Some of my purchases while I was holidaying, most skincare items are brought in duty free……
Category Archives: Lotion & Potion
Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum
Pardon for my recent absence since I was busy moving, decorating & gardening.
Now, during those stressful periods, my skin was kept under control by a few products that truly deliver results, some old & trusted favorites & some new found hotties……
Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum is an advance serum designed to pull essential moisture deep into the skin and lock it there. It is formulated to create a gorgeous, dewy complexion that’s silky soft and satiny smooth. This serum promises to turn back time with a powerful combination of age defense ingredients, such as:
HSC Complex to deliver intense hydration, while counteracting environmental stressors.
An intense form of Vitamin A to promote healthy looking skin.
Lipids to help improve elasticity.
Wheat Germ for firmness.
Ingredients : Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Dimethicone, Ethylhexy Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Glycolipids, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl, Cocoate, Sodium Ascorbate, Water (Aqua), Tocopherol, Retinol, Caprylyl Glycol.
This extremely versatile facial serum managed to keep my skin smoothed, soothed & hydrated when I was less devoted to my skincare regime. Now I understand why Paula B, yes, the analytical, critical Queen Begoun gave this product an excellent rating; Here’s an abstract from beautypedia about this product:
” It has a beautifully smooth, silicone-based texture that makes skin feel like silk, and it provides potent cell-communicating ingredients and antioxidants, including retinol, all in stable packaging. Quench Hydrating Serum is fragrance and preservative-free ( preservatives are not required because the product is non-aqueous ) and assuredly one of Somerville’s better formulations. Now this would be money well spent ! “
And yes, I love this quenching serum & due to its silky texture. It makes a great moisturizing primer. A skin saver for dehydrated, parched, reactive & aging skin. Shame it hasn’t got any SPF, otherwise it could simply be the one & only skincare product you need in daytime prior to makeup application.
A star product from Kate Somerville, IMO, for a glowing, petal fresh & dewy moist complexion.
Kate Somerville @ SkinStore
I have been KS-ed. Thanks to Skinstore.com Shop50 promotion; $50 off for every $200 purchase.
I had bought 2 of its discovery kit, both at promotional/value price, and still managed to use my coupon code, love you Kate & Skinstore……
Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils
My first ever skin care concept, as far as I could recollect, is ” Double Cleansing “, where the 1st step is using an oil / emulsion / milk to remove all make up & grimes.
This concept was making sense to a science geek then, the ” like dissolves like “, ” hydrophillic/hydrophobic “, ” pKa/PH ” concept in chemistry, the ” lipids bilayer ” in biology….. This concept still works for a beauty freak nowadays.
The joy of Cleaning
The secret to Shu Uemura cleansing oil is protecting the skin’s delicate moisture balance while removing makeup and impurities in a single step. Blending with rich botanical oils, including avocado and jojoba, and natural phyto ingredients, cleansing oils are formulated in 6 varieties for perfect, gentle cleansing specific to skin’s daily needs.
High Performance Oil system
All of Shu’s cleansing oils are formulated using the unique hop ( high performance oil ) system, a complex combination of three moleculary distinct oils that trap the lipophilic residue of stubborn waxes and oils found in waterproof mascara, foundation and lip color. Once emulsified by water, the cleansing oil encapsulates hydrophilic residue, such as dirt and sweat, gently lifting both types of impurities from the pores simultaneously.
Cleansing beauty oil premium a/o – the number 1 selling Shu Uemura cleansing oil in the world. Its new advanced formula is empowered with green tea and specially selected gingko leaf extract, containing flavonoids, recognized in Japan for its strong anti-oxidant and microcirculation boosting properties that help to promote transparency and radiance to fatigued skin. Removal of oxidized sebum, which accelerates the aging process, is the first step in anti-aging skincare. The innovative hpo system has a superb cleansing ability which removes sebum and long-lasting makeup, while leaving the skin soft, refined & youthful.
