I’m certain that there are other skincare options out there but for now, since I’ve come across one that presents a good argument, I’d like to feature what this brand is offering. Boslter skin’s defences, minimise corrective action later, and preservation of youthful skin; firmness of skin. I’m certain we all find wrinkles, lines and sagging cumbersome to manage.

So here are a couple of treatment sets that will probably teach us how to do just that.

SENSAI SILK Basic Treatment Set

The SENSAI SILK Basic Treatment Set gives you a complete kit of essential items to begin your anti-ageing programme from today. It features a bestselling cream and a lotion for “Double Moisturising” and a special edition sheet mask fro extra care. Because proper cleansing is paramount for keeping your skin in optimal condition, we have also included two items for “Double Cleansing”.

The SENSAI SILK Basic Treatment Set includes the following: Softening Lotion (Moist), Smoothing Cream, Sheet Mask, SENSAI Silky Purifying Cleansing Cream, and SENSAI Silky Purifying Creamy Soap.

The lotion, with its comforting formulation, infuses the skin with moisture and counters harmful elements. The gentle formulation, together with a light and airy texture, of the smoothing cream offers quick relief to adverse skin reactions and irritations. The sheet mask is made of 30% silk and 70% cotton. The mask can be saturated with the moist lotion for added effect. The cleansing cream is fit for all skin types and has a silky texture that’s easy to rinse off. The creamy soap is formulated for normal to dry skin and combination types of skin. It has a silky texture and foams generously.

SENSAI SILK Special Treatment Set

The SENSAI SILK Special Treatment Set targets one of the most visible signs of early ageing: loss of firmness. The kit contains an intensive 14-day anti-sagging treatment in its original size, as well as a lotion and emulsion for “Double Moisturising”.

This three-item set leaves your skin looking firmer in just 14 days while introducing you to SENSAI “Double Moisturising” — a routine that will serve you for a lifetime.

The SENSAI SILK Special Treatment Set includes the following: 2 Weeks Night Firming Essence, Softening Lotion (Moist), and Emulsion (Moist).

The 14-day treatment will help form an ideally metabolised surface membrane that will boost moisture retention and stress resistance. It will give you a smooth, resilient skin. The lotion is similar to the one in the Basic Treatment Set. The emulsion has been formulated to be absorbed quickly and feel luxurious when applied. It will visibly improve firmness, brightness and softness.

There are other products included in the line. From brightening creams and awakening essences to eye creams and masks. It certainly feels like there’s quite a number of things one ought to do and use in order to take care of the skin. I feel just aged a bit by just thinking about it. Ah, well. It doesn’t mean that you won’t have fun in the process, right?

That’s why it’s good to try out sets that will serve as a guide on how to do just that. It’ll help establish a routine that will show us how and what things will work. Along the way we can continue with the same brand or switch to another one that gives us better results.

Exploring the products of SENSAI SILK should be real interesting. I wonder if I’d get an opportunity to try it out. I sure could use a bit of help cuz I just learned that I already have fine lines near my hair line!

Anyway, if any of you beauties have tried this product out, do let us know if it’s really effective! We’d love to hear your thoughts.

And for ones who are interested to get some SENSAI SILK here are a few listings I found online:

Kanebo Sensai Silk Softening Lotion – Light $48.50
Kanebo Sensai Silk Emulsion – Light $63
Kanebo Sensai Silk 10 Minutes Relaxing Mask £38.00
Sensai Silk Peeling Powder $60
Kanebo – Sensai Silk – Two Weeks Night Firming Essence $80
Sensai Silk Smoothing Cream £56

Image and quotes: sensai-cosmetics.com

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Image: sephora.com

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has a uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.

If there’s one thing I’ve managed to take importance in is the intake of vitamin E (I even took Myra E for a time). Yes, I’ve been religiously taking it since 2005. Main reason is skin care. It works wonders in maintaining balance on my skin. Esp since I had switched living from a hot, humid country to a cold one. My skin suffered severe dryness.

However, I noticed that it took more than just the vitamins that I was taking, I needed a skin care product to help induce moisture. Lotions and facial moisturisers did wonders. My skin had come to a more manageable state, it even had a healthy, radiant glow that was awesome.

That explains why when I came across this Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream I immediately thought to share it with you guys. I haven’t had the chance to try it out but reading what the product has to offer made me think that it’s worth the look. I learned that Yu-Be was invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist and is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. It’s also good to note that Yu-Be is safe and effective for the whole family. Sounds really practical, yea?

