MIMC (Mineral Make Cosmetic) Natural Mineral Color Powder Eyeshadows

MIMC, or Mineral Makeup Cosmetic is a Japanese mineral makeup brand. Japan is not very well-known for producing mineral makeup, unlike the U.S. which makes mainstream brands like Bare Escentuals, Afterglow, Youngblood, and Jane Iredale to name some. In Japan and Hong Kong, MIMC managed to gain a good following. I believe the brand spiked my interest since I laid eyes on it in a Beyond Organics store (selling all organic products from all over the world) in Times Square Causeway Bay. I took many a swatch and pestered the sales clerk for some time. I did this for a couple of trips and after about two years of looking at their brochure, I finally decided to try some of its products. I thought this brand is the perfect blend for my love of Japanese cosmetics and curiosity over mineral makeup.

I was very intrigued with their eyeshadows since the beginning. The Natural Mineral Color Powder is a mineral eyeshadow made of 100% natural ingredients. It comes in many shades ranging from neutrals to more colorful ones (green, pink, violet, purple). 

I settled on three different shades of neutral; to be mixed and matched or worn alone. 

They come in clear plastic vials, easily portable but can be messy when not stored upright.

The shades are number-coded -- 20,112, 27. 

The applicator is a fuzzy, spongy tip. 

Some Japanese info. 

Here they are from darkest to lightest. 27 -- a dark cocoa with red undertones. 112 -- a cool bronzey-brown. 20 -- a light champagne. All have a shimmery finish. 

Under indoor conditions. 27 can be hard to pull off; the red undertones and rich color give off a bruised look when applied heavily. It is best used as a shader/contour color, sparingly. 112 is more forgiving and would work on most skin tones. It gives a nice wash of medium brown color. I usually use 112 and 20 together. 20 can be used on the lids alone for subtle definition or as a highlighter.

Under direct sunlight. The eyeshadows are very smooth and rich in pigment. It didn't cause any irritation and stayed put whole day. These shadows produce the most beautiful finish I have ever encountered. I have always wanted to achieve a wet, glossy eyeshadow look without looking like having oily lids, and these do the job very well. The shadows also do not require a makeup remover to be cleansed off. However, they do have their bad points. It takes some getting used to with application. The sponge tip is not very easy to maneuver, and applying the shadows with a brush, as can be imagined, is quite tricky. I always end up with shimmer on my cheeks because the pigments scatter everywhere. They are not the easiest to blend either. Oddly, i found using my fingers make for the easiest method of application and most natural-looking finish. Overall, these are very good quality shadows that would require a steeper learning curve. If I could just find a way to eliminate the sparkly stuff clinging to the rest of my face, these could be some of the best shadows yet. 

Nesti Dante Il Frutteto Soap in Peach and Melon

I first came across Nesti Dante's Il Frutteto range of soaps at Fortnum and Mason in London. The wide variety of scents to choose from was overwhelming and it ended with sniffing and snuffing. I was very glad to receive the Peach and Melon variant as a gift for I adore the scent of peach and love munching on melon. (Thank you S.) 

Nesti Dante is an Italian brand I believe and is known for making quality soap. As described below, the overall scent of this soap is sweet yet not too cloying. 

The paper wrap is a product in itself. It has a lovely print that makes it look quite like stationery paper. 

Opening the soap...it is a very thick soap. The depth is about two and a half inches. 

The soap is stamped with "Made with Love and Care by Nesti Dante at Florence, Italy." Indeed, it must be. This is one hefty soap; it cannot even fit it in my soap case. 

It is soft and smooth, very well-milled. When it comes in contact with water, it turns into a creamy lather, leaving the skin amply moisturized for the whole day. I cannot fault this soap except maybe for the slightly steep price tag. But for the amount one gets (250g) and the pure fruit infusions and lack of chemicals involved, it is worth the occasional indulgence.  

Locally, I have seen the range selling at First Aid in Greenbelt.  

Bioderma Sebium Purifying and Foaming Cleansing Gel

Bioderma Purifying and Foaming Cleansing Gel is a cleanser from the Sebium line formulated for combination or oily skin. This cleanser was the promotional freebie given when I purchased three Bioderma Sensibio items, which I reviewed in previews posts.

The blue cleanser has a liquid-gel texture, leaning more on liquid. The Bioderma website describes this cleanser as:

"• Formulated with non-irritant substances, Sébium Foaming gel cleanses gently.

• Sébium Foaming gel reduces sebum secretion and purifies the epidermis thanks to the Fluidactiv^® sebum-correcting complex. It also regulates sebum quality.

• Its soap-free, washing base guarantees good cutaneous and ocular tolerance.

• Sébium Foaming gel is non-comedogenic."

It doesn't foam up very much, and leaves the slightest feeling of leftover cleanser film on the skin. Oddly enough, it didn't cause my skin any breakouts.

It is gentle on the skin, did not sting my eyes, nor cause any irritation.

Although it makes a good cleanser, I don't think I'd repurchase because I prefer a thoroughly clean feel after washing the face. That aside, this cleanser lasts a long way; the 200ml bottle lasted close to three months with two pumps used each day (one for morning and another for evening). I do think this cleanser is worth trying for those with oily and combination skin.

The ingredients list above. 

Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution

Bioderma's Crealine H20 Micelle Solution is a constant favorite of beauty editors and bloggers alike. When I chanced upon its sensitive skin variant, the Sensibio H20, I thought it was time to see what the ballyhoo is all about.

The cleaser is described in the website as:

 "The benchmark micelle solution that daily cleanses and removes make-up from sensitive skin.

• At the cutting edge of innovation, BIODERMA has pioneered micellar solutions. Specially formulated for sensitive, normal to dry skins, the Sensibio H2O micelle solution gently cleanses face and eyes. It removes water-resistant make-up.
The micelles contained in its formula effectively micro-emulsify impurities while maintaining the skin’s balance (soap-free, physiological pH).

• Soothing and decongesting active ingredients prevent the feelings of irritation often caused by cleansing.

• Sensibio H2O guarantees excellent cutaneous and ocular tolerance (tested under ophthalmological supervision)."

Gentle, soap-free, removes water-resistant makeup -- these all sounded like music to me.

It comes in a sturdy plastic bottle with a red transparent flip-top cap.

The hole is properly-sized enough to control the desired amount of cleanser to be used.

Product description.

Ingredients.
More ingredients (on the box). I find the smell of this product -- a mix of coconut and rust - repelling. It also didn't offer any soothing effects; the worse part is it broke me out and caused my skin to turn red and irritated. There was also no "immediate freshness sensation" as promised. It felt like I had to wash with a foaming cleanser again, despite it saying "rinsing not necessary." Overall, a total failure of a micellar solution. (All is not lost, for I found out Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Solution makes a good makeup brush cleaner.) A better experience I had of a similar product was with Avene's Micellar Lotion Cleanser and Make-up Remover.