Review: Alpha-H Skincare Products from FacialCo

For the past 6 months I've been trialling products from a skincare brand called Alpha-H from FacialCo and today I'll be sharing my thoughts on a few products from this range.  

The three full-sized products I've trialled are as follows (L-R):

• Gentle Daily Exfoliant with Papaya and Pineapple
• Absolute Eye Complex with Cucumber & Vitamin B5
• Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 30+

I also had a chance to trial their Dry/Sensitive 5-Piece skincare set:

This set included the following products ranging from 7.5 ml to 30 ml (L-R):

• Balancing Cleanser with Aloe Vera
• Gentle Daily Exfoliant with Papaya & Pineapple
• Absolute Eye Complex with Cucumber & Vitamin B5
• Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+
• Essential Hydration Cream

Alpha-H is an Australian skincare brand committed to being a global leader in corrective and preventative skincare by creating revolutionary cosmeceutical formulations  of concentrated and balance performance ingredients. As seen on their packaging, Alpha-H aims for simplicity in their products being easy to use and multi-functional. Alpha-H stands for elegance and and intelligence, promising to deliver better functioning skin and letting the the products do the talking,

I trialled the 5-piece set of miniatures first because I wanted my skincare routine to completely start from scratch by using these products to cleanse, exfoliate, refresh, protect and nourish. They were also great for me to take with me on my short trip to Melbourne as they made for perfect travel-sized products.

Products in a cute zip pouch

I managed to finish a few of these products before the others had finished which meant that some products were missing from my skincare routine but I guess that generally happens anyway, hey! 

Step 1: Cleanse

The Balancing Cleanser was very creamy and gentle on my skin, I felt that it did a really nice job with removing my face makeup and didn't leave my skin feeling tight or uncomfortable afterwards. The aloe vera scent is quite subtle too so it isn't overpowering or likely to cause any irritations on sensitive skin.

Step 2: Exfoliate

The Gentle Daily Exfoliant is a dry powder which turns into a smooth paste when mixed with water. It is a micro-exfoliating treatment with zero abrasion - it is seriously the gentlest exfoliant I have ever used! It was a joy to use each day because I normally would only exfoliate once or twice a week as my usual ones have microbeads or a grainy texture that feels too harsh to be used daily but this is the perfect exfoliator for dry and sensitive skin as it won't strip away too much of the superficial skin layer.

Step 3: Refine:

The Absolute Eye Complex is used to refine the eye area to refresh and hydrate the delicate skin. It feels really cool on the skin, just like how a cucumber slice feels over the eye and its extremely lightweight. 

Step 4: Protect

The Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+ is a sunscreen with a beige tint and with its SPF 50+ protection, it offers a very high shield against harmful UVA/UVB rays. I love how it isn't like a typical sunscreen that feels sticky afterwards, it feels more like a moisturiser as it is non-greasy and mattified.

Step 5: Nourish

The Essential Hydration Cream was my go-to and it definitely helped with the hydration on my skin, one of my biggest problems as my skin tends to be on the dehydrated side, making it dry and flaky sometimes.

Two out of the three full-sized products were in the 5-piece skincare set which meant that when these ran/run out, I could continue using them as part of my routine, especially for the daily exfoliant which ran out fairly quickly so it was great that I had the full-sized one too!

The Daily Essential Moisturiser is great for those with dry skin as it works to restore the skin as well as provide SPF sun protection to stop UV rays from penetrating the skin. It can be use on its own or underneath makeup as it is non-greasy and leaves the skin feeling smooth.

This particular range and products are perfect for people with dry/sensitive skin like myself as these products have very mild scents and won't clog pores or cause breakouts/irritability.

These products can be purchased from FacialCo, the little sister of Ry, Australia's biggest online skin, hair and beauty store. FacialCo provides luxury, professional skincare products at the lowest prices and aim to provide the ultimate customer experience with standard delivery being free Australia wide.

A questjen for you:

What skincare brands are you currently using?
Along with Alpha-H, I am also using products from SK-II and Kiehl's - happy to do a review on either of these or both ☺

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Disclaimer: Products were provided for consideration. This is not a sponsored post, nor am I affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. Links are not affiliate links. All opinions stated by me are 100% honest and free from bias. See more at http://www.questjen.com/p/disclaimer.html for full disclaimer.

New Hair - Ash Blonde Ombre/Balayage

Ah, I didn't think it would get to a point where I would only blog once a month! Seeing as it's a leap year this year (happy leap year everyone!), I thought it'd be cool to have a post published on the 29th of February, a date that only comes once every four years. So how about I do an update post on my hair :)   At the end of January, I decided to get my hair dyed at a salon which I haven't done in years (throwback to this post!) and decided that I needed to treat myself and have my hair done again. A new year and a new look, I was ready for something fresh and different to my usual dyed brown hair. I definitely wanted to go lighter, but I was afraid of how it would turn out and whether a lighter colour would suit me. I've always been curious about how blonde would look on me despite having worn a blonde wig before (check this post). I felt that the best way for my hair to appear lighter overall without compromising too much of my hair was to go for an ombre/balayage where my roots stay healthy and I don't need to worry about regrowth. Now I know this trend has been around for ages but I am certain that it will continue being a trend for many years to come.  

