SK-II

I first used this some 10 years back and recall thinking it was 'ok, nice but nothing great'. 
Was recently given a trial size when purchasing the 'Brightening Derm Revival' mask and figured I'd give it another go. 

FTC is a creamy foam cleanser which doesn't strip the skin (I think the ingredients have changed since when I first used it) and lathers up nicely whilst removing light m/u quite effectively. A little goes a long way. However it does contain parabens and alcohol, whilst at the same time having good things in such as Pitera and Rosehip oil - although I'd imagine it's a very minute amount, otherwise this would not foam whatsoever! It's one of those products where you have to weigh up the pros against the cons. 
Personally I don't find it does much for my skin other than basic cleansing, if it brightened or smoothened the texture then fair enough I could justify forking out so much for the full size, but it does neither and hence why I won't...


Selena x


~ My HG list ~

(As I've sampled many 100s of skin, hair and m/u products over the last decade and a half, I thought it might be useful to share my top 10 must-have products, subject to change if and when I come across something more effective. I love constantly trying out new stuff - usually sample sizes via e-bay, also plenty courtesy of a friend who works at Sephora)


1. Hair Loss Treatment: ‘Divine Herbal’ - Hair Oil
2. Lip Balm: 'Nuxe' - Reve De Miel Lip Balm
3. Pigmentation + Anti-Ageing Treatment: ‘Divine Herbal’ - Facial Treatment Serum
4. Cleanser: 'Paula's Choice' - Skin Balancing Cleanser
5. Concealer: ‘Mac’ - Studio Finish Concealer
6. Lash Growth Serum: ‘Divine Herbal’ - Divinelash
7. Foundation/SPF: ‘Juice Beauty’ - Stem Cellular Repair (warm glow)
8. Foot File/Callus/Heel Treatment - 'Microplane' - Colossal Pedicure Rasp Foot File
9. Moisturizer: ‘Antipodes' - Rejoice Light Day Cream
10. Hand Cream: 'Origins' - Make A Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment

The word miracle water is perhaps the best way to describe this product. Someone with acne should definitely try this product out as fermented skin care is known to restore good bacteria on your skin.

Ever since I have started using this product, I have seen :
1. A reduction in big pimples especially those which used to erupt along my jawline
2. Improved skin clarity
3. Controls oil production, or rather balances the skin even
4. My skin is glowing, my scars are becoming lighter and pores are getting refined...

Everyone should atleast give this product a chance to prove itself..

A package of six of these masques were in our suite at the resort. The night we got in, I tried one.
I had some reservations about it, because I have extremely sensitive and fair skin. Anything, everything causes irritation. I have a strict skincare routine with particular products. I didn't know if I wanted to wreck my skin being adventurous in the midst of all of the holiday parties. In this climate (high altitude and harsher sun and cold) I knew my skin needed extra love.

First off, the smell was different. It was a yeasty smell. The liquid in the masque was very plentiful and viscous, sticky even. I had plenty left over in the packaging to apply to the cotton sheet after I had placed it on my face. The stiff cotton sheet stuck to my skin immediately, and after drying (I left it on about 40 minuets) it was difficult to remove.

I removed it, pulling slowly. The skin underneath was red for a small time, and I rinsed my face with lukewarm water. I was impressed! My skin glowed, the texture improved. It has a smoothness to it that wasn't there before. My lines (forehead, lip, smile lines) were significantly less apparent. I can say it exfoliated and plumped my skin. This effect lasted throughout the next day. I used it again, but in the morning. Much better results, considering I was awake to enjoy the benefits.

This did leave a slight residue on my skin, causing my cosmetics a little trouble, but not much. Just rinsed a little better and the issue stopped. I've always said, that makeup is temporary and skin is forever. Is it worth the price? Absolutely. The effects are substantial (albeit temporary), and I haven't used long enough to see permanent results.
I have been in touch with the spa and will be taking a few boxes home!

Initial thoughts: Surprised at how light the texture of this cream is, for a long time the only reason I've avoided it is because I assumed it was aimed at more mature skin types. According to the SA this is targeted towards the first signs of ageing and geared towards normal to combination skin types (me). The sample size lasted me for approximately 2 weeks, which isn't long enough to determine anti-aging effects, but still enough to see whether a product would agree with you, which in my case it did. No breakouts, no oiliness, just nicely hydrated skin. BUT it also didn't help with pores as promised or improve the texture - which a product should start to within less than 1 week.
Did give a slight glow but then again so can any number of moisturizers in a fraction of RNA's hefty price tag. Also wasn't too impressed with the ingredients list - so many chemicals I felt like a lab technician trying to decipher them all, plus parabens to boot. For me the ingredients are always the deal breaker. I wouldn't purchase this in the full size and will stick to their Derm Revival Brightening mask which is also quite costly - but gives much better and more noticeable results.


Selena x


~ My HG list ~

(As I've sampled many 100s of skin, hair and m/u products over the last decade and a half, I thought it might be useful to share my top 10 must-have products, subject to change if and when I come across something more effective. I love constantly trying out new stuff - usually sample sizes via e-bay, also plenty courtesy of a friend who works at Sephora)


1. Hair Loss Treatment: ‘Divine Herbal’ - Hair Oil
2. Lip Balm: 'Nuxe' - Reve De Miel Lip Balm
3. Pigmentation + Anti-Ageing Treatment: ‘Divine Herbal’ - Facial Treatment Serum
4. Cleanser: 'Paula's Choice' - Skin Balancing Cleanser
5. Concealer: ‘Mac’ - Studio Finish Concealer
6. Lash Growth Serum: ‘Divine Herbal’ - Divinelash
7. Foundation/SPF: ‘Juice Beauty’ - Stem Cellular Repair (warm glow)
8. Foot File/Callus/Heel Treatment - 'Microplane' - Colossal Pedicure Rasp Foot File
9. Moisturizer: ‘Antipodes' - Rejoice Light Day Cream
10. Hand Cream: 'Origins' - Make A Difference Rejuvenating Hand Treatment

like it, the pore gets cleared