skincare

L’Oréal De-maq Expert Makeup Remover

by PJ on Monday, September 1, 2008

in -L'Oréal, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning, stash focus

(Velvet Creme Wash Expert Makeup Remover)

The De-maq Expert range is a relatively new line of cleansers from L’Oréal. I bought the Velvet Creme Wash Expert Makeup Remover last year and I have been using it on and off for a while.

It is a gel-cream makeup remover that foams somewhat like a face wash. (The main ingredients are emollients that can dissolve makeup. Decyl glucoside, a mild detergent, appears later in the list, after the emollients, water, and glycerin.) The direction on the back says, “Apply a small amount of Velvet Creme to damp skin using your fingertips. Gently massage into a creamy lather to foam and then rinse with water.”

It doesn’t really foam up in my hands like a face wash does, but it does slowly lather up as I apply it and gently massage my face. The lather is very cushiony and is not the kind of frothy/bubbly lather from an usual face wash. It dissolves the foundation quite quickly.

(When I don’t use a cleansing oil, I almost always use a bi-phase cleanser to remove my eye/lip makeup first. Like how I tested waterproof mascara removal with Dior’s Cleansing Gelee, I put Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Waterproof on the back of my hand, waited for it to dry up, and tried to remove it. I found that it did take a lot of massaging to dissolve the mascara.)

It takes more water to rinse than normal foaming face washes, but, as a cream cleanser, it rinses fine. There is still minimal emollient residue, and I usually use a face wash (with one-third of the amount I use in the morning) right afterwards.

Overall, I like it and don’t like it at the same time. I like it because it does do the job for me while not irritating my skin and it doesn’t drag my skin like many cream cleansers do during the massaging (mainly because it foams gently). But, what sometimes bothers me is how heavily scented it is. There are times when I can still smell the cleanser after using a face wash and having a shower. It is a little unsettling as I feel that I haven’t rinsed it off thoroughly, although it is clearly not the case.

I have still been using it alternately with my trusted RMK Cleansing Oil N (partly to save cost, since RMK Cleansing Oil N is about three times more expensive), but, as a cream-based cleanser, I think I slightly prefer Dior’s Cleansing Gelee mentioned earlier.

Johnson’s Eye Makeup Remover

Crème de la Mer The Cleansing Fluid

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The Body Shop "Stop Violence in the Home" Campaign

by PJ on Tuesday, August 26, 2008

in -The Body Shop, skincare

(image from The Body Shop)

For the fourth time, The Body Shop is teaming up with Women’s Aid to launch the 2008 “Stop Violence in the Home” campaign in the UK.

This campaign focuses on and draws inspiration from the result of the study (by Ipsos MORI on behalf of The Body Shop) which shows that 59% of women are more likely to confide in a friend if affected by domestic violence.

Based on the idea of friendship and sharing, the “For You, for Me” Shea Lip Care Stick Duo includes two identical lip balms. They include Community Trade shea butter.

The Duo retails for £7.00, and £4.80 of every sale goes to Women’s Aid.

You can click on the links to find out more about the “Stop Violence in the Home” Campaign as well as Women’s Aid.

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News in Brief – Lunasol Swatch Galore; More Skincare Brands in the UK

by PJ on Thursday, August 21, 2008

in -Kanebo, -Lunasol, 2008 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

For fellow Lunasol lovers-

My post on Lunasol’s fall 2008 collection has been updated with a link to an extensive array of swatches. Have a look!

For all my UK readers-

According to WWD, while La Roche-Posay has recently been introduced to the UK, another pharmacy line, Lierac, will be available in the UK in September.

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Kanebo Freeplus New Releases

by PJ on Wednesday, August 20, 2008

in -Freeplus, -Kanebo, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(Freeplus Maintenance Lotion and Maintenance Emulsion)
(image from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kanebo‘s skincare range for sensitive skin, Freeplus, will release two new items for fall 2008.

The new toner, Maintenance Lotion, and the new moisturizer, Maintenance Emulsion, will be added to the range. Apart from the six oriental herbal extracts featured in Freeplus’ lineup (please see my brand profile on Freeplus to find out more), Jezo Spruce and Chinese Peony extracts will be included in the two new products. They are said to be able to improve skin’s elasticity.

