I still want something light and feminine, natch, but with a bit more oomph than the fresh and clean perfumes I usually don. I want depth, heart, and warmth, without the heavy cloak of a cologne.

While the press has called Su-Man Skincare a “natural alternative to botox” and “face lift in an hour,” you need only look to  founder and celebrity facialist Su-Man Hsu's skin for proof of the transformation about to take place.

Working with chemists in France and Taiwan, Su-Man has created a signature premium skincare line featuring eight carefully curated, innovative products using philosophies from both east and west, with ingredients that work instant miracles while still delivering long-lasting effects. 

Bonus: She offers pro tips on application that change everything. You'll soon realize that you've been:

1. Applying waaay too much product.

2. Doing it all wrong all this time.

I mean, how firmly are you massaging in your moisturizer? Probably not hard enough. Are you applying it twice a day? Mmm, didn't think so. And are you doing the "zigzag" with the "rice amount" of eye cream? Me neither.

Su-Man was kind enough to send me her entire capsule collection. And before you freak out that there are so many products at once, don't worry - she's made it super easy to use, and it takes just as long as your current routine.

Still not convinced? Heed her wise words: “Skincare should be a ritual and not a chore. Have a love affair with your skin and you will transform it beyond recognition. Life changes your skin, now change your skin for life.”

Now that's what I'm talking about.

How did Su-Man's products fare? Read on to find out:

If you're not starting your beauty routine off with cleanser, you're doing it wrong. 

One try of this creamy, silky gel that melts then slightly lathers, proves your skin ain't as squeaky clean as you think it is. It’s also the first of many Su-Man products that boasts an innovative twist opening at the tube’s base. How cool is that?

Packed with nutrients - wintergreen, dragon’s blood extract and rose hip oil, for starters - it deep dives to invigorate and clean skin, without leaving it feeling stripped or parched.

Though it rinses off quickly and effortlessly with water, don't be fooled by its easygoing nature: all traces of makeup? Whoosh. Gone. Every last bit. Even the stuff you'd swear would never come off without the usual exertion.

And despite taking just seconds, your skin isn't just clean - it's been pampered beyond belief. Say hello to smooth, soft and supple skin now.

And we're just getting started...

Consider this the Ctl+Alt+Del for your skin. If you love a good scrub without feeling like your face is about to fall off, this exfoliator’s for you.

The mocha-coloured oil-based liquid has tiny buffers that gently exfoliate. In fact, it's actual coffee grains that  gently sloughs off old, tired skin cells. No wonder it smells like freshly roasted coffee and black bean sauce to me (I find it quite pleasant BTW, said the food and restaurant writer). 

It's hard to believe this nonabrasive  pink gel can get rid of anything of note. Get used to having your mind blown: Su-Man creates magical formulas that not only transform your skin, but are wildly effective, all without having to apply a single iota of elbow grease, or wait around weeks for results. So rest assured, your skin is about to be revolutionized - and in just in one fell swoop, to boot.

This insanely light hyphenate formula does everything from promote skin cell regeneration to fight free radicals, while a quenching blend of watermelon and gingko biloba leaf extracts hydrates, smooths, soothes and renews - without any scrubbing, scouring or sanding.

A superhero product if I've ever seen one.

No dull, lacklustre skin for you. It's easy to see why this is a bestseller- instantly transformative and completely addictive, this flamingo pink serum's one of the best ways to get through winter.

It's all by way of some ingredients you may not have heard of before (tranexamic acid, traditional medicinal herb cassia alata leaf extract, "mountain peanut" or plukenetia volubilis seed oil, for example) and others you'll know under a different name, such as croton lechleri resin extract -read: dragon's blood. That's in addition to ceramides, omegas, antioxidants and powerhouse hyaluronic acid.

It takes just one drop of this silky soft serum (after cleansing and toning, of course) to transform your skin. Get ready for a brighter, softer complexion, boasting taut skin with no room for lines, wrinkles, or dark spots.

Don't be surprised if suddenly going makeup free feels like the right thing to do now.

This luxe, sumptuous, yet lightweight cream really cures all that ails you: puffiness, lines, dark circles. And you don’t have to wait weeks to see results either. 

Saggy pockets snap to attention (shoutout to peptides) and stay that way (spirulina and dragon’s blood extract have got you). Notice your skin plump right before your eyes and over time.

If you want to use it as an excuse to stay out later tonight, I won't tell a soul.

p.s. Su-Man recommends applying a "tiny rice-sized amount over the eyelids." I don't think I've ever applied cream to my lids before this. I was merely concentrating on the area below. Su-Man doesn't just change your skin - she revolutionizes the way you think about and approach your skin.

