Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean Toothbrush

Like most things in life, an electronic toothbrush did not come of my own volition. I held the belief that my manual toothbrush and right hand were doing a decent job at cleaning my teeth, when I was kind of held at gunpoint (well, it felt like such) to believe otherwise. Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean toothbrush was shoved into my face as a gift (thank you S), because I was told it was that good.

 

It came in a securely packed clear plastic packaging.

I also got two more brush heads in a refill pack (sold separately; thank you for your thoughtfulness, S).

The back part.

It does say that it's clinically proven to clean teeth more thoroughly than a manual toothbrush.

One thing that I really like -- no batteries necessary.

The slender part of the mechanism (from the brush head to the base that touches the blue handle) is detachable. This tiny machine assembles into one long toothbrush.

Pictured above are the charger, cradle, and toothbrush. The bottom of the handle has a hole that fits perfectly into the cradle.

Here it is positioned and ready to be charged. It can also be recharged without the brush head on, since only the handle is being powered.

One press of the round white button on the handle activates the toothbrush. Press once again to turn off. This Oral-B toothbrush is powered using Braun technology. The power comes from the handle and it shakes the entire toothbrush so that the bristles vibrate.

The bristles are softer than that of a manual toothbrush. In fact, the circular brush head is tiny compared to the oval shape of toothbrushes I'm used to. At first I rejected the idea of an electronic toothbrush because I was afraid once I start using one, it would be hard to go back to a manual toothbrush. I found the usage is quite similar to that of a regular toothbrush; I put a dollop of toothbrush on the brush head, position it flush against my teeth, and press the button. So far, the only differences I've noticed are: 1. I do not need to brush back and forth; rather I move my hand in circular motions around my mouth and the toothbrush does the brushing work. 2. The surface of my teeth feel more squeaky clean than when I use a normal toothbrush (not that I can't produce the same results with a manual toothbrush, only it takes more force and time).

Also, my teeth did not experience any bad reactions -- no bad breath, sore mouth, or lesions in the gums, which were some concerns I had prior to using this product. The handle requires charging about every four days with twice-a-day usage. The force of oscillation is much stronger when it is newly charged; over time it goes slower and weaker until it no longer vibrates; then it is time to charge it again. Overall, this is a fine mechanism that effectively does its job. I haven't gone back to my old toothbrush since :) For those who prefer a more novel and "precise" way to clean your teeth, Oral-B Vitality Precision Clean is a good way to start. 

Happy New Year! 

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Lip Gloss in Shell Pink

Never have I heard of the cosmetic brand Koh Gen Do until one fine day when I saw its poster on the windows of Beauty Bar -- clearly depicting cinema/high-definition products but with a Japanese touch. It's hard enough to resist anything Japanese-makeup related, but combined with the novel concept of HD (high definition/cinematic makeup), which I've never seen being marketed in other Japanese brands before, it certainly caught my attention. Some more research revealed that Koh Gen Do is a full-fledged brand with complete makeup and skincare products up its sleeves. It seems to be more established in the United States more than any other country. Here is an excerpt from the official website:

It is most famous for their cleansing water, base makeup / foundation, concealers, and lip glosses. After discussing the brand with the SA, she revealed that Koh Gen Do just launched in Manila on November 2011. 

All the Lip Glosses looked delicious, but in the end I settled for the shade in Shell Pink. 

It comes in a white glossy carton that is a tad plain but the quality is evident (a cosmetic trait that is very Japanese). The product name includes "Maifanshi" (which sounds Chinese in my opinion but I'm sure it's Japanese). I'm not quite sure what it means.

The tube is made of soft clear plastic while the black screw cap is also plastic but of a harder sort.

It contains 7g of product which is quite a lot for this is a thick gloss and a little goes a long way. I like the clear packaging because it allows me to see the color right away at the same time I know how much product is left.

The applicator is also made of plastic and is slanted. Plastic applicators are easier to clean therefore less prone to bacteria, which is another plus. The slanted tip (reminds me of Lancome's Juicy Tubes) is another positive attribute because it allows precise application. The tiny hole helps controls product release with a few squirts, which is perfect given the lip gloss' thick texture.

Above is a swatch of Shell Pink. It looks like coral pink veering on the pinker side against skin. But on the lips it looks a lot more transparent with just a hint of pink. It gives off a very natural shade with high-shine finish. The gloss gives lips a healthy, plump look. The nourishing effect of this lip gloss is also amazing. Dryness on my lips are erased with this gloss on; I do not even need to apply a lip balm beforehand. This is like a treatment lip product with the benefit of gloss.

There are other shades available such as Blush Pink, Juicy Beige, and Champagne if I'm not mistaken. Beauty Bar doesn't carry all the colors available on Koh Gen Doh's website. Incidentally, this lip gloss range won Essence magazine's 2011 Beauty Awards :)

 

Ingredients list above for those who can read Japanese. Koh Gen Do really surprised me with this lip gloss. It's rare for me to fall in love with the first product I try from brands I've never heard about, but the Maifanshi Lip Gloss is one such gem. At P1,050 a pop I think the price is reasonable for the the very high quality of this product. For those who desire natural-looking lip gloss combined with treatment benefits, I definitely recommend this! 