The two products will be available in Japan from October 16th.

Related Posts (skincare items I am currently using):

Lancôme Tonique Douceur

Olay Multi-Radiance Daily Illuminating UV Fluid

Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream

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Dior Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips, and Eyes

by PJ on Monday, July 28, 2008

in -Dior, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(Dior Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips and Eyes)

I have disliked almost all the cleansing creams that I have tried. Most of them either are too thick to manoeuvre (too much massaging involved) and/or leave some greasy residue. But Dior‘s Cleansing Gelee for Face, Lips and Eyes is one of the very few cream-based cleansers that I like. (I used a couple of 7ml trial samples before and I was glad to get a 50ml one from a gift with purchase.)

It has a very pleasant light-cream texture. With minimal massaging, it melts into a watery lotion consistency. It rinses off nicely and does not leave a greasy film. I still use a little bit of face wash after that, but I’d think some people probably don’t need that extra step as the cleanser does leave the skin quite refreshed.

It did remove lipstick and waterproof mascara when I tested it on the back of my hand (I tested it on Maybelline Volum’ Express Waterproof), but I usually still use an eye/lip makeup remover before using any cleansing gel/cream. (I don’t like any massaging/rubbing in my eye/lip area.)

This product is alcohol-free but contains fragrance.

Generally, I still prefer a cleansing oil, which is quick and easy to use and removes everything at one go. But if you are looking for a light gel/cream-based makeup remover for this summer (and are not sensitive to fragrance), this can be a good candidate.

Can’t Live Without – RMK Cleansing Oil N

Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash

Johnson’s Eye Makeup Remover

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Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Kanebo Freeplus

by PJ on Friday, June 13, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Freeplus, -Kanebo, all about Japanese cosmetics, skincare

(Kanebo Freeplus)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/freeplus/)

Very early on (in my post Japanese vs. Western), I have mentioned that even though I have a passion for Japanese makeup products, I don’t particularly prefer Japanese skincare products over western ones. My biggest complaint is that many Japanese toners and moisturizers have alcohol and that some have way too much of it. This is why Kanebo‘s Freeplus seems like a welcome breath of fresh air to me.

Freeplus is a mid-range skincare line sold at the Kanebo counter (in Japan and some other Asian regions), alongside many other skincare lines targeted at different needs and age groups. The line appeals to people with sensitive skin which reacts negatively to common irritants.

(Shiseido’s equivalent (skincare line for sensitive skin) is d program.) The line also features base makeup products.

According to the brand’s website, the name “Freeplus” represents the two major aspects of the products:

“FREE“:

All products are free from parabens, fragrance, and chemical sunscreen ingredients, and most (skincare) products are free from alcohol, colourants, and mineral oil. (The four products that still have alcohol are Fresh Soap Bar, Acne Spots, UV Day Protector, and UV Body Protector.)

“PLUS“:

The products are formulated with six oriental herbal extracts (Chinese date (jujube), citrus unshiu peel, cape jasmine (gardenia jasminoides, also known as gardenia florida)), Japanese honeysuckle, peach kernel, and job’s tears). They are supposed to moisturize the skin and support its protective barrier. (These claims are mainly for your reference, since beauty companies make all kinds of claims, some of which have no scientific backup. But a brief mention of cape jasmine follows below.)

The item I have tried from Freeplus is Comfortable Lotion 1, which is a toner for combination and oily skin. It is colorless and has a near-water consistency which is very mildly emollient. It is one of the most calming and soothing toners I have used ever since I started using skincare products (along with Lancôme Tonique Douceur, Shu Uemura Refreshing Lotion (discontunued), and AYURA Balancing Primer AF1 (also discontinued)).

One thing worth mentioning is that the fragrance in the herbal extracts mentioned above seems to have been removed during the manufacturing process, as the toner doesn’t have any scent. This is good for people with sensitive skin, as fragrance (artificial or natural, such as that in fragrant plant oils like lavender oil) can be a possible skin irritant. (According to Paula Begoun, gardenia florida extract can be an antioxidant but its fragrant component can be irritating for some. Based on the (lack of) perceivable scent, it seems to me that most of the fragrant components in the plant extracts in the products have been removed.)

