Clarins is one of the brand that frequently reformulate their products at least once a year or maybe once every 2 years? However, their star product; Clarins Double Serum was last reformulated 5 years ago. Now, for someone who are constantly in the lab R&D-ing breaking scientific technology, that is very long. This brings us back to July 2017, where Clarins launched the 8th Generation of Double Serum. I was one of the privileged media to be invited for an interview session with Marie-Hélène Lair, Clarins Scientific Communication Director a day before the big launch event.

Why Clarins took 5 years to launch a reformulated Double Serum

According to Marie-Hélène, Clarins wouldn’t want to just launch a product for the sake of launching. Because Double Serum is one of the star product within the brand itself, they wanted to get everything right, test it out before launching and then only claim it to be the new version replacing the existing product. Another reason was because the 8th generation of Double Serum comes with a special “bottle in a bottle” packaging that took them so long to get everything right.

Double Serum has always known to be a product that has dual phase in a bottle and the bottle simultaneously will pump out two of the product at the same time with a different ratio. The new Double Serum now has the most powerful anti-ageing plant extracts that are either soluble in water or in oil. 2/3 of the formula contain water-based ingredients, while 1/3 of the formula is oil based. This particular ratio is to coincide with our skin’s hydrolipidic film. That is why Double Serum is easily absorbed in.

So what makes this 8th generation Double Serum new?

You will be sorry that you ask LOL because this new Double Serum are now enriched with a whopping 20+1 plant extracts. That’s right kids. TWENTY ONE! That is because Clarins finally found the main ingredient; Tumeric and others that are able to decode the language of youth that acts on signs of ageing. Now, I don’t know about you but that sounds a little too dramatic for me . But that is not all. Wait till you hear the other scientific discovery by Clarins. It will blow your socks off.

Double Serum claimed to decode your skin’s expression and listening. When I heard this I was like huh? It is said to better stimulate the skin’s 5 vital functions such as regeneration, oxygenation, nutrition, hydration and protection. Clarins explained that our skin’s cell actually have their own language. That, I do believe. And I also believe these cells communicate with each other. Double Serum targets the skin’s communication in order to boost the 5 vital functions of the skin.

“Bottle in a bottle” packaging

Let’s talk about one of the most high tech “bottle in a bottle” packaging for the 8th generation Double Serum. Clarins listened to its loyal users on how some people think a pump of Double Serum is too much on their skin. So, Clarins invited this BRILLIANT bottle packaging that has two different dosage pump. You may use any of the dose depending on your need and preference. If you think you need more at night time, use the bigger dose. I personally use the bigger dose as it is really not that much and I’m only using Double Serum at night.

The rich yellow serum you are looking at is the color from Tumeric. The skin’s cellular listening system, also known as lipid microdomains which aim cells to “hear” messages from their environment is made possible due to the new Tumeric Extract. Clarins discovered that this ingredient is high performance and it has high concentration of Turmerone. What it does is to target the cell’s lipid microdomains and preserve its listening ability, enhance its good cellular communication and the optimize the skin’s 5 vital functions’s proper functioning.

Here comes the good news. Previously many of you complained that Double Serum is too rich and too oily for the skin. Not all but certain users probably with oilier skin. That is because of the mineral oil in the formula. You don’t have to worry now because Clarins took away mineral oil from the formulation therefore this 8th generation of Double Serum is more light and less oilier than before. It was also my first impression upon testing the product out on the back of my hand during the interview session. It was lighter in consistency and much more less oilier. The scent remains the same. Phew! That was a relief as I do love the Double Serum scent. I would be crying if they change that. I asked Marie-Hélène about the scent and how it is possible for Clarins to preserve the most loved scent despite having Tumeric in the formula. She said Clarins work with a perfumer on the scent and so they are able to retain that peachy scent. She also added that most women love Double Serum scent and they do know it. And true enough, Clarins do listen to their loyal users.

At the interview session I wanted to see how oily is the new Double Serum so I did a small paper test. As you can see from the below diagram, it is definitely not oily and the oil layer doesn’t disburse away from its original place.

Is the 8th generation Double Serum a truly most powerful anti-ageing serum ever? The word “powerful” according to Marie-Hélène is within Clarins internally, not throughout the entire beauty industry. I like the 7th generation Double Serum and has gone through probably two bottles of it #notsponsored. I thought if my skin is able to take the previous Double Serum, I would definitely love this new Double Serum even more now that mineral oil was taken out from the formula. I was wrong.

