Sunscreen -Shiseido - Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 55 PA+++ [DISCONTINUED]
Aeries 1/17/2005 12:12:00 PM
I think I wouldn't try anything after my HG Sofina Extra UV Cut milk SPF50+ PA+++. But I was wrong, this is even better. This also comes in a watery texture( though marginally thicker than Sofina), leaves no whitecast, semi-matte finish, but this one is "water-resistant"! In the Japanese broucher( available at the counter in Japan), it says it is to be used together with the oil cleanser( the same Ultimate line), I guess this has something to do with the water-resistant (like water-proof mascara?). I am using an oil makeup cleanser anyway so I didn't bother yet the SA gave me samples of them ( which is as good as Fancl except for the fragrance and preservative which Fancl has wisely left out). The "suncreen and oil cleanser" system is a norm to all shisheido sunscreen ( and in Japan) yet it isn't introduced to other countries though a lot of my Japanese girlfriend is so accustomed to it as to think this is a standard practice.
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Skincare - Body -H20 - body butter
Aeries 1/13/2005 3:31:00 PM
Agree, it a notch better ( the best so far for me it's prada body serum but the scent just turn me off so much that I have to abandon it even it's really hydrating) than most body moisturizer. Most body moisturizer leave skin soft and hydrating but the effect wont last. But this one is different. The effect last much longer than most product. I will continue to purchase since I cant get my second best body lotion as frequently as I want ( Ren's Tahitain Vanilla Hand and Body Milk)
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Scrubs -H20 - Sea Marine Body Scrub
Aeries 1/13/2005 3:17:00 PM
Just another ordinary scrub. Light scent.
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Gels/Soaps -H20 - Purifying Seaweed Shower Therapy
Aeries 1/13/2005 3:08:00 PM
ah, just another ordinary shower thing. The 'purifying' description is again a sales puff. No discerning difference from tonnes of shower products in the market. Since I don't particular like the scent I dont think I will purchase it again although I like those clean/chic package. Afterall bath product is all about scent and package cos there is not much differece between one from another.
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Masks -H20 - Hydrating Marine Moisture Mask
Aeries 1/13/2005 2:56:00 PM
totally waste of money and time! didn't hydrate a bit. Absolutely no difference
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Treatments -Prada - Exfoliating Concentrate
Aeries 1/11/2005 2:52:00 PM
My first AHA product. And this works, now I understand why everyone was crazy about AHA a decade earlier, 10% AHA with the correct pH level can really exfoliate and brighten up the skin! And this one must be correct formulated Even with such a good result I wouldn't repurchase it, this is too expensive. Switching to another equally effective AHA with a lower price tag, afterall, the market is full of good AHA alternatives.I guess others are not repurchasing it because they cannot take AHA in any event or the price is simply prohibiting, and not because this is not a good AHA product.
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Moisturizers -Prada - Hydrating Serum/Face
Aeries 1/11/2005 2:16:00 PM
Great product, does what it say, hydrating! And this is coming from someone on Retin-A in winter-time. Leaves no residue. And the signature smell of Prada Beauty is much less offensive here, making it more tolerable in my case (I can't take that smell) The label says: For skin with oily tendecies. Fundamentals: Hyaluronic acid,soy, yeast extract, collagen, elastin, and plus oil controlling witch hazel.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Giorgio Armani - hydra glow foundation
Aeries 12/26/2004 5:59:00 PM
mine comes with SPF 15 sunscreen (titanium dioxide). Colour-wise, the SA gave me #4 as I use MSF4, however it turns out that HGF#4 is about 3 shades whiter.I put the 2 foundations on my palm and the difference is obvious. I would therefore suggest to go up 1 or 2 number as your usual MSF. Finishing-wise, it's a quite neutral foundation, sitting right between the LSF and MSF. It is not as luminous as LSF which oily skin can also use it without worry. And it wouldnt mattify like MSF does. Having said that, however, I dont think it is meant for real dry skin. The area under my eyes is usually quite dry in the winter time and the foundation is not hydrating enough. Other than that, I think it's great for slightly dry and oily skin. The 'Glow' part is due to the GA's signature "sparkle" which could be found in GA loose powder or the GA modeling make-up base, yet it's the most subtle among all GA products which make this one a great day-time foundation. Coverage-wise, it a tiny bit better than MSF and it's about the same thickness as MSF (means quite watery and slippery)
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Mascara -Shiseido - The Makeup Natural Finish Combing Mascara
Aeries 12/12/2004 9:15:00 AM
Ha, "natural" is a comparative term. I guess it's the most natural mascara among all shiseido masacara yet it's still more dramatic than Shu Uemura. So for those with long lashes and look for a truely natural(day time) look, this is not the product to purchase.Like the Shu, no thickening and only adds a bit of length, but yet the comb wand is so difficult if not impossible to master( to hold the comb perpendically from end to tip of lashes) and will certainly end up putting on way too much mascara on the lashes. One comment, stay away from this mascara.
