Hellu! It’s been a while! The lovely people from HaoYiKang sent over a box Lao Xie Zhen’s Premium Ginseng Essence with Manuka Honey for me to try! As most of you know, I have a collective list of autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions going on and they have since been in remission, and I am on my journey of recovery! Getting my body back in shape is very important, because if I am not careful, I may risk a flare up again. So here’s a box of King of Herbs, perfected with Manuka Honey!


With 90 years of history, Lao Xie Zhen brings along their newest addition, the Premium Ginseng Essence with Manuka Honey. Formulated with white ginseng, and American ginseng, the combination gives a perfect balance making it mild and suitable for daily consumption! Best part, it also consists of Manuka Honey UMF5+, which is known to help improve gut health, supply quick boost of energy, enhances healing properties and a healthier alternative to caffeinated products!


Comes in box of 7 or 14, the bottles are packed conveniently in the slots, so you don’t have to unpack them and leave some half opened box lying around. I am personally a fan of ginseng, having suckled on ginseng slices since a kid, so I was very excited to try. Especially since having started to work from home, the stagnation and lethargy is real. Not complaining, cause I really love sleeping until 1 minute before I start work, but that also means I flip open my desktop with ultra sleepy eyes. So if there’s a healthy booster, I’mma take it.


Each bottle contains White Ginseng & American Ginseng from Changbai Mountain, enhanced with Manuka Honey UMF5+ from New Zealand through 12 stages of advanced extraction method. They are rich in ginsenosides, methylglyoxal (MGO), amino acids, vitamins & minerals, and 100% natural with no additives, preservatives, xanthan gum.

Ginseng is known to combat fatigue, protect liver functions, boost concentration & focus, anti-inflammatory effects, and provides antioxidant protection, just a few to name. All of which I really need, because of long term medication and chronic conditions, I get really tired easily with my body overworking all the time tryna’ fight all the antibodies.

With the addition of Manuka Honey, it also supports gut health & digestion, aid in wound healing, and boost your energy level with each bottle everyday!


First mistake I made opening my very first bottle was forgetting to shake it. I kid you not, the ginseng taste was so overwhelming I choked on my first sip. /putsbackthelidandshake…….. The well mixed content tasted so much better, hahahahaha. Strong ginseng taste but this time with lingering sweetness from the Manuka Honey. I usually take 1 glass every morning after I brush my teeth, and then I go about with my day. I realized I don’t take afternoon naps anymore a few days after I started this new regime! It is recommended to take after breakfast though, so don’t be lazy like me hahaha.

Did you also know that ginseng actually helps improve mental health? With the rise of working from home, things can get a little bit stale and boring coping up at home. I’m sure a lot of you stay stuck on your chair if not bed for most part of the day! So if you a working adults, individuals with mental stress or looking for caffeine alternatives and require a boost of energy, check out Lao Xie Zhen’s Premium Ginseng Essence with Manuka Honey!

Check out their website: https://haoyikang.sg/. Don’t forget to drop them a follow on their Facebook and Instagram too!

Thank you so much, Hao Yi Kang for sending these over for me to try. I really love it!

Voted No.1 in All-Natural Products by Natural Health 2019, Nano Singapore had became the ultimate go-to for different kinds of supplements in Singapore! Don't judge, but me and my friends are at the age where we have to consider adding vitamins into our daily routine, hahahha. I remember reading somewhere that when you hit 25, your body starts to slow down and lose nutrients faster than before you were 25. So vitamins become really essential in helping your body absorb more nutrients or replace what you lose everyday! Especially now that I am ... 29.... and with autoimmune disease, vitamins are all the more important for me to avoid a flare up or bad joints.


The nice people at Nano Singapore sent over a bottle of Turmeric Gummies and Multivitamin for kids to let me and my nephew try out!


