La Mer The Eye Concentrate

My colleague told me yesterday that I looked like crap, highlighting that my eyes looked extremely tired. To make it worse, she added that I looked sicker than another colleague who was suffering from migraine.

Prior to her forthcoming comments, I had always been worried about the area around my eyes. I thought of going for Thermage someday but decided against it because I am still rather young (not anywhere close to my 30s yet) and it is really costly. On the other hand there is a growing sentiment against eye creams and how they do not help improve the condition around the eyes artificially or not.

Anyway, I wouldn't really know until I try it and I can feel my strained eyes, together with the dark rings and such, making me look like I could do with a thousand years of sleep (and it probably made me look fugly and old too).

So I decided to ask around and did some research online. Alas, I came to know of La Mer and its famous eye cream. As my mom always say, "do not settle for no.2 as it's inferior", I decided to splurge on this brand. Of course if it is expensive and yet doesn't work it won't be no.1 for just its price tag.

Ironically I went to CK Tangs with the intention of buying the Intense version and came out with the Concentrate one.

The La Mer Representative, Wee, was excellent in his service and patiently explained the nuances between the Intense and the Concentrate. After which, he was kind enough to SMS and advise me on other stuff too!

La Mer The Eye Concentrate

So today marks the first day I started using this. It is going to be my morning eye cream as I am still using Jan Marini's for the night.

It might be illusory but I felt that the cream did work in a sense that my dark rings seemed a little less obvious. Another caveat is that I took Wee's advice and decided to sleep slightly earlier than usual. My dog did not wake me up throughout the night and I probably had as much sleep as I would require for the day.

I think most people are probably familiar with the silver wand that comes with this product. You kinda tap like 6 spots around an eye (top and bottom) with then wand and proceed to use it circle around the eye for like 3-5 times. It felt really relaxing and I probably overdid it. I do not use eye makeup or any concealers so I can't say for sure if the cream would not be a disaster for those who do but it gets absorbed into your skin really quickly and you will not really feel it there after like 3 mins.

As with all other cosmetic products, I can't indicate on the first day of use whether it is The eye cream to use so I can only say that I will strive to review it sometime again.

Speaking of which, I can probably start reviewing the SK-II effect soon...

SK II : Skin Refining Treatment & Facial Clear Solution

So my SK II craze did not just end at the basic three. My face tends to be really oily throughout the day and I am often left blotting the oil off my face. As such, I decided to pay the SK II counter at Isetan a visit with my new UOB JCB card. Apparently there is some kind of rebate with the card. After speaking to the lady at the counter, I purchased the following which cost me a total of $309;

And she was nice enough to get me an SK II Men's paper bag. I didn't really mind if it were a normal SK II bag but I guess it was nice of her to be somewhat considerate. Anyway, I did realise that by going to a proper SK II counter, you would be able to ask many questions about the products and ask them to recommend something for you (they have just so many products!).

First Thoughts

Skin Refining Treatment
So my mission really was simply to get a moisturiser. After some research online, I realised that I had to get a good moisturiser. I've been told a myriad of things by pharmacists, skin-specialists and stuff and the last advice that I got was not to use a moisturiser simply because I have oily skin!

Anyway, this Skin Refining Treatment is meant to be used only at night. The lady did warn that my skin would get somewhat oily and have some kinda thick sticky feeling on the areas where I applied it to.

It's about 5 days (including Sunday night) when I started this and honestly I can't tell any difference. My face seems to be less oily in the day at times but nothing significant enough for me to say it has changed drastically.

Facial Clear Solution
So if that was meant to be used only in the night, I needed something for the day right? Initially I was quite concerned about the price. I mean $309! I'm like spending too much this month already! She did recommend that I get this and forsake the previous item but I just decided to get both anyway. After all, what's another hundred over? -_-

This seems to work pretty well I must say. It does not feel oily after application. In the morning however, I use this right after washing my face, followed by the Jan Marini Oil Controlling Serum (which I will review sometime). I think I have gotten my steps wrong now that I think of it. It should be...

Wash > Serum > Moisturiser

Oh wells.

Finally, it's been 9 days since I started using the basic 3 and I have been admiring my face in the mirror. MWAHAHAHA. It could have been the lasers but my pores definitely look much much smaller.

SK-II : Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser, Facial Treatment Clear Lotion and Facial Treatment Essence Review

I've meant to have a blog like this for a really long time! Basically, it is a blog to review products and treatments that would enhance aesthetics of a person. I have tried so many products in the past year (from when I actually became a little more interested in such stuff) and have not had the motivation to write a proper review.

So far, my sources of information have largely stemmed from forums and other blogs but sometimes the information might be a little biased (due to personal reasons or commercial gains). Thus, this is to largely serve as a personal note on the stuff that I have bought to try or the treatments that I have undergone. 

It is also to compel me to be a little more consistent in my approach - currently I would tend to use multiple brands at a time and would not be too sure of the effects of either. 

SK II

Anyway, I went on a shopping spree recently and decided to try SK II (which has always been raved about). 

I bought the Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser and Facial Treatment Clear Lotion at Robinson's for S$193, and the all-time famous Facial Treatment Essence for S$236 at a shop at Parkway Parade shopping centre.

First Thoughts

Step 1: Facial Treatment Gentle Cleanser

I have never been a fan of facial cleansers largely because I thought they do not make a difference. But some article on how important it is to choose a proper cleanser got me startled. I have been using cheap Korean ones that I got in Seoul last year. Determined not to let my laser treatments go wasted, I invested in this.

The cleanser has a very pleasant aroma to it. It does not smell anything like detergent (like how some of the Korean cleansers do!).

I believe it does its work well; removing whatever impurities that may have settled onto your face after a day. The difference is very obvious as my pores felt less clogged and my skin felt less dull.

I am gonna have to commit to a total of 14 days apparently to see the results. Will re-visit this again.

Step 2: Facial Treatment Clear Lotion

This is the toner. Step 2 of the cleansing process. I know there is much literature going on about the efficacy of toners. I am no beautician nor am I a scientist to be able to join the debates but I have not heard anything to the negative. So, why not?

To be honest, I cannot really feel much difference, comparing this to my previous toner. I used one from Skin Pharmacy but was a little discouraged when I did not really see much effects. But anyway, I do think that toners sort of help you to further clean your face in a sense that it further removes any lingering impurities after the cleanser. 

Step 3: Facial Treatment Essence

Finally the last step. This has put my Jurlique face oil on hold for now. It is supposed to be The Miracle Water and is one of the more important products. 

I was not too used to it initially. Usually my last step would be a serum-based product for pore size reducing, anti-oil etc. This is different though. You have to be extremely careful not to spill the liquid. The smell is horrendous to some and I can tell why. I thought something died in my room when I first started using it. Nonetheless after it dries up you can see a certain glow one your skin. And the effect feels great. 

Overview

I am into the 4th day of using this and I cannot really say for sure but my skin feels better. My pores hide better behind my BB cream because they are less clogged. Overall I am glad to have invested in this. They do say that you will kinda feel subtle differences from day 4 and the effects are more dramatic on day 14. Will post back soon again.