Blind pimples are pimples that developed deep under the skin surface and they do not have a 'head'. They take super long to heal and worst of all, it can be painful to touch. This is because the inflammation is so deep and it can be close to your nerves. 

It was really frustrating because my skin generally takes 2 weeks or so for acne like that to subside; and not long after another one pops up.

I was desperate to find something that works and I chanced upon this. 

This was what I found in the gallery.

Back to topic.

There are many benefits of EPO, here are a few:

1. Helps clear acne

2. Better skin

3. Manage PMS symptoms 

4. Reduce high blood pressure

You can read more about the benefits from healthline website.

Personally, I consider EPO very helpful for my hormonal acne around my chin. Whenever I have a blind pimple, I will take one. Instead of taking 2 weeks or more to heal, I realised the acne went away in a matter of days! 

Then, I started taking them when I feel that a spot is breaking through and it helped to prevent breakouts. Ever since after (about 1 month+ ago), I started taking Kordel's EPO daily and I never have this issue anymore.

Side effects are usually mild but in rare cases, EPO can cause an allergic reaction. If you have any of these symptoms:

1. Inflammation of hands and feet

2. Rash

3. Difficulty breathing 

For some people, you may experience:

1. Nausea

2. Dizziness

3. Stomach upset

Monitor your condition, stop taking and seek medical advice if necessary.

This is gender-neutral but I've seen a lot of women benefiting from EPO. 

As EPO may increase bleeding or lower blood pressure, it is advisable not to consume this together with blood thinners/blood pressure medications. 

Also, stop your dosage 2 weeks before any planned surgery /delivery. 

There isn't enough research to conclude whether EPO is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding ladies so it is safer not to take if you fall in any of these two categories. 

You can take 1 - 3 pills daily after meal. 

I usually take 1 as and when I like, before or after meals. I don't feel that there's a significant difference. 

It is not recommended to take daily for more than a year though. Just take a break when you've been consuming EPO for a year. 

Encased in a soft gel, the pill is not too big thus easy to swallow. They will turn soft if you leave it outside for a period of time. Because of that, I prefer to keep my evening primrose oil in the fridge. 

Thank goodness there's no taste or scent. If you have taken fish oil supplement before, you will understand why I am a little afraid of oil capsules. 

This supplement is very easy on my digestive system. Trust me, this is very crucial. I had a bad 'reaction' with another supplement (another type and brand) and it was terrible. My stomach was queasy for a long time and it tasted really bad too. Not for Kordel's,

Vitamin E is known to be great for your skin and it supports your immune system. If you are looking for something that works specifically for the skin, I would recommend you to check out collagen. I have tried and shared my experience on Meiji Collagen Powder - it really worked well for me. 

Generally, I avoid recommending any supplement/vitamins as they are very subjective. Please take the recommendation with a pinch of salt and listen to your body. I just wanted to share my experience with you and hopefully, this post can provide some insights to people who are dealing with hormonal acne around their jawline/chin. It is a long and tiring battle so perhaps Kordel's evening primrose oil can help you like how it helped me too. 

I have stocked up close to a year of supply in my pantry because I cannot imagine life without it anymore. 

I also heard that this is great for PMS or menstrual symptoms. Share with me your thoughts in the comment section below if it works well for you too! 

- Easy to swallow

- No taste/smell

- Better skin

- Helps with inflammation

- Easy on stomach

- Cannot consume consecutively long term (a year)

I have seen a lot of advertisements on Grafen edge finger before this but I was too sceptical to try. Will using Grafen edge finger cause more hair to fall? Will it be too rough? Will it damage my hair/scalp? Will it hurt? I had my doubts but many of my friends are recommending it (and my friend had 1 extra); hence, I bit the bullet and bought it from her.

And here's my experience with a scalp brush/cleaner. 

What: Scalp brush 

Claimed to be designed for people who face hair symptoms such as hair loss, dandruff, itchy scalp and weak and thinning hair. Regular usage will help to promote blood circulation, removes dead cells and toxins on hair roots without causing irritation, thus maintaining a healthy and clean scalp. 

1. Apply shampoo to your scalp and make enough bubbles on wet hair.

2. Lather/clean with Grafen Edge finger, avoid going in a circular motion to prevent hair winding.

3. Rinse off shampoo.

You can refer to this video posted by Grafen global to understand how to use

Comes in a transparent plastic container and in it you will find written instructions (in Korean language) and pictorial representation. I don't think you really need to read the instructions to understand how it works.

