Radiance Cleanse - Day #3

DAY THREE - The last and final day!

0830h - Woke up feeling as perky as the previous day. Hopped out of bed to school and didn't feel the least bit tired. I have to admit I wasn't looking forward to the whole episode of downing the lemon+ginger juice but the thought of today being the last day convinced me this would be good for my health.

1200h - Juice #2. Same as always, I loved the juice. Sweet, refreshing, and it's got greens I normally wouldn't eat! No signs of headaches, cravings or anything of that sort. I was feeling rather good and told myself it could be that today would be the last day I'd have to drink liquids all day.

1400h - #3. Loving the milky taste from the juice and happily sipping it in the library. Yep, only about 8 more hours to go...

1630h - Okay, maybe slightly hungry. I could go for some solid foods now. Salad, soup, a slice of toasted apricot bread............. For now, a boiled egg brought from home would do :)

1800h - Drinking juice #4 so make the hunger pangs go away! I have to add on that if you aren't used to the natural sweetness of the fruits you should opt for Radiance's green cleanse instead - which provide less fruits and more greens.

1945h - Juice #5. For some reason, I got extremely hungry. The people are Radiance Cleanse Co were extremely friendly though, advising me to have some almond nuts to munch on should I really be hungry. I decided to have another boiled egg (I'm that crazy about eggs) and felt that I'd be fuller with them instead of nuts. Though Christina, the lady advising me through this, recommended I only eat eggs if I'm feeling that famished as they are high in protein. Yep, could use some of that protein right now.

2300h - OFF TO BED. I've officially accomplished a 3 day juice cleanse!

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Overall, I felt extremely elated that I had stuck to my cleanse without having succumbed to food (apart from eggs) and my cravings for unhealthy foods died down. I felt less bloated from all the junk food I was having initially and could feel my body rejuvenating itself. 

Update 3rd April 2014:

Would I do a juice cleanse again? I'm pretty darn sure I would. The juice cleanse really helped me reset my palette and made me control the intake of my portions. I've started craving for junk foods again (only because I've been munching on them from all the stress from exams...) but I've learnt to appreciate food once again.

I hope this review helps some of you out there on a cleanse! It is pretty difficult when you first start out, especially on the 2nd/3rd day (if you are on a 3 or 5 day cleanse) but I promise you guys it will be worth it. We humans honestly need little to survive but we tend to over consume just about anything. So let nature take its course and learn to love our body by treating it right.

xx

Thehungryunicorn

Radiance Cleanse - Day #2

Day TWO of the Radiance Juice Cleanse

0830h - Woke up feeling refreshed and unusually awake. Had to slowly gulp juice #1 down which consisted of lemon, ginger and turmeric (which I might add it does not have any ingredient I fancy). But I knew it would be beneficial to start my day off and managed to finish it.

1130h - Time for the second juice! This time, I felt much better drinking something less sour and more sweet. I was still feeling pretty alright although I was in class and didn't feel the least bit lethargic.

1330h - By this time I was feeling a tad peckish for food but decided against it. Afterall, I am getting nutrition I need from the juices!

1400h - Decided to slurp my 3rd juice - Cashew Milk. Definitely a change in taste. For those not accustomed to coconut or cashew blended into a juice, a chalky aftertaste is something you might experience. However I'm an avid fan of almond milk and really enjoyed #3. As it included ingredients like coconut butter, it got me pretty full by the time I was done with it.

1700h - Okay, I admit I was feeling just the slightest bit hungry. I was craving for (surprisingly) very healthy foods such as salad and soup. I didn't have any cravings for my one and only love (chocolate) but felt a tad incline to have a bagel from the stack that was lying around at home... I decided to boil an egg to keep me going. Decided to drink #4 around 1800h.

1900h - By this time, I was pretty full. But I wasn't full in the sense that I didn't want to eat anymore. It was more along the lines of I could really use some solid food right about now. And day 3 sounds like it's going to be hell. I headed out to study to keep my mind preoccupied from all the sorts of food I could eat... But water helped to ease the "hunger" and kept me going to the toilet. Way too often.

