skincare – cleansing/toning

Can’t Live Without: RMK Cleansing Oil N

by PJ on Sunday, January 20, 2008

in _Can't Live Without, -RMK, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, stash focus

(RMK Cleansing Oil N)
(image from www.rmkrmk.com/global/)

RMK Cleansing Oil N is the cleansing oil of my choice before and after I was using the cheaper Boots Botanics Essential Oil Wash Off Cleanser, and this is one of my favorite makeup removing products.

To be specific, Cleansing Oil N, out a couple of years ago, is the new version of Cleansing Oil. But I don’t feel that there is any substantial difference between the two versions. Both are equally great.

Like most other cleansing oils, this one cleanses very effectively and melts all water-proof makeup. But three aspects of this cleansing oil stands out for me:

1. It emulsifies very well upon rinsing. There are several cleansing oils I have tried that don’t emulsify very well and leave a greasy film. Even after using a face wash, sometimes my face still feels somewhat greasy. This one leaves the skin very cleansed and fresh. Very occasionally I even forget to wash my face with a face wash immediately afterwards.

2. It is very gentle for my eyes. A couple of cleansing oils that I actually really like can leave my eyes dry if they get into the eyes while dissolving eye makeup. This one is very gentle for the eye area and never feels irritating.

3. With mainly olive, avocado, and grape seed oil, the texture is very light and it spreads wonderfully easily. I find that I don’t need as much per appplication, compared with other cleansing oils.

I am very glad that RMK became available in the UK several years ago, so there was no doubt which cleansing oil I was going to switch (back) to after the Boots Bonatics Oil Cleanser was discontinued.

(Note: Currently, UK is the only place outside Asia where RMK products are available.)

Updated on January 27, 2008:

In the comment section, Jami from Bionic Beauty asked about the ingredient list of this cleansing oil. So here is the full ingredient list of RMK’s Cleansing Oil N that I happen to have saved for future reference. (Please click on the photo for a much larger version.)

(the full ingredient list of RMK Cleansing Oil N,
on the back of the outer packaging)

I also can’t live without:

Garnier Hand Cocoon

Dove Body Silk

{ 23 comments }

Bring It Back! Boots Botanics Cleansing Oil

by PJ on Thursday, November 22, 2007

in _Bring It Back, -Boots, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, stash focus

(Boots Botanics Essential Oil Wash Off Cleanser;
with a separate pump dispenser)

This time, in my “Bring It Back!” Series, I am not going to talk about a whole line of cosmetics. Instead, I am focusing on a very good and affordable makeup remover that has been discontinued.

Boots has various lines of skincare and makeup ranges. While one of my favorite Boots lines is No. 7, it doesn’t have a cleanser that I really like. On the other hand, the slightly cheaper Botanics line used to have the Essential Oil Wash Off Cleanser (seen above), which is a great overall cleanser for me.

It works just like other cleansing oils like Shu Uemura’s, as it takes off all the makeup, including water-proof items, at one go. I tend to like cleansing oils because they involve much less tugging and massaging than most cleansing milks, and they are much more gentle on my sensitive skin.

What was also fantastic about this cleansing oil is that it used to only cost 2 GBP (about 4 USD). Even though I slightly prefer RMK’s cleansing oil, this one only cost about one-tenth of its price at the time and I would gladly keep using this if this were still available.

I stocked up quite a few when it was being phased out, and now I am on my last bottle. My only minor complaint is that if it gets into the eyes, it can sometimes make them feel a little dry afterwards. (This is why I slightly prefer RMK’s.) But it is not something that bothers me very much.

The Boots Botanics line seems to still be doing well and there have been new items added to the lineup every now and then. I do hope Boots will consider adding a cleansing oil back to Botanics or any other skincare line…

Another Boots product that I love using:
Boots No. 7 Gentle Renewing No Grains Exfoliator
(Find out how it actually works.)

Some “Bring It Back!” highlights:

Shiseido’s Inoui ID

Cynthia Rowley

Calvin Klein (See the new counter in Hong Kong!)

