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I never had much skin problems throughout my life, not even when I was going through the pimply teenage phase. For that, I definitely have to thank my parents for their good genes. All through the years till I entered polytechnic, I only washed my face with whatever cleanser my mum bought for the family and on some days, I didn't even use it. When I was 17, I learnt a little about skincare as I started using makeup and fortunately, I knew I had to cleanse my face properly haha.

I received a lot of compliments on my flawless complexion, non-existing pores and smooth skin...until I hit 26 when the flattery stopped coming in. Just like how I was going through quarter-life crisis mentally, my skin is going through the same process physically as well. My complexion was looking dull, I spotted uneven skin patches and I just looked tired. I realised as I age, my skin is changing. What I was using in the past no longer works for me.

And only now did I know there's something known as quarter-life skin concerns! The symptoms I spotted above are exactly what I was (and still am) going through.

Hence, this time round, I will be reviewing the latest anti-aging products from Origins, the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay and the Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb, both just launched in Singapore on 1st August. Origins is offering my readers an exclusive promotion so read on to find out what is it! ;)

The Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay is a two-in-one purifying mask and skin refiner that’s formulated with Canadian willowherb, Persian silk tree, and a potent blend of actives to smooth, refine pores, and boost skin’s overall quality.

Unlike normal clay mask, the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask comes with Jojoba beads in it and comes in a beautiful shade of pastel pink - what an eye-candy (all natural ingredients by the way)!

While spreading the mask, the exfoliating beads gently polishes my skin's surface. At the same time,  the rose clay deep cleans my skin's inner layers by absorbing impurities, excess oils and drawing out dirt in the pores. 

After washing off with wet fingertips, I am left with refined skin texture that is silky-smooth to the touch. My complexion appears translucent and youthful-looking. Most importantly, my skincare products are absorbed really quick into my skin immediately after! That is when I know a product works because pores are clean and unclogged, hence allowing faster absorption.

Quarter-life skin concerns are less visible compared to teenage acne and midlife lines/wrinkles but are just as impactful. And this is when the Origins's Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb comes in. Quarter-life skin concerns such as rough texture, enlarged pores, stressed skin, flaws and loss of radiance would benefit when using the serum.

I have combination skin which tends to be a little dry at times but skincare for dry skin are usually too rich for my face so I love, love, love gel products! The Original Skin Renewal Serum comes in a lightweight gel texture which my skin adores because it was absorbed quicker than any other serums I have used.

My face remains matte-looking, with imperfections softened and I am left with a flawless finish. There is no icky sticky feeling on my skin, it just feels like I have nothing on my face.

Designed to restore the glow of younger skin, I think the Original Skin Renewal Serum did it for me. With regular use, my skin's vibrancy is renewed, no longer as dull-looking and my skin gives off a fair luminosity. And my pores - they are almost non-existent!

I would recommend layering the Original Skin Renewal Serum with a hydrating serum or moisturiser at night as this might not provide enough hydration for the skin alone when it is doing its repair work.

Glowing complexion, smooth texture, restored clarity - no #quarterlifecrisis for my skin with the Origins Original Skin Renewal Serum with Willowherb and the Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay!

Head over to Origins's Facebook page to get free samples for both products and see for yourself the effects they'll have on your skin!

Fill up the form as seen above (this link!) and you'll be on your way to healthy, radiant-looking skin! :)

Origins is offering my readers the solution to your #QuarterLifeCrisis with the Origins Original Skin Set at a promotional price!

The Origins Original Skin Set includes:
- Original Skin Serum 30ml
- Original Skin Mask 100ml
- Ginzing Refreshing Scrub Cleanser 150ml

Simply flash this blog post and quote "ORIGINS JESSICA" to purchase the products I've reviewed + the cleanser at only $128 (U.P. $166)! That's a hefty 23% savings!! Promo ends 30th Sep 2015.

You can check out this link to find your nearest Origins store.

Have a lovely Jubilee weekend, everyone! :)

#WIWT

Nothing spells "favourite kinda casual" more than the outfit ensemble I put together here. I love wearing loose-fitting clothes that doesn't restrict movements or make me feel uncomfortable in my own skin. I see these individual pieces as "must-haves" in the wardrobe because there are various ways to mix and match them depending on the occasion and existing clothes you have in your wardrobe. Yay to neutral colours! Which reminds me, I have been wearing SO MUCH whites lately, I couldn't wash all my dirty white laundry in one load.

