Korean Beauty Products That Are Worth Every Dollar

The clamor for Korean beauty products skyrocketed in the recent years. As with any trend, the volume of said products boomed as the global obsession grew. Let us filter out the mediocre products and leave with these amazing products (i.e., which are under S$20).

TONY MOLY STRAWBERRY 3-STEP NOSE PACK

Get it at Lazada Singapore for only S$8.37. 

The official Tony Moly stores in Singapore are situated in Jurong Point and Bugis Junction. Here, you will find the Strawberry 3-Step Nose Pack that exudes a delicious milky strawberry scent.

The nose pack has been on trend way back in the ’90s. This Korean rendition stands out as it cleanses your pores and tackles your blackheads, while moisturizing your skin. All these are possible because the product was enriched with witch hazel, lemon, sage leaf, and green tea extract.

ELIZAVECCA MILKY PIGGY CARBONATED BUBBLE CLAY MASK

Get it at Althea Singapore for a discounted price of S$14.40.

From the makers of the painful Hell-Pore Clean Up Mask comes the funky Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask. The Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask took the Internet by storm due to its fizzy and foamy nature. Watch as it cleanses Vivienne Fung’s face:

To maximize the results, the mask is meant to stay in your skin for five minutes until the bubbles are generated.

BANILA CO. CLEAN IT ZERO

Get it at Changi Airport for S$19.70. 

Are you hunting for a facial cleanser, which is supported by positive consumer reviews? Look no further than the Clean It Zero. This “scoopable” cleanser starts out as a solid balm and later turns into an oil when you massage it to your skin. It boasts with papaya extract – a gentle exfoliating ingredient that will give you a glowing complexion. No need to brighten your face with a beauty app!

Lastly, it claims to remove even the clingiest of makeup looks!

HOLIKA HOLIKA GOLDEN MONKEY GLAMOUR LIP 3-STEP KIT

Get it Althea Singapore for a discounted price of S$2.70. 

Ready to renew your pout? Ladies and gentlemen of all skin types can benefit from the Golden Monkey Glamour 3-Step Kit.

Holika Holika_Golden Monkey Glamour Lip 3 StepAs I have insanely chapped lips, this lip mask buzzes music to my ears. You have heard of a face and a lip mask works similarly. Apply it to your beloved lips to exfoliate and hydrate it.

Sources:1 & 2

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Amazingly Free Things To Do On Your Off Days

To help you recharge and reignite your passion for life, I listed 15 inspiring things to do when your day off comes. All these activities do not cost a cent!

1. Witness the magnificent aerial view of the city by stepping into the ION Sky. ION Orchard’s observatory is open from 3 to 6 PM daily.

2. If you rarely take time away from work, take this as an opportunity to tone up your body. Begin by brisk walking at the nearby park.

3. Brush up your skills by taking open online classes from institutions around the world. Coursera is a popular platform that offers classes from prestigious universities such as Princeton and National University of Singapore.

4. Listen to your favorite type of music by building your own playlist at Spotify. Take the 7-day free trial.

5. Savor a spotless kitchen by cleaning all your utensils and electrical equipment. Do not forget to switch off these equipment before you start cleaning.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

6. Learn how to make an Origami Paper Crane. This creative skill is not only a good conversation starter, but it is also handy in parties.

7. Lay like a couch potato by employing a movie marathon. Watch the entire Star Wars series for approximately 13 hours or the Lord of the Rings trilogy for about 11 hours.

8. Arrange your living environment according to the principles of “Feng Shui” to help you feel more balanced.

9. Go to the nearby public library. Here, you may read books that will help you to improve your career.

10. Start saving for your future by opening a savings account. If you already have one, you may dedicate this day to making a significant deposit to your account.

11. Watch the glorious sunset with your special someone. Capture the moment by posting it on your social media platforms.

12. Enjoy outdoor movie screenings (and occasional free snacks) with Movie Mob. It is a drive-in event, which is held in various areas. Check out the next screening at facebook.com/apemoviemob.

13. Create homemade spa treatments by using the materials that are available to you. Nothing beats beauty time!

14. Take a relaxing stroll at the MacRitchie Reservoir’s Treetop Walk. This will enable you to connect with nature.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

15. If you are deeply attached to your handphone (like the rest of us), you may want to declare a device-free day. Allow yourself to live in the present moment. Fully enjoy the day with your friends and family.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Surefire Ways To Save Money On Beauty Products

Most consumers believe that beauty expenses are “needs” rather than “wants”. This is why they do not look for ways to save money. However, you can still pamper yourself and save money at the same time.

