Alovivi Purevivi Cleansing Lotion

As far as materialism goes, July is looking to be pretty plentiful. I best get started on the mildly scented Purevivi Cleansing Lotion before my basket (of products to play with) teeters on the brink of overpopulation.

Name: Alovivi アロヴィヴィ Purevivi ピュアヴィヴィ Cleansing Lotion クレンジングローション
Price: RM 48.90 for 500 ml
@cosme rating: 4.9 ★
Release date: 2.4.2012
Made in: Japan

My mouth gaped wider with each ingredient typed out. This list belongs to a lotion and not a makeup remover. Take a look if you don't believe me! That said, it works awfully well for something that looks like water, feels like water and well... smells better than water? Haha!

It takes 30 seconds at the very least of keeping the saturated pads over the eyes in order to lift all traces of tenacious waterproof makeup. It is so gentle that I find myself with no complaints of fogginess nor stinging. That said, some might be put off by the time needed to take all the makeup off and are not willing to wait it out.

It is far more effective as a base makeup remover. No waiting time here, just swiping motions and I am done. My only gripe is the amount of cotton pads needed - at least four pieces are needed per session. With this cleansing lotion around, I finish packs of cotton pads faster than the norm.

I proceed with a cleanser afterwards even though it is said to be a no-rinse product. Yeah, I practice the double cleanse method because I am paranoid (haha!) and I have been repeatedly drilled that a thorough cleansing regimen is a must to remove every last smidgen of impurity.

Here is it pitted against Laneige BB Cushion Pore Control SPF50+ PA+++, Etude House Play 101 Pencil and Innisfree Color Glow Lipstick (from left).

Splatterings of makeup.

Saturated cotton pad slapped on top of makeup.

Voilà, free from makeup!

Alovivi's Purevivi Cleansing Lotion is sold at SaSa stores nationally.

The full ingredient list for Purevivi Cleansing Lotion:
Water, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Butylene Glycol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Xylitol, Phenoxyethanol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Lactic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Glycolate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ziziphus Jujuba Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantifolia Juice, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Crataegus Cuneata Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Juice, Citrus Medica Limonum Juice, Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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The Face Shop Mango Seed Cleansing Butter

Cleansing oils, cleansing waters and now cleansing butters?!

(Source: thefaceshop.com/)

According to The Face Shop, Mango Seed Cleansing Butter is:
A butter type cleanser that melts away makeup and impurities. Its mango seed substance provides both moisture and nutrients to the skin.

Name: The Face Shop 더페이스샵 Mango Seed 망고씨드 Cleansing Butter 실크보습 클렌징버터
Price: ₩ 7,900 for 200 ml
Made in: Korea

I have always avoided buying products that come in a tube because of the whole dipping/germs scenario. I thought sod it when I came across Mango Seed Cleansing Butter for I am always up for something new the name itself is already a winner.

If you have used cleansing oils, it will feel familiar to you because the buttery texture melts into an oil upon massaging. Unlike cleansing oils, this cleansing butter will not remove all traces of waterproof point makeup. Fortunately, it is not a deal-breaker because I always have an eye makeup remover on hand.

On the upside, the mango scent is really appealing and it has piqued my interest into trying the rest of the best selling line.

To demonstrate its cleansing prowess, I have applied a number of products onto my arm in the picture below. I have got Rouge Bunny Rouge Sketches On Water Tinted Moisturiser, Sasatinnie Super Dolly Powerful Curling Mascara and Etude House Princess Etoinette Crystal Shine Lips (from left).

Fancy it? You can purchase it for US$ 14.40 including shipping at twofacemall.com.

The full ingredient list for Mango Seed Cleansing Butter:
Water, Mineral Oil, Propanediol, Isopropyl Myristate, PEG-8, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Dicaprylyl Ether, Microcrystalline Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Beta-Carotene, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Illicium Verum (Anise) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, C18-21 Alkane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Lithium Magnesium Sodium Silicate, PEG-150 Distearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trideceth-6, Sodium Polyacrylate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Sampar Velvet Cleansing Milk

If you are someone who wears makeup day in day out, you need more than the bog standard cleanser to take it off. This is where cleansing milks come in.

Velvet Cleansing Milk includes rose water and lime-blossom water alongside Sampar's signature Urban Advance complex to lift traces of pollution and make-up from the skin. This gentle makeup remover will even suit the most sensitive skins.

Name: Sampar サンパー Velvet Cleansing Milk ベルベット クレンジング ミルク
Price: RM 126 for 200 ml
Made in: France

The Sampar team mentioned that their cleansing milk should be used on dry skin. Then, you can either use a cotton pad or your fingers to rinse off the grime with water.

The cleansing milk has a mild rosy scent that soothes and makes the whole cleansing experience a delight. It leaves my skin soft and moisturised without the dreaded oily film like some of its competitors do.

My only gripe is the amount needed for it to distribute and cleanse nicely. The 200 ml bottle will only last me a little over five weeks if used on a daily basis (number extrapolated from my 15 ml tube). Replenishing frequently will cost a pretty penny.

