MOVED HERE =)

Diet & Dieting & Detoxification

Personally, I don’t encourage long term fasting methods as a form of detoxification, including juice fasting or simply fasting and not eating anything at all. Anything too extreme is not going to be sound for our bodies. For me, I have a different understanding of detoxification and dieting. Neither one should mislead you to thinking that stop eating food nor will consume help to eliminate toxins out of your body effectively. Note that your body works in sync with the energy sources that you provide it, in this case, food that we eat. Thus I do not see how extreme fasting can benefit out bodies in any way. What I believe is to eliminate the horrible kinds of food that we are tricked into eating these days and avoid consuming them to reduce contaminations/build ups in our body. And this should be long term, not just a 3 days or week thingy.

Below is a shopping list that I have created, most of the time I do my grocery shopping 2 times a week, and I have cut down on red meat consumption, remembered I refrained from eating red meat for almost 3 months and got back to eating them once in a long while because the more I read, the more I believed that moderation is the key to finding a balance for your diet and health.

• - Peppermint tea; Dandelion roots tea; Green tea
• - Bitter greens
• - Chinese cabbage & lettuce
• - Roots vegetable; beetroot & carrot
• - Grains; brown rice, green & red beans
• - Sea vegetables
• - Fish (sea/river), poultry & red meat (moderately)

Liver & Skin Health

Liver & Skin Health

It is important that you liver is functioning properly in order for yourself to be less prone to occasional breakouts and even help to prevent other health problems later in life.

What I have learnt is that the Liver, being the crucial organ in our body for detoxification, protein synthesis and production of biochemical necessary for digestion also produces bile, an alkaline compound which is important for digestion via the emulsification of lipids. These are all essential for the proper expelling of toxins and waste products that we bring into our body every single day.

Thus, I feel right to say that if our Liver is functioning well, we will experience fewer breakouts, notwithstanding the fact that organs works hand in hand with each other to produce an optimum effect on our skin and health. I shall discuss about other organs in the coming posts. For now, I will focus on Liver first.

On Liver:

• - The liver gets a dual blood supply from the hepatic portal vein and hepatic arteries. Supplying approximately 75% of the liver's blood supply, the hepatic portal vein carries venous blood drained from the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and its associated organs.
• - Not surprising to learn that liver is actually the second largest organ in the human body, the largest being out skin. Now you should certainly see the co-relations between your skin and your internal health conditions, it just makes sense you know.

As discussed above, you should be able to learn more on Liver elsewhere online or from other much more experienced individuals. What I have put down here are just the basics, all sourced online though. I can’t say for sure if they are with proof or without, for I can only be certain that what I have included up here are things that made sense with me and what I agreed based on my own experience with health and skin matters. Just hope to clarify at some point that all I am hoping for through my blog is to share and interact with other like-minded people and learn things together in a collaboration and fair manner. While I haven’t really got people to discuss with me yet, I hope it’ll happen sometime!

So moving on, to take care of your liver, it is beneficial to learn the below:

• - Red beets; excellent blood purifier. Drink the juice.
• - Dandelion; get dandelion roots and boil as teas, or find packaged good quality dandelion tea. Drink the tea.
• - Warm water with a squeeze of lemon juice. (I use this method myself, you can do this continuously for 3 days every morning before breakfast or 3 hours after your lunch. Be gentle on the lemon juice as too much acid can be hard on your stomach)
• - Bitter greens. (I have personally hear from my aunt, who is a doctor, telling me that vegetables that are bitter in taste are good detoxifier in nature. One example is bitter gourd, however I suggest you to pair it, lightly stir fry with a small quantity of pork or chicken as bitter gourd is known to be a “cooling” food. If you are a vegetarian, lightly fry then with garlic/ginger/onions.)

Or, if you already have fairly good skin and you just hope to take preventive measures to maintain your current skin condition, simply drink plenty (1 L – 2 Ls) of water every day.

Make up base: BRTC Blemish Balm

As mentioned in one of my earlier posts before, I am in the process of limiting my dependency on cosmetic products to only the very few products that I feel is necessary to me. Therefore, a good base is what I find helpful when I wanted to even out my skin tone and have some basic protection against UV rays from time to time. However I try to keep it at a minimum.

