I have been wanting to review this product ever since I tried it first. Yes, I was that impressed. But still I waited about a month to see the somewhat long-term effects before getting around it.

I bought 3 MUA power pout lipstick/lip-balm a while ago. Swatched immediately. Fell in love with them immediately. However, after using a month or two, I am having some second thoughts. So time to review.

Hmm half the year gone, can start with Album of the year now :)

I have been trying to grow my hair out for sometimes now. I do get my end trimmed every 6 months or so but my last hair cut was atleast 14-15 months ago. My Hair has grown from not even shoulder lenght to almost waist lenght in this time period. Mind you, my hair doesn't normally grow in this rate. I credit it all to atleast once a week application of castor oil (wrote a detailed post on it back a while here) 

Have been planning on writing a post on my full skin care routine for a while now....

So a few notes on my skin first. I have extremely oily skin. I have sun tan and general discoloration on my forehead, outer cheek and some spots on chin which is my most break-out prone and problematic area. I am also prone to blackheads (nose) and whiteheads( pretty much whole face but mostly chin).

Thus my priority is not only moisturizers and oil control but to keep blackheads, whiteheads, breakout etc on check therefore AHA. Also trying to even out my skin tone by using HQ to get rid of sun tan and marks. Trying to improve the texture as well, plus whatever anti-oxidant benefits I can find so added Vit C. Plus I am 27+ years old so introduced very light dose of Retin-A too.

Because you cant use Retin-A, AHA etc on same day/night ( or consecutive even, for beginners like me), I am going divide my routine into 5 days/night circle. I know it sounds like a lot of products but its not really, most of them are repetitive. Plus I never really bother much with high end products, like if its doing something special ( for example I am eying Paula's Choice for AHA/BHA next) but say moisturizers or cleansers? I cant feel any difference and Alhumdulliah everything pretty much suits my skin so yes my special priorities are problems like suntan/oiliness/breakouts like I mentioned earlier.

Here's is an update and a simplified version of my previous DIY Vit C serum formula 
You can use either pure vit C powder/ ascorbic acid or vit C ampoule, whatever you prefer or have access to

Using vit C ampoule:
you'll only need
1. 500 mg of Vit C liquid
2. Distilled water/ if you have oily skin you can also use witch hazel
3. Light oil (like almond/vit e/ grape seed oil), this is optional only for dry/normal to dry skin

• Step 1: break the ampoule on the top and put the liquid in a clean container.

• Step 2: fill the now-empty ampoule with water or witch hazel and add that water/witch hazel to the container. Do it 3 times. If you have oily skin and have witch hazel you can also use it, but dont use only witch hazel, mix it with water, like 1 ampoule of witch hazel and 2 ampoule of water etc

• Step 3: if you have dry/ normal to dry skin add half a table spoon of light oil to the container. Shake well before use.
• Step 4: Apply this after you wash your face, just a few drops should cover the whole face. Wait atleast 15 minute before you proceed with moisturizer.  

Thats it. Keep it refrigerated. you can use it for 6 days tops. After  that make a new batch.

Use this ratio for 5-6 months. Then go to 2:1. That is for each ampoule of vit C use only two ampoule of water ( fill the ampoule twice only). DO NOT INCREASE THE POTENCY ANYMORE THOUGH.

Using vit C powder:
You'll need:
1. Ascorbic Acid powder
2. Distilled water/ if you have oily skin you can also use witch hazel

• Simply take a pinch of vit c powder on your palm and add some drop of water/witch hazel to it. Apply. Pure ascorbic acid will absorb instantly.  

• Or you can just add a pinch of vit C powder to you day moisturizer/ night moisturizer and apply that. This is what I do

For more formulation please visit make-up-alley's DIY Vit C page...almost everyone has thier own formula for it. So whatever works for you.

I have used the first version ( using ampoule) for 7-8 months on a regular basis then switched into the 2nd one during last month and I can personally say both works. I only changed because making serums every 5-6 days was getting kind of tiring...

It changed the look and feel of my skin. I sometimes skip it during the day, specially if i am going out since vit c can increase sun sensitivity but  I have been applying it religiously the nights I do not use Retin-A. And wake up with glowing, plumped, soft and clearer face. Seriously! Not only it helped to improve the texture of my skin, it also helped to fade my tan/marks. So give it a try, you will begin to see improvements in 2-3 months Insha Allah

Let me know if you have any question or query about this

Haven’t wrote anything for ages. Blame it on work. and laziness…

Anyway here is a requested reviews on my holy grail oils.

From let to right, Aura Cacia Grape seed oil, Well's Almond Oil, Home Health Castor Oil, Biona Virgin coconut oil and Olivoila Extra virgin olive oil

For the last one month, whatever face mask I am using, after the allotted time, like 15-20 minutes, I have been washing off the mask with a cleanser instead of rinsing off with only water.

I am scared of the mask residue specially cleansing or purifying ones because they are strong) what the long term affect might be. Also how the leftover residue would interact with moisturizer or block pores or cause breakout or whatever.

 Even home made face masks like juice or aspirin, washing it off with cleansers so it neutralizes the ph level (these juice and aspirin masks can be quite acidic) and also makes my skin less sensitive to sun (specially if I am going out, never go out in the sun with residue of acidic mask)

Some may argue that washing off face mask will limit the ability of the mask for work after the allotted time. That is say, you apply a purifying mask, keep it on for 15 minutes, wash it off with cleanser, the mask is no longer purifying your skin. If you had washed it off with only water, it would; have. So you think you're getting more/better result? In my opinion that is just wrong. Because masks are not designed to work for a longer period of time. 5-20 minutes is all you need. So if you're washing your mask off with only water and happy with it, no problem. But if you experience redness, rash or even breakout after applying face masks. try it. Wash it off using a mild cleanser. It is a safer and much sanitary option