2000h - #5! I drank about half a bottle as I was feeling bloated from so much liquids. I was feeling pretty lethargic and wanted to sleep but I had some work to get done so I decided to stay awake instead.

0000h - Home sweet home. I decided to boil another egg to keep the hunger pangs at bay and headed off to bed.

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Well that's it for Day #2. In general I was feeling pretty okay for someone on a juice diet. The juices got pretty sweet toward the last few bottles, so I decided to dilute them with a little bit of water and that made it much better. The end sounds so close, yet, so far...

xx

Thehungryunicorn 

Radiance Cleanse Co - 3 Day Juice Cleanse

Hello beautifuls:)

It has been a long time since I've last updated, and I apologize. School has been keeping me terribly busy and with exams coming up, stress is definitely piling up but I'm learning to cope better than I did before. Being in a new environment, especially in a new country, I definitely do feel a tad homesick from time to time but the company I have here keeps the sadness at bay.

However, today's main focus is on Radiance Cleanse Co. A company that has been established since 2009, they believe in creating the highest quality cold-pressed juices from fresh organic ingredients for their customers. I've been meaning to go on a juice cleanse as of late (You would not want to know how much junk food I've been consuming...) and after reading up more on them, decided to take a leap of faith and opted for a 3 day signature cleanse. I have done something similar to a juice cleanse, except I did that one with ingredients I bought from Cold Storage back in Singapore and it went pretty well.

The parcel arrived at the expected time given - between 7.30am to 10am. Neatly packaged in a cool bag, I had to lug what I think was about 3-4kg worth of juices to my apartment on the 4th floor. I was pleasantly surprised by a letter advising on what time to drink my juices, side effects and withdrawal symptoms and advise on what I should do if I feel hungry. I was excited to hop on my cleanse. Surely 3 days wouldn't be such a killer... 

I am a complete sucker for packaging. Look at how colourful these are! :)

The main gist of the cleanse is drinking 5 bottles of freshly pressed juices a day, at stated timings. You start of with Ginger Lemonade, followed by Clean Green, Cashew Milk for lunch, Root Boost and Vital Green for dinner. Your body adapts to the food you consume daily, and since I've been consuming very little greens in my diet, I was glad to know they had greens incorporated into these juices. 

#1 Ginger Lemonade

I gotta admit, I wasn't a fan of this at all. To begin with, I'm not a ginger person and the addition of black pepper and turmeric didn't help. I figured starting this in the morning is the best way to cleanse your system, and I was pretty sure I couldn't finish the whole bottle. Well, I did. Hopefully I'll adapt to it by tomorrow.

#2 Clean Green

I didn't manage to take a shot of this but you can refer to the picture above. This, surprisingly, I liked a lot. The natural sweetness from the apples really did the trick. By this time I wasn't starving, but something solid would have made me a little happier. I was getting a bit of a headache, a withdrawal symptom as described by Radiance Cleanse. 

#3 Cashew Milk

This was my third bottle for the day (not second, sorry!) that was pretty nice to consume. Not too sweet but not tasteless either. There's a chalky texture to the drink, but in a good way. I consumed this about an hour and a half after drinking the 2nd bottle because my mouth felt like it needed something to chew on. I contemplated eating some seeds and nuts but... Nah. I felt more like a double mcspicy with medium fries :(

#4 Root Boost

This was pretty good as well! I am a sweet tooth and I enjoyed how the mixture really blended well together. By this time, I watched as my boyfr slurped his noodles and thought to myself why I was torturing myself by doing this. I told myself to suck it up and that this was to benefit my health and get me back on track.

#5 Vital Green

As I'm typing this, I'm sipping on my last bottle for the day. It's approximately 9.30pm and I was suppose to have this much earlier but since I only managed to retrieve my parcel at 11am I had to push everything forward. I nearly fainted when I saw the word parsley on the bottle. Good God I thought I would have the hardest time swallowing this. But to my surprise it tasted rather delectable! Maybe it's because I haven't eaten anything that taste more than an apple or fruit, but I'm enjoying this as I'm blogging. Though I do wish I could have just one slice of bread.....