A truly most powerful anti-ageing serum ever? My thoughts

You see, for some reason I had massive breakouts ever since I started using Double Serum. It took me a week to realized I wasn’t having hormonal breakout and something is wrong with my skincare routine. I’m bummed because before this my skin was at its best state. Now I have breakouts all over my face. It was easy for me to pin-point the fault because Double Serum was the one new skincare product I incorporated into my beauty regimen. Then I ran into another skin issue. Congested skin. I could literally feel tiny bumps all over my jawline. I was feeling so bummed out everytime I wash my face because I could feel the roughness from the tiny bumps. I stopped using Double Serum and the breakout subsided. But I wasn’t ready to give up. I restarted back with Double Serum and had even more breakout. Then I finally gave up. It has been a few days since I stopped and breakout stopped as well. I was ready to book myself a facial and get the beautician to squeeze the crap out of my face. Just a few days ago the sun was bright and I took my vanity mirror out to take a closer look at those annoying tiny bumps. What seems to be congested skin (white heads) has turned to tiny black heads. I managed to get rid of the gunk with my pimple popper tool. I can still feel a few more tiny bumps but since it hasn’t turn to black heads, there’s nothing I could do. Yes a facial appointment is definitely due.

I am just going to conclude that my skin is allergic to one of the ingredient. There are 20+1 ingredients in the Double Serum so don’t ask me which one as I wouldn’t know lol.

Disclaimer: Product was given to me at the media preview event. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post The 8th Generation Clarins Double Serum is so Powerful That it Gave Me Breakout and Congested Skin appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Regardless of age, every women want to have a firmer, lifted face. I for one sought after face lifting product since I was 26 years old after being on Hyperthyroidism medication. For some reason medication changed my sharp face feature into a different face shape. That, I am not happy with as I too developed some other skin issue as well. But the most obvious change after being put on massive medication is my face shape. After so many years of trial and error with trying out products that claimed to make one face sharper, I have come to a conclusion that those claim are near to impossible. Having said that, I do notice that all these products do lift and firm but not changing the face feature itself. So when the new Swiss Line Cell Shock Face Lifting Complex II landed on my review table, I was ready to see a firmer and lifted face.

Right off the bat, the Cell Shock Face Lifting Complex II is one expensive product. RM698 expensive! How am I going to repurchase this if I do like it? We’ll figure that out . I was pretty excited about this one. Anything that said “lifting” excites me. The beautiful gold serum came housed in a sturdy box. The bottle was nestled in an inner shell. Love the fancy feel when I slide the box out . My first impression according to @whoisthatcarguy was priceless. I went WHOAAAAAA so loud because I wasn’t expecting a gold bottle of serum lol.

Now, Cell Shock is a range within Swiss Line. And two of its classic – Eye Zone Lifting Complex II and this Face Lifting Complex II went into a revamp, now with the concept of combining anti-pollution to fight urban stress. Its original actives are retained. But its best Lifting formulas were improvised and incorporated with botanical biotech ingredients to effectively provide shielding from pollution and environmental toxicity. Newly engineered Urban Detox Complex is added into the classic formula as its high concentration of plant boosters is able to offer tightening and restructuring properties.

Recently I am trying out the idea of using toner with palm patting motion, rather than using it with cotton pad. Reason being is that my toner is so expensive that I find it is a waste to leave the goodness on a cotton pad. Yes I do know cotton pad is crucial in removing dirt and cleanser residue or what not. Just exploring the idea to see if I like it. I find that if I pat my toner straight from my palm to my face, my face is “wetter”. I was told this is good for the next skincare absorption. But then, I encounter an issue. A pump of this Cell Shock Face Lifting Complex II hardly feels on my skin and that small pump amount suddenly is too much. You know me, I like to go all-out with skincare especially anti-aging product, what more a face lifting product. So I switch things up a little bit. I ditch the idea of toner without cotton pad so that my face is not too saturated with toner. THEN, it feels right with this Cell Shock Face Lifting Complex II.

You see, the serum is in a gel consistency and it is on a liquidy side. It feels absolutely lovely on the skin. There was no worry about hydration because this serum is definitely hydrating, provided you use two pumps minimum. It smells a little perfume-y, but not too overpowering for me. I kind of liking the floral scent. From what I see on the tube, there are small little beads suspending inside the gel. Sometimes I can feel it on the skin, sometimes I don’t. The beads are not a lot so it is not always I get to pump the beads out. It’s not scratchy or anything like that so don’t worry.

