BW Blog
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Sun-safe skincare - essential beauty
They say the two best things for your skin is Vitamin C and sunscreen. I feel like sunscreen is one of those things that is easily overlooked because the effects aren’t instant, no one really loves the feeling of it (greasy and unpleasant smell) and the common “it’s not that sunny” or “I don’t go out much”.
It is essential to wear sunscreen every day even if it isn’t sunny as harsh UV rays still exist on cloudy days.
What UV rays do to your skin
By the time UV rays hit your skin, there are two types that are present – UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays cause external skin damage like sunburn whereas UVA rays penetrate deeper and can cause cellular changes.
Naturally the worst thing about UV rays is that it can cause skin cancer. Period. Your skin is essentially the largest organ in your body and having it exposed to such harsh rays is detrimental to your overall health.
Specifically in skincare, UV rays cause PREMATURE aging of the skin. Meaning, it doesn’t matter how much great anti-aging product you’re using, if you’re not using sunscreen you aren’t achieving your ultimate youthful look.
Wrinkles, sun spots, leathery skin, sunburn are all caused by the sun’s UV rays as well as artificial UV rays from things like tanning beds and shellac sessions (note to self: wear sunscreen when doing my nails).
What does sunscreen do and what is SPF?
Sunscreen is designed to create a barrier between the UV rays and your skin to keep them from causing damage. Just like there is no product that will really wind back time, there is no sunscreen that will block all UV rays.
However, the level of SPF and reapplication are both important and effective ways to do your best to protect your skin.
I’ve actually never known what the level of SPF meant, I just knew that higher was better. I found that SPF actually indicates the length of time your skin is protected. “So ideally, with SPF 30 it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.” (Skin Cancer Foundation)
So is higher really better? Yes. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that “An SPF 30 allows about 3 percent of UVB rays to hit your skin. An SPF of 50 allows about 2 percent of those rays through. That may seem like a small difference until you realize that the SPF 30 is allowing 50 percent more UV radiation onto your skin.”
Now for the superficial qualities of sunscreen.
No one really likes the greasy feeling or the unpleasant scent of sunscreen which is why many of us are averse to the idea of applying it. It takes you back to the days you had to whip out Banana Boat for the swimming carnival and come out of the water with white streaks everywhere.
However, we are now living in 2021 and since we’re now allowed picnics, we have a million options for sunscreen.
There is mineral and chemical sunscreen. In short, the mineral sunscreen is our traditional white film sunscreen that sits on top of the skin surface acting as a barrier. Like this COSRX Shield Fit Snail Essence Sun or this Dr.G Green Mild Up Sunscreen for sensitive skin.
Chemical sunscreen, although not a white film, is absorbed into the skin and transforms UV rays into heat and then releases them. It's lightweight and what we would normally find in our cosmetics, but you should know that it also takes around 20 mins to become effective.
Nevertheless, for both types, you need to remember to reapply as all sunscreen wears off. You should always use your sunscreen as directed on the packaging.
It doesn’t matter if it’s cloudy, rainy, or sunny, you should always be applying sunscreen. Here at home, it’s snow season and we want to remind you that cold weather doesn’t mean no sun!
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9Wishes under the spotlight
Welcome to another Beautyworks Blog! There’s just too much news coverage online about the ongoing lockdown and Covid, we’re glad you’re here for something lighter and more positive.
We know that although Kbeauty is a booming industry globally, the information out there is often not friendly for non-Korean speaking consumers and we’re often searching the internet for insights. So we’ve made it one of our missions to bring consumers closer to different brands by providing information on them.
Today, we want to shine the spotlight on 9wishes. You may have seen these beautifully packaged products online but perhaps unsure about purchasing because you weren’t sure about the brand.
9wishes is relatively new to the skincare industry and the name is derived from the brand’s promise to focus on 9 essential skincare requirements:
- Moisture
- Elasticity
- Temperature
- Ph balance
- Cleanliness
- Skin layers
- Pores
- Immunity
- Cell penetration
The great thing about the brand is that it doesn’t use any harmful ingredients, it’s gentle on the skin making it perfect for those with sensitive skin and also doesn’t test on animals.
Let’s take a deeper look at some of their products I opted to test.
This cream is lightweight but nourishing and hydrating. It’s made with 67% Rice bran water (I also love that they use 100% Korean rice supporting domestic produce) and fermented rice bran that delivers hydration. The niacinamide adds to the rice bran for whitening effects which is great for those with dull skin tones (me). Portulaca oleracea extract and licorice extract works to calm skin, repair skin damage and protect the skin.
It’s not too thick so great as a day cream and after use, it nicely preps the skin for make up.
Collagen Ampule Eye & Face Cream
I was particularly interested in this product because of the patented amino acid complex. It’s made to reduce wrinkle formation and inflammation as well as promote skin repair. With added adenosine and hydrolyzed collagen it’s the ultimate firming powerhouse.
We already know that our skin needs to be well hydrated to also remain plump and this product includes shea butter, ceramide and a number of oils (olive, sweet almont, macadamia).
When applied to the skin it spreads smoothly and is super absorbent but that’s probably because it also includes squalene that penetrates pores and has anti inflammatory properties.
