Apara Thailand Essence Review

As we age, our skin age with us too.

Our skin lose hydration, we get wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines and uneven skin tone.
And because of this we tend to look for products that will help prevent our skin from all these bad things.

I, to be honest has a minimal skin care routine before. But getting more deeper into skin care last year, I started my 7 skin care routine, even more than that sometimes. And in this routine I included essence. I was totally unsure of where and when to insert essence in my routine, but I eventually figured it out.

So what is an essence?

Based on my research, essence is a concentrated formula that specifically target wrinkles, fine lines, and dull and uneven skin tones. It is lighter than serum but mostly has watery consistency with viscous consistency.

Essences are meant to hydrate and brighten the skin. And because of its watery consistency it's almost good for all skin types.

When do you insert essence in your routine?

As for me, I use it after toning and before serum. I even sometimes layer my essence on a maximum of two, putting the lightest consistency first. Essences nowadays are in all shape and kind.

The current essence that is part of my skincare routine is the Apara The First Care Para Activating essence.

This is a product of Thailand and almost all ingredients are found in Thailand too, their main ingredient is found in a Para Tree (rubber tree) which can be found in some parts of South East Asia, most speially in Thailand.

I have been using this essence for almost two months now. This is a milky type of essence. Very watery and no viscosity at all. This isn't as cooling as the other essences but is really so hydrating and moisturising. My skin always feels so nice every time I use it.

I love how my skin has that tiny hint of glow every after use. I didn't have any break out or sensitivity from using this product. This just gives that amazing rehabilitation that your skin needs after being out and about all day.

Let's talk about the packaging.

The packaging comes in a white frosted plastic bottle. There is no pump but you can still easily take the product out when needed. The design of the print was influenced when a bark of the rubber tree is being opened and the sapwood inside with its lining became part of the design of the bottle.

Notable ingredients:

1. Hamamelis virginiana extract - commonly known as witch hazel, has anti inflammatory and anti viral properties that can be used to treat varieties of conditions

2. Chamomila recutita extract - including antiseptic, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-allergenic activity.

3. Sodium pca - primarily functions as a humectant moisturizer in skin

4. Centella asiatic extract - anti ageing properties and improved elasticity of the skin

5. Cynara sodymus leaf extract - super rich in anti oxidant that heps improves over all skin health

6. Niacinamide - help visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, and a weakened surface


What a great line up of ingredients, all gathered up to create a gorgeous looking skin.

Overall, this product has been well received by my skin and I feel like I can't live without this anymore.

Thank you Apara Thailand and Frank for giving me the opportunity to try out this product.

PR Gifted. All views and opinion are 100% my own.

---

Check out Apara Thailand on Facebook and on Instagram


--

I hope you find this review helpful and if you do you can visit my Instagram for daily updates and silly stories ;)

Thank you and see you on the next one.

Review of Solved Skin Care Cleansing Duo

Cleansing has always been a big part of my skin care routine.

It started when I was way way young. I was always a clean freak - most especially when it comes to my body and my face.

I have always been a fan of double cleansing. I use to have my trusty Etude House Lip and Eye Remover (way back) to start off melting my make up, then I use a foam cleanser (Ponds - an older version of this facial foam wash) to finally wash off and cleanse my face.
---

Moving forward to today - 2019, a lot of products and brands has surfaced especially now that K-beauty is in boom.

One of these brands is Solved Skin Care  who kindly sent me their cleansing duo to try out in exchange for an honest review.

The package came in with their two main products which is the Coconut Oil Cleansing Pad 
and the Coconut Water Cleansing Foam .

--

Let me talk you through each products and let me start it off with the first step which is the Coconut oil Cleansing pad. This is actually a first one for me. I know of facial wipes but I never heard of a cleansing pad that is also an exfoliating pad. I have tried an exfoliating pad before but purely used for exfoliation.

--

So what is the Solved Coconut oil cleansing pad?

- this cleansing pad is a double sided pad that is 100 %
- it is gentle on your face but tough on make up, unwanted dirt and fine dust
- one pad is enough to cleanse, exfoliate and purify your face  leaving it soft and hydrated. \
-  one pad, that's all. Problem SOLVED.

--

What are the ingredients in this cleansing pad?
- Cocos Nucifera (coconut) oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG - 20 Glyceryl Triisostearate

--

How I use it.

- On a bare or with full make up on face, I gently wipe through this cleansing pad on my face. I make sure that I don't rub hard as this is also an exfoliating pad. The more you rub the more chances that you will over exfoliate your face. Although it isn't that bad as this is filled with virgin coconut oil that just helps the pad glide through smoothly to your skin.

--

My feedback.

- I love this cleansing pad first off because it is filled with 100% virgin coconut oil that has so much benefits on the skin. It is rich in antioxidant and has moisturizing properties to help achieve a lighter and more even skin tone. It also helps the body get rid of dead skin and assists in regenerating new and healthier skin cells.

