Kose Sekkisei Herbal Gel

Dubbed the 'wonder gel', the all new Kosé Sekkisei Herbal Gel is a multifunctional gel that combines six benefits in one jar, making it the perfect companion for people who are always on-the-go:

① Hydrating
② Radiance boosting
③ Smoothening
④ Anti-inflammatory
⑤ Suppleness enhancing
⑥ Ultra nourishing

Name: Kosé コーセー Sekkisei Herbal Gel 雪肌精 ハーバル ジェル
Price: RM 130 for 80 g
@cosme rating: 4.2 ★
Release date: 2.3.2016
Made in: Japan

On top of Sekkisei's proprietary trio oriental plant extracts - Angelica, Melothria and Mugwort - which are present in all its products, the Sekkisei Herbal Gel contains fermented Coix Seed (improves skin barrier function) and Loquat Leaf (promotes blood circulation) to effectively moisturise and promote translucency to the skin.

The gel-cream spreads easily and lends the skin a dewy finish that supposedly lasts more than 8 hours. Celebrities including KeQing, Jeffrey Cheng, Hunny Madu and Monika Sta. Maria testified that it possesses a non-sticky texture but my encounter with it is the polar opposite - it does leave a tacky film. Is my skin that finicky?

This one item delivers the effect of an emulsion, serum, cream, massage gel and a nourishing sleeping mask. After prepping my skin with lotion, I need only apply this gel to experience a full 6 course meal, well, in terms of skincare, of course, haha! And thanks to the handy holder, my spatula will fit snuggly next to the jar (no more vanishing into thin air!).

While I wouldn't necessarily advocate the use of the Herbal Gel on a daily basis, I recognise the convenience it gives on busy days when all I can spare is a quick dab before I fly out of the door!

The full ingredient list for Sekkisei Herbal Gel:
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate/Hexastearate/Hexarosinate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Melothria Heterophylla Root Extract, Saccharomyces/Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Ferment Filtrate, Tocopherol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Cholesterol, Disodium EDTA, PEG-400, Phytosteryl Macadamiate, PVP, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum).

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Kose Sekkisei Trial Kit

Have you always sighed with envy at the famous scene from Snow White, when the Magic Mirror quoted, "Lips red as the rose. Hair black as ebony. Skin white as snow?"

Well, Kosé is here to grant your wish so you can rock snow-like skin too! The Sekkisei series of skincare products is designed to brighten and clarify the complexion by utilising all-natural ingredients such as Coix Seed Extract, Melothria (White Lotus) Extract and Angelica Extract.

Setsuko (the Sekkisei mascot) in place of Snow White!

You can begin your journey with the Sekkisei trial kit, priced at RM 99 including GST. Value of the products is a little over RM 210 (no need to thank me for doing the math, haha!), so get this special edition kit before it disappears from the Kosé counters!

✤ Sekkisei White Liquid Wash 20 ml
✤ Sekkisei Lotion 100 ml
✤ Sekkisei Emulsion 70 ml
✤ Sekkisei Clear Whitening Mask 10 g
✤ Bihadagoyomi Mask 3 pcs
✤ Exclusive Setsuko pouch (kimono style or city chic style)

Sekkisei White Liquid Wash (RM 131.40 for 140 ml) produces a rich lather that is gentle on the skin. It cleanses thoroughly without stripping essential oils, leaving my skin fresh, supple and ready for the rest of my beauty routine. I find it a total joy to use and the baby lotion scent just adds to the overall experience.

I barely bat an eyelash at the alcohol content in my skincare products (or my drinks, heh!) but even I was a little taken aback at how strongly astringent the Sekkisei Lotion (RM 180.20 for 200 ml) smelt. Keep in mind that alcohol can be a trigger to redness, bumps, and even zits, so for those with sensitive skin, please proceed with caution!

It is great as an impromptu mask – soak the bihadagoyomi mask (if you don't have it, cotton pads will do) and place over puffy, blotchy face. The lotion is brilliant in this hot weather, and doubly more so when kept in the fridge.

Sekkisei Emulsion (RM 191.80 for 140 ml) is a powerful hydrator with a light, easy to absorb texture and it sits well beneath facial oil, sunscreen or whatever is it that I want to layer on top. I think it really complements the Sekkisei Lotion and it is not too pricey either. Weirdly enough, I don't mind spending this amount for an emulsion but I have to think twice when it comes to lotions. I don't know, is it just me or do you have this skewed perspective too?

The Sekkisei Clear Whitening Mask (RM 94.30 for 80 g) oozes out of the tube looking like tar but fortunately smells nothing like it. It has a consistency that allows it to glide easily, which according to the blurb, is due to the addition of nano-sized black powder particles. The effect is immediate: brighter and cleaner face (it managed to pull out some of my sebaceous filaments!). I certainly didn't expect it to hide such strength!

