My PM Skincare Routine - Hydration!

Hello lovelies and hello February!!! 

As promised, here is my post on all my hydrators and oils for my PM skincare routine.

Step 4 - Hydrators and Oils
a) The Ordinary(TO) 100% Plant-Derived Squalane Oil
I purchased this together with my TO Retinoid as they said squalane oil is good to combine with retinoid. Probably this oil is the reason why i did not have any aggressive reaction towards my retinoid usage. This is a lightweight oil which has high absorption ability. It doesn't feel too oily once you apply on the skin. My flaky skin love this oil but i still haven't use it long enough for more review on my side. Here is the description of this product from The Ordinary website:

Squalane is a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that is found naturally in the skin. It has very high emollience, is an exceptional hydrator and can prevent ongoing loss of hydration that impairs dermal suppleness. Squalane is non-comedogenic and is suitable for use on all skin types. It can also be applied to hair to increase heat protection, add shine and reduce breakage potential. 

The Ordinary 100% Plant Derived Squalane

theordinary : Link here

b) First Aid Beauty(FAB) Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer
It is a lightweight moisturizer. I definitely can use this during day time. I apply this FAB on top of the squalane oil. After applying oil and acids ingredients all over your face, basic moisturizer is all you need:) its strong enough to hydrate my skin and doesnt break me out. I love this but i will still buy other moisturizer brand after i finish this one up :) No offence FAB :)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer

Sephora : Link here

c)Embryolisse Concentrated Lait Cream
Ive been using this moisturizer before i purchased both TO squalane oil and FAB moisturizer. Finished the whole tube last month and will not repurchase this for awhile either. Not that i hate this, but i love to try many other good moisturizer out there. This is a medium to heavy weight moisturizer and good for all skin type especially dry skin peeps.From reviews that i read, most makeup artist love this on their clients. It goes on smoothly under the makeup and effective enough to cover flaky skin. It did not make my skin oily but it sure did not feel like wearing a gel moisturizer thou. Try it if you can get your hand on it :) No regret!

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre
Amazon: Link here

d) Life Flo Pure Tamanu Oil
I haven't bought this yet..hahah!!! It is in my next purchase item list. I need to finish up my TO Squalane oil first for sure! But i figure that i will jot this down so i won't forget 😅😅 Im not even sure i will bought this brand thou, but as an oil lover, i heard a lot of good thing about tamanu oil!! Read it up! Im sure your hand will be itchy to buy this as well!! haha!

Life Flo Pure Tamanu Oil
Lazada : Link here

I think thats all for now.. I have one more PM routine which is on facial mask..But it will be on my next or next or next post  :p or when I'm free enough to write 😜 


Stay tuned :)

Lots of love
Juitanis

My PM Skincare Routine - Toner and Treatments

Hello lovelies,

For today post ,ill go through mostly on prepping skin for toning and treatment purposes. Since i am not suffering from acne breakout, my skin concern are mainly on hyper pigmentation, uneven skin tone, premature wrinkles and dehydrated skin. So all products mention here will be mainly focusing on my concern. Obviously all skin are different, so i am not asking you to buy any of the product mentioned here.Disclaimer itu penting!!

Step 2- Toner

Humphrey's Witch Hazel Astringent

This is my go-to toner! It is a gently toner and soothing even on the most sensitive skin. It leaves my skin squeaky clean and soft without over drying. Usually, i will put a few drops on my cotton ball and wipe it all over my face after cleanse. But once i gobble this to the bottom, i think i might try other brand with witch hazel in it! I believe that witch is the key ingredient! i know forsure it is!:p

Humphrey's Witch Hazel Astringent
iherb : Link here

Step 3- Treatments

a) Pixie Overnight Glow Serum

Well, well well! My truly game changer product! I can really see the difference on my skin after a week of trying! It makes my skin glowww, guys!! But i am not quite sure if my sun spot fading because of this. By the way, it is formulated with 10% Glycolic Acid and Arginine. I am an avid Glycolic Acid user since 6-7 years back. I really do find that Glycolic Acid works on most people. If you are not an acid user yet, probably you will need to start with 5% first and climb up according to your skin adaptability.

