Evolu Balancing Day Cream

Updated on May 1, 2014.

The creation of Evolu stems from the founder's - Kati Kasza - conviction in the power of botanicals to nourish and restore balance to the skin's natural mechanisms.

Kasza is in the opinion that an effective skincare needs an ethical approach, by selective sourcing of safe ingredients, using recyclable packaging and investing in sustainable practices. This philosophy also helps keep the Evolu line free from parabens, petrochemicals, minerals, phthalates, sulphates, artificial colours or fragrances, and no animal ingredients other than beeswax.

This little gem in the form of Balancing Day Cream came by earlier on this month and I am totally in love with it.

Product description:
With an optimal blend of moisture and nutrients this gentle formula helps regulate normal hydration and control the swing from dryness to oily sheen that typifies combination skin. Key botanical actives include Blackcurrant and Kiwifruit Seed Oil, rich in essential fatty acids, which work with moisture-binding Meadowfoam and Shea Butter to complement your skin's natural mechanisms, keeping it hydrated, healthy and radiant.

Name: Evolu Balancing Day Cream
Price: RM 232 for 75 ml
Made in: New Zealand

Balancing Day Cream feels super light has the consistency of a cream with the translucency of skimmed milk. It delivers a soft and velvety smooth finish to the parts of my face that are free from ravaging (monthly hormonal cycles can be brutal!).

Even though it is touted to balance skin's natural moisture levels, my T-zone is still susceptible to shine after a few hours in this terrible climatic condition.

Additionally, it tautens my face once the cream completely sinks in (and this happens every single time I use the moisturiser). This whole experience just baffles me. Let me know what your thoughts are regarding this matter?

These days my skin ceases getting taut when I slather this cream (guzzles it down really) - proof that time changes everything. My T-zone does not produce as much oil now that it is able to reap all of the benefits that this moisturiser has to offer. I am guessing persistence is the key? I kept coming back to Balancing Day Cream because I knew I was onto something amazing and it paid off!

Without - With

It is lightly fragranced, and the scent is familiar yet foreign at the same time. Are you confused yet? Haha. I know that I have sniffed it somewhere so I am miffed for not being able to pinpoint it.

It may have a day cream stamp on it but I do not see why you can't use it at night - unless you prefer something that is more emollient or contain active ingredients such as retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids that are highly susceptible to sunlight.

If you study your ingredients lists and are thinking about transitioning to greener (see the pun?) pastures, Evolu is the brand for you. You can pick up Balancing Day Cream at TheSkintopic outlets located at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Hartamas Shopping Centre, The Curve, Avenue K and Subang Parade.

The full ingredient list for Balancing Day Cream:
Aqua, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sweet Almond (Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Wheatgerm (Triticum Vulgare) Oil, Xanthan Gum, Blackcurrant (Ribes Nigrum) Seed Oil, Meadowfoam (Limnanthes Alba) Oil, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Dehydroacetic Acid (And) Benzyl Alcohol, Kiwifruit (Actinidia Chinensis) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Lemon (Citrus Limon) Oil, Sweet Orange (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis) Oil, Rosewood (Aniba Rosaedora) Oil, Olibanum (Boswellia Serrata) Oil, Clary Sage (Sativa Sclarea) Oil.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup SPF15

I jumped onboard the second I read Giorgio Armani's description of the Maestro Fusion Makeup foundation. Perfects the complexion?! Ignites skin's natural luminosity?!

(Source: giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com/)

Name: Giorgio Armani 조르지오 아르마니 Maestro Fusion Makeup 마에스트로 퓨전 메이크업 SPF15
Price: HK$ 630 for 30 ml
@cosme rating: 5.5 ★
Made in: France

The texture is so silky, it is almost like smoothing dry oil to the skin. It feels practically undetectable once blended and this powerhouse camouflages uneven skintone and cancels redness while giving a light, natural coverage.

Sans concealer

It is best combined with a concealer for a flawless finish. I had no problems with it, for it did not cling to dry patches, nor vanish from my skin after wearing it for 8 hours.

The sheer formulation has one added benefit - the colours are slightly more forgiving and you can buy it sight unseen! Not that I would recommend doing it though because of the steep price tag. If possible, get a sample before you plonk down all that cash.

Shade 4

For those who have tried this foundation, what are your thoughts?

The full ingredient list for Maestro Fusion Makeup:
Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Alcohol Denat., Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acrylates/Polytrimethylsiloxymethacrylate Copolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Fragrance, Nelumbium Speciosumflower Extract, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Linalool, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Water, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Aluminum Hydroxide, Hexyl Cinnamal. +/- May contain CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides.

Innisfree Color Glow Lipstick 4 Moist Cherry Red

What better way to welcome the arrival of warmer months (it is already spring in the makeup world!) than a red lipstick?

Name: Innisfree 이니스프리 Color Glow Lipstick 컬러 글로우 립스틱 4 Moist Cherry Red 물 머금은 앵두 레드
Price: ₩ 12,000 for 3.5 g
Made in: Korea

At first, I thought that it would be a lipstick that I would whip out during special occasions (cherry red can be daunting) but it has ended up in my handbag. An amazing feat considering the amount of criteria it needs to fulfill before it gets to be my everyday lipstick.

Even though it is quite bright, I do not feel like it is too much. The gorgeous glossy finish does not impart intimidating vibes plus it gives an illusion of less saturation.

