Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum Light

Super Aqua-Serum Light was launched earlier this year as part of a range of solutions to moisturise skin. It transposes the cult Super Aqua-Serum into a lighter version to answer the needs of normal and combination skins in hot climates.

Name: Guerlain Super Aqua Serum Light
Price: RM 416 for 30 ml
Made in: France

Using Aquacomplex technology (a double hydrating and anti-wrinkle force), Tocopherol Acetate and Centella Asiatica Extract, Guerlain claims this serum is instrumentally proven to provide hydration and smooth wrinkles. I should point out though that I am not expecting this serum to plump lines. My over-animated face is most likely stuck with those for good!

This serum has a white liquidy milky consistency with a distinctive, rosy fragrance. It sinks in almost instantly (I have to be quick when I am spreading it in), leaving my skin soft and smooth.

With Super Aqua-Serum Light, the old adage, you get what you pay for has never been more true. One pump is more than enough to meet my needs. It locks moisture in like no other and I get by without a moisturiser (only when I am lazy which is more often that I would like) because the serum is perfectly adequate for my needs.

Before.

After.

I have quite sensitive skin, and this serum does not irritate it at all despite the myriad of unpronounceable ingredients plunked in the formulation. That said, they are doing something good as the skin around my nose area has ceased to flake. This has never happened with other hydrating serums!

The precious serum sits a uniquely shaped cerulean blue coloured glass bottle, and comes with a pump dispenser.

Good as this serum may be, it vexes me to admit that paying a fortune for it is making me think twice thrice about repurchasing.

The full ingredient list for Super Aqua Serum Light:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Isostearyl Isostearate, Dimethicone, Steareth-2, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-21, Phospholipids, Polyacrylamide, Tocopherol Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Behenyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Tromethamine, Dimethiconol, Hydrolyzed Millet, Xylose, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Alcaligenes Polysaccharides, Laureth-7, Viola Tricolor Extract, Citronellol, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, BHT, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Etude House Lash Perm All Shockcara

Etude House claims that Lash Perm All Shockcara provides
☑ Shocking volume
☑ Shocking curls
☑ Shocking long lashes
☑ Shocking waterproof

Lets see how I fared!

Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Lash Perm All Shockcara 래쉬펌 올 쇼크 카라
Price: ₩ 11,000 for 10 g
Made in: Korea

In contrast to the stubby tube, the Pink Tornado brush is slim and made of plastic with lots of tapered spikes. It distributes the formula easily, leaving lashes separated. The formula is on the wet thus heavy side, which results in drooping curls - so that is one claim down.

Lash Perm All Shockcara gives a clean albeit underwhelming finish with a single coat that tragically mutates to a spidery effect when piled with multiple coats. As you can see, it defines and volumises my lashes. It does lengthen slightly, but the outcome is nothing to brag about.

Without:

With:

To exacerbate matters, it transfers under my eyes... the combination of heat, humidity and oily lids is just too much for this poor mascara to handle.

In addition, it slides off easily during a shower. The upside? I don't even need to break out a separate eye makeup remover. The downside? Water loosening this mascara's adhesion to the lashes means that it does not live up to its claim of being waterproof.

It is a shame that the formulation and I have a disastrous chemistry, I really wanted to love this mascara. Do you own Lash Perm All Shockcara? Let me know how you get on!

The full ingredient list for Lash Perm All Shockcara:
Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Beeswax, Copernica Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-15 Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Silica, Ethanol, Polysorbate 20, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Octylacrylamide/Acrylates/Butylaminoethyl Methacrylate Copolymer, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Tromethamine, Sodium Metaphosphate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Laureth-12 Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Dehydroacetate.

(Source: Promotional images are from facebook.com/etude.gl)

Disclosure: Pink Bird sample.

Etude House Bling In The Sea Review: Proof 10 Bling Eye Stick, Cheek Designing Brightener, Sparkling Nails

I thought I would cram the entirety of the Bling in the Sea collection in one post instead of feeding you individual snippets over the next couple of weeks. It would do me good to be more economical with my words plus I get to unleash my opinion to the world while these items are still sizzling hot. Haha!

I think I covered all bases here - eye, cheek and nail.

ღ Proof 10 Bling Eye Stick

GR701 - OR201

Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Bling in the Sea 블링인더씨 Proof 10 Bling Eye Stick 프루프10 반짝 아이 스틱
Price: ₩ 7,000 for 1.3 g
Made in: Korea

GR701 Ocean Glow 일렁이는바다빛 (pale emerald green) and OR201 Mysterious Coral 신비로운산호빛 (apricot) look really striking but are woefully inadequate to brighten the undereye area on their own. They lack the creamy, buttery application that their appearance suggest and must be layered (many times) in order to show up.

GR701 - OR201

Because of their size, they fail in the precision department. They also faded a bit after a full day of wear. These pencils have a twist-up mechanism (zero waste) and come in five shades:

ღ Cheek Designing Brightener

Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Bling in the Sea 블링인더씨 Cheek Designing Brightener 치크선 브라이트너 #01 Pink Beam 핑크빔
Price: ₩ 7,500 for 4 g
Made in: Korea

01 Pink Beam is an iridescent pale pink with a pearlescent sheen. It is labelled as a blush but this shade is just too light to show up on most. Nonetheless, you can use it to add dimension to the apples of your cheeks or on top of your blush for extra radiance.

