Kerstin Florian is a popular US skincare brand that is used in all the luxurious spa in USA and internationally that are worth knowing. In Australia, you can find this brand in Aurora Spa & Eforea Spa, Hilton in Melbourne and a few other spas in Surfers Paradise, Brisbane and Queenstown. To be honest I have only been introduced to this brand late last year and have had the chance to trial more of their products namely the Kerstin Florian Brightening Facial Treatment & Kerstin Florian Serum C+ Infusion recently.
Kerstin Florian Serum C+ Infusion RRP AUD$169
This I use as a serum step, it delivers pure vitamin C to skin, this helps to boost firmness, improve tone and brightens the skin. In a long run, it helps to reduce appearance of fine lines. More importantly, with regular use of Vitamin C, it helps to reduce and suppress the formation of melanin (score!)
Star ingredients: Vitamin C+ Complex, Pentylene Glycol (moisturising), Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate (firming of skin), Algae Extracts (soothing), Bitter Orange Oil (anti inflammatory)
Results: With a gel like texture, this serum absorbs into skin effortlessly without leaving skin feeling dry or tight (most brightening products often forget about the moisturising bit but this delivers) and I certainly can’t fault a pump bottle product. It has a strong orangey scent and all you need is two pumps for both face and neck application.
Having said that I haven’t seen drastic changes to my skin or any adverse reaction. To me this is more of an investment product for the future to prevent pigmentation and any sun damages that I am prone to. I did however find that this works particularly well post acne and even for sensitive skin it didn’t flare up or was too strong for my skin.
Kerstin Florian Brightening Facial Treatment RRP AUD$169
This technically is a serum too but I use this on top of my Serum C+ Infusion by layering both serum. THIS delivers instant results to skin – my skin literally glows like never before. Combining a powerful blend of skin illuminating botanicals and Acti-5 Brightening Complex, this serum works overtime to restore skin’s clarity and visibly fade dark spots.
Long term effect from this serum also helps to inhibit melanin production and to rid of dull and uneven skin (addresses my key concerns!), prevent fine lines/wrinkles and reduces brown spots.
Star ingredients: Red Algae (controls pigments), Brassica Napus Extract (active ingredient for lightening), Dermostatyl (lightening peptide), Chinese mushroom (reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation), Black Tea Ferment (skin strengthener) + Vitamin C (boost collagen).
Results: I am impressed and this is a MUST HAVE product for me, call it holy grail if you must. For the longest time I never got the whole “radiance” craze didn’t think my skin was capable of showing me and boy this pretty much showed me what and how radiance skin could look like. Each time using this serum, my skin glows and brightens all over. It has a brightening effect on skin without weighing it down or being too rich.
I also love the scent (refreshingly citrusy) and the water based like texture absorbs into skin rapidly. Since I have started using this combo I could not be happier with my skin results!
Read about my Kerstin Florian facial treatment at Aurora Spa and my review of their Brightening Eye Creme.
For stockist call 02 9477 6900
Estee Lauder finally released their CyberWhite HD skincare range in Australia, remember my post back in 2011 in regards to their BB cream? Fast forward to 2013, we now have two products from the CyberWhite HD collection available in Australia – a lotion and an essence.
Just to clarify, the lotion replaces the toner step and is a moisturising step instead of a stripping moisture from your face like most toner do. As for the essence, it is essentially a serum step. This collection is a collaboration between Germany and Japan, to study the effect of pollution on asian skin versus caucasian skin and was tested on Asian skin to address some specific Asian skin concern – namely pigmentation, brown spots, dullness and acne scarring.
Estee Lauder CyberWhite HD Advanced Spot Correcting Moisture Lotion in Fresh Moist – RRP AUD$75 (200 ml)
Use after the cleansing step, I pour a generous amount on a cotton pad and dab/pat all over my face and neck area to ensure it is absorbing into my skin. This step helps to refreshen skin and to prep skin to better absorb the essence step after. It also helps to remove any missed spot that hasn’t been cleanse properly and this will SHOW on the cotton pad.
The lotion is designed to rid skin of dullness, brighten and deliver hydration to balance skin. This comes in 2 formula – Fresh Moist and Intense Moist and I am reviewing Fresh Moist.
Results: This lotion contains fragrance and even with my sensitive and allergic prone skin it does not cause any reaction to my skin which is great. The lotion absorbs into my skin quite quickly and keeps my skin well hydrated and the welcoming refreshing floral scent also helps to revitalise skin. I quite like this especially in the mornings and is rotating between this and my all time favourite SKII Facial Treatment Essence depending on my skin’s needs and weather.