Ultimate Collagen Ampule Serum
Finally, I also tried the Collagen Ampule for the same amino acid complex and also because at 30, all I want is to slow down the damned aging process. You often hear about 10 step Korean skincare routines and wonder why the products are applied in that order. The order skincare is applied is from thinnest to thickest for absorption.
This ampule is the right texture and thin enough for quick absorption. I’ve used this ampule after layering toner at night, followed by the face and eye cream. I do use retinol three times a week which I know can be harsh if used excessively so this feels like I’m giving a little back to it with some gentle goodness.
Sometimes you might not want to give in to beautiful packaging just in case that’s all it is. But I can say for 9wishes, it’s worth a shot. I’m generally all about natural home remedies and gentle ingredients. I mean, it’s all the chemicals, preservatives and pollution in the environment that often damages our skin and bodies. So I love that this brand is committed to using natural, gentle ingredients that are effective. I don’t have sensitive skin but I’d particularly recommend this brand to those who want to use all the anti-aging products out there but can’t because they’re too harsh.
Hope this post has been helpful and brought you a little closer to a brand you may not have known much about previously.
Get glowing x
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Make-up for mood with Espoir and Rom&nd
Who’s as excited as I am to have Espoir and Rom&nd now in store?!
I honestly couldn’t wait for these to be launched. In particular, Espoir has been on my list of brands to try for a long time. I know it’s been around for a while but I’ve not had the chance to explore as much make up compared to skincare and I follow so many Kbeauty vloggers who rave about Espoir.
So here we have a brief make up blog for the Espoir Nomudging Brush Liner in Intense Black and the Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Ting in #23 Nucamadia (both of which took ages to select).
I usually use a black eyeliner and go for a wing tip as I have a typical asian monolids and I don’t usually opt for a glossy lip but the nucadamia colour is absolutely my current mood.
I’ve used a basic cushion to start here, not a big fan of foundation as I feel it’s a bit heavy for my skin. And I’ve applied a light beige coloured eyeshadow as a base.
There are several ways you can do this but I start at the end where I want my eyeliner to end and swoop it right to the inner corner of my eye. This I find is easiest for me and helps make sure both my eyes are the same.
Then I connect the outer corner of my eye with the tip and fill it in.
The brush liner is so fine at the end which is great for actually fixing any mistakes and the tip is closer to the pen than a brush so it’s not flimsy when applying.
And now the tint!
The first thing I noticed about the juicy tint is the smell, the product has this beautiful fruity scent to it. I applied a couple of coats to really get the colour out but you can see that even with one coat you should get a good sense of the shade. It really depends what your preference is.
I had the tint on for an hour or so, ate a mandarin, had some water, and the tint was still visible. I love that unlike some other tints that stain in between the cracks of your lips, this tint stays on evenly as it’s more of a gloss type.
And this is the end look - I’ve used a brown/red eyeshadow on top of the liner, some mascara and a grey/brown eyebrow pencil to complete.
Honestly haven’t put on make up for a long time due to lockdown, but it was so nice even just to get ready for no reason.
If you have any make up products you’d like us to try for you first, leave us a comment!
xx
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Our top tips for dry (Winter) skin
Welcome to another Beautyworks blog! We’re so excited to have you here and even more excited to share beauty insights and support you on your skincare journey.Not sure about you but I’m definitely a Summer girl, I love the warm sun blanket and breezy night time walks. However, besides the temperature, I love the Summer because I suffer from dry skin syndrome (not a scientific term) and the Winter completely strips the soul from my skin.
Now in the middle of Winter, Melbourne mornings are single digit degrees and my electric blanket is currently the most valuable item in my house. If you and I share the same dreadful dry skin, then you’re probably more afraid of cracking lips and dusty skin conditions more than anything else. Every winter is honestly equivalent to the battle of Winterfell (dramatic af) and I’m always looking out for more ways to protect my skin and keep it moisturised over the cooler seasons. So here are some tips from a fellow sufferer:
- First and foremost, exponentially increase your intake of h2o. It sounds silly but this is one of the best and simplest ways to stay hydrated inside out, something you can do easily, and you’ll feel a difference in the first couple of days. Similarly, alcohol and coffee strip your body from retaining water so (if you can, I know it can be tough) try and limit consumption. If you do have a few cheeky glasses, just make sure you’re still on your legs to carry out your night time routine and slather on that night cream.
- “I can’t wait to go home and take a long hot shower”… No absolutely not! Limit your time under hot water to prevent having your skin dry out. You also want to keep the temperature of your skin down so using a cooling mask is ideal. 9 Wishes Hydra Ampoule Mask have cooling effects on the skin. Though before bed, I like to use something that cools and hydrates pretty well so my pick would be the Dr Jart Cryo Rubber Mask.
- Contrary to popular belief, toner doesn’t actually dry your skin out if used appropriately within a routine. A toner, or what I love to use Normal Nomoe Anti Dry Intensive Toner, is a great way to balance out your skin tone and help it cool down as well.
