Review : Giovanni 50:50 Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo

Product Description
When hair is dry, it needs a drink. Give it the hydration it needs, and wants, with a balance of ingredients that infuse moisture while locking in color. 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo balances the art of clean with supreme protection. Gentle enough for every day, superior shine is on the way. Smile. This is happy hour...for your hair.

• Adds Moisture and Manageability
• Hydrating Botanical Extracts Smooth Frizz
• Leaves Hair Perfectly pH Balanced and Clean
• Ideal for Overworked, Environmentally Stressed Hair
• Lauryl and Laureth Sulfates Free

I was looking for a hydrating shampoo and chanced upon the Giovanni 50:50 Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo on Iherb. I was skeptical about including a clarifying shampoo into my hair care regime but the reviews were not bad, and it was supposed to be hydrating enough as an everyday shampoo.

Housed in a clear bottle, the  Giovanni 50:50 Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo has a lightweight runny texture with a slight scent. It creates foam and is easy to use on the hair.
I would pegged it as a clarifying shampoo which cleanses well and clear the build-up in the hair, but leaving the hair drying with more frizz and flyaway ends.

I have rotated my hair care regime to include a conditioner or hair masque but it did not really help in the frizz and flyaway ends although my hair was softer, with the inclusion of the treatment products.

Giovanni 50:50 Hydrating-Clarifying Shampoo scored 4 from 106 users on Makeupalley. 1st time shopper gets $5 off your first purchase on Iherb.

Ingredients : 

Aqua (purified water), sodium cocoamphoacetate, lauryl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate, decyl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, vegetable glycerin, panthenol, potassium sorbate, citric acid, polysorbate 20, phenoxyethanol, natural fragrance, *aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, *helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, *glycine soja (soybean) seed extract, *betula alba extract, *malva sylvestris (mallow) extract, *achillea millefolium extract, *chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, *equisetum arvense extract, *lavandula angustifolia (lavender) extract, *rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, *salvia sclarea (clary) extract, *thymus vulgaris (thyme) extract, *tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) flower extract, *urtica dioica (nettle) extract.

*USDA Certified Organic

100% Vegetarian Ingredients

Source : Giovanni

Review : It's Skin Aloe Soothing Mask Sheet

Product Description
A soothing mask sheet, non-greasy formula to relieve dry skin and leave your skin feeling silky soft as it absorbs to soothe skin irritations.

At 1400 won each, It's Skin Aloe Soothing Mask Sheet is fronted by this Korean celebrity which I guessed to be Nichkhun from 2PM ( kindly correct me if I am wrong ). Having boyish celebrities certainly makes the packaging pleasing to the eye although it doesn't affect my buying decision.

The thin material does not tear easily and is easy to use on the skin, however the cutouts does not really fit my face due to the slightly longer nose flaps and larger nose and lips cut-outs. It's Skin Aloe Soothing Mask Sheet has a distinct fragrance but dissipates once layered on skin.

As what the name implies, the mask is indeed soothing and cooling on the skin. Skin feels comfortable, refreshed and soothed. A treat for the skin after its been out in the sun for several hours.

Source : Testerkorea

Review : Decleor Flash Radiance Mask

Product Description
This clear gel, free from any grains, is ideal for those with sensitive or combination skin types and those with open pores. With a beautifully sweet, floral scent, it transforms dull skin in just three minutes with a real burst of radiance. Active ingredients include Elemi Essential Oil to boost micro-circulation, Saro Essential Oil to strengthen the skin’s natural defences and refine texture and an AHA Fruit Acid Complex of Passion Fruit, Grape and Pineapple to remove any dullness on the skin’s surface and reduce the signs of fatigue. The result is smooth, even skin that glows with natural radiance and vitality.
This paraben-free mask is suitable for all skin types in need of an instant, luminous boost.

Decleor Flash Radiance Mask comes right to the rescue to those who are sheer lazy to slather on a mask and to those who are always pressed for time, simply because this mask is said to work its magic in just 3 minutes flat. How awesome is that?

Decleor Flash Radiance Mask is a refreshing gel with hints of a sweet and floral scent. I was initially skeptical and worried about the reaction of AHA Fruit Acid with my sensitive skin but surprisingly, the mask was so gentle. It feels like a refreshing and cooling mask, so mild that you wonder if it ever does anything to the skin.

