Good morning dear readers!

Odd question, how many of you noticed (from the photos or having met me in real life) that I actually used to have bad skin?

Long-time readers would probably know how disastrous my skin used to be as I once had a lot of pimples and have been fighting acne problem for several years. 

Today, I am FINALLY free of acne. But look closely, you can still see my oily skin & scars on my cheeks.

(In this photo, I have tried to conceal it with make up)

Is my oily face & scars on my cheeks clearer?

(In this photo, I have less concealer on)

But if you never noticed, it could mean that I'm either really good with my make-up and concealers to cover up the acne haha! 

Thanks to the folks at Papulex, a leading pharmaceutical expert in Asia Pacific that specializes in Dermatology, I'm going to begin opening up a personal battle of my life that you probably didn't know of –

For those of you lucky people who never knew what acne is nor have experienced it, acne is the name given to the various dermal outbreaks, such as pimples and blackheads, which are commonly experienced during adolescence.

While acne, in most instances, diminishes and disappears by the early 20s, for some unfortunate individuals the symptoms of acne can persist long into adulthood. 

Here's a simple diagram on how acne occurs on the skin surface

Now, we all know that there are many theories (and many myths) as to what exactly causes acne but one of the stronger arguments is that acne is largely influenced by your genes.

Main question of today –

CAN ACNE BE INHERITED?

Answer –

Yes, you can inherit acne.

After doing my research, here are some cold, hard facts!

 Numerous studies have been conducted in order to correlate acne with genetics. A 1999 study from the British Journal of Dermatology has shown that individuals who suffer from adult persistent acne are four times more likely to have adult relatives who also suffer from adult persistent acne than individuals who do not.

Similarly, a more recent study has demonstrated that individuals with a parental history of acne experience acne at a younger age than those without (sourced from the book 'Heredity: A Prognostic Factor for Acne').

The same study suggests that certain symptoms are significantly more prevalent when the father or mother alone experiences acne.  

According to The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, a study on twins has also suggested that acne is significantly based on genetic factors as opposed to environmental, lifestyle or other factors.

So basically, you can’t avoid inheritance as it runs in the gene pool.

Yes, I know it’s an unlucky thing to have but it’s something you have to live with it.

I would know, I’ve lived with it almost all my life  I know, such an unfortunate soul, right?

However, there is a smart way to strike a balance between nature and nurture.

And that's when skincare comes in too. I’ve discovered that there are ways to manage and combat this problem with some simple solutions.

I'm embarking on an interesting mission to help everyone have better skin & to ensure that nobody is misinformed about acne 

Having done my research, here are the top 5 common misconceptions that I'd like to myth-bust!

Myth #1 Acne is a contagious disease.

You can't get acne by touching another person's acne or sharing food with a person with acne

Myth #2 Acne spots are due to bad hygiene.

You should resist the temptation to repeatedly cleanse, treat and fuss over your acne as it will aggravate the skin

Myth #3 Acne problem is a teenage problem

Adult acne happens too. It affects a diverse range of people from teens, pregnant women, adults and even the elderly

Myth #4 Chocolate causes acne

Nonsense. Enough said. 

Myth #5 Pop the pimple and it will go away

Picking it will leave open sores vulnerable to bacteria and infection, worsening your condition

So where am I going with this, you wonder?

Like I said before, I'm on a mission to discover and spread the truth about acne. I’m affirmative that everyone reading this right now knows at least one person with acne and bad skin, right? 

To be honest, I'd like to know the complete truth – learning about different skin types, what really causes acne and how to address this issue. 

I'm proud to say that I will be joining the cause as a truthseeker to fight acne and shed light to others who are currently facing acne problems or even know someone with this problem.

Long story short, I'm out to help people with acne-prone skin to get out of this damned problem.

WHY?

Because I know how terrible it can be, how ugly you can feel

and how much time you take to try to make yourself look better.

I've been there, and done that.

Thus I'm participating in the Lead the Way Blogger Challenge by Papulex Asia.

Log on to Papulex's Official Facebook page to know more about this cause!

I may be free from acne now, but my scars remain 

(You probably can't see it. Pro-tip : Black & white does wonders for acne scars!)

Stay tuned to my next article as I will be opening up and sharing the ugly truth on my battle with acne.

What I faced everyday living with it, how severe it was and how it made me feel throughout the whole ordeal.

Be prepared for some ugly photos of my acne-ridden self as well! 

What to expect? Well I looked something like this –

Yeah, very ugly right?

Well, I got through it. I survived 

Hello! Happy Easter to all

Sorry been haven't updating as often as I usually do! Had been swamped by assignments recently and I'm proud to say I've just submitted them ALL before the deadline. Yaayyyers!

Today, I'm gonna share a really lovely event of which I had the privilege to attend, awhile back.  

