Tried & Tested Part 2

I have been trying out so many products lately, and now I think I need to rest my face for a bit. But before that let me share my experience with these products.

1. Infracyte Wrinkle Resist Complex Serum.

Infracyte is a brand from USA which is pretty new. I like the bottle a lot because it reminds me of a posh perfume. The wrinkle resist serum has 99% hyaluronic acid for better hydration. It also contains alpha-oligohexylpeptide that is an ingredient that acts on the neuromuscular end plate to give an action similar to botox but temporary. It takes around 2 minutes to completely absorb the product on your skin. It is moisturizing and not oily hence making it suitable for oily and combination skins as well. For very dry skin, you would still need to put on extra moisturizer at night but for day wear it's pretty cool. Post treatments, I find it very effective and gives the skin a cool feel. Each bottle costs around RM 328++ and can last you up to a month if used daily.

2. KISS Dermablend Vitamin C Milky Cleanser

I have been selling KISS in my clinic for the past 1 and a half years, and one of the questions I get is about the make-up remover. Although KISS is purely mineral and you can just wash with water ( a lot of water that is) some prefer to have a make-up remover for a cleaner face. So finally KISS came out with their own Mineral Make Up cleanser called the KISS Dermablend Vitamin C Milky Cleanser, which not only cleans mineral but also other dirt on the face as well. It has a very unique apple smell and you just need a little bit to lather on your whole face and it feels so clean afterwards. It is gentle on most skins and few of my friends have tried it without having any complications. With its active ingredient being Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, it allows better penetration of Vitamin C into the skin which also helps to hydrate and is a potent anti-oxidant to the skin giving it a clearer and more luminous glow. It is sold at RM 190 per bottle of 200ml which can last up to 3 months or more. So if you like wearing make-up and thinking of getting a good cleanser, this is one you should have.

3. KISS Dermablend Swiss Apple Extract

Having a good cleanser is incomplete if you do not have the moisturizer to go with it. So KISS came up with their own Dermablend Swiss Apple Extract. This is a specially formulated moisturizer containing extracts from swiss apple stem cells that helps to keep skin supple and moist by the direct effect of the extracts to the skin. So not only you will have clean skin, now you can preserve its youthfulness with this moisturizer, before applying on your Mineral Make-UP. It is a very interesting moisturizer that absorbs quickly and has a nice peach scent to it. Because of its liposomal properties, you may feel that it is slightly oily but after absorption, it makes the skin feels so soft and moist. I would recommend this for people with more mature skin without much problems for maintenance purposes. Each 50ml tub cost only RM 380 and can last over a month with twice daily usage.

4. Phiderma vitamin C and retinoid A capsules.

 

These are pretty cool treatment options for those who like serums. Phiderma is a well-known clinical skincare producer from America. These serums are a great investment for busy people who travel a lot since they are placed in single used capsules and come in 50's in one tub. There are 2 main capsules. One is retinol complex that gives the same benefit as retin A creams but with reduced side effects. They created the serums with microsponge technology which allows better absorption of the serums into the skin. The Cerum vitamin C is a favourite of mine, since it comes in separate capsules leads to better hygiene and no risk of oxidization of the vitamin C which occurs in serums in bottles over time. This in turn guarantees better efficacy of the serum to work compared to other serums in bottles due to this non-oxidation factor. Applying the Cerum on your face will give an instant softness of the skin. For those who use both, normally the Cerum is used in the morning after cleaning the face and before moisturizer or sunblock and the retinol complex is used at night. With 50 capsules in each bottle allows almost 2 months supply of serum at affordable prices of RM 300 for the Cerum, and RM 320 for the Retinol Complex.

KISS Mineral Make-UP Workshop

         Last Saturday, Faceworks Clinic hosted its first KISS Mineral Make-Up workshop in Starhill. It was a 2 hour session of knowledge, fun and laughter. The idea of the workshop was to help patients understand about the difference between pure mineral make-up with semi-mineral and non-mineral make-up and the correct application techniques to apply the make-up since the way is not so conventional. Thank you so much for those who came and made the session a success. Thank you to Priscilla and her team for their dedication to the cause. Hope everyone liked the food prepared - it was a simpler brunch with some roti jala, seri muka, sandwiches, macaroni and panacotta from Mr Belo's Pudding.

Personally, I feel that this is a very good effort from KISS since even I found that I learnt a new thing or 2 during the workshop even though I did go through make-up and grooming class before. Perhaps one of the few things that fascinated me during the presentation was about how pure mineral make-up was used since the ancient Egyptians i.e. Cleopatra herself, but it was so expensive then that only the royals could use make-up (how lucky we are now), and that some of the substance used in cosmetic lip sticks is actually the same thing they put in our tar road i.e. lead. 