After two weeks of trying to figure out a quick, easy and economical way to do this (and coming up empty), I saw Melissa's post. 

Little did I know it was about to change everything.

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At first glance, Chocolate Chaga Smoothie Mix might appear just like the rest. After all, it's chock-full of insanely good-for-you ingredients like the drink I had been buying previously. Both are vegan, non-GMO, and free of gluten, dairy and soy. Each contain superfoods, sea vegetables and algae, greens, probiotics, vitamins and minerals, some of which are organic.

But this had noticeable improvements from my daily dose of goodness, including:

1.  All raw ingredients, of which 95% are organic/wild-crafted

2.  No sugar (the other one uses stevia leaf extract)

3. Organic chaga mushrooms, which are one of the most nutrient-dense ingredients and powerful antioxidants

4. Fascinating healers by way of stinging nettle, horsetail, dandelion juice, and nopal cactus, as well as comprehensive enzyme complexes

5. Himalayan pink salt, that does everything from help balance your blood sugar to detox your body

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After my initial package ran out, I called the one store in my city that carries it, to make sure it was in stock. They were sold out and weren't getting more in for a few weeks.

#$%@!

When it was back in stock, I called ahead to put one aside. There was no way I was going to miss this. Then I traveled across the city. In rush hour traffic. In the rain, to get it.

I thought I had found the perfect all-in-one nutrition drink before, but it doesn't hold a candle to ViraOne GoodStuff Chocolate Chaga Smoothie Mix.

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Thank you Melissa, for your constant wisdom and recommendations. You were bang on, as always. And thank you ViraOne, for making one of the best health products in the world.

Shop ViraOne GoodStuff Chocolate Chaga Smoothie Mix now.

After going online and reading about people being transformed by InstaVit's sleep spray, I thought it was worth a shot. Until I can afford a new mattress, I need all the help I can get. And without having to resort to medication, thank you.

After a particularly long week of 18-hour work days, I sprayed twice as directed (equaling 0.8 mg of melatonin), and propped open my book - directions indicated to administer 30 minutes before lights out, so I had a bit of time to get some pages in.

I fell asleep in about 20 mins and woke just two times in the night. Come morning, I was extremely groggy, which is something I rarely experience. I'd need at least four to my usual one cuppa joe to get/keep me going. But at the same time, I felt like I'd had a really good, deep night's sleep and the grogginess wore after an hour.

I waited to use it again a week later to see if I'd get a different result.

On the second attempt, and each once thereafter, I didn't experience any fuzzy head or sluggishness. And while I still wake up throughout the night, I do wake up feeling I've had a decent night's sleep for once. Sweet.

Now let's talk Immune Strength because this little number is mighty impressive. A couple weeks back, I came across an article about how taking zinc as soon as you feel like you're coming down with a cold can help curtail it, and if you're already sick, can help shorten the time and make you feel a bit better. I made a note to pick up some zinc the next time I was at the health or drug store and went on with my day. An insane week of work followed - long days, a single meal and cup of coffee per day, and a ton of rushing around. It was all I could do to keep up. Then the flu hit me. Ever been  tackled by six running backs? Me neither, but I'm pretty such it feels like this. Chills, aches, weakness - all at once.

I realized I had my trusty The Travel Kit by InstaVit that contained Immune Strength. Ingredients include: Vitamin A, E, and B6, Zinc, Selenium. My immune system had called it a day, but maybe this could help. I followed the daily dose of four sprays a day and instructions not to exceed the maximum. Along with an insane amount of carrot juice, soup, oranges, sleep, and taking the entire weekend off work (Gasp. I know, but I've learned the hard way you get better faster if you just stop and take care of yourself instead of trying to work through it all. Also, work can wait. Your health is everything.), I got better. In days instead of weeks, like friends and colleagues of mine that were still trying to slog through the haze.

In a world filled with icy temps and wild viruses, I'm all for trying to bolster my immunity. This l'il wonder came in handy and was easy to swallow with a sore throat. We've still got months of winter to go, so I'm keeping it close at hand.

The Travel Kit also contains bottles of Instant Energy and Vitamin D (two sprays delivers 1,250 IU), an exercise band to stretch and work out with, and four recipe cards for healthy snacks and meals - Chia Pudding, Avocado Toast, Instant Noodle Soup and Quick & Easy Pizza. This little wellness toolkit makes it easy to stay healthy on the go.

While there are honest to goodness vitamins in the sprays, there's also other ingredients including water, natural and sometimes artificial flavours (Vitamin D), as well as some formulas containing sucralose (Instant Energy and Immune Strength, for example).