Medical grade or not, I don't know. It is firm but not hard. 

Does not feel scratchy or harsh on my scalp. Use it with adequate strength but you do not need to apply alot of pressure. Use a light hand to start. 

The handle is designed to provide a good grip for users and it is really a dream to hold. I don't have to worry about it slipping out of my hand at all. Even with water and soap, it did not slip. 

There's no way you can hang this to air dry so you either have to leave it on a shelf/countertop or put it back in the container. I generally don't like to leave tools on countertop or shower area so I find it a hassle to put it back in the container after use. 

It also takes up quite a bit of space.

The saving grace is that it is made of plastic/silicone thus you don't have to worry about trapped water/shampoo. Nobody likes to deal with something mouldy in the bathroom. 

I use Grafen edge finger to clean my hair more thoroughly - and it did that. It has been some time since my scalp feels this clean. (Imagine going to salon but daily basis) 

I use it once every 2-3 days, you can adjust the frequency according to your needs. 

My number one concern has to be ' will it be too 'harsh' on my scalp?' I don't want to deal with more hair loss. 😨

The answer is no. It is not harsh, doesn't hurt at all and I didn't experience more hair fall as well, thank goodness.

The 'spikes' are well-spaced - reducing the thug on wet hair. Any fallen hair will not tangle or trap on it too. 

In fact, it feels really good and I look forward to shampooing with Grafen edge finger.

I used it with shampoos made with and without surfactants (Surfactants help produce bubbles) and it works for both. 

Somehow I don't get bubbles when I am using this with shampoos without surfactants - contrary to what it claims - but I am fine without it. 

Overall, the bristles are soft yet firm and it does not hurt when using. Grafen edge finger is a great scalp cleaner that does its job. I believe it works for all shampoos and most hair/scalp types. 

This is really something suitable for everyone. I never knew it is critical in my regime until I've tried it. (Think beauty blender/makeup sponges). 

After using it, I realise my scalp isn't so oily and remains fresh throughout the day. I just feel clean, the same feeling you get after getting a hair wash in a salon. Honestly, I feel there is also less hair fall now and I think it has something to do with the cleaner scalp lol. It is too early to tell now. 

Is it worth the hype? I say yes

Give it a try if you are thinking about it and let me know what you think!

Cleaning power: 5/5

Comfort level: 4/5

Storage: 3/5

Packaging: 3/5

Grip: 5/5

Value-for-money: 4/5

Mo yu shuang (Konjac jelly snack) 

Per pack: 12 pieces
Weight: 180g
Flavour: Red Spicy

Shelf life: 6 months

Storage instructions: Store in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

Made in: China

Price: $6.50

Where to get: Online platforms (Shopee, Caurosell, Amazon) 

Drinking water, konjac flour, starch, vegetable oil (oily compound seasoning), chili red oil, salt, solid compound seasoning, pickled pepper, ginger, soy protein isolate, edible flavors, sodium lactate, lactic acid, glacial acetic acid, citric acid

Energy - 50 kJ

Protein - 0.18 g

Fats - 0.81 g

Carbohydrates - 0.73 g

Dietary Fibre - 1.02 g

Sodium - 104 mg

This snack comes in small, individual packaging. It is small and flat; effortless to carry around. The packaging comes with an easy tear as well so it is very convenient to consume. 

The konjac jelly pieces in each pack are rather little, but still decent enough.

香辣 (Fragrant + Spicy) is really on point. The taste reminds me so much of good ma la xiang guo. Every piece of the konjac jelly is soaked in the sauce and it really gets you hooked on it. 

It comes with two other flavours as well - Green Sour and Spicy, and Orange Mala. 

Comparable to a xiao la ma la xiang guo. I don't find it very spicy. Note that spicy tolerance is different for different people.

It is shaped like sliced cow stomach/squid but don't worry, this is totally vegan/vegetarian-friendly. Honestly, I don't like it initially. I find the texture very weird (maybe because I haven't really tried konjac stuff before). But after a few days, I find myself reaching for this almost daily. 

Each pack is around 50kJ, or 12 cal, much lower than an apple. If you are to compare to snacks like fried food or potato chips, Mo Yu Shuang is definitely a healthier option. 