- It is so effective in removing make up, although, it didn't remove all of my water proof mascara. Because of the thickness of the Virgin Coconut Oil it also has the tendency to cloud your eyes. So I always leave the eye make up last to remove and then I can just rinse if off with the cleanser. 

- Since this is also an exfoliating pad, it does help my skin remove all the dead skin cells. 
Not entirely sure about black heads and white heads removal although they never claimed that it will remove it. 

- This cleansing pad really moisturised my skin, again because of the virgin coconut oil. I don't have much qualm about this product aside from it not entirely removing my water proof mascara and clouding my eyes which is quite common when you use any product that involves an oil ingredient.

- This cleansing pad can also be used every day if you don't have sensitive skin. I mostly use this when I have a full make up on although can be used bare faced but I find it more practical using it with too much make up. Solved cleansing pad can also be used on the neck as the neck also gets too many dirt and grime on a daily basis. The pad is quite big that one side is enough to clean the whole face and the other side for the neck.

---

After my first cleanse I head on to my second cleanse which I do mostly with a cleansing foam - and now comes in the Solved Coconut Water Cleansing Foam.

- Again this is another first for me because I never had any cleansing foam that has a coconut water ingredient in it. We all know that coconut is a tree of life and this tree starting from the roots to its fruit is just as useful. 

--  

So what is the Solved Coconut Water Cleansing Foam?

- this product is a cleansing foam used as a second cleanse or just a cleanser on its own. This is made up 75% coconut water which helps a lot in hydrating your skin and if you are a drinker of coconut water, we all know that this has such good benefits in our body too promoting not only enough hydration but also helps removes toxins out of the body. This also helps cleanse the kidneys.

--

What are the ingredientsin this cleansing foam?

-Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water 75%, Potassium Cocoyl glycinate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Coco Betaine, hydroxyacetophenone, 1-2 Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Butylene glycoil, Propanediol, Argenine, Water, Disodium Edta

--

How I use it?

- I use this cleansing oil as my second cleanse after I use the cleansing pad. This easily washes off the left over oil that is left behind by the cleansing pad. It gives you that clean feeling after using this cleansing foam.

--

My feedback.

- I love how gentle this Coconut water cleansing foam. I mean I wouldn't expect any less as it has 75% coconut water as ingredient. It's super nice on the skin not harsh at all and it has that subdued scent of coconut water on it - which keeps reminding me of how I love the coconut water juice.

- The packaging is in a clear plastic bottle and product is super visible as it's water like. It comes with a pump and when you try to get some product out it turns out into a nice white foam.

- I slather the foam cleanser to my face and it really feels so nice to the skin. After rinsing it off, my skin feels so smooth and clean but not dry. I love how great this product is and I can totally recommend this 100%. 

--
The cleansing pad and the cleansing foam duo is indeed an amazing combo for double cleansing and I couldn't recommend this more enough as I just love it so much.

--

Have you tried these duo before? If not, what are you waiting for? Check out Solved Skin Care 
and their Instagram page for more up to date info about their products and new launches.

--

Also, if you want to check my updated posts check out my Instagram page :)

Thank you and I hope you enjoy reading this review.

See you on the next one :)

APARA Relaxing Cleansing Oil | REVIEW

I only discovered cleansing oil last year 2018 when I luckily won the travel size MAC Cleanse Off Oil. I even used a cotton to remove the make up only thinking that it was meant to be placed on dry hands and rub it off  on your skin/face.


When I found out about cleansing oil, my thoughts about cleansing products have changed. I always focused on foam cleansers and gel cleansers. They were my sort of cleansers. I didn't know that there were a variety. I mean I do know, it's just that I was already invested in what I was currently using compare to changing to a new one again.

Around mid year last year I discovered about Thai Skin care. That led me to stalking so many Thai brands and I was so into them. I discovered this brand so called Apara Thailand. I checked out their company, read about them and translated their story on google translate as everything was in Thai. I somehow understood their story in those translation and fell in love with the brand. I spoke to their Founder and CEO Frank and we agreed on a collaboration.

Early January I finally received the most awaited parcel. I was only expecting the cleansing oil but to my surprise they also sent me the Apara essence - I felt so jovial about it!

---

A little story about Apara.

Apara is a Thai skin care brand made and developed in Thailand. The main ingredients are sourced from rubber seeds which is commonly found in Thailand. The rubber seed oil are rich in anti oxidant and has good benefits on the skin. Apara has the philosophy of creating this product that obtains the ingredient from Thailand, using the availability found in their country instead of sourcing it from abroad and also the fact that these rubber seed oil are being sourced out from their country, created outside of their country and bring it back to Thailand to sell it for Thai people's consumption. Hence the reason why Apara created this amazing product, created in Thailand and to be sold to Thai people too.

