MAC Prep+Prime Face Protect SPF 50 PA++

A never-ending quest for the right sunscreen that fits the bill led me to the rather unassuming Face Protect SPF 50 PA++ from MAC Prep+Prime.

It comes in a shiny black box with specks of glitter - dark, dreamy, and exciting. 

The tube is similarly sleek and I see can cater to both sexes. 

Sealed for your protection.

Squeezed out it is a white glob of a light cream consistency. The formula is superb -- not sticky and strangely calming to my intolerant skin. This product is also very good at oil control. Paired with a serum underneath, it kept my face matte and clean-looking the whole day, with only a few oils breaking through the nose area. It didn't break me out nor cause any clogged pore. As a bonus, it doesn't even need a separate makeup remover to take off. 

Spread out it dries to an invisible soft matte finish. Overall, an excellent sunscreen and primer that I would recommend to all, even to those with very sensitive skin. 

Application instructions. 

One bottle lasted me over three months. It can be quite tricky to squeeze out the last bits of product but it's nothing that a good pair of scissors can't handle.

Standing up.

Mindless me threw away the container after it was finished (arg!). Exchange three empty MAC containers for a lipstick. 

They print out the date of manufacture in clear numbers now. 

Ingredients list.

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box

Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box is a collection of the brand's nine best-selling deluxe formula shades (thank you S, for this). 

Above, packaged in its original see-through box. It comes with a travel-sized Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

The compact velvety case looks like a sequined clutch bag.

The eclectic mix of brights and neutrals in this collection certainly makes it my kind of palette.

Here they are swatched lightly.

All of them feel buttery soft and are very pigmented. It encourages creativity, what with the bright green, deep gold, and rich neutrals. Peace makes a good liner shade, for the color just pops. Overall, this makes a good starter kit for those wanting to experiment with bolder shades at an exceptional texture. 

Mirror, mirror.

The puny Potion.

As stated before, I have never been a fan of this eyeshadow base. It was also a challenge to scoop out any product from this bottle. 

Description.

Breakdown.

Clarins Daily Energizer Cleansing Gel

It's easy to tell by now that one of my favorite brands is Clarins. During a visit to England, I happened to catch their Daily Energizers range, currently unheard of in Asia.  

Over there, they give samples freely and happily so. Here, I always have to contend with snotty SAs responding to my requests as if I were very odd indeed. 

The small sample I got cleansed my face very well during the wintry time I was in the land of the Queen. It left my face clean, soft, and balanced. So off I went to purchase a full bottle to use at home.

This is the latest range to be introduced to Clarins, and is meant for people from 18 to their late 20s. It is interesting how Clarins is trying to capture the entire spectrum of age groups; whereas before it has only covered the 30s and up market. 

I agreed to the above when I first used up the sample in cold climes. 

The Daily Energizing Cleansing Gel is a gel-type cleanser containing saponaria and moringa seed extracts to refresh and cleanse, respectively.

As always, a message from J.C.C.

Product description.

It comes in a tube bottle that retails for £10, cheaper than most Clarins cleansers as a whole, but its measly 75ml content makes it more expensive per ounce in actuality.  

Once opened, the scent is hard to miss. It is a glorious, lovely scent -- soft citrus with sweet notes that calms and invigorates at the same time. If I could have it my way, I would have all my cleansers smelling like this cleansing gel. 

The cool water in the am and warm water in the pm instruction worked very well when I tried the sample. 

Alas, back in Manila this cleanser did not work. It stung my eyes, for one, which is very odd for I did not have that experience before. It was also very drying, making my face raw and sensitive to touch. It is really peculiar how the same product can vary greatly in results in different locations. I am starting to think it could be because Manila provides soft water, and where I visited they use hard water. Overall, this is a good product but would depend on one's location/type of water used and skin sensitivity. The product also lasted me for only a little over a month, quite fast for a cleanser which I normally go through in three months' time. 

The pamphlet. 

Product description.

Ingredients list. 

Astalift Jelly Aquarysta Rejuvenating Concentrate

Fujifilm's breakthrough product, Astalift Jelly Aquarysta Rejuvenating Concentrate is an anti-aging product containing ceramides, collagen, and peptides for a smoother, firmer, more luminous complexion. 

It features the same packaging as the Regenerating Night Cream. 

I got the tiny 15g jar. It also comes in 40g. 

In its full outfit with cap on.  

Glorious red gelatin. It wiggles; it doesn't fall off upside down. Scoop it out and it returns to its original shape on its own. 

The see-through jelly is quite mesmerizing. I feel like I am staring into an aquatic sanctuary with the red blob reflecting endlessly from the jar. 

Yellow jelly on the spatula (good enough to eat!)

Rubbed together, it turns into a serum/cream after all. (Palm reading, anyone?)

It dries down to a soft, matte finish. 

Applied once daily, I finished mine in less than four weeks. I see this more as an essence because of its light texture that is easily absorbed. Although it is a first in concept, I find the product can be used up quickly because of the gelatinous texture. In terms of performance it provided adequate moisture without causing any breakouts. I did not see any significant luminescence in my complexion, however, it did provide stellar effects in terms of balancing the moisture on my face. It is not a miracle product, but I do like the effects of Astalift's night cream more than this, may I say, overhyped Jelly Aquarysta. 

Introduction to Astalift skincare.

Purifying step. 

Renewal. 

Regeneration.

The back. 

Ingredients list.