It’s available for $24 over at Sephora.

If any of you guys have tried this product out, do let us know about your personal experience. We’d appreciate your thoughts!

Meanwhile, any of you guys have a moisturising skin cream or lotion which you swear by?

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Beach Glow Melted Body Butter is a flirty combination of lily of the valley and gold coast jasmine, with nuances of kiwi and pear. It hydrates with natural shea butter, while adding a bronze shimmer for that coveted just-back-from-the beach glow.

The Beach Glow Body Butter from Sephora is a scented tinted body lotion that is a good option for you beauties who just can’t get away just yet to enjoy the sun but wants that bronzed skin. It is, after all, summer. At least, for you guys on the other side of the world.

The popularity of self-tanning nowadays is unremarkable. It may be due to busy schedules, poor economy, or just the fear of getting skin cancer. I’m not here to judge, I guess what ever works for you. So, instead of pushing you to enjoy the beach when you need to spend extra time to earn that promotion which you really can’t pass up or bask under the sun when you know your skin can only take too much before risking any damage, I’d rather give you an option to get the sun-kissed skin without compromising anything.

I admit that the sun can be harsh on the skin and if you already are suffering from dry skin, you’ll increase the chances of loosing what moisture you have left on your skin. That’s why we need to moisturise and hydrate the skin, double time if the skin is indeed dry. This body butter is offering best of both worlds. Uses shea butter to hydrate the skin then will leave a bronze shimmer that will make your skin look like you just came from a lovely time spent under the sun. A tan will always give your skin a bit of colour, making it look radiant and interesting.

The body butter is currently priced at $16 and is available over at Sephora.

If any of you have had the chance to try this body butter out, do let us know how it went. Is it effective? Is it worth it? We’d love to know about your experience!

Image: sephora.com

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Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

Neutrogena Men®
Triple Protect Face Lotion
SPF 20

Neutrogena Men® Triple Protect Face Lotion SPF 20 works to soothe razor irritation, heal dry skin and help defend against the signs of aging in just one easy step.

This non-greasy lotion offers multiple advanced skincare benefits to help protect your face. It moisturizes and heals dryness to condition skin. The lightweight formula contains SPF 20 UVA/UVB protection to help defend skin against signs of aging. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and smoothes rough texture for healthier-looking skin.

* Non-greasy
* SPF 20
* 1.7 fl. oz. tube (Source: neutrogena.com)

I found this Neutrogena Men Triple Protect Face Lotion in the my brother’s kikay stuff and it peaked my curiosity. It’s quite natural that I’d be all over Neutrogena products for women (such as this and this) and failed to note that they’ve got a separate one esp for men. That’s why I decided to check this one out.

The Face Lotion promises to:

Soothe
Instantly calms razor burn and irritation to help revitalise skin.

This makes me wonder why we don’t have something specific like this. I mean, there are women who use the razor, right? Or any other lotion will do?

Heal
Moisturises and heals dryness to condition skin.

Yea, I do appreciate teh boyfriend’s smoother skin after a shave.

Defend
Helps defend skin against signs of aging by reducing the appearance of lines and rough texture for smoother, healthier skin.

Even when most men age well, some may find themselves insecure and would prefer to postpone any visible signs. Again, this is one of the things about male grooming that I failed to note.

SPF 20
Sunscreen provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection against sun’s damaging rays.

Skin on our face is pretty sensitive and if we don’t take care of it, I reckon it can haul much damage and will be noticed first. Best to take care of it.

Suggested application: Apply liberally to freshly shaven face and neck every morning. Re-apply if excess perspiration or product wear occurs.

Lightweight. Won’t sting. Won’t clog pores. These features make sense to me and are much appreciated. But I can’t help but ask, do we really need something like this or any type of moisturiser will do? Anyway, I wonder if I can get teh boyfriend to try this product out. I’ll ask. Meanwhile, if any of you guys have tried this out, perhaps you can share with us some of your experiences.

Also, I wonder what Tris would think of this product.

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Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

ARTISTRY™
Light Reflective Lotion
SPF 15
Blushing Radiance

(Maquillaje Humectante Iluminador
FPS 15)

Active ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 3.0%

Among all the ARTISTRY™ loots I got, this one I did not find in their website. AND it’s the one that surprised me the most.

Staring at the pearly white soft tube, I was expecting just your run-of-the-mill skincare product (taking the cue from the term ‘lotion’ printed down the front). I had thought it was another alternative to a moisturiser or a day cream. Nothing really special. I wasn’t about to switch to a new moisturiser. Heck, I don’t really use the RevaleSkin Day Cream, much less consider using this one from ARTISTRY™.

But, lo and behold, I had noticed something about it that sets it apart.

I reckon it wasn’t kidding when it was christened “Blushing Radiance” cuz the shimmer and shade it leaves on your skin can be described as blushing and radiant.

I would classify it as makeup rather than your typical skincare product. This is a good thing. Yes, it’s great that it has SPF cuz it does offer a decent amount of protection while it makes your skin look more pretty. Alternative to your moisturiser? Yea, for days (or nights) wherein you want your face to have that extra glitter. It’s perfect for days when you simply want some SPF on your skin and less need for layers of makeup, just to get that radiant look. But I’m still more comfortable in keeping Elizabeth Arden Intervene Pause & Effect Moisture Creme my default daily moisturiser. BUT I wouldn’t mind keeping this for odd “no makeup” I’m-gonna-let-my-skin-breathe days.

Applying the Light Reflective Lotion can be a chore. It’s advisable to use a sponge instead of your fingertips cuz it can get quite messy. But to be fair, it does easily glide over your skin. I’ve only used it once. No visible signs of caking. Don’t mistake it for a foundation, though, it does gives off this feeling of redundancy. I use liquid foundation you see. It’s quite heavy on the skin so be careful to apply moderately. Stay clear of your eyes, too.

Thank god this one has a decent scent. Can’t quite peg the notes but it’s pleasant, a bit perfume-y but not too heavy.

I still feel I need to use it a few more times in order to fully give you the final verdict. But right now, let me just leave you with my initial thoughts and just stay tuned for any additional inputs. Perhaps some of you have already given this product a go. Feel free to share your experiences. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

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Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

OLAY Body
In-Shower Body Lotion
Ultra Moisture with Shea Butter

Olay Ultra Moisture In-Shower Body Lotion works with the warmth and humidity of your shower to reveal soft, smooth skin after 1 use. Daily use will improve hydration of dry skin in 5 days!

Skipping the First Impressions post, I went ahead and took this baby for a test run and, boy, am I impressed. Consider me hooked. LOL. I’ll probably sound like a marketer pushing you to buy it, too. BUT I can’t help it. I love the this body lotion!

The Olay Body In-Shower Body Lotion has been a fabulous buy. I had qualms in putting it in my cart that day but I’ve been constantly daring myself to broaden my horizon in terms of beauty products. I don’t want to simply stick with a normal beauty regimen esp if I’m still searching for the right combination. Besides, I like experimenting even when it means spending more than I have to. Sigh. But, happy thoughts! Had I not leaped, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to discover the luxurious feeling that this product can give.

I love taking baths and showers. I’d be more inclined to buy bath products than makeup actually. I love the idea of cleansing and skincare. I guess that’s one of the things I tend to obsess about. However, I do recall having said that I find putting on lotion tiresome at times esp when it’s warm. I drop the task and simply risk directly exposing my skin to sun and harsh elements. It’s simply because if it’s warm, I’ll end perspiring as I am putting on the lotion, hence, feeling all sticky afterwards. So, discovering this product is like a gift from the heavens.

Suggested Application: Step 1. Cleanse with body wash or bar soap, as usual, then rinse. Step 2. Dispense product into hand and smooth over wet skin. Start with a quarter size amount for each area of the body (adjust as needed). Step 3. Rinse. Step 4. Pat dry with towel.

The creamy texture makes it a little tricky to apply since it tends to slide off my palm. I really had to apply it evenly while carefully massaging the skin. Upon application, you can instantly feel the moisture; the skin certainly feels hydrated. After patting your skin dry, you won’t lose the feeling of soft, supple, and moisturised skin.

When it comes to the scent, it gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me. It may take a bit of time to get used to for some but if you like the vanilla scent, you’ll like this product’s scent, too. It definitely doesn’t smell citrus-y or fruity or floral.

The packaging is not bad, too. I love big bottles. It’s quite efficient to have the dispenser at the bottom. Makes it possible to use every little bit of it til the last drop.

OLAY Tip: Use after cleansing with Olay Bar or Olay Body Wash

Taking their advise, I bought myself an Olay soap bar. It’s actually an Olay Body Ultra Moisture Soap Bar (with Shea Butter), an actual companion to the In-Shower Body Lotion. I haven’t tried using them together, though. So, I’ll probably tell more about this soap later on.