Now, it claimed to give a noticeable face lift within minutes and reducing wrinkles. I feel the lifting literally a few minutes after I make sure I have all the serum absorbed into the skin. I don’t have visible wrinkles to witness the wrinkle reducing . I like that my face is more toned, not too tight and I definitely felt the lifting. It was weird but in a good way

Now that I like it, how am I supposed to repurchase this serum? Please send help over here lol. I do like it for when I am going out. I do not need to worry that I would look saggy on photos. I also notice that I need not to retake photos since I started using this serum. When I’m working from home, I try not to use this serum as I fear I would run out of it soon. I’ve used 1/4 of the serum you bet I am afraid I run out

The post Never Ever Going Out Without Swiss Line Cell Shock Face Lifting Complex II Beforehand appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

Nothing excites me more than seeing new anti-aging skincare range in the market. Although my skin type took a sharp turn from combination oily to dehydrated, I still see shine on the face because of the skin dehydration that causes sebum to keep the skin hydrated. People say, your skin will become dry as you grew older. That is so true and exactly what happened to me. And so I have put anti-aging skincare as my top priority, followed by hydrating skincare. Prevention is always better than cure. Remember that

What if you can get the best of both world – anti-aging + hyration? With Hada Labo’s new and improved Lifting & Firming range you can! I received the whole entire set of six Lifting & Firming products consisting of Lotion (Rich), Milk, Cream, Wrinkle Care Cream, Mask and Essence. I have finished the whole box of face mask and at the same time I took out the Hada Labo Lifting & Firming Essence to use first as I like to sandwich and layer my skincare.

Now, what’s new? The new and improved Lifting & Firming range now has two key ingredients – Hydrolyzed Elastin and Hydrolyzed Collage to help with skin strength, firmness and shape at cell level. The entire range is also infused with Elasgrow and Fermented Soymilk to help the skin to boost collagen and elastin production. Needless to say, those exclusive ingredients are to help your skin to defeat all the sagging issue, which is one of the main concern of aging .

I always find serum or essence the easiest to use and try first hand as I go all out and layer maximum 3 types of serum each routine. This essence is rather more thicker in terms of texture and consistency but being an anti-aging skincare, I am not surprised. As usual when it comes to Hada Labo, you would expect all the Hyaluronic Acid goodness. In this range itself you may find 4 types of Hyaluronic Acid that works by sinking deep into the skin, hydrating the skin from surface to skin deep.

The essence does looked gooey and thick but spreads like a water. It is so smooth, so comfortable on the skin and easy to spread all over the face without much effort. That said, you don’t need a lot. I usually used a whole pipette full and pat on the skin for it to sink in. It does takes quite a while for it to sink in because of the amount of skincare I layered on each routine and since I am used to it, I don’t mind at all!

Hada Labo Lifting & Firming Essence has naturally derived Pomegranate Extract and Lycopene, which boasts 100 times more antioxidant power than Vitamin E. And this helps to tackle signs of aging and pollution. However, I does not smell anything Pomegrante, sorry to disappoint you. Just as all Hada Labo products, this essence is scentless . It has Soybean Extract, which you can’t smell too but it is added in to improve skin elasticity and for collagen/elastin boosting.

All that sounds good and all but do I see significant results? I like to tell you how much youthful or firm my skin has become but I can’t because I did not notice any difference. Not because this is a bad product but because I am using so much skincare that I can’t notice the difference lol. My bad. However I do find myself using lesser amount of this essence because I realized I don’t need a lot. It is afterall formulated with High Performance Penetrating & Deep Moisturizing (HPP&M) Technology, which means this essence has a high and active delivery system to send moisture deep into the skin in order to hydrate the skin deeply from top of bottom.

Another product from the Lifting & Firming range that I AM MOST EXCITED about is the Wrinkle Care Cream, which is designed to treat all the contour lines on the face such as smile lines, forehead wrinkles and so on. I have yet to take it out to use and I have been dying to do so. Will tell you what I think about the cream the soonest I can!

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Enjoying Skincare Layering with Hada Labo Lifting & Firming Essence in Between appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona

It takes a lot to convert someone who is used to the 9-steps Korean skincare layering method to 4-steps maximum. When I started using the whole set of Kaizen skincare, I amazed myself with how fast my skincare routine is nowadays. Night time especially. I sleep very late on typical days. Laziness always get to me because by the time I am sleepy, I would be too tired to move a limb to apply my skincare. So when I am on the Kaizen 2-minute skincare routine, I was done unknowingly. And it’s just 3-steps! No kidding. As I grew older, I notice that my skincare routine gets minimal by year. Somehow I feel that I have been through it all. From no skincare at all to 9-steps, to using luxury brands to drugstore brands. I’ve done it all. The only thing I have not done is going minimal. While my makeup routine shows no sign of stopping, my skincare routine however has been taking a chill pill these days. Minimal but efficient is what I am looking for, and I found it through Kaizen.

