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!

Heroine Make Long and Curl Mascara (Super Waterproof Black)

Ingredients

Promises