As much as I am obsessed with whitening and brightening skincare, I do rotate from time to time with anti ageing products too as we are in Winter weather and I am getting older by the day. I feel that I need to pay extra attention to ageing as well as brightening care. So whenever I finish brightening products I would swap my skincare routine to anti ageing and once they run out I’d swap it back to brightening and vice versa.
At the moment, I have been using a serum and moisturiser anti ageing combo from Chanel & Olay. Remember, it’s always better to prevent than to cure signs of ageing.
Chanel Ultra Correction Line Repair Serum
RRP AUD$208
This serum is lightweight and gel like texture, making it perfect for all skin types including oily/combination skin types. The pump bottle packaging makes it easy for application, I use two full pumps for full face and neck application. As this serum focuses more on line repair, I made sure to put extra effort to massage this into the fine lines in my neck area.
After application, I can feel that it instantly makes my skin feel “plump-ed”. Look at my picture above and all the disappeared fine lines!! Cray cray!! Despite it contain fragrances (as all Chanel skincare does) I could use this day and night with no issues (breakout, congestions, greasiness) and most importantly my skin feel well hydrated all day long with no signs of tightness.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
RRP AUD$49.99
Following the serum step, I am currently using the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream to lock in all the serum goodness. I’d opt for the fragrance free option so that it doesn’t clash with my Chanel serum (as the serum already contains fragrances).
This award winning moisturising cream promises firmer and smoother skin by delivering intense hydration. It is best used with firm circular massaging technique paying extra attention to areas needed a little more TLC – brow area, jaw line etc. Texture wise, this is rich but never greasy once massage into skin.
Filled with amino-peptide complex, it also helps to renew (aka exfoliate) skin’s surface to keep skin looking fresh and youthful with a smoother appearance.
Overall, both products compliment each other really well. Despite the rich and intensity of the products, they are never oily/greasy to my skin and in fact helps for make up to settle on my skin better. Who says you can’t mix splurge and budget skincare items together? As a huge fan of serums, I really recommend to splurge a little more and save some coins with moisturisers as there are really affordable yet good quality options around.
With this time and age, we are all time poor and is constantly finding ways to find peace, calm and time saving methods. Well, lucky for us Olay has recently launched a serum and moisturiser combo – the latest Olay Total Effects 7 in 1 Cream + Serum Duo.
Olay Total Effects was first conceived over 10 years ago when an extensive survey discovered that women across the globe, despite their differing ethnicities and geographies, were concerned about similar signs of ageing.
The NEW Olay Total Effects Moisturiser + Serum Duo fights the seven signs of ageing by:
1. Line Minimisation: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
2. Tone Enhancement: Evens and balances skin tone
3. Age Spots Treatment: Reduces appearance of age spots
4. Gentle Exfoliation: Smoothes and evens skin texture
5. Nourishing Moisturisation: Soothes dry skin
6. Reduction of Dullness: Gives skin a healthy radiance
7. Pore Refinement: Minimises the appearance of pores
This week, five lucky winners will walk away with the new Olay Total Effects Moisturiser and Serum Duos with SPF 15 each. Each product is valued at RRP AUD$32.49.
How to win it:
Leave a comment below and tell me what is the most important skincare step for you?
Important notes:
- Competition ends 5:00 pm AEDST on 15th May, 2013
- Competition is open to all readers in Australia
- Winner(s) will be selected by skill and contacted via email, be sure to check your emails to respond with your postal address
- Should the winner(s) does not respond within 48 hours, 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.
When it comes to skincare, I am a firm believer of a good serum and moisturiser to match could work wonders to skin by locking in the potent goodness of a serum. Alpha H recently did a facelift in terms of their skincare products packaging and as well as their website to enhance the consumer online purchasing experience.