The Comfortable Loiton 1 is now called Barrier Repair Lotion 1 and the packaging differs very slightly. I have not tried this, but I believe it should be virtually the same product. The main traits and the plant extracts used remain the same.

For the past few years, in terms of skincare, I try to use what is available here in the UK. (It is much easier to keep everything in stock. Plus I get to earn Boots points.) But when I go to Japan next time, I think I will definitely pick up Barrier Lotion 1 and perhaps some other Freeplus products.

Updated on July 14th, 2008:

You can read a review of Freeplus’ loose powder on Autumn Masquerade.

Updated on November 16th, 2011:

Information on Freeplus’ skincare renewal.

Recent Beauty Focus Posts:

Elégance

Sony Vecua

Sonia Rykiel

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Beauty Bloggers’ Summer Must-Haves

by PJ on Thursday, June 12, 2008

in bodycare, makeup, nail color/care, skincare

Teri from Beautiful Makeup Search is featuring three must-have summer products of 15 beauty bloggers plus her own picks.

Please head over and have a look!

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My Current Staple: Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash

by PJ on Wednesday, June 4, 2008

in -Simple, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(Simple Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash)

In my post on RMK’s Cleansing Oil N, I mentioned that I used a face wash after the cleansing oil. In the last few years, I have used (foaming) face washes from Chanel, Lancôme, L’Oréal, Nivea, and Johnson’s. After the Johnson’s one was discontinued (at least here in the UK) last year, I went through a mini-hunt for my next staple face wash.

(One of my favorite face washes is Lancôme’s Gel Clarté. But, it costs 17.5 GBP (for 125ml) and lasts about 5 weeks for me, so I’d rather go for a cheaper alternative, which is not impossible to find.)

Among the several face washes I picked up, two were from Simple, which is a UK drugstore skincare brand available in major chains like Boots and Superdrug. (It doesn’t seem to be available outside the UK, but I might be wrong.) I had never tried their products before, but the Moisturising Foaming Facial Wash (2.79 GBP for 150ml) impressed me.

It is a straightforward and gimmick-free face wash that gets the job done, and it happens to be fragrance-free and colourant-free. It has a fluidy gel consistency and it foams and rinses very well. (The main cleansing agents in this product are, as in the order on the ingredient list, sodium laureth sulfate, decyl glucoside, and cocamidopropyl betaine.)

What I like the most about this face wash is that, after I rinse it off, I simply feel nothing. No tightness, filminess, or slipperiness. The face feels well-cleansed, fresh, and not stripped. (I much prefer this to the other Simple’s face wash I tried, Refreshing Facial Wash Gel, which feels a little filmy after rinsing.)

This is very suitable for my oily-dry skin, and I have been using it both in the morning and the evening (after the cleansing oil if I wear makeup for the day). (When I use it after the cleansing oil, I only use 1/3 of the amount I use in the morning.) I think this face wash will suit people with most skin types (apart from those with very dry skin).

My other current daily skincare products:

Lancôme Tonique Douceur

Olay Daily Illuminating UV Fluid SPF 15

Olay Complete Care Night Enriched Cream

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Product Review – Johnson’s Baby Lightoil Spray & Eye Makeup Remover

by PJ on Saturday, May 10, 2008

in bodycare, skincare, skincare - cleansing/toning

(Johnson’s 3-in-1 Eye Make-up Remover)

Johnson’s 3-in-1 Eye Makeup Remover

Most of the time, I use a cleansing oil to remove my makeup all at once, including waterproof mascara. (I am currently using RMK’s Cleansing Oil N.) But when I play with my eyeshadows and don’t have a full face of makeup, I use an eye makeup remover before the usual face wash.

I almost always use bi-phase eye makeup removers. I’ve had good experiences with them as I like their efficiency and gentleness. Johnson’s 3-in-1 Eye Makeup Remover is no exception. It removes waterproof mascara efficiently and thoroughly. (I tested it with Maybelline’s Volum’ Express Waterproof.)

I also like how this makeup remover is dispensed. The hole is small enough and I can gently squeeze the bottle to dispense exactly the amount I want. Also, I personally don’t feel that this product leaves the skin dry or greasy, which is a plus. Overall I think this is a very effective and user-friendly cleansing product.