Anyway, I didn’t know that there’s a In-Shower products (skincare) trend. I happen to stumble upon Clean & Clear’s In-Shower Facial last week. I guess women are starting to spend more and more time in the bathroom now, eh? Believe me, I totally understand why cuz I’m guilty of that as well.

Anyway, verdict for the In-Shower Body Lotion? I’d recommend it to you beauties who love the feeling of a moisturised skin AND if you love let the luxurious feeling of bath to linger. I love using it at night before going to bed, too. Apart from pampering my skin after a long day, the sheets feel extra nice, too. Hehe.

Image: Rpr Marketing Communications

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Hawaiian Tropic
Dark Tanning Lotion
with Sunscreen
SPF 4

A touch of Hawaiian tropical, exotic, natural flora and fruit extracts… nature’s richest tanning and moisturizing blend enriched with Vitamins A, C, & E. This microencapsulated complex is time-released over 12-hours to maintain vitamin potency. Moisturizing, waterproof, and PABA-free this formula is designed for deep, dark tanning. Offers minimal sunburn protection.

Enriched with Cocoa Butter and other natural skin conditioners, this formula helps prevent peeling and combats the drying effects of sun, wind, and water.

Features & Benefits

• Classic Coconut fragrance
• Exotic Hawaiian botanicals and extracts
• Aloe Vera enriched
• Natural skin conditioners
• Moisturizing
• Antioxidant Vitamins A, C & E
• Dermatologist tested

Source: Hawaiian Tropic

I wasn’t expecting that I’ll be trying out the Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Lotion on my trip to the beach last weekend. The thing is something funny happened, well, I didn’t exactly find it funny when I found out that my tanning oil was missing. Yes, missing. I didn’t forget to pack it and had left it at home. It really is missing. My boyfriend had apparently brought it home with him when we went to Punta Fuego last month.

Going back, I made it a point to buy a new bottle of tanning oil along the way. Sadly, with the limited time, the only tanning product I came across is this one from Hawaiian Tropic.

One of my reservations was that it’s a tanning lotion and not a tanning oil. But since it has SPF 4 like the latter, I figured it will give me a similar result. The reason why I’d rather use oil than lotion is because the former allows a no-rub application.

Suggested Application:
Shake well. Apply generously and evenly before sun exposure. Reapply occasionally and after prolonged swimming, excessive perspiration or toweling.

However, twas easy to apply the Dark Tanning Lotion. By habit, I usually apply it when I’m already settled on the beach, under the sun. I noticed that the sand didn’t stick to my skin too much compared to when I use the oil. I don’t know how to account for that. And as I was tanning myself, I didn’t feel sticky. It’s true that it’s best if you apply generous amounts on skin and even when I did just that, the lotion didn’t feel heavy on my skin plus the coconut fragrance wasn’t overpowering. I reckon the scent just blended well with the surroundings.

As for the tanning result, I feel that you won’t end up looking too burnt if you use it. That depends, however, on how long you expose your skin to the sun. I usually take around 10 minutes before turning, just to make sure I won’t get a sunburn. I was under the late-afternoon sun (around 4pm) for about 45 minutes and I’m guessing the temperature is around 29°-30°.

Verdict? Well, I have to admit that it’s a good alternative to the tanning oil. I’m actually glad I got to try this one cuz I’d rather know all possible options in terms of tanning products that are available out there.

Fine Print: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Rinse with water. If irritation occurs, discontinue use. Keep out of the reach of small children. Use on children under 6 months of age only with the advice of a physician. Store at room temperature.

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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NIVEA Sun
Cooling After Sun Spray

Cooling and easily absorbed

Cooling and refreshing, this easily absorbed light formulation with Aloe Vera helps to restore your skin moisture loss. Enriched with Provitamin B5 NIVEA SUN After Sun Spray soothes the skin. Vitamin E protects against premature skin ageing.

Since we’re on the topic of beach trips and all, of course, I’ll be making use of this time to get some tanning done. I’ll make sure to pack the oil spray for that and the moisturising sun spray for periods wherein it’s too hot but I’m still outside. Heh. However, I came across this Nivea Sun product that peaked my curiosity, the Cooling After Sun Spray with aloe vera. So, yea, I’ll throwing it in my overnight bag.

AND since I am going to use it this weekend, I thought it best to talk about my initial thoughts on the product. I’m actually trying to imagine what it can actually do, based on its description.

