Kerastase Initialiste Advanced Scalp and Hair Concentrate

Kerastase's newest offering, Initialiste Advanced Scalp and Hair Concentrate is a hair serum that is formulated to strengthen, give shine, softness, and substance to hair through the scalp and improve subsequent hair growth. 

It comes in a rose gold metallic box. 

The glass bottle makes up most of the weight of the 60ml serum.

The applicator is a pipette type. One to two drops for short hair and three to four for long hair. 

It's a leave-in type of hair product; it can be used on wet or dry hair. I usually massage it on the scalp after towel-drying hair. The milky white serum is watery and smells really good -- soft and invigorating at the same time. I especially like that it doesn't make my hair oily; no greasy residue or whatever. I don't see substantial improvements on my hair/scalp yet, but I do feel that some strands of hair are sprouting more than usual (and shinier and more robust at that). So far I have had no negative reactions from using this product. It's pretty much skin care for the scalp.

One bottle lasted me four months. I haven't encountered a product that works the way Initialiste is meant to do, but if you've got healthy hair to begin with, and are not too keen on hair products, for the price, I would say this can be a pass. 

Ingredients. 

Japanese side of it. 

M.A.C. Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Essence/Serum

Since coming across M.A.C. skin care, I've always wondered why their range don't get enough attention. If you're looking for quality products within a reasonable price range, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend checking out their line. 

I have forgotten how useful an essence/serum is to maintaining healthy skin. There was a time when I applied moisturizer straight on after cleansing and wondered about the change. Sometimes I can skip moisturizer (actually, I do skip it in the morning) with only the Marine-Bright Formula Essence/Serum and my skin is satisfied. Essences/serums penetrate deeper into the epidermis and thus deliver their more potent ingredients within the layers of our skin. There is a considerable difference when I skip serum and only apply moisturizer. So between the two I'd go for the serum, but in the evening do top up with moisturizer. 

It comes in a 30ml white plastic container. Shiny, shiny. I like the lock mechanism on the cap. I think M.A.C.'s skin care products are very well-designed -- practical and visually appealing. 

It's made in Japan, which to me translates to higher quality. Not all of M.A.C.'s skincare are manufactured there though. 

It's a cloudy type of fluid that spreads easily and dries down to a very slight sticky finish. I'm currently using three pumps of this serum day and night right after cleansing. I've noticed a significant change in skin texture since using this -- way, way softer. I like it mainly because it performs well on the moisturizing aspect, and that it contains antioxidants. I also appreciate the fact that this didn't break my skin out at all. But if you are looking for more targeted results from this serum, such as reducing redness and pore size, it doesn't work that far. 

Product description above. 

Ingredients list. Overall, non-sensitive skin types wouldn't go wrong with this serum. It does what a proper serum is supposed to do. But sensitive skin types may find that this doesn't address redness/calming issues, and may want to look further if those are their primary concerns. 

M.A.C. Prep+Prime Moisture Infusion

After an unsuccessful attempt with MAC's Lightful Marine-Bright Formula Moisturizer, I set my sights on MAC's latest birth of a serum, Prep+Prime Moisture Infusion. In Hong Kong's winter weather, this was recommended by MAC as the better serum to use as it keeps in moisture properly. 

Shiny black galactic cardboard box. 

I've never seen a 50ml serum before; usually they come in 30ml's. 

Application instructions.

One pump produces a whitish, transparent glob. 

Blended in. 

I would say this is an average serum. It's supposed to prep the skin for makeup functioning as a primer and serum in one, but again, the hybrid seems not to be working out. Somehow I need three to four pumps to moisturize my face, and even at that it doesn't leave my skin soft and supple. There is a slight rough texture still after this sinks in. Perhaps because it serves two opposite purposes that's why it functions oddly. Moisturizing and priming can be two totally separate steps. I top this off with Sunkiller's Kid's Milk, and as that sunscreen can be quite drying, the combination has not been the best for my skin. One plus is I didn't break out from this product. It is tolerable now, but not spectacular; I doubt I'd be purchasing again in the future. This serum/primer will probably work better for dry skin types.

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. 

Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Essence

Hyaluronic acid (HA), also known as hyaluronan, is one ingredient that can be seen in many skincare products today. Its popularity lies in its ability to deliver moisture in larger quantities per molecule and for a longer period of time than other humectants or emollients. 