Who is Kaizen and what they’re about?

I always find Japanese beauty to be fascinating in so many way. Their skincare works much better than Korean on me personally mainly because it is not oily on me and I like it that way. Kaizen is the Japanese word 改善 for “continuous improvement “. In short, Kaizen skincare emphasis on minimal and yet infused with potent efficient ingredients. A group of scientists discovered a brand new strain of microalgae, with remarkable anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-glycation properties at a small town that has the highest density of hot springs in the world. Microalgae from numerous onsens were collected and tested using DNA analysis. They found the one they were looking for and it was the 92nd sample. And so it was named RG92. RG92 fermented extract was patented became the key active in Kaizen’s skin care range.

Step 1. Reveal – Revealing Gel Facial Cleanser (RM170 / 150ml)

Kaizen takes on minimalist packaging. The kind that I like – clean and simple. The entire range are in light pastel blue + white bottles, except for the sunscreen. The packaging may reveals that it is a brand and range for younger skin but I soon found out it is meant for all skin type. In fact Kaizen skincare range has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-glycation properties, which are ingredients for anti-aging.

Within the four products, I must say I am more skeptical with the Revealing Gel Facial Cleanser the most but soon it became my favourite among all. Revealing Gel is a soap-free cleanser. It has fermented microalgae extract hence the gel-like consistency and texture. This main active ingredient is to counter redness and inflammation, while hydrolysed collagen and botanical complex in it is to supports overall skin health.

From what I understand, Kaizen skincare does not have artificial fragrance in it. So most of its product are not scented. However, this Revealing Gel has a faint soothing floraly scent to it. Or is it gel scent? I don’t know. All I know is I love the scent.

I said I was skeptical with the cleanser because this cleanser is to be used onto dry skin, with dry fingers. Because of this, I have to change my routine to using this cleanser before brushing my teeth . At first it does sound and feel a little bit odd because it does not foams up or feels like a cleanser that I am used to using. I used 3 pumps each time I wash my face. The gel goes on smooth and quite easy to spread around dry skin surface.

The instruction said to rinse thoroughly with warm water but I just used normal tap water and it works fine. Initially I thought water would sort of activate the cleanser and turn it milky in a way. Nope. It doesn’t. It stays like a gel from the start till after rinsing. To my surprise it is quite easy to rinse off. There is no sticky film left behind. Because of the gel, my skin feels soft and more moisturised compared to other cleanser. This cleanser is also said to be effective in removing makeup and even eye makeup but personally I am a firm believer in removing my makeup separately before skincare routine so I have no tried this on makeup yet. Skin does not feel tight, dirt and oil all removed from my face and I am one happy camper!

I love my foamy cleanser but somehow I also like this a lot. There is something about soap-free cleanser that stays exactly the same from before cleansing to after cleansing that I like. Okay, I admit I like unique product and this is one of it

Step 2. Rebalance – Rebalancing Water Balancing Essence (RM154 / 150ml)

You know my obsession with face mist right? At the brand introduction event, I saw this bottle of Rebalancing Water Balancing Essence is in a mist bottle and I can’t stop misting my face with it throughout the entire briefing.

After cleansing is of course to follow up with a toner/lotion to rebalance the skin back and I was excited to see that Kaizen’s version of toner is named as Rebalancing Water and it is in a mist form. Kaizen said it is such a waste to use a cotton pad for this purpose, which I kind of agree although cotton pad does have it’s purpose to further get rid of leftover dirt from the face from cleansing but I also believe in simplicity and using a toner direct from its bottle. In fact at home before this I have also converted to no-cotton pad for toner.

Kaizen Rebalancing Water contain a combination of kelp extract and fermented lactobacillus-collagen complex. Rebalancing water is crucial in this whole routine because the rehydrating enhances the skin absorption ability for serums and moisturisers. It hydrates, plumps up and rebalances the skin after cleansing.

The new bottle is a little bit wonky at the first two mist but after you get the mist out smoothly, boy oh boy this mist is the best thing ever. The pump is surprisingly so strong that I have to hold the bottle a lot further away from my face. My favourite method is to hold the bottle down with the nozzle facing upward. The mist land on my face with the perfect amount and saturation . Usually I am kiasu with my facial mist that I never hold it far away from my face but this one I really have to hold it far from my face lol.

Rebalancing Water is scentless but feels absolutely refreshing on the skin. It feels like water on the skin, not as heavy as ordinary toner. If you are a face mist fanatic like me, you will be delighted to know that this mist is a dual-function face mist – to use as a toner and as throughout the day face rehydration and refresher.

