Review on Lancôme Hydra-Intense Mask Hydrating Gel Mask

Lancome produces 2 different types for this mask, similar to its exfoliating gel. One with botantical extracts and the other with water captors.

I am not sure why Lancome always have to do that, its so confusing to the consumer. I am suspecting that it changes according to the climate in that country.

I bought the water captors version in Singapore and the Botantical extracts version from USA last year.

I was not aware of the difference when I first bought it. I thought it was the same since the whole packaging is exactly the same except for the tiny word "with botantical extracts" or "with water captors" which I overlooked.

If your skin is dehydrated, this 5-minute moisture facial mask is said to restore  moisture balance and
diminish the appearance of dry lines, leaving skin looking smooth and perfectly hydrated.

After using both types, I really cannot discern any differences. Both types feel the same to me.
Main ingredients and descriptions are almost the same, if I remembered correctly.
I am unable to do a direct comparison now as I have finished the tube with botantical extracts.

This fresh-gel mask is infused with active ingredients to intensely hydrate the skin, leaving it relaxed, refreshed and deeply moisturized.

Suitable for normal to combination skin, its glooey and sticky texture can be pretty difficult to wash off. It dries up pretty fast so its recommended to layer it for only 5 minutes.

This formula is enriched with Imperata Cylindrica extract to moisturise the upper-most layers of the epidermis. (This sub-tropical plant from the southern hemisphere known for its amazing capacity to resist the worst droughts). Combined with glycerol, it traps water in the cells to ensure optimal hydration.

On the tube, its recommended to leave on for five minutes, then remove any excess with a cotton ball. Do not rinse.

I am not comfortable with the "do not rinse" part" as its quite sticky and leave a film on the face even after I cleanse it off with water. Hence, I will usually use wet cotton pads to cleanse the first round and then rinse with lots of water to clear the gel off my face.

I will say this mask is more suitable for those mildly dehydrated skin.

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Review : Lierac Diopticerne

Product Description
This dark circle correcting cream is specially formulated to brighten and illuminate the delicate skin of your under-eye area with a revitalizing complex vitamin-rich botanicals. Anti-bruising arnica and buddleja extracts diminish blue dark circles caused by hereditary disposition. Vitamins C and E reduce brown circles caused by hyperpigmentation and melisma as they support collagen and neutralize free radicals for a radiant and even appearance.


This is the first product from the brand Lierac which I picked up from Sasa. I was intrigued by their range of eye treatment products that claim to be able to improve the under eye area condition.
Their website illustrates their expertise in the subject, with every product undergoing a clinical study.

The skin of the eye area is the thinnest and most fragile of the entire face. Squinting and blinking, coupled with hostile factors like ageing, stress and over-exposure to the sun, result in problems like wrinkles, crow's feet, eye bags and dark circles which intensify with age. These threaten the beauty and youthfulness of the eyes. Lierac's specific plant-based formulations effectively treat these problems to restore youthful-looking eyes.

Their claims :
-Effectively fades and diminishes dark circles
-Improves poor blood circulation

Formulated with venotonic herbs Arnica and Butcher's Broom, Diopticerne stimulates and improves poor blood circulation which is the cause of dark circles around the eye area. It does not contain alcohol or any animal ingredients.

Active ingredients include the duo of medicinal plants arnica and ruscus which helps to activate the micro-circulation
Arnica : The ultimate remedy for bruises, this plant is very rich in flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and stimulating benefits for the skin tissue.
Lierac depigmenting complex :
stabilized vitamin C + mandresy extracts + micro-algae
Regulate the formation of melanin and of lipofuscine
Mandresy : Botanical extract of mandresy, also called the “butterfly tree” of Madagascar, acts on the synthesis and distribution of melanin to help prevent the appearance of dark spots and the accentuation of dark circles.

Lierac Diopticerne comes in both tinted and non-tinted version and I bought the tinted version so that I can use it over my eye gel. It can act as a corrector and concealer for undereye dark circles.

This double-action cream actively corrects the appearance of both types of dark circles:
- blue circles caused by vascular problems,
- brown circles caused by melanin.

Blue circles: With age or for genetic reasons, blood microcirculation under the eyes becomes less effective. The walls of the blood capillaries, mainly composed of collagen, become slacker. Their distension promotes “venous stasis”, a process that greatly slows “return” blood circulation in the vessels. Sanguine liquid is diffused outside of the vessels, pigmenting the skin.

Brown circles: As the epidermis and dermis under the eyes measure less than 0.6 mm in thickness, excess pigment easily shows through the skin, and particularly the accumulation of melanin pigments in the upper layers of the epidermis, which intensifies the color of dark circles.

To counteract “blue” circles, this high-power formula uses a duo of medicinal plants – butcherbroom and arnica – widely used and renowned for its “anti-bruising” and stimulating action. For maximum effectiveness, this phytotherapic duo is accompanied by vitamin E, a potent free radical scavenger, which helps to protect the skin against external aggressions.

To counteract “brown” circles, the exclusive LIERAC depigmenting complex is used: this combination of stabilized vitamin C, mandresy extracts and microalgae has demonstrated its effectiveness in helping lighten the appearance of hyperpigmented areas.

After using this for close to 6 months on a daily morning basis, I cannot find any improvement on my under eye area. It acts almost like a light concealer to me, helping to hide slight shadows under my eyes but once I washed it off, my eyebags and under eye circles remained the same.

