for the boyfriend’s birthday, i baked him Red Velvet cupcakes =)
Project 365: DAY 52 (Red Velvet Cupcake)
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Monthly Archives: June 2011
Doublebase Gel and HC45 Cortisone Cream for those unsightly bumps on my arms!
Welcome to the world of Keratosis Pilaris (KP) where sufferers bare their upper outer arms in their utmost bumpy glory! This only hit me when I landed in the glorious UK, land of hayfever, rain and KP (for me at least). I do not know if it’s the hot showers I enjoy or it’s the water or it’s just my skin being rebellious but I first felt those bumpy arms in my second year (3 years ago now) at uni and I decided to see a GP about it.
Talk about GPs. The ones at the Uni Medical Centre are so rubbish that they ask you what do you think you need to be given, which does really get on my nerves. Le sigh. The first time I approached one on the bumpy arms (didn’t know they were KP at first, I don’t even think I knew what KP was back in the day) and he just prescribed me Cortisone cream and said to ‘APPLY ALL OVER THE AREA’.
Bad, bad idea. Next morning my arm turned into a chunk of extremely pink raw pork. I couldn’t be bothered going to the GP again because the Medical Centre runs on a Triage system where you ring them up, tell the receptionist your problem and then they will take a few minutes (10-15) to speak to a doctor about your condition and then the doctor will evaluate if you should see a nurse or a doctor AND then only call you back with an appointment.
It frustrates me so much (I’m not a very patient person) that I just decided to hop onto the next bus and get straight into Boots.
I approached the Pharmacy counter in Boots and the lovely pharmacist recommended applying a cream BEFORE cortisone as it helps the cortisone absorb into your skin better and you SHOULD NEVER APPLY CORTISONE ALL OVER YOUR ARM. Instead, only dab the cortisone onto those SPOTS.
GRRR bloody GP. It took over a week for the redness to go away I hate my genes. =(
For some reason unbeknownst to me, I only use either Doublebase OR E45 cream with cortisone as I somehow feel the fragrance / other chemicals in other lotions will make my skin errupt in boils :s but that is just me being paranoid, methinks!
I love Doublebase because it absorbs into the skin so quickly and I have used this on my cheeks when they peel during those cold, windy winter months and it feels so light and comfortable. This was actually prescribed to me by a GP in my first year where I suffered from severe scaly / peeling skin. I absolutely love Doublebase and I personally prefer it to E45 but it seems easier to get hold of E45 as it’s sold everywhere whereas I think only pharmacies sell Doublebase.
This, is my remedy for the ever-annoying KP. What’s yours? =)
Review: L’occitane Lavender Vinegar banishes unsightly zits!
If you do not suffer from hormonal outbreaks / spots please look away. But if you are like any other person who has to live with the pain (and ugliness) of having the unsightly red, sometimes yellow zit please read on!
My spots are hormonal. They are triggered by the bloody period. Yes I hate having period because I get the worst cramps anyone can imagine and the flow is usually extremely heavy that I have to resort to using extremely heavy duty Laurier pads that my dear Aunt BSiew calls ‘baby diapers’ because it is just so thick!
Okay I think I’ve digressed enough. My close friends will notice the outbreak and go ‘it’s that time of that month’ or ‘oh you’ve got the curse’ +__+ Sometimes the marks left by the old zits will cling on to my face for months at an end! *sobs*
I still am on the search for the God of all Pimple healers where the pimple heals itself overnight but this has been a staple in my skin care kit for years! Since 2000 to be exact, when L’occitane first arrived on Malaysian shores =)
At that time, I could still remember how I was drawn to that lovely lavender scent and when swiped on my hand it gave out such a cooling effect (thank you Alcohol Denat) that it was love at first touch! Little did I know this thing stings like a bitch on raw, just-squeezed pimples +__+
Here’s the ingredient list. The rather short list is a nice change, isn’t it?
The top of the bottle! The suggested way of using this product is to apply directly onto the blemishes with a cotton swab. Me? I just use my clean finger because I think using cotton swabs waste quite a lot of product.
L’occitane says:
Rich in naturally purifying, antiseptic and astringent lavender essential oil, this concentrated formula reduces small blemishes for healthier looking skin.
Note that the description actually mentions ‘small blemishes’! You must be wondering ‘oh dear, what about my fully-blown massive zits?’ Not to worry though as they do work with blemishes of a larger size though my skin isn’t acne-prone so I cannot tell if this will help if you have acne-prone skin!
My verdict:
I have been using this for years and years and due to its antiseptic qualities I have a very strong feeling I have this to thank for my size-controlled blemishes! My pimples do not usually spread all over the face even though I quite like squeezing them and I do not usually squeeze them properly. I use the term properly loosely as many people will make sure they squeeze all the ‘bad blood’ out until a runny watery-like fluid comes out of the zit to ensure the ‘root’ of the pimple has been squeezed out. Apparently you will get more pimples all over the area should you decide not to squeeze all the blood out, which is something I do all the time lol!
On whether it shrinks the blemishes, this is no miracle product but it does heal blemishes well! It usually takes about 2-3 days for the zit to dry up but I am not fussed about having a spot or two, or even three on my face as it’s not permanent =p
Something I find useful about this is that it goes well under or over sunblock / make up! I have Clinique’s Blemish Solution Gel which does not go well with my sunblock as the sticky texture of the Blemish Gel makes the blemish stick out like a sore thumb =( I will review that soon as I think that is a rather good Pimple Banisher too!
