Stretchmarks

I know it's inevitable not to have stretch marks during the pregnancy, but at least a good stretch marks cream/lotion can help to lessen and alleviate its appearance and itchiness that comes with it. I've been looking for an all natural or organic stretch mark cream/lotion to use since the beginning of the pregnancy and my first choice would be the Natural Stretch Oil from Earth Mama Angel Baby but sadly it is not available in Oslo.

Upon reading, I came across Burt Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter and based on the many reviews, I was sold. The price might be on the high side at 429 NOK (RM230) but it lasts long. Bought mine when I was at week 13 and despite religiously applying it to my tummy (almost) every day, a container can last me even till week 40 (or more!). The texture is thick so a little application goes a long way. It has cocoa butter, shea butter and vitamin E, the 3 important components that you should look for when purchasing a stretch marks cream/lotion.

I bought Tanamera confinement set and this set comes together with the highly raved virgin coconut oil (VCO) and since then I've been alternating between these two products. Normally, during the day I use the Belly Butter and at night I apply the vco because I'd smell like a coconut cookie afterwards. Hehe.

I love both products because they are easily absorb by the skin, leaving no oily residue and yet your skin feels very moisturized afterwards. But then a good stretch marks cream won't help much if you gain weight rapidly and too much during the pregnancy because your skin will stretch out too much, hence leaving a mark. So in order to combat that, the weight gain progress must be slow and steady and at the same time applying cream that is high in vitamin E (shea & cocoa butter) helps in making the skin more elastic.

At 33 weeks so far, I have yet to see any stretch marks appear buutttttt, I'm praying hard that it won't appear AT ALL. Or even if they decided to make an appearance, I pray that it won't be that severe and ugly.

Sounds impossible? Huhu.

If you don't have it, fake it

via Cathy Thorne

If you're among those pregnant women who "glow" during their pregnancy, then you're lucky. I don't know if I fall under that category but Alhamdulillah, I am loving every bits of beautiful skin that I'm experiencing throughout the pregnancy.

While some may be blessed with a clear skin, I was sadly not. Zits will never fails to visit me every month during THAT time of the month no matter how diligent I took care of my skin. I have a sensitive and dry skin (sometimes eczema) so apart from relying on external skin care, I took Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) supplement too. It helped but I had to wean it off when I found out that I was pregnant because upon reading, I came across an article that EPO can help induce labour. Though it might not have enough scientific research to prove it, but the fact that I experienced a slight menstruation-like cramps during the early stage when I was still on EPO was legit enough for me.

As mentioned, alhamdulillah, I have clear skin that I always wanted throughout the pregnancy and I couldn't be happier though I'm still doubtful about the "glowing" remarks that I've been receiving because truth to be told, I've been faking it all this while.

The "weapons"

The secret is not exactly a rocket science. I've been using BB Cream, that I normally put on after moisturising, Bobbi Brown compact powder and the ultimate weapon, bronzer! If you have not been introduced to a bronzer, maybe it's time for you to do so. You'd be amaze with how only few swipes of bronzer will give your face that sun-kissed glow. I would usually swipe the bronzer lightly on places that the sun would normally hit the face for example cheeks, jawline and at the temple instead of all over so that you won't end up looking like you've been 2 hours too long under the sun.

So mommies-to-be, I know that it's inevitable that when you're pregnant you feel like a slob but it doesn't mean that we have to be one. So, if you don't have it, start faking it now!

Beauty Tips: Aspirin Mask

Before I started doing series of reviews on my wedding day, I would love to share this beauty tips with all of you.

Few weeks prior to the wedding, my skin started breaking out. Like really bad. I have a combi-dry skin bordering dehydration with a history of eczema but acne was never the issue. Yeah, I do have the occasional monthly breakouts but few weeks ago, zits started popping out like mad. Like they are not having any mercy. Oh, my poor congested face. I know for the fact that because I was so stressed out with the unnecessary drama that has been going on, work-wise or nuptial-wise, I am paying its price. Or rather my skin is.