Estee Lauder Cyberwhite HD Advanced Spot Correcting Essence – RRP AUD$140 (30 ml)
Recommended to use straight after the lotion step, the Advanced Spot Correcting Essence step is a serum step where you apply before your moisturiser. Serum being the most concentrated step in your skincare is a step I’d always recommend ladies to invest their hard earned clams on. Always look out for serum that addresses your MAIN skin concern. Mine being dullness and scarring – makes this serum the perfect fit for my skincare routine.
Combining the highest level of HD-90 technology, this serum focuses in brightening the look of dark spots and to boost radiance to skin. Most of all, it also contain a high concentrate of anti inflammatory botanical helping to soothe skin, reduce redness and to even out skin tone.
Results: Every day and night, I diligently pump two full pumps to massage all over my face and neck. Surprisingly, despite this being a brightening product it fills my skin with moisture (in my past experience most brightening skin care product seems to feel a tad too drying on skin). This alone is a winner for me as we all know how DRYING it is in Australia.
I have been using this twice a day for the past 3 weeks and have noticed my skin looking more “even” textured. Less blotchy, less redness and less visibly acne scarring. Occasionally, I also use this around my eye areas with no issue whatsoever. Overall, I think it is fair to say ‘I love it!”.
Both products are available to purchase on Estee Lauder counters and online via esteelauder.com.au
Call 1800 061 326 for stockist
For years, I have known that Chanel has a whitening make up range that caters to the Asian market (and quite possibly a few other countries) but for the longest time being in Australia I could only admire the ad shots from afar and not experiencing the products myself.
To be honest the normal Chanel foundation range in Australia starts from shade 20 which doesn’t quite sit naturally on my skin since I have fair skin. Even the tiniest hint of brown will look muddy and dark on my skin. The Chanel whitening make up range however starts from shade 10. I was skin matched to #B10 Beige Pastel while I was travelling in Taipei (yes Taipei again I have about 23,423,646 beauty prodz to review from this trip).
Since I haven’t been trialling enough compact/powder foundation, I thought I should give this ago instead of the liquid variety. The beauty of a compact foundation is that you can either use this on its own with the sponge (ultra soft I might add, definitely not your usual sponge!) for a mid coverage finish or use a large fluffy blush to buff all over face after foundation application as a mattifying powder.
The real stand out for me on this one has to be the super soft sponge, the airless texture and the “my skin but better translucent finish” without traces of powder, cakey-ness and how well the shade matches my skin. With the heat waves in Melbourne, this withstood hot days leaving me with a velvety finish and only required minimal touch up. The powder doesn’t oxidise on my skin and doesn’t look dull and accentuate my yellow skin tone after a good 5 hour wear.
I can honestly say I am a convert and will definitely look to refill this whenever I travel next.
RRP AUD$100
This was purchased by me in Taipei and will be in Australian counters 21st July 2013 onwards
How cute is this facial cloth mask tester?
I love facial cloth masks (FCM), have blogged about it, preached it and have actively promote it for as long as they have existed. Not many skincare brands carry them here in Australia but it is all the craze in SE Asia. Needless to say, it is incorporated in everyone’s skincare routine over there. FCM is not an optional skincare treat, it IS a skincare routine step some use it daily (I use them 30 days straight, every other month), couple of times a week to weekly.
Recently, I’ve discovered a new FCM brand that is made in Taiwan home of famous My Beauty Diary FCMs. Say hello to – L’Herboflore.
Luxury skincare with consumer friendly price / Made in Taiwan / Influenced by French la mode and facon.
I first got to trial some of these FCM late last year when Tina sent me some to trial from Taiwan. Earlier this year, I was fortunate to attend their press event in Taipei and gosh was it OTT and by far one of the best beauty event I’ve attended to date. I am not one to usually blog about events but one that is planned, prepared to this in details, it’s worth a post on its own.
Look at some of the spread! All in bite size!
Details, details, details!!
Look at the display!
Felt like I stepped into my dream beauty room!
I just love all the floral display and the testers, they were so cute!
The stage and lightings in itself is magnificent.
Everything was catered to the finest details – ballerina, checked, magician, checked, confetti checked, celebrity, checked. Having said that, my opinion of these masked are not affected by Tina or the press event that I’ve attended.
On first look, these mask packaging looks way bigger than your usual FCM packaging, these sizes are usually reserved for luxurious FCM and guess what? This is the standard size for L’Herboflore’s.
L’Herboflore carries a variety of FCM range that looks after all type of skin concerns from moisturising, brightening, lifting, anti-ageing, radiance boosting, soothing, repairing, firming, the list is endless. With FCM it is as much result driven as well as sensory experience. L’Herboflore focuses on Japanese FCM technology in terms of high quality masks and the cut of masks (most of them have 12 cuts to tailor fit all types of face shapes).