Avene Mineral Cream SPF 50

I was complaining to my dermatologist about how greasy Vanicream SPF60 Sensitive Skin Sunscreen is and how I've suffered through more than one year of thick sunscreen that without which a good dusting of loose powder to save it, my face would be a grease and dirt ball by the end of the day. Vanicream is hands-down a very effective sun protection product and also one of the most delicately-formulated sunscreens in the market, but I simply can no longer stand the icky sticky feeling and the need to powder every day. She sighed, and prescribed me this: Avene Mineral Cream SPF 50, a physical sunblock (works by deflecting UV rays using only titanium dioxide or zinc, or combination of both) not for hypersensitive skin, but for intolerant skin (note: even fussier than hypersensitive). Ok, I get the picture. She tells me that my skin can only tolerate two sunscreens -- if not Vanicream, then the Avene Mineral Cream. We shall see about that!

The intolerant skin range of Avene sunblocks comes in white, where their regular line for sensitive skin is in orange boxes.

The description is very clear about this being chemical-free and fragrance-free, and that it is a high protection product for intolerant skin.

The product is housed in a tube with a flip-top cover. The packaging style and design is typical Avene - minimalist and of good quality. 

The back portion states it contains 50ml, which is quite generous. But if you see the product pamphlet and the amount it instructs to put on each body part, you'll be surprised and wonder whether the entire tube can even last a single application. For example, the entire face requires a strip as long as 3/4 of one's pointy finger. Now, that's quite a lot for sunblock on the face. The other parts of the body require twice or thrice as much product. 

Open Sesame!

The sunscreen is thick and creamy, but because it contains silicones, it dries down to a smooth finish. The texture is not as dry as most Japanese sunscreens, but it certainly feels more matte than greasy Vanicream. The first time I used this in humid Singapore, my skin soaked it up so beautifully I didn't even need to put powder on. The peachy tint settled into a white cast which immediately dissipated to provide a glowy coverage that is almost near my skin tone. An SA even stopped me to ask what I put on and she was surprised when she heard this was the only product. The horror came when I used this in Manila, where it is hot and dry. My skin did not like the moisture this provided; it only reacted in an oily mess. I tried to powder on top of it, which controlled the oil production for some time, but after two hours my entire face was a greaseball. I can say my powdered skin looked even oilier with Avene Mineral Cream SPF 50 than Vanicream SPF 60.

Here it is blended out. You can see the beautiful coverage it provides. It is very gentle on the skin (although I can feel the silicones indeed). When spread out, the product feels like a light cream, spreading easily. One thing to note is that after 1.5 months of using this, my pores around the cheeks were clogged. So, if you are prone to clogged pores, I don't advise this as an every day sunblock. Also, I wouldn't recommend this to very dark skin tones since this does leave a peachy pink cast. 

A closer look.

The ingredients list is listed above. Overall, this sunblock provides superb protection against sun's extreme rays while being gentle on the skin. However, this can only work for dry to very dry skin types or those who live in very humid or cold climates. Alternately, this can be used by any skin type for outdoor or swimming / beach activities as it is waterproof. Incidentally, Singapore is the cheapest place to buy Avene products, since it is the chief distributor of the brand in Asia. I got mine there for P600++ cheaper than I if I had bought it here in Manila. Shoutout to Avene fans: stock up when you visit the Lion City.

Biore Hydra-Clear Makeup Remover

After a spot-ridden experience with Mandom's Cleansing Express Cleansing Lotion, I was left without a back-up makeup remover during my holiday in Singapore. Predictably, Biore's Hydra-Clear Makeup Remover was my first purchase during the trip as I made a beeline for Watson's in Ion Orchard.

The water-based solution of this makeup remover was one of the reasons why I chose it among the myriad of cleansing oils available. I wanted something non-greasy to remove light makeup, and this fit the bill in terms of price and packaging (I am a sucker for such.).

It comes in a light blue bottle (200ml) shaped like a flask. The shade looks very comforting and evokes a feeling of safety. The flip cover is easy to close and open. In fact, the packaging has similarities with Biore Makeup Remover for Eye & Lip.

The liquid itself is light blue. I use about the size of a 10-peso coin for my entire face and it does a decent job of removing makeup (always double cleanse/follow-up with foaming or creamy face wash to remove all residues). It has a similar consistency to oil-based cleansers, but Biore's Hydra-Clear Makeup Remover is much, much lighter. It feels really friendly on the skin. No irritations or heavy after-feel. 

It is slightly scented and for me the aroma is not offensive nor did it irritate my sensitive skin.

