ErucA Hair

"She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without the fear of the future."

Proverbs 31:25

ErucA, a Japanese haircare brand with its range of botanical oil infused shampoos and conditioners has finally arrived in Singapore. ErucA focuses on seed oils (e.g. broccoli, bilberry, cowberry etc) that coats the hair naturally with a sleek, shiny finish without the harmful effects of silicone agents which prevent nutrients from reaching the hair. The moisturizing and shine-inducing formula also contains other rich botanically-sourced oils such as argan, virgin prune and marula oil to help with the rejuvenation of tresses. Sample Store x ErucA has kindly sent the whole range of products for me to try out. There are three different ranges- Moist & Repair, Scalp & Volume and 3D Volume Up.

ErucA's Moist & Repair collection does not strip your hair of the natural oil, restores water and oil balance in your hair and scalpe for frizz-free hair. The Scalp & Volume collection repairs the scalp and alleviate common scalp problems like itchiness and dandruff. Extra Volume Up collection thus wraps the whole hair in a thin veil to create volume from the roots without the use of harmful hair products.

As many of you should have known, I'm largely dependent on my shampoo but not that much on hair mask/ conditioner (I barely use them). Other than the different products functions, I believe what many girls look out for in shampoos is the scent. Scalp &amp Volume range smells the sweetest (closer to that of Japanese grape-flavoured gummy), Volume Up range smells citrus-y and Moist & Repair range being the least feminine smell of all.

Personally, Volume Up shampoo ranks the first on my list out of the three ranges. Reason being, the smell is feminine but not as sweet as that of the Scalp & Volume shampoo. Secondly, my hair retained the volume longer than when other shampoos were used. I also realised that the lather formed when using Volume Up shampoo is thicker (less shampoo needed) while the Scalp & Volume shampoo feels lighter.

There isn't any significant difference that I observe in my hair but definitely softer and less limpy/ flat on the top. There is only so much a shampoo can do, to lay a good foundation. A little goes a long way :>

ErucA products are suitable for all hair types especially dry scalps caused by excessive sebum removed by shampoos. Tip*: For short hair, use shampoo the size of 10-c coin. Average length hair, use shampoo the size of a 50-c coin and for long hair, use the amount equivalent to the size of two 20-c coins.

*I find that the recommended amount of shampoo is way lesser than what I need for my chest-to-waist long hair. I need at least 2-3 pumps.

ErucA are available at Guardian,Tokyu Hands as well as e-store Maimee's Corner, each retailing for $18.90 to $22.90. Don't forget to 'like' ErucA's facebook page here to participate in contests to win prizes! There will be ongoing contests for CNY and thereafter (weekly contests). Also hop over to Sample Store to redeem your free ErucA samples here.

Thank you Sample Store x ErucA Singapore!

-

P.S. Pardon the different lightings because pictures were taken on separate conditions. Some pictures were taken earlier when products were received. Others were added after trying out the products.

Faith in Face Hydrogel Masks

I have to admit: I have not tried any hydrogel mask prior to receiving this set of Faith in Face hydrogel masks, no.1 hydrogel mask brand in Korea which was first launched in 2012. Led by a multinational team, Faith in Face uses only organic and naturally derived extracts and are free of parabens and mineral oils. Faith in Face are specially formulated to be gentle on the skin and no animal testing has been performed.

Faith in Face was kind enough to send over a box of three different types of masks. Do note that this is only for reviewing purpose. The boxes that are retailing in stores consist of three masks of the same variant.

Received the Nourish Me (for vital nourishing), After Shower Look (for soothing and moisturizing) and Black & White Film Star (for whitening). There are two other variants available in stores but are not included in this review- Hold Me Tight (for lifting and firming) and Invisible Pore (for pore tightening).

Directions: Cleanse your face before applying the mask. There is a thin and thick protector for each (top and bottom, yes this is a two-piece mask!) mask. Carefully remove the thin protector to expose the smooth side. Apply the smooth side to your face, then remove the thick protector. Adjust both the top and bottom masks to fit the curves of your face. Discard after 30 minutes and gently pat your face to allow the serum to be absorbed.

As you can see, the mask doesn't fit my face nicely which is the main problem with all sheet masks anyway. I definitely expected more because of the two-piece design which is supposed to have a better fit but I guess not. Another thing was that I had to lie down when masking because the bottom piece kept sliding down. The mask in the picture above is the After Shower Look for soothing and moisturizing. Yes, it does what it's supposed to do, my skin feels hydrated after application. What I was more satisfied and surprised about- 1) absorption was really fast and 2) the brightening effect was quite significant.

