Mentholatum Botanics Face Mask And Face Washes

Inspired by the goodness of nature sealed inside Mother Earth, Mentholatum has launched a facial care series called the Botanics, which consists of a series of face masks and face washes. Botanics uses the finest ingredients with the highest quality natural herbal essences to produce exceptional results at affordable prices.

Aloe Vera Hydrating Facial Mask (RM 6.90 for 22 ml) is good to have around for pamper sessions. It is formulated with Aloe Vera and Narcissus Extracts to hydrate and soothe the skin. The mask itself is thin (I had to mention it because some brands have this thick, stifling fabric) with an essence that sinks in quickly (another pet peeve of mine is masks that leave a greasy film!).

In the mornings I can be a little tight on time, so Whitening Foam Wash (RM 25.90 for 160 ml) is my go-to for it turns from liquid to foam with a quick pump. While it says whitening on the bottle, it is actually a double-action cleanser for all skin types that brightens while providing moisture due to the addition of Aloe and Narcissus Extracts.

If I am having a particularly spotty day I will use the Deep Cleansing Face Wash (RM 14.90 for 100 g). I wouldn't recommend using it too many consecutive days as it can be quite drying, but it really does a marvelous job at calming angry zits. Must be all that Ylang-Ylang and Tea Tree Extracts coming out to play!

Moisturising and Brightening Face Wash (RM 21.90 for 150 ml) comes out as quite a thin white liquid and lathers beautifully without the help of sulphates, leaving my skin clean and fresh. Ideal for all skin types, this cleanser contains Rosehip Oil and Pearl Extract to brighten, tone and improve skin's luminosity.

Ever since I got them, I have completely forsaken all of my other cleansers (believe me, I have a lot lined up on the shelf) and am enjoying using them day and night! Please excuse me while I sit at my desk for the next five minutes breathing in the aroma of these wonderful products!

Want? Walk into a Guardian store or buy them online on online.guardian.com.my!

Disclosure: Press samples.

The Face Inc Eye Lift

Created by chemists and dermatologists, The Face Inc's Eye Lift advanced formula works using Glycine Soja to smoothen and tighten skin, Perfeline to reduce dark circles and puffiness and Vitamin C to soften fine lines and wrinkles. The other key ingredients here are various potent peptides, which are used to improve skin hydration and boost elasticity.

Name: The Face Inc Eye Lift
Price: RM 358 for 1 box (1 ml ×16)
Made in: France

The blurb says that it will instantly lift the under eye area within 30 seconds. And diminish dark circles within 30 days. The first claim I can vouch for; the second, not so much - I haven't been consistent with it and the longest period of uninterrupted use was a little over two weeks.

Why? I didn't want to pack them along with me for my trip just in case the baggage handlers get too hurl happy... or maybe I would decide to sit on my suitcase because the seats are all taken? The possibilities! Y'know what, despite running into some random issues (totally my fault!), I am pleased to report that my first impressions were very, very positive.

It is easy to blend and feels weightless on the skin. It doesn't smell of anything funky - in fact, it doesn't have much of a scent at all! Immediately after, my undereye area looks - I suppose the appropriate word would be – revitalised. As if I have gotten the non-surgical syringe-free equivalent of a filler.

Before - After

What manner of sorcery is this?! The photographs are pretty epic, right? And no, no Photoshop trickery was involved. Not that I retouch the other images on the blog, by the way, seeing as I don't own the software in the first place.

A little over a month in, and my fine lines, while still present, aren't as etched-in as before. Maybe by 10% or so? I don't know if the Eye Lift will completely eradicate my lines in the long run but I sure have high hopes it will!

My only gripe with this amazing product is the price – a sock-knocking RM 358. Crikey! If the price doesn't put you off, be sure to check it out at thefaceinc.com and selected SaSa stores. Now, if only they come out with a version for the entire face...

The full ingredient list for Eye Lift:
Water, Propylene Glycol, Butylone Glycol, Glycine Soja Protein, Fomes Officinalis Extract, Carnitine, Caffeine, Ruscus Aculeatus Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Apium Graveolens Extract, Collagen, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid.

Disclosure: Press sample.

9wishes Vanishing Balm (VB Cream)

Vanishing Balm earned the nickname celebrity cream and also Gangnam cream on some channels. It is formulated with vitamins B3, B5, C and E, and free from all sorts of nasties such as alcohol, parabens, artificial colouring, mineral oil, artificial flavouring, sulphate, triclosan, formaldehyde and BHT.

Name: 9wishes 나인위시스 Vanishing Balm 베니싱 밤 (VB크림)
Price: ₩ 39,000 for 50 ml
Made in: Korea

The cream is dispensed through a pump nozzle and has an opaque white appearance. The fluid formula glides on effortlessly and literally feels like a serum. Be careful not to squirt out too much because a little goes a long way. It leaves my skin looking and feeling velvety smooth.