Some of the brands that I have tried for base (foundations, compact powder, etc.) include, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Ettusias, Shiseido, Dr. Jart, BRTC, Missha, Maybelline and L’oreal.

Let’s first talk about the BRTC Blemish Balm that I am currently using, and its good and bad (in point form, below):

(yes i consider getting a new camera)

Good:

· Right colour tone for me (I’m relatively fair)

· Stay put for a good 5-6 hours on a summer day (if you’re working in an air-conditioned environment)

· No artificial fragrance added

· Doesn’t feel oily (the Balm feels kind of a gel-type than lotion texture)

Bad:

· Tendency of congesting my pores

· Lots of chemical ingredients are added to produce the Balm

That’s basically it, the good outweighs the bad. Overall not bad, my only bone to pick would be that fact that it clogs my pores. But it might also be the problem of my own skin, I don't know yet since majority of the brands that I have tried gives me similar problem. With L’oreal’s Truematch and compact powders being the worst. I think maybe I shall have to find other alternatives then.

Oxidative Stress and its effect on us

Recently I stumbled upon an interesting topic on Oxidative Stress. I shall copy and paste the information here so you can have a better understanding on the subject matter:

“In the cytoplasm of the 60 trillion cells in your body, there are in each cell hundreds of mitochondria, organelles that take the food you eat and the oxygen you breath and produce the energy your body must have (ATP). Mitochondria have their own DNA distinct from nuclear DNA, and damage to mitochondrial DNA may be a major cause of aging. As oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis produce ATP, the mitochondria use an electron transport chain. This process is imperfect and results in charged particles, atoms or molecules that have an unpaired electron in the outer ring. These dangerous free radicals include reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl and superoxide, as well as reactive nitrogen species. Because they are charged they are highly reactive and can damage lipids and cell membranes, proteins and enzymes and DNA. The great majority of free radicals are generated in the mitochondria but there are many other processes that can generate them.

To defuse these dangerous free radicals, the body has built in defense mechanisms, including endogenous anti-oxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione. In addition our diet is an important source of antioxidants to counter free radicals. There are thousands of antioxidants, and fruits and vegetable are loaded with them (Diet: CRON). Most of the time our endogenous and dietary antioxidants combined can control the free radicals and minimize any damage.”

So it only makes more sense that diet is crucial to ones’ health and skin condition. It is sometimes very difficult to keep up with your goals and have enough discipline to make sure you’re following the most beneficial diet you have created for yourself. While it’s alright to play cheat once in a while, I think it requires much self-discipline and correction overtime to stick with a standard diet that you have created for yourself eventually.

For instance, I dined out at a Chinese restaurant today and I made a mistake of stuffing myself to full. It is an act absolutely discouraged because I have learnt that it is considered toxic to your body if you eat a 100% full meal, or in other words, feeling a 100% full after your meal is not recommended to anyone who wishes to be healthy.

So I have made a mistake, perhaps it is a good thing to have a blog and keep myself reminded of the process and mistakes I will or shall make throughout the period.

Credit: here

My own methods and tips to avoid acne breakouts

I'm listing them down in numbers form below, hope you guys find it helpful!

1. drink lots of water every single day, force yourself to drink half a cup of water every half an hour or at least every 45 mins. It shows after you have constantly do it for just 3 to 4 days from my own experience. Your face will begin to clear up. It's not difficult, have some discipline.
2. do not leave your make-up on overnight! I did it once and I have totally regretted it. The very next day my skin broke out! And I got this gigantic inflamed pimple right beside my nose. Don't do it!
3. I have said it and I will say it again. Put in effort and take care of you personal diet and skin care habits. For some, as I have experienced, might react to certain food and for some, it doesn't. So take the time to find out what works for you and what doesn't. At the same time, take note how you might react to certain food and if they break you out or not, and avoid them, or at least cut down on the amount you take in.
4. cleanse your skin well if you put on make-up products. Use a make-up remover (Cleansing oil, Cleansing Milk, or wipes) and cleanse again using a mild and gentle foam cleanser. Some people might actually tell you to avoid using foaming cleanser, but ultimately I feel that it's better knowing what works for you. So try and experience, everybody is different and the only way to find out is by experiementing.