A while ago, Alpha H got in touch with me to review some Alpha H products and fast forward 6 weeks later, I am reviewing the Alpha H Vitamin A & E 50/50 (RRP AUD$102) and Alpha H Balancing Moisturiser & Gentle Exfoliant (RRP AUD$59.95).
Alpha H Vitamin A & E – 50/50 with almond
RRP AUD $102
Serum being the most important part of skincare can address and prevent heaps of skin concern these days. I chose this vitamin packed serum because it works to help repair cellular damage. This serum recommended to use only at night time for dull, pigmented and acne scarred skin. Now we all know Vitamin A is great for anti-ageing and Vitamin E being awesome at repairing. Combining these two powerful ingredients, we get this potent serum that encourages tissue to regenerate, strengthen skin tissue and to boost skin repairing.
Personally, I reckon this rich and runny textured serum would be better off to come in a pump bottle packaging instead of a dropper packaging. Due to the thick, runny texture and narrow bottle neck, one have to be extra careful to return the dropper otherwise it overflows on the bottle neck which cause wastage and stains the white bottle packaging.
I used this every night and only use two drops for full face and neck application as it is quite rich and requires some time to massage and absorb. I do love the richness of this serum and how it instantly soothe my sensitive, dry and itchy skin patch. After 4 weeks of nightly application, I find this effective in addressing any hydration issue, acne scarring heals faster and my skin is less prone to redness and flaring up. Best of all, each morning I wake up to plump and well rested skin.
Definitely recommend this for the colder month if you have oily/combination skin. Be sure to be diligent with sunscreen especially when you’re using Vitamin A.
Alpha H Balancing Moisturiser and Gentle Exfoliant
RRP AUD$59.95
Alpha H pretty much nailed this packaging with a hygienic pump bottle packaging. I have oily/combination skin that is prone to adult acne, acne scarring, blackheads, pigmentations and dullness. Especially since I have past the 25 year old mark couple of years ago, I have noticed that pigmentations, scarrings and dullness seems to be more prevalent than ever and it takes longer for scarring to heal.
As a result, I have been turning to glycolic acid based skin care products more from cleansers, serum to moisturiser. This moisturiser contains 10% glycolic acid and it helps to refine pore issues, accelerate the healing of blemishes and to help clarify skin as a whole.
This moisturiser is perhaps one of my all time favourite moisturiser since it is light weight, absorbs into skin super quickly (making this perfect for both day and night) and it also contains high dosage of hyaluronic acid to moisturise skin and keeping it plump. It also sits on skin well without balling with my sunscreen/primer/foundation routine.
Great for oily/combination skin or problematic skin with acne/blackheads/pores concern.
Want a fuss free, multi purpose skincare product that not only save you time but also delivers. This zinc oxide based moisturising lotion is refreshingly light weight, non-greasy and comes in a light tinted shade that rubs off clear on skin. Unlike your traditional zinc based sunscreen, this is surprisingly effortless to apply, doesn’t leave skin with an annoying white cast like most zinc based sunscreen would and absorbs into skin so quickly!
High UV protection, checked. Moisturising, checked. Mattifying finish, checked. Best of all? This has cucumber extract, aloe vera and green tea extract in it. Smells absolutely DELICIOUS!
RRP AUD$47.95
Available on counters now
Whether if you can afford it or not, most people would know by now that La Mer is your crème de la crème for a reason – yes it’s luxe, its proven to work and it is irreplaceable. In fact, I have vowed that one day when I reach a certain age bracket I will commit all my wages and apply the full range of La Mer products religiously from head to toe to preserve a youthful look. Yes, while it might sound extreme but I do know many people do extreme things to look young, applying cream (albeit expensive ones) isn’t one of the craziest I’ve heard.
Recently La Mer released a new addition to their Holy Grail list of skin care offerings – The Moisturising Soft Cream joins the Crème de la Mer family using the same original miracle broth formula and is still formulated in USA. While I won’t bore you with what the legendary moisturiser cream can do, the new cream is a lighter, softer version of the original cult moisturising cream.
