Phew! That’s a mouthful title for Shu Uemura‘s latest addition to the TSUYA Skin skincare series 🙂

If you’re a fan of TSUYA Skin Youthful Radiance Generator, you won’t want to miss this one. Shu Uemura Malaysia will be launching two new product coming this September 2014 namely TSUYA Skin Youthful Crystal-Transparency Lotion and Silk Supreme Crystallizer. This lotion and cotton pad will go hand in hand with Youthful Radiance Generator perfectly. And I have the opportunity to pamper my skin with the new product just a teeny weeny earlier before the actual public release date.

TSUYA Skin Youthful Crystal-Transparency Lotion I, II, III (RM160 / 150ml)

Following the unprecedented success footstep of TSUYA Skin series as the ideal skin creator, the all-NEW TSUYA Skin Youthful Crystal-Transparency Lotion is an addition to help in boosting the skin’s self-cleaning mechanism and draw out crystal clear skin from within. Lotion is widely used by the Japanese as in replacement with toner. Both are the same, unless stated the otherwise by certain brand or product.

Through the eyes of professionals, Shu Uemura make-up artists believe that cosmetic water is one of the most important elements for the quality of each individual skin canvas. It is crucial to have a fresh, water-filled touch and transparent looking skin in order to create a perfect makeup finish. With the same understanding on hand, Shu Uemura doesn’t just come out with one universal lotion for all skin type. Instead there is three different texture catering to different skin type.

• I – Fresh watery type for Oily Skin.
• II – Watery type for Normal to Dry Skin.
• III – Rich jelly type for Dry, Very Dry Skin.

My skin now is leaning towards Normal to Combination Skin. I still have the tendency to say I have Oily skin but after a quick assessment, I was told that I don’t have Oily skin. Which is quite true. I was slightly shiny that day so I thought my skin is back to oily lol. That explains why I was recommended to use texture #II.

Shu Uemura TSUYA Skin Youthful Crystal-Transparency Lotion II is a watery lotion, just like any conventional toner available. It is not a bit sticky at all and absorbed into the skin immediately. It has a scent to it, which I don’t find unpleasant but it may be a tad bit too strong for those who are not into fragrance in skin care. Apart from that, my nose also picked up some slight alcohol scent. After a quick check with the ingredient list, the lotion indeed contain Alcohol Denat in it. I’m not sure if Alcohol Denat is the one that my nose detected though. Anyhow I wasn’t surprised at all because Alcohol Denat is an antimicrobial agent. It’s presence is to kill and to prevent or inhibit microorganisms growth and reproduction. Most importantly my skin doesn’t encounter any issue with the lotion and I’m happy with it.

Silk Supreme Crystallizer (RM30 / 45 sheets)

The second product that will be launched simultaneously with TSUYA Skin lotion is the Silk Supreme Crystallizer. Based on the name you would have thought it’s either a lotion or a serum isn’t it? But not this one. Silk Supreme Crystallizer is actually 100% pure silk and cotton lotion pads that are to be used together with TSUYA Skin Youth Crystal-Transparency Lotion.

TSUYA Skin lotion was created as an aid for the achievement of ideal skin texture, suppleness with a petal-soft, dewy touch as well as an ideal look that are boosted with transparency and healthy glow. So Silk Supreme Crystallizer is the perfect combination in order to achieve a beautiful makeup finish look the next day.

A box of Silk Supreme Crystallizer contain 45 sheets of dual-sided lotion pad. It is recommended to use the combo only once a day, that is incorporating into the night routine. As such, a box would last you for one and a half month with daily usage.

What’s special about this Silk Supreme Crystallizer is that it is an innovative dual-sided lotion pad. In the current expanding demand towards beauty products, there is still a restriction in getting our hands on such lotion pad. This would be my second so I was pretty thrilled to be able to find a similar version to what I’m currently using. If you ask me what’s the different between both, I would say this new one from Shu Uemura is quite good in terms of quality and it’s purpose. How is that so? Each Silk Supreme Crystallizer lotion pad comes with a side made of 100% pure silk and another side made of 100% pure cotton. It functions by introducing extraordinary smoothness while delivering moisture and suppleness to skin for the better foundation fit.

To use, I would pour a generous amount of TSUYA Skin lotion onto the pure silk (rougher) side. By generous I do mean accordingly to your skin type / face size / need. The lotion will take some time to soak into the pad due to the silk texture on the surface. This side of the lotion pad act as a gentle exfoliator and polish, lifting all the dirt, sebum and impurities away from the skin while gently purifying and smooth the skin. Don’t worry, it feels absolutely soft on the skin despite its purpose and there is absolutely no pain at all. I would recommended this to those who have thinner skin as you will be able to purify the skin without the harshness of normal facial scrub. For every other skin type, you will still need to continue with your weekly facial scrub treatment as this is not a deep cleansing scrub product that is meant to substitute your scrub. This only work on the surface of the skin.

After you are done with the gentle polishing step, turn the lotion pad over to the pure cotton (smoother) side. I would add more lotion to this side and gently pat upwards in small strokes to hydrate and refresh the skin. The patting motion will push the lotion to the skin. Remember to do it gently ya, not slapping your face heeeee 😀

Now the question is, if I only need to use the TSUYA Skin lotion and lotion pad combo at night, what about day time? I say go with what your skin tells you to. Personally I find this lotion to be quite gentle on my skin so I’m also using it in the day time except that I’m using it with normal cotton pad. I never have much luck with tightening the large pores of mine so I didn’t pay much attention to the pathetic pores until two days ago. The pores on my inner cheeks is somewhat smoother after foundation (I used Shu Uemura’s upcoming The Lightbulb Oleo-Pact Foundation by the way) so I thought it could be the foundation itself but noooo. I’m holding a mirror now as I’m typing this out. My pores is relatively smaller even after I removed all my makeup. That’s not all. I do find foundation goes on less cakey now as my face is smoother. To be honest, this is not the cheapest lotion around so I was pleased with the result after diligently using it day and night for the past one and a half week. And since I’m using it generously day and night, I’ve already used up 20% of it in this short period of time. I believe I will hit the bottom of the bottle in no time 😀

Here comes the ingredient list for both TSUYA Skin Youthful Crystal-Transparency Lotion and Silk Supreme Crystallizer.

Coming up! Shu Uemura’s upcoming new cream to powder compact foundation, The Lightbulb Oleo-Pact Foundation review.

Disclaimer: Press sample.