It is formulated WITHOUT Alcohol , Preservatives (fermented ingredients act as natural preservative), Synthetic chemicals, Parabens, Mineral oil, and Fragrance & Dyes.

Step 3. Renew – Renewal Jelly Facial Moisturiser (RM201 / 50g)

Voilá! Unknowingly we have reached step 3 of the 2-minute Kaizen ritual. Told ya it is fast and simple

Renewal Jelly Facial Moisturiser is the star of Kaizen. This moisturiser has NO silicone, preservatives, mineral oil, synthetic coloring and fragrance. It feels something like the Revealing Gel Facial Cleanser – smooth and smooth. It goes on the skin like a gel and as you work the product into the skin, it changes and became smoother and watery. Just a teeny weeny bit. It is said to have the texture of a gel, rejuvenating benefit of a serum and hydrating power of a cream. So this answer your doubt about where’s the serum .

This is the one product that I am most scared to apply on day time the most. Gel usually turns my makeup greasier but hey, this Renewal Jelly does not do that to me. It is just like a cream. Interestingly for a non-silicone product, my makeup adheres better with this moisturiser on.

The key ingredient for this star product is none other than RG92 fermented algae extract, hydrolysed yeast and collagen. Sometimes I feel that this moisturiser is not enough but everytime after I am done with my skincare routine, my gosh my skin never look this good. It immediately brighten my complexion thanks to its plumping effect from the moisturisation properties in it. On day time I am only using 2 full pumps but on night time, I am using 3 full pumps

Step 4. Reflect – Reflecting Lotion Mineral UV Shield SPF31+ (RM182 / 30g)

Sun protection. We all know it is the one thing no one should left home without. Even at home also you need to apply as the TV, computer, phone, fluorescent lights all has UV rays.  I don’t know about you but I do apply my usual sun protection at home but a lower SPF

When I first saw this Reflecting Lotion Mineral UV Shield SPF31+, the first thing that crossed my mind was – is it going to be enough? Understandably, I notice that most colder countries tend to product a lower SPF product. Here in Malaysia we tend to use minimum SPF50 PA++++ and above. On a brighter note, this is a mineral sunscreen. It is fragrance-free just like every other Kaizen products but it does have a hint of rose scent to it, mainly because of the Rosehip oil in it. It is also infused with Vitamin E to further enhance sun protection benefits, while minimising free radical damage. If you’re wondering if there is RG92 fermented microalgae extract in it, the answer is YES. This active key ingredient is added in to protects the skin from inflammation, while hydrolysed collagen and sodium hyaluronate to combat dryness and plumps up the skin.

The product has a full on white color to it. Because I do apply my sunscreen heavily, it does leave a little white cast on but soon disappears when the product settles on the skin. Same as every other sunscreen, it has the sunscreen feel to it but not greasy. This is one of the sunscreen that does not have sebum powder in it so it does not dries down velvety matte. I am not so particular with all this because a sunscreen should feel like a sunscreen. Anyway I have my matte face primer to apply on before makeup

The texture has a somewhat watery gel-like to it but not as gel-ish as the cleanser and moisturiser. Quite comfortable on the skin without feeling heavy and sticky.

I must be honest here. I do not expect much from Kaizen skincare range because it does look simple, that it is an anti-aging skincare. Anti-aging skincare to me is more like a prevention. I do not have severe visible signs of aging at the moment to see a huge difference so whenever I embark on a new anti-aging regimen, I use it without expecting anything.

But, every time I am done with my Kaizen skincare routine. I am amazed with how good my skin look. It is the kind of skincare that looked normal but efficient in ways that I didn’t even imagine. Perfect example of don’t judge a book by its cover

This is my skin Before Kaizen skincare regimen. Dull complexion most of the time. I don’t know what went wrong LOL.

And, this is my skin After Kaizen skincare regimen. See! Look at how beautifully healthy my skin look! I am not joking. It must be the microalgae. It must be

Well, if you wanna try the benefit of Onsen-Powered Japense Skincare, then you must try Kaizen. My Before and After photo says it all! The good news is, I have a discount code for you. When you purchase any Kaizen skincare products, it is free shipping to Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. And first 20 buyers with the code kzxfiona at checkout will entitle for a 20% discount

Disclaimer: Product was sent to me for review consideration. This doesn’t affect my judgement in the review in any way.

The post Kaizen Japanese Skincare May Be the Simplest 2-Minute Routine and Yet its Everything You Need appeared first on Street Love. by Fiona