Za haul + Q. & A. [Part i.]

Recently I bought new products from Za (picture at the end of this post, so read on!) 

First, why do I believe in Za?

1. I am in my 20s. 

I don't need too many potent products when my skin is still youthful. This is because your skin probably heals faster and looks great by itself already, even if you have a few scars. Your youthful glow and smile will cover up all these blemishes...

...And if you are concerned that your blemishes make you less attractive, don't fuss over them. Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter probably see through it. Buy products that matters to you and your beliefs, not what you think matters to other people. In the long haul, it's probably better for both your wallet and mind.

As Za always feels so mild, you can be assured that you are not desensitizing your skin to the richer and more potent products as you age.

2. I am on a budget.

I want value for my buck, and Za has always delivered it consistently- for the past 7 years!
Warning: Nonetheless, if I were to go for products targeting specific problems such as anti-aging or whitening, I will not use Za as my skin does not suit the Za whitening product line. However, if you want basic, moisturising care and make up, Za is the drugstore brand to go to.

Even if the Za product doesn't work, I can toss it without feeling too guilty.

3. I need a mild range of products to use on days I am not pampering my skin. 

I think Za products are immensely underrated. While they do not feel as miraculously brightening or as luxurious as concoctions from certain expensive brands,  must emphasise that Za is great for basic moisturising of skin. And it works, because when you do not expect something great to happen, you will not fall prey to confirmation bias.

For example, if I use a whitening product, I'm going to look very hard for whitened areas. Or products that claim to increase your 'radiance'. It's impossible and will drive you crazy! Whereas, for moisturisers, you can just feel your skin, and notice changes happening slowly. Whether it is less pimples or a smoother surface, it's much more objective, and that's why I believe in my judgement of Za.

There are some days I do not want to burden my skin with too many creams. And there's the outbreak of zits from PMS or stress, that drives us crazy. I recommend dropping the powerful serums and potent creams that could irritate your skin further with heaviness, and a multitude of chemicals and herbs. You should look no further than Za for your daily needs. Dab on the Za toner and liquid moisturiser, then top if off with a moisturising gel of your choice to lock in the fluids.

Well it won't make your skin feel like a million bucks unlike the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Ex, but I can assure you that it does the job well. Every. Single. Day. By the way, did you know that you should not use sleeping packs everyday anyway?

Now that I have stated the three reasons why I like Za, there is another important question:

Why do I not post before and after pictures, but only photos of the product?

I have a few reasons for not doing this...

1. I do not see a point. 

I know some bloggers do that, but I honestly don't see a point.

The before and after pictures frequently do not have much difference.

Even if they do, it could just be a trick of the light (and they usually are). Even science experiments can be wrong and subject to confirmation bias. We will scour the picture to look for what we want to see in the product. We will even fool ourselves into thinking things like, "Well her skin DOES look better after!" in order to justify our purchase. This is proven in consumer behavioural studies that we frequently justify our odd purchases to remain psychologically consistent.

This brings me to the next point:

2. We lack a control. 

A control is a part of any scientific experiment. Nothing is done to it to increase the reliability of results achieved from the single changed variable.

For example, I apply only La Mer cream to half my face, and leave the other side untouched for the next 6 months to prove that the cream works... But honestly, and realistically, who does that?

Logically, this drastically reduces the reliability of the results of before and after pictures.

Moreover, it is rather obvious to me that the side of the face that received more pampering will always look better, regardless of whether La Mer is really worth the price!

You will still use La Mer anyway, simply because of the prestige of the brand, and your belief that it will make you look better... And it makes you feel happier on a day to day basis. Nothing really matters if it makes you happy.

3. If there is no adverse reaction worthy of a picture to warn people of the product, then it is likely that my before and after picture will not affect your judgement. 

Out of ten people, there will probably be one, ore more people who have achieved exceptional results with the cream. That's why we have celebrity endorsements and paid blog advertisements!

Now, assuming that everyone else did not suffer allergic reactions or nasty results, but enjoyed some measure of success, surely we will still buy the cream hoping that we can look like that one person. There's nothing to lose anyway, if our worst case scenario still improves the status quo.

Thus, having a before and after picture of the product will not help you make a better choice. Rather, I hope to use words to describe the product and give you an objective picture of whether it really works.