We all know that the skin can get a really hot after prolonged exposure to the sun. It can be that you’re playing beach volleyball, making sandcastles or like what I normally do when I’m on the beach, just lie around and get my tan. Hehe. It doesn’t help that I live in a tropical country where the climate/weather is usually warm and humid. Gah. That’s one part of the whole beach thing that I’m not really looking forward to.

I reckon it’ll be a real treat to use a “cooling after sun” spray. A bit on the luxury/vanity side of skincare I think cuz when it comes to cooling down, wouldn’t it be more practical, and not to mention FREE, to use water? Granted that this has ingredients — like it has provitamin b5 and vitamin E — that will help condition and protect your skin, we’ll soon see just how effective it’ll be. I guess this works if you’re getting out of the sun but are not going back to the room just yet. What do you guys think?

The scent of the spray is sooo Nivea. Most of their lotions/creams smell like it. It’s not bad but it does gives one license to classify it like how you’d recognize if one is using coppertone lotions. Know what I mean?

As for the packaging, I like the easy-grip bottle and the dispenser. It makes the whole process of product application in cooling down your skin easier and more efficient. It’s the same looking bottle/dispenser as the moisturising sun spray only it’s sporting a light shade of blue.

Important Usage Instructions:
Spray onto the skin after sun exposure and smooth in evenly. Avoid contact with the eyes. Shake well before use!

I’m excited to give this product a go. I hope it won’t disappoint. Watch out for the full review.

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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Since it’ll be outdoors and stuff, I immediately thought of the mosquito repellent that I recently bought. I always buy one whenever I go on a trip esp in Asian countries where mosquitoes are quite friendly. Egad. ESP during summer when these buggers are EXTRA sociable. LOL.

To be quite honest, there’s only one brand of mosquito repellent that I know of — OFF! Lotion.

OFF! Insect Repellent Lotion
Soft & Scented

• Especially formulated to feel good on your skin — not sticky or greasy.
• With a new, refreshing fragrance
• Contains naturally soothing chamomile oil
• Provides protection up to 4 hours
• Dermatologically-tested

I also brought a tube in my last trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, made full use of it when I was in Cambodia. And a couple of weeks ago, I went to Punta Fuego over the Holy Week. I brought it there, too. I’ve also been using it lately at home. I reckon the mosquitoes are making themselves quite at home in my flat. Arrggh.

Directions for use: Spread evenly on all exposed skin. Apply to hand for application to face and neck and rub on. Re-apply only when necessary.

Geez. I’ve never seen so many “precautionary instructions” on a label before.

DON’Ts: Do not apply to hands of young children. Do not apply on or near leather or plastics (other than nylon). Do not apply on eyes and mouth. Do not apply to excessively sunburned or damaged skin.

Makes me feel they’re trying to cover their bases. It’s like saying, “we did warn you, you know”. Heh.

Warning: Eye Irritant. Causes moderate eye irritation. For external use only. Harmful if swallowed. Use of this product may cause skin reactions in rare cases. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

To give these guys credit, the label does have tips for first aid, though.

Anyway, after having used it a number of times, I actually am impressed with it. I can sleep in peace. I don’t have to worry about mosquito bites and itchiness on my skin.

But I realised that this is the only brand I know and I haven’t had the chance to compare. Do any of you guys (esp ones from Manila) have used a different brand of mosquito repellent? Which brand do you use? I’d love to hear suggestions and testimonials. Share? Please?

Photo© 2008 Sasha Manuel

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What it is:
A divinely rich, guava-scented smoothing cream for dry elbows, heels, and knees.

What it is formulated to do:
The emollient balm can also be used over the entire body, preferably onto warm, damp skin, after bathing to lock-in moisture.

This may be synthetic and the glorified version of the Guava treatment on the skin but I reckon it’s a start. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, well, here in my country we have this practice wherein we use Guava on the skin. I’ll save further explanation on the treatment for a later post.

I recommend creams or lotions to smoothen problematic areas of the skin like the elbows, heels and knees due to it being prone to dryness over other areas of the skin. It’s something I wish I can do everyday, if only it weren’t too warm and humid in my country. Also, a nighttime ritual of putting on cream on your heel will help soften the skin in that area.

I haven’t tried this one but natural products have that reputation of being safe to use, right? This reminds me, I want to a cream that won’t smell so manufactured, know what I mean?

Available at Sephora

Post from: eBeautyDaily