I'm not crazy about artificial sweetener in my vitamins, but sprays such as Immune Strength didn't taste "medicine-y" in the least, and the convenience of a portable spray for energy and immunity that you can pull out of your bag or drawer and feel the effects minutes later is something to be considered. Also, you don't have to be somewhere with access to water like with pills (I know people on TV dry-swallow or worse, chew handfuls of pills without a stitch of water, but I don't know anyone IRL who can do it). There's no fillers or binders, zero calories, and the mist is such a tiny amount - 0.25 to 0.5 mL.

For the last few years, OverCat Communications - one of the best PR and event planning agencies in the city - is kind enough to invite me to their exhilarating get-glam TIFF suite, where a whole squad of beauty experts puts me together in time for the red carpet and celeb-packed galas.

As always, Sophie's made me look and feel like a million bucks. She is simply the best, inside and out.

Shopping list: St. Tropez at-home treatments are just as stellar - you just won't get great movie recommendations along with them (thank you Sophie!). Gamechangers include: Self Tan Express Bronzing Face Sheet Mask, Self Tan Express Mousse and Mist (1 hour/light, 2 hours/medium and 3 hours/dark tan that lasts for days), and One Night Only Body Gloss. And of course, don't forget  the all important Applicator Mitt. 

If you've been reading the knack for awhile, you'll know I'm obsessed with all things Australia. Everything - their clothes, food, wine, architecture, TV shows, stationery, decor, lifestyle, and of course skincare. In fact, no one does skincare better because they put such an emphasis on all-natural - and almost always organic - ingredients and never forgets powerful sun protection either, at no added cost.

Founder Sonya Driver's award-winning Eco Tan and Eco by Sonya Driver range of body care products is made in Australia with all natural, organic, vegan ingredients, and covers everything from extremely dry skin/eczema soothers to innovative self-tanners and sun care. There's no toxins, and the company boasts an array of certifications including Safe Cosmetics Australia, Choose Cruelty Free, PETA, and Organic Food Chain. They made Australian history by becoming the first and only tanning manufacturer to be certified organic by the Organic Food Chain under the Australian government back in 2011, and continue to make epic strides in the industry.

- Eco by Sonya Driver Coconut Mint Body Wash

One of the best ways to start your day? This invigorating blend of Coconut Oil, Peppermint, Aloe Vera, and Vanilla.

Safe enough to use on the whole family including the wee ones (no synthetic ingredients, soaps or SLS here), this award-winning vegan cleanser is gentle, yet effective. 

- Eco Tan Cacao Tanning Mousse

I've tested a ton of self-tanners (being so pale, it's a must) and I've never had one like this before. This the first one featuring aloe vera. You know how good your skin feels when you slather it straight on? Expect that same nourishing experience, even though you eventually wash it off in the shower. Trust me, that pampered, soft, smooth skin isn't going anywhere.

There are two choices of level of tan:

1. One hour delivers a medium to deep shade
2. Four hours gets you dark just-come-back-from-holiday colour.

I tried the express one hour first. Directions: Apply, wait one hour, then shower to reveal a deep bronze colour. Using a self-tanning mitt, application could not have been easier. Seriously, I am so pale that any mishaps definitely show, but the thin lotion went on like a dream. As light as air, it dries quickly with the slightest tacky feel for a little bit, then evaporates - whoosh. It took mere seconds.

After an hour, I hopped in the shower. Towelling off afterwards, there was nary an orange streak on any my fluffy white towels. Well, surely the sheets would be a mess by tomorrow or the next day. That's just part of do-it-yourself temporary lotions. But not a trace. Impressive doesn't even begin to cover it.

My new sun-kissed glow makes such a difference to my toothpaste-coloured complexion and overall well-being. There's just something about a bit of "sun" that makes you look and feel better. And all without any harmful UVA/UVB rays to boot. 

Cacao Tanning Mousse also boasts the best scent EVER - warm mocha with a hint of caramel, and not the slightest bit sweet. It's almost impossible to not get a whiff of "self-tanner smell" these days, but Eco's Tan's not having any of it. Instead, enjoy the tropical warmth of cacao, coffee, blood orange, grapefruit, ginger and mandarin. You can practically feel the warm sun on your shoulders, soft sand beneath your  feet.

Now I just have to figure out a time to apply it and wait 4-6 hours for a deep tan. because going into winter with dark golden limbs? That's the stuff dreams are made of.

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Eco Tan is much more than just another skincare company. It's one of the best.

See for yourself and shop now.