My Top Four Uses of Coconut Oil!

Hello all, it's Jules here!

Wow it's actually been a really long while... I know that I keep saying that at the start of every post, but I've just been so incredibly busy :(
So much has actually happened in my life, from acing my first set of college exams (yayy!), to girlfriend gossip sessions, to boyy drama ;)

But anywho, I'm here to tell you about my top four uses for coconut oil! At first I didn't really give in to all the hype about it, and also cos for some ridiculous reason they sell it for reaaaaally expensive at my local pharmacy. But the other day I found it at this organic grocery store for a lot cheaper! Since I got it, I've been using it a TON and I have no idea how I ever lived without it!

1. Moisturiser
Coconut oil is an amazing moisturiser, and with the dry winter air, it's great to have a moisturiser that a) smells amazing and b) is all natural! I've found that natural products work the best for me, that includes my apple-based shampoo, banana shampoo (from the body shop, it's so hydrating!) and honey-cinnamon facemask to kill sudden hormonal acne.

2. Hair Mask
Like I said before, coconut oil is incredibly hydrating, but you can also use it for your hair! Use about a spoonful for your entire head of hair, leave it in for about 10 minutes then shower as normal. I found that my hair is softer and shinier, and definitely less brittle in this dry winter weather! Another great tip is to use a teensy amount on clean hair. It acts as a leave in conditioner, keeps the static from raising your frizzy baby hairs and also is more natural and hydrating than a product that you would use. Be careful to not use too much or you'll end up looking like a slimeball!

3. Body Scrub
You will be amazed by the results of simply using coconut oil and sugar on your skin. About a spoonful of coconut oil to a packet of sugar will do- mix it up well, and rub onto your skin. I find that it's best to do this inside your shower so grains of sugar don't fall everywhere- you don't want soft skin with a side of a roach infestation! I like to do this if I know that I'll shave my legs- I'll hop inside the shower, scrub my legs with this body scrub, shower like normal then shave my legs at the end. It'll result in a much closer shave... that means no stubble!

4. Fades Discoloration
I have horrible acne scarring from before- I think it was because of the stress of exams + hormonal breakouts (booo). Skin discoloration is because of an excess of melanin production in that one particular area of skin cells. So, I found that using coconut oil really helps with fade the discoloration and also improve my overall skin tone. I'd much rather use less foundation/ concealer and invest my time and effort into my natural skin. But, since I have oily skin, I use this suuuuper sparingly otherwise my skin would break out!

All in all, I found that coconut oil is amaaaazing for day to day use- I don't know how I ever survived without it! I'm sure that there are much more uses for this everything-in-a-jar product. No more splurging on expensive skincare products! It's always such a disappointment when an expensive product is a let down :(

Julsie signing off for now, love you! xoxox

Garnier Dark Spot Corrector Review

As you're reading this, I'm away at university orientation camp! Having been to international schools all my life, I was expecting wilderness and tents and living on bare necessities.That was all the camps I've ever been to, and I've gotten a lot of survival skills like the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) position when you fall into the sea, or first aid, or CPR, or making a campfire.
But it turns out local Asian camp is totally mild. Like, living indoors with showers and toilets. On the to-bring list they told us to bring phone chargers.... This feels more like a luxurious, "outdoor" getaway!
But thanks Sal for posting this for me whilst I'm away!

If you saw my Pupa Silk Touch Foundation Review, then you would know that I have horrible acne scarring. I don't even know how it started, but maybe it was the stress of exams, or not having time to do weekly facials since I was slaving away for school.

Just a little background information, acne scarring is the result of excess melanin production, the dark pigment that makes you tan. Some people are born with high melanin production in their skin cells, resulting in a darker natural skin tone. But, as a typical Asian, I have fairly light skin, so any acne scarring is like, a brown spot on a white canvas.
Awkward.
As a reference, I have around NC15-NC20 ish skin tone, depending on the season.

I always look for high coverage foundations, but the hot and sticky summer heat makes it really annoying to be wearing thicker foundations, especially since I have normal to oily skin. So, since seeing this at the local drugstore, I decided to give this product a go!

*Unfortunately, the photo is not my own, I've been so busy, and it's so hard to take good quality photos at night!

It claims to fade discolouration, from dark spots, age spots and blemish marks. Which is absolutely perfect, its exactly what I need faded! It is made up of pure Vitamin C, which encourages faster skin turnover, and  allow you to lighten your discolouration. In less sugar-coated words, it makes your skin cells shed faster, like a friggin snake. But don't worry, it's nothing you can actually see.....
I made it sound really gross, but that's the technicality behind it.

It has a typical fresh moisturiser scent, just like every other Garnier product. I use it as a daily moisturiser, even though it's a little thick, but nothing my skin can't handle. I like to know that my moisturiser is lightening my discolouration whilst I've got makeup on. Since it's only my 5th day using this product, I can't exactly say if it really lightens my discolouration, but my skin definitely looks brighter and more luminous. I'm not sure about it in the long run, but I will keep you updated! At HKD$129, it's definitely worth trying, if it means I can use less foundation, or hopefully even go without it someday! Plus, all those high end, high coverage foundations and concealers tend to add up, cost-wise, so technically skin care products that claim to improve your skin tone will be more worth it!
I'll definitely keep you all updated on how it turns out! I really don't want to take a before and after photo of my skin, it's not like I want to be reminded of how shitty my skin is (was? hopefully?!).

Haha , lots of love, from Julsie! xox