Tag: skincare

LIKE A SHOT OF CAFFEINE 

Pardonne-moi for such a long (too long) hiatus. You don’t wanna know why. But anyway…I am back!

This time, I’m going to review about body scrub from JUARA. One of their top product, Invigorating Coffee Scrub. JUARA, which actually means ‘champion’ in bahasa Indonesia, is 100% vegetarian, no animal testing, paraben free, contains no artificial colorants, sulfates or phthalates skin care products. Judging from these only, this brand is already a winner for yours truly. 

As you can see from my pictures above, the color of the scrub is dark, real dark. As for the texture (imagined grind coffee beans), it’s not as rough as I imagine it would be when applied and scrubbed. Some scrub made my skin red afterwards, but this one left me with no red marks. You might wonder about the coffee scent. Well, somehow, for me it smells more like a combination of chocolate and coffee. But yes, you definitely can smell the coffee there. 

I applied on dry skin, before shower, scrub and rinse. I love how it contains gentle, sulfate-free cleansing agents, so it acted as a cleanser too. No need for shower gel afterwards, even though it didn’t produce any foamy effects while rinsed. Touched with water, it gave this moisturizing feeling on my skin, a bit filmy. But…after I dried myself with towel, I can definitely feel the softness on my skin. And the chocolatey coffee scent did last longer than any shower gel I’ve tried. 

So, is this product a ‘JUARA’? You bet!

You can get JUARA products, here.

JUST LIKE THOSE CITIES THAT NEVER SLEEP

So do our skin.

For me, I don’t need breakthrough research and surveys about how lack of sleep can do bad things to my skin. The result(s) will be seen instantly in the morning, when my beauty sleep was lessen due to lots of things. Surely, they don’t call it ‘beauty sleep’ for nothing. Eyes look dark and puffy, and worst..skin look dull and prone to acne. 

Seriously, how on earth does sleep can save our skin? Well, according to medical research, lack of sleep leads to increased levels of stress hormones in our body. It can cause inflammation within the skin that subsequently leads to an acceleration of aging. Sleep deprivation also reduces our skin’s ability to stay hydrated and supple, leading to   a dull & dehydrated appearance. And…those with poor sleeping habits might have trouble with skin sensitivity and irritation due to a reduction in the skin’s ability to protect itself from chemicals & pollutants in the environment.

It’ll be nice to know, that our skin have their own ability to repair themselves at night. But it’s hurtful to know that as we age, our bodies naturally produce less melatonin, which affect our skin’s ability to repair itself at night. So, what to do? I love slathering on serum and cream before I go to bed every night, knowing that we naturally lose moisture during sleeping time. And lately, my favorite will be Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II. The 2013 version of their best selling and iconic Advanced Night Repair serum, combined the process of purification & synchronizing of night time repair so skin will look better and younger. 

At the press launch, the Estee Lauder Indonesia’s team applied it on the back of my hand, let it soak for two seconds, and sprayed water on top of it. They told me to flip my hand, and what do you know…the water didn’t fall down! It surely acts as moisture magnet and deliver non-stop hydration for the skin. The other additional benefits are anti-pollution technology to reduce the appearance of skin damage caused by UV rays and pollution, anti-oxidants to protect and repair damage to skin from daily ravages and hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated. 

Easily absorbed with no scent, I use one pump from the pipette every night on my face and neck area before my usual night cream. The result after I use it for almost a month now: let’s just say, my skin looks well rested in the morning even if the owner did not. 

WHEN SKIN & HAIR COLLIDE

Seems like everything about skin care innovations, the hair will follow.

Take BB Cream for example. When BB Cream for face launched as the latest beauty trend, they created BB Cream for hair. Then they went to CC Cream, and so did hair. Well you got what I meant.

So it comes to no surprise when Kérastase created the first serum for hair. Inspired by the incontestable success of skincare serums (one of them is LANCÔME Génifique) which changed the whole skincare routine, especially for women, Kérastase created the first concentrate which generates at its source the growth of a stronger, shiner and more beautiful hair, named INITIALISTE.

You’ve probably heard about the precious stem cells? With their high regenerating power, these cells won’t be affected by aging. But, as fragile as they are, their functionality will reduced due to internal and external aggressions, like oxidative stress, pollution and UV. Guess what? Stem cells existed at the hair follicle’s level, too. Discovered by the Recherche Avancée L’Oréal after 24 years of research, the 2 stem cells pools are as precious and as fragile as skin’s. Therefore, they have to be protected and preserved, to achieve the growth of more beautiful and stronger hair at its source.

Personally, I can’t wait to try the hair serum (and dig more about it for you), which IMHO does look like LANCÔME Génifique bottle, right down to the dropper (don’t you think so too?). I’ve read from other bloggers’ reviews that it successfully made their hair feels softer and thicker, easier to style, shinier with less breakage & split ends. Now I wonder if it’s going to be love from the first use for me? Stay tune, as Kérastase and Lancôme will have bloggers’ exclusive event soon (named Super Serum Duo Pampering Day) and of course, I’ll be there.

 

NEW BEAUTY BRAND IN TOWN

Inside the much anticipated Galeries Lafayette in Jakarta, Indonesia, there’s one beauty brand worth to check out…

…especially if you’re one of those ‘return to nature’ type, very into natural skincare and searching for the very best for your skin and yourself. Then, you’ll love ALPURE. Made entirely in Switzerland (known for their quality and purity), their counter in Galeries Lafayette Jakarta is the first in Indonesia (so exclusive, even Singapore and Hong Kong haven’t carry this brand yet).

So what differs ALPURE from their competitors, other Swiss’ brands? This high end skincare products are the first skincare line with 100% natural ingredients from the Swiss Alps. Ingredients cultivated in strict accordance with Swiss organic standards. More than 20 species of endemic plants with effective cosmetic properties, are used to create a unique and rare cocktail, together with a special Glacier water. OK, imagine Switzerland with their white top (covered with snow) mountains like all the time. Actually not, they’ll melt on summer (usually in July and August) and that’s the perfect time for ALPURE to collect these precious water.

Currently, they have three lines in Indonesia, named Bio-Alpine (Anti-Ageing line), AltiSource (Hydration line) and Systeme-Pur (Preparation line). Silky and gentle textures with subtle fragrance, ALPURE offered a simple skincare range and affordable luxury Swiss product.

New brand fascinates me all the time, and the best way to try them is going for their best seller products. Turned out, ALPURE has three best sellers from each range, 3in1 Toning Cleanser, Anti-Ageing Eye Cream and Intensive-Hydration Re-sourcing Mask. I can see why they become best sellers, the cleanser is truly a three in one product, combining cleansing milk, toning lotion and purifying gel. It cleansed non waterproof makeup perfectly, leaving skin soft and purified. And the Anti-Ageing Eye Cream is so cooling when applied, thanks to its’ decongestant effect. Good for puffy eyes, those swollen looking eyes when we wake up each morning. It’ll also help smoothen those wrinkles & fine lines, and the enemy of all beauty states, dark circles. Another cooling product is their Intensive-Hydration Re-sourcing Mask. They remind me of those butter spread packaging when you have breakfast in the hotel. With their ice-cube effects, it’s the answer for very dry and dehydrated skin. Put it inside the refrigerator (not freezer) for 10 minutes before applying and feel the cold sensation on your face and neck. Leave for another 10 minutes then wipe, this non-masking mask can also be leave overnight if you fell like your face are that dehydrated. Just apply thinly and leave them to work overnight.

ALPURE price range is quite affordable for such quality, they go from Rp 450.000 (for 3in1 Toning Cleanser) up to Rp 975.000 (for Firming Cream). Good news, they’re having their opening promotion until June 12, 2013. When you buy any ALPURE product, they will give you an AltiSource trio sample card (with their best seller mask inside). Hurry to their Galeries Lafayette’s counter (at Ground Floor) while stocks last.

 

 

ALL OF US ARE AGING, AS WE SPEAK

If you freak out or disturbed by the problematic skin pictures above, those are just proofs that you can’t fight against time.

Or…could be not. Do you still need proofs that UV rays, smoking, pollution and stress are so harmful to our skin? Probably not. But you’ll be happy to hear this news, 80% of signs of aging are due to external factors and can be avoided. And only 20% of aging signs are inevitable. Yes, people. Through an exclusive research, Biotherm Research Laboratories quantifies the signs of aging that can be visibly repaired. It is indeed a brand new vision of skin aging called “The 20/80 Effect”.

Like Caucasian women, 80% of aging signs on Asian women are due to UV. And the other 20% is the one contributor to signs of aging we all can’t fight, named “Time”.

So there’s hope out there? You bet. Start repairing or delaying that 80% aging signs with three different precious aquatic ingredients sourced from three different mysterious waters with three extraordinary properties for a new generation of anti-aging technology, Biotherm Blue Therapy range. Like the knight and his weapon, these trios work in synergy to help  our skin retain its’ firmness, combatting darkness and wrinkles. The range consists of Cosmetic Water, Milky Lotion and Serum.

YOUR EYE CREAM’S NEW BUDDY

If you feel that your usual eye cream was getting to slow to show that luminous eyes you’ve been eyeing for, afraid not. All you need is a booster!

Last week, I was invited to the launch event of the very first eye serum from Estee Lauder, named Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion at Seibu Premium Lounge, Grand Indonesia, Jakarta. It looks and sounds familiar because it is the new formulated Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum, but for eyes. Even the packaging looks similar like its predecessor. 

At the event, Erfan Haryando, Communication Executives Estee Lauder Indonesia, explained to fellow medias and bloggers about the clever eyes serum which will reach Indonesia’s counters by May 2013. “According to scientific research from Estee Lauder, our delicate eyes area is 40% more thin and five times more porous than facial skin. That’s why they are particularly vulnerable to environmental assaults, including ozone that caused DNA damage.” The increase of ozone pollution, especially for us who live in urban jungle, is getting more serious and might lead to visible signs of premature aging. Since eyes are more vulnerable, they need more tender love and care in a serum texture, which are well known for fast penetration.

Therefore, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion contains three powerful and high performance technologies:

– Anti-pollution technology that continuously repairing the appearance of damage to eyes area which caused by environmental assaults.

– Exclusive Chronolux Technology that support the natural synchronization of skin’s repair around the eye area at exactly the right time.

– A high concentration of soothing anti-irritants, a proprietary blend of antioxidants and high levels of proven Hyaluronic Acid which work together to repair and protect, also reduce the look of dark circles, puffiness and dryness around the eyes.

Erfan also explained, that just like face serum which needs layering with moisturizer on top, this eye serum will add more benefits to your usual eye cream. And… lucky me to get the first hand of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion before the press event, so I’ve got the chance to try it a week before. I also shared my testimonial with fellow medias and bloggers at the event. My verdict? It is a serum, so it’s very light in texture and scentless. I love that it comes in a pump packaging, very practical and less messy. Instantly absorbed, so I can add extra top layer of my usual eye cream immediately. The feeling is refreshing and hydrating, and after a week of using it twice a day (yes, you can use it in the morning too-despite its’ name), my under eyes area feel smooth and less dry, with no puffiness in sight when I wake up the next morning. I might say this is a perfect base/primer for under eyes concealer too as it seems to work well with creamy concealer (that cracked terribly for not having enough moisture). It filled the fine lines pretty good, so it acted like a filler without the needle for me. And I am positive it might reduce my dark circles sometime very soon (I’ll keep you posted). Overall, let me put it this way, if you’re using serum for the whole face, why not your eyes?

WHY IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TOO START

While I have to thank my mom for introducing me to eye cream when I hit my 17th birthday, I wish someone told me back then to use the complete anti-aging skincare regimen.

Not just eye cream, but the whole thing, starting from cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer and night cream. It is better to stop those wrinkles and any signs of aging on your face before they do appear and become much harder to erase. Especially for us who live with every day sun, pollution and stress exposure that damage our skin constantly. Just note that premature anti-aging regimen is a wise thing to do.

Thankfully (and sometimes confusingly), now there are many beauty brands which can accommodate our needs for a complete anti-aging regimen that work synergistically. Deciding on which, for me is a fun part of being a woman. We are spoilt with choices, ladies.

Earlier this year, January 2013, Amway Indonesia launched Artistry Youth Xtend, a breakthrough skincare which claimed to reprograms the future of skin to delay aging. Who wouldn’t want that? So I decided to give them a try.

And thanks to Amway, I had an unique experience in Amway Experience Center, right here in Jakarta, Indonesia. I had a chance to try on Artistry F.A.C.E.S (Facial Analysis Computer Evaluation System), a very special machine exclusive to the Artistry brand which can personalized our Artistry skincare. The personalize analysis from the UV photo includes: skin type, hyperpigmentation, fine lines & wrinkles, and Porphyrin (aka acne bacteria). Be brave to see the results, it could be quite shocking to see how many bacteria living under that nose pores or those pigmentation spots underneath your epidermis are ready to show. But no worries, there’s always solution. Judging from my results, they recommend me which products will suit my combination skin best. They are a whole range of Artistry Youth Xtend range, Rich Cleansing Foam, Softening Lotion, Serum Concentrate, Protecting Lotion, Enriching Lotion and Enriching Eye Cream. A whole set to cleanse, tone, treat and moisturize (day and night), that will address the first signs of aging with synergistic combination of botanicals and progressive technology.

What’s inside?

LifeSirt : a botanical extract from Mediterranean, known for its skin rejuvenating properties to extend the lifespan of healthy skin cells,

Micro-X6 Peptide : to repair skin’s existing damage and boosting collagen.

African Baobab Fruit Extract : natural moisturizer high in Vitamin A, E and F, which protects skin against future damage.

So, currently this is what I do every day for my beauty regime to achieve more youthful looking skin (and I intend to keep it that way as long as I can):

1 Cleansing with Rich Cleansing Foam. The scent is soft, I love the light creamy texture (which will produce medium foam after water contact) & the result. It cleanse well, zap my oil on the T-Zone Area without making the rest of my skin feels and looks tight or dry.

2 Toning with Softening Lotion. Not an ordinary toner, it’s liquid but it’s not watery. It’s a very light lotion, just pour a bit to cotton pads and pat gently. Instantly refresh my skin, doesn’t leave my skin dry and prep it for the next step.

3 Treat with Serum Concentrate. It will absorb in a jiffy. I just use one pump for the whole face, including neck. Do not neglect your neck, ladies. Seriously.

4 Protect & moisturize with Protecting Lotion. Since I have a combination skin, this lotion was recommended for me, instead of Protecting Cream which I guess is more creamy and suitable for drier skin. I love this, because it contains SPF 15 PA+++, so I can skip my ordinary sunblock and this really help my morning rush.

5 Boosting my skin’s ability to repair itself at night with Enriching Lotion. Surprisingly, I always wake up with more smooth and moisturized skin in the morning. The lotion texture also helps to absorb better than any night cream I’ve ever tried and it didn’t cause me any breakouts.

6 Last but not least, banishing those fine lines on eyes area with Enriching Eye Cream. Super rich texture which works well with under eyes concealer. Use the spatula provided and pat for ultra absorption.

 

SUPER DRY SKIN?

Moisturizer is NOT your one and only beauty savior. Read on.

When your skin or the climate is acting up on us, making our skin drier than usual, reach out for these products.

1 FRESH SUGAR FACE POLISH
Yes we still have to exfoliate to get rid of those dead skin cells on the surface.

2 LA MER THE HYDRATING FACIAL MASK
Face mask is the essential product to keep our skin plump and well-hydrated.

3 L’OCCITANE DIVINE EXTRACT SERUM
It’s just not another layer, OK? Facial serum can give us added moisture into deeper layers of our skin, which moisturizer can’t do. That’s why it costs more too.

4 CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE EXTENDED THIRST RELIEF
Dry skin is one thing, but dehydrated skin is another problem. Without any hydration help, our skin would be flaky, itchy and feel tight.

5 KIEHL’S MIDNIGHT RECOVERY CONCENTRATE
While we were sleeping, our beloved skin is regenerating. A potent night serum will work its’ charm and magically transform dry skin to moist skin over night.

 

FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER

 

A range of natural products from Australia just landed here in Jakarta, Indonesia.

What an interesting name, MooGoo. I was invited to their launch last week and found out a lot more exciting info about the Australian brand.

It was made when the founder adapted a cream used to heal cow’s udders to keep them in good condition for milking, to help a family member with a skin problem. And if you’re into that natural products, you’ll be relieved to know that there are no petroleum or chemical based ingredients in MooGoo products. And, they listed all their ingredients on their products as well.

So natural, their lip balm is edible (but, seriously, I won’t eat it out of curiosity). Claimed to have effective ingredients designed for people with skin and scalp problems, like eczema, psoriasis and acne, I was eager to try the Skin Milk Udder Cream given to the guests at their launch event.

Well, it’s the original udder cream that started it all. But unlike the legendary cream that was thick and greasy, this udder cream is more light and non greasy at all. It contains Milk Protein, which claimed to increase skin elasticity 20% more than ordinary cream. First applied, the texture feels like a mixture between balm and cream, but surprisingly absorb really well. The scent reminds me of baby cream mixed with vanilla ice cream. I applied it on the back of my hands (the most dry part of all) and it made them feel soft and smell good like a baby. And yes, even your baby can wear it too, it’s recommended for easily irritated skin for all ages.

We can get them online, or in Watson’s Mall Kelapa Gading 3, Pondok Indah Mall 2, Mall Kota Kasablanka, Lippo Mall Kemang, Super Mall Karawaci, and Summarecon Mall Serpong.

 


WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING  

As years gone by, I learned the importance of having the right night skin care. 

I’ve tried more than my fair share of night creams and serums, but my my my…it was so hard to find the right one. I want it light, non greasy, absorb immediately, yet effective and proven overnight without causing redness or worst..breakouts. A lot to ask, right? And I finally found: Make Up Store Hydra Night.

One of the skin care line from the Sweden’s beauty brand, exactly did what I wanted in a night cream. Simply called Hydra Night, don’t be fooled by its’ simple and chic dark packaging that looks like a cream jar. It’ a pump, which I thought is better and more practical, rather than you have to clean spatula after each used. Who has the time to do that, anyway?

I love the velvety texture, can’t explain it, but it seems like a mixture of cream and lotion. And the scent is not overpowering (some night creams are so harsh it made me hard to sleep), smell more vanilla-ish than flower-ish. The absorption is very good, and it didn’t leave any sticky or (worst) oily feeling. Applied on cleansed skin at night (two times pumped for the whole face), I believe it made my skin look more toned and very well hydrated (after that Air Condition blasted for more than 8 hours). When I used it on the back of my hands, they also feel soft and look rosy. It’s my current favorite night cream, I may say.