Pixie Overnight Glow Serum
Sephora : Link here

 b) The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion

It is not a one night miracle product but after a month or so of using this(alternating night with Pixie Overnight Glow Serum), i can definitely see my skin texture improved,sun spot faded a little bit and more radiant. Slowly but surely! To be honest, im quite scared to try this product at first. Retinol is such a big hit for all skincare freak out there, but it is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding mother due to lack of research has been done on the side effect. I am still breastfeeding Daris, but through my research (read:googling) it said that it is fine to use topically plus Daris is a baby no more..haha! To make my mind at ease, this is not Retinol guys, this is a modified version of retinol, hence the name is Retinoid. Here is the description from the The Ordinary website:

This formulation combines two forms of next-generation retinoid actives: 

a) A 2% concentration of Granactive Retinoid which is a complex of solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR). HPR is a highly-advanced form of retinoid which is, in fact, a non-prescription ester of all-trans direct retinoic acid that offers a multi-fold better effect against signs of ageing than retinol, retinyl palmitate and nearly all other forms of non-prescription retinoid; 

b) A sustained-delivery form of pure retinol in a protective capsule system which supports both the delivery and the effect of Granactive Retinoid. 

Both forms of retinoid used avoid the irritation associated with retinoids (including retinol) use while delivering better visible results against signs of ageing.

I recommend to try on your neck first before you use on your face. Just to be sure. And don't forget to use your highest SPF as well. Same goes to Pixie serum... SPF SPF SPF!!:)

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
theordinary : Link here

c) Harrogate Sulphur Cream

This is my one fix all product. I use this to treat my acne spot, sun spots, itchy skin and many many other skin problem except for dry and flaky skin problem. I do find this quite drying but i only use this as a spot treatment. I do recommend this for acne prone skin peeps out there if you havent found your go-to spot treatment yet.This will dry your acne in no time for sure!

Strong, powerful, with rosewood essential oils for specific problem areas. The powerful formulation of this cream combined with sulphur, will protect and repair your skin pH balanced. 

Harrogate Sulphur Cream : Link here

d) The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Yes. You read them right! It is 30% AHA !! Magical product? Nah! Miracle product? Maybe! It sounds really scary. It looks even scarier 💉. It's unavailable in many markets but you can get it from The Ordinary. I bought this a month ago and Ive been using this once weekly or even bi-weekly. Some people with higher tolerance will use this twice weekly. I dont have any aggressive reaction towards this. Only a little intense tingling while using this product. This peeling solution offers deeper exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance. I do believe this product helps to reduce my sun spot a little. But yet to find out. I will review more on this after trying a couple of months.

The Ordinary AHA30%+BHA 2% Peeling Solution
theordinary: Link here

Note: This formula contains a very high concentration of free acids. They recommend use only if you are an experienced user of acid exfoliation and your skin is not sensitive.

Thats all for today! Ill be writing more about my hydration potions on my next post! Stay tuned!

Lots of love

Juitanis

My PM Skincare Routine - Cleanser!

Hi lovelies,

Thank you all for dropping by :) Happy New Year 2018!!! I know that im not doing much activity here for the past year. But i might have more motivation to write this year..haha! Trust me! I will try to write something, even if its just a few sentences..hahah :)

I'll start this new year post with my PM skincare routine .Ok , here we go! 

Skin Type: Normal to dry skin. Most days normal skin, but will have dry flaky cheek on not so normal days.haha!
Sensitivity: Not that sensitive. Can take any acid ingredient product with appropriate % without any aggressive reaction. Do keep in mind that i've been using acid in my skincare for more than 5 years, probably that might have been the reason for that.

I have made up my mind to be minimalist on everything this year, and that includes my skincare as well. You will later figure out that my skincare will be mix and match mostly from drugstore and a few gear towards middle to high end brand.

Step 1) Cleanser
a) Wet wipes
Watson Soothing Baby Wipes with aloe vera extract
If i'm wearing makeup, ill make sure to remove it first with facial wet wipes. Any wet wipes will do. So happen that i have 2 kids, and baby wipes is everywhere. I just use the Watson brand baby wipes to remove my makeup.

Watson Soothing Baby Wipes with Aloe vera extract

b) Facial Wash
Harrogate Sulphur Soap - Victorian Rose
I've been using this with my MIA Clarisonic Facial brush daily for the past 6 months and i find it effective enough to get rid of all leftover makeup and mild enough to not strip all the moisture off your face.This soap also keep my once in a while acne at bay. My first intention for buying this soap is specifically to get rid of Aidan's eczema, which it does the job perfectly! But after i use it on myself, im hook!! Thanks to my lil sissy Fatin,who helped me to buy this!! But i'm sure you can already get your hand on this soap in Malaysia.