Here is it tested against Burberry Beauty Velvet Foundation, Etude House Drawing Eye Brow Pencil and Chanel Luminous Matte Lip Colour (from left).

As shown in the pictures above, it fares well when faced with light makeup. I would recommend this product to users with all skin types and people who wear minimal makeup. If you do purchase it, keep in mind that it calls for a separate eye makeup remover.

Sampar's Velvet Cleansing Milk is available at Parkson Sunway Pyramid and Robinsons The Gardens.

The full ingredient list for Velvet Cleansing Milk:
Aqua (Water), Ethylhexyl Cocoate Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Carbomer, Oleth-25, Glyceryl Stearate, Propylene Glycol Stearate, Glyceryl Isostearate, Propylene Glycol Isostearate, Ceteth-25, Cetyl Alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Tilia Platyphyllos (Linden) Flower Water, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lauryl Glucoside, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Lactitol, Xylitol, Pentylene Glycol, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Citronellol, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Seedcake Extract, Geraniol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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Tatcha Review: Camellia One Step Cleansing Oil, Moisture Rich Silk Cream, Original Aburatorigami

Tatcha is the newest luxury skin care line to enter the market. Widely known for their beauty blotting papers infused with gold flakes, Tatcha recreated the geisha's minimalist beauty regimen in an effective range of seven products.

A bit of background about my skin type for reference: I have combination dehydrated skin, oily in the T-zone, prone to comedones and hyperpigmentation on my cheeks.

ღ Camellia One Step Cleansing Oil

Name: Tatcha Camellia One Step Cleansing Oil
Price: US$ 48 for 150 ml
Made in: Japan

This cleansing oil removes base makeup and point makeup easily. It takes some time to dissolve waterproof eye makeup so a separate remover is recommended.

Thick fluid texture.

Cleansing power against Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter 015 Tutti Frutti, Kate Super Sharp Liner BK-1 and Lancôme Hypnôse (from left).

It left my skin feeling clean, smooth and very soft to the touch. The floral scent is very calming and soothing. The formula does not sting my eyes nor cloud my vision.

The full ingredient list for Camellia One Step Cleansing Oil:
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 Dioleate (Palm Kernel Oil), Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Water, Camellia Sinesis Leaf Extract (Green Tea), Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil (Rice Bran), Polyglyceryl-2 Sesquicaprylate (Coconut Oil), Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate, Algae Extract (Red Algae), Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

ღ Moisture Rich Silk Cream

Name: Tatcha Moisture Rich Silk Cream
Price: US$ 150 for 50 ml
Made in: Japan

Like the rest of the skincare range, the Moisture Rich Silk Cream has a subtle floral scent with a hint of earthiness.

The 'liquid silk' description on the site is extremely apt, I have never encountered another moisturizer with such a luxurious texture. It feels rich without being heavy, absorbs quickly and does not leave any greasiness behind.

So, does this cream fulfill its claims to provide long lasting moisture and to prevent and repair premature ageing? It was hard for me to assess its anti-ageing efficacy as the deluxe sized sample only lasted two weeks or so of daily use. Not nearly enough time to tell a difference in my forehead lines haha!

However, I did notice my skin feeling extremely hydrated and lush. It provided a smooth and soft canvas (almost like a baby's bottom!!) for my next step, may it be a sunscreen or a night gelly.

The full ingredient list for Moisture Rich Silk Cream:
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Alcohol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isocetyl Stearate, Squalene (Olive Extract), Inositol (Rice Derivative), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sorbitan Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Oryza Sativa Germ Oil (Rice Bran), Hydrogenated Lecithin (Soy Bean), Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Batyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Arginine, Bis-Behenyl/Isostearyl/Phytosteryl Dimer Dilinoleyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Carbomer, Sericin (Silk Extract), Xanath Gum, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panax Root Extract (Ginseng), Royal Jelly Extract, Thymus Serpillum Extract (Wild Thyme), Algae Extract (Red Algae), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Green Tea), Fragrance.

ღ Original Aburatorigami

Name: Tatcha Original Aburatorigami
Price: US$ 12 for 1 pack (30 sheets)
Made in: Japan

The gold flakes in Tatcha's blotting papers are a mark of authenticity as these papers are used by goldsmiths in Japan to hammer out gold leaf. Since these gold flakes are transfer-resistant, they won't come off when you use the papers. For those not in the know, aburatorigami (あぶらとり紙) is a by-product of the gold leaf making process.

I have never seen a blotting paper that is more decadent or as steeped in history!

They absorb oil very well while leaving my makeup in place. As much as I enjoy using this blotting paper, others work just as well for so much lesser. Tatcha's aburatorigami can be costly if you have to replenish your supply often but they would make fantastic one-off gifts to friends and family members.

Tatcha skincare is available exclusively in Barneys U.S., online at tatcha.com and in a variety of boutique retailers around the world.

(Source: Promotional images are from tatcha.com/)

Disclosure: Press samples.

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