(John’s Baby Lightoil Spray)

Johnson’s Baby Lightoil Spray

I think most of you have tried or tested the original John’s Baby Oil. I have used it as a body moisturizer and even as a makeup removing oil. (I simply used it as a tissue-off cleansing oil and followed with a face-wash.)

If you like the simple and skin-friendly formulation of the original Baby Oil but think the texture is too greasy, then the Lightoil Spray is worth considering. Unlike the original formula, it actually does not contain mineral oil. Its main ingredients are water, glycerine, and polysorbates (fatty acids used as emollients). The watery texture is indeed substantially lighter, and it absorbs well and moisturizes the skin effectively. (The two products have the same scent.)

It comes with a spray nozzle, but it can be a little slippery to use. I usually remove it and pour the oil in my hand during application.

Even though the texture is a lot lighter than the original Baby Oil, I would still say a little goes a long way. An overzealous application will still leave a little shine on the skin that some people might not like. I would recommend this to people with dry (but not very dry) skin who are not sensitive to fragrance.

Can’t Live Without – Dove Body Silk
(my favorite body moisturizer)

E45 Endless Moisture Bodycare Range
(featuring two body moisturizers)

Prescriptives Better Off Fast Acting Waterproof Makeup Remover
(another bi-phase eye makeup remover)

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Japanese Brand Focus: Sony Vecua

by PJ on Thursday, May 8, 2008

in _Japanese Brand Profile, -Sony, -Vecua, all about Japanese cosmetics, makeup, skincare

(Vecua’s spring 2008 makeup collection)
(image from www.vecua.com)

Many of you familiar with Japanese cosmetics know that Sony Group plays a part in the Asian beauty stage. Very briefly, Sony co-owns* StylingLife Holdings, which owns six companies. Currently, among them, B&C Laboratories is the one that carries Makemania (where we get the Curvy Lip Silicone from) and Vecua, which is what I am talking about today. (StylingLife Holdings also owns CP Cosmetics**, which I will talk about in another post.)

Vecua is the most developed brand under B&C Laboratories. It features several skincare lines catering to different needs, a base and color makeup line, a bodycare line, and a selection of dietary supplements. (It is one of the two high-end brands under B&C, beside the skincare line Restgenol.)

(Vecua Smooth, a new skincare line for oily skin,
launched on May 1)
(image from www.vecua.com)

Vecua’s brand image is refined and clean-cut, and the product packaging, almost always featuring gentle curves, is simple but not plain. Its pricepoint is somewhat similar to Lunasol’s, which means it is above Coffret D’Or’s and Sofina Aube’s but below SUQQU‘s and CHICCA‘s.

Vecua’s main focus is on skincare, but the recent spring 2008 makeup collection (seen above) did catch my eye. The new white cases look a lot more refreshing than the previous slightly dated black cases. The new colors look soft and wearable.

One of the makeup products that have often been featured in Japanese beauty magazines is the Honey Luster N lip glosses (in 10 shades), and I have been interested in them for a while. From what I have read, they appear to be very lip-conditioning lip glosses.

(Vecua Honey Luster)
(image from www.vecua.com)

Apart from department stores in Japan, I’ve recently found that Vecua has two salons in the US, one in San Jose, California and the other in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Check out their website, which is available in English.) There are some customer reviews here if you are interested.

Now, when is it coming to the UK?

(The main Vecua website is only available in Japanese and on-line ordering is for Japanese residents only.)

* Sony used to own StylingLife Holdings outright, but it sold the majority of its stock in June 2006 and now co-owns StylingLife Holdings.

** In January 2006, CP Laboratories was renamed B&C Laboratories as CP Cosmetics was set up as an independently-run company. I think this is the reason why most people in Asia still habitually say products like Makemania’s Curvy Lip Silicone are “Sony CP” products, even though Makemania is now officially under B&C Laboratories.

Updated on June 18th, 2014:

There are some updates on relevant corporate information in my post on Vecua Honey Wonder Honey Honey Dew Hand Creams.

Japanese Brand Focus: Elégance

New Line! Kanebo Glamacy

Japanese cosmetics in the UK
(with notes on buying them from abroad)

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