Apart from the quality of mask, the cuts that fits my face effortlessly, I also love how much serums there are in each mask some up to 30ml!!; more than your typical SKII and SKII are notorious for leaving behind heaps of essence. Overall, I can’t claim that every single mask is amazing but the ones I have tried (which I will drop comments below), I love them and they leave my skin refreshed, smoother and my favourite has to be the Biocellulose mask – my skin looks a good 2-3 shades lighter each time I use this!
Here is the full list of collection as point of writing, I am sure this collection will continue to grow:
- Garden of Venus – Flora: Orchid, Rose, Camellia, Cherry Blossom, Lotus, Immortelle NT$50/pc [approx AUD$1.66]
- Garden of Venus – Fruits: Apple C, Strawberry, Lychee, Pear Crystal, Watermelon, Grape, Mango NT$50/pc [approx AUD$1.66]
- Clinical – Biocellulose: Hyaluronic Acid (My favourite out of the range due to its active ingredient content, best for anti-ageing, brightening and anti-acne) NT$250/pc [approx AUD$8.33]
- Clinical – 3D: Tranexamic Acid + Truffle, Hyalupeptide (Great for lifting, these are the ones where you loop through your ear to prevent the mask from falling off your face) NT$100/pc [approx AUD$3.33]
- Aegean Sea: Chlorella, Deep Sea, Black Pearl, Marine Collagen NT$50/pc [approx AUD$1.66]
- Party Sweety: Sweety Strawberry, Sweety Cocoa, Sweety Black Tea NT$50/pc [approx AUD$1.66]
- Aromatherapy: Lavender, Palmarosa NT$80/pc [approx AUD$2.66]
- Royal Countess: Royal Pearl, Royal Bird’s Nest NT$260/pc [approx AUD$8.66]
These mask are now right up there with my existing favourites, SKII and Beautymate.
L’Herboflore is available on counter in Taipei 101 and a new counter is opening in Xin Guang San Yue A11 (新光三越)
Alternatively, if you want to get your paws on these mask perhaps be extra nice to @tinnipoo and she might take on your order and post them to you.
Two weeks ago, I visited Dr. Tass Cosmetic Enhancement at Crown Spa for a consultation re Liposonix treatment. To give you a bit of an idea what Liposonix (an exciting new treatment in Australia!) I thought it would be best to break down Liposonix treatment review and treatment results into two posts.
What is Liposonix?
From the same makers (Solta Medical) of amazing aesthetics devices like Thermage, Fraxel and Clear + Brilliant; Liposonix is the latest ground breaking fat reduction treatment that was developed over a period of 10 years by leading scientists and ultrasound experts. This technology has been released in USA for a year or so now and has just entered the Australian market last October. Dr.Tass’ clinic (at Crown Spa) is the first in Victoria that offers this treatment and has already been the talk of town.
Liposonix is clinically proven as a non-invasive waistline fat reduction treatment that is safe and advertised as 1 treatment, 1 hour and 1 size smaller. Big call and I can’t wait to report back with my progress on this.
How does it work?
Technology wise, Liposonix uses advanced high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to slim down waistline without any downtime like surgery does.
Liposonix permanently destroys the fat cells found beneath the skin without harming the skin’s surface. The body then naturally processes and removes the fat tissue over a period of 8 to 12 weeks, leaving behind a slimmer and more contoured waistline (music to my ears!).
Clinical studies have demonstrated an average waist circumference reduction of approximately 2.6cm (1 inch) after a single Liposonix treatment. This of course varies between individuals as well, some have reported to loose more than others.
Is it suitable for everyone? Who is the best candidate for it?
You know how liposuction isn’t designed for everyone? The same applies for Liposonix hence a thorough consultation is needed to see if one qualifies.
Lucky for me, I fit the bill as someone who has a relatively healthy diet and exercise (my exercise extends to only catching PT – tram +train and walking up the stairs to work…) and still can’t get rid of that last inch or two around the waist. If you can pinch an inch of fat, then you’re the right candidate for it.
Liposonix is also great for mum who are back to their post pregnancy weight and want to rid of the excess stubborn fat around the waist line – the abdomen and love handles.
Just to be clear, Liposonix is not suitable for people who are overweight, obese and is not a weight lost treatment.
How long does it take?
As advertised, it only took me one hour for the treatment to complete and another 30 mins for prep, measurement, photo taking and so on. I felt that the whole treatment just went by so quickly.
What should I do to prepare and post treatment care?
