I haven't had a press kit that made me LOL in a long time. 😂 I mean, if you look carefully at my picture below.. zoom in on the super-funny photo! OF ME. That looks like a sexy Wonderwoman with that 70s hair. ROFL. Not sure if thats really my style but the red boots are to die for by the way! 

Eau Thermale Avene - HYDRANCE OPTIMALE AQUA CREAM-IN-GEL Review 

Back to business. First things first. AVÈNE, the name synonymous with French Thermal Spring Water, has just released their latest product, the Hydrance Optimale Aqua Cream-In-Gel moisturizer that is customized for the busy woman of today. Aka #WonderWoman, just like you and me.

This unique gel-cream texture is light, refreshing and promises to instantly melt into skin to intensely hydrate, mattify and even skin tone from within - thanks to the combined action of Lipomucine and Meiboserin.

Its anti-oxidant properties protects the skin against free radicals and mattifies skin tone for flawless complexion day after day. You can use it day and night - just remember to apply sunscreen for the day. The Hydrance Optimale Aqua cream-in-gel is suitable for all types of of dehydrated sensitive skin (like mine) and in addition, its made in Japan and has been tested on Asian sensitive skin.

Each tub comes with a spatula  

The texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly into skin. In addition, I love the refreshing scent. The Hydrance Cream-in-Gel is good for scotching days of summer where you don't wanna feel all greasy after moisturizer. It mattifies skin slightly after application, and even after applying sunscreen, my skin didnt feel too oily or goopy. For night, I needed to apply a layer of serum before the cream-in-gel as Im always in air-conditioning and is prone to dry skin.  The Cream-in-Gel didnt cause any breakouts which is a good thing so thumbs up for those with sensitive skin like mine. 😊

AVÈNE Thermal Spring Water Spray

Thermal water is naturally mineralized water whose healing properties make it suitable for therapeutic use. It has a set of characteristics that make it propitious to health and is recognized to be of public interest by the French National Academy of Medicine. Avène Thermal Spring Water is particularly recommended for sensitive, hypersensitive, allergic or irritated skin.

Im not a stranger to the Avène Thermal Spring Water, I used it alot when Elroy was younger! Did you know that you can use it on babies? Even spraying it on diaper areas reduces the chance of skin rashes and is better than using chemical-laden wipes on their sensitive skin.

I now use the Avène Thermal Spring Water before applying my skin care routine. Its great to set my makeup and makes my skin dewy!

Hope you enjoyed the review xo

The Hydrance Optimale Aqua Cream-In-Gel is now available at all Watson's and Guardian stores at $49.90 for 50ml. 

For more info, please head to : https://www.eau-thermale-avene.sg

Im not sure if I actually shared this but yes, my toddler was breastfed til he made his own choice and self-weaned about a month back. I didnt purposely make this decision for him though. I just wanted him to take the lead on his own accord although i did wean him from night feeds when he turned 2 coz I felt that he was latching more for comfort instead of needing to drink milk. 

Elroy's Expired BreastMilk Bath - Totally Weaned at 27 Months

When I posted this on a local Breastfeeding group, the most common question was - How did he wean? Im not actually sure too, it was a rather gradual and gentle process over time with me reducing milk feeds, introducing fresh cow's milk and yogurt/cheese during meal times although the night weaning had to be cold-turkey (since he was only drinking like once or twice a night anyways). I had to tell the husband to ignore any cries or whining while I try to deal with it on my own, but thankfully after a couple of nights of protesting.. he fell back to sleep and that's just it .. I guess. For more info on Night Weaning, perhaps you can take a look at the article : Here (Click Here) 

I used to pump when he was younger but mainly coz I had an oversupply when Elroy started sleeping longer hours. I also have a separate chest freezer for the frozen milk which I *thought* that maybe I could feed him with when Im not around but alas, the boy has his own thinking and rejected ALL frozen milk. *insert 😑 emoji now* I remember there was once where I had to attend a wedding and my husband offered him thawed milk and guess what - the son rather go hungry, cry the house down and wait for me to come home. So yeaps.. all these milk expired as time went by with nobody to drink lor. 

