Bio-Oil: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Hi guys, I'm back with a skincare review! It's a product that I've been wanting to try for some time now and has been highly-raved by many people, including A-list celebs like Victoria Beckham and Natalie Portman: Bio-Oil!

To give you a bit of a background story, back in August this year, I posted a picture of me in a swimsuit to my Instagram, and one of my followers asked me how could I didn't have any stretch marks? To which I answered, "I do have them, they're just not visible in the picture, but since they don't bother me, I never looked for solutions to get rid of them, so if any of you have suggestions, kindly DM me."

Various answers came up, but the most common answer of all was... you guessed it, Bio-Oil!
Here's one of the examples:

Wow, right?

Even if I wasn't bothered with some stretch marks on my thighs (hey, when you've experienced a huge breakout TWICE in your life, you can't really be bothered with something that can be covered with clothes 😂), I was INTRIGUED to try this product!

Why?
Because first, I believe there is always room for improvement (stretch marks don't hurt, but I'd be happy if they fade away), and second, Bio-Oil is popular not only for treating stretch marks, but also for smoothing and moisturizing the skin, which I'm a fan of!

So, when Bio-Oil sent out their product for me to review, I was THRILLED and immediately tried it out! But before I share my personal review of it, I'm going to show you some information about Bio-Oil first, so you can get to know this product better (some kind of introduction, heheh):

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The Product

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(Hypoallergenic means that the product causes fewer allergic reactions than other ones. That doesn't necessarily mean it is allergy-proof or gentler for your skin. —webmd.com)

What each of the ingredients does:

PurCellin Oil™: This is actually the breakthrough ingredient by Bio-Oil which reduces the thickness of the formulation and makes Bio-Oil easily absorbed.

Vitamin A: Promotes the formation of new collagen and assists in skin renewal

Vitamin E: Helps maintain healthy-looking skin, protecting it from skin damage and premature aging. Vitamin E also increases the moisture content of the epidermis, making the skin soft, smooth and supple.

Calendula Oil: Has cell regenerative effects to treat sensitive, damaged or sunburned skin while reducing inflammation.

Lavender Oil: Calms and soothes your skin

Rosemary Oil: Helps to invigorate and condition the skin, it also has soothing properties and mild antiseptic effects.

Chamomile Oil: An anti-inflammatory, providing soothing and calming benefits to the skin, and is particularly beneficial for sensitive skin.

(Source: www.biooilhealth.ca)

You don't have to worry that it will leak all of over your luggage when you are traveling with it, because I've tried it and the bottle is 100% leak-proof! And they come in four different sizes as you can see below:

How cute is the 25ml size (the one I'm holding)??! It's like the baby of the family 😱💖

The texture is lighter compared to other oil-based products, thanks to Bio-Oil's innovation, PurCellin Oil! That means it will not leave your skin feeling greasy and looking overly shiny after application. Take a look ↓ 

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Review

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I've only been using Bio-Oil for 2-3 weeks now. I apply it daily after every shower to my arms, hips, buttocks, thighs, down to my feet — focusing on where my stretch marks are located, which is my outer thighs near buttocks, and gently massage it into those areas.

I haven't seen significant difference on my stretch marks, but it's expected from the short-term usage. They say we have to use it twice daily for a minimum of 3 months to get the maximum result, so I'll keep using it and update you guys after 3 months! :)

Fyi, my stretch marks are the silver type, and I read many reviews that say it's much easier to treat red or purple stretch marks, because they are still new so the blood vessels are still functioning, hence they're more responsive to treatment. Silver or white stretch marks are older, meaning that it's harder to produce collagen, but they can still fade away with time and the right treatment. Note what I said: "fade away," not "disappear," because as quoted from Bio-Oil: "Stretch marks are permanent in nature, and although Bio-Oil is formulated to help improve their appearance, it can never remove them."

On the other hand, Jess has been using Bio-Oil as soon as she found out she was pregnant and even though her belly has grown SO big right now, she doesn't have a single stretch mark on it!

You can watch her review of Bio-Oil here.

Moral of the story: Prevention is better than cure! 😁

Aside from stretch marks, Bio-Oil can also be used to improve the appearance of scars. I'll use my sister's experience again where she got scratched pretty bad by our cat (Miiko) 😂 She applied it on the scars (remember that Bio-Oil should ONLY be applied once the wound has healed!) for about 2 weeks and they are now 95% gone:

 I also read reviews that say Bio-Oil works for acne scars too, but I haven't tried it on my face yet because I just had a mini breakout last month, so I'm avoiding oil-based products on my face at the moment. But I will for sure try it later because the reviews have been great!