- Using just a toner and a night cream isn’t enough unfortunately so I’d also recommend at least a serum and an eye cream in between. In preparation for the worst season of the year, I’m using the 9 Wishes Collagen Ampule Eye & Face Cream and the COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule. To be honest, I’ve only just started using this serum so I’ll wait to provide a more accurate review but it claims to help your skin look brighter and feel softer which would be an added bonus to hydrated skin.
- Use a thick, nutritious night cream. I’m currently obsessed over the IOPE Super Vital Rich Cream which I’ve been using for the past two winters. It’s not as pricey as a lot of the other department store brands, it’s luxuriously thick, smells amazing and includes ingredients that help fight the signs of ageing while you’re getting in that beauty sleep. On top of all that, it’s gentle. My best friend suffers from pretty bad eczema and often has reactions or breaks out with a lot of products. Her skin is super sensitive and dry but I’ve also gotten her hooked on this cream.
- If you’re STILL STRUGGLING (don’t worry I feel you) use an oil. A lot of facial oils out there are often too thick, smell unpleasant and sit awkwardly on top of your routine. However, I use the IOPE Golden Glow oil which is none of the above and absorbs really well. You use it right after toner and let all the nutrients absorb before getting onto your serum.
- Don’t forget about loving your lips too! The Laneige lip mask is like the night cream for your lips, dab some on before you hit the sack and wake up to soft supple lips in the morning. There’s nothing worse than the look of dry cracked lips.
- And of course, shamelessly take advantage of sheet masks. Masking once a day is actually a real thing in Korea so there’s no “appropriate” frequency you should adhere to. Sheet masks are one of the best ways to let your skin absorb a great amount of serum in one go. The design of the sheet mask also helps your face have access to a balanced amount across the surface. The JM Solution Water Luminour Avocado Oil Ampoule Mask is our pick this month - a thin sheet with nourishing avocado to keep your skin healthy and stress-free.
Hopefully these will help you get through the rest of the Winter. I know I complain a lot about this particular season but there are some great things about it too. Noodle soup and crawling up in bed with Netflix (guilt-free) are definitely up there in my favourites. I’ve also been OBSESSED with roasting sweet potatoes in the oven for post-dinner snacks.Stay cosy x
- First and foremost, exponentially increase your intake of h2o. It sounds silly but this is one of the best and simplest ways to stay hydrated inside out, something you can do easily, and you’ll feel a difference in the first couple of days. Similarly, alcohol and coffee strip your body from retaining water so (if you can, I know it can be tough) try and limit consumption. If you do have a few cheeky glasses, just make sure you’re still on your legs to carry out your night time routine and slather on that night cream.
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Cryotherapy and the Dr Jart Cryo Rubber Masks
I know we’re in the middle of Winter and maybe not the best time to bring up cold temperature therapy but couldn’t wait until Summer to share the science behind the Dr. Jary Cryo Rubber Masks.
I use a lot of face masks, and even more during this particular season - it’s just an easy way to bump up the water levels in my skin and adding it to my routine while I work from home gives me a chance to take at least 20 mins in my day for self-care.
I recently had the chance to review these masks and started to research what cryotherapy was all about. You may have heard about ice baths, cold plunge pools and ice pack massages to relieve pain and increase immunity. All of these are considered cryotherapy, the use of cold temperatures for a range of health benefits.
Cryotherapy in-clinic facials actually use a machine to apply liquid nitrogen onto the skin, immediately dropping the temperature to brighten skin tone, tighten pores and reduce the signs of ageing. It also helps with inflammation and increases circulation - the same as when you have water retention and use cold massaging tools to reduce swelling. I also discovered that this therapy may help people who have atopic dermatitis, excessive sebum production and acne (whaaaat).
The Dr Jart Cryo Rubber Masks were designed to mimic cryotherapy so you can reap some of these benefits at home. The two-step masks include an ampoule step to start then the kelp extract rubber type mask second.
I opted to review the moisturising hyaluronic acid one as my skin is already dry and even more during this season T_T
We all know the benefits of hyaluronic acid, attracting moisture to the skin but the ampoule also includes jojoba seed oil (healing properties for skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psorisis), macadamia nut oil (great antioxidant for dry skin as it mimics natural skin oils) and niacinamide (helps hydrate skin and treat hyperpigmentation).
The rubber type mask is suitable for all skin types and as it’s developed with kept extract it physically boosts moisture retention. Added allantoin and aloe help bring the temperature of your skin down while hydrating.
Personally I love the texture of the rubber mask and prefer it over cotton sheet masks as it feels like the serum is being wrapped right in. It’s thick so won’t rip but not too dense or heavy that it’ll slip off. Since it’s a two piece mask, it will also fit a range of face shapes. Have to admit I cringed initially with the cooling effect but that passed pretty quickly.
The result? Definitely a lot more hydrating than a lot of other sheet masks out there so I’d say you’re getting value for money
I kept mine in the fridge and used it on a Sunday afternoon - had a bit of water retention from cheeky weekend drinks and my hormones (tmi). It helped bring the swelling down (yay).
There are four types available at Beautyworks, the one for moisturising mentioned, soothing allantoin (use if you have sensitive skin), firming collagen and brightening with vitamin c.
