Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Hey guys, so amongst a whole host of chronic skin problems like Eczema, I was recently diagnosed back in December with having a sensitive scalp, all of which relate back to stress because December was a bit of a disaster. Thankfully, Kérastase Singapore has been taking care of my hair for the past year and decided to start me on a programme to treat my scalp condition!

What is the difference between Sensitive Scalp and having Dandruff? 
Though the symptoms appear the same (itchy scalp, dead hair cells), having a sensitive scalp is triggered by stress whereas dandruff is caused by having and oily scalp which causes excess skin to build up and then fall off. So if you THINK you just have dandruff and feel embarrassed that people think you don't wash your hair or something, fear not - you may just have sensitive scalp (but you still have the grossness of it, haha, sorry).

How can Sensitive Scalp be Treated?
Kérastase is a brand very dedicated to treating your hair, or specifically your scalp since that is where everything starts. They linked me up with Picasso Hair Studio to do a proper diagnosis upon which we started the 3-month treatment programme back in December to use a combination of Kérastase's in salon treatment (which was an awesome once a month treat to me) as well as their at home care products which I used religiously.


The sessions took about 2-3 hours once a month at their Haji Lane branch, and I was always lovingly served by dear Fernnel from Picasso. This is defiitely not your off the shelf treatment at normal hair salons where they slap on some product for a while and wash it off. Instead, Fernnel would apply several rounds of the product on to my hair, rinse it off, and repeat. It always ended with a steam to open up my hair follicles, head massages, neck massages... It's like an all-in-one session getting pampered and treated!



Do you have to use Special Products for Sensitive Scalp?
I was switched to using the Kérastase Specifique Range daily, which is specifically for people with sensitive scalp. My favourites are the Specifique Bain Riche Dermo-Calm daily as my shampoo (the blue bottle), and their hair mask - the Specifique Masque Hydra-Apaisant - which I use once a week and still swear by till now!



Can Sensitive Scalp Come Back?
Sadly, yes. It's like any other sensitive skin issue which you'll have to deal with for the rest of your life. I was recommended to continue using the Specifique Shampoo and mask, even after my main treatment ended to prevent it from coming back. And of course, manage my stress (but I was born stressed, oops).



Results
Picasso has a special device to see your scalp up close to see it's condition, so yes, those pictures above are mine (I promise you, everyone's scalp looks gross this near alright). On the left is my before in December, and on the right in March after 3 months of treatment.  It wouldn't be accurate to say it can be "completely cured" after 3 months because a lot of it depends on your personal upkeep at home as well as continuous external factors like stress, pollution etc. So yes, still a little redness but definitely much, much better than before.

I also made a video with Kerastase and Picasso profiling my journey which you guys can watch here!

Always excited to pop in for a new NARS launch but this time round I'm especially excited in particular for the launch of the Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation.



I've been need a good everyday foundation and this feels like it was built for me - long wearing of (and their first) 16-hour, sheer texture for breathability yet high coverage (!!) - and with a serum base as an added bonus.  Better yet, it comes in 33 different shades (compared to their All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation which has 20) for an even better match.

So at the start of June Jocelyn from Clinique hinted that we should keep the 30th free for a "secret event" which makes me crazy because I love secrets! This girl would not give up any information at all despite my casual attempts at asking at random times in hopes that she would accidentally let slip some info. We literally did not know a single thing up to the very day until a cab showed up outside our house to bring us to... a house party!

Got my hands a little dirty with Samantha at the launch of the Fresh Umbrian Clay Mask collab with Rometti; and what more appropriate way to celebrate it than at pottery studio, Mud Rock Ceramics? The space was all light earthy tones, and I seriously love the way the Fresh team did up the shelves, weaving in the pottery, tools and packaging together - almost felt like we were transported to Italy, which is where Umbrian Clay is from!

I've always wanted to try throwing my own pots like they do in the movies, and I've always know it isn't as easy at it looks but damn it REALLY is not as easy as it looks. I basically have zero natural talent and wouldn't have a bowl left if not for the instructors helping me - but if that makes you worried about trying a class in throwing your own pot, I think I was an odd case because everyone else seemed to be doing respectably fine on their own!

(*cries inwardly*)

Anyway, more about the mask! I tried it on and found it to be a lot lighter and smoother than clay masks I have used from other brands - this also means it dries faster (5-10mins instead of my usual 20mins). I didn't have any irritation afterwards, but I did make sure to put on some moisturiser after because clay masks can be very drying - in fact, if you leave them on for too long it's actually bad for your skin, so wait till the mask is dry but not stiff before removing. I personally love my clay masks when it comes to removing pimple scars, I sometimes even use them on just the spot alone when I'm lazy to do my whole face. Is that recommended? I don't know :'D

For a limited time, the Fresh Umbrian Clay Mask comes in the special packaging designed by Rometti and retails at S$95.00.