Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

Happy New Year!!!

I got this freebie 30mL/1fl oz. Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray also in 2012, although I don't remember from where. I was thrilled when I got it though, because I've been wanting to try this spray since it came out! I also brought this with me on my short trip as one of the layering products.

This is pretty much a light layer of oil-free and unscented hydration. After Astalift Jelly Aquarysta, SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion and Essence, I sprayed this on, let dry, then apply a light serum or essence (Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus, will review next), then seal in with a light moisturizer (Phytomer Hydra Original Thirst-Relief Melting Cream, will also review next).

Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-puffing Eye Massage

Used this 5mL Clinique All About Eyes Serum De-puffing Eye Massage as daytime under eye moisturizer during my short trip. It was from a nice GWP I got back in 2012, from which I also got the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm 04 Mega Melon.

Lancome Tonique Radiance Clarifying Exfoliating Toner

If it weren't for my quick trip I wouldn't have a chance to try this 50mL travel size of Lancome Tonique Radiance Clarifying Exfoliating Toner. Whenever I see a product with "clarifying" in its name, I automatically assume it's for oilier skin and would probably be harsher on my dry skin. It was from the Nordstrom Spring 2012 GWP, along with Creme Douceur Cream-to-Oil Massage Cleanser and Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector reviewed previously.

Sothys Paris Normalizing Beauty Milk

Along with Sothys Paris Desquacrem, I also tried (twice) this Normalizing Beauty Milk sample from the same GWP pack. 

Because it's called "Normalizing Beauty Milk," I assumed that to mean "mild" and so I used it on the third mornings after the retinoid treatment the night before. I started with dry face and rinsed off with water instead of toner as per instructions. It has a similar texture as Bliss Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk, may be a tad thinner but still an opaque white milk. It's also scented, but this doesn't bother me.

Sothys Paris Desquacrem

Sothys Paris is a new brand for me and I was curious enough to pick up a full size Hydradvance Hydra-Nourishing Mask along with Dr.Ci:Labo Enrich Lift Cleansing & Massage and Stila Seeing Stars Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner Set back in March. At the time, Sothys Paris was giving out a nice set of GWP, which included a few sample cleansers, moisturizers, as well as their prestige line Secrets de Sothys. I have only tried the sample cleansers so far, one of which is the Desquacrem. I got 3 uses out of that packet!

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

Got a 15mL/0.5fl oz. deluxe sample of Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil that I took with me on a tropical trip a couple of weeks ago. It lasted hubby and I for about 3 days with liberal use since we were slathering on sunscreen onto our faces and necks. I've been curious about the argan oil stuff from Josie Maran and appreciate the chance to try this.

Bliss Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk

Took this 30mL/1fl oz. travel size of Bliss Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk with me on my trip to visit my folks. It lasted me about 10 days with nightly and every third morning use, which was just perfect!

This is a milk cleanser that can be used wet or dry. Like a cream cleanser, it does not foam. It doesn't rinse completely clean either, but this doesn't bother me. It is mildly scented with a light milky citrus scent which I don't mind. Since I use it as a follow up cleanser after my oil cleanser, I can't comment how well it "dissolves clogs" but it works well enough. That said, my skin is still dry afterwards, but I blame the super dry climate here and not the cleanser. If I were home in SF, this milk cleanser would have been quite moisturizing! If there is a good sale, I might try a full size of this!

Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel

Update Sunday, December 22, 2013.

Received 15mL/0.5fl oz. deluxe travel size of this Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel that's literally a miniature of the full size. It comes in a mini frosted glass pump bottle with square base and a clear lid over the pump. So adorable!

Other than the cute factor, I'm happy to report that a year after my first trial, I still have the same good feelings about this serum ^.^ I pulled out the bottle when it got a tad too dry in the apartment, and it's been doing a great job keeping my skin soft a supple. I should have taken it with me on my family visit because it's super duper dry where my folks live. It would have gotten along well with the rest of my dry skin-battling arsenal. Now if only they sell this serum in refill pouches. Why not reuse the nice glass pump bottle? 

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Original post Sunday, November 4, 2012.

Okay, I'll confess. I went without moisturizer for the first couple of weeks of my arrival in Taipei. It was mid to late September but was still so humid even the Hadanomy AquaPlacenta Concentrated Mist by itself felt heavy and turned me into a grease ball by the morning! So going from layering several skincare the "Japanese" way in Japan and while visiting my folks in a super dry climate, I was down to just sunscreen remover (Pond's Pore White Cleansing Oil, only a couple of uses left!), cleanser (Rosette Cleansing Paste, just emptied and started a new cleanser!), toner (SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion for nights, will review soon, and Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 for mornings), and finishing up with a super light essence (SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, will review soon too) in Taipei.

Thank goodness it finally cooled down just a couple of degrees Celsius starting mid October and I was able to add another super light serum to my routine, the Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel. This is a nice 2.5 mL sample that I've been using daily, every morning and every two nights, for the past 3 weeks.  

***Picture from Jurlique USA.

Ichikami Moisture Hair Treatment

It's been 9 months and I'm finally done with this 100g tube of Ichikami Moisture Hair Treatment! It came from the Ichikami Moisture Set I bought back in March, and hubby and I have since gone through that bottle of Moisture Shampoo, the Soft and Smooth Shampoo, a 400L refill of Super Mild, and currently finishing up another refill of Macherie Moisture Shampoo.

Lancome x Alber Elbaz Color Design Palettes

Bought two Lancome x Alber Elbaz Color Design Palettes shortly after 505 Sparkling Intoxication, partly for their color combos and their cute cartoony compacts. I got a handful of generous GWPs also, which was nice.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

The 2 combos I got were 100 Taupe Craze and 503 Mint Jolie.