While it is not designed to be a moisturiser - it does have some moisturising properties thanks to various plant extracts - I am able to use it in place of a moisturiser and my skin has yet to kick up a fuss. Korean makeup artists advocate the use of CC creams straight over toners/lotions during summer and I applied that concept to this cream. Do bear in mind that it might not be rich enough for dry skin or if you live in a different climate.

The instant brightening effect - somewhat like the sunscreen phenomenon - counteracts sallow undertones beautifully. To even things out, I extend the application to my neck for a better colour match. This product also contains Niacinamide, Arbutin and Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate where continuous and consistent application will hopefully result in an improved skin tone.

Without - With

Vanishing Balm is an indulgence because it serves no other purpose besides brightening and moisturising (provides close to zero coverage and zero oil control). You can read more about it on the brand's website 9wishes.co.kr.

The full ingredient list for Vanishing Balm:
Water, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Arbutin, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Broussonetia Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Callus Culture Extract, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Lecithin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Ascorbic Acid, Phtyosqualane, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.

Mentholatum Sugar Lip By Water Colour

Slick your pout with Mentholatum's all new Sugar Lip Lipbalm for a flattering hint of colour that won't stick to your hair. Available in four soft shades of pink - 01 Vintage Pink, 02 Dancing Pink, 03 Kissy Pink and 04 Rock n Pink - it promises to nourish and minimise lines.

Name: Mentholatum Sugar Lip By Water Colour
Price: RM 15.80 for 3 g
Made in: China

I turn to these balms on days when my lips are chapped and every other product I own would catch on flakes. The unique Brown Sugar recipe is rounded off with Super Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide and MaxiLip™ to seal in moisture and keep lips feeling hydrated.

I have two out of four... 01 Vintage Pink and 03 Kissy Pink. 01 is a muted brick red whereas 03 is a bright, bubbly pink. My description doesn't match the bullets right? Trust my swatches at least, haha! Although the shades may not be pigmented, they are just about enough to give the kiss of life.

01 - 03

I can't stop myself reapplying them throughout the day. There is something about brand new products that makes me reach for them over and over again. Are you the same or is it just me? The packaging is really nice too - a sleek black metal tube that won't look out of place on a department store counter or in my makeup pouch.

01 - 03

You can pick these up from all leading pharmacies and major supermarkets for RM 15.80.

The full ingredient list for Sugar Lip By Water Colour 01 Vintage Pink:
Octyldodecanol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyethylene, Ozokerite, Mica/Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)/Methicone/Dimethicone, Ceresin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Mica/Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)/Carmine, Hydroxypropyl Bisisostearamide MEA, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Phytosteryl Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol/Caprylyl Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Sodium Hyaluronate/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil/Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850:1), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucralose, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Water, Ethylhexyl Palmitate/Tribehenin/Sorbitan Isostearate/Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate.

The full ingredient list for Sugar Lip By Water Colour 03 Kissy Pink:
Octyldodecanol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Petrolatum, Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil Dimer Dilinoleate, Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Polyethylene, Ozokerite, Ceresin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Hydroxypropyl Bisisostearamide MEA, Phytosteryl Oleate, 1,2-Hexanediol/Caprylyl Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate/Tin Oxide/Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850:2), Sodium Hyaluronate/Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil/Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sucralose, Red 7 Lake, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate/Tribehenin/Sorbitan Isostearate/Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Water, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sucrose, Saccharide Isomerate.

Disclosure: Press samples.

Neesya Lumi Brightening Gel Cleanser

Name: Neesya Lumi°® Brightening Gel Cleanser
Price: RM 30.74 for 100 ml
Made in: Malaysia

Cleansers stay on the skin for so little time, so it wouldn't really matter whether it contains all the right stuff. But I suppose it is better to have them in there than not, and the Lumi°® Brightening Gel Cleanser has all sorts of delights such as Silver Vine Extract and Alpha-Melight™ to brighten, and extract of Hamamelis, Aloe and Vitamin B5 to hydrate and soften skin.

This gel cleanser promises to dissolve skin-dulling surface impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture. My skin is on the dehydrated side and this made it comfortable where a few other cleansers left things a little taut. It doesn't lather much (an understatement!), which will leave people used to foaming cleansers frothing at the mouth.

The one thing that Neesya could improve on is to lose the Sodium Laureth Sulphate content. I am against the use of SLS and any of its cousins but I know some of you wouldn't care less about it, so I am voicing it out here just in case you would like to avoid this ingredient too.

Find it at the Subang Parade, The Mines, Sunway Putra Mall and AEON Wangsa Maju Neesya outlets or at selected Watsons stores for RM 30.74!

The full ingredient list for Lumi°® Brightening Gel Cleanser:
Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Acrylates, C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C12-15 Pareth-12, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Xanthan Gum, Tetrasodium EDTA, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Propylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/Opal/Mother of Pearl/Turquoise/Diamond Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Bisabolol, Actinidia Polygama Fruit Extract, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

Disclosure: Press sample.