There are two colours in total:

ღ Sparkling Nails

Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Bling in the Sea 블링인더씨 Sparkling Nails 스파클링 네일즈 BPK001 Magic Kiss 마법의키스
Price: ₩ 2,500 for 7 ml
Made in: Korea

BPK001 is loaded with fuchsia and pink hexagons as well as small gold bits. It is one of those polishes that you have to have. Not only does it it attracts the eye, it flatters every skintone, looks good after three thin coats and stays chip-free for a few days. There is no way one can go wrong with glitter polishes!

If pink is not your cup of tea, there are plenty more shades where that came from:

(Source: Promotional images are from etude.co.kr/)

Disclosure: Pink Bird samples.

Kose Infinity Deep Protection UV SPF50+ PA++++

A collaborative effort between a local beauty subscription service and Kosé yielded products from Infinity (you know I love my Japanese brands). There are six samples: Pure Advance Oil Cleansing Gel, Pure Advance Clear Up Wash, Pure Advance Essence Lotion II, Pure Advance Serum II, Pure Advance Eye Jelly and Deep Protection UV.

Naturally, I am reviewing the item that is perfect for this weather - Deep Protection UV!

Name: Kosé コーセー Infinity インフィニティ Deep Protection UV ディーププロテクション UV SPF50+ PA++++
Price: RM 118 for 30 g
@cosme rating: 5.3 ★
Release date: 1.3.2013

Kosé say that this sunscreen guards the skin with the highest SPF/PA protection and also acts as a makeup base. In terms of consistency and texture, it feels like a typical sunscreen - it is rich, creamy and fortunately, blends fairly easily without leaving a white cast.

I have come across fragranced sunscreen but none managed to mask the sunscreen smell well and Deep Protection UV is no exception. It smells like any regular sunscreen but 10× better if that makes sense? Haha!

The moisturising and dewy effects soften the appearance of fine lines and add radiance. I am on a light-reflecting product kick lately and if it was not for this box, I would not have one more to add to my collection.

If you have problem-free skin, I would highly suggest you try Deep Protection UV out! Getting to show off a beautiful glow = 100% satisfaction.

Guerlain Blanc De Perle Whitening Lotion

I am going to flood you with skincare product reviews over the coming months. They may take a while (a girl only has one face and so many products to test hahaha) but I will wade my way through. And while I am on that subject, here is one and it is the Blanc de Perle Whitening Lotion.

The description:
Supremely fresh, the Lotion tones and moisturises the skin while effectively treating dark spots. Enriched with active anti-ageing detoxifying ingredients, it prevents damage caused by free radicals and protects the skin's youthfulness. It leaves the skin feeling silky soft, even and luminous. Apply the lotion morning and evening, dabbing lightly, then dry the skin gently with a cloth.

Name: Guerlain ゲラン Blanc de Perle ペルル ブラン Whitening Lotion ホワイトニング ローション
Price: RM 195 for 200 ml
@cosme rating: 4.7 ★
Made in: France

Firstly, the presentation - a classy white bottle topped with a gold textured cap. It opens to reveal a pump with a handy twist lock mechanism. I have only seen it employed in base makeup, never toners or in this case, lotions. The bottle is so beautiful that instead of tossing it into the recycling bin, I will most likely display it on my vanity next to my prettier perfumes.

The lotion yields a white lily aroma; just like Smoothing UV Base, only more potent. It is really nice (and dare I say luxurious?) but it might be too overpowering for those with sensitive noses. To each his own!

A single pump brings forth the amount shown in the photograph. A minimum of four pumps is needed to saturate a cotton pad.

I usually douse my cotton pads in lotion like there is no tomorrow without a single thought of it being wasteful running through my brain. Well, I have finally grasped the meaning of frugality once this lotion came into my life. To make the amount given stretch, I use my fingers to pat it in.

My face did not miraculously brighten after using Whitening Lotion day and night for the past seven weeks. It also did not improve skin clarity nor did it give me beautifully clear and translucent skin. It pains me to admit that it not transforming my face almost made me bawl. On the other hand, at least my wallet won't have to howl? How things even out...

There is no denying the 4.7 ★ rating on cosme.net though (and we all know how high a standard the Japanese holds their brightening skincare products to), so it might be me and my hard to please skin being difficult.

The Guerlain counters located at Parkson Pavilion, Parkson KLCC, Isetan KLCC, Isetan The Gardens and Sogo will aid you if you decide to rub the knowledge that this lotion works wonderfully on you in my face.

The full ingredient list for Blanc de Perle Whitening Lotion:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Polyglycerin-3, Alcohol, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-8, Sodium Citrate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Tetrasodium EDTA, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Carboxymethyl Dextran, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Citric Acid, Magnesium Aspartate, Faex (Yeast Extract), Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Ethylhexylglycerin, BHT, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract.

Disclosure: Press sample.