Consider these four tricks:

SPOT THE DUPES

If you have been accustomed to using high-end cosmetics and salon-quality hair products, your beauty expenses may take a toll on your budget. Stop ignoring the inexpensive products at the drugstore! Challenge yourself to downgrade at least two products and see if the cheaper option is an acceptable alternative.

Let as take a look at the makeup products to put things into perspective. In the beauty world, dupes refer to the affordable options similar to the expensive products. Dupes carry similar shade, texture, and results with the “original”. For instance, you may amp up your lashes for less by purchasing the Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara at Watsons. This is way cheaper than its competitor – the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara at Sephora. Get more dupes by following @Dupethat on Instagram.

WIDEN YOUR SEARCH

As I mentioned above, the drugstore holds several gems waiting to be discovered. Widen your search for inexpensive alternatives by considering unconventional locations such as the “dollar store”. Purchase general items at Value Dollar or Daiso Singapore. General items include facial cotton pads, hair clips, manicure kits, and beauty sponges. People who do not have sensitive skin may try some of the cosmetics available at these stores.

FACE YOUR STASH

Using the available beauty products is probably the easiest money-saving trick in the book! Begin by creating a realistic inventory of your cosmetics before moving on to your skin care and hair care items. Narrow your collection by removing any unnecessary duplicates. Do you really need six identical red lipsticks or a dozen of face masks?

Aside from avoiding duplicates, you must avoid the harmful effects of unusable products. I am referring to the beauty products that are already expired or tarnished. Check for the products’ dates, the formula consistency, and the packaging condition. You do not want your hair oil leaking all over your purse.

BEAT THE GIMMICKS

Do not be tempted by flashy gimmicks and clever infomercials.

Are you looking forward to grab the new stainless steel mascara by Hourglass Cosmetics? Well, the 78-dollar instrument (about S$109) aims to catch you attention and to make you perceive that it improves the mascara. However, “innovative” products like this are almost always wasteful. Do you really want to waste your money on a tool that resembles a screw?

Master hairstylist Pasquale Caselle once said: “It (infomercial) is a specifically written script portrayed by models and actors so, you think you must have that product. Remember, no product is good for everybody all the time, as they would have you believe.” Please research on the beauty product first before buying it.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Quickly Sell Your Property In Singapore

You can sell your property in a faster pace by combining strategy with a little dedication. Consider these tips:

SET AN ATTRACTIVE STAGE

There is something that you cannot deny. We all heard the saying: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. The essence of this statement is clear. The second and succeeding impressions are not as pervasive as the first! Most people dwell on the first meetings or interviews to create consistency. It is up to you to make a stellar introduction of your home.

Home staging is the process of transforming your property into an appealing “show flat” before listing it on the market. It is important when there is a surplus of properties in a relatively slow market. Begin by making minor tweaks such as adding flowers in the living room or by making major tweaks such as re-painting the entire flat. Doing these things will help increase the perceived value of your property.

If you have a shortage of creative juices, consider hiring companies that offer Home Staging Services such as the Singapore Furniture Rental. Singapore Furniture Rental usually accessorizes the flats with neutral colors as it can attract the highest number of potential buyers or tenants.

MARK THE RIGHT PRICE

It is no secret that sellers typically underrate or overrate their beloved properties. Swaying in either of the two directions can lead to losing a significant amount of money. Let us start by dictating an elevated price point. Quoting too high can discourage the buyers from grabbing your offers.

Let us focus on the other side of the coin. Singaporean buyers are becoming more prudent. So, a low price point is immensely attractive. However, you are at risk of earning almost nothing as you need to cover fixed and unforeseen fees.

It is difficult to get the price right without sufficient resources. Widen your knowledge by browsing through the local property websites. Renowned sites include Asia’s premier iProperty and SPH’s very own Singapore Real Estate Exchange. After your digging online, gather information from a couple of experienced agents. You have to hire one that could easily give the reasonable price for your property.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

DEPERSONALIZE AND DECLUTTER

Imagine tagging your spouse along with you for nest hunting. You came across a decent flat at Yishun. During the open house, you were greeted by colorful walls filled with wedding pictures. It does not stop there. The bedroom is garnished with baby photos. Yes! Everything is adorable. However, it highlighted the “real” owners of the home. It was hard for you to focus on the other features of your potential home.