Despite the anti-ageing claims, this is not my favorite Shu’s oil as I find its aroma a bit too greenish & raw for my liking. It has a rather light texture & emulsified easily. Refreshing & revitalizing. This is good for all skin types, including acne prone skin due to the anti-inflammatory effects of green tea.
High Performance Balancing Cleansing oil advanced formula - evolved from the original Shu Uemura cleansing oil, ” classic ” is reformulated with an advanced hpo system, enriched with Camellia oil for restorative properties and oleic acids richness & therapeutic ginger root extract for an unprecedented cleansing experience.
Ingredients: paraffinum liquidum / mineral oil , zea mays / corn germ oil , polysorbate 85 , carthamus tinctorius oil / safflower seed oil , cetyl ethylhexanoate , sorbitan trioleate , simmondsia chinensis oil / jojoba seed oil , camellia kissi / camellia kissi seed oil , macadamia ternifolia seed oil , canola oil , squalane , zingiber officinale extract / ginger root extract , rosmarinus officinalis extract / rosemary leaf extract , sea water , isohexadecane , c12-15 alkyl benzoate , dicaprylyl carbonate , ethyl oleate , isopropyl myristate , tocopherol , glycerin , propylene glycol , linalool , parfum / fragrance
Probably my staple & my most favored oil, since I had purchased this repeatedly; Light to medium weight oil that spreads easily, cushioning the complexion with a rather nurturing texture & has a very nice & comforting scent and emulsifies effortlessly. I stock this in the large 400 mls size. I even use this as a massage oil/bath oil for the body.
Cleansing beauty oil premium a/i – a luxuriously rich cleansing oil with plant extracts for dry or sensitive skin. This cleansing oil focuses on improving the texture of the skin; Leaving the skin moisturized, nourished and more radiant looking. Licorice root derivative soothes sensitized skin while amino botanical complex maintains barrier function & supports collagen production.
Ingredients: paraffinum liquidum / mineral oil , zea mays / corn germ oil , carthamus tinctorius / safflower seed oil , peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate , ethylhexyl stearate , simmondsia chinensis / jojoba seed oil , persea gratissima / avocado oil , dicaprylyl carbonate , ethyl oleate , c12-15 alkyl benzoate , isopropyl myristate , isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate , isostearic acid , arginine , stearyl glycyrrhetinate , tocopherol , capryloyl glycine , sea water , sorbitan trioleate , polysorbate 85 , glycerin , capryl glycol / caprylyl glycol , linalool , parfum / fragrance
I find the texture of this oil rather sticky & tacky, and I don’t think it emulsifies as well as the rest. It has the sweetest aroma among all. It does calm & soothe the skin & is best for drier skin types.
White Recovery Brightening Cleansing oil advanced formula – the gentle formula is fortified with vitamin C derivatives, known for its brightening properties for a bright, smooth, translucent skin. Also enriched with sakura leaf & prune extract to inhibit tyrosinase activity / limit melanin production and helps improve skin texture.
I love the rather light texture of this brightening oil, and also the fact that it contains lipo soluble vitamin C that helps to enhance skin texture & clarity. I think this is a very good cleansing oil & the delicate aroma is as lovely as its hue. This oil works wonder if pigmentation & dullness are your main concerns. I believe it’s versatile enough for all skin types; It has the potential to become my favorite Shu’s oil.
Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle cleansing oil - a lightweight cleansing oil that leaves the skin clean, fresh and refined. It washes away pore concerns – enlarged & clogged pores effectively while maintaining the skin’s necessary moisture level. Empowered with sakura complex known to reduce inflammatory mediators that can cause skin redness; Cherry extract & Salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells & refine complexion. This cleansing oil minimizes pores and visibly smoothes the skin’s surface.
The newest and the lightest of all; The aroma is nice but too flowery sweet for my liking. Superb cleansing power, but unfortunately it’s not going to do anything to enlarged pores or erupting blemishes. Rinsed best & leaves skin feeling clean & purified. Oily skin will loves this ultra lite oil, so as girly girls due to its colour & scent.
A comparison of ingredients of my recently re-stocked Shu’s oil. I have all Shu’s oils in rotation. I use a different oil everyday, pending on my skin condition or my mood of the day.
