Shiseido Ibuki Skincare Line Review 資生堂イブキレビュ

I love a lot of the Shiseido 'drugstore' products in Japan but I hadn't tried Shiseido's normal products. Sometimes it can be hard to know which products are good for your skin type and age, so I was happy to hear about the new Ibuki line in the US that is targeted for those in their twenties looking to prevent aging and protect their skin.

Shiseido is also usually really expensive! (At the end of this post I'll share my tips for getting the cheapest deals on their products.) Last November, they had a free gift with purchase so I decided to try out the Ibuki Skincare line!

I bought the Ready, Set, Ibuki Starter Kit from Macy's and chose the Ibuki free gift. I also had a Sephora gift card and a 20% off coupon for their VIP Party and bought the Shiseido Perfect Cleansing Oil. (You can see my haul in this video)

Shiseido product haul! 

As I said before, I was excited to try this line out because it seemed to fit my skin needs perfectly. The products promise to protect skin from environmental stressors, lock in moisture, and also aid fine lines caused by dryness. I noticed my skin texture had worsened from a combination of stress, winter weather, and laziness to pamper my skin! I had been noticing fine lines around my mouth area that would improve with Clinique Moisture Surge at night, but always returned.

The whole skincare line has a floral smell that surprised me at first. After a couple uses I really got attached to the scent! It is not too overpowering.

1. Gentle Cleanser / Purifying Cleanser

My kit included the Gentle Cleanser, and this worked perfectly for my skin. Even though I do break out and have oiliness, I use acne prescriptions so I avoid harsh cleansers. Normally I would use the Clinique mild soap or Perfect Whip for my skin. I sensed that this product can be lathered very similarly to Perfect Whip and would be great to use with the Clarisonic. You only need a very small amount of product and when washed off, there is no residue.

2. Softening Concentrate

The Softening Concentrate is supposed to provide extra moisture and enhance how the rest of the regiment works thereafter. It is different than many "step two" toners in the West because it does not require a cotton pad to strip the skin. For example, I have used Clinique for years. Their toner contains alcohol and I liked how I felt like I could remove any dead skin and further clean my skin. However, I have heard that alcohol can be harsh on skin. After removing makeup, scrubbing again with your cleanser, a harsh toner may just strip your skin of its natural moisture even more. I believe that this concentrate tries to do the exact opposite.

I simply pour some of the product on my palm and pat it on my forehead, cheeks, chin, and also the area around my mouth where I had fine lines. You can massage it until absorbed or lightly pat your skin. After using it, my skin feels refreshed.

3. ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate

I don't normally use a serum, but when I have, sometimes I experienced some irritation. This serum didn't seem to bother my skin and it felt really nice. I'm not certain if this product also helped with my fine lines from dryness.

4. Protective Moisturizer SPF 18 / Refining Moisturizer / Refining Moisturizer Enriched

I got the Refining Moisturizer in my starter kit. The Protective version only differs because it contains SPF, and the Enriched version is simply a heavier moisturizer (it can be used day or night, but many say they prefer it only for bedtime). I wouldn't have minded to get the Protective Moisturizer because I like my skin care products to have SPF--even in the winter. However, in the summertime I would probably still use a higher SPF product alongside the skincare regimen.

After applying the Softening Concentrate, my skin already feels partially 'rehydrated', if that makes sense, so I only apply a small amount of the moisturizer. It absorbs well and did not break me out or leave me feeling greasy.

4. Eye Correcting Cream

I love getting eye cream samples! Eye creams can be so expensive~so it is always a plus to get a large sample of one, because it will last a long time. This eye cream surprised me...it is a lovely pale pink color that has a little shimmer! (Once applied, no color or shimmer remains, of course.) It is just so pretty and smells nice just like the rest of the regimen.

5. Perfect Cleansing Oil

Normally, I only use this if I was wearing plenty of makeup, and I would use it first of course. I was running out of my Perfect Whip Perfect Oil (if you want to see my review, and also an in-depth explanation of how I use Oil Cleansers, you can watch here). I wanted to compare the two products--and this oil is much more expensive. I can tell it is more effective and higher quality than the Perfect Whip Perfect Oil. It removes my makeup almost completely, but of course needs to be followed with a cleanser.

Shiny but simple packaging. 

I am not sure which products specifically truly improved my fine lines and texture, but overall the regimen worked together very well. I noticed a HUGE improvement in my skin.

As for getting Shiseido products on a budget, look for their gift with purchase. I only buy when there is a free gift, and I try to stick to the minimum purchase requirement. Over time you can accumulate a lot of products, samples and travel sizes too! One of the few stores to offer discounts on high end beauty products is Sephora--twice a year they offer 15% and 20%. If you have a TJ Maxx or Marshall's you can also often find Shiseido products. My store often has them in the clearance section for $10! (Nobody knows these products where I live it seems.)

