Yesterday I finally got the credit card bill... I am really broke this month. I already spent quite a lot for hair treatment products last month, and in the same time, almost the whole Sekkisei products were empty. I didn't feel like being loyal to Kose since I still suffer breakouts. I was considering several Japanese brands such as Shiseido, Kanebo and SK-II. Not because I'm a fan of Japan so I tend to choose their cosmetics, but I feel their products suits my skin better than Western products. I've tried L'oreal, L'occitane, Nivea, and even local products Belia and Biokos, but none worked well.

Skin Condition
My skin is acne-prone, combination to oily skin, lots of acne scars, huge pores, sensitive, dehydrated, and whiteheads prone especially on cheek and forehead. In search of a good acne cures, I put everything with good reviews on my face, and even dared myself to buy expensive skincare lines, expecting some miracles. By trial and error, I can finally understand my skin but still can't find a truly satisfying result. A month ago I got skin check at an event and the result stated my skin was oily but dehydrated and started to loose it's soft texture. My friend who a Sekkisei user also got the same dehydrated result, so we agreed that we need to change our skincare.

Selection Process

1. Shiseido
I was considering Shiseido because I've been using their powdery foundation and it's quite gentle to my skin (but I've changed to Revlon Softlex --my HG foundation so far-- since the powdery foundation gives chalky results during the day as the skin started to become oily). My friend said her sister used The Skincare line and it's very gentle. Their toner/lotion also got good ravings. The Skincare series is meant for the 

2. Kanebo
Kanebo's product segmentation is quite unique. They have several level of lines, which after your skin adapted to a suggested line, you can 'upgrade' to a higher line. A year ago, before finally choosing Sekkisei, I was suggested Freya (the lightest one) and continued with Red Blanchir (whitening series). They said their lotion had the same function as the infamous SK-II's Miracle Water. Kanebo is definitely more famous here than Kose, so I'm thinking to give this product a try.

3. SK-II
It's quite a bet to try this brand. Some had great improvement, some had breakouts, and some said nothing happened. Some of my colleagues tried this and they fall into those who got the magic. Unlike the other brand who has so much series targetting different skin types, SK-II products are mainly for all skin type so it's quite easy to pick the basic treatment. Their magic ingredient is Pitera, somekind of yeast extract found in sake. There is a tale behind this Pitera thing, I'm too lazy to type it down since uncle Google can provide it.. *grin* The downside, SK-II is bloody expensive, compared with the other Japanese skincares. 

The Experiments

1. Shiseido
When I passed by Shiseido counter at Kuala Lumpur, I saw this starter kit of The Skincare. It contains the cleanser, toner (softener), and morning moisturizer (SPF15). The cleanser gives a squeaky feels and leaves the skin clean but not tight. The softener is a gel-based toner with pleasant, calming smell that truly softened the skin and preparing it for further treatment. The moisturizer is indeed hydrating but too rich for me. It gives a glossy finish, so I need to let it sink perfectly before applying foundation.

I loved the cleanser and softener. The moisturizer is quite pleasant but for a moisturizer with only SPF15 it's still too rich. Sekkisei Day Essence is a step richer but it has SPF30. The whole basic treatment is indeed gentle and calming, but did nothing else except hydrating. For such an expensive product, I expect more. At least Sekkisei indeed brightened my face although it couldn't save my skin problem. Since I'm running out of day moisturizer, I continue to use the moisturizer.

2. Kanebo
When I passed by a Kanebo counter last week, they were selling the limited starter pack of Red Blanchir. I asked the BA whether this product contains alcohol and she said unlike Sekkisei, Red Blanchir doesn't contain alcohol at all. When she applied the lotion to the back of my hand, there's a sharp smell of alcohol. She said that wasn't alcohol but the smell of red fruit extract (the main ingredients of Red Blachir series). I restated several times that alcohol breaks my skin but she kept saying no. When I asked for any leaflets describing the ingredients, she said they didn't have that. There were 2 packs: one with full-sized lotion + night moisturizer (sample size) + cleanser (sample size) + 2 sheets of mask; one with sample sized sunblock + lotion + day moisturizer + cleanser. The BA suggested to take the one with full-sized lotion. She also suggested to take the Blanchir smoothers for large pores and claimed the next morning after application, all of whiteheads would popped out and left the pores clean.

The cleanser is good and leaves the skin soft and clean. But the toner indeed reeks of alcohol. The moment I patted the lotion-soaked cotton, my face reddened like crazy, worse than Sekkisei lotion. There's no way I can continue this product so I decided to return it the next day and planned to take the other package. But when I repacked everything, I saw a nice sticker at one side of the package stating the ingredients of the toner. The first major ingredient is water, and followed by alcohol! What a darn! Alcohol is the second major ingredients! I showed the BA, but she kept saying that all products for oily skin must have alcohol and no claim from the other customer. When I peeked the other box, the day moisturizer turns out to have the same ingredients, so I decided to take the white Blanchir mask as a replacement. I'm VERY VERY STUPID not to ask for money back since this mask, which is more expensive than the Blanchir pack, and turns out to give no result! The smoother also didn't work at all. I'm finished with Kanebo. I feel so cheated I never ever wished to try it again.

3. SK-II
SK-II has this essential kit contains small-sized cleanser, clear lotion (AHA toner), and Facial Treatment Essence (FTE) aka Miracle Water, which contains 90% Pitera which claimed to balancing the skin and evening out skin tone. This kit is for approximately 1 month usage (but it's been 3 weeks and mine were still half-empty). I was crossing my fingers while applying this products and dare not to rave any good/bad effects since they said the 'miracle' will show up after 28 days (following the skin renewal cycle). 