The health benefits of turmeric is a widely known fact that I've been wanting to try out for a really long time. Turmeric is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that helps fight foreign invaders and fix damages in your body. Long term inflammation can cause the immune system to become confuse and attack your own body. That's why food and vitamin with anti-inflammation properties are really important! These are just a few of turmeric benefits to name, but the preparation of actual turmeric into my meals are sooooo tough! And eating turmeric on its own is just.... blegh. So here's a blended gummy formula with black pepper, making it taste less bad hahahaha. Even for the gummies tho, it's a little spicy and has a really strong taste, but you get used to it as you go. I eventually got to love the taste!

One bottle comes with 120 gummies, it is recommended to take 2 per day, so one bottle like this can last you for 2 months!


The Multivitamin for kids has the same texture as the Turmeric gummies but it tastes so so much better, hahaha. There's a really strong berry taste, and I quote my little nephew, it's sweet and berri-y! But maybe just a tat bit too sweet for the kids. So mommas that are looking for multi-vits for your kids, you can try this out! Because the taste is really nice, and that would help them to love their vitamins!


I personally am very bad with routines. That said, I even forget my meds occasionally until my bones start to ache, or my rashes start to appear hahaha. So I store them in the fridge, so everytime I grab a drink, I'd remember to take my vits! xD I'm planning to get myself some melatonin fix with their Melatonin Gummies, maybe I can finally sleep at night and not stay up until the unholy hours of the morning.


Check out Nano Singapore for more kinds of supplements! Don't forget to take your vitamins!

I'm really tired. Like really, really, really really, really tired. It feels realy tough to get off bed, to get up from my seat, or to even eat. Chewing feels like a chore, holding cutleries feel like a chore. Getting up into a standing or sitting position makes my body ache. I can't keep up for more than 3 hours, or stay focused for more than 5. This is me on daily basis. Time keeps ticking, life keeps going. So everyone's constantly talking.. "When are you gonna get a job?" "Can you please get a job?" "So you just want to waste your life away like that everyday?" "Can you be more useful?" "Actually you can do anything, you just don't want to."

But why isn't anyone realizing just how hard it is for me to wake up everyday. Why isn't anyone seeing the fact that I really want a job too. Why isn't anyone seeing all the helplessness I feel whenever I am at home, or the fear I feel towards life every single day? Where is it gonna hurt today? How long will be awake? Am I able to go through with the plans I had made for today? Is this okay? Am I okay?

So much expectations on me as if I don't already feel the despair of not being able to live up to my personal expectation. As if it is all about me being lazy, and unmotivated. As if I had chose this live, chose this disease, chose to be like this.

I used to feel so proud of all of my achievements, and wear them like a badge. I loved feeling useful to people, and being able to accomplish big things. I used to be able to run miles, and go on working for 36 hours without sleep.. I used to be so full of life, and so so so many used to- It's so hard to keep up right now with the whole AOSD suppressing me. I do doubt myself too. Am I really just lazy? Am I just unmotivated? Is this all because I feel unfair and acting like that in a form of revenge towards my life? It is not. That is not.

The thing about AOSD is that, it has no cause, no prevention, and no cure. I don't know when will I ever flare up again, neither do I know what can I do to prevent it from happening. The ache is real. The pain is real. The lethargy, is also real. Whether or not it's a side effect from AOSD, I can never be sure. My doctors denied me when I told them I get really tired everyday from the medication, from the condition, from anything even. They said I was just lazy. I try, I really try. I've never stopped trying.

Fallen chopsticks, trembling hands, shaking knees, dropping dead to the ground, fleeting thoughts, unfocused mind.... all these feel so normal. All these are what I go through everyday. So is it really laziness, or is it what the AOSD does to my body? I really don't know anymore.

It's so painful to keep trying and get defeated everyday.

Taking a break from all the fancy hair I've had for the last 5 years and going back to basic. Definitely feels weird not having my blonde ends and having brown hair but I figured it's about time I make a change and make myself look a bit more normal, hahahahaha.