Do you see why depersonalization plays a crucial part to sales? Take down the family photos, political ornaments, religious items, and other personal materials. The prospective buyers need to picture their lives in the home…not yours!

Remove excess furniture and rubbish while you are it. The fewer things there are, the larger the space will look. Aim for that.

SHOWCASE IT ONLINE

How can people know more about your property if you do not publicize it? Make it easy for potential buyers to view your wonderful home by becoming more flexible with your schedule. Let people visit in different times of the day. Furthermore, you may consider making an online listing.

It is safe to say that when you are selling your home beyond 2017, a significant fraction of the target market will be Millennials. Take advantage of technology as Millennials fall between ages 18 to 35. List your property on social portals like Facebook and Carousell. Or, you may list it directly on property websites such as propertyguru.com.sg and 99.co.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Remember to attach high quality photographs to boost your chances!

Sources:1, 2, & 3

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How To Earn Decent Money Using Your Smartphone

Before I plunged into the online freelancing, I never fully understood why companies are willing to pay for individuals who can participate in various activities. Said activities include shopping online, watching videos, reading advertisements, or using smartphone applications.

Soon I realized that the online competition is fierce. So, companies needed to reach their customers using creative ways. They need us! Download from a wide selection of apps to earn money from your product or service.

BY DRIVING PEOPLE AROUND

Uber – Available on Android and iOS

Are you sufficiently familiar with the Singapore roads and regulations? Consider earning extra money by becoming a cab driver. Having a car is not a strict requirement as many Uber drivers rent their cars. In fact, Uber Singapore has a list of preferred rental partners.

Uber, an app founded in San Francisco, connects drivers to riders. Its worldwide demand is growing as the days go by. There are many advantages to becoming an Uber driver. Firstly, it can earn you a decent amount of money. For instance, full-time drivers reportedly make about S$2,500 per month after all the deductions.

Secondly, you get to enjoy the flexibility in your schedule. There is no minimum or maximum hours of work. Lastly, you are in control of where and when you want to work.

BY SELLING YOUR THINGS ONLINE

Carousell – Available on Android and iOS

More and more Singaporeans are making quick bucks by selling their underused, preloved, or unused items online. Scavenge through your home to spot anything valuable. From books to clothes and furniture to paintings, you can take advantage of Carousell.

Carousell is a global marketplace app with a simple premise. Users start by snapping and describing their items. Then, they will chat with potential buyers to close the deals. Seek a form of payment that is convenient for you and the client. Some people prefer to meet-up, while others opt for wire transfers.

BY JOINING THE PACT

Pact – Available on Android and iOS

Looking for an efficient motivation to help you follow through your weightless resolution in 2017? The search is over as GymPact brings you the Pact app! It has been featured on The New York Times, CNN, and ABC News.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Pact allows its users to pledge a specific amount alongside the set of days that they plan to work out. Users who do not stick to the said goal must pay for each day they miss. You earn cash for staying healthy and get paid by “inactive” Pact members. Are you up for the challenge?

BY COMPLETING VARIOUS TASKS

Upwork – Available on Android and iOS

Modern technology reinvented the cubicle-bound workplace with the introduction of freelancing. There are websites and applications that allow people to reap the opportunities for online freelance work. You can easily accomplish these tasks from the comfort of your own home.

Upwork (previously called as Odesk) can help you whether you are an expert in writing, administrative work, marketing, advertising, legal work, illustrating, engineering, or web design. Payment is painless because Credit Cards, PayPal accounts, and Bank Accounts are accepted. Download the free app to see for yourself.

BY SUBMITTING YOUR PHOTOS

EyeEm – Available on Android and iOS

You do not need to carry bulky professional cameras in order to capture stunning moments. Today’s smartphones are equip with high definition cameras with sound quality. For instance, the iPhone 7 showcases an innovative camera that includes the ability to capture in low light and in RAW photos.

Turn your artistic vision into cash by downloading EyeEm right from your phone. EyeEm is one of the largest photo-markets, with over 18 million creators worldwide. You can sell your photos for approximately S$28 (US$20) to S$350 (US$250). It is not that bad!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What’s more? All of these apps are FREE!

Sources: 1 & 2

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