Enjoy a piece of Denmark

Skin remedy 101

I have a lot of concerns when it comes to my face. I have different "skin-type" in the winter than in the summer, which confuses me a lot, but one thing is for sure - my skin is very sensitive.

I  what you could call "combination" skin in the summer: that's when your T-zone(forehead, nose and chin) is oily while the cheeks are normal. In the summer i tend to breakout more than in the winter.

On the other hand, my skin is dry in winter - like really dry that even my nose "flakes". I have a few breakouts during the winter because my skin is often more irritated, by the lack of moisture and therefore likely to breakout. 

Source:365gorgeous

Like if that wasn't enough I have hyper-pigmentation, scars from acne and allergy breakouts, uneven skin and skin tone. In order to meet all my concerns without using a bunch of money on skincare products , i've checked what my options are. First of all (and this won't be the last time i'm going to mention this) is that i'm allergic to fragrances, so i've narrowed down the list of brands with fragrances free products that i'm aware of .

• Clinique
• Khiels
• A-Derma
• Avène
• BareMinerals

• Neutral (only available in Denmark- from what i know :b )
• Estelle and Thild (only a single skincare series)
• Plasir(some of it)

• Matas (Denmark and Malmø only)
• GOSH (makeup - only a few countries have this)

• M.A.C (makeup)
• Coolcos (makeup)

All of the listed has a range fragrance free products skincare products and/or makeup, but that doesn't mean that they don't have anything else. Ex: Clinique has perfumes and Estelle and Thild sells natural scented skincare for the body. Brands that claim to be natural and organic are not always fragrance free and not necessarily good for your skin - even if you are sensitive. Instead of synthetic oils/aromas they use oils from herbs and flowers, but in my case, its still a fragrant.

Another thing that i haven't mentioned is that i have pollen allergy/hay fever especially for birch, grass and sagebrush. According to my doctor I shouldn't use skincare products that are natural based like products with plant/flower oils etc. Therefor, always remember to check the product/ingredients declaration and be sure to do it yourself! I've tried it so many times now that the sales assistants know nothing about the brands they're selling. It's okay to ask what they woul recommend you for your concerns BUT !!! - Be skeptical! Always double-check the declaration even if it is an "all natural" and 100% organic it's for your own sake.

According to EU's cosmetic directive there are 26 special fragrance allergens that has to appear on the package, if they exist in a certain concentration in  the products. Here's the list of the 26 that i've found on the danish Asthma and Allergy union homepage in alphabetic order:

A

Alpha isomethyl Ionone

Amyl cinnamal

Amylcinnamyl alcohol

Anisyl alcohol

B

Benzyl alcohol

Benzyl benzoate

Benzyl cinnamat

Benzyl salicylat

Butylphenyl methylpropional

C

Cinnamal

Cinnamyl alcohol

Citral

Citronellol

Coumarin

D

d-Limonene

E

Eugenol

Evernia prunastri (egemos ekstrakt)

Evernia Furfuracea (træmos ekstrakt)

F

Farnesol

G

Geraniol

H

Hexyl cinnamal

Hydroxycitronellal

Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde

I

Isoeugenol

L

Linalool

M

Methyl 2-octynoate

Outside EU there are other rules which only makes it even more difficult get through the skincare jungle. 

 Another thing to remember that fragrance has many names such as: perfume, essential oil, Aroma, cologne, eau de toilette, extracts and many others. Be aware that some brands use difficult, advanced words for the same thing. The name in the parentheses are how the ingredient's name will appear on the product:

• Fragrance
• Parfum/Parfume
• Linalool
• Citronellol
• Cinnamal
• Limonene
• Geraniol
• Eugenol
• Lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Rose flower extract (Rosa damascene)
• Bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia)
• Ylang-ylang oil (Canaga odorata)
• Lemon (Citrus limon)
• Lime (Citrus aurantifolia or Citrus medica)
• Orange (Citrus sinensis)
• Tangerine (Citrus tangerine)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
• Menthol
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum)

Okay Pheeewww... that was pretty much information and Wow!, i've used the f-word and a-word quite many times now...*couch-silly joke§. Well then! 