My blonde ends make me look so tired and dull, and boring. And I've ran out of colors I'mma dye since 5eva. Pink, blue, purple, green, red, bah- You name it, I've gotted it. Hahahaha, everything except for basic. So here I am, back to basic, brown hair!


Elein actually also helped me do DYNA straightening treatment to fix my curly roots, along with Mucota ABC treatment because my hair ends were like grass. If you don't already know, I actually have really really curly hair, so curly that when I tie my hair up, I get a legit pig tail. It curls into a spring, and I really hated it. So I've been doing rebonding ever since I knew what it was.

But ever since I got attached to Artistry Hair Professional, Elein had been doing DYNA Straightening for me instead of rebonding. I hated curly hair, and I also hated how flat and unnatural rebonding looked, HAHAHA. I also didn't like soft rebonding. Soft rebonding only fixed the fizz but didn't really fix my curly roots. What a picky child.

So Elein been doing Mucota Dyna Straightening treatment for me for the last 5 years, and I've shook off my curly roots ever since, BUAHAHA.


Doesn't look like rebonding, isn't it? Mehehehe. And I'm loving this new color on me! It's been a while since I've gotten natural colors, hahahahahha.

Quote my name and get up to 30% OFF when you make an appointment at Artistry Hair Professional. Call 6221 9255 to make an appointment, don't forget to look for Elein!

My skin haven't been in the best state ever since AOSD and usage of steroids. I get really bad steroid-acne that will never recover due to my suppressed immune system, and scarrings were common even after it recovered. I felt so ugly I hated going out. Life was just home and my bedroom for a while, I eventually became very grumpy and introverted.

Fast forward six months after steroids, here is me. Not the clearest skin I've ever had, it was also getting really dull and dry, and I had multiple stubborn acne(repurcussions of steroid-acne). I've tried all methods I could ever know and nothing helped. So when IDS invited me down to try out their treatment, I did not hesitate to say yes.

I've heard crazy good reviews from many of my blogger friends who had treated their skin issues with them! Despite my fear of scarring and terrible healing rate, and my bad experience with facial therapies..... I've decided Imma be a part of IDS too! FOMO, hahahaha.


So I pop by IDS Clinic, and had my first consultation with Dr Ian to talk about my concerns and to understand my skin. Disclaimer: I've never visited any skin clinic before so I had no clue how it is gonna be like. I was very surprised to have one to one consultation like a doctor's visit. Then again, it's dermatologist that I'm visiting! Hahahaha


Greeted with really nice interior and a bunch of friendly therapists before seeing Doctor Ian! Dr Ian was very patient and nice, and answered my curiosity with no qualms. I also told him about my struggles with AOSD, and how steroids gave me a lot a lot of skin problems, to a point I don't even have the confidence to head out.

Here's a shot of me when I was on steroids.


I also told him about my fears with facial therapies, how I've met bad therapists with caused more harm than good to my very sensitive skin. Also after long term usage of steroids, my skin is even more sensitive and thin now. To a point I developed dermagraphism over the period of medicating.

Dr Ian moved on to explain that I will be going through three different treatments. First being the products that I'll use to tackle all these problems, second is a facial with IDS Aesthetics, third will be the laser therapy which I am super excited to try. He then checked my skin to let me know what problems he will be tackling before my next visit for facial.

The therapist assigned to me then brought me to another room and explain to me how to use the products. I was even given a manual to refer in case I forget the steps, hahaha. Did you know there's even methods to apply the products?!


Here's the range of products I received from IDS Clinic:


(Left to right to front: Delicate Cleanser, Delicate Toner, Facial Scrub, Pore Formula, C Plus, Recovery Serum, Moisture Boost, Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++, Dermashield Mask)

It's a lot, I know. The lazy ass in me only used facial cleanser my whole life, and only started using toner when I was sponsored one to try. I didn't like the stickiness after applying so many products, and even when I found out there are products that aren't sticky, I was too lazy to keep up the beauty regime. It's true when people say, "世界沒有醜女人，只有懶女人", hahahahahaha. I am that lan nv ren, XD

Alright, let's get to explaining the beauty regime crash course I adopted from their very skilledful therapists at IDS!