You can get your preferred choice of masks (box of three, same variant) at $14.50, exclusively at Watsons. If you'd like to read more about Faith in Face, hop over to their Facebook page for more information.

Thank you Sample Store x Faith in Face for sending these over, x

Earle Swensen's x Dilmah Tea Appreciation Workshop

Last week, we visited Vivocity Earle Swensen's for a Tea Appreciation Workshop jointly held by Earle Swensen's x Dilmah. We got to try out some tea from the Dilmah Exceptional range as well as the new Teatime Happiness set available at Earle Swensen's outlet from 2:30pm to 5pm on weekdays. 

The range of "Dilmah Exceptional" teas were also displayed. Notice the shape of the tea bags? The pyramid shape allows the tea leaves to infuse more effectively, giving a stronger and more distinct flavour. We were given a short presentation on Dilmah, the basics and process of tea production including some fun facts that I never knew. How many people would have known that Oolong Tea, English Breakfast Tea, Green Tea etc actually comes from one plant only? I believe many would have the common misperception that different tea leaves come from different plants.

For a start, we had Chips & Slaw sandwich, served alongside Peppermint Tea and English Breakfast Tea. (Fun fact: Peppermint Tea is an infusion, not tea) The English Breakfast Tea had a much stronger taste compared to Peppermint Tea which was light. The bigger the tea leaves, the lighter the tea! I thought both cups of tea went well with the sandwich- buttered bread, coleslaw and chips. A very unique combination, I've never had sandwiches with similar combinations prior to this. Tends to get a little messy halfway through your meal though.

We had a mini hands-on activity shortly after, to make our own (Ceylon Green or Earl Grey) tea. For one tea bag or 2g of tea leaves, it is recommended to use only 220-250ml of water. We paired the tea with Swensen's famous ice cream cake and Earl Grey was definitely a better choice compared to Ceylon Green Tea which has a bitter after taste.

For those who're interested to indulge in some Teatime Happiness, choose from Neapolitan ice cream cake slice or Chips & Slaw sandwich plus a cup of coffee or tea (choose from 6 different flavours) for only $6.90++. If you would like a bowl of salad from the range of salad bar. top up an additional $3 to enjoy it! Only available at Earle Swensen's on weekdays from 2.30pm to 5pm!

Ending off with a short vlog taken during the workshop that day. Till the next, x

Snowy Village

 I visited a simple, not-so-hidden-anymore cafe located at a unique place in August. Ordered their Matcha Bingsu, that lump of purple, alien-looking thing in the middle just doesn't appeal to me at all. Sweet potato? I don't know. It is very "special", weird and probably an acquired taste too. Didn't visit the deck gallery because we were rushing for time but I'll defnitely head back. Really appreciate places with artsy vibes. Regarding the bingsu, I might re-visit if I happen to be around the area? Read: might. I might not have tried an extensive range of bingsu but I've had better ones.

Essential CC Oil and Night Care Milk

As you might already know, I'm a big fan of Essential & I've been using their products since 8 years ago. The Samplestore x Essential team has kindly sent me a parcel! (Check out my past reviews on Essential products here: 1 2) This time, I received the newly launched Essential CC Oil and Essential Night Care Milk in the box, together with five stress balls. The five stress balls signify the five common hair stresses caused by external environmental factors or personal habits:

1. Blow-drying: Blow-drying removes moisture from the hair, not just on the surface but also on the inside - leaving hair dry, brittle and susceptible for further damage

2. Combing: Combing through wet hair causes great hair damage as the hair follicle is at is most fragile state. Similarly, combing through dry hair leads to hair knots which makes your hair prone to unnecessary breakage. Even the simplest action that you perform everyday can lead to hair damage!

3. Split Ends: As the hair grows longer, it grows older and the protective hair cuticle is destroyed at the end of the hair. When that happens, the hair splits into two or more parts- simply termed as split ends.

4. Hair Breakage: Heat styling, blow drying, brushing and other seemingly harmless actions like tying or twirling your hair exert excessive stress on your hair, resulting in hair breakage.

5. Dryness: Dry hair can be caused by exposure to sun, air conditioning, wind etc. The hair cuticle that protects the hair is weakened, resulting in the inability to retain moisture within the cuticles of the hair, making the hair dry and rough.

