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

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Aqualabel Special Gel Cream

After being disappointed with my first foray into into the world of all-in-one skincare products last year, I had my trepidations about Special Gel Cream. The turning point came when I read the phrase 'sold 580,000 units in its first month'!

What it is formulated to do:
Collagen GL helps to firm skin, W Hyaluronic Acid keeps signs of age at bay and Plum Extract works to hydrate skin.

Name: Aqualabel アクアレーベル Special Gel Cream スペシャルジェルクリーム
Price: ¥ 1,800 for 90 g
@cosme rating: 4.3 ★
Release date: 21.8.2012

Special Gel Cream is a multitasking five-in-one product that replaces the need for lotions, emulsions, essences, creams and mask. It is now possible to save time, money and hasten your daily routine with this cream in your hands.

The highly unusual bouncy gel texture (sort of like liquefied jelly) is really something. After dipping a finger in to thoroughly mix it up, it will somehow smoothen itself out and return to its original pristine state.

It spreads easily and cools the skin leaving me with a nourished complexion. I find that it does not completely absorb whenever I slather on too much making my face feel really sticky. After having it around for so long, you would think I figured out the proper amount to slap on but nope!

I have been using this for four weeks and I really like it. It hydrates my skin without clogging my pores. I just wish it goes the extra mile - it would be nice if it had a noticeable firming effect. I am getting old and I need all the help I can get!

The pot is huge so it is really impractical for travelling and has the added bonus of scaring the bejesus out of germaphobes. I will reuse it because all that red is very striking. And the rose scent mentioned on the blurb actually means 95% floral and 5% rose. It is quite soothing though, so that is a job well-done (sort of)?

You can buy Special Gel Cream from Watsons where it retails for RM 89.90. What do you guys think? Have any of you tried all-in-one skincare products?

The full ingredient list for Special Gel Cream:
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone, PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Gellan Gum, Methylparaben, Sodium Citrate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Juice, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylparaben, Sodium Metaphosphate, Potassium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Citric Acid, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, BHT, PEG/PPG-14/7, Dimethyl Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Za Total Hydration Amino Mineral Refreshing Gel

I was skimming the pages on @cosme when I came across Total Hydration Amino Mineral Refreshing Gel snagging the 4th spot (at the time of writing) in the all-in-one cosmetic ranking!

It is currently very popular in Japan and you can see everywhere on magazines that we know and love as shown in the November 2012 issue of ViVi:

What is an all-in-one skincare product? It functions as a toner, serum and moisturiser and a product with similar claims that you might be more familiar with would be Dr.Ci:Labo Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture. Just this one step and you are done with your skincare prep.

Moisture charge in just 10 seconds! Amino mineral complex instantly restores flaky, stichy skin to create porcalain-smooth skin. (Source: za-cosmetics.com/)

Name: Za ジーエー Total Hydration Amino Mineral Refreshing Gel アミノミネラルジェル
Price: RM 26.90 for 50 g
@cosme rating: 4.6 ★
Release date: November 2011

The gel comes in a fuss-free no-frills opaque pink tube with a small opening to minimise air exposure thus ensuring its efficacy.

It has a nice lightweight watery-gel like consistency. The potent alcohol scent hits me the second I uncap the tube. It eventually evolves into a floral fragrance when I massage it in.

The gel takes around a minute to sink in. It instantly hydrates and makes my skin look supple.

Before.

After.

I did not notice an improvement in terms of tone and the texture of my skin within a month of using it both day and night in place of a moisturiser (you can't blame a girl for having too many opened toners and serums on her vanity).

(Source: za-cosmetics.com/)

It also does not combat oiliness nor does it minimise the appearance of pores as claimed by others using this product. And believe me, I have gone through all of their reports before going out and getting myself a tube. My pores still resemble orange peels in size...

Having said that, I would recommend it to teens with normal to combination skin who are searching for a basic skincare product that won't burn a hole in their pockets. It does not cut it for us me who puts up with more woes than an average teenager.

Usually I am left pretty much satisfied with the recommendation from the reviewers on @cosme, so this gel is a double let down. I will not repurchase once I am done.

The full ingredient list for Total Hydration Amino Mineral Refreshing Gel:
Water, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Silica, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Betaine, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Glycine, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polysorbate 60, PEG-20 Glyceryl Isostearate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Citrate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, BHT, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Iron Oxides.

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Aqualabel Bright White EX

Touted as the high street alternative to its higher end sister, Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum, both Intensive Spot Targeting Serum and Bright White EX feature the same cutting-edge ingredient: m-Tranexamic Acid.

M-Tranexamic Acid was discovered to suppress melanocyte activation and its effectiveness in brightening products was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2002.

