Sampar Skin Quenching Mist

Pioneer of urban skincare, Sampar has an ambition: to awaken the sleeping beauty in every woman, uncovering and revealing her natural allure.

The products from this French brand are created from a combination of nanotechnology, aromatherapy and state-of-the-art ingredients to protect the skin from environmental pollutants while restoring the skin's natural barrier function.

While some mists contain only water, Sampar's version packs a punch with cornflower water, lime-blossom water, orange blossom water, lesser centaury extract, essential oil of geranium and its signature Urban Advance complex.

Listen to your instincts and let Skin Quenching Mist wrap your skin in well-being, comfort and freshness. Its barely-there texture locks in make-up and shields against outside irritants. (Source: sampar.my/)

Name: Sampar サンパー Skin Quenching Mist スキン クエンチング ミスト
Price: RM 76 for 100 ml
@cosme rating: 4.4 ★
Made in: France

This daily mist tones, soothes and purifies the complexion and it is even ideal for sensitive skin types. It emits a faint rosy scent. I adore it but I know some will associate it with the classic old lady smell. Haha!

The pale pink bottle is a better fit for my vanity instead of my purse. Its size makes it a little too stubby to tote around.

The mist allows for better absorption of subsequent skincare products while imparting moisture. It also does a pretty good job in refreshing my skin at any time of the day (no more mid-day slumps!).

Before.

After.

The spray mechanism disperses evenly without mussing my makeup. I find it hard to tell whether it helps prolong makeup wear because my makeup usually lasts the whole day with or without it.

Is it better than other facial mists? I truly enjoy the scent and the soothing sensation, however, I believe that lower priced alternatives work just as well, so I will most probably not replenish when I am done with this bottle.

Skin Quenching Mist rings in at RM 76 (100 ml) and RM 126 (200 ml), and is available at Sampar counters in Parkson Sunway Pyramid and Robinsons The Gardens.

The full ingredient list for Skin Quenching Mist:
Aqua (Water), Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Water, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Water, Tilia Cordata (Linden) Water, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Seedcake Extract, Centaurea Cyanus (Cornflower) Extract, Glycerin, Lactitol, Xylitol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, Methylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Linden Leaves Rejuvenating Dermabrasion With Organic White Tea

Rejuvenating Dermabrasion with Organic White Tea is an exfoliator containing AHA (exfoliates and reduces skin dullness), tangerine (brightens and clears the skin from congestion and spots) and organic white tea (antioxidant and promotes cell regeneration).

Alpha hydroxy acids (often referred to as AHAs) are derived from fruit and milk. They work by removing the dead topmost layer of the skin allowing newer, healthier skin cells to show. The top layer of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, is home to many minor skin imperfections e.g. age spots, skin discolourations, fine wrinkle lines, sun damage and blemishes.

A specialised skin brightening dermabrasion treatment to give you a gorgeous, youthful, glowing complexion when you really need results.

Natural AHA fruit extracts provide a gentle dermabrasion treatment to exfoliate and transform the skin, resulting in a visibly improved, smooth and glowing complexion. (Source: lindenleaves.com/)

Name: Linden Leaves Rejuvenating Dermabrasion with Organic White Tea
Price: RM 196 for 55 ml
Made in: New Zealand

This creamy, non-granular exfoliator is suitable for all skin types. While effective, be warned that it is very abrasive. It is something that should only be used once or twice a month (even though the instruction says it is safe to use every seven to fourteen days).

I massage it to cleansed skin and leave it on for two minutes. During that two minutes, I can really feel it working - the area around my mouth area tingles. It rinses easily and does not leave a residue. I follow with my usual skincare regimen afterwards.

I immediately notice the difference after each use. My skin ends up looking refreshed and bright. It really helps to unclog pores and my skin feels soft and baby smooth.

Following the procedure, it is important to use a good sunscreen and to avoid sun exposure for at least a week to avoid hyperpigmentation.

The 55 ml tube will last a long while and it is just as effective and way more economical than monthly spa visits with their astronomical price tags.

The full ingredient list for Rejuvenating Dermabrasion with Organic White Tea:
Aqua (Water/Eau), Prunus Amygdalus (Sweet Almond/Amande Douche) Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Glycolate, Glycolic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea/The Blanc) Leaf Extract**, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Essential Oils of Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm/Melisse Officinale) Citrus Reticulate (Tangerine/Mandarine), D-Limone*, Citral*, Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin.
*essential oil
**certified organic

Sampar So Much To Dew Midnight Mask

I came to know about Sampar from Maquia, my all time favourite Japanese beauty magazine. Its overall aesthetic and availability in Malaysia are reasons enough to set me off in a flurry of excitement.

If you follow my Instagram account, you would have already seen a showcase of this French brand's family portrait. Haha! The first review honour goes to So Much To Dew Midnight Mask. I must confess, it took a lot of hemming and hawing before selecting it from my enchanting array of products.

So Much to Dew Midnight Mask is a uniquely concentrated skin care that nearly perfectly mimics the skin's original hydrating film. Starting from the first night, this mask replenishes your skin, soaking it in freshness.

So Much to Dew Midnight Mask is suitable for dry skin, normal skin, combination skin, oily skin and sensitive skin. (Source: sampar.my/)

Name: Sampar サンパー So Much to Dew Midnight Mask ウルトラ モイスチュア ミッドナイトマスク
Price: RM 166 for 50 ml
Made in: France

This mask is made up from a combination of Smart Hydrating Complex to lock water within cutaneous cells, Hyaluronic Acid Capsules for in-depth hydration, Glucosamine-6 to stimulate the natural synthesis of hyaluronic acid and an Urban Advance complex (a blend of shea butter serum, probiotic sugar and mint endorphin) as an anti-pollution shield to reactivate the skin's vital functions.