Before and after with foils in my hair

  It took roughly 3 hours to put the foils in, rinse them out, apply toner, shampoo and blow-dry. I also had my roots touched-up as black so that my brown was covered and no regrowth. I loved the way it turned out, it was the first time having such light ends! Here are some photos that I took straight after:  

The smooth transition from black to blonde

I was surprised how healthy my hair was still

Here's how my hair looked about a week after. The toner had faded so it was less ashy however the blonde was still nice from using a purple shampoo and conditioner to neutralise the yellow tones. I had an outing to attend and I got lots of compliments!

Car selfie in daylight 

Lighting at night

A week later I decided that I wanted my ends to go a touch lighter as I found that the blonde was still quite brassy and I wanted to have a more ash/grey my ombre so another 3 hours later, this was how my hair turned out:  

More cool-toned blonde, this was perfect!

I had to go through the bleaching process again so my hair was more brittle and dry this time around but thankfully I had a bottle of Olaplex No. 3 which I got from my intern last year and now I could finally put it to good use!  

  This stuff is amazing! If you hair is weak, this is highly recommended as it actually repairs the bonds in your hair, making it a whole lot smoother, stronger and thicker. Olaplex can also be used during the dyeing process which comes at an additional cost during your service. Seeing as I had this take-home treatment to use, I didn't feel that I needed to have Olaplex mixed with my bleach as my hair was quite healthy. Now my ends feel just like how they were before the bleaching process and I honestly didn't think it was possible. A must-try, definitely worth the investment!   The Priceline Haircare gift with purchase Goodie Bag came in handy with my recent haircare purchases so now I have even more hair care products to use now - no excuses for bad hair days haha.  

My haul is on the left up to the white bottle, the rest on the right are from the goodie bag as well as the scattered vouchers

I'm wanting to put even more grey/silver in my hair but it's just so hard to maintain! Any tips on what I should use? Might have to resort to Manic Panic or other temporary dyes.   Questjen for you:
What are your hair goals?
Do you want it to be more lush? Perhaps a new style or colour?

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Disclaimer: Services were purchased with my own money. This is not a sponsored post, nor am I affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. Links are not affiliate links. All opinions stated by me are 100% honest and free from bias. See more at http://www.questjen.com/p/disclaimer.html for full disclaimer.

My Experience at Evolve Skin Rejuvenation Clinic

Hi everyone! I can't believe we're already one month down into the new year, I hope you've all had a fabulous start to 2016. For me it's been good so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how the next 11 months will turn out. I must say, 2015 made me experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows but through it all it taught me so many life lessons and now I can move forward and become a stronger person. Hoping that 2016 will be my year, fingers crossed.
Towards the end of 2015, I received an email from Milly on behalf of Evolve Skin Rejuvenation Clinic about a lovely opportunity where I was offered 3 facial treatments customised to cater to my skin type to improve its health and overall appearance. Prior to receiving this email, I hadn't heard of Evolve Skin Rejuvenation Clinic and little did I know that it was within short travelling distance from my house which made it very convenient. I had never had any facial treatments done before as I had always been worried about experiencing an adverse reaction due to my very sensitive skin but after being reassured by Evolve's Managing Director Wendii that I'd be in safe hands and my skin would not be compromised, I no longer felt unsure about going along with the treatments. I decided to take up this opportunity and I ended up having 3 facial treatments and 1 consultation in between.
This post is going to be a recount of my treatments where I'll be sharing my thoughts and feedback.

Evolve also specialises in beauty treatments such as makeup, waxing, spray-tanning and nail treatments

Treatment #1 - December 22 2015
As I stepped in I was warmly greeted by beauty therapist Niki who was going to be doing my facial treatment that day. Before having my facial treatment, I filled out some paper work addressing my skin concerns and listed any health or medical issues and my lifestyle factors. This was the best way for the therapists to understand which skin rejuvenation treatment would be most suitable for each client. While filling in these papers, I was offered some herbal tea which I found to be quite nice and soothing.

The treatment room I was in - very purple!