I fell in love instantly with the cleanser. It cleanses well and leaves the skin soft like the other cleansers did, but the sensation is different. My friends who then tried this kit seconds this sensation. As for the clear lotion, unlike the other toner/balancer, it didn't irritate my skin and makes it regain it's clean and healthy glow (I guess it thanks to the AHA). I love this lotion so much I bought the full-sized. The FTE sinks into the skin fast and makes it prepared for the next treatment. 

After 3 weeks of using, my face is getting better. It's glowing, supple, and smooth. At the first application, small whiteheads appears on forehead and some pimples on neck, but it dried out after 2 weeks. My face also cleared up. Some weekly pimples still came by but nothing significant. I only use BP occasionally when new pimples appeared (before, I have to apply all-over the face day-night to prevent pimples). I've never felt my face this good. SK-II saves my skin. 

But this basic treatment doesn't do anything to my acne scar or skintone. They have another series for whitening purpose but bloody expensive!  I wish I can get the samples but almost all skincare products didn't giveaway the samples freely. Even after you spend millions Rupiah buying their products, you can get high blood pressure asking for some gifts/samples from the BA. So in the meantime I rely on the remaining Sekkisei products to help my skin brighter.

My face was also still moderately oily. I wish to try their Clear Solution who claims to reduced up to 56% the oiliness. But again, I wish for samples first.. *lol*


Regime
So this is my current regime:

DAY:
Neutrogena Acne Wash + SK-II Cleanser 
--> Neutrogena clears the white/blackheads, thanks to its BHA content, but dried out skin. SK-II softened the skin but didn't strong enough to get rid those whiteheads, so I combine the two cleansers
SK-II Clear Lotion
SK-II FTE
Estee Lauder Advanced Skin Repair (wrinkles,  begone!)
Shiseido The Skincare moisturizer
Revlon Softlex Foundation (combination skin)
MUFE Super Matte Loose Powder --> it's so expensive and dries out skin, so I'm planning to replace it with other brand when it's empty.

NIGHT:
Neutrogena Acne Wash + SK-II Cleanser 
SK-II Clear Lotion
SK-II FTE
Sekkisei Essence Excellent
Estee Lauder Advanced Skin Repair
Sekkisei Emulsion (left-over)

Weekly Treatment:
Aspirin + Honey mask (2x)
Seikisho White Mask (1-2x), applied only to whitehead prone area
Kanebo Blanchir mask (1x), applied all over the face

Finally, the annual bonus arrived at my account (as well as my colleagues') so I can start a new journey, this time in search for a savior to my dry, brittle, dull, frizzy, lifeless, weakened hair. My hair was originally curly but frizzy and rebelious. If I let my hair air-dried, hours later it would be a total mess, so I decided to always blow-dried it. I often envied those who had straight hair, so I even bought flatting iron. Because of these heat, my hair became really dry so I thought it would be nothing to lose to color it. It also troubled me when choosing a good hair style. Cutting it short will make the frizz more rebelious, but growing it long takes more time to style.

2 weeks ago, my stylist decided to cut me medium-short because my hair was very dry while the scalp was oily so long hair wouldn't be a good choice. Well, it did give me hard time controlling the frizz. The L'Oreal Elseve Nutri Gloss mask didn't give a result at all (the Anti-Frizz one still works better), so I decided to step a little advanced by searching for any suitable Kerastase product. I know the price would be killing me, but I have no choice.

So finally Kerastase BA recommended these for me:

1. Kerastase Noctogenist Voile Nuit
This overnight leave-in serum nourishes the environmental fine, damaged hair. It's as light as water. I was curious if this would weighed my hair the next day, but soon after the first time of usage, my hair become shiny, bouncy, and controllable. Not sticky at all! It's an amazing serum like no others. Also love the pleasant smell.

2. Kerastase Age Recharge Masque.
Buying this masque is trully a pain to my wallet, but it worths every penny. It's said to gives back vitality to weakened hair. Because it's gel-based, it doesn't weighed the hair down or makes it greasy. Unlike L'Oreal masques, it also didn't leave any residue so my hair feels so fresh and clean.

3. Kerastase Nutri-Sculpt & Nutri-defense
These were the first Kerastase products I bought. Nutri-sculpt is a gel foundation so help fixed the hair style while nourishing it.  Nutri-defense is a shine-enhancer spray to give a shiny and healthy finish. Honestly I didn't feel any major benefit from these but using them altogether with the other 2 gives maximum result.

4. Kerastase Thermal-Protection
The BA suggested this for me since I always blow-dried my hair. The protective agent was activated by heat to protect and nourish the hair. Among all Kerastase products reviewed at MUA, only this get almost all the marks. Hence, I decided that this should be my most-have.

These treatments gives an instant result. My hair is no longer dry and brittle. It's gradually regain the shine. It also becomes so smooth and bouncy I had to prevent running my hands through it.. *LOL* It also regain its natural wave. In short, those products altogether worths every penny. A truly savior for my hair.

Recently I also crazed in using Japanese hair products. Started with Lucido-L hair color I got in Singapore. The color are pretty and natural. The creamy solution was velvet-colored when applied to hair and didn't even changed after washing. It felt like the hair was coated while changing color. It left a pleasant smell and soft, shiny hair. I'm totally in love with this product and wish to buy a bunch when visiting Singapore again.

I also use Lucido's hair wax. It's odorless, non-sticky, has little holding style, and increases the shine. There are several types that varies in it's holding power and shine.

For the shampoo, I recently in love with Shiseido Tsubaki shampoo. It's definitely not cheap, but you get a big 500ml bottle that comes with a pump. Only small usage can clean the hair thoroughly, leaves it clean and soft with relaxing floral smell. Even my Mom loves it.