Monday, March 26, 2012

Review: shu uemura white efficient UV under base brightening mousse

I L.O.V.E fair and translucent skin. I love it when my skin looks crystal clear and rosy, and hate it when its dull and patchy. That is why I always include brightening products in my daily skincare regime, be it a serum or moisturiser. 

My latest attempt at whitening is shu uemura's new brightening UV under base mousse. It's a makeup base, to be applied before powder or liquid foundation.


shu uemura white efficient UV under base brightening mousse,  50g,  $80
Image from http://www.chicprofile.com

Unique features of this product:

1. Lightens existing spots and limit the formation of future spots.
2. Corrects yellowness of skin to give instant rosy complexion.
3. It's 20X lighter than any other makeup base, which makes the texture of the product light and suitable for humid weather like Singapore.
4. Pore tightening & line filling, to give skin flawless appearance before makeup application.
5. Comes with SPF30 PA++

Mousse is pink purple, which corrects yellowness of skin to translucent and rosy

Left: After, Right: Before

From above photo, the result after using the product is clear! My skin looks brighter, more rosy and more matte. It doesn't give coverage, but corrects my skin tone. I like the product for its lightness and non-greasiness. I feel like my skin can breath, with SPF protection. It's also nice to know that the product is somehow working hard to limit formation of pigmentation in the deeper layers of my skin. LOL. The only thing is that my t-tone is still shiny after the usual 2 hours. But well, this product doesn't really promise oil control effects. 

I apply a golf ball size of product with shu uemura's pentagon sponge every morning. The product should last me about 2 months. I am already halfway through the can and am going to purchase the pink one as soon as I finish this! 

Overall rating: 4/5. -1 point for the price and not so good oil control!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Review: Laneige 50+ Brightening Sun Powder, Water Bank Essence & Water Bank Eye Gel

In the recent months, I have become a fan of Laneige skin care. Most of their stuff really work for me. I am currently using their whitening range, which I have reviewed here before. My opinion of the range now and then remains more or less the same, just that I think I would rate it 4.5/5 instead of 4/5 now. Perhaps my skin has become more mature and love the richer texture of the products, especially the night cream. So, after falling in love with the range all over again (after trying many other products in between), I bought a few more products from Laneige to compliment the few I am using!

Laneige 50+ Brightening Sun Powder SPF50+++, 19g, $49


The powder comes with 2 puffs and a very modern holographic packaging. It's just like a compact powder and easy to apply on face. It can be used after foundation as sun protection. It also can be touched up over makeup multiple times. 

I was excited to try out this product, because I had the idea that I could use it as a touch up powder for my makeup. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone -- touch up my sun protection and matte-tify my face throughout the day! To my disappointment, the beauty advisor told me that no, I cannot use it as a compact powder, as it doesn't have coverage -- only as sun protection powder! Despite her advice, I decided to try using it as a compact powder anyway (ya I know, I am stubborn). OF COURSE, that didn't work out. The powder left whitish residue at the side of my nose, and my liquid foundation became blotchy after a while. So, clearly, this powder is only meant for protecting my skin from the sun! Silly me, but I just had to try.


As you can see, there is no coverage, except that the skin is slightly brighter after use. 

The product contains vitamin C that prevents sebum oxidation under UVrays. It also contains Comfrey extracts to sooth dulled skin reddened by sunlight. 

It is convenient to carry around and for application wherever you are!

Overall rating: 3/5. If only I can use it as compact powder. A bit troublesome for me to touch up my foundation, then touch up sunblock.

Laneige Water Bank Essence, 60ml, $62 or $68 (I forgot, sorry!)

I usually use a whitening essence as step 3 of my skincare routine every morning, then at night I would replace with another essence, anti-ageing or in this case, a hydration essence.


As I grow a bit older, I think my skin needs a bit more hydration, or else the aging process will become faster and i would get lines on my face! 

The texture is like most essence, light and easily absorbed. Skin feels hydrated without the sticky feeling. I can't say the texture of my skin has improved over a month of usage, but I am assuming the essence is doing its job deep within my skin. Usually I can tell whether an essence is effective if it is like a whitening one, as I can see actual improvement of skin tone; but honestly, since I don't have very dry skin to begin with, I can't really say I can see any change in my skin. I guess this is one of the products that I would use to put my heart at ease that I am giving my skin extra moisture!!

Overall rating: 4/5. Nice and light texture. Skin feels 'happy' after application. Assuming the essence is doing its work in my skin's deeper layers.

Laneige Water Banc Eye Gel, 25ml, $59 


Ok, like I always say before I review an eye cream, I am the type who don't expect too much from this kind of skincare as I have never seen one that can really reduce dark circles or eliminate puffiness. All I need is something non-sticky and be able to hydrate my skin. This gel does just that - hydrate my eye area!! I like it for it's fresh finish and light texture, and somehow my eyes look less tired after using it. 

I recently reviewed L'oreal's Youth Code Rejuvenating Anti-wrinkle Eye cream. If I were to compare these 2 eye products, I might choose to purchase the L'oreal one as it's slightly cheaper, and also has anti-aging properties!

Overall rating: 4/5. Good, but feels a bit 'boring' to repurchase.

Note: Other then swatch images, the rest of images are taken from http://www.laneige.com.sg/main.jsp