Harrogate Sulphur Soap - Victorian Rose

c) Facial Scrub
Apricot Fresh Skin St.Ives
Many people will have love-hate relationship with this product :) I will certainly not be using this daily. But i need some physical exfoliator weekly to make my  mind at ease, knowing that this will get rid of all the gunk on my face :p This scrub does the job and did not make my skin extra dry. Mild enough to use it twice a week!

Apricot Fresh Skin St. Ives

 I think thats all for now! My lunch time is almost over! Will update more on next post! Stay tuned!!

Lots of Love,
Juitanis

Daris Isa: Happy First Birthday!!

Dear Daris dearie,

Happy first birthday my second born! I must be mistaken though, because I could have sworn you were born only yesterday..But i supposed the calendar doesn't lie and you are one year older last 1 May 2017 :)

I will never forget the day you joined our family.  You must have been anxious to meet mama, baba and abang Aidan :) After seems like the longest 38 weeks of my life, Alhamdulillah for the uncomplicated labour (You can read your birth story here :)).  It was the second time in my life that a delivery-room nurse had placed a wrinkled newborn boy on my chest. I was smitten. And I was terrified, not of what you’d be like, but what I’d be like as your mother. What if I made comparisons between you and abang Aidan? And what if my sloppy parenting ruined you for life?Sure, I loved you instantly. But what if I didn’t love you the right way? What is the right way? Sigh! Nobody knows the answer -_-

Thank you for giving me another try in taking care of a baby while I am simultaneously honing my skills in taking care of a toddler. I apologize if now you have to share my attention with your abang. I apologize when i have to hand you to baba when abang is not feeling well. I apologize when i need to put you in your crib, when abang cries because he fall down. I'm sorry when i need to leave you and abang at Mak's house because i have to work. I promise i will make it up to both of you guys!

At one year old, you already walking and running around the house, loves singing and dancing especially to "Happy Birthday" song, mimicking a few words that we make, understand simple question or command, love abang so much (like seriously, i kid you not), love spicy food(Penang much?), still an avid breast-feeder, scared of people and such a clingy baby (cant really do much around the house when he is around). I want you to know that I am as proud of you as I am of your brother. 

May Allah SWT ease everything for you, May you grow up to be the best explorer, learner and seeker as per your name hold. I’ll be your mama for a long time, let me love you as long as i could.

lots of love,

Mama

Me Before You..

This is me before children. 

And I miss her.

This girl doesn't yet know how to function on a few years sleepless nights due to endless hungry nursing,teething and sick babies. She doesn't understand that she will never pee in peace again.She doesn't know what it feels like to have her need met last,if at all.

She doesn't know how hard it is to teach little people with big spirit who are even smarter and more stubborn than she is.She also doesn't know that her heart has the capacity to grow 5x bigger than its normal size.She will love deeper,pray harder and become stronger.

I want to hug her and tell her to enjoy and capture every moment. Don't be so caught up in being a mom that you forget the young and carefree woman you were before children.

What would you tell yourself before children?

p/s: Even though i miss her, i wouldnt want to go back. I just cant imagine my life without my dearie Aidan and Daris! 

Lots of love,

Juitanis

Nichole Nordeman - Slow Down (Lyric Video)

This song make me cry every single time! Somehow deep in my heart it saddens me for not have the luxury to be stay at home mom and take care of my kids.. Allah knows best! 

To Aidan and Daris, please slow down boys..dont grow up too fast! 

"Slow Down"

Here's to you

You were pink or blue

And everything I wanted

Here's to you

Never sleeping through

From midnight till the morning

Had to crawl before you walked

Before you ran

Before I knew it

You were trying to free your fingers from my hand

'Cause you could it on your own now somehow

Slow down

Won't you stay here a minute more

I know you want to walk through the door

But it's all too fast

Let's make it last a little while

I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly

I am your biggest fan

I hope you know I am

But do you think you can somehow

Slow down

Here's to you

Every missing tooth

Every bedtime story

Here's to Barbie cars, light saber wars

Sleeping in on Sunday

Had to crawl

Before you walked

Before you ran

Before I knew it

You were teaching me

The only thing love can

Hold hands through it

When it's scary, you've got me

Slow down

Won't you stay here a minute more

I know you want to walk through the door

But it's all too fast

Let's make it last a little while

I pointed to the sky and now you wanna fly

I am your biggest fan

I hope you know I am

But do you think you can somehow

Slow down

Please don't roll your eyes at me

I know I'm embarrassing

But someday you'll understand

You'll hold a little hand

Ask them if they can

Oh oh ho oooh

'Cause it's all too fast

Oh oh ho oooh

I am your biggest fan

I hope you know I am

But do you think you can

Somehow

Slow down

Slow down