It was Moët & Chandon's Valentines Day event!

It was held in conjunction with the launch of their new, 

limited edition Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial champagne! 

I spoke about that pink, stylish, glamorous gift of a bottle here and happy to know that many of you told me you got yourselves one too!

They transformed the concourse of Pavilion into a pretty pink, exclusive, invite-only event area 

Love how the Moët carpet just runs through the steps like that

Taken as I was walking closer

Alright, I've arrived! 🙂

This whole section is so pretty!

I brought a plus-one along for the event. Who else but my gurlie? Buddy Pamela 🙂

Pammy & I at the photowall

Remember how I shared the premise behind the campaign's design?

It was inspired by a renown Swedish graffiti artist Andre – known as Monsieur A 

He is internationally acclaimed for his passionate graffiti about love

and his signature stick-figure doodle

And oh look! Looks like Monsieur A's doodle found himself a girlfriend during this campaign 😛

Cheers to the celebration of love! 

Took a few photos by the photowall with some friends I bumped into during the event:

Will Quah & I

Pammy, myself & PinPin!

Dennis Lau & I

Mikey & I!

We were all served to free-flow of Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial throughout the party.

I loved the light texture and the exquisiteness of the champagne – especially the sweet aftertaste!

Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial basking in all its glory

The event was buzzing with people

The congenial – and so friendly! – waiters kept coming round to fill our glasses 🙂

So delicious 

Looking awesome in PINK! 😀

Well, so we did come in accordance to the dress code teehee

Had good fun chatting with buddies Esther, Bok & Pammy over the delightful Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial

Maine & I did some catching up over it too!

This is my first time seeing you dressed in PINK, Simon! 😛

It was oddly cute seeing all my guy friends wearing so much pink in one day.

Some of them shared with me funny stories of coming in pink neckties, pink bowties, pink shirts, pink belt and whatever pink they could possibly ransack from their wardrobes.

Thumbs up! Only REAL MEN are bold enough to wear pink, alright? 😉

We were entertained with a few powerful renditions of love songs

Wonderful!

The place was buzzing with guests!

I took a seat by the comfy couches and fluffy Moët pillows

Taking a short break from all the merriment! 🙂

I took a walk around to the front of the concourse and spotted a huge pile of pink packages 

Those Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial bottles came in abundance that night! 

So tempting; almost as if beckoning me. I'd like to bring one of you home with me tonight! 😀

Hmmm.. what should I graffitize and doodle onto this flawless bottle? 

Me having what they call an 'Asian Flush'

It is beyond me as to why I turn crimson red even after one glass of anything! So strange.

I would get all flushed and red so quickly! Grr.

Despite being flushed, I couldn't help but to have more of this enticing, flavourful champagne 

consisting of 3 grape varieties – Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay 

Oh, such love! 

I had a great time! Tonight was simply engaging and fun.

It was wonderful catching up with many of my friends from the industry over champagne for a change! 🙂

Thank you Moët & Chandon – and Monsieur A's doodle guy – for bringing 

us such a charming and memorable Valentines party this year! 

What's my favourite champagne of all-time?

None other than the ones by Moët and Chandon of course. I absolutely love its exquisite flavour & after-taste

And this year, they'll be bringing us something fun for Valentine's Day!

With an ultimate gesture of luxury, Moët and Chandon brings us the Rosé Impérial 'Tag Your Love' campaign.

This campaign is inspired by renown Swedish graffiti artist André, or Monsieur A, internationally acclaimed for his passionate graffiti about love

His signature cute and creative stick-figure doodle 

This year round, you can express your love on the bottle itself by creating your own masterpiece!

So, once you get your hands on that beauty of a bottle, you know what to do 

Here's your time to shine 

Go ahead, let your feelings take flight!

Knock yourself out : doodle on it, go all-out artsy fartsy on it or even just a personalized message with your signature with a specially crafted marker pen that comes with the delightful package!

Apart from the clever idea of it all,

how would it taste, you may ask?

Moët and Chandon Rosé Impérial will have the diversity and complementarity of the three grape varieties:

The intensity of the Pinot noir (40 to 50%, of which 10% red wine)

The roundness of the Pinot Meunier (30 to 40%, of which 10% red wine)

The elegance of the Chardonnay (10 to 20%). 

So, heads up!

This customisable Rosé Impérial bottle will be exclusively available at the Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial “Tag Your Love” showcase at Centre Court, Pavilion KL from 8th of February to the 14th of February 2012 only.

Hats off to Moët and Chandon for bringing us such a beautiful Valentines idea!

Perfect way to juggle love with creativity, uniqueness, glamour 

Toast to this year's season of love with the limited edition Moët and Chandon Rosé Impérial. I know I will!