Cleansers -Cetaphil - Daily Facial Cleanser (Normal to Oily Skin)
hybiscuskiss 12/27/2011 2:25:00 PM
Asian, sensitive, ruddy skin, prone to blackheads and acne when stressed or in new/dry climates. I actually really like this cleanser as a basic cleanser and always revert to it when something new disappoints me. It's cheap, readily available (in the States) and takes my makeup off well. It doesn't irritate my skin, doesn't strip it and seems to make my pores clearer. I try to just massage it in for at least 15 seconds so that dirt and makeup can break up and work its way out of the pores a bit (I have sooo many blackheads!). I still go over any face wash with a gentle toner (currently SKII) but this stuff doesn't make me feel tight or dry and removes my makeup well enough at the same time.
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Cleansers -SKII - Facial Treatment Cleanser
hybiscuskiss 12/27/2011 1:59:00 PM
If you can afford SKII, I'd indulge in this facewash. I have acne prone skin when stressed and changing climates, ruddiness to my skin and prone to clogged pores like whoa. I used to think that really washing it with strong cleansers was the way to keep it clear but realized that it was just stripping my skin. I'm trying to be much more gentle on it now. Before using this stuff, I'd tried most of the drugstore brands (I actually loved Cetaphil for normal/oily skin as my makeup cleanser but couldn't find it in Asia/Singapore), clinique, stuck with Origins for several months (a bit too much fragrance for me but ok) and finally when I ran out of Origins, splurged and bought this stuff at duty free. It has a lovely smell of roses, is a whipped mousse texture and foams up wonderfully, very velvety foam, if that makes sense. If I'm wearing heavy makeup I'll do a first wash with something else and then wash again with this; it just seems to be a nice, bouncy sort of wash that balances out my skin without feeling stripped and tight. My skin feels soft and plump, ready for serums or moisturizers. I also have some other SKII products so I layer when I'm not lazy. It IS super pricy though, and after running out, I'm back to my Cetaphil cleanser which is great for me, but if I could get it in the States, I would! I guess I'd use Cetaphil to clean my makeup off then use SKII to massage and wash off the rest.
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Treatments -SKII - Facial Treatment Essence
hybiscuskiss 12/27/2011 1:51:00 PM
If you can afford this product, I'd indulge in it! It's not a miracle worker, but I think it nicely evens out skin tone and texture, especially in the mornings when I'm a bit puffy and ruddy. It's just that extra "something that I can't quit put my finger on" when looking at my skin after. It seems healthier, glowy and smoother without being obvious. It feels like it's balancing out my skin's moisture as well without leaving any residue or filmy feeling. I will say that it seems most effective when you first start using it vs long term...I think your skin gets used to it and it's less effective, so I periodically take breaks from it and use other products like the toner or the serum. Pricey, but definitely an indulgence!
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Crème -SKII - facial treatment cream foundation
hybiscuskiss 12/27/2011 1:38:00 PM
I love, love, loved this foundation...if only it matched my skintone! Broke my heart! I still gave it a high rating because the texture, quality and finish are amazing for someone who matches! I have yellow undertones but am quite tan for the color. I also have blemished skin and prone to acne when stressed or in dry weather. I was living in a humid climate when I was using this and still loved it (explained below). The foundation is really limited in its shades with most having pink undertones, which I don't understand really because if it's target demographic is for Asians, I'd think it would be skewed more for yellow-toned skin. ::shrug:: Also, it seems be targeted to very fair skin, at least much lighter than mine and I'm half Chinese, half Japanese. Maybe that is part of their "translucent skin" marketing, I'm not sure, but please, SKII, make more colors! The texture is creamy and thick...not a fan of the packaging since you have to dip your fingers in it (they give you a small plastic spoon but it's just not fast or convenient to use). A little bit goes a loooong way, though! Expensive, but I can see that it will last me ages. I pat it onto my skin with clean fingers because I like a natural look (and I'm lazy about washing brushes every day). It's quite moisturizing and even though I normally get a shiny face within an hour and was living in a humid climate, I think this stuff works with you and makes it look more dewey than oily (can't fight shine in the tropics). I still have to powder and blot, but it wears in nicely throughout the day rather than getting patchy and wearing off. In natural sunlight and indoors, it looks so natural, you can't tell I'm wearing makeup, it just looks like really nice skin (and I do NOT have perfect skin). In fact, my skin seems to do almost better wearing a bit of this daily, maybe it's because of the pietra or whatever they market in it. Seems to even out my skin tone a bit and smooth my skin out. Coverage is good and buildable, but it's creamy so it definitely is meant to melt into your skin and not pack on layer after layer. I wish this matched my skin tone because despite the SUPER expensive price tag, I would buy it again if it matched! I ended up having to give up and accept that I'll never be pale enough to look natural...I gave it to my sister, who matches perfectly, and she loves it; she has gotten many compliments on her SKIN (not makeup, her skin!) and is one of those low maintenance makeup girls (a bit of foundation and defines her eyebrows, that's it). Overall: Pros: formula, finish are amazing. wears nicely and is forgiving; gives you a glowy dewey look even if you have oily skin or live in humid climates. Cons: Limited shades and in a jar...really, SKII, really?? So bottom line: SKII, please make more colors available! I'll be your biggest advocate! =)
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Liquid -Bobbi Brown - Skin Foundation SPF 15
hybiscuskiss 12/27/2011 1:25:00 PM
I wanted to like this foundation because it matched my skin tone perfectly (I hate shopping for foundation almost as much as for the perfect pair of jeans) but it was not to be! It blends on nicely enough; I have weird combo-y skin that feels normal when I first wash but quickly get oily and shiny. I'm prone to acne when stressed or different climates and have uneven redness around my nose and cheeks, etc. I don't expect any makeup to keep me matte, but my skin's condition declined quickly when using this stuff. I thought I just needed to get used to the formula, but it clogged my pores with whiteheads and blackheads in just one day and every day after just made it worse and worse. I get blackheads of course, I don't have horrible or perfect skin, but it usually takes a several weeks of heavy use with my mineral makeup to get that sort of build up in my pores. My skin got very irritated and uneven in tone until I finally gave up after 3 weeks. I've tried going back to it a few times but it always clogs up my pores and I find myself having to try and detox them out once more. So disappointed since it was a great color match!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Desert Essence - Tea Tree Oil (100% Pure Australian)
hybiscuskiss 9/25/2009 12:06:00 AM
People say they don't like the scent of Tea Tree Oil but I actually like it! I find it comforting and not at all as awful as the ointments I've grown up with in an Asian household, haha. I like how its more of a natural product and that it's versitile in use...add to moisturizer or use after toner...it's naturally anti-bacterial, affordable and and lasts for a good while. I use it to try and help out my blemishes (it's not as strong as other chemicals but I like that it's more natural) and even applied to my boyfriend's toothache when he couldn't sleep one night to numb it out. Love the stuff!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No