As for moisturizing, it does wonders! It goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly, is not sticky, doesn't have a greasy feel despite being oil-based and it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated AND smelling great! I would gladly recommend it to everyone :)

X

Elle Yamada

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Healthy Hair Tips

As much as I love my hometown, Jakarta, I can't ignore the fact that the air pollution here is pretty bad. And it does not only affect our respiratory system, it also has negative effects on our skin and, thanks to new research, on our hair as well—ranging from dryness to breakage to hairfall!

Some people might say, "Oh it's just hair!"

Well to me, hair is more than an accessory; it's an investment. I mean, it can do a great deal for your look—when your hair looks amazing, your whole look is amazing, and you FEEL amazing!

Since I was in middle school, my mom - who really cares about skin and hair care - have made me used Pantene shampoo and conditioner. Sometimes I tried other brands, but always came back to Pantene with the reasons being:

1. The shampoo cleanses my hair without making it squeaky clean.

2. The conditioner leaves my hair soft and smooth, yet still full of body.

3. They have a long-lasting great scent. Having hair that smells great all day long can not only boost your mood and make you feel confident, but also helps to leave a good impression on others!

Now I'd like you to meet my P3K box, 'Pertolongan Pantene Pada Kerontokan' box from Pantene which consists of Pantene Hair Fall Control Shampoo and Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner—the duo that has helped me fight hair fall caused by air pollution and kept it strong and smooth!

For the conditioner though, you really have to leave it for three minutes for maximum benefits! I usually apply my body and facial wash while doing that so I won't get bored in the shower hahah. Then I'll just rinse them altogether. Playing music helps, too!

Here are some other tips for healthy, strong hair:

1. Wash your hair regularly

2. Apply conditioner to the midlengths of your hair to the ends (NOT to your scalp) after cleansing it with shampoo

3. Rinse thoroughly

4. Avoid using tight hair ties; opt for hair claw clip instead.

5. Healthy eating. Nutrients like vitamins, iron and proteins are needed for your hair growth and health.

XOXO

Elle Yamada

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Elle's Aegyo Sal (Eye Smile) Tutorial

Hi everyone!

Aegyo Sal or Eye Smile has been an essential part of my eye makeup routine since 2013, so I thought I’d share my way to do it! I love Aegyo Sal because it can make you look more youthful and your eye appear bigger :)

Enjoy this 3-Step Tutorial and don't forget to watch 'til the end for the bloopers!

XOXO

Elle Yamada

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SPA Getaway in Yogyakarta with Cetaphil

Hey, what's up!
About a week ago we took a trip to Yogyakarta city. Jess had never been there, while Elle had only been there once, for a school trip in 2004. And now, thanks to Cetaphil, we've finally visited the city together PLUS got ourselves pampered (and more)!! xD

Before we checked in to our hotel, we paid a visit to Guardian at Plaza Ambarrukmo first. Guardian has always been supporting Cetaphil, so if you are wondering where to get a Cetaphil product, look for a Guardian store nearby!

Posing with the girls and Guardian staffs :) ↓

After about an hour and a half ride, during which we slept most of the way, we finally reached our hotel, Plataran Borobudur Resort and Spa. It's actually located in Magelang (about 45km from Yogyakarta).

↑ Lobby situation ♪ ♫

↑ Oh by the way, we were on this trip with these four girls who are the winners of this Cetaphil Spa Getaway! Yes, this trip is actually the result from a competition held by Cetaphil on their Facebook:

So you might wanna like their page here, because they LOVE to give awesome prizes like this, useful beauty tips and of course, their products!

And here are the winners' reviews (≧▽≦)づ

Yep, there were actually two more winners, but they were unable to attend, which is quite a bummer because:

 ↑ We were all so happy to be here!!!
Plataran Borobudur is very secluded and surrounded by nature, so it's perfect for a relaxing getaway!

  ↑ But first... lunch! The new faces are (L-R): Benita from Bonsey Jaden, Debby from Cetaphil Indonesia, and Elisabeth from Popbela).

↑ Although the food was average, we could see Candi Borobudur (AND the people there, no kidding) from here through this binoculars! It was pretty cool!

↑ Took outfit shots before headed to spa. We went for something comfortable and lightweight because Yogyakarta is just as hot and humid as Jakarta. ↓

↑ Jess with her all-time favorite white backpack from Braun Buffel. And yes, that's the spa location down there! Go, go!!