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I do advise all of you on a juice cleanse to drink plenty of distilled water. It's essential that your body gets enough fluids during this period! Strenuous exercises are also a strict no no (Unless you order their Active Cleanse range), try to stick to yoga or light weight training. Soaking yourself in epsom salts will also help your body detox more, which is what I'm about to do soon:)

Well that's all for Day One. So far, I've survived! I do predict I'm going to have a hard time tomorrow but I'm pretty sure I'll pull through. I will update on how I feel by tomorrow night, so keep a lookout!

xx

Thehungryunicorn

January Favourites '14

A new year, a new beginning.

I decided to compile a few of my favourite things for the month of January and why I picked them. Hope you guys find something useful here!:)

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

SGD75 for 30ml

Never having been a fan of foundation, I decided to pick the Vitalumiere up because the beautician at the counter told me it isn't of a very thick consistency and yet would still hold up the whole day. For me, this the perfect light weight liquid foundation and the only one I would use. It's not oily, sits well on the skin and works good with or without a loose powder. Definitely recommending this for people who don't want a full face of makeup and want to opt for something more 'natural'.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

SGD90+ for 30ml

My holy grail. After cleansing and toning every night, I'd apply 2 (Yup just 2) drops of this on. Although made from different oils, it isn't the slightest bit oily and promises to rejuvenate your skin by morning. Back in Singapore, my skin is more of a combination where my T-zone can get pretty oily but this product doesn't produce more oil, in fact it helps keep it under control! It's not cheap, in fact it was wayyyy out of my budget but I bit the bullet and decided to purchase it after hearing such rave reviews about it. I've had this product for nearly 1 1/2 years and I'm STILL using the same bottle (with about 1/4 left!) 

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Oriental

£1.49 (SGD 3) for 120g

I know this isn't sold in Singapore, but boy I wish it was. I've tried several different dry shampoos and most didn't work for me. They would either leave specks of white/grey on my hair or it causes my scalp to itch. Worst of all it would come in a powder form, in which I would either apply too much or too little. Batiste, however, works like magic. All you need to do is spray the product (Much like a hairspray) onto your scalp and rub it in, and your hair would look like you've just washed it again! For those of you that wash your hair infrequently, I'd recommend this product to keep those tassles lookin' gorgeous.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

£4.99 (About SGD10)

I bought this on a whim seeing that the product was new and I had a coupon I had to use up. The instant pore eraser promises to erase your pores leaving your skin prepped and ready for flawless makeup. What I love about this is that it's small, handy and does the job! It erases the bumps on my face and leaves it ready for you to either leave it as it is, or apply your foundation over it.

Sugar Rose Lip Balm by FRESH

SGD30

There was a period of time when my lips were so chapped, I resorted to heeding my friend's advice and getting this lipbalm. At SGD30, this is the 2nd most expensive lip product I've bought. My friend was going on and on about how this would soften your lips and induce a nice sheen of red, and it does! It leaves a tint of red and moisturises as promised. However if you suffer from extremely chapped lips I would recommend getting something with no fragrance or a more medicinal lip balm.

Topshop Highlighter in Cresent Moon

£9.90 (SGD 20)

I've heard this from various Youtubers (Claire Marshall to mention cos she's awesome) about how magnificent and affordable this highlighter from Topshop is. As I was in search of one, I asked my friend in London to get it for me. Much like what everyone else says, it's a gorgeous shade that complements various skin tones, but for heavy handed girls like me, it's recommended you don't add too much for fear of looking like a disco ball!

Benetint Lip and Cheek Tint from Benefit

SGD50

The oh so famous Benetint. Initially, I was apprehensive on purchasing this cos my cheek + lip tint from Body Shop was serving me well (And it only cost $19.90!) But since I had a voucher I decided why not... I love how the tint stays on all day and gives you the perfect shade of red/pink. Although I might not repurchase this again, it's definitely something I would use on lazy days.