Lastly, you can also try out the Perfect Whip line or some of the other 'drugstore' lines of Shiseido products in Japan. They are cheaper but still often higher quality than a lot of American drugstore skincare products.

Are there any other Japanese skincare brands I should try or that you like? I'd love to hear.

Here is my video review if you would like to watch!

Also, you can watch my Shiseido at Sephora and Macys: Beauty Haul Video for when I first bought the products!

Beauteque Bridal Bag Haul & My Beauty Diary Review (and freebie with coupon)

I'm really excited to another Asian beauty-related blog post today. You guys probably know that I am a long time fan of the My Beauty Diary face masks, so I'm glad to do a full review about some of their products--including what is in the Bridal Beauty bag from Beauteque. From getting this bag, I got to try two new flavors/types of their masks, and also a wash-off style mask! They let me know that if you use my username (Pescamaryan) you will get a free mask with your order.

For all the details about  the sheet masks, feel free to watch my video. Below,  I'll also write a section about my top tips for using sheet masks.

First, I'd like to talk about the Bridal Bag--it's a collection of Asian beauty products and Beauteque.com sent it to me to review. They are a new online seller of Asian beauty products that is located in the US.

I was a bride earlier this year, so it is easy to relate to how I would use this bag : ). It comes with two My Beauty Diary sheet masks, the wash off My Beauty Diary mask, a hair wrap, eyeshadow, eyeshadow brush, shimmering primer and all in a cosmetic bag. (I'm obsessed with cosmetic bags...! I have toooo many..)

1. Two My Beauty Diary Sheet Masks (Pearl Powder Mask & Red Wine Mask)

My favorite sheet mask from My Beauty Diary is the Aloe one but it was nice to try out these varieties. My skin has been very tired and blah lately so I did these two nights in a row and noticed my skin felt much better. I like sheet masks because they can be rejuvenating for skin and these two in particular say they nourish, repair, tighten and refresh skin. I think this is true, though no tightening as the Red Wine mask says. For me that is just fine.

2. Hair wrap

Hair wraps are good for showers, doing makeup, and also while you are doing your sheet masks. I already have one, but now I can keep one in my bathroom and my makeup area to use all the time. This one is very soft.

3. Eyeshadow & Brush 

I am a big fan of ELF brushes because they are cheap and they work great, though I do have other higher-end brushes. The brush included in this set is really nice! It doesn't have a cheap feel like many others and works well. I think I will be using it often. It's especially nice to have the two ends.

For the eyeshadow, there are two options--a pearly white and a shimmering pink. I received the pink one and I really love the pigment form. It's a perfect color for me. I plan to do a makeup video soon on some kawaii makeup tips I have, and I think powder form eyeshadows will work great for that look!

Look how pigmented it is!! The left is the eyeshadow, with just one swipe of the brush..and the right is the shimmering primer!

4. My Beauty Diary Cucumber Soothing Wash off Mask (Choice out of 3 varieties)

For this one you can choose your wash off mask, and I choose cucumber so it would be soothing for skin. It's a thick consistency with a mild cucumber scent. I really enjoy using this when I'm taking a long shower! If I take off my makeup at the beginning of the shower, I feel my skin tighten and feel very dry. If I take off my makeup, then use this mask, my skin feels much better and I don't feel as rushed to finish up. Of course after rinsing, I still do the rest of my skincare routine as normal.

5. Liole Blooming Shimmer Pearl BaseThe first thing I noticed was the cute packaging! I fall easily to packaging and I wish big brands like at Sephora could get a little more kawaii : ) This product is meant to be a glowing primer for under your makeup. I like the consistency and the shine but I didn't notice too much of an effect--I usually wear heavier makeup so using a lighter foundation or BB cream (as they suggest) may let it show through more. It would be fun for summer. I may use this to top on my cheeks over my makeup and see how that works too. I'm also really pale so its unique for a product to be light enough to use.

The bridal bag is $30 and can be found here. They also offer a variety of individual products and monthly beauty bags.

Check out this post for my tips on sheet masks!

I also have a post about facial massage, and a Shiseido Perfect Whip review post that may be helpful too.

To let you guys know, they sent me this bag as a gift for me to give an honest review. If you have any more questions for me, I'd be happy to answer and offer my opinion.

Also, if you are interested in that translated sheet about My Beauty Diary's full mask line..here you go!

My Tips for Asian Sheet Masks!

1. Have it hot or cold depending on the season!

In the winter, I like to warm up the sheet mask in the sink or tub so when I put it on it doesn't feel cold. In the summer you could also put it in the fridge for a bit or run under hot water if you are wanting to cool down. I heard this tip from Bubzbeauty : )

2. Use the extra product!

After opening a sheet mask, there is often lots of extra liquid in the packet. It's great for the neck and shoulders and even your legs.