Another cool fact was because the make-up is purely mineral - you can keep it till it finishes, unlike the normal counter make-up that has a shelf life from 6 months to 2 years depending whether it is liquid or powder, and you do not need to worry about bacteria build up since the bacteria cannot stick to the powders.

We even had a male participant, and we also learnt that even men can use mineral make-up without appearing to wear make-up to cover blemishes, oil spots and make their skin look more even with additional benefit of a sunscreen of SPF 27 that lasts more than 8 hours. Because mineral molecules are big, it allows water or sweat to evaporate through it and it does not clog pores. This also allows Muslims to take ablution without having to remove the make-up since water is able to pass through. You just dab afterwards (do not wipe else it will all be gone) - I've personally tried this, only need to learn to not smudge the eye liner.

KISS also came up with a make-up remover and cleanser with vitamin C and a nice absorbant moisturizer with swiss apple stem cells for skin conditioning before applying sunblock and make-up. Yes, we still need to use a sunblock despite the sunscreen properties for best protection. 

So who should use KISS?

• People who love organics and natural items would love this product since it is void of any chemicals.
• Anyone who is in the working group that needs make-up on for long hours - KISS allows your face to breathe thus maintaining good skin health.
• People with acne problems because the conventional make-up and foundations will only make it worst. KISS contains zinc oxide that is anti-inflammatory, thus reduces redness as well.
• People post aesthetic procedures - YES you can use KISS immediately after lasers or peels to cover any signs of the procedure, as additional sunscreen, and to reduce inflammation. (We have a counter in our clinic for all our patients).
• People who haven't started to use any make-up yet - start with KISS, it does justice to your skin.
• People who haven't found the right make-up for their skin - try KISS, it's gentle.
• People with sensitive skin.
• Busy people - because you do not need to touch up much.
• Stewards and stewardess - because it does not dry up ur skin, it lasts long, SPF and allows your skin to breath.
• Everybody.

KISS Mineral make-up is very safe and pure that I even use it on my girls (6 and 10) without worrying about carcinogens or excessive chemicals that may harm them. Keep it safe, Keep it Simple - KISS.

Interested to know more? Contact our clinic at 03-21440080 or info@faceworksclinic.com and we will try to assist as best we can. The workshop is RM 120 per participant for 2 hours and is limited to a max of 6 each time. We will be holding a few workshops this year so do let us know if you are interested to attend, and we will inform you the next coming date. 

Valentine Specials......

It's February again... and Valentine is just around the corner. Looking for that perfect gift for your loved ones? Faceworks Clinic has come up up with a few interesting gift ideas: 

Information about the gift sets:

1. Neostrata Skin Active Set - For sensitive and aging skin.Also good for those you want a more natural way of reducing fine lines especially around the eyes. Contains apple stem cells and glucosamine to help plump up your skin. Long term use has shown to help reduce wrinkles and rosacea. Now promo price at RM 488 only (Normal Price: RM 575/=)

2. Ideal Gift for your mum - This gift set combines 3 important elements - Vitamin E with placenta oil from Norefal is a wonderful moisterizing serum to help return the supple softness of your skin. Nectifirm from Revision is an advanced neck firming cream to help reduce those neck wrinkles. And the set will not be complete without Heliocare Sunblock Gel - SPF 50 UVA/UVB protection that is suitable for this tropical climate. Promo price RM 550/= only. (Normal Price RM 688/=)

3.For Eyes & Neck Rejuvenation - Obagi Elastiderm is clinically proven to improve fine wrinkle appearance around the eyes. The decolletage set is a wonderful kit to reduce sunspots on the neck as well as other pigmentation around neck and chest area. Promo price: RM 580/= only. (Normal Price RM 840)

4. The Beautiful Eye Set is the complete set for maintenance of younger eyes. The elastiderm is in gel form thus reduces risk of oil seed formation around the eyes with heavier creams. ElastiLash helps to condition the eye lashes to be stronger, and grow faster and longer. And what more to flaunt the look with KISS mineral make-up mascara to enhance your healthy eyelashes. Promo Price: RM 480 only. (Normal Price: RM 657/=).

5. Whiten Me Supplements. A complete 2 month supply of White Beaute melano blocker combined with Tiox-C glutathione and vitamin C tablets to get that overall lightening of your skin tone. Promo price RM 735/= only (Normal Price RM 918/=).