I hope L’occitane never ever discontinues this because I love this product so very much!
Rating: 5/5 (HG)
Project 365: DAY 51 (Pretty as a rose)
When I grow up, I want to be as pretty as a rose.
Oh wait. I’ve already grown up.
FML.
Review: Avène Thermal Spring Water
I’ve heard/seen Avene’s Thermal Spring Water for the longest time, first being my Auntie who uses it quite a bit, according to the Mother who is extremely skeptical of this can of ‘plain water’, as she calls it.
Being the rebel that I am I decided to give this a go (when I’m in the UK, of course) and boy oh boy, Mum if you call this plain water, wait till you give the LIMESCALY HARD WATER in Canterbury a go. You will look like you are 60 in no time. 
As mentioned on the packaging itself, this is no plain tap / filtered water but Thermal water from Avene’s thermal spring in France which comes packed with minerals and all things good. =)
So how does it fare on my sensitive skin? Avene has always been known for it’s dedication towards skin sensitivity (yay) and I have to say this really does bring the redness in my face down (especially after being in the burning UK sun – when it shows itself, that is)
I have an extremely bad habit. I love reading in the garden. If the weather’s nice I will drag a chair out and prop myself under the tree and start reading. Problem is, the sunny weather here is no where like the HEAT you get at home where it’s constantly humid and hot. Here, you get such a lovely breeze and you assume lovely breeze = no burn because you can’t really feel the heat.
I think I just proved to the world I’m an idiot. :s But anyway, I burn really easily (even though I was hiding in the shade!) and this was the first thing that came to mind and I quickly spritzed some onto my face. The cooling effect is instantaneous and it really relieves the pain and brought the redness down!!
During the not-so-summery-days I use this after toner right before serum / moisturizer as I believe a light spritz of this helps me make my serum / moisturizer last longer as I seem to be using less of them as the Spring Water lets the serum glide easily over my face! Anything that helps make my rather costly serums go a longer way is a plus for me!
I got my 150ml can for £6.50 at Boots when they were doing their 3 for 2 offer (a long time ago) so this actually cost me about £4.30, which is not too bad considering one can lasts between one to two months!
Now that I’ve incorporated this into my seemingly endless skincare routine, my skin is noticeably softer and smoother!
Rating: 5/5
Project 365: DAY 50 (Resident Robin)
Here’s a random photo of a Robin, taken in Early Spring. Yes Project 365 epic fail. Please bear with me while I complete one of the most important tasks in my world: having to shop for presents for the family.
ON Another note, Mum and Auntie Lim, CATH KIDSTON’S SALE IS ON NOW OMG. I got you a bag mum and it should be coming in the post really soon =p
Project 365: DAY 49 (Redcurrant Jelly!)
I have a feeling my Project 365 photos are going to be all about the house over the next few days! =)
Here’s a really quick shot of some redcurrants in my garden =) It was raining when I took this shot so I had to balance my slightly bulky camera with one hand and manage the umbrella with the other hence the rather unsightly shot. I was trying to gather as many currants as I could for redcurrant jelly! =D
\Shiny and washed red currants before I mash them into a pulp! *evil laugh*
Project 365: DAY 48 (Mini Strawberries/ Red Pineberries in my Garden)
Much apologies once again for the lack in updates! It’s been an extremely busy week with me having a lovely friend / musical fund over for the week where we went all out…. FOOD WISE =)
Here’s an update on what’s growing about the massive garden of mine! =)
They are mini strawberries! I wouldn’t have known of their existence if not for my dearest Mother who snoops around (hahaha just kidding, Mum!) but she found a few bushes of these lovelies growing around the sides of the house! We knew about them as we saw them at Harrods!
This is how the plant looks like, for the uninitiated! It looks just like any other strawberry plant =p
Taste-wise, they are so fragrant and incredibly sweet! =)
Now that my timetable’s back to normal, I should be blogging at a more consistent rate =p
Project 365: DAY 45, 46, 47
It’s been a very eventful week =) But of course, good old Strawberry Cider’s got to play a massive role! The bf is seated on the left trying to cram in as much work into his head whereas my lovely musical ticket sponsor is seated on the right. =p
Once again, the Musical Fund sponsored my musical outing!
Here’s the boyfriend’s extremely early birthday present. =)
Project 365: DAY 41, 42, 43, 44 (Photos galore)
Being a massive foodie (hence the size) the boyfriend and I snuck out to Tesco one Friday night at 9pm just to get cheesecake, because I was craving it. *sighs*
This tasted more like chocolate cake than anything else. :s The search for the perfect cheesecake continues!
I do not have any photos for Saturday (sorry!) as I was working over Summer Ball and was rushing about dishing out cheeseburgers but here’s a photo of crabs! The boyfriend and I went to Whitstable on Sunday where we got ourselves two crabs – one male and one female!! It cost us £4.50.. I’m not sure if that’s cheap / expensive so someone please enlighten me!
The crabs were yummy albeit a tad hairy!
Here’s a photo of my dear housemate, Rosanna making Pimms and Lemonade for us! We had such a great night in having Fajitas + Pimms and Lemonade + Cluedo + Glee and here I am now typing this post lol!