To use: spread it over clean face evenly (just like you do for jams) and leave it on for 20 minutes before peeling it off in an upward motion (sagging countermeasures). Remember to steer clear of the hairline and eyebrows to avoid unnecessary balding!

The star product in the kit is undoubtedly the Sekkisei Lotion but there is no fun in choosing it as my favourite right? Since I am being contrary, I would go for the Sekkisei Emulsion if I had to purchase a full-size something from the products above. There is something about this multitasking product that is infinitely satisfying: it was love at first sight use!

I am ending my lengthy spiel with an acknowledgment (boy, am I sounding like an author or what?) to The Butterfly Project and Kosé because this post wouldn't happen if it weren't for their collaboration. And Kosé? A huge thumbs up to you, it is going to be hard (or should I say close to impossible?) for any brand to top unboxing a kit decked with party/helium balloons! Dōmo arigatō!!

Before I forget, be sure to check these pages out:

✤ https://www.facebook.com/kose.malaysia/
✤ https://www.facebook.com/ButterflyProjectMalaysia/

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Decorte Liposome Treatment Liquid

Accumulating more than 12 years of research, the liposome technology deployed in Decorte's Liposome Treatment Liquid allows the encapsulated plant extracts as well as nutrients to spread into the stratum corneum and deeper strata of the skin. Among its many functions and benefits include improved skin clarity, increased moisture retention ability, refined skin texture and minimised pores.

Name: Decorte デコルテ Liposome Treatment Liquid リポソーム トリートメント リキッド
Price: RM 378.40 for 170 ml
@cosme rating: 5.7 ★
Release date: 1.9.2015
Made in: Japan

Clad in Decorte's signature deep purple shade, the bottle looks understated yet beautiful – this is something that I won't mind having on display on my vanity. The opening is designed simply: a small hole that requires a few shakes to get enough product out.

It has a light, almost watery consistency - perhaps a tad bit silkier - and sinks in so quickly that there is no tackiness after application. It sits well underneath pretty much anything; it not difficult to see why it has become a favourite in my beauty routine! I treat my skin to a quick 3 minute masking session with the lotion too when I am able to unearth my compressed mask tablets from the mess that is my table.

Despite eating unhealthily (I do love my food filled with grease) and getting fitful bouts of sleep, my complexion looks surprisingly good. My skin has a brightness that was lacking beforehand, feels more supple, and even the texture is smoother (for want of a better word)! This is after six weeks worth of rigorous almost twice daily testing.

This liquid suits all skin types, though maybe patch test first if you have very sensitive skin. On the scent front, Decorte says that the fragrance is made up from a mixture of herbs, spices and flowers (sounds amazing right?), but unfortunately, my untrained nose can only detect perfumed flowers. It is faint, which is a blessing, since scents can be subjective.

Liposome Treatment Liquid launched nationwide on September 1st, and retails for RM 378.40. Judging by the amount that I have used so far, a bottle would last for three months. Get it from Isetan KLCC or Isetan The Gardens! For more information, log on to the official Facebook page here.

The full ingredient list for Liposome Treatment Liquid:
Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Glycerin, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Eriobotrya Japonica Leaf Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Theanine, Tocopherol, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Cholesterol, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydrogenated Lysolecithin, Lecithin, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum).

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Kose Infinity Pure Advance: Essence Lotion II, Serum II

Infinity Pure Advance インフィニティ ピュア アドバンス is an anti-ageing series designed for skin in 20s and early 30s. It enlists the services of botanical ingredients (Rosa Multiflora Fruit, Shell Ginger Leaf Extract, Okra) to boost skin hydration and erase pores. I was really surprised when I failed to find information regarding this range on @cosme. Further research lead me to the assumption that it is not sold in Japan... but why when it is so so so good?

Pure Advance consists of 9 items, and I am going to review 2 of them in this entry.

(Source: facebook.com/kose.malaysia)

Essence Lotion エッセンスローション II has a luxurious, jellified consistency and is designed to rejuvenate, hydrate and plump skin.

Milky textured Serum セラム II restores the natural oil-water balance for a poreless appearance.

It is very clever of Kosé to take these concerns (fine lines and visible pores) into consideration and address them in an age-based line with a befitting price point. I have been using both Essence Lotion II and Serum II for two weeks now and am very taken by my new regimen. These products are very nourishing and leave my skin bouncy and toned.

On the downside, the formulation contains ingredients that make my upper lip area tingle... people with sensitive skin may want to exercise caution and perform a patch test before jumping in with both feet.

Essence Lotion II (160 ml) and Serum II (120 ml) are sold at Kosé counters nationwide where you will find them for RM 169 each.

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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.

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