Elvin. Crystal Quartz Celestial Necklace from Regal Rose

£15 (SGD 30)

This item can be bought from Regal Rose here

I cannot emphasize how in love I am with RR's jewellery! They're perfect statement necklaces for simple or extravagant days. I went on a crazy online spree and bought several items. They were delivered within 3 days and I can definitely say I'll be back for more:)

Christian Dior's Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm

£20 (SGD 40)

Yet another highly recommended item by friends, I splurged and bought the most expensive lip balm (in the universe...) I wouldn't say this is the BEST product I've bought, though many so rave about how it smoothens and plumps the lips (It only smoothens mine). I'm pretty sure I won't be buying this product again but it leaves a subtle yet noticeable pop of colour to your lips. 

Samsung S4 Flamingo Case

£12.59 (Around SGD 26)

This item can be purchased on Etsy, here.

My previous case was about to melt into my phone and I had to do something about it (Or come up with an excuse) so I hopped onto Etsy and started looking for S4 cases. I chanced upon TonCase, a korean based online seller that sells a variety of phone cases. I like the durability of the case and how it holds up. I've used it for a week and it hasn't been scratched yet. And how can one resist Flamingos?

Dolly Wink Eyeliner Pencil in Brown

SGD 19.90/each

I've recently been into a more natural look when I line my eyes. And since that's the only thing I do when I leave the house, it's important I have an eyeliner that is smudge/waterproof free. Dolly wink is one of my favourite Japanese brands that I would buy without having to read reviews on it. It's the Japanese.. C'mon. :)

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned

£18 (Around SGD 36)

I've gone CRAZY over NARS lip pencils. Even more so with NARS's Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned. It takes a bit of skill to put on, especially with it's matte texture and saturation. But once you get it right you'll realise how much difference a good lipstick makes!

NARS Bronzing Powder in Irresistible

£26 (Around SGD 52)

Last but not least, the NARS bronzing power. I know several people would rather use the shade Laguna, but the beautician recommended I take this shade for a more natural look. I have to admit, I'm pretty sure they're better bronzing powders out there. Even though this isn't long lasting it does contour the face pretty nicely and gives a healthy, glowing finish.

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I hope you guys gained something from reading my opinion on these items, do feel free to comment if you think you've a good product to recommend!:)

Review: Surf Spray by Bumble & Bumble

Hi guys!

I'm back with yet another review on a new product. This time it concerns every girl out there- hair!

For 3 years, I had curls thanks to the wonders of a perm but decided to cut them off due to the ends of my hair being too damaged resulting in split and dry ends. So I snipped them off to right above boob level (even though I permed them the week before) and have had half curly-half straight hair ever since. 

I came upon this product while watching Clothesencounter's monthly favourites and being an avid fan of her (and her gorgeous hair) acted upon impulse and got it. 

It didn't come cheap. A 125ml bottle set me back £23 (SGD46) and I believe it would be wayyyy cheaper in the US. But it does give your hair the effect you want it- sexy beach waves that actually stay throughout the day. Maybe it's the weather that makes the effect stay on my hair a little longer than if I was in Singapore but it did make a difference in the volume. 

Pros:

Delivers what it promises though it would be better for people with permed hair

Cute packaging (!)

Doesn't leave any sticky gel like residue

Cons:

A tad pricey

Too much might weigh your hair down

I usually spritz about 3-4 times onto various parts of my hair and scrunch them up for a more voluminous effect. It works well with semi-wet or dry hair so you won't have to worry about putting it on right after you get out of the shower the night before. Though I might try that one day and bun it up to see if it makes any difference...

I'll update you guys on whether I see a difference!

Effectiveness: 3/5

Price: 3/5 (£23/125ml bottle)

Best for: Already permed hair 

Repurchase?: Maybe, if I had properly permed hair again

Review: Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Cream

Hello fellow explorers!