If you want to read more on perfume allergies, here's a site that explains pretty much anything about fragrance allergies: http://www.forbrugerkemi.dk/kemi-info/funktion/parfume-1 (it's in danish but you can use google translate or study swedish, you sissy)

...And let's move on !

Remember to look up the brands on the internet and read about them before you decide anything. If you have found a product and can't decide if you want to buy it or not or to choose another, you can always look up online reviews from different (beauty) forums. It can help you with the decision, because there might be others that shares the same problems as you. If you still can't decide ex. between two products, you can head down to your department store or any other place that sells the brand you're interested in and ask them for a sample. I know they literally tossing them around in the states, but sadly enough Denmark is different.  

There are a wide range of brands that make skincare for every concern and there are always alternatives so test as many products as you can and choose the one you prefer. 

(** bonus info! If you intend to buy something from Khiels in CPHA's (Copenhagen Airport) Tax-free, you get really BIG samples compared to the department stores! Just ask them! - I got a 40 ml toner and 15 ml face-cream sample. I Magasin(the only department store, besides the airport, that sells Khiels in Denmark ) i only got a 3 ml face-cream sample..)

Well, here is some personal experiences and preferences:

I used Clinique's 3-step skincare system since 8th grade to first second year in high school which is 3 years(2009-2011). I was analyzed by one of their specialist to be a "skin type 2"which is combination skin, and got my recommended set. After using the step 2 exfoliator (skin tonic/clarifying lotion) a few times, my skin started to feel even drier and more irritated. I found out later that the exfoliator from the skin type 1 series, which was for dry/really dry skin, fit me more. So i bought that one separately for every day use and used the no. 2 when I had breakouts in the T-zone and on a cotton pas to press my pimples flat... ehh...

I loved the skincare system but it costed me much more money than a 14 year old kid could save up (back then - i know it's a lot different now). Another problem was that the skincare set wasn't enough. You had to buy a face-cream  separately, because using the Dramatic Different Moisturizing Lotion (what a long word!) would only give your skin the same amount of moisture that you wash away with step 1 and 2. That means, if you have dry skin you would still end up with dry (but clearer) skin after using the 3-step system. The price for a face-cream from Clinique would be from 300 DKR (approximately 56$ USD) IN DENMARK and that wasn't something i could afford, so i used cheaper alternatives from Avène, Matas and A-derma. 

I was really annoyed with my dark spots and freckles so I saved up for a really long time and finally got money for their famous Even Better Clinical Dark Sport Corrector and Even Better skin Tone Contacting Moisturizer with SPF 20. I used it over a year = 4 bottles of corrector serum (My grandmother and mother gifted me one each, when they went to the states). I ordered them online for my relatives to pick and bring home to me, so i did not worry about the duties and taxes).
 I remembered that i ordered a big bottle (50 ml) online from Nordström (USA), and it costed 72$ USD = approximately 400 DKR back then. It would cost me 625 DKR if i bought it in Denmark. And the differences were minimal from when I began using it, so I was quite disappointed. Unfortunately I was so embarrassed and insecure about myself and my face that I didn't take any close-up pictures of my face to document my experience. 

In my second year in high school(2011-2012) and for about a year i've used face cream and cleansers from A-Derma and nothing else than an anti-spot stick from Clinique to fight my breakouts. I was looking for cheaper brands and my cousin Hoang Vi introduced me to Khiels. It was cheaper than Clinique and the reviews were good so i waited until i went to Vietnam, to buy it from the Tax-free department (that's 20% off from Magasin prices!!) 

I got my hands on the Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution for 272 DKR (normal price 340 DKR)

As you can see i've already used about a third of it and i LOVE IT! BIG LETTERS!!