This is perhaps a welcoming addition to those who have long since complained about the original version being far too thick for the oily/combination skin. Personally, I have oily/combination skin that is prone to breakout and my skin can feel dehydrated as well. As a result, sometimes most of the mattifying, oil-free moisturiser can feel good on the skin but doesn’t really deliver the moisture and quench my dehydrated skin as needed. This is the reason why I have gone for a two-step approach when it comes to moisturising. During the day, I use a moisturiser that is oil controlling/mattifying and splurge a little at night by treating my skin and use something that is rich & luxurious for my skin to replenish overnight.
La Mer The Moisturising Soft Cream is designed to moisturise and heal. In fact, I have heard a lot of people (ahem, no names here) uses La Mer products on their skin post laser/surgery to nourish and heal their skin. The Moisturising Soft Cream texture is similar to that of a luxurious rich cream upon first inspection & touch but once applied onto skin, it melts away and instantly feels weightless on skin. As compared to the original cream, this is definitely softer to touch and to apply. My skin takes on the Soft Cream far quicker by absorbing quicker and the pea sized amount that I use doesn’t leave my skin greasy except for a film of well moisturised radiant looking skin.
Overall, I have to say that if you have dry skin, this is probably not the right cream for you and you will probably benefit far more with the original Crème de la Mer. However, if you have normal to oily/combination and don’t like something that is too rich, this would be perfect for you. I like the scent and the feel of this cream on my skin and as always La Mer never fail to deliver moisture as promised and my skin look plumper, healthier without breaking me out. My skin looks and feels softer every day and make up stays put better the next day too.
I’d say La Mer The Moisturising Soft Cream is great for those who are starting to look into anti-ageing skin care, this is a great introduction to the La Mer skincare products since it is jam packed with powerful anti-oxidant ingredients and works extra hard to renew and repair skin.
RRP AUD$250 (30ml)
RRP AUD$440 (60ml)
Available on La Mer counters now
If you read my blog religiously (and I hope you do), you’d know that I’m not that big of fan of organic and mineral products. Mainly because I have this perception that they won’t work for my skin and often don’t deliver results as much as skincare with advanced scientific research backing. While I won’t be going all namaste on you, run up the hills and sing praises of organic skincare anytime soon; I am however open to trialling new things because my end goal is to find products that works regardless of how and where it is from.
For years I have heard about Sodashi – a holistic skincare brand from Australia focuses on enhancing overall wellbeing; some even claim them as your La Mer for organic skincare. Naturally, I had to give it a go and see what all the fuss is about. This skincare brand prides themselves with no animal products testing, no parabens, silicones, GMO, sulfates, synthetics and petrochemicals.
A while back, I was suffering from irregular breakout and overtly oily skin; I blame the hormones and probably my diet. I then got introduced to Sodashi got onto some skincare products – a cleanser, a moisturiser & an exfoliant.
Sodashi Clay Cleanser with Lime (AUD$80.70)
This creamy non foaming cleanser is designed to bring balance for combination skin. It feels really gentle on the skin and the scent stood out for me. It smells of lemony lime fresh clean feel, since this is non foaming, it feels somewhat like your cream cleanser with a clay instead feel. While I won’t recommend to use this solely as your make up removal, I myself start my cleansing routine with a designated make up removal (to thoroughly remove stubborn eye/lip makeup and more important to properly dissolve all the make up that normal cleanser can’t remove) and finish my double cleansing routine with this cleanser.
I love how this one doesn’t make my skin feel tight and doesn’t make me feel like I’m stripping the natural oil of my skin. The finish is always baby smooth and clean skin. You know it is a good cleanser when you can visibly see and feel that your skin agrees to it. It is just one of those feeling that ‘you just know’ when something just put simply works.