Outfit details:
V-Neck Top from Runwaybandits
Pleated Midi Skirt from Runwaybandits
Bag from Chanel
Sandals from Annie and Lori
Sunglasses from Lumière Days
Watch from ELLE
Accessories from Taobao
Flower bouquet from MyFloralLoft

Photos taken with Canon 650D / 85mm lens by my husband, H

Spread the Love with ZUJI

I come from a family of 6. By today's (and some 30 years ago) standard, it is consider a huge family. We were not well-to-do and my parents worked hard to provide for us. I remember being afraid to ask my mother for extra money to buy A, B or C required in school because I know it'll be met with a "no money". Yet, somehow, a couple of days later, I would always get the money I requested for.

Based on how we were doing financially and having a big family nucleus, my parents couldn't afford to fly all of us on a family holiday together. I only took a flight for the first time when I was 19 using the money I saved from my part-time jobs. Before that, all the overseas trips I went on were in Malaysia.

I have never blamed my parents for not being able to bring us on holidays because that'll cost at least thousands and is considered a luxury. But we were not poor, money was just tight. My siblings and I still get our fast food fix and my dad would indulge me and get me anything I asked for, be it a camera or CDs from my favourite bands.

One of my most memorable across-the-border trips was our visit to Genting when I was probably 9 or 10.

My memories of the trip was quite vague, I remember my dad drove us up to Genting Highlands with my cousins and extended family. I slept most of the journey because I used to have motion sickness (not as bad now) and my mum had plastic bags and sour plums ready for me. We stayed in a service apartment and went to the theme park, took a lot of pictures using film camera and I cannot remember anything else haha. It must have been mighty fun because hanging out with other kids (cousins we don't see very often) is always fun.

Times Square, New York

Since young, and especially after my first trip on the airplane, I was always eager to travel. I want to learn about the places I read in (text)books, try the food they eat and immerse myself in a culture other than the one I am familiar with. I was lucky I got into SQ as a flight attendant and flew with the airline for a good five years.

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Now that I have seen so many cities around the world, I strongly believe that travelling should start at a young age. Children absorb knowledge better through their sensory senses. Coupled with what they learn in the classroom, travelling would give them a better understanding and at the same time, allow them to acquire new skills/knowledge they would not have been able to gain in school.

Hyde Park, London

Which is why ZUJI and I have a common direction. We believe that the joy of travelling is for everyone.

Everyone, including disadvantaged low-income families.

I might not have the fortune to travel far when I was still in school but I certainly do hope that kids these days have it better than me.

I believe most of us are familiar with ZUJI. It is an online travel agent (OTA) that provides extensive booking services. You can search, compare and book your preferred flights, hotels, insurance and even car hire all on one site and it is definitely one of the websites I check out before I make my travel plans.

Currently, ZUJI is partnering with MasterCard and they would like to invite everyone to join them in creating bright and worldly possibilities for the 13,000 beneficiaries under The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) this year.

It is really SO EASY to help.

For each new "LIKE" on ZUJI Singapore Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/zuji.com.sg) from now till 1 November 2015, ZUJI will make a $0.50 donation to SPMF! After you've done the click, share the word with your friends so we can get more out of this initiative for SPMF :)

The video above shows the story of one of SPMF's beneficiaries, Charmaine. At a tender age of 13, I think Charmaine's maturity surpassed her peers and maybe even some of us because we will never know how tough it is on her family and her. And that's why I count my lucky stars that not only am I healthy, I also have the luxury to travel a few times a year now.

You can find out more about this initiative at www.zuji.com.sg/alotlikelove as well as view stories and videos of beneficiaries and find out how else you can help to fulfil the dreams of the low-income families.

To be updated of the latest ZUJI travel deals and the ‘A lot like love’ campaign, subscribe to ZUJI e-newsletter on http://www.zuji.com.sg/newsletter/

Don't forget to "LIKE" ZUJI FB page at http://www.facebook.com/zuji.com.sg!

Lastly, GIVEAWAY TIME:
ZUJI is giving away $100 travel voucher to one of my readers! Share with me “What do you miss about travelling with your family?” in the comment section and I will choose my favourite reply! Do remember to leave down your email address so I can contact you after ;) Best of luck!!