl. oz. / 20 ml.

This mask sheet contains olive extract (Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract), fully moisturising dry and rough skin.  

[Directions] 

1. Apply toner to skin after cleansing.
2. Remove mask from pouch and apply to face, placing mask to fit eye and lip area.
3. Remove mask after 10~15 minutes and lightly massage remaining solution into skin with hands.

[Caution] 

1. For external use only. 
2. Avoid contact with eyes. 
3. Keep out of reach of children. 
4. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear. 

This mask honestly was such a sweet treat for my skin. Even though I really liked the rice, lemon, honey, aloe... masks from Etude House, none of them honestly felt as good as this one? It was crazy moisturising, I could tell as soon as I took it out of the packet.

Just look at how much sweet stuff is still left in the packet even after I took out the mask.

The essence is my favourite type of essence, the whitish one that's super moisturising on the skin. There are days when I prefer some thing more light weight but more often than not, I prefer something that's thick and rich in moisture.

Overall:

PROS:

• Affordable
• Smells really good
• Very hydrating
• Skin feels plumped
• Skin feels smoother
• Cooling on the skin
• Dewy finish
• Does not leave a sticky feeling

CONS:

• The fit......... 

I really really really like this. I think this is the most hydrating mask I've used so far from Etude House and I really wish I got more of this. This is one of those masks that will hydrate even the driest skins (I believe) without feeling too rich on the skin. 

I literally melt into a puddle of happiness when this mask is on my face. That's how much I really like this mask. Also, olives do such good stuff to the face which is a definite plus point. There's honestly nothing not to love with this mask.

Review | Etude House, I Need You Honey! Sheet Mask

When I was younger, and my face first started suffering from break outs, I must have been oh gosh, 18 or something? The first DIY mask I used was honey. I literally slathered a whole blob of honey on my face, left it on for a good 5-10 minutes, then rinsed the honey off. Honey has tons of benefits, not only for our health but for our skin, hair, nails...

For the sake of this review, let's focus on the benefits honey has on our skin. 

1. Moisturizing Mask 

Honey is a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture from the air into the skin and ensures it's retained it in the layers where it’s needed most for penetrating, long-lasting hydration. 

2. Pore Cleanser 

The enzymes in raw honey clarify skin and keep pores clear and clean. Plus, the antibacterial properties of honey and jojoba or coconut oil also prevent bacterial buildup that can lead to skin imbalances and breakouts. 

3. Scar Fader 

Honey is said to lighten skin, and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds help to decrease the appearances of scars and increase healing and tissue regeneration. The hydrating properties of honey and coconut oil or olive oil will also help revive skin cells, while regular, gentle massaging will increase circulation to aid skin recovery and cell turnover. 

4. Acne Treatment 

Honey contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that thwart bacteria that can lead to breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties will calm redness and irritation. 

(Credit: x)

Starting off with the specifics like how I usually do...

The mask I'm going to be reviewing today is Etude House's I Need You, Honey! Mask Sheet (Richly Moisturising).

This mask contains 0.67 fl. oz. / 20 ml

This mask sheet contains honey full of moisture, providing dry and tough skin with a moist, radiant look.

[Directions] 

1. Apply toner to skin after cleansing. 

2. Remove mask from pouch and apply to face, placing mask to fit eye and lip area. 

3. Remove mask after 10~15 minutes and lightly massage remaining solution into skin with hands.

[Caution] 

1. For external use only. 

2. Avoid contact with eyes. 

3. Keep out of reach of children. 

4. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear. 

Overall:

PROS:

• Smells amazingly good
• Does not leave a sticky residue
• Skin absorb essence pretty quickly
• Skin feels hydrated and more plump
• Leaves a dewy finish
• Skin texture feels smoother

CONS:

• Bad fit (the usual)

I really like this mask! It smells exactly like... you've guessed it, honey! But the smell is overpowering at all, just a faint hint of honey. I was fully prepared for it to leave a sticky residue like honey usually does but I was surprised to note that it didn't leave my skin feeling sticky at all.

My skin feels super hydrated and more plump after using this mask (this is not the case for every mask from the range). Like most masks (not all), it leaves a dewy finish. My skin texture did feel smoother after using it which I really like! Once again, note that not all masks leave my skin feeling smoother after use.

I really like this mask! I would say it is one of the better ones from the range and it will probably even provide sufficient hydration for people with dry skin which is really amazing. Get it, get it, get it!