Having moved to the UK, I've come to realise how affordable food in Singapore is and how much variety we have without having to burn a hole in your pocket. So instead of reviewing food (like I always do) I've decided to review on beauty products I've been stocking up on + trying out instead:)

Presenting... Burt's Bees Beeswax & Banana Hand Cream. I was on the hunt for a good hand cream seeing the weather over here can be cold and dry, which makes my skin (esp my hands) susceptible to cracking. I was browsing in Boots (UK version of Watsons in SG) and having heard good reviews about BB's lip balm, I decided to try this out.

Okay, I'm used to hand creams which produce a fruity or floral scent that leaves no sticky residue whatsoever. I don't like hand creams that leave your hands glossy and sticky. When I first used this it left a rather sticky residue that stayed on my hands for about 10mins. And in my opinion that's a looooong time for a product to absorb. BUT I decided to read the instructions on the jar and it said to use 'a small dollop' on 'cleaned, washed hands' and voila! It actually felt much better the second time I used it. It absorbed quicker than the previous time and left my hands feeling smooth and ready to conquer winter.

So, what are the pros and cons?

(+) it's especially good for colder climates where your skin cracks easily

(+) the really, really attractive packaging which partly persuaded me to buy this :)

(+) you'll only need a small dollop to work it's magic

(-) the jar, albeit adorable, is hard to screw back on after applying the hand cream

(-) the smell might take some time to get used to (doesn't exactly smell the nicest but it's not horrible either)

(-) a little steep in price (£9.99/jar, that's about SGD20 holy...)

(-) might not be the best product for hot climates as it does take some time to absorb. But using it in air-conditioned rooms should be a-okay

I'll admit this isn't the best smelling product, but it does the job. It keeps my hands smooth and prevents the edges of my fingernails from peeling which happens frequently. 

Effectiveness: 4/5

Price: 3/5 (£9.99/jar of 57g)

Best for: colder climates 

Repurchase?: if it's on sale again, sure

Review: Thai Express

One evening, J and I were thinking about where to settle for dinner. Craving for Thai, we decided to head to Thai Express after hearing they had revamped their menu.

We went to the outlet at Siglap and when we reached at 9.20pm, the restaurant was rather empty except for 1-2 families enjoying dinner. We were seated quickly and browsed through the menu.

I was quite surprised with the new additions to the menu. Thai laksa, Thai Curry Kaeng Sen and Rice Khao were some of the few mains that have been revamped. They had mouth watering sides like Kanom Pang Na Kung (Prawn Toast) and Peek Gai Yud Sai (Thai Stuffed Chicken Wing) on the menu too.

After deciding we shouldn't over-indulge, we decided to go with the 'chef recommended' dishes (which has an orange elephant indicated next to it!):

Sen Lek Neua

Sitck noodle with sliced beef in beef broth

This was surprisingly good. We figured this was a make-it-or-break-it dish as the broth itself is a rather complex base that requires time to brew. The beef slices were tender and the broth flavourful. Best part was even after a few hours I didn't feel the need to gulp down a jugful of water, which means there was little MSG!

4/5

Massamman Curry (Served w Thai Style Pancake)

Massamman chicken curry with thai style pancake

If you love your curry sweet, this is the main for you. Being a fan of prata and curry, this dish hit the spot for me. The thai style prata was nicely fried, leaving the sides crispy with just the right amount of oil. The curry was sweet with a hint of coconut milk, blending the sauce together. The chicken was tender, albeit little. One negative feedback was that the curry was rather cold when it was served but I was too hungry to ask them to reheat the dish up so my poor boyfriend had to eat room temperature curry, which I'm quite sure he didn't really enjoy :p We waited about 20mins for this dish too, which would explain why the curry was cold when served. Perhaps they were prepping the prata?

4/5

Overall, I wouldn't say Thai Express is the place to come to to get your authentic thai food fix. There are several other smaller joints that serve affordable authentic thai food. However if you want a taste of how Singapore Thai food would be like, Thai Express won't disappoint. I'd very much like to head back to try their pad thai and pineapple rice but for now I'm sticking to these :)

Food: ♡♡♡ 1/2

Ambience: ♡♡♡♡
Service: ♡♡ (They were rather slow, albeit polite)
Overall: ♡♡♡ 1/2