It does. It made my skin smoother and softer to the touch, although I had it for more than 5 minutes for it to weave its magic. I didn't feel any difference when I cleanse it off after 3 minutes but it works better after I had it for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing it away. However, I did not experience any of the glowing even skin with radiance and vitality as touted.

After each session, I will follow up with a hydrating mask, as Decleor Flash Radiance Mask contains AHA Fruit Acid Complex, which to me, is another type of exfoliation, hence hydration is important.

Source : Decleor

Review : SK-II Stempower Essence

Product Description
SK-II revolutionary stempower essence is concocted with a new and powerful Stem-Acanax ES Complex that targets and transforms the regenerative functions of the skin's youth activity. It also contains Artichoke extract to slow down the signs of aging.

I purchased SK-II Stempower Essence as part of the Stempower Essence Kit which consists of the Facial Treatment Essence, Stempower Essence and the Signature 3D Defining Mask.

Texture is slightly thicker than SK-II FTE and Whitening Spots Specialist and feels more like a serum. I used this after the Whitening Spots Specialist so that I can incorporate both anti-aging and whitening benefits in a skincare regime.

The SK-II Stempower Essence is kept in an opaque bottle with a dropper to dispense the contents. Again, you can't really tell the remaining amount ( because of the heavy weight of the bottle ) and even though the whole packaging may seems hygienic but you have to consider the rubber top as a consideration because you will constantly touch it.

I see results after almost 2 months of usage, a gradual shift from dull to slightly fairer and radiant skin. Skin also feels smoother to the touch. I have strangers thinking I am still in school too. How laughable is that? Is that the magic touch of SK-II?

However, despite having Nacinamide in the list of ingredients, it does not provide the much hydration which my skin is always craving for, so a good hydrating moisturiser is definitely required.

Even though my skin feels softer, without any hint of dehydration but the essence seems to just sit on the surface of skin. After cleansing, my skin is back to its dehydrated state, so definitely there is a need to top it off with a moisturiser to seal in all the goodness.

Review : SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist

Product Description
SKII Whitening Spots Specialist contains an unique SKII whitening complex " ultimate spots corrector" that sinks into the deep layers of your skin. Melanin production is regulated at the source, preventing spots even before they appear. Appearance of existing dark spots is reduced.

It was a value deal which I could not refuse so I bought the SK-II Spots Whitening Set, which consists of the facial treatment essence, whitening spots specialist and 1 piece of the whitening source derm-survial mask. The Whitening Spots Specialist has since been replaced by the Whitening Power Spots Specialist.

At 30ml, the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist has taken a long while to be used up, as you typically only need 2 drops, via the dropper for the whole face. I get over-zealous at times and used up to 3 drops which were too much and I just spread it all over my face, right to the neck, decollete and sometimes on my upper arms as well.

Red dots tend to appear on my upper arms which become tiny moles after a while. I noticed that SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist has managed to keep the red dots at bay so I will still continue to monitor the situation.

The whitening spots specialist is kept in a silver opaque dropper bottle, which makes the whole application process seamless and convenient without contamination, however, my only pet peeve is that, I won't know how much is left, before the need to restock a new item. The bottle is heavy itself so it is difficult to judge if the weight is due to the bottle or the contents.

The texture is runny, akin to a lotion and is easy to spread. I use SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist after FTE. You can feel an immediate softness and skin feels smooth to the touch. However, it does not hydrate significantly well, a hydrating moisturiser is definitely required.
And the following morning, my skin appeared to be shiny and looks slightly oily, on the area between my nose and cheeks ( where the pores are slightly more open too ). Thankfully, no zits appeared.

With consistent use, the SK-II Whitening Spots Specialist, together with the FTE and the Stempower Essence, has provided my skin a slightly more radiant look. The pigmentation spots on my cheeks are somewhat less obvious. You can feel and see the difference when you switch to other skincare.

Note that, the hydration ability is poor, at least on my dehydrated sensitive skin. Skin feels smooth only after application and last as long till the next cleanse, thereafter my skin is back to its rough dehydrated skin. Counteract this, with a good moisturiser.

Recommended Reading : SKII Hacks

Source : Sasa