New obsession

 Black & White.

Skinovation with Shirobi

There are many ways to keep your skin looking and feeling young. One of them is by using collagen . It is important though, to know the ingredients of the products that you apply onto your face. But instead of just applying, why not make is easier by just consuming them instead of applying them on your face everyday. What is Collagen and what does it really do to your skin?

Collagen is a protein substance found in our skin.This protein substance is most available on your nails, hair and skin. Collagen keep your skin moisturised and prevent water loss. However, in order to actually know what collagen does for your skin, it is important for you to understand as well what it does to your skin and what it is made up of.

 Well, finally i took up the courage to blog about my skin. I took a few pictures about a month ago after shower and to my surprised when i compared it with some of the pictures i took today in the morning after my skin care products. I wouldn't say that my skin is perfect now but i definitely see some improvement.

No photoshopping and no nothing for this set of photos, so you can see everything!

Having wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of aging is due to the lack of collagen cells as it also loses its elasticity. Since the composition of collagen is quite large to get into the dermis layer of the skin and to be absorbed by the body, it does not replenish or strengthen the collagen structure of your skin. It merely stays on the surface of your skin and gets washed away when you take a bath. It has been said that it makes wrinkles disappear, but this notion has not yet been proven by collagen creams and other skin firming lotions.

I used to have really bad eye bags and dark circle as well before this. Skin tone looked dull and my face shape is uneven. Even with loads of hydration masks and moisturizer, my skin just doesn't look dewy and firm. yep. i know i looked awful without make up. i couldn't really leave the house without tinted sunblock to cover up my eye bags and also to even up my skin tone.

And so that was a month ago , and I was really happy looking into the mirror today. I see a difference like on my complexion condition, supple, fairer and doesn't really look like a zombie in the morning especially the minute right after you got out from bed. Okay and of course people will say pictures are deceiving and so n-so-n-so.. i guess seeing (me in person) is believing.

Same goes for this set of pictures, no photoshopping and same lighting and angle as well. Although my eye bags are still visible at this point of time but the color has lighten so much more compare to before.

Collagen has a consistency that changes with heat and before being bottled into different products, has to go through chemical processes and high temperature These processes disentangles the helix structure of collagen making it unusable to humans if ever it gets into the inner layer of the skin.

I have blemishes due to sensitive skin and i get hives and rashes easily. I don't get to use most of the products that are available out there in the market. Hmm after trying out so many other product that seem to be beneficial for others but not me somehow made it very difficult for me to get the right product. I would advise to try to minimise skin care products to like what is essential only to your skin.

For healthier skin, try to put hydration mask like at least once or twice a week. Facial treatment to clear of pores and scrub are essential. Don't take our youth for granted, remember. 

Here's an extra-large-closed-up photo on my skin. I am amazed..I have to declare that I didn't not use any whitening product at all. Now i have very even skin tone, very minimal blemishes, and my skin is hydrated at all time. Do you realize that my creases /wrinkles at the corner of my eyes reduced as well?

Taking care of your skin and ensuring that you would avoid pre-mature aging is still better. As they say, prevention is better than cure. When situations are irreversible though, there are other natural options than collagen creams that you can opt for. Check on the Internet for more information or better yet, ask your dermatologist before buying or using any collagen creams. I may sound like I'm promoting my own products here but I've tried it myself to believe in my own products and of course to feel as a consumer point of view. No hard selling here, but just never try never know. 

Just a bottle a day, keeps my skin better each day.

Leave a comment or get your products at www.shirobi.com if you are interested:).

Fickle, yes, fickle

I'm blogging at this hour because i couldn't sleep. why? a very simple reason. bags. i have been searching for spring summer 2013 latest fashion and i found lotsa pictures of Chanel bags. 

Oh boy! Chanel! yes. Boy Chanel.

Somehow all these while I've never like Chanel bags, maybe because I couldn't afford it. But the latest collection design was ugh, mad love. I have never felt the need to acquire one of the brand's bag until Boy Chanel made their debut. I got so turned on and I have to admit that I've been hooked.

i finally took up the courage to search for my Boy Chanel. This is my current obsession and honestly the Chanel Boy bags from Resort 2013 collection might be the est collection that I've seen to date. Not to sure after reading this post makes you a Boy convert or you're still on the fence, check out the bags, trust me they are too good to miss.

And apart from that I'm in the midst of looking for a daily casual bag. I wanted something for work appointments and as well as something casual enough for me to carry for nights out after that.

 So, I went to MiuMiu yesterday and found the Matelasse was alright. Since the bag has top handles and comes with a sling as well, i see no reason for me not to get this bag actually, plus this Matelasse Lux Sacca Con Pattina only left one over at Paragon outlet.Why.. Why.......... I fell in love with the color . 

Since Prada was just next door and I've always been looking out for their Nappa Gaufre bags, i came across the saffiano lux for the first time. Solid , everlasting design but interesting colors. 

I particularly interested in BN1801 and i found out that they have it in Orchidea, but in France. Anyone flying to France soon? I guess this would be puuuurrrrfect for me to get it as my daily bag.

Help. 

Weight Loss : Tip Two

DIET.

