Kate Somerville

Current Favorite Cleansers

October 12, 2017

Sharing some cleansers I have been using lately. As usual, I love to have a lot of products to choose from depending on my mood. There is a mix of Japanese skincare products in my routine now as I brought back a suitcase of them from my trip to Japan!

Shiseido ELIXIR WHITE Purify Cleansing Gel Cream – I really love this fresh gel cleanser in a clean white pot. It is a makeup remover that reminds me of the cult favorite Eve Lom, and it is best to be used together with a muslin cloth. The difference is that it’s much cheaper with a very lightweight jelly-like consistency. It applies like a creamy jelly – doesn’t feel balmy nor oily, but removes and dissolves the makeup including waterproof eye makeup thoroughly. It is ultra-gentle and feels very hydrating to the skin, and your complexion feels very clean, fresh and supple once it’s removed with a muslin cloth. Highly recommend it if you are after a non oil-based lightweight makeup remover but still does a good job.

Sodashi Clay Cleanser with Lime – A luxury under-the-radar organic skincare brand. If you are into luxury spas, you will be quite familiar with ultimate heavenly Sodashi facials and treatments that are widely used in a lot of high-end hotels such as the Four Seasons Resorts around the world, and the Qualia resort in Australia. I couldn’t help but buy some products to try after having the Sodashi facial years ago. Since then I was hooked on the Clay Cleanser which I have repurchased over and over. It’s a luxurious, gentle cleanser with a milky clay texture. It cleans the face, helps to restore the moisture and balance, and the clay helps to calm and detoxify the skin. The amazing invigorating spa-like smell also instantly brightens up my mood when I use it in the morning. Totally love it.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser – Since I love their Exfoliating Treatment so much, I bought the cleanser version of it! It has a blend of AHA (glycolic acid and lactic acid) and enzymes that help to exfoliate and renew the skin mildly. It’s very gentle to my normal-dry skin, and doesn’t strip the moisture off. I love using it at night after removing my makeup. It has a creamy minty green clay texture that doesn’t lather much. Overall it brightens up my complexion after use and keeps the skin very clean and keeps the pores clear. Another big thumbs up from me!

Kanebo SUISAI Beauty Clear Powder – These cute little tiny pots of powder cleanser is trending everywhere in Asia now. It’s very affordable and I love the packaging which is very convenient for traveling. One pot lasts for two uses for me depending on the condition of your skin. The powder is quite grainy, and it lathers up mildly and cleans the skin thoroughly with a mild exfoliation effect. It is gentle and non-drying to my dry and sensitive skin. It makes a great and affordable dupe for the cult Dermalogica daily microfoliant.

Kose SEKKISEI White Powder Wash – I am going through a powder cleanser phase, so I also picked up this product to give it a try as well. This powder feels quite different to the Suisai Beauty Powder above, as it works like a typical Japanese foam cleanser that lathers up to an ultra-rich creamy foam, and deeply cleanses the skin with a squeaky clean feel. If you have combo to oily skin, you will like this one. I personally find it too strong for my dry skin during the cold days.

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Labels: CLEANSER • KANEBO • Kate Somerville • KOSE • SHISEIDO • SHISEIDO ELIXIR • SKINCARE • SODASHI

Products loving now for achieving the perfect party-ready skin!

December 7, 2016

It is the time of the year where everybody has lots of social gatherings planned, and we all want to look at our best! I have been good with my diet (trying to eat very clean food so I can fit into my party dresses and look less bloated), and most importantly I picked up some skincare products and tools that will instantly transform the appearance and texture of the skin to a better condition, and preps my skin to be party-ready (radiant and smooth).

Baby Quasar MD Plus – Salon therapies definitely give you an instant skin transformation, but they are pricey and requires down time. At-home beauty tools are always a cheaper option to try, and they are far more effective than solely relying on the skincare. My latest addition is the Baby Quasar MD Plus. I have had it a few times in salons, and I finally decided to get the home version. It is not cheap, but I like the result it delivers and it is a gentle tool to use. It emits 4 different wavelengths that deeply penetrate, stimulates collagen reproduction and over a short time your skin appears firmer with an improved density. I will do a full review on the tool soon, but in summary, this tool makes my skin appear plumped up and more youthful looking with a glow instantly.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate – Still my HG exfoliator. I use it more intensively 2 weeks before the events/parties. It makes my skin as smooth as a baby’s bottom, and prevents congestion from clogging up.

GlamGlow TingleExfoliate Treatment – Another HG skincare item. A deep cleaning and clarifying mask that brightens and detoxifies the skin. Skin looks ultra clear and luminous after use!

Cle De Peau Essential Correcting Refiner – Best of the best pore refining lotion in the market! Full review coming soon

SKII Facial Treatment Essence – Alternating Cle De Peau with SKII, this famous highly concentrated Pitera liquid lotion deeply hydrates, clarifies and brightens for achieving crystal clear skin.

Suqqu Massage & Mask Creme – Face lift in a jar and is equivalent to the result of having a facial. It is a nourishing and moisturizing mask that gets rid of water retention, instantly creates a slimmer and more toned jaws and lifted cheeks and eyes following the enclosed GANKIN massage techniques.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream – Best seller from Charlotte Tilbury that she uses on Celebs and models before events. It cheats the appearance of 8 hours sleep and gives a plumped, glowing, youthful dewy complexion in a flash!

Chanel Le Lift Cream – Reviewed here. My go-to moisturizer for recontouring and refining the complexion.

