Story of My Complexion and Me

WARNING : MANY HIDEOUS PICTURES OF ME W/O MAKE UP!

I know a lot of you guys have been asking me about how I improved my complexion, so this is my secret/story! :)

About 1.5 years ago, a friend of mine commented that I shouldn't call myself a girl, because I don't take care of my complexion. I didn't go for regular facials, which caused my face to develop a lot of black and white heads.

This is a picture of me before I had started going for regular facial treatments, with 2 way cake on and as you can see , there is some redness on my nose and the area around my lower cheeks. What I'd usually do was to slap on more foundation to conceal these redness.


Now I know you guys are probably thinking, "Whaatt.. You're complexion is not bad at all!" Yup, until I went for my first facial treatment in years and had all the hidden black and white heads extracted.

I headed to Amore Fitness Boutique Spa for my first facial treatment. The therapist had assessed my skin type, which was oily and had then recommended that I do a Dermo-Purifying Facial Treatment, which is "designed to rebalance oily skin, thanks to sebo-regulating, mattifying and purifying active ingredients."

This picture was taken right after my first facial treatment,

Yes, my skin was very clogged and congested because I didn't take care of it despite my mum's constant naggings! After my first facial treatment, I was advised not to use any foundation because it would further clog my skin. So from there, I completely stopped using make up altogether for about 4-5 months.

Ever since my first facial treatment, I had made it a point to go for a regular facial each month! The next few pictures were taken after every facial treatment that I had undergone.



And after my 4th or 5th facial treatment, I started breaking out in acne :'( I hear many people going, "ARE YOU SURE?!" Nah, proof!

Acne can be caused by several factors, such as stress and hormonal imbalances. However, from my personal experience though, I had an outbreak because the first few facial sessions that I had gone through, had only cleared the visible black and white heads, and not the excess sebum that is trapped on the underneath. Once that had been cleared, the excess sebum that is clogged on the underneath can now come out. Thus, the outbreak.

My acne problem was so bad, that even with BB cream, you can clearly see the acne and blemishes. I didn't want to apply concealer directly on the acne, fearing that it might further clog my skin. This problem continued for about 3 months before it started to heal!

After my 10th treatment or so, my complexion is left with just some redness and scarring,

This was taken about 2 months ago! :)


To date, I do have various scarrings due to my acne, but they are hardly visible except for the one above.

The improvement of my skin condition did not only stop at the treatments that I had been undergoing at Amore Fitness Boutique Spa. Having good skin, also means having the discipline when it comes to home care.

I had purchased a Dermo-Purifying Mask (which is the mask that is also used during my treatments) from the spa and use it once or twice a week, depending on the condition of my skin. What I have noticed is that, this mask would calm my skin and cause it to be less inflamed. And this is one of the products that I swear by.

I had also purchased a Dermo-Purifying Gel, which I had used to treat my acne. Another product that is really awesome, but very expensive for upkeep. These two products had really worked wonders for my skin!

However, due to the Dermo-Purifying treatments that is very drying for the skin, my skin type has now changed from oily to dry. So now, I only use the Dermo-Purifying Mask, once a week, if not when needed. Other than that, I use hydrating masks and products to ensure that my skin doesn't become excessively dry.

I am really glad with the outcome of my skin condition and after the experience that I've had with my complexion, I have now become more disciplined in looking after my skin!

Here's a comparison from my first facial treatment, to the most recent! :)

Stay tuned for my next entry, about part 1 of my recent experience at a facial session at Amore Fitness Pte Ltd, that they have kindly sponsored me with! :)

Avenue M & Laneige

Advertorial:

Avenue M is Metro’s online identity, that is created for every girl and style, whether it’s glamourous, rock chick or geek chic.

Christmas has always been my favourite festive season and in collaboration between Metro and Laneige, I was given this Limited Edition Laneige Holiday Makeup Kit to try out!

I am an absolute junkie when it comes to makeup and what more, if it’s Limited Edition! Also, I am quite a fan of Laneige’s Water Sleeping Pack and also their Loose Powder, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on these babies to try them out!

I received the Styling Romantic Blusher II (S$49), the Styling Romantic Eye Palette (S$45) and the Styling Lip Duo (S$32) in Coral Beige.

The products come in a pretty white and gold packaging, certainly bringing out the extravagant and romantic feel!

One thing that I liked about the products was the detailed baroque motifs embossed on the product itself!

The Styling Romantic Blusher II, which is a four-colour multi blusher, consists of a matte orange, matte peach, a shimmer rose and shimmer lemon for highlight! If you look closely, the shimmer rose has very pretty golden flecks in them!