3. For Massage!

After I do a sheet mask and take it off, I usually can tell it has absorbed a lot, but still a layer is on the surface. At this time I like to give myself a massage! You can check out my video for a mini demonstration using only your hands, or you can buy a massager from Amazon specially for your face. (Blog post here) Bubzbeauty also has some great tips for massaging the face. Additionally, with that extra product I mentioned, you can use it to massage any part of your body! I have back pain so it would be an added skin-bonus to get a massage with leftover product. : )

4. Miscellaneous...

For me, I try to avoid my hairline so I usually fold down the forehead part of the mask so I don't get oily. Many masks just don't fit my face quite right. If I notice it is dripping in my eyes or feels uncomfortable, I just make some tiny tears in the eye section and it is much better. It's best to do something relaxing while you wear your mask because it is hard to talk, eat or even brush your teeth (I tried).

I hope these little tips are something new! My recommendation for a brand is My Beauty Diary because it is easy to get in the US. You can find it at Asian markets and online at places like Amazon, Walmart online and a website I reviewed called Beauteque.

My video all about My Beauty Diary here!

(*´∀｀*) Perfect Whip Review: Shiseido's Perfect Whip, Speedy Perfect Whip, and Perfect Oil (*´∀｀*)

In this post, I'll be reviewing three Shiseido (drugstore versions) Speedy Whip products: Perfect Whip (original), Speedy Perfect Whip, and Perfect Oil. 

If you haven't heard of this series, its an affordable Shiseido product sold everywhere in Japan and easily bought online at places like Amazon if you are overseas (usually under $10). Perfect Whip is so attractive because it promises a big fuwafuwa bubbly texture!

Perfect Whip (Original)

The original product is pretty good for any skin type, it is gentle and cleanses well with no coating left behind on your skin. After daily use, it doesn't diminish my face texture like some other cleansers. It removes some makeup, but I prefer to use the Perfect Oil for that purpose, and follow up with the Perfect Whip (explained in detail below).

The product has a thick consistency and with water feels slippery. It requires lots of lathering to build it to the foamy fuwafuwa texture. Simply using your hands will take a lot of time and more product. For an alternative, use a foaming net (I got mine from Amazon). I hear that different ones produce different quality foam, so you may want a nice one.

If you have a Clarisonic, this is a great product to use with it! I use my Luxe brush head (basically the softest and most $$ head) and either put the product directly on it to build up using my hand, or use the net first and squeeze it on the Clarisonic.

For me the product's appeal is the smooth luxurious face-washing experience, and because it's so cute!

"I'm soo cleeean!!"~ Kira Kira Rilakkuma ~ 

Speedy Perfect Whip

This is the product when you don't have time! I would definitely prefer to use the original all the time, but honestly, I don't ALWAYS have the time (or I'm about to fall asleep on my feet) to use the original. It still is a pleasant face-washing experience, but there is something about the original (probably the texture) that feels more luxurious. (Probably also the time to build the product and relax a bit.)

Fuwa fuwa time~~ 

Perfect Oil

You may have heard about makeup removing oils being popular in Asia. I had always been advised 'stay AWAY from oil' because of my acne (especially at Clinique). So I always had gel moisturizer and oil free cleansers and oil free eye makeup remover. However, what I have discovered, is that often cleansers with oil tend to take off a lot more makeup and can be just alright for acne-prone skin, as long as you plan on cleansing afterwards. The benefit is taking off ALL the makeup, then cleansing your skin a second time (to remove remaining makeup and actually clean your real skin)--which means less junk to clog your pores. No remaining makeup and totally clean skin.

So I tried out the Perfect Oil and I really like it! I first take two pumps and lather it in my hand, then spread it all over my face and massage in to start dissolving the makeup. After about 15 seconds, I then use a pink scrubber from Sephora to gently lift off the makeup. I rinse several times.

After that my skin feels moisturized and not super dry, like many makeup removers (if your skin already feels dry at this stage with another makeup remover you use, its probably too harsh to do a second cleanse. I know the feeling!) So after the Perfect Oil it is then safe to use my Perfect Whip to cleanse!

In the last year I have perfected my makeup removing technique, from some great tips from Mia's channel. I really recommend watching her makeup removal video. Basically, I start with my eyes. I soak a thin cotton pad in eye makeup remover (I looove this Bioderma one! The best ever) and set the pads on my eyes to dissolve the makeup. Let it sit for 20 seconds or so. Flip it over to use more of the product. Then, gently wipe down towards the lash line. After that, I like to open my eyes and scoop the makeup that moved down below my eye with the cotton pad folded. (Mia's technique is more complicated, but this is generally good enough for me to get everything off). Then I follow with my Perfect Oil/Perfect Whip routine.

Above is the video review I posted. I hope the video as well as this post is helpful! Please feel free to ask any questions about the products or make any requests for me to review. I hope to post my skincare/beauty haul from Japan very soon!

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