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Labels: BABY QUASAR • Beauty Tools • CHANEL • Charlotte Tilbury • CLE DE PEAU • GLAMGLOW • Kate Somerville • SKII • SKINCARE • SUQQU

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, Dermal Quench Liquid Lift Review

April 9, 2016

Kate Somerville makes some interesting and unique skincare products that always catch my attention. I haven’t used many of her products, but I truly like the ones I have used thus far. This post is the review for the products I am using at the moment – The Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment has been my holy grail for years, and the Dermal Quench Liquid Lift is my new discovery which I am quite pleased with.

As with most beauty products in the market these days, shopping for an exfoliator can be a little confusing as they are all promoted with a fancy name! Generally speaking, there are only 2 types of exfoliators. The most basic ones are the physical scrubs that contain micro grains that works to scrub the dead skin off. It is suitable for younger and oily skin. I like it on the days when my skin feels a little rough. If you have sensitive, thin or acne prone skin, you might find them to be too scrubby. The second type is the chemical exfoliator which contains a main ingredient that helps to dissolve dead skin cells and help the skin to renew at a quicker pace. I find them to be more effective as I age, as they give my skin an instant boost of radiance and clarity. The common ingredients in the chemical exfoliator include different types of hydroxy acids or enzymes. I have used them all, and I find enzyme works the best for my skin, hence I love Kate Somerville the most as enzyme is the key ingredient in her signature product. Other similar products that include enzymes that I also adore are the Tracie Martyn and the Pevonia.

The Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment has a dark green rough mud-like texture (which also feels slightly grainy) with quite a therapeutic minty herbal smell. I like the original version as it is quite intensive, and it gives a little tingling sensation upon application but no redness for me. There is also a gentle version available. It is dubbed as a ‘2 minute facial at home ‘ as you apply a thin layer of this product on the skin for 2 minutes (preferably in a steamy environment), and rinse it off. Instantly you feel your skin becomes much smoother with clogged pores slightly more cleared up, and more radiant and glowing with the result comparable to as if you just had a mini facial. I have gone through tubes and tubes of it, and I am still very impressed with the result after each use!

I was after a lifting and firming lotion, so I thought I’d give the Liquid Lift a try. It is an anti-aging product that claims to have breakthrough technology with a blend of hyaluronic acid and other powerful complexes, that helps to increase skin moisture level by 100%, and dramatically improve the appearance of lines and sagging skin. It comes in an aerosol bottle, and you need to give it a shake before use. For application, you spray the face and apply 3 strips to each side, and followed by massage immediately. It has a mousse (foam) like texture, and becomes watery-gel when you start massaging the face. It feels quite lubricant and lightweight but not sticky, with a cooling sensation so it helps to de-puff which makes a good product for a quick massage for the face. Takes about 1-2 minutes for the product to be completely absorbed into the skin, and the complexion feels very hydrated and supple afterwards that feels equivalent to a hydrating serum. As for lifting effect, there is no taut feeling to the skin after use, but I do notice my complexion appears slightly lifted. However I am not sure if that was due to the product, or the massage! Nevertheless as long as the product combines with the method delivers the result, I am happy!

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Labels: Kate Somerville • SKINCARE

Best Skincare Products for clogged pores and congested skin – My Favorite Products Edition

November 23, 2014

Calling it “I hate clogged pores with passion” is an understatment. Though this problem has become much better as I age (one perk about getting old!) as well as knowing what skincare products work for me, unfortunately every now and then my skin still ‘flares up’ with blackheads on my nose, and some congested pores on my cheeks and forehead due to stress, lack of sleep, and PMS. If that happens, I always reach for my “special skincare kit” that guarantees to clear them up within several days. These four hero products give the most effective result without irritating my sensitive skin, and are also great for prevention. They are the best ones I have used so far, so I must share!

1. Clarisonic Facial Cleansing System – I have a very detailed review here. This cleansing brush tool is great for prevention and minimizing the occurrence of clogged pores. On average I use it 3 days a week as I don’t like to over exfoliate my skin.

2. Kate Somerville Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – This is the best exfoliator for congested skin. It’s a very strong and robust product for clearing up mild cases of congested pores and smoothing skin out completely. I apply a very thin layer over the ‘rough areas’ and leave it on for a few minutes. It clears up and clarifies the congested pores by at least 50% after each use. Since it is a very intensive treatment I wouldn’t use this as my weekly exfoliator, but this is my absolute top pick for treating blackheads/whiteheads on occasions. If you have very sensitive skin you might want to start with the Gentle Exfoliating Treatment first. For daily use I recommend TATCHA Rice Enzyme Powder for purifying the pores gently.

3. Shiseido Revital Retino Science AA Lotion – I bought this product because it has a small percentage of retinol which we all know is a dermatologist approved ingredient for treating enlarged pores. I don’t have much luck with retinol cream but I feel comfortable to use this gentle lotion frequently for hydrating and improving skin texture. This product is a treatment lotion that you use after cleansing, and followed up by other products. The texture is like runny gel and feels very hydrating on the skin which also helps to fight the aging signs.

4. Chanel Le Weekend Renewing Face Care – Chanel released a 3-step simplified skincare product this year. I have used all of them and decided to only repurchase this one. This product is marketed to be used on weekends only as it helps to resurface and renew the skin. I like this product because it contains glycolic acid complex (not sure the percentage but it’s the 4th ingredient) which is another star ingredient for treating congested pores, and it feels gentle enough for my skin. The texture is like a milky serum and it can be used to replace your usual serum and moisturizer. Using this one for 2 days in conjunction with the Shiseido retinol lotion definitely helps to noticeably unclog the pores, and gets you as close as possible to a poreless complexion. Note that they are not recommended to be used daily, as you don’t want your skin to be too dependent on these strong ingredients especially if you are still young.

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Labels: Beauty Tools • CHANEL • CLARISONIC • Kate Somerville • SHISEIDO • SKINCARE