It really smoothed out  the uneven texture of my skin and my face is SO soft. I haven't noticed any differences of either the spots or my skin color, but we'll see.  

I will post a picture of my face before I started to use it and a picture of how my skin looks right now, after using it for a month. 

Another thing i bought was the

Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion ( I forgot to buy the Ultra Facial Cream, but i'm using Cowshed Babycow organics-cream instead) 

Cucember Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner - does not dry my skin at all but softens the surface and  removes the dirt. 

And here are the other products i'm using on a daily basis right now. 

Yes, i've mentioned this one before !

COWSHED -  Baby Cow Organics Full Body Cream 

(got it on sale for 80 DKR remember?)
- it's a good, fat cream- perfect for colder weather and if if you want a cream that easily is absorbed by the skin. it doesn't leave your face shiny nor greasy

MATAS - Spot stick 

(got it on sale  for 19.95 DKR and is a great alternative to the Anti spot stick from Clinique)

PLASIR - Anti-wrinkle eye cream  

(Not because i have any but better prevent them before they appear ... and i got it on sale too .. for 20 DKR !!! that's insane !!!)

 

BAREMINEALS - Matte Foundation (BIG SIZE!!! - i was gifted this one^^) 

I hope you found my blog post interesting even though it was a quite long one. 

Goodnight !!

Say it

WAKEUP CALL

If you've seen my Instagram picture you would know that I got 36 missing calls at 6 in the morning and they were all from one single person.  Well, lets say that i ordered a wakeup call, but since i'm a heavy sleeper i totally (not on purpose)  ignored my alarm. I think i have to changed my alarm song to this one in order to me going in the morning. Gotta love Nabiha !!!

Where's the sun ?

The past few days has really brought us weird weather here in Denmark. Regardless of the missing spring i've stumbled upon some few tracks that gets me in to that summer mood.

This one is not the official.. i'm still eagerly waiting  for it :D













and no this one is not the naked version :b










I always save the best for the end: ENJOY!!






Good weekend!!

POV

Time traveling and gay matters

- source http://saryre.blogspot.dk/

I just finished another korean drama series yesterday - actually i've finished two since Faith - and well this one was actually a good one. It's called "Rooftop Prince"and is starring  Mickey Yoochun (former singer from DBSK/TVXQ) and Ha Ji Min. I really liked the plot and it was a fun one to watch.  Just as Faith it is about time traveling but also about reincarnation.  Here's a synopsis I found from DramaWiki:

When Crown Prince Lee Gak is transported 300 years into the future to present day Seoul along with his three retainers, they believe that it is their duty to solve the murder case of the Crown Princess in order to return to Joseon.They land in the rooftop apartment of Park Ha, a cheerful woman in her mid-20s, who eventually believes the odd quartet's predicament and becomes their guardian.As Park Ha educates the four on life in the 21st century, Lee Gak comes across Hong Se Na, who seems to be the reincarnation of his wife.Taking on the identity of Yong Tae Yong, Lee Gak slowly begins to unravel the murder of Yong Tae Yong and in turn moves closer to solving the murder case of the Crown Princess.As he finds himself in love with Park Ha, he figures that maybe the Crown Princess was not so perfect after all...

It sounds boring.. Even I thought it too, but after reading some reviews i tried my luck and I don't regret it. There were many funny moments and the ending is annoying me, because i don't really get if the two main characters get each other or not... Okay i don't want to reveal anything else ! In the beginning the soundtrack of this one reminded me of Faith and I  actually found out it's the same singer, Ali, that sings the main theme songs in both dramas (Carry On and Sangcheo).  I give it a score of 8/10 and i would actually watch it again sometime ;)

The other Drama series that I mentioned earlier is called "Personal Preference", starring  Son Ye Jin  and Lee Min Ho. Yes, Lee Min-ho again (eye candy ftw!!!). It's based on a book with the same title by Lee Se-in and here's the plot:

Jeon Jin Ho is a straight guy who pretends to be gay in order to become Park Kae In's roommate. His hobbies include organization and ironing, and he's known for his stoic poker face. He's a stickler for cleanliness, but he also has a talent for figuring out a women's feelings. Kae In is very trusting even though she has a habit of being betrayed. However that doesn't stop her from giving people the benefit of doubt and Jin Ho is no different. How will Kae In react when she finds out that her gay roommate is not actually gay at all and that he has fallen for her? --Source: Javabeans

The synopsis makes it sound funnier than it really is. Well, it was good at some points but when thinking back, I actually found the most of it boring. The couple had to face so many obstacles, but the way they tackled them, just kept making the problem even worse.  Another thing that annoyed me was that the woman seemed way older than the man... okay well...The best part (and the only i remember so far) was when Park Gae In dressed up as a boy with the ugliest, baby-hair mustache. 

OH! I almost forgot! I loved Lee Min-Ho's outfits! I would die for that beige parka he wore!! XD.

I would give it 4.5/10

Big hugs ! ~ Emtie

Psy-duck.

Psy announced the date of his comeback since "Gangnam Style" (GS) on youtube a month ago and just today the music video "Gentlemen" finally came. The MV was released right after the live "Happening"-concert ended - it was a worldwide premiere of the "Gentlemen". My thoughts: I'm a quite disappointed, because there isn't the "feel good"-vibe in this song as in GS. The concept of the video looks similar to GS: Weird, old men dancing around town and disturbing children's playground. Of course there must be a heroine and this time it's Gain from Brown Eyed Girls (BEG).

Something i found different was the bunch of girls dancing in the same outfit - making it look rather monochrome... and boring... i actually found the video rather boring and there isn't even a part i can sing without making it sound like i'm cursing... oh... I can actually sing my own name.. Well i guess it's "Maria" he's singing... sob* (somebody is feeling honored here). My favorite part is definitely the first 30 seconds where some old men are carrying shopping bags. But hey ! No doubt it's going to be a hit anyway ;)

If you're familiar with BEG, you would recognize the dance immediately, because it's the same as their hit-song "Abracadabra". Cough**(actually the song got more recognition because of the dance than the song itself). Down below is Gentlemen and right after the dance-version of Abracadabra. If you want to watch the live performance of Gentlemen, you can just search for it on youtube. 

Btw. I'm sick again -.-

---------- UPDATE*

ok, I had to post it .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=EjtQ7pMqJLE#t=4684s

Being in a really bad mood

I did not blog this weekend because i had two confirmations to attend  -  two days straight with two hour church mass and asian buffet afterwards. The food was fine as always nothing in particular worth to be mentioned. Oh I almost forgot, my cousin Danthy sang Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and my other cousin Khang made a "no-speech".  I went home early sunday though, because i had an assignment for monday to finish and i did not want to pull an "all-nighter", because of my self-pity.
I seriously have nothing else to talk about right now so here's some pictures from 9gag i'm very found of.

i hope my parents get this one.

and hey you can win 12 pairs of shoes with my dream shoe-site !! - shoes of prey! I have participated so now i'm like crossing everything i can because it's friggin' 12 pairs of handmad shoes! from down under !!

anything else ?


Here's me face.

Here's my latest new-in's:
Cowshed baby cream for half price !!!  and why did i buy baby cream ? it is because i have quite sensitive and really dry skin... and there's no nasties, which means it suits me perfectly !

Nike Lunar forever 2

Deathlines

Since I came back from Copenhagen i've been really sick and something even worse - I have a really BIG assignment to finish, but i'm stuck.  I guess it's called Writers Block.. and i'm so pathetic, that my sister brought my hamster to comfort me, but it's more like the opposite. 

I've bought some few things when i was in Copenhagen that i want to show you guys, but i'll save that for the weekend.

the best is 1:48!