Overall, this is a great, basic makeup remover that makes a good alternative to heavy cleansing oils, or when you want a delicate cleanser to remove light makeup. It's Japanese innovation from one of the most trusted brands in the world that's also friendly on the pocket.

Notice the thought that went into the packaging -- a clear strip to accommodate the date of manufacture. Love these tiny details!

Merry Christmas, everyone! :)

Lunasol Eyelid Base (N) in 02 Light

Version 1.0 of Lunasol's eyelid base was my very first introduction to eyelid bases. Back then, the idea of a separate primer for the eyelids was a foreign concept. I didn't know eye bases make such difference to the finish of eye makeup until the popular Lunasol Eyelid Base (which held the top three spot in cosme.net's annual ranking for consecutive years), and there was no turning back. Would you know that the first review on the original Lunasol Eyelid Base on Makeupalley in early 2008 (has it been almost 4 years already?) was by me? : ) I've tried a few brands in between (Urban Decay; I Nuovi), but neither came close to Lunasol. I loved it then and still do so today.

The description from the brand website says:

A makeup base for eyelids that removes dullness and enhances the coloration and durability of eye shadow.
A brighter color has been added to the existing basic colors. Choose a color depending on the skin tones and the daily makeup. Contains beauty essence ingredients.

The newly revamped Lunasol Eyelid Base (N) is a tiny 2.5 g package but it packs a punch. It comes in Lunasol's signature bronze packaging. The original version contained 2.2 g of product and was available in only one shade. Now, the website shows two new shades in 01 Neutral and 02 Light. In Rustan's Kanebo counter, they also had a darker shade in 03 Dark. They are still selling the original eyelid base which comes in only one color, called simply Lunasol Eyelid Base. Note that 01 Neutral shade of the new version is not similar to sole shade available to the old version.

Product details on the back carton.

The Japanese' attention to detail: product names printed on many sides of the packaging.

Open up! The packaging has a smooth, mirror-like surface. If I remember correctly, the old version had Lunasol's ribbon detailing with a matte finish. This tiny little pan fits into my palm with a lot of space left.

The mirror installed in the pan is a very nice touch. 02 Light looks like a peachy beige.

A different angle shows the eyelid base in a brighter shade.

Above is a light swatch -- the amount I would use on one eyelid. Here the "lightness" of the shade is more apparent. It is definitely lighter and less neutral than the original version in my memory.

It blends in seamlessly with a natural highlighting effect. My eyelids look brighter and more refreshed. The trick is to use just a dab of product, because it is extremely emollient and pigmented. A little more would result to creasing, which is the opposite of what this product aims to do. With the right amount of product applied, eye shadows stay put for long and apply more vibrant and true to their colors. The best part is I truly feel the nourishing effects of this base. It is a gentle product for the delicate eye area. There is a certain moisture and slip to it which make the eyelids feel protected. This can also be used on its own just to even out skin discolorations around the eye area. I've noticed my eyelids getting darker when stressed out, and while the neutral shade of the original version worked fine with me when life was less hectic, I find shade 02 Light to suit the tired skin tone I have around the eyes now. 

As expected with Lunasol, the same shiny bronze feature extends even to the bottom part of the pan. 

The ingredients list is found above. Fans of Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faces Shadow Insurance, Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base probably wouldn't like the creamy consistency of Lunasol Eyelid Base. Similarly, I wouldn't go for the texture of the above three, which I would classify in a similar category. Simply put, Kanebo Lunasol's eyelid bases are by far the best eyeshadow base/primer I've tried.

The Face Shop 100% Cotton Pad

Gone were the days when the only kind of cotton I used for the face was the balled-up type from supermarkets. As I got more acquainted with the world of makeup, I realized special types of cotton were made especially for cosmetic purposes. The Body Shop's Organic Cotton Pads have been my staple for some years, and although they worked just fine, I also thought they could be better. With some Bench vouchers to spare, it was a good time to try The Face Shop 100% Cotton Pads.

It comes in a sturdy light green box with leafy motif. It has perforated sides for easy and clean opening. The box is designed to be used as a case in itself; it can be closed conveniently to keep the cotton clean of dust and other elements.

I prefer my cotton to be in a separate case, so I got this clear container from Make Room (now switched to Muji's cotton case, which has an attached lid, and two compartments for cotton and cotton buds; more user-friendly).

The cotton is pristine white, cut very neatly.

It has two different sides.

One side has a "weaved" pattern which feels a little rougher compared to the other side. I think this side is used to remove, or "pick-up" makeup from skin. This is the side I use when removing eye makeup.

The other side has a pure soft texture that is more ideal for applying lotions/toners. I usually use this side to remove lip products.

I have absolutely no complaints about The Face Shop's Cotton Pads. These are basic, clean-cut, cotton pads that serve their purpose well. They do not irritate skin. It is also a plus to know that they are sterilized. At P65 a box for 80pcs, I think it is priced reasonably for the quality.