Name: Aqualabel アクアレーベル Bright White EX シミ対策美容液
Price: RM 79.90 for 45 ml
@cosme rating: 4.2 ★
Release date: 21.2.2009

This serum has a light fluid texture. It absorbs almost instantly and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch.

My skin looks glowy and radiant these days and this serum kept it up. What is also fabulous about it is the lack of a scent (Intensive Spot Targeting Serum smells strongly of alcohol).

For more intensive results, I smooth on a liberal amount before using a brightening sheet mask on top. The aftereffect is amazing, my face looks super fair and supple.

I read about layering serums under sheet masks from several Taiwanese blogs (they were using the Bright White EX serum) and those bloggers had nothing but praise for this technique.

On the downside, it does not seem to do a thing for hyperpigmentation. Perhaps I have not been using it long enough for my hyperpigmentation (old and very stubborn) to vanish? Sometimes it takes a couple of bottles and a lot of patience for results to materialise...

The full ingredient list for Bright White EX:

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Cle de Peau Ombre Couleur Quadre 203 Thulite Review, Swatches, EOTD

At ¥ 5,000, the refill for a Clé de Peau quad costs the same as a Lunasol or a Sonia Rykiel eyeshadow palette. If you want the accompanying compact, be prepared to fork out an additional ¥ 2,500. It is not the most pricey eyeshadow that I own but it comes close to the top!

Name: Clé de Peau Beauté クレ・ド・ポー ボーテ Ombre Couleur Quadre オンブルクルールクアドリ 203 Thulite
Price: ¥ 5,000 for 5 g (compact and two applicators are sold separately for ¥ 2,500)
@cosme rating: 5.5 ★
Release date: 21.7.2010

Thulite comes with four eyeshadows. The colors are not all that unique but the texture is amazing. Think buttery soft, silky smooth powders in subtle shimmery finishes... Pigmentation is medium buildable like most Shiseido eyeshadows.

The colours from the left: carnation pink, iridescent ivory, greyed-black with a tinge of navy, pink taupe.

Natural light

Muted flash

Swatches.

According to Clé de Peau, the Ombre Couleur Quadre range is resistant to smudging, creasing and fading. Not true. My oily lids and humid surroundings have bested any and all formulations and Clé de Peau is no exception. I even wore it with an eye primer underneath, so there you have it.

I love Thulite but it is not a must have for those who own a lot of eyeshadows. The colours are too easily dupable. That said, I would not mind getting some other quads from the same range, those combinations are infinitely more interesting!

(Source: cledepeau-beaute.com/jp/)

Have you tried Thulite yet? Any thoughts to share?

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Majolica Majorca Blood On Review, Swatches, BOTD

Majolica Majorca came out with a few items for spring and I couldn't resist asking my sister to help me get Blood On which is described as a true red that will excite girls. Blood On comes in a single colour (cool berry red) and is limited edition.

Name: Majolica Majorca マジョリカ マジョルカ Blood On ブラッドオン
Price: RM 39.90 for 5 g
@cosme rating: 4.9 ★
Release date: 21.1.2011

The texture is more like a potted lip balm than traditional creamy cream blushes. It is easy to blend, doesn't streak and isn't too emollient. You can go about without worrying that it'd turn your cheeks looking greasy as the day wears on.

As much as I love cream blushes, sometimes I find the colour disappears after some careful blending. Not so with Blood On. The colour shows up well; it has sufficient pigment to build to your desired intensity. Two layers gave me a natural barely there healthy flush. No brushes are needed here; your fingers do all the work!

Lasting power was pretty decent. It stayed on my cheeks for at least nine hours without budging. However, it wore off rather quickly on my lips.

I am wearing Blood On in the picture below.

When I first saw Blood On, I thought that it looked very similar to Jelly Pong Pong's Flower Cream. I had to pull it out for comparison purposes... They are very different once they are placed side-by-side:

• Blood On is very berry like and cooler in tone
• Flower Cream is a vibrant apple red

Blood On's popularity in Japan was so overwhelming that Majolica Majorca decided to bring it back for a limited period starting June 1st. Only 5,000 pieces will be available and I'm expecting it to sell out very quickly. Not too long a wait from now, so on your mark, get set, go!

The full ingredient list for Majolica Majorca Blood On:
Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Mineral Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Dextrin Palmitate, Silica, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Diisostearyl Malate, Glyceryl Diisostearate, CI 15850, CI 19140, Dipropylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Simethicone, CI 45380, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77499, Triisostearin, CI 42090, CI 15850, Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Aluminium Hydroxide, Methicone, Tetradecene, Polysilicone-2.

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