I have relatively good hair (I presume), partly because I haven't done any heat or chemical treatment to my hair before and also, I'm lazy. I don't blow dry, comb, tie nor style my hair, I basically just shampoo my hair. One hair stress that I encounter is dryness, though not to the extent of split ends, since I do not have the habit of conditioning my hair,

Launched in September 2015, the Essential CC Oil (day) and Night Care Milk (night) work hand in hand to tackle the five common problems. The Cuticle Care Oil, called CC Oil in short, works the same way as how CC cream in skincare works. This product contains hair supplement oil similar to the hair's natural oil forming a protective coat around each strand, resulting in beautiful and more manageable hair.

I have tried one brand of hair oil that was unfortunately, extremely greasy to touch. I stoppped using it altogether after that. The Essential CC oil turned out different from my expectation, beyond my expectation. The absorption was fast, left no sticky after feel though the difference on my hair was only slightly visible. I guess it depends on the extent of frizziness of your hair.

The other product in mail, Essential Night Care Milk which protects your hair from 'pillow friction'. Few may know about the  hair damage that tossing and turning could cause. The 'pillow friction' during the tossing and turning results in the misalignment of hair cuticle, more commonly known as frizzy hair. Washing the hair can  'reset' the mane but that means having to wake up early in the morning to do so. Why bother when you can skip that and have your beauty sleep? Just apply the Night Care Milk before going to bed.

Pump an appropriate amount onto palm. Spread and apply evenly onto hair, concentrating on mid-length to tip of hair. Go ahead and plop into your bed! For best results, use on dry hair.

The Night Care Milk smells just the same as their shampoo, slightly floral scented. For this product, the absorption took a longer time compared to the CC oil. Be sure to spread it evenly on your palm. I was too quick to apply it on my hair before spreading it which resulted in lumps (think oily fringe). A little goes a long way, pillow friction is inevitable so start caring for your hair today. Personally I prefer the CC oil which can be applied any time during the day. Fuss-free and I do not have to worry when I forget to apply the Night Care Milk before I sleep.

If you want to win weekly prizes for yourself, play the Essential’s Mane Hero Facebook game. All you have to do is to defeat the Hair Stress Brothers and Pesky Pillow King!

The Essential CC Oil and Essential Night Care Milk retails at $11.90 each.

-

Thank you Samplestore x Essential!

Esemtan Skin Balm & Wash Lotion

I received two items in the mail this week- Esemtan Wash Lotion & Esemtan Skin Balm. This product is suitable for all skin types. Yes, you heard me right. People with dry and sensitive skin always have to extra cautious when it comes to the selection of skincare products, most of which smell like sanitizer. Basically, just very 'clinical'- imagine walking into hospital/ clinic that has just been sterilized. Everyone wants to smell nice after showers or even a simple handwash!

Featuring a balanced combination of fragrance and a gentle lather, Esemtan Wash Lotion with pH-neutral formula is effective in removing dirt and oil from skin. This soapless wash is usable from head to toe and for all skin types including babies and elderly, even in cases of hypersensitivity to soap. It protects the skin against irritation and supports the skin's natural moisture.

Esemtan Wash Lotion can be used like soap/ shower lotions while taking showers. If used for handwashing, use approximately 2-3ml of wash lotion. Froth it by adding some water before washing thoroughly. This product has a mild fragrance but I thought it smells a little like laundry products. One thing that I like though, the wash lotion doesn't take away the natural oil on my skin.

Another item that I received was the Esemtan Skin Balm, an oil in water product that is meant for general skin care. It provides ample moisturising benefits, including oil and moisture, to the skin with its mildly fragrant and rapidly absorbed moisturising cream for hand and body care. Permeating deeply and absorbed rapidly into skin, itchiness is reduced. Urea is also present in the skin balm to maintain skin moisture balance, rehydrating and suppleness of skin.

Recommended to use daily, morning and evening after each wash. This smells like other lotions you can find in drugstores, which probably means it's good news. Dry and sensitive skin users can now smell as good. The scent of the skin balm tends towards the powdery side and smells much stronger in comparison to the wash lotion.

Demo:

Esemtan products are available at Guardian, Unity, Watsons, Independent pharmacy (Pink Beauty, Beatuy Essential), NHG. Retailing at: Esemtan Wash Lotion- $19.75/500ml, $35.30/1L Esemtan Skin Balm- $20/500ml

Thank you Samplestore & Esemtan for sending the products!

Dazzling Cafe Pink (Taiwan)

I striked one cafe off my to-visit list during this trip, which is Dazzling Cafe Pink. I visited Dazzling Cafe Sunshine last year but it wasn't planned, I just happened to be around that area. This time, I really wanted to try the highly raved Classic Honey Toast, available only at two outlets. I'm puzzled because why would you place your specialty dessert only in two outlets, not all? The "Party in Your Mouth Honey Toast" which I blogged about last year was photogenic but it wasn't that good in my opinion to have so many people rave about their honey toasts. So, I went for their signatures- Classic Honey Toast, Chicken Spaghetti with Pesto Cream Sauce. 

