The Nightingale: Sponsored Reviews

Sponsored Review

Much thanks to the SampleStore.com for accepting me into the Seeders' Program! :) In this programme, "Seeders" get an early preview of new product samples and write reviews - a little something something to add into my slowly growing writing portfolio. :D And then get freebies at the same time, lol.

I'm really lazy when it comes to skincare so sleeping masks (to me) are a godsend. I will leave the paper mask on for say... HOURS, and forget to wash off masks that needed to be washed off because I almost always fall asleep while masking. I consider the sleeping mask invention relatively genius. :D

So stoked to receive the Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask (Retails at S$33.90/80g) in the mail.

This came in a huge SmartPac box. ._.

And the frazzled preggie ripped off the packaging...

Why Mask?

Because we need to combat skin problems, that's why.

The Sleeping Mask...

1) Brightens Dull & Tired Skin

2) Regulates Oil & Moisture Level

3) Moisturizes Dry & Rough Skin

4) Refines Enlarged Pores

What's "Tri-Action"?

The sleeping mask performs THREE ultimate functions with 3x Hydration Power that works out to give you supple, radiant skin.

1. Hydrates

Having a nano molecular size of 15 to 25mm, the mask can be effectively and quickly absorbed into the skin's pores, instantly providing the hydration you need. The powerful Hyaluronic Acid and Power Nano Hyaluronic Acid (may the powers combine!) helps to lock in the moisture to keep the skin soft and Q! The cranberry extract helps greatly with moisture retention as well, while improving skin elasticity and suppleness.

2. Nourishes

Do you have dull, tired-looking skin? Then this is great news for you, as the cranberry extract also provides excellent conditioning of the skin, helping you achieve that radiant glow you always wanted. The Bio Energy Fluid (another awesome-sounding ingredient in the mix!) further nourishes and refines skin texture.

3. Protects

The cranberry extract present in this product is high in antioxidants, which can protect your skin against the effects of the damage free radicals, UV rays and environmental pollution.

Wake up and say hello to smooth, revitalized skin.

The Science of Bio Aqua Crystals

Saving you from the chim explanation, it basically means that aqua droplets form after lathering the mask on your skin... in a matter of seconds! 3 seconds, in fact, though I wasn't counting.

The gel mask has some sort of a protective "shield" over the hydrating ingredients to prevent any moisture loss before the lathering process. The "shield" breaks automatically upon skin contact into fine molecules (which makes up the aqua droplets) to release all the hydrating stuffies onto your face. :D

Pat gently into your skin! Patting is a very important process for maximum absorption.

Usage

The Bio-essence Hydra Tri-Action Aqua Droplet Sleeping Beauty Mask *exhales* can be used as both a moisturiser and a intensive mask.

To use it as a moisturiser, apply a thin layer over your face, and you're ready to hit the road.

To use it as an intensive mask, apply generously all over your face, and let the hydrating actives replenish your skin while you sleep.

What I Love About This

It's a sleeping mask - idiot proof for non-beauty gurus like me!
My face is Q like a fishball the next morning - I don't even need a base to set my make-up.
The mask feels really light and refreshing on the skin... It does not leave a sticky sensation on my face when I wake up in the morning.
I can also use it as a moisturiser... which is a plus, because I don't really use/buy too many skincare products anyway lol.
It works, and I don't have the flaky skin problem at the sides of my nose the next morning. *pops confetti*

Join Bio-essence for their street-side sampling next Saturday (6 September 2014) from 2pm - 6pm outside Mandarin Gallery for freebies and attractive discounts!

To redeem FREE samples, do 'LIKE' the Bio-essence Singapore Facebook page. :)

Sponsored Review

I've been really sickly these couple of weeks due to my on and off flu symptoms, migraine and aching tooth infection - most of which I can do nothing about. :( I'm still coughing and coughing makes my tummy crampy, ugh. I'm surviving on 琵琶膏 sweets and honey lemon water as of now...

But that's not going to stop my first product review for mooncakes! Heh. I can still taste, thank goodness. Have you ordered your mooncakes for Mid-Autumn's yet? :) If not, do consider getting healthy mooncakes from Delcie's Desserts and Cakes (currently located near Boon Keng MRT, a stone's throw away from Boon Tong Kee lol).

The mooncakes came in very atas, angmoh-style packaging in elegant colours of brown and gold.