Throughout the years, I might had swayed from Shu Uemura’s cleansing oil, but I always come back for more.
Nip + Fab Shower Fix Cleansing Shower Oil
A daily rich and indulgent shower oil which cleanses, nourishes and protects the skin’s natural moisture balance while refining fine lines. Keep skin soft and velvety smooth for longer.
With a satin-like, unique texture it’s perfect for re-energising dry skin for all over body softness.
Okay, that’s enough of the advert talk.
I am afraid the only thing fabulous about this shower oil is It’s cheesy name. Shower fix? The only thing needs fixing is its formulation.
The pump dispenser & clean packaging are stunning, but these will not be sufficient to compensate a poor performing product.
The problems are:
1) rather faint & artificial aroma
2) non foaming
3) non homogenous when emulsified
4) leaves more residual than its competitors in the same price range or lower
5) DELIVERS NONE of WHAT IT CLAIMS
Maybe I was expecting too much from a mass marketed & high-street pricing product. However, at about £12 per bottle, I would demand more ! Repurchase? Don’t be silly. Refund? Tempted & justifiable.
Brand Focus – Sachajuan
Turn Straw into Gold!
Sachajuan harnesses the fruits of the sea to help you unleash your inner mermaid!
Salon SACHAJUAN opened up in 1997 in Stockholm by Sacha Mitic and Juan Rosenlind, 2 highly recognized hairdressers with long experience of hairstyling / fashion in Sweden and abroad.
In 2003 the first few SACHAJUAN Hair care products were introduced on the Swedish market. With immediate acclaim. What makes the SACHAJUAN brand unique and interesting is simplicity and function in perfect harmony with high quality and
innovation . Not to mention those handy yet elegantly designed packagings.
The active ingredients & technology behind the success of SACHAJUAN Professional Haircare is called Ocean Silk Technology. This is the technology where Sachajuan extracts valuable proteins and minerals from sea algae; Among them are Enteromorpha Compressa, Himanthalia Elongata, Rhodophycea and Chondrus Crispus .
Sachajuan combine these algae with other tailor made active ingredients to create unique results on different hairtypes. With this technology the recipes that give the hair maximum shine, volume, stability and care without making the hair heavy are born; Regardless of hair quality you will notice immediate results.
Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil
Looking for a classic, no nonsense, hardworking, buck saving, basic & concise product that’s delivers what it promise?
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil is a fast absorbing, preservative free, lightweight ‘ dry ‘ oil ideal for daily moisturising.
A blend of powerful botanical oils such as Rosehip, Sesame and Canols oil together with pure Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E, Skin Therapy Oil is an all-in-one skincare solution.
Formulated with Palmers unique Rapidermal Absorption System for maximum penetration of the epidermal layer allowing the powerful ingredients to deliver targeted benefits.
The 60mL bottle may appear tiny, but this pint sized wonder is full of breakthrough technology targeting SCARS, STRETCH MARKS, DRY & DAMAGED SKIN, UNEVEN SKIN TONE and AGING SKIN. Its unique Rapidermal Absorption Système® allows active ingredients like Vitamin E to penetrate skin really fast, leaving you deeply moisturized yet non greasy. This silky oil will not stain clothing due to its unique texture & superb absorbability.
I am totally amused by how lite & non greasy this oil feels upon application, It almost sinks in immediately & left my skin feeling silky soft. My dry, irritated & itchy skin ( thanks to those flea bites ) was instantly pacified, smoothed & nourished.
In terms of scar battling properties, you could read about Tine’s raves here.
Ingredients : Canola Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Fragrance, Rosa Canina Seed Extract.
A great bargain not to be missed.
Shu Uemura WKW / Holiday 2011 Collection
Another Holiday 2011 Collection that will seriously jeopardize my bank balance, I am afraid.
This time, Shu Uemura’s collaboration with renowned Hong Kong Director/Screenwriter Wong Kar Wai.
I have the highlighter, brush set & cleansing oil on my list.