Anyway, service was pretty good but I "disliked" (not annoyed) how inflexible they are when it comes to opening hours. Nobody was allowed to enter before they open, not even at 11:59am. I reached about 10-15 minutes earlier at another restaurant (before they open for business) and we were allowed to be seated first? Also, do note that it's best to make reservation. Dining limit for each table is 90 minutes and there's a minimum order of 1 drink per person.

Clam Chowder Soup

Chicken Spaghetti in Pesto Cream Sauce

Smoked Ham Salad

Royal Matcha Latte

Classic Honey Toast

I'm a picky eater. Many times, things that appeal to people turns out only to be of satisfactory standard to me BUT I enjoyed this meal- everything. The least appealing to me, if I had to choose, would be the Royal Matcha Latte though it's the prettiest latte I've ever ordered. Yes, their Classic Honey Toast is good but it's the spaghetti that won me over. Or maybe, the combination of both? It turned out to be a very good decision to visit them even though we were catching a flight back that day!

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel

Factual Information
Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays without proper protection can cause permanent effects such as premature skin ageing, wrinkles, discolouration etc. In extreme cases, skin cancer. However, a survey done in 2014 revealed that only 30% of the woman between aged 12- 49 years old apply sunscreen daily. The main reason behind this: Sticky, greasy feeling that sunscreen leaves behind.

**Tip: Sunscreen products are rated based on two systems: SPF & PA.

SPF rating determines the duration that your skin stays protected from UVB rays.
The calculation method is simple - SPF Rating x no. of minutes for skin to darken under sun = No. of minutes skin is protected from UVB rays. (Example, SPF50 x 20mins = 1000mins of protection from UVB (equivalent to 16 hours of protection)). A sunscreen with the rating of SPF50 is sufficient coverage, as it blocks up to 98 percent of UVB rays from penetrating into skin. Anything higher than a SPF50 rating compromises on the texture of the sunscreen, making it heavier and greasier when applied to skin.

PA rating shows how much protection you're receiving against UVA rays. Currently, the highest standard of PA protection in the industry is PA++++.

-

Biore's newest launch of products provides the highest level of UV protection AND comes in light and watery texture, giving a cool and refreshing feel upon application.

This time, I received the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel (SPF 50+/PA++++).

Product benefits include UV block with enhanced SPF50+/PA++++ that gives maximum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. At the same time, the product retains its light and watery texture that allows smooth application without a sticky feel and also, it is infused with hyaluronic acid & citrus extract to keep skin hydrated and fresh, It is suitable for application on face and body.

Product Review

Texture is more liquidy as compared to other sunscreens, which means it's easier to spread although I don't feel that it gives a completely dry and fresh after-feel. The product packaging is quite a huge bottle and while it may not be the best option to carry it around, this also means that it's value-for-money!

The new Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Gel retails at SGD18.90/ 90ml. Available at all leading pharmacies, super & hyper markets, departmental stores, beauty stores and selected minimarts. For more information on the products, do check out their website- http://www.kao.com/sg/


Thank you Biore x Sample Store for sending this over.

Thai Boat Noodle

Thai boat noodle also known as 'kuai tiao ruea' originated from Thailand when the country was still connected by canals instead of roads. We had a rare day in the East after an event so Sylvia & I decided to head over to Thai Boat Noodle for lunch. I was attracted to the idea of small portions which means I can try a wider spread.

Everyone needs a cup of cha-yen when you're in a Thai restaurant.

We ordered one of each type of noodles so that we could try everything, then order more of what we like.

We both agree that the tom yum was the best out of the lot (but the second bowl turned out to be way spicier than the first) 

For the beef noodle, I preferred the dry version because of the peanut that added extra fragrance to the noodle but Syl preferred the soup version.

And the least preferred bowl out of the lot, we didn't even finish one bowl.

Cost of each bowl of noodles ranges from $1 to $1.50 which is relatively cheap (but not if you've a huge appetite. Also, it turned out that our side dish + drinks were more expensive than the main. I wouldn't mind having it if I happen to be at the East but I wouldn't travel from West to East just for a meal.

-

Thai Boat Noodle
799 New Upper Changi Road
#02-32/34 Bedok Point
Singapore 467351
Tel: 64453392