---

Moving on to February, after more than a month of trial and testing the cleansing oil, I finally made my conclusion about  this product.

Packaging (Box):

The box is two toned. Three quarters is printed in dark green colour and a quarter of it which is below the green part is printed in white colour which includes the brand name and the relevant information about the products. The back part has the information about how the product is being used, the ingredients list, the warning sign (if product didn't work out) and the manufacturing & distribution sign. These are both written in English and Thai which is such a good thing for non Thai readers.

Product Packaging (Container):

The product is in a nice chic muted green container. It has a pump which makes it easy to get the product out.Very hygienic too.

Product Information:

Apara Cleansing Oil is a gentle oil in emulsion. It makes your skin moist, soft and deep clear. This is a mild cleansing oil that effectively removes make up leaving the skin relaxed and moisturised.

Product texture:

Apara cleansing oil is a clear type of oil and is very light weight.

Feedback:

- I have used this cleansing oil for more than a month and all I can say is it's done it's job so far.

- It removes heavy make up and is easy on bare skin face with skin care left over.

- This cleansing oil is very relaxing when I slather it on my face. The scent is close to nothing but reminds me of the oil that they use in a spa.

- The texture is very clear and is really light weight too compare to other cleansing oils that I've tried.

- The packaging is very aesthetically pleasing.

- The price point is right.

- The product emulsifys upon contact with water.

- All in all this cleansing oil is an amazing cleansing oil. Made my skin moisurised and relaxed after use. Didn't gave me any break outs nor clogged my pores. And I can safely say that I recommend this product for you to try and enjoy the experience of cleansing :)

---

Apara Cleansing Oil retails for 790 Baht/$26/20 GBP

---

Have you ever tried this cleansing oil before? What's your favourite cleansing oil so far?

---
(PR Gifted - but all views and opinions are 100% my own)

---

I hope you enjoyed this review. Make sure to check out my IG for the latest posts and silly stories ;)


See you onnthe next one!

-- Kathy
xoxo

COSCODI Pick Me Up Tone - Up Cushion

Hi everyone!

I" am back with another review for you guys and this time is an actual first for me and in this blog.

Well, I say first because I have never used this type of product before.  I mean I' am the kind of person that just doesn't fall with what's hyped up.

Plus the fact that I have always been a lover of liquid foundation.

The product that I am talking about is the *Coscodi Pick Me Up Tone - Up Cushion, this is my first ever cushion. I know a lot of #kbeautylovers converted to cushions a long time ago. While for me, it takes quite a while to make me love something especially if I am so not into it.

Anyway, heading on to the main topic for today, Coscodi a brand well known for its masks has come up with a new product and it's their cushion foundation. They have four cushion in their brand namely:

- Coscodi Mint Air Cushion
- Coscodi Pick Me Up Tone Up Cushion
- Illumination Shining Snow BB Cushion
- Illumination Shining Glittering Light Cool Cushion

They have kindly gifted me the Pick Me Up Tone Up Cushion which comes in a really pretty packaging. Rose gold and has a nice leaf print on top. The rest of the packaging is blush pink.

This cushion is compose of dual side. One of which is the white colour for brightening. The pink side is with calamine powder.

The concept of this product is:
- to make your skin looks brighter
-  U/V protection with SPF 50+ PA+++
- Whitening (as this product has Glutathione)
- Anti - ageing
- triple functional cosmetic

I' am already sold on the overall presentation (well done on that Coscodi) Applause... Applause..

Going on to the effectiveness of the product, I must say that it did brighten my skin. I love mixing both but I love the look of the pink side as it makes my face more pinkier (making it looking radiant and healthy).

The white side makes my skin looks really bright and definitely glowy too. I love that this cushion is almost near the look of my skin but just a little polished.

It has covered the slight redness on the crevices of my nose. Covered a few of my blemishes and little discoloration except for the pimple mark that I have (totally understandable as it's still quite too dark to be covered).

This tone up cushion did cover a few of my blemishes but this definitely is not a full coverage. I think the goal of this cushion is more like a "no make up" make up look.

This could have been amazing too if  Coscodi created a wider range of shade for this tone up cushion.

This shade is definitely for fairer skin tone. My skin tone is  fair to medium and I try making this cushion as a base and I apply a darker concealer on top of it, blending it and creating a much more near complexion to mine. So far this being light is my only qualm about this product.

Everything about this tone up cushion is so on fleek that the cons are not even that noticeable.

I have been enjoying using this cushion everyday for the last week and I am loving it.

--

If you want to know more about this cushion and the other cushions, they've all been linked up there.

This product has been gifted by brand but all opinions are 100% my own.

I hope this has been a good read for you guys and I hope you get to try this cushion too.

#coscodi #kbeauty #koreancosmetics #awomansmodedevie #skincare #cushion

--

Thank you so much for reading guys. And see you on the next one :)

- Kathy
xoxo