They come in four selections:

Mix Healthy Mooncake Box – $88

1 x Sugar Free White Lotus paste with Black Sesame filling mooncake
1 x Sugar Free Pandan paste with Salted Mung Bean filling mooncake
1 x Low Sugar Protein-packed Mixed Nuts mooncake
1 x Low Sugar Sweet Potato paste with Taro filling mooncake

Low Sugar Mooncake Box – $78

2 x Low Sugar Protein-packed Mixed Nuts mooncake
2 x Low Sugar Sweet Potato paste with Taro filling mooncake

Sugar Free Mooncake Box – $98

2 x Sugar Free White Lotus paste with Black Sesame filling mooncake
2 x Sugar Free Pandan paste with Salted Mung Bean filling mooncake
1 x Low Sugar Protein-packed Mixed Nuts mooncake
1 x Low Sugar Sweet Potato paste with Taro filling mooncake

Gluten Free Mooncake Box – $98

4 x Gluten Free White Lotus with White Sesame mooncake

Thanks to the opportunity given by Delcie's, I've had the privilege of sampling from the Healthy Mix Box to have a taste of all the flavours! :)

(From left to right) Mixed Nuts, Sweet Potato paste with Taro filling, Pandan paste with Salted Mung Bean filling, White Lotus paste with Black Sesame filling.

Special diet requirements also indicated on each individual box. :)

Need to give the husband a big thanks for helping me because I'm totally chui at cutting mooncakes, lol! They would've ended up looking like a crime scene, I think.

My final sampling plate looks like this:

Nice hor! :D

First up, the Low Sugar Protein-packed Mixed Nuts mooncake.

It was an explosion of nutty flavours - there were almonds, walnuts, olive seeds, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds, melon seeds and mandarin orange (陈皮?) in the filling. The crust was really thin and not "flour-ish/cakey" like some of the mooncakes I've tasted before. Despite being "Low Sugar", it tasted pretty sweet which is awesome for those who love sweet stuff, but personally I'm not a fan of sweet foods. The fragrance was pretty awesome though!

The taste reminds me of 明糖, one of the traditional Teochew biscuits used for weddings (part of the 伍色糖 - can still be found at traditional bakeries like Gin Thye!), prayers, etc. This might not be accurate because it has been a zillion years since I tasted this, but 明糖 totally came to mind.

How 明糖 looks like!

Next up, the Sugar Free White Lotus paste with Black Sesame filling mooncake.

The first thing I noticed: OMG the filling looks translucent! I don't know how they did it, but the texture was so smooth and consistent - I swear it could melt in your mouth. I would say that it's almost creamy? White lotus is the standard flavour for traditional mooncakes, but I swear I've never eaten anything like it. If there's a salted egg yolk, it would be perfect lol! Too bad it's high in cholesterol or something. XD This is sweet, but not that sweet - perfect for my taste buds. :)

And next, the much anticipated Sugar Free Pandan paste with Salted Mung Bean filling mooncake!

In a nutshell, it lived up to my expectations! I'm a lover of the Pandan flavour (but I don't like Pandan Chiffon... another story for another day!) and like the White Lotus, the texture was smooth until omg. The salted mung bean filling complimented the pandan fragrance perfectly. Being a healthy mooncake, this is sweet but not too sweet, salty but not too salty lol. There is a beauty in the lightness of the flavours that make you long for more, because it's not too overpowering. Most importantly, it doesn't taste sinful at all! This is my favourite amongst all the mooncakes sampled. :D

And lastly, the Low Sugar Sweet Potato paste with Taro filling mooncake.

Being *cough* very Teochew, I'm a big fan of yam and was really looking forward to this flavour as well! I kind of preferred it the other way round - taro with sweet potato filling or something, lol. As compared to the Pandan and White Lotus samples, the sweet potato paste tasted a little thicker and more robust... very slightly sweeter than its Sugar-Free sisters but still acceptable for my tastes. It was good, like solidified "orh nee" (if that makes sense haha) but it would be interesting if there's a contrasting flavour for the filling.

Of course, as with all mooncakes, these would go best with Chinese tea, a full moon, and best eaten with a group of friends or family. :)

I'm especially pleased that there are healthy alternatives when it comes to festive favourites like these, so that our elderly family members or friends who have special dietary requirements (due to health, religion or such) don't need to miss out.

Click here to pre-order from Delcie's Desserts and Cakes! :)

Mooncakes are already available for sale in-store.

For the latest updates on what's happening at Delcie's, follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

I'm currently working on a few other advertorials/reviews, so stay tuned! :)

the missus

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