{ 6 comments }

Product Review: Prescriptives primer, concealer and cleanser

by PJ on Friday, November 16, 2007

in -Prescriptives, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - primer/concealer, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(Prescriptives Better Off Fast-Acting Makeup Remover,
Magic Illuminating Potion in Red Neutralizer,
and Site Unseen Brightening Concealer SPF 15)

Prescriptives is generally renowned for base makeup products. I am going to review two of them, plus a water-proof makeup remover. Let’s dive straight in.

Magic Illuminating Potion in Red Neutralizer:

It is a primer that is supposed to even out redness. I understand what the product is trying do, as it imparts some yellow and green shimmer which attempts to cancel out redness. But overall, the shimmer sits on top of the redness (which is still visible) instead of neutralizing it.

Basically it is a primer that adds quite a lot of luminosity to the face (which can be a little too shiny for some people), and it is also able to alter the finish of your foundation. (My matte powder foundation takes on a more luminous finish.)

However, the overall texture is slightly too greasy and the finish is too shiny for my personal liking (apart from the fact that it doesn’t neutralize my redness).

Site Unseen Brightening Concealer SPF 15:
(with titanium dioxide to protect against UVA rays)

As we know, there are many products in the same category as YSL’s Touche Éclat, and this is one of them. Some of these products rely more on light-reflective particles while some use more opaque pigments. I think Prescriptives’ version is more toward the opaque-pigment end of the spectrum. Apart from that, the consistency is very creamy and it dries quite quickly, so swift blending is essential. It can be used as a general cream concealer for the face.

For covering imperfections around the eye area, I have noticed that, to reach the desired effect, it is better to put on the needed amount all at once and keep blending. Don’t layer and layer, as it will cake easily.

(Prescriptives Sight Unseen Brightening Concealer SPF 15)
(image from www.prescriptives.com)

The brush is wider than that of most other similar products, so it is not particularly designed for precision concealing. It is more for sweeping across slightly larger areas. Overall, as long as the blending is done speedily, the coverage is relatively satisfactory.

Better Off Fast-Acting Waterproof Makeup Remover:

This is a dual-phase makeup remover for eye and lip makeup. I always go for a dual-phase formula since it is able to dissolve makeup quickly and only very little rubbing and tugging is required for effective removal.

This one doesn’t disappoint me. It cleanses effectively and doesn’t irritate my eyes. It doesn’t leave any greasy residue, but I do suspect that it could possibly be a bit drying for some people. (I don’t have a particular preference regarding this, and I don’t mind some slightly oily residue since I always wash my whole face thoroughly after taking off the eye and lip makeup.)

Overall this is something worth considering, but do bear in mind that there are less expensive options that can preform equally well.

Prescriptives Foundation Review: Flawless Skin & AnyWear
(Find out which one I prefer.)

My Foundation Routine
(as requested by one of you)

My Skincare Routine
(featuring my favorite makeup remover)

{ 7 comments }

Product Review: Kirkland Signature by Borghese Skincare Travel Kit

by PJ on Tuesday, July 17, 2007

in skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, skincare - moisturizing/others

(pictured: Kirkland Signature by Borghese
Skincare Travel Kit)

I always like skincare travel kits. They provide a great chance to sample several products at the same time without breaking the bank.

Borghese Skincare Travel Kit ($24.99 USD) is part of the Kirkland Signature range available in Costco stores. It includes:

75ml Pure Moisturizing Cleanser
85g Age-Defying Skin Renewal Mask (limited edition, only available within the kit)
50ml Age-Defying Protective Moisture Lotion SPF 15
15ml Age-Defying Wrinkle Defense Serum
2ml Age-Defying Restorative Night Cream
1ml Age-Defying Protective Eye Cream
See-through toiletry pouch

My favorite is the Wrinkle Defense Serum (called Skin Perfecting Serum in Asia), which includes grape seed extract (an antioxidant). It has a pleasantly smooth and light texture. Also, I find that this silicone-based serum works as a primer for me. (It slightly reminds me of Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.) Applied right before the foundation, it makes the foundation go on more evenly.

I also enjoy using the Skin Renewal Mask. It has a luxurious butter-like texture and leaves the skin smooth and hydrated.

The Protective Moisture Lotion SPF 15 has a nice creamy texture and will suit people with dry skin. However, it lacks ingredients to offer proper anti-UVA protection, which makes it less than ideal for daytime use on its own. It needs to be paired with a moisturizer/sunscreen lotion with anti-UVA ingredients. (See “Sunscreen Basics” for a list of anti-UVA ingredients.)

