Review: Clarins Shaping Facial Lift

If you've read my previous posts, my family members went to Hong Kong in last November and bought me this Clarins Facial Shaping Lift cream.  Apparently this was a pretty popular product in Hong Kong.  The Clarins in Canada doesn't carry this product.   =\

Now on to the goods and the bads of this product.  First the cons, there really isn't any.  I mean if I really have to nicky picky about this product, it'll be the time it takes to see some results.  It took well over 1 week to start to see noticeable results along the jawline, the chin and the cheekbones.
Next the pros, it's a pretty good moisturizer.  The packaging says I can use it day and night but I chose night only.  Every morning I wake up after leaving it on my face overnight, my skin feels smoother.  And in terms of what the product claims - contouring, refining and enhancing features - I find that it does work but again, it may take a week or so to see results.  The packaging also claims that it reduce eye contour puffiness.  Well the other day, I only slept for 2 hours during the whole night and I was afraid of getting puffy red eyes the next morning.  So before applying my makeup, I included this product in my morning skincare routine, covering only the eyes.  And you know what, I actually think it works for the puffiness.  It was obvious that I had dark circles under my eyes, but the puffiness is not noticeable.  So basically, it greatly reduces the puffiness.
Also, they have an instruction manual in the package that tell you to follow a specific method called Auto Lifting Method to see the results faster.  I read reviews online that says this product can also be used with a face roller to slim down your face - basically your baby fat and lose the double chin if you have one.  And I dug around my house for a face roller and if you ask me, I'd say the face roller definitely helped out the product.  I mean I did use the Auto Lifting Method but I also used a face roller afterwards for a good 10 mins.  So I'd definitely recommend this combination.

Consistency of this product? It's lightweight.  Not heavy at all.
Any scent? Yes.  To me, it's not an irritating scent.  Smells a little like perfume.
Retailed for? $500 HKD but my mom got it for a 30% off each bottle promo.  So it came up to be $350 HKD and the good thing about Hong Kong is that they don't have tax! That is roughly each bottle cost $50 CAD.

Product: Clarins Shaping Facial Lift
Rating: 5 / 5

Pros:
- Contours, refines and enhances facial features
- Not incredibly expensive
- Reduces eye puffiness
- Smoother skin feeling

Cons:
- Takes a little over 1 week to start seeing noticeable results

Haul: January

Yes, I have spent my first 2011 makeup haul @Sephora.  It wasn't much.  I picked up the Duo eyelash glue and a small 2-pack Evian facial spray.  I've used the facial sprays in the past, during my high school days, but randomly stopped using them.  Now I'm using them again to avoid moisture loss throughout the day or when I'm done setting my make up.  It's very convenient to just toss in your handbag and go out the doors. 
I decided to redeem 100 points for a sample of Dior Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Creme.  I'm also looking to try out different brands of eye serums or creams out there.  I also picked up a sample of Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair Eye and Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex.  Tried it out two nights in row, I felt there was a small change, nothing drastic.  My skin felt softer the next morning.  My eyes look less puffy due to lack of sleep.  The wrinkle below one of my eyes looked a little less sunk in.  Temporarily, I know these products do work.  But I'm doubtful whether it will consistently do its job. 

Prices:
Duo eyelash glue - $10 CAD
Evian facial spray - $12 CAD
Dior Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Creme sample - Free

Review: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Skincare 1-2-3 Set

My first review of this year is on this Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Skincare 1-2-3 set.  This set is very much like Clinique 3 Step skincare.  Well, I've been using this set for over 3 months and I still have about 1/4 left in each bottle/tube. 

First step of the skincare: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam.  I find that it cleanses my face pretty well.  It forms quite a bit of foam and after rinsing my face, it leaves my face feeling clean.  Now Shiseido claims that this foam "removes dirt, pollution and impurities without drying out skin".  I've tried using this foam with the other 2 products and I've also tried using it alone, followed by Vitamin A cream and sometimes Vitamin E cream.  Either way, it dries out my skin.  It's most noticeable on my nose, which is odd since Vitamin E or A cream are really hydrating.  Ultimately, I'd recommend using a moisturizing cream that really hydrates your skin more than Vitamin A and/or E cream.

Second step of the skincare: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Refining Softener Enriched N.  The purpose of this product is to soften your skin.  It claims to "instantly infuse moisture and perfectly prepares skin for next skincare step".  Using a cotton pad to apply this, I find it does soften my skin a little bit, but not very noticeable.

Third step of the skincare: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Protective Moisturizer N SPF 16.  This product claims that it "locks in moisture and nutrients while protecting skin from external aggressors".  Initially after I apply this moisturizer, I notice my skin brightens.  This is a day cream but I find the formula dries out my skin.  The skin on my nose dries out so much that it gets flaky and I can peel off my dead skin cells.  =\  It's winter and the weather is dry; this 3 step skincare set doesn't work well in these conditions.  However, I believe it would be a great summer moisturizer as the consistency is runny, not sticky, and feels light-weight.

Overall, after using the 3 products, Shiseido claims that this skincare set softens your skin within 1 month.  And I do agree with this statement to a certain extent.  There are areas of my face that do feel soft but my nose feels and looks dried out so definitely not soft.

Product: Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Skincare 1-2-3 set

Rating: 4 / 5

Pros:

- Brightens my skin

- Cleansing foam cleans my face really well

- Softener does soften my skin

- Day moisturizer has a light consistency

Cons:

- Dries out my nose, requires a hydrating moisturizer to compensate

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Wish the best for everyone! Hope everyone - including myself - can achieve their new year's resolution goals.