Since we are clearing the fridge... Expired Breastmilk Bath! 💪

The toddler was so excited to see all the milk and he had so much fun! I asked him, "Do you remember drinking Mama's Neh neh?" And he replied "YES!" Then I said, "Do you want to drink neh neh or cow's milk?" And then he happily said without a thought - "COW'S MILK!!!!" Gua gua gua ~ crow fly pass. Se mo yi si ma ni .....😒

Truthfully its a rather bitter-sweet moment for me though ........... I loved breastfeeding and Im a huge advocate although I usually try to keep my comments to myself because I dont really want people to think that Im such a BF Nazi or crazy loony. The only reason why I breastfed is that it was convenient (no need to make milk!) and that I love the closeness and how Elroy will snuggle his little head near me and smell me. Til now.. he still smells me although he doesnt drink but really, thats so sweet awwww.

#Throwback 

This was when Elroy was only 2 months old! Never thought I will come this far.. I really wanted to stop when he turned 1 but I guess it was more like, 'we'll talk about it tomorrow..' when people asked me when I will offer formula instead.. or its just such a routine for the both of us that we never got round to doing it any other way. 😊

In fact we got so comfortable nursing in a Tula that it became so normal and that my husband couldnt even tell when he was sleeping or when he was drinking milk ... *pic below*

Penning this down marks the end of our wonderful breastfeeding journey. One that is so lovely, I wouldn't change it for the world - despite what other people think. 💋

Thank you for being my child - Mummy loves you so much! Always remember that 💗

**Edited to add : There is no 'best' way to feed your baby, whichever route you choose - is best. 

Being a Mom to an active toddler means I have no time for chemical peels (the downtime is nuts!) and neither do I have the luxury of sitting at a doctor's office for bi-weekly facial sessions. I mean, 24 hours in a day in barely enough for me! 😛 Why am I so busy?? I really have no idea seriously! 

Philosophy : The Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel

An innovative, easy-to-use two-step peel that decongests, clarifies, calms, and brightens. 

If you are time-pressed like me but would love to add another dimension to your skincare routine - (...after all Im still vain and would want to look my best despite feeling like a zombie every day 😁) the new Philosophy : The Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel might be your answer to an oxygen peel in the comfort of your own home

What it is formulated to do:

The Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel combines two products in one, to deliver the purifying benefits of a detoxifying mask plus the brightening benefits of an oxygen facial. Formulated for all skin types, including acne-prone skin, skin is left radiant and revitalized, while pores appear smaller and less-noticeable.

Formulated without Parabens, Sulfates or Phthalates 

Instructions : 

Step I: 

Apply a thick layer of the detoxifying charcoal gel (black tube) onto clean, dry skin, ensuring even application. Do not rinse. 

Step II: 

Apply a generous amount of the oxygen foam booster (white tube) on top of the charcoal gel. Massage in circular motions. 

Step I with activated charcoal draws out dirt and impurities, as barley leaf extract delivers the first burst of oxygen to the skin. 

Step II completes the detox, with a second boost of re-energizing oxygen in a light and airy foam that activates on contact. 

Look at the activation!

Remove by using the exfoliating derma blade (included in box). 

Move the blade along the skin in a shaving motion. 

The Test : BEFORE 

(Picture is unfiltered) 

Apply a generous layer 

Followed by the Oxygen Foam Booster and leave on for 3 minutes 

Show u pic of my son 💢😄💥💣 ~ He looked so petrified! LOLOLOL

*No kids were harmed during the process 😉

TA-DAAHHHH!

After one application : I noticed an immediate brighter skin tone, with overall improved luminosity.  

The Event 

Thanks to WOM and Philosophy, we had a lovely sit-down dinner during the launch of Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel 

#Selfie

Excited to see the live demo too!

Getting to know the new product 

The first time I tried it on my hand 

Look how bright our hands are! LOL 

Food was delicious, using ingredients from the product! Example, Charcoal bread

I had such a great time, it was fabulous putting the toddler at home for once and enjoying a nice dinner with my fellow beauty blogger and friends. 💓 Not only that, the Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel is really a wonderful product, something that everyone can use at home, as a quick pick-me-up to improve skin's clarity and revitalize skin. I would suggest using it 3x a week continuously but really, I could see an instant brightening effect even after one use. 

Philosophy's The Microdelivery Detoxifying Oxygen Peel will be available from August at all Sephora stores at $89.