Sodashi Balancing Concentrate (AUD$65.30)
After cleansing during night time (I don’t do this during the day since I am always running late and never seem to find time in the morning), I use this to exfoliate my skin. It is recommended to drop 10 drops to a basin filled with very warm water. I use this in a bowl instead and I use around 3 drops. I then immerse a face cloth, squeeze out excess water and compress onto my face and neck for a couple of times. This process helps to exfoliate and to refreshen skin.
Since I was breaking out, I needed something concentrated like this Balancing Concentrate, it contains therapeutic plant essences like lemon, lime, petitgrain and lavender to exfoliate, decongest and stimulate skin cell renewal, exactly what I needed! I think this has to be my favourite product out of the lot because the sensory and aromatic experience is unlike no other. Also, who doesn’t love a warm towel to the face after a long day at work? Tell me who!
Left: Sodashi Clay Cleanser with Lime, Right: Sodashi Balancing Face and Neck Moisturiser
Sodashi Balancing Face and Neck Moisturiser (AUD$109.30)
After cleanser and the balancing concentrate step, I’d usually use a serum or two depending on my skin of the day and finish with Sodashi Balancing Face and Neck Moisturiser. This moisturiser is quite lightweight, once applied my skin instantly feels moisturised and smooth. It contains anti-bacterial ingredients in it like lime, rosehip and rosemary that helps to keep skin healthy and balance oil production.
All I need is a pump for my face and another for neck/décolletage and thoroughly massage all through into my skin. Once absorbed, this moisturiser doesn’t feel heavy and certainly doesn’t leave any greasy residue despite a lot of the ingredients contain oil (eg: hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, apricot kernel oil, almond oil, rosehip oil). This also contain damask rose which is a scent I LOVE!
Not quite a moisturiser and not quite a serum either. The SKII Skin Refining Treatment is designed to go as your last step over your t-zone and areas that requires bit of a TLC as long as you avoid the eye and lips area. This cream work to minimise pores that prevents the build-up of clogged pores.
Recommended to use only at night over nose, face and neck using spiral movements until thoroughly absorbed. Why I call this a treatment product because it is infused with Pitera and active BHA formula to effectively dissolve blackheads and whiteheads that people with oily skin often find themselves with. By applying this on every night, it helps to exfoliate and unclog dead skin cells so be sure to thoroughly wash your nose/face in the morning.
While I didn’t see any huge difference in terms of pore size reduction, I did however see a more refined skin texture on my nose and forehead and overall clearer, less congested! I don’t know how this works, perhaps the salicylic acid in the BHA? But I after two months of using this nightly, you can see the difference it gives to smoother and clearer skin. While the packaging isn’t ideal, I definitely recommend this if you are like me plagued with blackheads, whiteheads and congested skin.
RRP AUD$210 (50g)
Available on SKII counter and online via AdoreBeauty
The Scottish Fine Soaps Company (since 1974, a family business) has finally launched in Australia. Famous for their Soap in a Tin collection, The Scottish Fine Soaps Company oozes quality, luxury and heritage. They also believe in loving the environment and no products are tested on animals. There will be four collections launching in Australia – Boheme, Au Lait, Soap in a Tin and The Soap Collection.
I got to trial some of the body products from Boheme collection, the Hand Lotion Pump (AUD$17.99) and Body Creme (AUD$16.99). They both smell clean and fresh, reminds me of gentle soap and cream.
The hand cream comes with a convenient pump packaging, love that the hand cream isn’t too rich and doesn’t take too long to absorb into skin, making it great for multiple reapplication. It contains sweet almond oil that keep hands well nourish.
As for the body creme, it says on the packaging that it is of ‘super thick, rich creme but I would say this is a 6 out of 10 in terms of richness. Despite it being a rich cream, it feels quite watery, spreads very easily once massaged onto skin and absorbs fairly quickly. I find this perfect for after shower all over the body, keeps skin well moisturised and instantly soothes dry, tight skin during the colder months.
All products are available in David Jones store nationwide
