Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Redezvous, Cherish, and Smitten

It must have been the packaging. Part of what draws me into beauty products are how they are designed. In the case of Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, this propensity proved to be right. 

They come in Crayola-like twist-up tubes. The outer packaging mimics the color of the Balm Stain. 

Rendezvous, Cherish, Smitten. 

Draw your inspiration. 

Rendezvous translates the most flattering on my lips, aside from it being the most moisturizing. Cherish gives a pale pink look, while Smitten borders on a trashy deep pink shade and is also drying on the lips. I am also not a fan of the minty scent these sticks give off. Overall, I am not convinced of this series -- however for those who like to create "makeup looks," these balm stains offer a wide range of color options and also provide long-lasting wear. 

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is a physical sunblock suited for sensitive skin. It has been on my wish list for ages but as it is so hard to find, only got wind of it the past year (thank you 三 姐 for helping me get this). 

It is targeted for rosacea-ns and the acne-prone. Hello! Hi! 

It comes in an airless pump plastic container. The packaging's white, red, black, and gray color scheme gives it a clinical feel while appealing to all age groups at the same time. 

It contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), which helps "reduce the appearance of blemishes, discoloration, and photo-damaged skin."

The pump glides softly, smoothly, feeling very special each time I press down -- must attribute this to its "airless" feature. 

Here it is in its white purity. It is a gel-like liquid, somewhat of a hybrid texture. There is a glossiness to the product not encountered in other sunscreens. Notice the mirror-like shine? I would like to term it "gloop." It seems very futuristic to me. 

Spread out it leaves a slight sheen, but no white cast. 

This product has won Elle's Best Beauty Buy award, and has garnered a lot of positive reviews from people with sensitive skin. I personally found it to be a very gentle facial sunblock. Zinc being its main sun inhibitor, it gave a calming effect on the face. I did not experience any blemish or even slight reaction from using this sunscreen. However, the texture while feeling lightweight, did not sit well on my skin. I can only attribute it to the hot weather in Manila, for all reviews I read praised this for its invisible wear and feel. Sadly, not only did it make my skin oily, it also left a very obvious sheen that is evident for the entire day. But for normal to dry-skin types and for those living in cold weather, it should prove to be a very good sunscreen, the ingredients of which are reduced to their beneficial best -- no unnecessary fuss. 

Above, the ingredients list. 

Product summary. 

An introduction to EltaMD skincare.

Recommended regimen. 

List of EltaMD skincare products. 

The brand has a broad range of sun blocks. Take your pick. 

Parting leaflet. 

Ipsa Cleansing Sensitive Creamy Mousse

Ipsa -- my first exposure to Japanese skincare. It will always have a special place in my memory bank. Time and again, I revisit its counter in Sogo Causeway Bay, where I had my first taste of Time Reset. Ipsa fans, you know what I'm talking about. On second thought, the very first products were Cleansing Clear Foam EX and Metabolizers in the now defunct Seibu (in Windsor House). 

So last year, in my quest to quell the rebellion of my facial skin, I found myself looking at Ipsa's sensitive care line. The Cleansing Sensitive Creamy Mousse is relatively new. It wasn't part of the original product lineup. 

It comes in a sturdy, plastic self-foaming bottle. I adore the simple color blocking. It captures the brand's image and the line's purpose perfectly.

Product description above. It is additive-, fragrance-, colorant-free. Music to me! The cleanser in foam form would be less irritating to sensitive skin. With three pumps per use at night, it did cleanse my face thoroughly. In the morning, when there is less dirt to remove, one or two sufficed. Overall, this is a good, basic cleanser for sensitive skin -- no irritations, but just a tad drying. I have tried filling up the bottle with Muji's Cleansing Foam (Mousse) for sensitive skin, and found that to give a more balanced result, although the foam produced is rougher in comparison to the very smooth foam of Cleansing Sensitive Creamy Mousse. The bottle can be kept for future use, as the self-foaming mechanism of the pump is a good investment if you prefer foamy cleansers. This cleanser was easy to use up -- about 5 weeks and it was goodbye. Gone too quick for the price tag, but nonetheless a pleasant experience. 

Here is the Japanese take, for those lucky to understand kanji/hiragana, etc. 

The back label. 

Aknicare Lotion

At the doctor's clinic one day, I found myself sitting in front of my dermatologist and she saw a mass of breakouts on my chin. She just came back from Spain and would have me try a new product -- Aknicare Lotion.

The font looks like Greek hieroglyphics to me -- clinical with a twist. May I say, it is a Greek brand, although this pimple killer is made in Italy. 

It comes in a 25ml glass bottle. I haven't encountered this type of liquid pimple medication before, except maybe clindamycin, but that is another genre.

It comes with a plastic stopper to keep the liquid from spilling. The product can be used by replacing the stopper with the porous net it comes with.

Using the net/mesh, apply directly to breakouts or pimply areas. 

Beware, this yellowish concoction smells strongly of alcohol. In fact, a huge part of it is made of that. Do note the flammable diagram. 

Overall, this requires continuous use for effective results. I agree that it works primarily for large areas of breakouts, rather than the occasional spot (for that, Klenzit is still my bet). With about a week of nightly application, it can decrease those big pimples that are hiding under the skin waiting to surface (you can feel it) and remove them thoroughly. The solution does burn my skin a little, leaving red patches, but they are nothing that a few days of healing can't take care of. This unique lotion is quite effective and I would recommend it for people who would like a quick and sure fix for those monster pimples that sometimes decide to pop out of a large surface area.

Introduction to Aknicare. 

More info and ingredients. 

The brochure provides a comprehensive explanation on the brand's product's contents. It seems to be geared toward medical practitioners in particular. 

Ingredients list. 

Last hurrah.