It is pretty pigmented for such a moisturising formula. I can get a couple of hours wear as long as I do not go near food or drinks.

(Source: innisfree.co.kr/)

Mine was purchased from innisfreeworld.com for US$ 14. Also, I will neither confirm nor deny that I am adding the other colours to my cart...

The full ingredient list for Color Glow Lipstick:
Squalane, Paraffin, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Astrocaryummurumuru Seed Butter, Phenyl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenatedcastor Oil Isostearate, Acrylates/Stearyl Acrylate/Dimethicone Methacrylate Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactonecrosspolymer, Glycerin, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Synthetic Wax, Sucrose Tetrastearatetriacetate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethylhexanoin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ozokerite, Polyethylene, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil Fragrance, [+/- Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Yellow 10 Lake (CI 47005), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491), Mica].

Senka Moisturizing Cream Lotion Refreshing (S)

The surveys made by Intage SRI* and Shiseido** helped Shiseido to narrow down the needs of the modern consumer: a simple moisturising skincare regimen at a moderate price. This lead to the inception of Moisturizing Cream Lotion in the third quarter of 2010.

(Source: group.shiseido.com/)

Senka (a masstige brand under the Shiseido umbrella) Moisturizing Cream Lotion is a lotion made from moisturising cream. It is formulated with Royal Jelly GL*** and W Hyaluronic Acid**** and is free from fragrance and colour.

It comes in two variations, Refreshing (S) and Dewy (R). I went with Refreshing simply because it has a higher rating on @cosme.

Name: Senka 専科 Moisturizing Cream Lotion (Refreshing) 保湿クリームからつくった化粧水(さっぱり)
Price: RM 39.90 for 200 ml
@cosme rating: 4.3 ★
Made in: Japan

The texture of this lotion is like a liquefied konnyaku jelly, if that makes sense. I have never seen any other lotions with this consistency.

You can pat the lotion with your fingers or swipe it onto your face with a cotton pad. Either way, the lotion will not leave a sticky film. Generally, I find five drops sufficient to do the trick.

This lotion alleviates tightness after cleansing and makes my face feel supple and plump. I think that it is one of the best moisturising lotions that I ever had the pleasure of using.

Before.

After.

A reviewer on @cosme gave me the idea to decant some into an atomiser as she found it to work well as a facial mist. I tried it myself but the dense texture makes it impossible to get an even and fine mist. In order to make it work, you better have a heavy duty spray mechanism lying around waiting to be used or are keen on big squirts.

Moisturizing Cream Lotion retails for RM 39.90 and is available at Watsons outlets nationwide. Did you buy any lotions recently? Please share your new found love with me!

The full ingredient list for Moisturizing Cream Lotion (Refreshing):
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, PEG/PPG-14/7, Dimethyl Ether, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Aminomethyl Propanediol, PEG-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Royal Jelly Extract, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.

------------
* Value base of low-end self-selection skin lotion market scale (¥ 0 - ¥ 1,000) from April 2009 to March 2010
** Implemented in July and November 2009, targeting users 15 - 69 years old
*** Royal Jelly Extract and Glycerin
**** Sodium Acetylhyaluronate and Sodium Hyaluronate

Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System

The pictures are going to do the talking today. And who needs words when they can ogle at pictorial proof?

See how clean my face is?

Not too shabby (if you ignore the Rudolph nose and hyperpigmentation peppering my face)

Besides doing a fantastic job at cleansing, the Olay Regenerist Advanced Cleansing System also enables better penetration of skincare products plus the gentle massaging action seems to increase facial firmness.

There is no reason not to get it. Well, except for the price... it is a little bit on the costly side at RM 129.90 (where you will receive a facial cleansing device, a brush head, a 20 ml cleanser and two AA batteries) but think of all the benefits that you would reap in the long run!

Disclosure: Press sample.

Etude House Princess Etoinette Crystal Shine Lips PBE102, PRD302 & PPK005

We have made it to 2014 – may it bring you plenty of joy and laughter!

Now that is out of the way let's move on to some serious business - lipsticks, courtesy of Etude House.

Name: Etude House 에뛰드하우스 Princess Etoinette 프린세스 에튀아네뜨 Crystal Shine Lips 크리스탈 샤인 립스
Price: ₩ 13,000 for 3.4 g
Made in: Korea

I usually prefer my lipstick packaging to have a little bit of heft (it feels more luxurious) but can you blame me for not caring this time around? Just look at this tube!

There are three shades in this collection. Etude House usually furnishes swatches, and I am including them seeing that they provide a different perspective due to the difference in undertones.

PBE102 A Moon Flower Under the Starlight 별빛 아래 문 플라워 is a mellow apricot.

PRD302 A Sip of Bordeaux Wine 보르도 와인 한 모금 is a crimson red.

PPK005 A Noble Peony of Versailles 고귀한 베르사유 피오니 is a french fuchsia.

All three lipsticks glide smoothly on the lips (without the help of a lipbalm) and look gorgeous on. The colour payoff is sheer, but totally buildable, while remaining lightweight.

PBE102 - PRD302 - PPK005

The staying power is pretty good considering the glossy finish. They definitely need reapplying after snacking etc though. The rose scent is a delight and a refreshing change from apricot, which was the trend among the previous releases.

Crystal Shine Lips has the makings of a great lipstick, and for that, it secures a spot in the top ranks of my most loved Etude House lip products.

Part ① | Part ②

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

Disclosure: Pink Bird samples.