We spoke about my current skin condition and what my concerns are and it was decided that the best treatment for my skin was the Enzyme Boost, a gentle exfoliation for a dry dehydrated skin which was definitely one of my main concerns. The products used for this treatment were Chi Para-Medical Aesthetics and the range is pictured below in the turquoise green and white:

This first session went for about 60 minutes and it was for sure, one of the most relaxing experiences I've ever had. I told Niki that it was my first time having a facial treatment done and she told me that they do get quite addictive and after this first session I can certainly see why! To lay down with your eyes closed and have a trained professional gently cleanse your face felt amazing and after this treatment I couldn't wait to come back in for my next in two week's time.
Consultation -  January 4 2016
During the Christmas and New Year period I noticed that my skin was experiencing a few breakouts and my skin rarely experiences any breakouts, including that time of the month where I may only get one max. I hadn't changed anything about my diet (at least not prior to the Christmas family feast) or used any new products on my face. I had a few spots on my forehead and a couple on my cheeks that had me feeling rather concerned and apprehensive about this treatment and its suitability to my skin. I had a consultation with Meagan who is a very trained therapist and would be able to assess my skin and perform IPL/LED treatments to clear the breakouts. After assessing my skin, it appeared that IPL/LED treatments were not necessary and that my skin was experiencing these breakouts from my skin going through a cleansing and elimination process. Meagan provided me with a sample of green tea to apply on the breakouts and to protect them from scarring.

This is a UV magnifying lamp used to assess the skin's condition

Treatment #2 - January 13 2016
My skin was looking much better for my second treatment as my breakouts had cleared up and my skin felt much more hydrated after the first treatment and also from using the Chi B3 Barrier Repair Serum which was provided to me after my first treatment. I use this serum daily underneath my moisturiser and despite it being clear and non-thick/greasy, some may find it to be a little heavy however my skin absolutely loves it and completely soaks it up which is great! Definitely helps to hydrate my skin by providing a barrier protection to reduce water loss.

Meagan took care of me for my second treatment and despite the breakouts from my first treatment, the Enzyme Boost treatment was still the best choice for me. My skin just needed to get used to the treatment process as it wasn't any of the products that caused any irritations to my skin, thankfully. I go by the 'less is more' saying when it comes to caring for my skin and selecting which products to use.
This time I was in a green room which looked like this:

Sorry if that light is super blinding, sorry!

Once again I left the clinic feeling fresh and rejuvenated and I could tell that my skin loved it. I had just one more session to go and I was looking forward to having that same feeling again.

Treatment #3 (Final treatment) - January 27 2016
For my final treatment I was looked after by Niki which was great as she was able to assess my skin again and see how much had changed since the first treatment. She told me that my skin had improved in hydration which was extremely pleasant to hear, knowing that the treatments were working for me in conjunction with using the B3 serum daily. 

A closer look at the Chi Para-Medical Aesthetics products

I will briefly run through the procedures from this treatment which were the same as the previous two and seeing as I didn't note anything down, I'm going to give a shoutout to Susan from Fashion Adventurer who has also blogged about her experience at Evolve and she's managed to list out her procedure which sounds very similar to mine. Thanks Susan!
1. Niki cleansed my face with the Chi Rose Oil Cleansing Mousse, containing calming and nourishing properties rose. I love mousse cleansers, they always feel gentle on my skin.
2. For my first treatment, I remember Niki used the Chi Rose Petal Spritz but I don't remember this being used in my third treatment. 
3. My second treatment with Meagan involved a sheet mask where a steamer was used while the mask was on. My treatments with Niki involved the application of the Chi Bio Enzyme Peel as a smooth paste. This was left on for 5-10 minutes and acted as an exfoliant during the removal process.
4. The exfoliant was removed using an electronic brush similar to that of a Clarisonic to get rid of the dead skin cells on the surface.
5. The steamer was used again to moisten my face after the mask and a hot towel was used to remove the debris from the exfoliant. This felt so lovely, especially when the hot towel was placed over my face and decolletage.
6. It was either the Chi H2O Hydrating Cream or the Chi O2 Revitalising Face Cream that was used as a moisturiser, followed by the Cosmedix Reflect Natural Sunscreen applied onto the face. I was informed to not wash my face after this treatment as it was best to leave everything to be absorbed into my skin overnight however I wasn't able to leave it on overnight as I always feel more comfortable going to bed with a fresh face. Just like how I can't go to bed with a face full of makeup, that's a big no-no!
My skin has felt much smoother and more supple since commencing the treatment and I am no longer having issues with dryness on my T-zone! Thank you Evolve for the lovely first-time facial treatment experience :)

I have a $50 off voucher for anyone who is interested in having a beauty treatment at Evolve - a perfect treat for or before Valentine's Day! You can simply download this voucher, print it out and take it with you to your appointment.

Also there's a chance to win a $200 Pamper Pack if you leave a review for Evolve Clinic on Google Reviews before February 14th.
I'll now leave you with this quote that was up in the green room:

Questjen for you:
Have you had any facial treatments done before?
I'm curious to hear about your experiences, good or bad and the results!

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Disclaimer: Services were provided for consideration purposes. This is not a sponsored post, nor am I affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. Links are not affiliate links. All opinions are stated by me and are 100% honest, free from bias. See more at http://www.questjen.com/p/disclaimer.html for full disclaimer.