There is only 1 shade from the tinted version and thankfully, it blends in well with my skin tone. The texture is of a light consistency unlike a normal concealer but 3 dots on the under eye area does the job just fine.

For such a tiny 5ml tube, it actually lasted me for quite a while since a bit goes a long way. However, note that once its opened, its best to use it within 6 months as stated on the tube. I will not recommend it for those with very dark eye circles, you will be better off with a real concealer.

You can get the product from Amazon :
Lierac Diopticerne
Lierac Diopti Gel
Lierac Diopticalm Balm

Ingredients :
Water (aqua), Hydrogenated palm/palm kernel oil peg-6 esters, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ruscus aculeatus root extract, Ascorbyl glucoside, Arnica montana flower extract, Buddleja axillaris leaf extract, Phaeodactylum tricornutum extract, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Propylene glycol, Potassium sorbate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Sodium benzoate, Sodium salicylate, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium metabisulfite, Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Maltodextrin, Sodium hydroxide, Chlorphenesin, Tocopherol, Silica. Botanical origin (d'origine végétale).


Quoted from Lierac

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Review on Garnier Brightening Eye Roll-on anti-Bags Dark Circles

Garnier Brightening Eye Roll-on is a new invention with a massaging roll-on that combines caffeine with the draining effect of a massage to reduce bags and dark circles and brighten the eye contour.

Massage is a technique used by experts to boost natural draining and decongest tired eyes. The formula, enriched with caffeine, known for its stimulating properties on micro-circulation, helps to brighten the skin and boost radiance.

Its claims :
In 14 Days, skin looks brighter and more radiant
In 28 days, bags and dark circles are reduced

Caffeine is also well-known for its stimulating properties on micro-circulation. It has been associated to pro-vitamin B5, to provide hydration hence I was very excited when I first came to know about this product.

And at just $19.90, its so affordable for me to get one and try it out.

I always believe some massage is needed to decongest the puffy eye bags that I have and someone finally came out with this eye treatment product with a roll-on.

I really wanted this product to work on me, to get rid of my unslightly eye bags.
With so many rave reviews online, I was filled with hope.
But goodness know why it just did not work out for me?

I have been using it faithfully twice daily for 5 months but I really did not see much improvement. At times, my under eye area looks brighter if I have enough sleep, coupled with this roll-on. Otherwise, my undereye area looks the same. In fact I usually have 6 to 7 hours of sleep.
Cool and moist, its actually quite lovely to roll it under your tired eyes. The cool metal tip glided well and delivered just enough serum for the under eye area.

Just a special note stated on the tube that its best to discard it after 6 months once opened

Ingredients :
Aqua/Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Biosaccharide Gum -1, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Caffeine, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Escin Guanosine, Hydroxyproline, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Laureth-7, Methylparaben, Mica, Panthenol, Polyacrylamide, sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum ( F.I.L. B32720/1)

Read more from here

Review on Clinique Derma White Micro Motion C Serum

I picked this up onboard my NorthWest Flight from USA back to Singapore last year. In general, Clinque purchases are usually cheaper in USA than Singapore because its made in USA.

I was bent on erasing some slight dark spots on my cheeks and came across this serum in their catalog during the flight home.

This cooling gel-serum of super concentrated, antioxidant whiteners and brighteners works like a whitening spot corrector. It claims to to be able to slough off dead, melanin-filled surface cells with a tri-ball dispenser.

Its key ingredients is comprised of marine collagen & lecithin. Rich in vitamin C to combat dark spots, it features a tri-ball massage roller dispenser that releases a cocktail of brighteners on point of contact. Aids in exfoliation of dead skin cells from surface leaving smoother and more radiant skin.

Vitamin C
- skin brightener

Black Out Yeast Extracts
- blasts melanin clusters apart and disperse them throughout the skin

Scutellaria and Mulberrry Root Extracts
- renew clarity

Yan Kuei Fei and Citrus Unshiu Peel
- for heightened glow

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
- fragments to signal skin's natural repair process, mop up damage before it takes hold

I have been using this on the 2 small dark areas on my cheeks for almost half a year every morning and certain nights. Its a slow and long process but I do see a very slight improvement on the spots, the dark spots look slightly lighter and the area looks brighter.

The roller ball is quite cooling to the touch and to the face and it acts as a massaging ball as I apply it on the face.
I actually enjoyed the motion using the roller ball. Its quite fun.

However, in consideration of the steep price for a 10ml serum and the long process for it to work, its not that worth it.

Even though this serum lasted me for quite a while, close to 9 months and its oil-free and fragrance-free but the long list of ingredients kind of put me off.

Its recommended to use twice daily for best results.

How to use :
1) Press button in base to release serum onto roller balls
2) Massage roller ball head into dark spot for five to ten seconds
3) Gently pat spot with fingertip until serum is absorbed

Review on Beauty Credit Orange C Cotton Mask

I picked this up from Hong Kong Sasa at just $2 per sheet which is quite affordable. Beauty Credit facial masks in Singapore is usually selling at double the price or more.
However, upon returned back to Singapore, I realized that this mask is actually not available locally.

There were no English description on the mask itself ( in Korean only )but since it contains orange extracts, I am guessing that it is meant for the purpose of brightening effect.

With orange scented cotton mask, its quite a refreshing scent. There is a tinge of orange colour in the 100% cotton mask.

However, I did not see any spectacular effect after using this twice a week. I giuess I will not be buying this again.

Ingredients :