Emily's Anthology - a Malaysian beauty blog: Nuxe

Product Review: Overnight Masks

Let me preface this post by saying that I'm a fan of overnight masks, but I really just don't know how to fit them into my routine. I like what they are, but I don't know when to apply them! I use lots of skincare products - toners, serums, spot treatment creams, moisturisers - so when an extra product gets thrown in the mix, my routine gets a little 'off'.

This is because you need to think product application through a little when you use your skincare - how long to wait before you apply moisturiser on top of serum, what products go on first so the other products absorb just as well as whatever went on before them, not to dilute something too much that it doesn't work, etc. For example, my spot treatment solution is supposed to be applied thickly onto my spots, but if a really thick moisturiser or mask is applied before it, then it doesn't get to treat and dry up my spot. And if it goes on before the mask, then the application of the mask will take a little of the treatment solution off, and then it won't be as effective. See my dilemma?!

But that didn't stop me from testing out these masks, and I wanted to share reviews of them for you all, so you get a better idea of the kind of mask you would be best suited to (whether or not you're looking for one!).

1. Aupres Aqua Active Sleeping Mask EX

AUPRES is a less known, but much loved Asian brand that caters specifically to Asian skin. Their Aqua Active Sleeping Mask is a hydrating and renewing mask (having properties associated with the promotion of healthy cell division), and their latest version has been formulated with lavender to soothe and calm you whilst you sleep. To be perfectly honest, this didn't smell at all like lavender. Though the scent is beautiful, I am partial to natural scents, so this wasn't a particular favourite scent-wise. What it did do for me though, was moisturise my skin, well. Everytime I apply this mask, I wake up to more luminous, bouncy skin.

One thing I didn't like about it? It doesn't dry down or absorb into the skin until much later, so if you're like me and love to sleep on your side or toss and turn around in your bed at night, then it can get a little uncomfortable and messy, because traces of the mask end up on your pillow and clothes. If you sleep on your back all night, try this one out!

2. La Mer Lifting and Firming Mask
I previously reviewed the La Mer Moisturising Soft Cream and loved it (read more about it here), so I was more than happy to trial their new release - an overnight mask to help increase the skin's firmness and elasticity. The packaging itself is a sight to behold - a beautiful (and heavy!) transparent jar paired with a soft white applicator brush - and the product is an absolute dream to use. Simply spread a thin layer all over your face and neck, then massage it into your skin and follow with a moisturiser 10 minutes later. This mask absorbs into the skin, leaving behind velvety matte finish that won't affect your sheets or jammies.

The strange, but pleasing thing about this mask, is that it's not just visibly plumper skin that I'm noticing with my twice-weekly applications; I've also noticed more radiant skin, and a more luminous overall look once I've applied my makeup. My skin just looks and feels a lot better, and I know it's this mask I have to thank for it.

3. Nuxe Masque Creme Fraiche de Beaute
I have a soft spot for Nuxe products because of their beautiful PR girl back in Melbourne (hi, Emilie!), and so when I got back to Malaysia and needed to pick up a hydrating mask for travel, I immediately ordered this one on Luxola. I had no idea that this was a leave-on mask, but when I found out, I tried it out overnight and loved the results! This mask can be a bit heavy if you're going to leave it on during the day when you're out and about, and wearing makeup, so I would definitely recommend using it at night for an intensive hydration boost, particularly on a plane or right after you've gotten off one. It does what it says - it moisturises the skin very well, and isn't too pricey so it's a great one to grab if you're on a budget.

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, by Emily Quak

In Alpha-H, Aveda

How to Care for Oily Skin

A few months back, I promised to post a comprehensive series on different skin types and how to care for them. If you haven't seen that post yet, read it here to find out how caring for your skin with the correct skincare can really transform your skin completely.

I decided that it was really important that I start with oily skin, because this is where most misconceptions arise, and oily skinned people are the ones who are the most misinformed about how to best care for their skin type.

The first thing you must know about oily skin is that people with oily skin do not have overly hydrated skin - in fact it is the exact opposite. The reason why the skin overproduces oil or sebum in the skin, is that the skin lacks hydration, and it is trying to make up for that deficit by producing extra oil.

Unfortunately, this does not solve the situation, because then the skin becomes too oily, pores become clogged, makeup melts off the face, and the counter measures taken to get rid of the oil on the skin only serve to aggravate the situation.

So how do you care for oily skin? The answer is actually quite simple - hydrate the skin.

Cleansing

Starting with your cleansers - I believe that your first step each night should be an oil cleanser, just because I feel it's the best way to rid your skin of impurities, dirt, and makeup. I love Shu Uemura's Porefinist Anti-Shine Fresh Cleansing Oil because it is designed to help clean out your pores and regulate your sebum production. I personally find that it's been helping to keep my blackheads at bay, along with the help of the other skincare products mentioned in this post.