Mention that four-letter word to any woman in anywhere in the world and you will get the same reaction - sigh. About 40-60% of women are dieting at any given moment. But starving yourself isn't the way to lose those fats. Learn how to eat healthfully and making ready accessible home remedies to get your diet off the right start.

Eating smart and exercising is the best pairing when it comes to losing weight. But I guess people often misunderstood the meaning of "losing weight". When it comes to weight, it is just a number. Our total body weight comprises or fluids weight, muscle mass and fat mass weight as well. As we grow older, our metabolism rate slows down as well hence in a long run = weight gain. Increasing muscle mass = increasing metabolic rate = increased of weight.

Heavy doesn't mean you are fat. Sometimes I'm sure you feel bloated or you skirt or pants got tighter in just a day . That's because of water retention or what we call water weight. Try pinching your inner thigh or the back of your arm, if it's more than 0.5cm you should really start taking my advice on reducing all these water. 

One way is to include natural diuretics in your staple meals. Cut down on salt and eat more food that are rich in potassium. Simply because our kidneys regulate fluids based on the dual pumping action of sodium and potassium. Salt (sodium) tends to draw water into the body and potassium helps to extract it. Try cutting down salt and include food that contained high percentage of potassium like bananas, apricots,avocados and raisins. These helps to regulate the fluid levels in our body and get rid of excess water.

Ginger tea is a natural diuretic that can help in colds and of course water retention. Yogurt not only helps with digestions but aid in reducing water retention too.

Avoid water retention culprits

Processed meat, frozen food, chips,canned vegetables and soup contain surprisingly high amount of sodium. Thinking of drinking Campbell's soup everyday to lose weight? yes you will but even though you look average size, you will have a lot of cellulite on your lower body and upper arms. SO, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING SO.

Carbonated drinks, packet drinks, ribena, cordials decreases your body's ability to excrete sodium by increasing your insulin level because of those high in sugar content.

In short, avoid eating out and start cooking:) 

Drink water

It may seem counter intuitive but water helps to flush out the excess fluids and excess salt in your body. You may think its a good idea if you are suffering from water retention but it is not drinking water that causes you to retain fluid.  Drink plenty while cutting down on sodium and sugar. This promotes proper kidney function as the kidneys can excrete excess water. If you are not hydrating enough, avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as these will cause water retention.  Be sure to continue your good eating for long lasting maintenance. 

Sweat away!

Sweating is good. Exercise or sports helps you to lose water by draining excess fluid through perspiration.  I'm sure some of us will have excuses that they don't have time for sports and all. As long as you sweat, you can do ANYTHING.

 I got so inspired by my childhood friend Janise who's living in Brisbane. She got abs! She's already pretty to start with and now she's like a bomb. So she gave permission to use her picture and ta-dah! awesomeness. i'm proud of her. totally.

 I know it's easy to put it into words but here's a picture of me without edit and using a lousy iPhone camera.  yes i know, no visible abs yet that's why i'm posing side ways. I'm working on it!

and there's more. I had my weight count done at the gym the other day. if you noticed, everything else on the chat is normal except for the total body water percentage. I'm seriously working on this water retention program. I will definitely do a recheck soon:)

And yeah, my desired weight is 48kg. Some say that i will look too thin. But i was 48kg before this. Just trying to get back in shape:)

Will share on how to lose fat mass in my next post.

Thanks for reading

Introducing SewChiq

SewChiq  is an upcoming favourite for fashionista everywhere. Since it's a Singapore based e-commerce store , SewChiq gonna make it a little different and set up a new fashion trend as chic as can be.

Here are some of the styles that is available at SewChiq. It's young and fresh for sure but some of their apparels are suitable for work and leisure.

Personally I love pullovers. Pullovers are something like a sweat shirt, not like a jacket but just something like a sweater without zip. It's really to put it of course, just needa pullover your head and ta-daH! 

This piece of Color Block Pullover from SewChiq is cute and just nice for my size. I'm an average size girl where sometimes i find it difficult to get clothes online because of my build. i like something that i lose and comfortable and of course , protect me from cold.

This piece is extremely suitable for late night movie with boyfriend and supper with friends on a rainy night. Some may find it too casual to even put it on to go to places like the city or restaurants. Well, casual late nights out is what it is meant for. I wish I'm in a colder country where i can pair up pullovers with so many other things! 

Here's another pullover which i like, the crossed-belt may seem like simple for the pullover but it's really cute when you put it on. 

I usually pair up my pullover with shorts and shoes, mostly denim shorts and any kind of shoe from canvas to high cut flat boots. Or maybe with a pair of skinnies and boots with shades just like the picture below showing how Nicole Ritchie style it up in her own way.

 They even have really cute designs for some of their available pullovers. If you love Korean style, they have it too.

You can tie a side bun and put on a pair of colorful skinies and a black shoe. I'm sure you'll look edgy and loud enough like what we normally see in Korean fashion.

Last but not least, SewChiq offers femininity in their style too! this piece of dress is comfy and breathable. It has flare sleeves and it's pleated too:). I love the color as well.

SewChiq launch their items and styles every two weeks . Visit the store now at www.sewchiq.com and enjoy 10% discount for every 50 dollars spent at the store. It's a one stop online fashion store that you wouldn't wanna miss.