So that is basically it. I have found out that the best way to avoid break out is by taking care of your diet. For instance, I break out every single time I eat almonds or drink more than perhaps 1/3 a cup of milk. Hope these information has helped you in some ways.

Love,
x

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Color Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

After several layers of application, and the best part is it doesn't weigh down your lashes! Talk about "lifting!!"
Finally, I won't be touching MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara anymore, it just weigh down my lashes to no end.

Recommended!
Alex

Estee Lauder's Lipstick in Crystal Pink

What's up everybody?! Haha, feeling rather apologetic for disappearing for so long, just some personal matters to settle. Anyway new year new look, there's gonna be better posts in the future and I've made a pact with myself to be committed to my blog more. So now, first product review from me for the year~






It has almost the prettiest candy pink color, glides on smoothly upon application. However, like all estee lauder's lipstick, I have difficulties coping with its smell... just... pure... uncomfortable to inhale. Or else it would be perfect.

Running over to shilka and the rest to announce my return,
Alex

Celebs that still looks good without make-up

Sometimes, I just love looking at fresh, sans make-up faces of beautiful women.

MUJI

(left to right)

Toner: First up, your initial reaction would be, they must be plain water because they are scentless, colorless and almost, appeared like water. But they are a little stickier than plain water and they make good DIY sheet mask! I love them because it's in such generous amount and works great on my extremely sensitive skin.

Moisturising Essence: I went back to shanghai during winter last yeat and this thing saved me. However, I would like to add that it might not worked for those with dry skin as it is not rich enough for dry skins I would say. Plus, my mom's skin was peeling from the harsh weather condition at that time so I gave her this but it did not worked on her. -.- (she has mature skin and uses brands like Estee Lauder, ROC etc so perhaps that's the reason this mild essence just have absolutely no effect on her)

Moisturising Milk: Good for basic moistursing as I feel it does not do much for my skin.

Cleasning oil: A little bit difficult to blend (when applying on to the skin) and a little bit drying for me (after rinsing away with water).

Woah~

I've got an award from DEAR LINH~ Thank you sooo much linh!! I'm so happy right now because I'm actually receiving an award from a blogger that I seriously love~ You guys should check out her blog, but don't blame me if you encounter trouble leaving her blog because she puts up the nicest music ever! I always get hooked listening to them.

^.^ And I'm going to nominate all you lovelies once I've got the time, although I think everyone deserves it~

Japanese Magazine Spam

Review time: Ettusias Oil Balancing Compact Powder

Tad dry, color's slightly yellowish.

Japanese Magazine Scans: Vivi

Such pretty eyes!

Model's beauty tips!

Anna Sharapova, tennis star and model: ''I swear by regular exfoliation to keep my skin smooth and glowing and to stay really healthy I have at least eight hours sleep, drink plenty of water and follow a well-balanced diet that is rich in carbohydrates and protein. My three unbreakable rules to keep me looking my best? Plenty of sleep, lots of yoga and playing tennis in the fresh air. And of course I swear by Palmolive deodorants which keep my skin soft but give me total confidence when I'm playing.''

Carolyn Murphy, supermodel: ''My mother always said I should take Omega 3 tablets and she looks fantastic now, with completely flawless skin, so I took her advice. They aren't very glamorous but they are full of essential fatty acids and nutrients. I also take calcium and magnesium tablets to keep my skin really healthy. But if there is one product I can't live without it is Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. It really invigorates your skin overnight. I also drink pints and pints of water.''

Supermodel Cindy Crawford: ''I wish I could say I relied on one of the old wives' tales to look good. But I don't use raw eggs in my hair or cucumbers on my eyes or anything nearly as interesting. I'm afraid it's just the good, old-fashioned tactics. I sleep a lot, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and cigarettes, eat healthily and do plenty of exercise. It's all remarkably boring, but it's all true. If you just live the perfect life for one week you feel - and see - the benefits immediately.''

Supermodel Elle Macpherson: ''One of the most important secrets of looking your best is to get the right hair colour. The tone of your highlights can really make a difference to your skin tone. Josh at Real, in Chelsea, does my hair. My other trade tips are that you need lots of water and lots of laughter: you should nourish the inside as much as the outside.''
Real, 6-8 Cale Street, SW3. 020 7589 0877.