You should always follow up your cleansing oil with a regular cleanser, especially if you're oily-skinned. A huge mistake that oily-skinned people make, is to instinctively reach for the harshest, most foamy cleanser there is, because they want to scrub and strip all the oil from their skin. Unfortunately, all this does is to tell the skin that it needs to produce even more oil, and that's what it does. And the vicious cycle continues and keeps clogging your pores as it goes on. Step out of this cycle by choosing instead a gel/cream hybrid cleanser - this gives you moisture whilst at the same time cleaning out the grime and dirt from your pores effectively. I love the Simplicité Plant Gel Cleanser because it is so soothing and smells amazing, but still does its job effectively.

Exfoliating

Oily skin = clogged pores, so you are definitely going to have to exfoliate your skin. If anti-ageing has not yet become a part of your routine, then you'll want to use the Simplicité One Step Exfoliating Cleanser. This is absolute magic and has helped me clear up my skin tremendously! If you're also going for more anti-ageing treatments, then the Alpha-H Liquid Gold will help you kill two birds with one stone.

Remember though, that you will also need to schedule extraction facials at least once a month, to help remove blackheads that have formed and to cleanse your skin.

Masks

You should always make time at least once a week to slap on a couple of masks. A deep cleansing mask will really help you to continually 'draw' impurities from the skin, and help to prevent clogging and blackheads. A hyrating mask will help keep your skin moisturised, and keep the oiliness away.

Some deep cleansing masks I absolutely love are the Simplicité Exfoliating Face Treatment (this works as both an exfoliant and a 'drawing' mask, and really helps keep your skin in check), and the Aveda Deep Cleansing Herbal Clay mask (a mask that really draws the impurities in your skin to the surface! Slap this on about a week before a big day to draw everything out and treat it with your blemish gel for clearer skin on the big day).

Hydrating

It's very, very important to hydrate oily skin, and you can do this in a number of ways. As mentioned above, you can apply a hydrating mask once a week (or more) to give your skin a moisture boost. I love the Clarins Hydraquench Cream Mask and the Nuxe Creme Fraiche - both gentle, lightweight masks that are great to carry around with you, and I even apply them on long flights since they're almost colourless.

Also, never ever skip the moisturiser! I know a lot of people think that since they have oily skin, they can skip moisturiser. This makes things worse for your skin. What you can do instead is to look for an oil-free moisturiser specifically targeted at oily skins. I love the Simplicité Oil-Controlled Day Cream, because it really does moisturise my skin and keep the oil at bay at the same time.

Water

Finally, remember to always, always drink lots and lots of water! Water is essential to the body, and your skin needs it to flush toxins away and keep plump and moist. Always carry a water bottle around with you and remember to take a few sips every once in a while. Also, drink a glass full of water right after you wake up in the morning for extra effectiveness.

If you have any tips for oily-skinned girls, leave them in the comment box below!

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, by Emily Quak

In Airwick, Lifestyle

The Home Alone Edit: My Me-Time Ritual

You know sometimes, when everyone else in the household has made plans except you, and you end up alone with nothing else to do? I actually kind of like having that happen sometimes, because then I finally get a little 'me-time'.

I know everyone has their own little me-time ritual, so I just wanted to share mine (and perhaps tempt some of you readers to share with me either on your blog or in the comments below, what you like to do).

1. Snickers Ice Cream

Never have I been more obsessed with ice cream. This yummylicious bar of chocolate-y, ice cream-y goodness is all I seem to be eating nowadays, much to the horror of my ever-growing tummy, but I just can't help myself! These are SO good! I'm one of those people who just cannot sit and watch something without a snack in my hand, so I like settling down in front of the TV and scarfing one of these babies down whilst watching my favourite TV show.

2. Airwick Limited Edition Black Candle

What's better than soft mood lighting when you just want to chill out? Soft mood lighting that comes with fragrance. Airwick, The new Airwick limited edition Black Scented Candles are just that, and I am thoroughly enjoying my Purple Blackberry Fig candle. It is sweet without being too sweet and cloying (I hate too-sweet scents), and has a little zesty punch to its scent, which I love. Even better? The glass changes colour when the candle is lit, so it looks absolutely amazing sitting on my perfume cabinet, where the colourful light dances around the glass bottles. Perfect.

3. Simplicité Exfoliating Face Treatment

I hate having to get up when I'm in full-on couch potato mode, so this mask is perfect because it works better the longer you leave it on your skin. This mask (my absolute favourite) works by drawing the impurities in your skin to the surface, as well as encouraging healing, and lifting dead skin cells for some much-needed (in my case, anyway) exfoliation.

4. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

I always find that when I apply a mask that hardens on my skin, my lips tend to get really dry. I then keep licking my lips, which makes them even drier. I combat this issue by applying a nice thick layer of lip balm on my lips, so I create a kind of hydrating lip mask whilst my face mask is on. The Nuxe lip balm also feels a little bit exfoliating because it has very tiny, fine granules in it, so I like to think it's giving me a little bit of a lip scrub when I wipe it off, too.

5. Revenge TV Show

I'm sure you've all heard of Revenge, which is in its fourth season already. This is one of my favourite TV shows, as I am sure it is for many others. I love the overall plot and the setting (oh, to be rich and famous!), so it's always fun to watch. I also particularly like analysing Victoria's face to see when she's had her last 'lift' - her skin seems to sag so much sometimes and then suddenly, the next season it's like WHOA, where did 5 years' worth of lines and gravity go?! Love it!

So enough about me - what do you do when you get a little 'me-time'? I would love to find out! Leave a comment below, or write a blog post of your own and tweet me the link @EmilyQuak!

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, by Emily Quak

In Bloom Cosmetics, Dior

6 Multi-Purpose Travel Heroes

By now, we all know about the international travel regulations, particularly the one rule most crucial to anyone who loves their beauty products - the 'Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols' restrictions. These rules are what everyone now has to take into account when planning their travel beauty regime. I will go more into detail about these regulations in an upcoming post, but for now I would love to share some of my top picks for multi-tasking products that can drastically reduce both baggage weight and the number of products you bring with you on your flight.

1. Diorsnow UV Shield BB Creme

BB creams are fabulous products, because most of them contain a good, strong amount of SPF in them, and if you choose right, they can cover your skin enough that you eliminate the need for a concealer altogether.

The Diorsnow UV Shield BB Creme is my absolute favourite BB Cream at the moment, because it covers and evens out the skin fantastically, and contains an SPF of 50, which eliminates the need for carrying sunscreen with you. It also leaves my skin with a lovely dewy finish whilst controlling oil production on my face.

Please note though, that if you are going to be out under the sun a lot, especially in a warm, sunny climate, the amount of BB cream one would normally apply to the skin is not enough to provide adequate sun protection. In cases such as these, you will need to carry a regular sunscreen with you with an SPF of at least 25. The amount of sunscreen you should apply is about a teaspoon's worth.

I get my Dior BB Cream supply from mizspa.com, and they ship worldwide.

2. Dove Beauty Cleansing Wipes

Carrying cleansing wipes instead of a liquid makeup remover is the perfect way to save some space in your airline-compliant liquids bag. They are so convenient and easy to use, and take up very little space in your bag. They also double as brush cleansers, so you won't need to bring an extra bit of cloth or brush cleansing soap with you when you travel.

I have a few brands that I love when it comes to these wipes, and I purchase them interchangeably, mostly based on which brand is on sale when I shop :) My go-to brands are Face of Australia (fantastic for removing makeup), Biore (my favourite for cleansing after a long day when my face is really oily), and Dove (pictured above, great for anyone with sensitive skin).

3. The Body Shop Lipstick in #12

This may seem like a strange product to include, but bringing along a nice, red lipstick allows you to create a myriad of different makeup looks without the need for extra product. Lipstick doubles as a blush (one less product!), and, when applied differently, can give you a lot of different finishes. If you want a strong red lip, just apply the lipstick straight from the bullet. For a more muted stain, just apply very little lipstick with your finger and spread it all over your lips. If you want a balm-like finish, apply very little and top it off with a lip balm.

The reason I chose this Body Shop lipstick is because it has a beautiful gold shimmer running through it, which makes the lips look fuller and juicier, and highlights your cheeks beautifully.

4. Trilogy Everything Balm

The Trilogy Everything Balm is a multi-purpose balm that you can use for dry skin, chapped lips, and pretty much everything else! No need for an after-sun gel, body lotion, hand cream, or lip balm!

5. Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse OR

This cult-famous dry oil is perfect if you're going on a beach vacation, because the little gold shimmer particles in the oil really bring out the warmth and adds a glow to your tan! You can add it to the tops of your cheekbones (no need to pack a highlighter!), your shoulders and legs to create a gorgeous glow.

6. Bloom Pure Mineral Powder Foundation

Using a mineral powder foundation instead of a loose powder can add coverage in places where you need it, and keep your makeup on for much longer. It can also double up as a concealer if you need it - all you need to do is just apply a little extra powder foundation with a concealer brush on spots that you need to conceal, and that's all you need to do!