(It contains oxybenzone, which only protects some but not all UVA rays. See oxybenzone on Paula Begoun’s Ingredient Dictionary.)

Overall, it is a good starter kit for sampling all of the skincare items from the Kirkland Signature by Borghese range, plus the face mask. Maybe you will find a new staple in it.

Note: The travel kit is only available in Costco stores in the US. Full-size products (apart from the limited-edition Skin Renewal Mask) are available globally.

{ 6 comments }

SUQQU Makeup and Skincare

by PJ on Friday, February 23, 2007

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, makeup - base makeup, makeup - base makeup - foundation, makeup - lip color, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, skincare - moisturizing/others

(pictured: my SUQQU lipstick,
samples, and catalogue)

As requested by a reader, I decided to write a post about some individual SUQQU products after I had a more thorough look and got several samples earlier this month.

What really impresses me is the texture of their makeup. The lipsticks are so creamy, and the eyeshadows and blushers are so luxuriously silky that they almost seem creamy as well.

I am particularly keen on Powdery Cheeks in #11 (Ashibi), which is such a universally flattering color for most medium and light skin-tones.

One of their best-sellers is the Stick Concealer. The white one is used first as a base. Blending only comes after one of the two beige ones is layered on top of it. The white concealer is light-reflective and enhances the coverage of the beige concealer.

Here are some thoughts about what I have actually used:

1.Creamy Lip Stick in #22 (Benikoji)

I bought this in my first visit. It is a nice beige pink (even though it looks quite red in the photo). Pigmented and creamy, it is a great color for this season’s polished (and non-glossy) nude look.

2. Cream Foundation

I got a sample of this. Out of all their foundation formulations, this one provides the most coverage. It is not too difficult to blend (with my fingers) and it covers my pores fairly well. The staying power isn’t too bad. It has a dewy finish, which I don’t really like since I have quite oily skin. But I can use a matte loose powder to set the foundation, so that doesn’t bother me too much. (The color I got (#03) is slightly too pale and ashy for my medium skin-tone.)

3. Liquid Foundation Natural

I also got a sample of this. It provides more coverage than Liquid Foundation Skinny (light coverage) and Liquid Foundation Lucent (sheer coverage). It is one of the most easily blendable foundations I have ever tried. But the drawback is the staying power, which is not as good as the Creamy Foundation. The coverage is light to medium, and I would prefer more. Overall, I much prefer the Creamy Foundation.

I got this one in #04. Even though #04 should be the immediate darker shade than #03 for all their foundations, it is actually slightly too dark for me (while #03 is slightly too pale). Maybe the secret lies in #03B, which is between the two shades?

4. HA Complex Cream

Sample again. (The actual product costs about 240 USD for 30g…) I actually don’t like it that much simply because I am quite certain it has alcohol. Even though I couldn’t smell it, my skin turned a bit red about 10 minutes after application, which is typical with any moisturizer with any amount of alcohol. (I will probably have my neck enjoy this very expensive moisturizer…)

I have also got samples of HA Complex Lotion, HA Complex Emulsion, and Make Up Base. But I can really smell alcohol in all these (which is unfortunately so common with a lot of Japanese skincare products). I don’t think my face can handle any of these…

All skincare products have their signature orchid fragrance. It does smell gorgeous, even though it is much better for skincare products to be fragrance-free. In Japan last Christmas, SUQQU had a limited-edition perfume based on this orchid note. I am really hoping it will be re-released as part of the permanent collection!

One skincare product I am actually quite keen on is the Lip Essence Cream. It is very emollient and creamy. Too bad it is so pricey (about 60 USD)!

I personally think SUQQU is stronger in makeup than in skincare. But it is only because my skin can’t really tolerate alcohol and any massaging (the Musculate Massage Cream, which is used daily, is the heart of their skincare regime) and because I do think their color makeup range is simply sublime.

I look forward to seeing their spring 2007 collection. It looks great on the website and I love a makeup collection with a strong theme. I’ll definitely review it after I see it in store.