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Time for Spa!

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It's unlike any other spa, it's a spa using Cetaphil products!! ♥

 Finally!! What we'd been waiting for! It's just that we didn't sleep at all the night before because the flight was at 5am, so we were very looking forward to this!!! xD

 ↑ Milk bath overlooking the forest and Borobudur Temple? Yes, please!

 ↑ No matter how badly we needed the massage, we still managed to take some pics in their cute robes, ha! #bloggers

 ↑ Started from the bottom...

...now we're here!

♡ Heavenly afternoon ♡

 Continued to facial massage. They cleansed our face using Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, and then moisturized it with Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. :)

 After that, we rinsed off the scrubs in this milk bath before finally applied Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion to our body. Fyi, it's important to apply body lotion after scrubbing to replenish any moisture lose!

↑ Credit for our photos during spa session goes to this sweet masseuse, Tari! She was so awesome in taking photos, seriously! She knew the good angles and even suggested some poses! hahah

After the spa, we went to our room to freshen up a bit for dinner, and greeted by these sweet welcome gifts from the hotel and Cetaphil:

♥♥♥

↑ Wheee, it's the complete combo (Cleanser - Moisturizer - Sunblock), a nice addition to our existing Cetaphil family! XD Thank you, Cetaphil! ♥

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Dinner at The Kastil

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The decor of this restaurant kind of reminded us of Dracula's castle with the candle, carpet, window, and overall colors. We love it, but we don't wish to be left here alone, lol!

↑ Elle's OOTN: Dress from Japan, Michael Kors Boots, Bershka Necklace. The dress code for dinner was black, which matched The Kastil's atmosphere well!

↑ Tasty Soto!

↑ Of course it wouldn't be complete without Sambal ;)

Before we reached the end of our dinner, there was a Skincare session with Cetaphil's guest speaker, Dr. Arum! ↓

She shared her knowledge about skin and how to take care of it. It was very interesting, here we snapped some of the slides for you, take a look:

↑ Types of skin: sensitive and tough. Sensitive skin is more likely to deal with acne, itching, and irritation. (FOL)

↑ Types of skin colors and how they react to the sun.

 ↑ How important it is to protect your skin from the sun using sunblock! UVB can cause burning and skin cancer, while UVA can cause burning, pigment darkening, wrinkle, and premature aging.

 ↑ Look for a sunblock that can protect your skin from both UVA and UVB.

↑ You can also take care of or improve your skin with a healthy lifestyle. That includes enough sleep (6-8 hours a day), balanced nutrition, regular exercise (at least 30 minutes a day, 3x per-week), no smoking, no alcohol.

It's always fun learning about skincare, especially while enjoying these simple, yet yummy Indonesian desserts! xD ↓

↓ Dr. Arum with Debby from Cetaphil.

Thank you so much, Dr. Arum, for sharing your time and knowledge with us! ♥

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Morning Yoga

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The next morning, we wanted to catch the sunrise at 5am, but the sun was hiding behind the mist. T___T
This led us to our next schedule... YOGA!

We rarely do yoga (especially Elle), so there was quite a lot of challenging poses, lol! But overall it was so fun and peaceful :)

↑ The sun was starting to get hot and bright by this point that it was hard to see our yoga instructor, so we turned our back to the sun. It was to protect our face too (most of us forgot to put on sunblock).

↑ Warrior pose. xD

↑ Child's Pose, which is like our favorite pose hahah, love this picture btw! Both of us look like lemper.

ANDDD..... DONE!!!

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Sayonara Lunch

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After checking out from the hotel, we headed back to Yogyakarta and had this suuuuperrr delicious lunch at Sasanti Restaurant and Gallery!

Everything was yummeh, but our most favorite was the Wagyu Sate and this appetizer called Mentho. Despite it's not-so-Instagrammable appearance, it was super freaking moist and delicious, no kidding:

You should really try it when you visit Yogyakarta! Here's the address:
Jalan Palagan Tentara Pelajar No. 52A, Sariharjo, Kec. Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

↑ The complete menu!

↓ Before headed to the airport, we made a stop at Batik Rumah to shop shop first! Elle bought four batik dresses :D

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Product Reviews

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Being Cetaphil fans, we have our own Cetaphil products here, which we've been using for some time now:

↑ click to enlarge the pic ↑

A little background story of how we first met with this simple yet loved-by-many brand.