Juju's Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Essence is a purely hyaluronic treatment, and is generally well-received as a product which delivers superb moisturization without the addition of many chemical nasties. 

It comes in a blue opaque, heavy glass bottle.

Product description.

The pump mechanism squirts out a clear, gel like fluid. One pump releases about a pea-sized amount, which is just enough for the entire face.

Sadly, this did not really help my skin condition. It didn't make my skin any better. The texture was a bit sticky while being spread, but it quickly dries once settled down. However, I found my face felt tight afterwards, and actually felt quite rubbery. It did not provide softness or moisturization. On the other hand, it didn't give me allergic reactions. This has received rave reviews from majority of people who have used it though, so it might be worth a try to see if HA works for you or not.

DHC Acerola 100

DHC is a Japanese mail-order cosmetics company most famous for its Deep Cleansing Oil, which is infused with olive oil and Vitamin E. The brand was basically built around its olive oil-based products and has since expanded its product lines. It is known among beauty junkies with sensitive skin looking for additive-free products. The brand can be somewhat compared to Fancl, another Japanese brand that started out as a mail-order company. Since Neova R2 Serum is a bit too much for my beauty pocket, good as it is, I couldn't help but look for an alternative. I found excellent reviews on DHC's Acerola 100 Serum. It worked very well for a variety of skin types, even those with rosacea. It is one of the harder brands to find (from where I live), so during a trip to Singapore, I got myself a bottle.

It comes in a girl-y pink box, which I wouldn't care for in skin care products. But the cute acerola berries (one in silver, another in white) and simple lay-out won me over. Leave it to the Japanese to entice.

The box comes with another layer of carton inside, which protects the glass bottle from breaking. 

The pink glass bottle comes with a clear plastic cap.

The back reveals this contains 30ml. The bottle feels very smooth and has a considerable weight that is nice to hold and feel.

DHC's Acerola line, which also includes toner, cream, and gel has the acerola fruit taking center stage among its ingredients. Every 100g of acerola contains as much as 1700mg Vitamin C. This serum promises to add clearness and firmness to skin. Aside from that, it can also treat skin damages and improve texture. Short of labeling it as a miracle-in-a-bottle, and no wonder, acerola is purportedly known as the "Miracle Fruit for skin and beauty." It contains only three simple ingredients to boot -- and is "free of colorings, fragrances, alcohol, and parabens."

I would normally hesitate when a product promotes such amazing claims, but most reviews confirmed that DHC Acerola 100 worked great for people with sensitive skin. 

The serum is yellow in shade and is very liquid in consistency. One pump produces the amount as pictured above. I should have known from the first moment I applied this on my face that it did not fare well with my skin. I used about two pumps because one pump did not feel like it provided adequate moisture. However, even while two pumps fully coated the surface of my entire face, the Acerola 100 just sat there. Not only did I catch its distinct sweet medicinal scent every few minutes, I felt the serum on my face throughout the day. It didn't absorb into my skin and also left a slippery, bordering on oily texture that was bothersome. Never learning my lesson and being stubborn (for I read reviews that one has to give this serum time to deliver its results), I continued with applying it day and night as my first skin care step for another week.

The only good thing I noticed was my face looked brighter, but other than that everything else was a disaster. My skin oiled up more, felt rougher (obviously no moisturizing properties from this serum), and worst of all, flared up my cheeks to crimson red and broke me out in tiny painful bumps, especially on the lower cheeks and near the mouth. I did not want to give up on it yet, so by that time I tempered the amount from two pumps to one. While my face did not feel as oily, the breakouts and redness continued. After 10 days with this acerola-miracle, I cut it off my regime. My skin has gotten so much better since I stopped using this. The acne has stopped, the redness drastically subsided, and no oily, uncomfortable feeling has been plaguing me. 

This is how it looks like when patted on the skin. You can see (with a sharp eye) tiny droplets remaining on the upper left corner. It doesn't really absorb into skin. I wouldn't recommend this to people with skin types leaning on oily or normal-to-oily, and especially not to those with rosacea. This seems to work out well with dry skin-type gals though, as evidenced by the glowing reviews of this blogger. 

The pamphlet introduces the product and includes usage instructions . . . in Japanese. 

Some more. Overall, a bitter disappointment of a serum. Never I mind, for I may use this on the neck, or on other body parts. Nary a product wasted!