It promises 31% more moisturisation within an hour, with best results if used overnight as the last step in your skincare routine. It serves as a sleeping mask and if you are familiar with Korean skincare, you would have heard of this term. Do remember to wash it off the next day.

It comes in a squeeze tube with a built-in brush for effortless application. Personally, I think this feature unnecessary and unhygienic. I don't find myself using the brush to slather the mask, instead, I squeeze a dollop onto my palm, warm it and work it onto my face with my fingers.

The creamy gel texture spreads easily and feels cooling on the skin. The olfactory stimuli from the fresh and light floral fragrance further helps to soothe, making this mask a pleasure to use.

After using it overnight for two weeks straight, my skin feels supple, looks brighter than ever (I read that lack of hydration causes skin to appear dull) and the mask has even helped to minimise the appearance of my orange peel pores.

I know you guys have marveled over my moisture level device, so here is it, putting So Much To Dew Midnight Mask to the test.

Before.

After.

Immediate plumping!

It is a lifesaver for dehydrated skins like myself and I think that it will be a fantastic addition for those needing to amp up their winter skincare regimens.

Sampar is sold at Parkson Sunway Pyramid and Robinsons The Gardens.

The full ingredient list for So Much to Dew Midnight Mask:

Disclosure: Press sample.

Sunkiller BB Perfect Strong A SPF50+ PA+++

Sunkiller BB Perfect Strong A is a tinted sunscreen with skincare benefits, hence, the inclusion of the term BB. As you well know, BB creams are multi-taskers that purportedly replace your serum, moisturiser, sunscreen, primer and foundation with one single product.

(Source: isehan.co.jp/)

Name: Sunkiller サンキラー BB Perfect Strong A BBパーフェクトストロングA
Price: RM 34.90 for 30 ml
@cosme rating: 4.3 ★
Release date: 1.2.2012

Ideal for outdoor activities, this waterproof sunscreen boasts four skincare ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Lipidure and Royal Jelly Extract.

It is a medium ochre colour and swatches very dark. Once on my face, it lightens tremendously and seems to suit my skin tone unless I am too heavy handed which leaves me with visible, telltale signs of a colour mismatch.

It has a runny watery texture so it glides easily and evenly across the skin. I find the oil control to be better than the average sunscreen (not that it claims to mattify but I like my sunscreens to tame my oilies). My T-zone begins to show some dewiness at the third hour mark. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't get any oilier than that if I decide to forgo blotting.

Coverage is minimal at best. It enhances my skin tone without concealing major issues. This sunscreen can't replace my regular foundation but on lazy days, having this on is better than nothing.

Another point in its favour is the lack of a scent. Sunkiller specifically developed a fragrance free formula when they decided an overhaul was needed (the first version was released back in 2010).

You can often find BB Perfect Strong A for 15% off at Guardian and Watsons, which is where I bought mine.

The full ingredient list:

Burberry Beauty Velvet Foundation Review, Swatches, FOTD

I received a personalised goodie bag from my makeover at Burberry Beauty a few months back and in it were a tube of Lipstick Cover in Sepia Pink and a bottle of Velvet Foundation that I am about to review.

Burberry Velvet Foundation gives the skin a soft-focus velvet finish that lasts all day.

Inspired by the iconic trench coat, its lightweight, breathable texture gives gentle protection from the natural elements.

The innovative oil-free formula uses wild rose extract to hydrate the skin and effortlessly combines long wear with extreme comfort. (Source: us.burberry.com/)

Name: Burberry Beauty バーバリー ビューティ Velvet Foundation ベルベットファンデーション Trench トレンチ No.201
Price: RM 175 for 30 ml
Release: August 2012
Made in: Italy

The shade I have is Trench 201, a light ochre. Even though it leans towards the beige side, I still see the need to dust some yellow based powder over it. My undertone is obviously too yellow for my own good.

If you are lighter than I am, Burberry might not be the place to go. I am pretty dark and I am wearing the lightest shade. Medium skin tones should fare well since there are seven other shades in the range.

It has a thick creamy consistency which leads to the components settling and separating, so always shake before use. It takes a while to dry - you can slowly blend and smooth away without worrying that it will streak. Apparently you get the best results using your fingertips or a sponge if you prefer more coverage.

Despite the thick consistency, it does not feel like I am actually wearing foundation. It dries to a matte finish without the flatness that you usually associate with matte foundations.

The coverage is medium. It evens out discolourations and light blotchiness here and there but you will need to use concealer for dark circles, blemishes, hyperpigmentation and the like.

A short two hours later, my T-zone starts to show oil breakthrough. And Burberry claims this foundation is geared towards combination and oily skin types? Hmmm... Nevertheless, it stays on the rest of my face beautifully throughout the day. It also holds up well around my mouth area which is a surprise because I am always munching on something.

Do you need this foundation? Yes and no. If you are an oil slick like me, then no, there are better foundations out there for you. But if you have normal to dry skin, I would suggest that you march straight to the counter and get yourself colour matched.

Burberry Beauty is available exclusively at Isetan KLCC. Call +603-2026 1022 for more information!

Are any of you interested in getting four sample sachets each for this foundation? The shade I have is Trench 205, which will not suit all of you but it will be helpful for you to test the texture in case you want to commit to a full sized bottle.

To win, e-mail me with the subject Burberry Velvet Foundation Trench 205 Giveaway and I will pick five winners randomly. This giveaway is open internationally and will end on January 17th 11:59 pm MST. Giveaway ended - thank you!

The full ingredient list for Velvet Foundation:

Disclosure: Gift.