What are some questions influencing my beliefs on beauty reviews, if I do not rely on photographic 'evidence'?

1. The most important thing to me is how this product makes you feel. 

Does your skin feel tighter?

Does it feel smoother and bouncier?

These are things that you can't really see, unless you have surgical intervention. And you need to be objective about whether the product is really delivering on its promise, to avoid putting nonsensical and damaging products on your face that does nothing, but take up the space where a better and more effective product could exist!

2. How the products interacts with the your habits and your other products matters more than how it makes your skin look under the slap. 

Does the product help you put your make up on smoother?

Do you get any more scar-inducing breakouts? Is this moisturiser too heavy in combination with other skin care products you own?

These can only be answered through words and not via before and after pictures.

Finally, there is no such thing as a 'miracle' cure. 

There are many, many reasons why people get breakouts or have less than ideal skin. What works to cure my skin may not work for you. Moreover, our standards differ and are culturally relative. You may have a very different ideal of 'smooth skin'. Another glaring example is that I am Asian and therefore, I enjoy using and talking about skin whitening products. Someone from the West may be befuddled by my obsession with porcelain skin.

Most flaws may merely exist in our minds as well. Honestly, how often do you really remember someone's blemishes? I am not even referring to full blown acne worthy of medical textbooks, but just what most people face on a day to day basis and battle with. We are mostly interested in only ourselves, and thus our minor flaws are always amplified in our minds. These creams and serums can only do so much to correct that flawed self image we possess, and give us a small confidence boost as long as we use the product.

In the long run, genetics, diet, environment and many other non-controllable factors will have an equally long-lasting effect as our skin care habits. I do not want to give anybody illusions on what this product can do to them, because I know that many of these miracles only exist in the mind's eye and photographs serve to create that illusion.

I aim to seek to address how products make my skin feel, I test them to see if they are safe, and recommend them for occasions and frequency of usage. That way, I can give more objective reviews based on my experiences, without resorting to image editing or special effects. And the most important is for you to test it out yourself, for a happier purchase.

Alright, next post will be my reviews of the individual products!

To be reviewed in the next post

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX [Review]

Beautiful blue. 

Laneige (The Snow) in French, is a Korean brand by Amore Pacific. This may be surprising given that the medicinal blue, glassy packaging and the minimalist font do not look like the typically bubbly and colourful products from the East. Laneige is hardly a drugstore brand too- the product is priced above the average moisturiser, but I am convinced for good reason. On top of its elegant and beautiful packaging, it promises much to your skin, and delivers it wonderfully.

Description
This sleeping pack looks like mint coloured cream, feels like/ has the consistency of gel, and spreads out like water. It's nothing like I've ever used, as it is more like a watery gel which consistency adapts and morphs to suit your skin. It's really amazing yet odd, and the gimmicky term 'water science' Laneige employs suddenly sounds... incredibly credible.

But the effects the product gives are definitely more stunning than the cream itself.

How I felt 
With normal skin and no breakouts usually, I use this as my only moisturiser as I find it moisturising enough for my skin. It can even be applied under my eyes as it is not too heavy.

If you are used to a more diverse and disciplined routine unlike me, you should apply this only at the very last, to lock in all the goodness from your serums, essences and what not.

Although this is a sleeping pack, the gel is absorbed nearly immediately and has no residue at all. However, your skin WILL feel cooler, tighter and bouncier. While I have read reviews saying that they felt a 'film' over their skin, I did not feel that at all.

I went to sleep with none of the uncomfortable feeling of having a sleeping pack on, and woke up to dewy and pretty skin. A few splashes of cold tap water, and I was good to go.

One overlooked perk... 
One perk of having great skin in the morning, after the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack Ex soothes and moisturises it throughout the night, is that my make up glided on, looking fresher, and more vibrant than usual. I think this is a very important and extremely underrated benefit of this product! It was not through nature, or by virture of my application of my brow powder, that my eyebrows looked so much more bright and natural the next day. My brush glided in more even strokes and colour was applied onto my skin more easily. Thus, the dewyness of your skin and the vibrance of the makeup on your face can be enhanced with this sleeping pack, making you look younger and better.