However, please don't see this as an alternative to healthy snacks like apples or fruits. The nutrition value is totally not on the same playing field.

The mala/seasoning is really very fragrant and each konjac jelly is well-coated. I like how convenient they are packaged - you can put a few in your bag and have them on the go (but it's not enough to fill you up, more like a small snack). I didn't like the texture of the konjac jelly initially but have come to accept it along the way. 

Good thing is that it is pretty low in calories so you don't have to feel so guilty having mo yu shuang as a snack. Good for people who are craving to have some mala yet are watching out for calories. The spicy level is just nice for me. Not forgetting that this is also vegan/vegetarian friendly.

The only thing is that this snack is rather pricey. Each small pack will work out to be around $0.50 and it's smaller than expected. 

I've purchased mine from a carousell store. Very friendly seller so you can check her out if you're thinking to try too.

Pros:

Cons:

Packaging: 5/5

Flavour: 5/5

Spicy level: 3/5

Texture: 3/5

Value-for-money: 2/5

Rating: 7/10
Joy likes it but Jov so so only. But probably will repurchase again if it is slightly cheaper for the same serving size. 

Nothing worth mentioning and nothing significantly changed over the years. Senka Perfect Whip is still spotted in its signature blue packaging. 

This is one of the reasons why I like Senka facial wash so much. Put a tiny bit of the product on your palm and add some water. Give it a quick lather and it will produce very mochi foams! 

Reminds me of whipped cream. Washing my face has never been so much fun. It is similar to those foaming facial washes from other brands but somehow, I can still tell the difference. I find Senka gives firmer and stiffer foams (like stiff peaks after whipping egg whites) while most others are more 'airy'. Hence, I enjoy Senka slightly more compared to the alternatives. Makes me feel like it cleans my skin better you know.

It does everything as promised. As a cleanser, this cleans very well. It is gentle on skin - there is no tightness or dryness after rinsing off. In fact, I feel that my skin is well-moisturised! This is in contrast to many other facial washes I have tried. Also, it brightens my skin tone after use, though the brightening effect does not last very long. 

The contents of this post were first drafted in 2015, and then updated again in 2020 (which is why you are seeing it now). This is how long I have been using, and loving, Senka Perfect Whip. Do you know that this is one of the first few cleansers that I could use after breaking out for a long long time? I have explored other brands of facial cleansers but I still feel that this is one of the best entry-level facial cleansers in the market. It is widely available in most drugstores (e.g. Watsons) and I usually stock up when it is on sale. I know I can always come back to this if all else fail. I can understand why this is voted as the #1 cleanser in Japan for a consecutive period of 10 years. 

Every experience with Senka facial wash leaves my skin clean yet moisturised. I particularly find the experience enjoyable, especially when I foam it up. Mochi on skin :3 Together with a very affordable price tag, I don't think there is really anything to pick on. It is just a very fuss-free product that works for most skin types. You may not see the importance of a good cleanser (me too) until you use a bad one. Trust me, I had my fair share of terrible/unsuitable cleansers. 

While finalising this post, I saw that there are 2 other variants released by Senka (not sure when lol!). Made a mental note to try next time!

 Pros:

- Cleans well

- Hydrating

- Small usage each time (i.e. product can last long)

- Fuss-free
- Suitable for most skin types

- Affordable

Cons:

- Need some effort to foam it up

Packaging: 5/5

Consistency: 5/5 (esp when you lather it well)

Scent: 5/5

Cleansing power: 4.5/5

Hydrating level: 4.5/5

Value-for-money: 5/5

Finally gave nail stickers (or nail wrap) a try after seeing them around for the longest time. Will they really work? How would they turn out on my nails? Let's find out.

Hai Chi Jia Sour and Spicy Instant Sweet Potato Noodles (海吃家 酸辣粉)

Contents and Ingredients

Let me first start with where all of these came from - Oat Groats. As you go down the list of the common oat cuts, the type of oats are increasingly being processed so as to cut down on the cooking time needed.


Oat Groats are the whole unbroken form of oat kernels that have their hulls removed. Hulls are the tough protective shell outside the seed of the oat plant. They are exposed to low heat to make them shelf-stable. Oat groats are the most packed with nutrition and fibre (though differences not huge) but they take the longest time to prepare and have a chewier touch when cooked.

Steel-Cut Oats

The least refined version of oat groats in this list, Steel-cut oats are oat groats chopped into few smaller pieces rather than rolled.

