AMPM Vitamin A Pore Refining Mask

One weekend, klutzy me almost collided with a fellow shopper. I got a good glimpse of her (flawless) complexion (with nary a pore) in the 5 seconds we gaped at each other. Vitamin A Pore Refining Mask was immediately purchased succeeding this incident...

Naruko says:
Vitamin A Pore Refining Mask is a white creamy clay mask which contains essential nutrients and small round PE particles to help improve your skin's metabolism and dullness. It instantly gives you the baby-soft skin that you've always dreamed of.

(Source: naruko.sg/)

Name: AMPM Vitamin A Pore Refining Mask 維他命A毛孔緊提面膜
Price: NT$ 469 for 60 g
UrCosme rating: 5.1 ★
Made in: Taiwan

This mask expires within six months due to the lack of preservatives. It is recommended that you use this mask twice a week or thrice if your skin needs the extra attention.

The mask goes on creamy and grainy. To my recollection, the texture resembled a product that I featured in the past: b.liv by cellnique Glow and Shine. They are both masks with exfoliating bits but their functions could not be more different!

I noticed immediate results after rinsing off. Besides looking brighter, my skin also feels smoother and cleaner. On the downside, it is only a temporary measure to inhibit the appearance of pores. I have finished my tube and they are as prominent as ever.

It is one of those rare duds from Naruko and luckily it does not cost a fortune at NT$ 469 a piece.

The full ingredient list for Vitamin A Pore Refining Mask:
Water, Isononyl Isononanoate, Propanediol, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Hectorite, Lactic Acid, Cordyceps Sinesis Extract, Trametes Versicolor (Mushroom) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Sodium Lactate, Titanium Dioxide, TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Laminaria Ochroleuca Extract, Urea, Panthenol, Potassium Hydroxide, Polyethylene, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinol, Polysorbate 20, Mandelic Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus), Marjoram (Origanum Marjorana), Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris), Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea), Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis), Ho Wood (Cinnamomum Camphora).

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate is a potent 99.8% naturally-derived and paraben-free botanical elixir that works all night to regenerate, repair and replenish the skin barrier while you sleep. The rich blend of naturally replenishing botanical oils including squalane, evening primrose, and a blend of essential oils known for their therapeutic, balancing, and antioxidant effects, works with the skin's natural nocturnal activity to dramatically restore skin by morning. (Source: youtube.com/user/KiehlsNYC)

What better way to get acquainted with a brand than with its star product?

Name: Kiehl's 키엘 Midnight Recovery Concentrate 미드나잇 리커버리 컨센트레이트
Price: RM 220 for 30 ml
Made in: USA

This push-button dropper glass bottle feels and looks very clinical, nonetheless, it is something that I am happy to display on my vanity.

Upon twisting the bottle open, my olfactory receptors are greeted with a heady combination of lavender and rose. Despite this unusual marriage, the aroma still manages to entice!

I wear it at night after my usual serum. I dot three drops all over my face and then pat it in with my palms. Thanks to the light base oil - Jojoba Seed Oil - it does not feel heavy even though it takes its own sweet time to sink into my skin.

Its effects are nothing short of miraculous: soft, supple and nourished skin. I can't deny being leery of facial oils at first (do I really want to slather oil on my oily mug?) but trialling this product made me realise that facial oils are popular for a good reason. And... I want more! Any recommendations?

Midnight Recovery Concentrate is available at all Kiehl's boutiques in Malaysia: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Suria KLCC, Mid Valley Megamall, Bangsar Shopping Center, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Empire Shopping Gallery, Sunway Pyramid, Komtar JBCC, Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall, The Spring Shopping Mall Kuching and 1Borneo Hypermall.

The full ingredient list for Midnight Recovery Concentrate:
Caprilic/Capric Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Squalane, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil/Evening Primrose Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Oil/Jojoba Seed Oil, Coriandrum Sativum Oil/Coriander Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Linalool, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil/Rosemary Leaf Oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Lavendula Hybrida Oil, Cucumis Sativus Extract/Cucumber Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Extract/Tumeric Root Extract, Limonene, Citral, Sclareolide, Rosa Spp/Rose Flower Oil, Jasminum Officinale Extract/Jasmine Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seel Oil/Sunflower Seed Oil, Fmla 685449/18 Code F.I.L.:D39273/5.

Hada Labo Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash

Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash rounds up the Face Wash range introduced by Hada Labo sometime last year. The gentle formula is specifically designed for individuals with skin sensitivities and comes without fragrance, alcohol, colourant and mineral oil.