On 2011, we had a major acne breakout, and (on top of seeing dermatologist(s), taking this medication and that treatments, etc.) of course we surfed the internet to find a holy grail. And that's how we knew Cetaphil for the first time; the brand -specifically the Gentle Skin Cleanser- shows up a LOT on forums, blogs, etc. and people raved about how safe and gentle it is for treating their acne. So we looked around for it but back then, it was really hard to get because Cetaphil was not officially available in Indonesia yet.

Fast forward to January 2015, Jess woke up to a nasty rash on her thighs, which has never happened before.

***WARNING***

Don't click if you're scared to see disgusting images or have a Trypophobia (intense, irrational fear of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps). But if you want to see how bad it was, here's the pic.

J: I panicked and went to a doctor in nearby hospital, and the doctor said that I experienced a skin allergy, which might be caused by a contact with something unhygienic. The only thing I can remember was that the night before the thigh rash happened, I was doing an outdoor yoga session. And the unhygienic stuff might the mat which was provided by the host (I was wearing a thin legging). T_T Long story short, the doctor prescribed me some stuffs and when I bought them at the hospital pharmacy, I was really shocked because turns out one of the products he prescribed me was what we were desperately looking for on 2011: THE Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (apparently, Cetaphil officially came to Indonesia on 2012)!! Doctor said I should only shower with it and well, there were also some prescribed oral meds, but they sure did work, my thigh rash disappeared in less than a week!

Fast forward again to May 2016 (yes, to this awesome spa getaway), Cetaphil gave us this bunch of goodies!! (ﾉ≧▽≦)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

↑ click to enlarge the pic ↑

GENTLE SKIN CLEANSER -- OILY SKIN CLEANSER

↑ click to enlarge the pic ↑

We use the Oily Skin Cleanser after removing our makeup (for our double-cleansing ritual) and we love it. It's a bit hard to build up the foam, but even without the foam, you can still feel that it cleanses your skin well. The only difference between the two is that the Gentle Skin Cleanser leaves your skin feel clean + slightly moisturized, and the Oily Skin Cleanser simply leaves your skin feel clean and oil-free without the feeling of being stretched out, if you know what we mean. Both are very mild and yes, you can use the famous Gentle Skin Cleanser for both face and body, even on baby's skin and of course, on super sensitive skin. Heck, you can even use it without water; just rub it on your skin as usual and remove the residue with a towel or facial tissue. We tried it during the spa getaway, and it really does not feel sticky afterward!! If any, it makes our skin feel soft! But we don't recommend this no-water way for cleansing your face yah.. Double cleansing with water is still the best way for us!

MOISTURIZING CREAM -- MOISTURIZING LOTION

↑ click to enlarge the pic ↑

I think they got the label wrong for the Moisturizing Lotion ↑. It's supposed to be like this one, we think. As you can see from the swatch, the Moisturizing Cream has heavier and more solid texture than the Moisturizing Lotion, which is more watery. Afterall, the Moisturizing Cream was specially formulated for chronic dry, sensitive skin. We use it for super dry areas on our body (elbows, crotch, knees, feet, and toes), and it works wonders for us! It's not greasy despite being super moisturizing, and it keeps our (usually super dry) skin soft! The Moisturizing Lotion is also a great product. We've been using it for more than a year now, so this one from the getaway is a nice additional stock lol.

UVA/UVB DEFENSE SPF 50+ -- DAILY FACIAL MOISTURIZER SPF 15

↑ click to enlarge the pic ↑

Remember the slide from Dr. Arum up there? Yes, using sun protection products everyday is a MUST because it's one of the best 'long term investments' for your skin! The Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 is true to its claims; it's lightweight, non-greasy, non-comedogenic and it's comfortable for daily use, even when we're just staying at home.

Jess: As for the UVA/UVB Defense SPF 50+, I was super glad I used it right before the yoga session started because as you can see:

...it was a super hot, sunny (and sweaty) morning.

Elle: I forgot to use it, so I tried to avoid the sun as much as I could. T___T

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Thank you, Cetaphil!

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White shirt, blue jeans♥ We're all holding our precious Cetaphil goodie bags!

Thank you once again, Cetaphil, for arranging this fun, relaxing, and inspiring trip. Can't wait for another awesome trip(s) to come! (ˆヮˆ)づ♡

If you'd love to get FREE Cetaphil products, click here:

http://bit.ly/freecetaphil

We also did an interview with Popbela, talking about beauty stuff, which you can read here:

http://bit.ly/popbela

XOXO

Elle and Jess
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