Taste/Texture: Coarser, Nuttier, Chewier and retains much of its shape when cooked.
Cooking time: It takes about an average of 15-30 minutes to cook. You can soak it beforehand to reduce the cooking time as well.

Rolled/Old-fashioned Oats

Rolled oats, or old-fashioned oats, are flat and disc-shaped. Just as the name suggests, rolled oats are first steamed then pressed and flattened to make it thinner. Many recipes call for rolled oats to be included. You can add it in your baked goods like cookies, bread and granola bars. It is partially cooked to shorten the preparation time.

Taste/Texture: Milder flavour and softer texture.
Cooking time: As they are partially cooked and absorb more liquid than steel-cut oats, preparation time takes around 5 to 10 minutes. They hold they shape relatively well when cooked as well.

Quick Oats/Quick-cooking Oats

Quick oats or quick-cooking oats are rolled oats that are further processed to reduce their cooking time. They are steamed, rolled and pressed to even smaller and thinner pieces compared to rolled oats. Quick oats have only one ingredient - oats. They are unflavoured and a good option if you are in a rush but still wants stove-cooked oats because they are designed to be cooked on the stovetop like regular oats, just in a less amount of time. However, they can also be microwaved, or add hot water and let sit for a few minutes as well.

Taste/Texture: Mild flavour and mushy, smooth/creamy texture
Cooking time: Absorbs liquid well and can be cooked on stovetop within minutes, or microwaved or adding hot water.

Instant Oats

Instant oats are very similar to (sometimes same as) quick oats. They may be chopped and pressed into even finer and thinner pieces than quick oats, sometimes may even be powdery. Quick oats are designed to be quick, but instant oats are made to be even quicker, so much so that they named it instant!
Instant oats are precooked, dehydrated and often comes in individual small packages that have a lot of sugar, salt, additives, preservatives and many other ingredients added. As much as possible, choose plain, unflavoured ones because certainly, flavoured oats is how you make something unhealthy out of healthy.

Taste/Texture: Blander, retain less texture, cooks up creamy/mushy
Cooking time: Microwave within minutes, or adding hot water and stir (you are basically rehydrating and heating them)

Which is healthier? Which type should I buy? 

Oats are generally a good food option which high in nutritional value. Regardless of the type, all of them contain the same parts of the oat groats and do not vary much in their nutritional content. They are fat- and gluten-free, and are packed in nutrients such as proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and minerals. Oat itself is gluten-free but it depends on how it is handled and processed, check the food label to ensure you get a gluten-free product. All varieties of oats contain a soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which helps to lower cholesterol and 'bad' LDL. Eating them cause a gradual spike in blood sugar and an increased sense of fullness, which helps to stabilise blood sugar and aids in weight loss. However, do note that the smaller the oat flakes, the more likely the higher the glycemic index (GI) when compared among all the oat variants.


The differences come down to the taste, texture, and cooking time.

All types of oats can and are good to prepare your oatmeal the usual way. However, the difference may come in when you want to use these oats in your baking. Because of the chewiness of steel-cut oats, other types like rolled/quick oats do not make a good substitute if you want something thicker/chewier. On the other hand, rolled oats and quick oats can be used to replace one another in recipes, but rolled oats need a longer cooking time with the final dish having more texture and the oat flakes can be more clearly visible as compared to when quick oats are used. But, if you not particular with having something a little finer, quick oats are good to go. Quick oats can also give the baked goods a more uniform texture. Alternatively, if the recipe calls for quick oats and you only have rolled oats on hand, you can pulse the rolled oats in a food processor a few times
While for instant prepackaged oats, as they are significantly thinner and finer, you may want to use in caution in baking goods. They may absorb too much water from the batter, and thus does not lend any structure to the final product. Unless the recipe specifically calls for instant oats, you do not want to substitute other types of oats with instant oats, as you may further introduce other additives that are present in the instant oats into your bakes when used.

Ultimately, you will still get similar health benefits from whichever type you choose. Avoid flavoured  instant oats prepackaged as all the other additives make the whole meal unhealthy. Season them yourself at home with healthier choices like honey, fruits and nuts! So, whatever oat type you want is based on your personal preferences, amount of cooking time you have and your lifestyle!


I hope this clarifies the differences and helps you to understand your beloved oats a little better. I am very motivated to include oats into my diet now!