It’s weird thinking how much I heart Clarins skincare but I haven’t done a second product review after Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection Tinted Version review. So. Bit by bit I’ll do a product review but now let’s restart with my first ever product and purchase from Clarins which is Shaping Facial Lift Lipo-drain Serum!

Why do I need it?
Good question. All my life I never had any problem with my face or face pocket. But everything changed in 2008 when I was diagnosed with a serious case of Hyperthyroidism. So serious that my doctor was so shocked that you can see his eyes popping out and looked at me in shock. Before I found out I had it, I had migrain all the time, my heart beat rate was so high I couldn’t breath if I talk too fast or if I walk more. Don’t mention about going up and down the stairs. I could faint. I remembered I couldn’t write properly as my hands were shivering too much. I ate 5 meals in a day and I still feel hungry. And of course what goes in will need to come out. Toilet break was a lot too and I was having diarrhea all the time. My menstrual schedule was so messy that I was menstruating every fortnightly for more than a week longer than the usual 3 days. And there was a lot more symptoms. The only good thing is I notice something was wrong and went immediately for a check-up. So the diagnose came on early stage. Even it was early stage of Hyperthyroidism, my level was too high. I was put on 6 Propyl tablets per day and 2 medication for the heart. In a week time I put on weight. Apparently the medication slow down my metabolism to normal rate and as my body was so used to high metabolism rate, my body need some time to adjust to the new slower rate so I gained weight and I felt tired most of the time due to the adjustment.

Since then I have face pocket and water retention on my face. Now it’s already my 3rd year on medication and I’m only on 1 tablet of Propyl now. With lesser medication I can see the baby fat on my face shrunk a little so is the water retention. However I feel that I need to do something about it so I turned to Clarins.

What does Shaping Facial Lift do?
The essential refining and draining skin care to use before any serum, to release fluid from the face, remove excess fats and restore refined and youthful facial contours.

This smooth, refreshing serum instantly lightens the face to reveal more refined facial contours. It firms the features, to “lift” and rejuvenate. The face is refined and protected from dark spots while the complexion is brighter and radiant.

Active Ingredients
Caffeine with increased bioavailability and baccharis extract: refine the face by encouraging the elimination of excess fats.
Caffeine and escin from horse chestnut: activate drainage and microcirculation.
Oat sugars: lift and firm features.
Alchemilla extract and a vitamin C derivative: help to control hyperpigmentation.

When & how to apply this?
Apply morning and evening, after make-up removal / cleansing and before your regular skin care. Its action will be enhanced by following Clarins Manual Auto-Lifting Method explained in the leaflet with the product.

Clarins strongly urge their users to use Manual Auto-Lifting Method instead of normal applying with all the pulling. Only 3 minutes and I can have firmer, lifted and fresher face! Sometimes when I’m too tired at night but I wouldn’t want to miss this, I just applied with light “tapping” from inner to outer of the face until fully absorbed. Here’s the picture chart on the applying method.

What is my thought after using it for 4 months?
Although I was told that the result will be visible in 2 weeks time, however sadly that wasn’t my case. I tried calming myself that my result will be slower than others due to the long term medication. I cannot expect what’s accumulated for the past 3 years would be gone in 2 weeks. I lost hope in the first month thinking it doesn’t work although some of Clarins BA said I look better now. Not wanting to waste the serum, I continued using it. Finally one day in front of my office mirror, I notice that water retention on my face has reduced! When I makeup in the morning I notice as well my forehead line and fine lines around my eyes had reduced tremendously. This could only mean the serum plus Manual Auto-Lifting Method works!!

By 2nd to 3rd month I can see my cheek line is now defined and lifted. I tried eating more healthily to prevent water retention in the morning. Day by day the water retention on my face is getting lesser.

On my 3rd to 4th month I notice the face pocket on my face is smaller and look more defined. No more double chin as well. The Counter Manager at Metrojaya Mid Valley even commented that my jaw is now more visible! But the face pocket is still there. I’m still determined to lose the baby fat on my face.

Now. . . here’s the before and after pictures! Hope you’re more convinced with this than the long story above LOL.

I’m on my third bottle now and it’s finishing soon. I had just stocked up another two bottles from the recent promotion 😉

Pros:
1) Smells good, not sticky, absorb quickly.
2) The product really works but works more efficiently with Manual Auto-Lifting Method.
3) Reduces water retention, fine lines on areas that are applied and face pocket.

Cons:
1) Quite pricey for a 50ml (RM225) if you buy this alone. If you get this on their promotion duration then it’s very worthy!
2) Opaque casing so you couldn’t see if the product is finishing soon. So you need to take a wild guess by hand weight and stocked up an extra at home 🙂

So if you are keen on trying this but don’t wanna put a hole in your wallet, why not get it now as Clarins is having a Perfect Shape & Lift Best Buy Set from July until August 2011.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. I bought the product on my own.