(Nearly) Flawless skin is very important to me as I do not wear much make up daily. I normally only wear concealer and loose powder on daily basis. I do not even wear lipstick because I have sensitive lips that will chapped if I wear the wrong lipstick. MAC lipsticks are a big no-no to me, even when wearing with lipbalm.

I have encountered various of home remedy to combat zits over the Internet from toothpaste to honey to aloe vera. But I guess, only one works the best for me. And the one being "Aspirin Mask"

I have heard of the aspirin mask before but it never has occurred to me to try it out. The most comprehensive video that I found is from Michelle Phan, the same girl whose recipe to glowing skin that I shared previously.

Watch the video.



1 week prior to the wedding, I have 2 huge zits sitting on my cheek waiting to erupt like a volcano anytime. They are super huge with red bumps. I tried the aspirin mask on day 1 and the size and redness reduce significantly. Most importantly, my skin feels smooth and softer afterward.

On day 2, 1 zit had become smaller. Another one is very degil, still red and huge and still won't reduce its size even after 3 consecutive days. And I hate it!

I was told by Zila Zaman that scrubbing your face a day prior to the wedding is a big no-no as the foundation will not stick onto your face so on day 4, I decided to give it a rest and slabbed on some aloe vera gel instead.

I woke up and the redness of the huge ass zit reduced though the bump is still there. Though it may not make the zits disappear completely, it helps to reduce the redness and bump as well as exfoliates the skin.

So, if you have that "last minute" zits, perhaps you can try out this useful home remedy? It works for me and who knows it might work for you as well?

Masak-Masak Bersama Moose

Ok, yesterday I did mentioned about home-made facial that apparently made my skin glows like glow worm, right? As requested by Jaja, here's the recipe.

Credit to Michell Phan for the recipe

Selamat datang ke rancangan masak-masak ye puan-puan. Untuk resipi kali ini yang diberi nama Olive Oil Sugar Scrub atau dalam bahasa Melayu Skrub Gula Miyak Zaitun ini, bahan-bahan yang diperlukan ialah:

3 tablespoon (tsp) EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil.

Ingat, extra virgin sahaja, yang tidak virgin atau masih virgin tapi sudah ringan-ringan tidak boleh. *matilah double meaning kekdahnya*
Reason being, we don't want to slather greasy frying oil on our face. More on extra virgin oil can be read here.

1/2 cup of granulated sugar

2 tsp of honey.

This kind of honey not below

Bukan Honey ini
p/s: Waaa... bila body mau macam ini Jessica Alba??

Ni nak guna madu Australia ke New Zealand ke madu tualang sekali pun it's totally up to you. Advise from Michelle, if you're allergic to honey, you can substitute it with aloe vera.

Bila bahan-bahan sudah tersedia, bolehlah kita mula ye puan-puan.


Mix everything together in a plastic container with a lid. This is so that you can save the rest for later. The mixture should not be too liquid, oily or grainy. It should be somewhat of a mushy consistency, depending on how much sugar, olive oil or honey you put in.

Wash your face like normal with your regular cleanser.
Then apply the mixture onto your face and gently exfoliate your skin with it. The sugar will supposely remove all the dead skins and the olive oil and honey should nourished your skin and keep it moisturized. Let it for about 2 minutes.

After that wash your face and pat them dry. Put on your moisturizer.

Your skin should not be too oily. If it does it means that you've added too much olive oil in the mixture. It should be soft and moisturise. Your should see the glow in your skin due to honey.

I used this every alternate days or everday if I have the time back in the days when I was in Germany. These days I just buy one from local drug store because it is more convenient. But if you have the time, you should try this because trust me, it works. Actually you can also use this mixture as a body scrub. Try it and you'll love the smell of sweet honey on your skin.

It is good for dry skin like mine especially in the winter where the weather is harsh to your skin.
Selamat mencuba!