It is best to shave the designated treatment area prior to treatment to ensure you have a smooth surface for treatment. Additionally, since you will be required to strip down to your undies, perhaps wear something you won’t be embarrassed about to take pictures in.
Additionally, it is best not to do any laser treatment in the treated area for at least 2 weeks post treatment.
Does Liposonix treatment hurt?
The maximum pass is 60 and my treatment was conducted in 30, a very comfortable and bearable limit for me. Some would say it feels like contraction (but since I have not given birth before I can’t vote on that). The closest I can describe is this prickling and tingling sensation that’s coming from within of my skin. It also feels a little warm at times. When my pass was brought up to 50 so I can feel how it is like; I could feel a very uncomfortable and almost unbearable painful sensation.
Hence having the treatment at a bearable pass and consistently go over the same area a couple of times is recommended rather than a high pass at a painful level. Do note that lowering the pass does not make the treatment any less effective.
Post treatment, treated area felt a little bloated and tender to touch for a week. I also had mild bruising at the area where 50 pass was treated. Apart from that, I could go ahead with my daily go about as usual.
How much does it cost?
This varies for each individual. My treatment of abdomen and love handles was quoted to be AUD$2,500 – AUD$3,000. Do bear in mind that my cost will be different to each individuals’ costing.
When will I see results?
Due to the treatment requires 8 – 12 weeks to best see results, I will be blogging a second post along with before and after results.
Side note: I completed my Liposonix treatment on the 13th February and will report back with new updates. Stay tuned.
Recently, Grown Alchemist beauty products underwent a facelift and say hello to their new delicious and pretty looking lip balm. Very Aesop don’t you think? For those of you who are not familiar with Grown Alchemist, it is an Australian brand that focuses on healthy skincare. All products are made with bio active certified organic ingredients.
This is my first time trialling their lip product, the watermelon & vanilla lip balm is surprisingly good. It smells like fruity watermelon and sweet vanilla on the lips. Texture wise, it looks and feels like rich, silky, melted balmy texture. Think of a thick, rich balm in a tin is being melted into rich silky fluid.
In terms of sweetness, while it smell really sweet it doesn’t taste sweet on the lips so that helps to prevent me from liking my lips. This lip balm is definitely a great option for overnight use, prepping lips in the morning (gently blot over lips prior to lipstick application) and perfect for bloggers who does a lot of lips swatching. I however don’t see myself using this during the day as I find that it is a little rich for my liking, it does leave my lips looking like it has a layer of oil over it.
RRP AUD$19.95
Available on counters now
When it comes to looking bright eyed and fresh looking, it is no secret that Asians has long been using eye lid stickers to create the double eye lids effect.
Eye Define is exactly that, non invasive, discreet, non-toxic and hypoallergenic that provides temporary eye lift with instant results that last all day.
Eye Define comprises a unique transparent strip and gel system that is easily applied in 3 simple steps – remove strip, add gel, and apply to eyelid for fresher, younger looking eyes instantly. Eye Define can be applied over or under eye makeup and costs just $29.95 for 64 strips.
For more information about Eye Define, like their Facebook page to stay up to date with all promotions.
Lucky for you readers, there will be 3 lucky winners who will win a pack of eye define each.
How to win it:
Leave a comment below and tell me what is your favourite eye shadow colour. Personally, I love a good shimmery golden brown shade.
Important notes:
- Competition ends 5:00 pm AEDST on 19th February, 2013
- Competition is open to all readers in Australia
- Winner(s) will be selected randomly and contacted, be sure to check your emails to respond with your postal address
- Should the winner(s) does not respond within reasonable time frame, the prize will be forfeited and another winner(s) will be chosen
- Each user can only send through their entry once, failing to do so entries won’t be qualified for the competition
Left to right: #Hello Dolly, #O Peachy!
Looking for an inexpensive powder blush that delivers pigment, has longevity and is flattering? Face of Australia actually has some pretty impressive blushes that fits the bill. Today I am swatching two blushes, a pink one and a peachy one.
On the left, we have #Hello Dolly blush is a matte blush with no shimmery particle in it, perfect for day especially those who don’t like shimmer in their blush. The pink blush adds a pop to your cheeks and if blended with a fluffy blush brush, this will blend in nicely without looking OTT. Personally, I think this would suit someone with a fairer skin tone better.
On the right, we have #O Peachy! a shimmery peach shade. Great to freshen any tired look and add a punch of colour to cheeks. I’d recommend this for all skin tones and do remember to blend it well and start with light application and proceed with layers to build up to the intensity that you like.
RRP AUD$9.95 each
Available on Face of Australia counters now