Name: Hada Labo Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash
Price: RM 20.90 for 100 g
Made in: China

The ingredient list is pretty clean (well, at least in my books). We can all do with a sulphate-free cleanser, and I am sure that some of you would be comforted to note the absence of parabens.

Despite not having sulphates, it foams well thanks to the presence of Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate and Sodium Cocoamphoacetate (just to name a few of the surfactants). Licorice Extract, Calendula Extract and Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract are the star of the show for they are the ones that do the heavy duty job aka minimise the risk of allergies and skin irritation.

Not only does it sweep impurities away, it also conditions the skin, leaving it soft and moisturised. Yes, we are looking at a foaming cleanser that is kind to the skin! It has got to be a first? Haha! Hada Labo never fails to deliver when it counts.

No fancy frills with this but it still works brilliantly. Better yet, at RM 20.90, it is easy on the wallet! If you are interested in any of Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash's sisters, I have ranked them for ease of reference. You can find the unabridged version here.
#1 Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash
#2 Hydra & Whitening Face Wash
#3 Deep Clean & Pore Refining Face Wash
#4 Deep Clean & Blemish Control Face Wash

What have you been loving and hating lately?

The full ingredient list for Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash:
Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate/Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate/Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine/Water, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer/Water, Citric Acid, Acrylates Copolymer/Water, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid/Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Disodium EDTA, Methylisothiazolinone/Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate/Water, PEG-14M, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Water/Propylene Glycol/Calendula Officinalis Extract/Glucose, Water/Butylene Glycol/Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner

I am certain that the Hatomugi Skin Conditioner will be used up within a month. I have been very generous with it... practically smothered myself in this stuff. How could I not when it is made in Japan, the land of high-quality production?

Name: Naturie ナチュリエ Hatomugi ハトムギ化粧水 Skin Conditioner スキンコンディショナー
Price: RM 29 for 500 ml
@cosme rating: 4.6 ★
Made in: Japan

You have a couple of options on how to apply this: fingers, cotton pads and also sheet masks. My favourite is slapping on four to five sheets of cotton pads saturated in this lotion for 10 minutes. It provides immediate hydration and also cools down the skin (a beneficial by-effect in this hot weather).

The formula contains alcohol but it is enriched with Job's Tears Seed Extract that stops it from drying out my skin. In fact, the alcohol content helps the lotion sink in quickly - chief consideration in rating a product's compatibility with my skin - without leaving a sticky film.

Hatomugi (Japanese for Job's Tears) is popular as a traditional herb for maladies of the stomach, spleen, lungs and the large intestine. For the skin, it normalises the cell turn-over cycle and also aids the production of Hyaluronic Acid, keeping skin smooth and nourished.

The amount of product you get for the price is incredible - a whopping 500 ml for merely RM 29. You can't get a better deal than this! I was given my bottle but there is no question about it, it is a 100% repurchase. If you don't have it, you need it. Grab one when you pay SaSa a visit!

The full ingredient list for Hatomugi Skin Conditioner:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Coix Lacryma-Jobi (Job's Tears) Seed Extract, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Disclosure: Press sample.

Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum

(Source: clarins.com.my/)

Name: Clarins 클라란스 White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum 화이트 플러스 인텐시브 브라이트닝 세럼
Price: RM 295 for 30 ml
Made in: France

You know those products that take only one evening of use to work its magic on your skin? White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum is one of them.

This serum has a liquidified gel consistency. It leaves a sticky film that takes a good two minutes (at the very least) to absorb completely, which debunks the instantly blends and dissolves claim.

For reasons unknown, this serum leaves my face extra bouncy. Hydrated and firmer skin is always a bonus! I can't say the brightening aspect is worth shouting about, for I did not note a difference in skin luminosity. The whole purpose of this serum is defeated because it gives off more hydrating benefits (in this case, brightening is more of an afterthought?). Nonetheless, I am loving it a whole lot - the hydrating serums in my arsenal don't work half as well.

All those praises sung upon the scent of Clarins's products? They are right on the mark. It is heavily fragranced but it manages straddle that fine line without going into overbearing territory. To you however, it could be too much, so do give it a good sniff at the counter first.

Will you give this serum a look?

The full ingredient list for White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum:
Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tromethamine, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Glycol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernal Extract, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Biotin, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Spergularia Rubra Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Xylitol, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract.