My Skincare Shelfie [2018]

It's been a while since I did a skincare routine post. These are the products I'm currently using. 😊

#Shelfie

Cleansers

For my makeup remover, I'm using Simple Micellar Water.  I used to think that all micellar waters are the same. I've used up Maybelline, then switched to Garnier because the formulation is almost the same but for some reason Garnier is cheaper. Simple is the third micellar water brand I've tried, and I like it the most because it's very gentle but powerful. It doesn't have alcohol and perfume in it, yet it removes my makeup fully with no dryness or irritation. It contains skin-brightening Niacinamide and also German chamomile extract to relieve inflamed skin and calm sensitive skin. I know micellar water brands claim to not need rinsing after, but I always double cleanse.

For facial cleaners, I alternate among three Althea brand exclusives: Contour Cleanser (though this one is not for dry skin as it's a tad drying) and Real Fresh Skin Detoxers AKA 10-second wash-off packs that also double as bubbly facial cleansers. I use the Rose variant during the day, Green Tea at night.

Toners

I have this (bad) habit of opening several bottles of toners just to try them out. 😑 I'm trying to correct that now, and as of press time I only have 2 left (Swanicoco and Althea). Good job, Helen!

Swanicoco A.C Control Care was from my Althea Trouble Breaker Box last year. I'm just using it up because it's expiring soon. I've used up 2 bottles of Snow Pore Minimizing Toners already, it's my cheapie thrill. It feels so minty on my skin, and it really prevents breakouts from even happening. Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser is super GOOD but expensive at P3,950 for a full-sized bottle. Althea Primer Water is not like all my toners; it has a thicker consistency (almost like an emulsion), and it feels so hydrating. I like using it during the day and I apply it using my hands in a patting motion. Sometimes, I sneakily skip moisturizer when I use this.

Serum & Eye Cream (THE BODY SHOP!)

Say hello to my first (brand) love! 😍 I haven't been blogging much about them since all I do is repurchase my favorites and that would feel repetitive to write, but right now, I'm still using The Body Shop's Wild Argan Oil shower gel, Olive body butter, Strawberry Lip Butter, etc... and of course these babies!

The Body Shop's Drops of Light Pure Healthy Brightening Serum ALWAYS works for me and never fails to make my skin better. It's a skincare investment at P1,895 for a small bottle, and I'm praying for a flash deal to happen again this year so I can hoard this good stuff. Haha! Whenever I religiously use this at night, even just once a day, I am able to maintain clear skin even if I wear makeup every day. Whenever I stop using this... HALA! Basta, it keeps my skin clear and healthy. The Vitamin E Eye Cream I just got because it was on sale then. I never expected it to work wonders, but one day after I used it, I was told na "lumiit eyebags mo". OKAY, SOLD!

Moisturizers

I currently alternate between these two from Althea and The Body Shop. I use the Althea Fixer Cream on cold(er) days and nights because it has a thicker formulation. It's also what I use whenever I plan to wear my Fenty Beauty foundation since that foundations needs a heavy duty moisturizer to work. I discovered The Body Shop's Vitamin E Gel Moisture Cream from my friend Monica. She LOVES The Body Shop, too! She gave me a sample of this moisturizer in a tiny pot, and I liked it enough to buy my own tub. (That's the power of sampling!) I got mine at 50% off a few months back when they did a moisturizer swap deal. 👍 This one's 100% vegan, and contains no mineral oil and paraffin. It's made for normal to combination skin, and I like how it's instantly absorbed by my skin. It's a gel cream, but sometimes it feels warm on my skin and I don't know why, but so far so good, no breakouts. Since it's not exactly made for oily skin, do not expect oil control from this product. It also has a strong fragrance to it. For me, this is an okay moisturizer, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing just because I'm into trying out new products.

So that's the rest of my 2018 Skincare Shelfie! Whew. Care to share yours? 😉

Love,

Helen

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Shiseido White Lucent gave me my best skin ever!

I've always been prudent when it comes to my purchases, and am not one to blow big bucks on cosmetics because there are a lot of drugstore products that work. I'm used to having okay skin and have accepted breakouts as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Then I discovered something early this year after trying out deluxe samples of Shiseido's White Lucent range. In order to have great skin, you have to invest.
 

My best friend gifted me with this Shiseido White Lucent range a few months back, and it was just recently that I edited my entire skincare range and made way for these babies. I don't know what's wrong with me by delaying its use. I could have been intimidated or scared to like these too much that I'd eventually have to repurchase, but here we are! 😍

The star ingredient in Shiseido White Lucent products are Japanese cherry blossoms - they help the skin become resistant to dark spot appearance. This range works in 2 ways by treating dark spots and helping the skin resist hyperpigmentation. It's alcohol-free and can be used immediately after facial treatments (like laser) to help skin recover faster. It's potent but that gentle, too.

Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser works as an alcohol-free toner with intensive brightening ingredients. High up on the ingredients list is Tranexamic Acid which I first encountered when I used Belo Intensive Whitening Bar. It's a peptide proven to inhibit inflammation and melanin formation. In short, this helps the skin resist dark spots such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne breakouts.

The Luminizing Infuser feels gentle on the skin, and never did it sting even on parts where I picked my skin. (I'm bad, I know!) It does effectively remove leftover dirt and preps my skin for the next step.
 

Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser Ingredients

I feel that Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Balancing Softener has the same purpose as the Luminizing Infuser. Both can be used as toner. But for extra hydration, I use the Luminizing Infuser first with a cotton pad, then apply the Brightening Balancing Softerner with my hands via patting motion. It relaxes my skin. Initially it feels sticky but when it's absorbed my skin feels soft and balanced.

Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion (day) and Luminizing Surge (night) are both emulsions which have a lighter texture vs. creams, making it perfect for my oily skin.

Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Emulsion has SPF 15 - quite low so I have to use a separate sunscreen if I'm spending the day outdoors. What I love about this though is the light texture and how my skin just drinks it up. It gives me a really healthy glow, and since I started using this range, I haven't had the need for liquid foundation. I can just use pressed powder and still look makinis. The Luminizing Surge is a light-textured moisturizer that gives me a glow every time I wake up even when I'm sleep-deprived. It has a soft gel-cream formula that creates an invisible veil to protect the skin and and give it a lasting glow. You can also use the Lumunizing Surge during the day, but remember to follow with SPF afterwards.

I wake up to softer, healthier skin now and I'm deeply in love with the Shiseido White Lucent range.

I say that the Shiseido White Lucent range gave me my best skin ever because I haven't had breakouts since I started using it, even during that time of the month. It's a miracle, really! It has also effectively faded out the red spots from my previous breakouts. Here, I'm not wearing makeup except for lip balm. No edits as well. Just great skin by Shiseido.

I'm this close 👌 to repurchasing the Luminizing Infuser (P3,950) and Luminizing Surge (P4,400) the moment my tiny bottles run out. My wallet is already crying but I figured that with great skincare, I won't have to shell out too much for makeup anymore. 💖

Facebook: Shiseido Philippines

Love,
Helen

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