The 3 colour multi-eyeshadow Styling Romantic Eye Palette that consists of a pearly beige highlight, a shimmery pink eyeshadow and a shimmery deep brown eye shadow.

Both the blusher and the eye shadow palette were surprisingly very pigmented and apply very easily. However, in order for the colours to appear more vibrant or to intensify your look, you would need to build up the layers on your eyelids! I would also suggest using an eye shadow primer prior to applying the eye shadow, so that it stays on longer.

The Romantic Styling Lip-Duo consists of a moisturizing tinted lip colour and gloss.

I absolutely love the lip-duo! Not only is it moisturizing, the colour is amazing!

Christmas has always been a rather dressy occasion for me, so I created a soft romantic dinner look!

For the eyes, I used more of the pearly beige and shimmery pink to create that soft romantic feel and lightly used the deep brown in the crease to create depth. To darken the look, I used black liquid eyeliner.

For the cheeks, I swept a mix of the matte orange, matte peach and shimmer rose. I then highlighted the top of my cheekbones and my nose with the shimmer lemon!

You guys can get your hands on Laneige's Limited Edition Styling Romantic Makeup Range at all Metro Stores – City Square Mall, Paragon, Sengkang and Woodlands.

Once you have, don't forget to share the looks that you've created!

Amore's Signature StretchFit Class

Advertorial:

I used to work out regularly, going to the gym to lift weights and also classes such as Kickboxing and Pilates at least twice a week. But ever since school started, I hardly ever get enough sleep, let alone have the time to exercise.

So after hectic weeks of having school, assignments and projects, I've finally managed to squeeze in the time to attend a fitness class at Amore Fitness.

After work ended, I headed to my favourite outlet at City Square Mall to attend a class.

For the benefit of those who have not been to Amore before, when you first arrive at the outlet, you would need to drop your membership card into either the class or gym box, at the counter (depending on which you are attending). Fresh towels are available at the counter.

Since I haven't been exercising regularly, I decided to attend a more slow paced class such as Stretchfit, which is one of Amore's signature classes. Stretchfit fuses unique multi-regional stretching exercises and regular breathing techniques to develop a serene mind, a flexible and strong body. Achieve a better range of motion for daily activities, improving coordination and strength, creating a sense of balance.

I know what you guys are thinking.. Huh? A stretching class?! So boring and useless! But I beg to differ!

Although stretching is the most basic form of exercise, it actually helps to reduce muscle tension, increase range of movements in your joints, and improves blood circulation to various parts of the body, which in turns, causes an increase in energy levels!

While waiting for the class to begin..

Before the class starts, the instructor would usually ask around to check if there are any newcomers (unless the class is specifically an intermediate class). This is to allow the instructor to keep an eye on you and ensure your safety, preventing any unnecessary injury throughout the class.

If you are a newcomer, it is very important to remember that safety comes first. Always remember that everyone has their own limitations and if you do not feel comfortable with any movement or positions, do not attempt them and risk injuring yourself.

Moving on! Like all other classes, it would begin with a warm up. Some breathing and light stretching..











I went into the class thinking, "It's just stretching, nothing I can't handle!" Boy was I wrong.

I did face some difficulties in class, since I have a lower back problem and really tense muscles, which makes it hard for me to stretch. But as always, I pressed on without admitting defeat!















Ahem.. Can you see my muscles? *raises shifty eyebrows*






I am utterly embarrassed that this is my best plank position *facepalm*


And.. I can only hold it there for 2 seconds because I was afraid of injuring my lower back!





20 minutes into the class and I was already begging for it to end!











Aching arms!! :p
















Working on our abs! :D






















This picture is priceless I swear. Check out my expression! I couldn't stretch in the same way that was demonstrated because my muscles are too tight and not flexible!



I pulled my lower back muscle here.. Which left me lying there for quite awhile.. But I managed to stretch the pain away! :)








Just before the class ends, the instructor will take about 5-10 minutes to lead everyone in a cool down session.

With the hottie instructor, Claudia! She was very encouraging throughout the class and gave alternative moves for the newbies and those who were confident on taking it to a level higher.

It is very important to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle because not only does it improve your overall quality of life and well being, exercising helps you to sleep better at night. You would not only look, but feel better!

I always stress that looking your best, comes with hard work! There is always no easy way out. If you are fat, it is solely your fault because you are lazy and I will have no pity for you! Complaining does not help you lose weight okay?

As I've mentioned earlier, everyone is different and have very different capabilities and limitations. At the same time, you need to look at your fitness goals and objectives. Thus, I would advise that you find the right combination of exercises that works best for you!