Supermodel Erin O'Connor: ''If I'm ever feeling low, red lipstick is the best pick-me-up ever. It makes you feel on top of the world. I read somewhere that it's really good for you to have a pint of water before bed every night and first thing in the morning, so I try to do that every day. It gets easier once you get used to it and it must be good for the skin. If in doubt, pile on masses of moisturiser before going to sleep - you feel horrible and sticky but it looks great the next day.''

Supermodel Helena Christensen: ''I feel at my best when I avoid alcohol and smoking and generally party as little as possible. I try to get to bed early as often as I can and I try to only eat vegetables. Clean living is really the only way to look good - which makes it pretty hard work. When I do lapse - because you can't be good all the time - I just drink plenty of water and take exercise to get myself back in shape. It's nothing you haven't heard before but discipline is the only thing I can rely on to look my best.''

Supermodel Jacquetta Wheeler: ''Sleep is always my top beauty tip. I look and feel so much better after a couple of early nights - preferably with a bit of pampering thrown in. I swear by Dr Hauschka products if I've had a few late nights. The exfoliating mask is brilliant for making your skin really glowing and soft. I always try to use it before a shoot - it makes me feel really new.''
Her boyfriend, Mario Testino's assistant Alexi Lubromirski, will hear none of it, however. ''She always looks gorgeous,'' he says. ''She doesn't need any help.''

Supermodel Jade Parfitt: ''I always try to drink green tea before I go out partying. I know it's warped logic, but I'm convinced it prepares your body to flush out all the bad toxins the following morning. I also take a multi-vitamin every night before I go to sleep, no matter what I've been doing. I've done it for years and I really believe it does me good.''

Supermodel Jasmine Guinness: ''I really, really love YSL lipsticks. They give the best, thickest slick of colour ever and it makes me want to kiss everybody! I use YSL Touch Eclat everyday too and I love Rimmel Eye and Lip Ink Pots. They last for hours and they come in lovely colours for daytime or evening. My secret potion is a South American face oil called Rose Moscketa. It's wonderful because you can use it as a night cream but it's also brilliant on cuts and bruises. You can find it in most good health food shops.''

Karen Elson, supermodel: ''My hair is not naturally red, it's more of a mousy strawberry blonde. I first dyed it when I was 16. I wanted it to be bright red but it came out like Ziggy Stardust. I washed it about 20 times but it wouldn't come out and I had to go to school with it. I often still dye it myself using Clairol hair dye [try Nice'n Easy in Light Auburn, £4.30]. Berocca vitamin tablets get me through the early mornings and long schedules of the shows and Crème de la Mer [80], is the only moisturiser that soothes and doesn't irritate my skin. It's especially great after the shows, when I've had make-up applied and removed 10 times a day.''

Leah Wood, model and singer: ''I don't have any real secret potion that I stick to. I love trying out new products and I love having a proper pampering night in, with cucumber slices on my eyes - the works. If you can take time out to really relax - exfoliate, moisturise and lie in a gorgeous-smelling bath with plenty of scented candles - you always feel like a goddess the next day.''

Liberty Ross, supermodel: ''I never go anywhere without my Dior Maximeyes mascara and my Dior Addict perfume. Other beauty essentials I always have are the Shu Uemura cleanser and the Never a Dull Moment exfoliator from Origins. I'm obsessed with skin and really try to look after mine well, so I love trying out new products. But the main thing is to have lots and lots of sleep. I am really strict about drinking gallons of water and I eat healthily too - but I eat a lot. Dieting isn't for me at all - it would make me ill. The most important thing to stay beautiful is to lead a healthy lifestyle - it's really basic but it's true.''

Supermodel Lily Cole: ''I know I should have cultivated a few beauty secrets by now but I have so much stuff plastered all over my skin all the time I just hope it turns out alright when I wash it off. I'm always being told to get lots of sleep, take all my make-up off before bed and drink lots of water but I don't manage to stick to the rules all the time. When I'm at home I use Dermalogica products on my face. That seems to work.''