1. C2 Delicate Cleanser

Dr Ian prescribed the delicate cleanser for my extremely sensitive skin. It's a very gentle cleanser that cleanses very well. Its as if my pores were purged after my first use, it felt really weird. I gradually started loving the after effects and I ended up washing my face with the cleanser whenever I feel icky.

2. Delicate Toner

Again, delicate because my sensitive skin will never be able to tolerate strong toners. The toner helps to remove any remaining residue and dirt, and prep your skin for moisturizers and serum after! Cleaner skins help absorb products better!

3. Facial Scrub

My favorite exfioliating product of, all, times. Exfioliating dries out skin for sure, but the IDS Facial Scrub is very gentle and still does its job. Used only when necessary, and best accompanied with their Dermashield Mask after! Which I usually use once every 2 weeks 4. DermaShield Mask

So, much, love. I pretty much retired all of my other masks ever since I started trying this one. The IDS DermaShield Mask protects skin from damages caused by UV, Infra-Red, and Blue Light. Shields against pollution, at the same time leave skin feeling smooth, moisturized and much more radiant. I kid you not, it has instant brightening effect. The mask also thingles, it leaves your skin feeling fresh and lifted!

5. Pore Formula

As the name states, it targets our pores. This one's hot, literally- This miracle product helps to refine your pores, softens the skin and reduces white heads and black heads. It's as if the blackhead just falls off on it's own and the pores become smaller! Dr Ian recommends to use only on the T-zone or areas you think are more troubled, otherwise it'll cause overdrying. It has been performing really well for me thus far, one week in; can't wait to see results next month before my facial!

6. C Plus (C+)

Finally got my hands on the highly raved C Plus! I have friends who are using this and they really love it, and now I love it too. HAHA. The C Plus is serum is formulated with potent form of Vitamin C, and it has insane whitening properties. It also stimulates collagen, reduces fine lines and wrinkles. This smells a-maz-ing. I would always pump out extra so I can apply it to my neck and elbows, hahahhaha. I am finally turning into Snow White. As the old ones always say, "一白遮三丑"! XD

7. Recovery Serum (RS)

I was told to mix one pump of RS with one pump of MB everytime I use it. Like your favorite cuppa, the RSMB combo will perk your skin up. This one here is very very important, especially for someone like me with terrible immunity. The recovery serum helps to reduce redness and irritation, stabilizes skin immunity and capillary integrity. It basically aids your skin with recovery, and with MB, it can restores damaged skin efficiently!

8. Moisture Boost (MB)

I would love to explain in my own words for this one, but I really wouldn't do it any justice. So here's how they are introducing it!:

This creamy formulation works beyond just keeping the skin moisturized. It boasts a powerful curated blend of ingredients that includes essential ceramides, skin-repairing and emollient ingredients to help you restore and maintain the natural protective function of the skin’s barrier function, as well as restore damaged skin, leaving skin supple, bouncy and radiant.

One thing they missed out, it. is. NOT. sticky!!!!! No more annoying sticky moisturizer! AAAHHHH, THE FUTURE IS NOWWWWWWWWW

9. Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++

BB cream is now Bye bye cream. I have to admit, I retired every single one of my skincare product and hopped onto the IDS train. Including my base coverage + sunscreen, hahaha. The tinted sunscreen leaves a matte finish, with powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It's really light and provides minimal coverage but with better skin, why would you need such heavy coverage anyway? ;)

Aaaaannnd, I've finally come to an end with the introduction of the products. I'll pop an update soon after my second visit to show you guys the difference. I am so excited to see how IDS is going to transform me! Haven't seen clear skin in almost 2 years, I can finally show myself to the world again, T_T


Don't forget the handy dandy notebook!
#IDStransformme #IDServe