M.A.C. Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion

M.A.C.'s Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Softening Lotion is meant to soften the skin as a pre-serum step, not as a usual toner for removing cleanser residue and/or tightening pores. 

 It comes in Lightful range's white box and silver holographic print. Rings of Austin Powers. 

Psychedelic flaps. 

Hello. 

Safety seal.

It is recommended for day or night use, either poured straight to the palms or soaked in cotton.

A little bit of the clear light yellow liquid is enough for the entire face. It sets into a slightly sticky texture. It preps/moisturizes the skin very well. I recommend it to those with normal to dry skin types with no hypersensitivity issues. It doesn't lessen the redness on my cheeks, but it didn't give any breakouts either. I believe this is the skin-friendliest softener I've tried. It also doesn't contain alcohol (hurrah!). Overall, this makes an excellent softener to those looking for an extra hydration boost prior to applying serum or moisturizer. 

VMV Hypoallergenics Red Better Daily Therapy Moisturizer

On a VMV kick lately, I also took part of its Red Better Daily Therapy Moisturizer. 

I've been quite happy with Clarins' Gentle Night Cream, but I guess I couldn't pass up the Red Better promise of a therapeutic treatment. 

 It comes in the same packaging as the cleanser. 

To be succinct, I agree with the above product description. It is very gentle on the skin, causes no breakouts, moisturizes properly (although for my skin type it was better suited for evening use; a tad too heavy for morning use). I would have liked extra anti-agers in the formula, but it is nonetheless a well-formulated moisturizer for hypersensitive-skin types. It doesn't give that soft glow I get from Clarins, but that is nothing too disturbing that I wouldn't recommend it. 

It comes sealed for utmost hygienic purposes. 

Clarins Gentle Night Cream

Clarins, Clarins, Clarins. We've come a long way. Hello, White Plus HP Essence? When 大姐 gave me her bottle many calendars back, it was my go-to essence/serum for years. While I've tested so many other pots and vials, you're still my favorite skincare brand. Most of your lines, such as the Hydra Quench and Multi-Active, have been great experiences. Except now that my skin has become sensitive and became acquainted to Skin Beauty Repair Concentrate and absolutely loved it, afterwhich it was only natural to venture into your Gentle Night Cream.

It comes in a white box with the peach color scheme of the Gentle Treatment Range. 

Trivia: J.C.C., or Jacques Courtin-Clarins, simply added Clarins to his last name when the brand became increasingly well-known. 

I like the satisfying, secure sound the peach cover makes when capped on the round 50ml bottle. 

Usage instructions.

Clarins is one of the few beauty companies that remains family-owned. I hope they continue to be such for a long, long time, because they have steered clear of chemicals more found in products of beauty conglomerates.  

Product description.

Quite an experience to push the airless pump bottle. 

The product is stark white and quite smooth and creamy. It's moisturizing without being overly oily/rich. 

Spread out, it dries down to a semi-matte finish. It is not a cream that one can use in the day, unless one has very dry skin. It seals in moisture throughout the night. It did not me break out, and gave no redness and irritation either.The nutty scent is quite comforting and dissipates in no time. While my skin was not especially supple or glowing in the morning, it did provide balanced moisture without any negative side effects. This is saying a lot coming from my mildly rosacea-c skin that reacts to almost anything. Overall, I would recommend it to sensitive to hypersensitive skin-types. 

The pamphlet.

Products under the Gentle Treatment Range. 

Ingredients list. 

Pulpe De Vie Glossy Lip Balm and Pearly Moisturizing Body Milk

Last Christmas, I was introduced to Pulpe De Vie, a French organic brand with origins from the south of France (thank you 大姐 for these). I love the whimsical, cute packaging with the lovely colors and drawings. Sadly I threw the boxes away, but for a preview do check their website out. 

The Glossy Lip Balm comes in a transparent tube with a slanted applicator. 

It's a thicker consistency compared to most lip balms. I say the opacity it provides is more of a lipstick's. It comes in a single shade of reddish, rusty, orange brown that translates naturally on the lips. The slight glitters also keep it from looking too flat on the lips. It provides adequate moisture, but don't expect it to soften like a balm. It doesn't dry the lips out at all. 

Here is a swatch. 

The Pearly Moisturizing Body Milk comes in a white tube bottle. 

Their slogan, "my daily pinch of good mood," is something I can relate to when I look at their products. 

The pearly milk is a cream colored mixture that has the consistency of milk (looks good enough to drink!). It smells of grapefruits and leaves the skin lightly moisturized and sparkly. 

The sparkly bits are quite obvious upon close inspection, so I would leave this to be used for evening. 

Overall, Pulpe De Vie offers fun, high-quality products that I reach for time and again. The brand is available in Rustan's. 

Eco Cert-certified. 

M.A.C. Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Moisturizer SPF 30 PA++

Off to more skincare from MAC, the Lightful range is catered for sensitive skin-types and the "white-conscious." This range speaks Asian release to me.

The Marine-Bright Formula Moisturizer SPF 30 PA++ comes in a white box with holographic print. It gives off a modern, futuristic look -- spacey and Jetsons kinda theme. 

I purchased this for use as a day moisturizer. I was trying my luck out with moisturizer and sunscreen in one. 

There's something cheap-looking yet very attractive to the packaging. It must be the quality of the bottle that saves it. Nonetheless, it is fine to look at on the vanity table. 

On-off. The lock mechanism is helpful and convenient for travel.

One pump produces a white pea-sized dollop. There is a fragrance to this concoction that is quite fresh and alluring. 

Blended out. 

Somehow, I think this is a good moisturizer for those with trouble-free skin. However, my current skin state seems to work better with serums. My attempted shortcut at hydration and sun protection with this product left my face a greasy mess. A couple of pumps wasn't enough to moisturize my face, while adding a few more left me oily throughout the day. But I must say this lasts a quite a while -- it's been five months and there is still a fourth of the product left by estimation. Now, I solely use this on the neck. 

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.