————-
Edited, on February 25, 2007, as requested by reader:

Price list of reviewed products in UK
(from SUQQU catalogue)

Creamy Lip Stick: £24
Powdery Cheeks: £22
Stick Concealer: £20
Cream Foundation: £60
Liquid Foundation Natural: £40
Liquid Foundation Skinny: £40
Liquid Foundation Lucent: £30
Make Up Base: £24
HA Complex Lotion: £45
HA Complex Emulsion: £70
HA Complex Cream: £120
Lip Essence Cream: £30
Musculate Massage Cream: £60

{ 8 comments }

Avene Thermal Water

by PJ on Sunday, January 28, 2007

in skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, stash focus

(Pictured: my Avene Thermal Water)

My Shu Uemura Refreshing Lotion ran out and I knew it had been discontinued. So I asked a sample of another Shu Uemura toner beforehand (about a year ago). I tried it and liked it, thinking I would switch to this one.

I bought it last month and started using it a couple of weeks ago, and I actually didn’t like it. It felt a little bit thick on my face, and, more importantly, it made my skin flush just a little bit. As I decided not to use it anymore, I started to panic a little. I always use a toner but a really suitable one is very hard to come by. I can’t do alcohol, which rules out A LOT of toners. I also don’t like that sticky and filmy feel. It has to be something very fresh and calming. (I also tried not using a toner at all. That didn’t work. I know a toner is generally optional, but I actually need it.)

Then I started to think of all the toners I tired and kind of liked. Lancome’s Tonique Douceur is good, but it is still slightly filmy. Ayura’s AF1 toner is good too, but it is pricey and it is not available in the UK. (I would have to have my friend buy it for me, but that is too much of a hassle.) I needed something good and easily available locally.

Then I thought of Avene Thermal Water. I used it about 6 years ago. I used it to set my makeup and I didn’t like the effect. (Setting makeup with a face spray was never a good idea anyway, I later learned. It NEVER worked.) But it did feel light on my skin and certainly didn’t irritate it. Plus, my local Boots started to stock Avene products again. (It stopped stocking them about three years ago.) It was cheap anyway so I decided to give it a try.

I first bought the travel-size one (50ml). I used it for a couple of days and I liked it. It is of course really just spring water and it does feel light and refreshing. It calms my skin as well. I also notice that it seems to evaporate slightly more slowly (than if I splash tap water on my face). I think it might be because of the minute traces of silica that naturally exist in the spring water. But it does not feel filmy at all.

So far I am happy. I also bought the normal size a couple of days later.

I still have some samples of Ayura’s AF (Alcohol-Free) 1 toner and I will use them when I need to during this time of year (as they are more moisturising). But Avene Thermal Water will now be an official member of my skincare team.

{ 4 comments }

My Daily Skincare Routine

by PJ on Friday, December 8, 2006

in -Chanel, -Estée Lauder, -Lancôme, -RMK, -Shu Uemura, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, skincare - moisturizing/others, stash focus

I don’t have naturally perfect skin. It is a bit sensitive, a bit oily, and a bit dry underneath all at the same time. These are the products that really work for me and help keep my skin in its best possible condition.

Morning:
Johnson’s Sensitive Facial Wash
Shu Uemura Refreshing Lotion
Estee Lauder DayWear Plus SPF 15 for Oily Skin
Chanel’s Soin Tendre Levres SPF 15
No7 Uplifting Day Cream SPF 15 (something more emollient for my neck)

Evening:
RMK Cleansing Oil (if I wear makeup during the day)
Johnson’s Sensitive Facial Wash
Shu Uemura Refreshing Lotion
Lancome Hydra Zen for Normal to Dry Skin
Rose & Co. Apothecary Rose Petal Salve (for lips)

I try to keep the routine simple. I don’t use an exfoliator or a moisturizing mask regularly. I have them and I use them when I need to. They are SOS products that I only use several times a year.

I don’t switch between products in different seasons. I simply apply a more generous amount of moisturizer in winter.

Also, I don’t use an eye cream. Eye creams are a complete marketing myth. A well-formulated moistuizer should work on the entire face, and there is no need to have another moisturizer that usually costs three times more than the facial moisturizer in the same line (in terms of unit price). I don’t have dark cycles, dry lines, and puffy eyes, and I don’t own an eye cream.

In terms of skincare, I think simpler is better. Cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreening are all you need.

{ 4 comments }

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