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Mascara -Philosophy - "the supernatural" lash darkener (black)
Aeries 12/12/2004 8:49:00 AM
I also have long but fine lashes. The finish is not as natural as shu uemura basic. To sum up, it's virtually a liquid eye-liner comes with a mascara wand, so you can try to stick a masacara wand into any liquid eye-liner to see the effect before making a purchase. It's quite wet and will stick a few lashes together and hence a bit spiky lashes.The lashes is bit stiff after application and therefore doesnt look natural at all. For truely natural lash enhancing, I will stick with my shu.
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Primer/ Corrector -Giorgio Armani - Modeling make-up base
Aeries 12/10/2004 4:05:00 PM
Great primer. Pores dissappear. Unlike other GA primer, this one is in a subtle pink/beige colour, also it comes with the same subtle sparkles as the GA traslucent loose powder. The SA told me this is more moisturizing than the other GA primer but I wouldnt think those with dry skin would like it ( it's not moisturizing at all). But the great thing about it is its power to cover large pores! It's not as heavy/creamy as the cle du peur, yet it can do the same trick of smoothing pores! As it's more watery than the cle du peur, it tends to slide if liquid foundation was layered over it. In order to solve the problem, I mix 1 drop of the primer with 1 drop of MSF(4)and put the mixture on in one go. Save time and great result.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Clinique - Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector
Aeries 12/10/2004 2:24:00 PM
this is the second "pore minimizer" I have tried. For sure it's thousand better than the Ettusai. After trying this product a dozen times before I actually wear it outside the steet, I found out it's best for "little" small pores and minor acne scar as it can cover them up completely (with tiny tiny amount of the product and use it over, not under make-up). However, I have quite a lot of pitted scars on my cheek as well and in order to cover up them up, I have to use quite a lot of the product and it's almost impossible to spread that large amount of product evenly on the spot, and I end up seeing those junk inside my large pores and making my acne scar more obvious! For severe pore problem like mine, I would definitely recommend cle de peau "smoothing pre-makeup emulsion" first, then powder, then a tiny amount of this minimizer over the spot which need to be covered up.
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Primer/ Corrector -Cle de Peau - Base Lissante Tendre/Fraiche
Aeries 12/10/2004 1:50:00 PM
this is the "gentle" smoothing pre-makeup emulsion SPF 19. I haven't tried the "fresh" version yet though I have oily skin. It's the best primer I have ever tried, all other primers seems to do nothing. It does what its name says , smooooooothing ( cover up pores, redness) which I can skip my clinique pore minimizer all together. After this primer, I just blot on armani press powder and this primer hold the powder so good that I even skip my armani liquid foundation. After all, I got a better -looking skin complexion without the full make-up look! Definately gotta to repurchase it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Cle de Peau - serum eclat
Aeries 6/7/2004 5:18:00 AM
I got a sample from the SA, and had diligently use it everyday for a month, didnt notice any difference. glad that I got a sample before making the purchase, I have so far given away all my cle de peau products (except the concealer), as I find none of them is suitable for my oily acne skin ( well did no harm but didnt improve a bit).
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Masks -Helena Rubinstein - Force C Premium Instant Radiance Mask
Aeries 6/3/2004 12:14:00 PM
The worst mask ever. Instruction says: Leave on 5 mins or until dry. Tissue off the excess. After tissuing off the mask, all I can feel is an extremely sticky face,and all I can see is tiny shimmery particle( here comes the radiance). I wash my face right afterward. My only conclusion is, garbage bin, not even worth giving it to anybody. It just so bad that I dont think anyone would like it. Sticky face with shimmery particle.
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