Any side effects? 
I have not experienced pimples or milia with this product, although I have with other products from brands like Neutrogena and Bioessence. To be sure about your skin condition however, you should ideally have a sample and use it at least twice!

Buy this product if: 

1. You want better skin! Seriously, I haven't used a better sleeping pack/ moisturiser than this... 
2. You want to wake up to better skin. I haven't used a product that could just improve my skin quality so significantly overnight. 
3. You have a mid-range budget. While you do not want to purchase a drugstore product, you do not want to splurge on something expensive either. 

More tips for skincare from me: 

1. Don't listen to everything the experts say. Believe in your own skin, know how it reacts to different products. Do your own research. 
2. Have 'safe' products as a back up. You know that cheap and trusty moisturiser that doesn't break you out but doesn't do much for you either? Have those handy in case you break out from the jazzier, newer inventions. 
3. Drink water. Yes, it's that simple... Just keep drinking it. I try to have 2 litres a day.  

Do leave me a comment, if you have any more questions on this product. 

Kose, Nivea and Za Cosmetics [Beauty Review]

Kose, Nivea and Za.

I'm both a lucky and unlucky girl. You see, I was born with great skin, but I have recently developed strange allergies. I will develop bumps, like large insect bites, on my face suddenly if I use the wrong product overnight, and boy, they are huge and red! Thus I do not use toners anymore, and I have to be extremely stringent with the choice of my sunscreens and facial washes (only gel, never foam).

So hopefully, if you have highly sensitive skin like mine, you will find these three products handy.



Kose Sekkisei Day Essence (SPF25/PA+)
I got this because my previous sunscreen was breaking me out and I wanted something that moisturised my skin in the morning with a little sun protection. I was also getting worried about the multitude of chemicals in sunscreens, which could potentially cause other flare ups. Thus, I settled for what I believe is a compromise between a moisturiser and some sun protection.

Honestly, I do not know how well this day essence can protect my skin from the sun, so I cannot comment on its efficacy. And there are also debates on whether sun screen is good for you in the first place (though I am inclined towards believing that a little goes a long way...)

Kose products always smell divine, and this is no exception. It also moisturises decently and acts as a pretty good make up base. Overall, I am pleased with it but I wouldn't use it on days I am staying out late.

Note: If I apply this day essence in the morning, I have to remove it no later than 10pm, or angry red spots will start forming... You may want to consider this too before purchasing this product.



Nivea's Aqua Sensation Invigorating Day Cream
I apply this over my day essence, and it's surprisingly light for its oddly blue-green creamy texture. Yes, I find it extremely odd. I was so convinced I would break out from the strange chemicals giving it that medicinal green look, and the heavy clogging creaminess...

But I didn't, and my skin actually felt better after applying this cream. In fact, it cleared up some of my spots. I suppose this cream moisturised it well thus calming some of my overactive sebum glands thanks to a harsh and drying face wash I was using. I'm nearly down to the bottom of the tub, and I give it a very hearty stamp of approval.



Za's Total Hydration Night Cream White
Za is one brand I truly trust. I started using it in my teenage years and it was always reliable. However, they discontinued a line I particularly liked and started this new range which I was unsure about until I tried it recently. It made me even more loyal to their brand, and I hope it will work for you too.

This is more gel than cream and has the faint scent of raspberries. It spreads on thinly and I feel almost lovely after applying a thin layer of it on my face. My skin feels plumper and looks smoother the whole night and the morning after. This gel-like cream fills in the little wrinkles under my eyes nicely too, so there is no need for an eye cream after that.

There are some benefits of this cream here listed below, but honestly who can tell if it is really that good for you? This cream doesn't break me out, smells good and does its job to moisturise.

From Everbluec

I love anything with the smell of raspberries- it's tart and it has this strange, deep and mellow fragrance. It makes me think of a lovely berry pink every time I smell it, and I feel quite calm after that. And I love to think that it will give me good dreams at night, when I wear it to sleep.

So, if you have normal skin like mine (not dry, and not oily either, just normal), and you are exceptionally fearful of breaking out from unknown chemicals, I think these are products for you.


Again, I must emphasise that price does not mean quality, and that Za is a brand that works very well for me. You may be pleasantly surprised by what this drugstore brand can do for you.