6. Something For the Men - Foltene Men Hair Care System. Complete set with shampoo, conditioner and treatment for 1 month. Promo Price RM 300/set. (Normal Price RM 400/set)

7. Something For Her - PK24 Female Esteem - Natural 24 hour tightening cream. Rekindle those honeymoon moments with this natural cream that tightens up instantly and lasts up to 24 hours. Because of its long lasting effect, adding this to your shower routine daily is simple and easy. Promo Price: RM 500 only (2 tubes) - (Normal Price RM 590/=)

8. Caviarlieri Love Sets - Get this super supplement at RM 3500 for 3, RM 6600 for 6, and RM 12,000 for 12 boxes. Caviarlieri is the only supplement you would need to boost up your vitality, increase your energy and mood, improve your skin texture and glow, and make you look younger by the day. (NP per box: RM 1300/=)

9. Kiss & Blush Set from KISS Mineral Make-Up. Get this cool make-up set for your sister or your girlfriend. Choose 2 from our 5 different lipstick colours together with our cheek blusher in pink rose and get a FREE lip plumper worth RM 99/=. Whole set promo price at RM 240/= only.

So what are you waiting for? Call us today to book your gift hamper at 03-21440080. 

Keep it Simple and Safe - K.I.S.S

 

Every women in their life time would require to wear some form of make-up. In a lot of formal cultures, it is an essential tool for all women and for some, it would be rude not to wear any. However, choosing the right make-up to suit your skin can be a difficult task. The most common problem that arise with make-up is not getting the right colours, but rather making sure you don't get any reactions to the chemicals they use to create the make-up in the first place. The most common problem would be break-outs after wearing foundations, development of itchiness or rash with lipsticks, gloss, blushers etc. Red eyes with eyeliners and mascaras.

After treating my face with Obagi for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, I felt a little bit worried to use make-up in case I clog up my pores again and start having break outs again. Then I was approached by KISS. What is KISS? It is a range of mineral make-up mainly produced in Australia and has 100% concentration of minerals in all powders and maximum mineral in sticks.

I was skeptical at first, but gave it a try. Initially it looked like so much work having to put layers and layers of loose powder but amazingly, after it sets in - it looked very natural. And since it is pure mineral, it only stays on my skin, so I don't have to remove it when ablution prior to prayers, and if I'm lazy, I can sleep on it till morning and not get any break outs. It has nice coloured lipsticks which help to moisturize the lip and the lip gloss has a nice minty taste to it. The eye brow pencil was soft and easy to apply. My only problem was the eye-pencil which was a nice soft black but it runs if you don't set it properly. The blusher comes in one colour, which didn't seem to last too long and I preferred orange hues rather than pink. Amongst all the products I liked the foundation the most because it acts like a concealer and a foundation 2 in one and that it lasts long on the skin with a natural look. Another cool thing is that it also has a good brush from goat's hair which absorbs all the powder thus leading to zero wastage. You just need a small amount for each application to get a good coverage.

Why should you choose mineral make-up over the commercialized cosmetic counter brands? Well, personally, if you have no skin problems, you can use whatever you like. But if you have acne or sensitive skin, using KISS would be one of the best investments because of these reasons:

• KISS mineral make-up is 100% from minerals.
• It is chemical-free, preservative-free, fragrance-free and free of synthetic colouring that may cause irritation to skin.
• It does not contain any talc thus does not clog pores. Talc is also considered harmful since long term exposure may lead to lung cancer or silicosis.
• It does not contain bismuth oxychloride which is commonly found in other mineral make-up preparations to help make the product stay longer on the face. However, this compound is not safe to be used on skin and may cause itchiness, rashes and it worst cases mild to severe cystic acne.
• It gives natural broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection as it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for an SPF 24 cover.
• It is very water resistant (true for foundation and setting powder) thus rarely a need for reapplication. Even though it is water resistant, it does not stop water from reaching the skin surface (hence no  need to remove during ablution).
• Provides complete coverage for acne, rosacea and redness following clinic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser resurfacing without irritating the skin.
• It is dry and inorganic which makes it impossible for bacteria to survive - thus making it have no expiry date.
• Each application of the make-up is minimal, thus one foundation will last approximately 6-9 months on daily usage and wear.

So when putting all this in consideration, perhaps it is a good investment after all for busy people like me who need to look good all the time. It does however take a lot of practice in the beginning, especially when you are use to conventional make-up methods which some are not applicable to mineral make-up use. At the end of the day, it all depends on the person's own opinion whether they would opt for this or not. If you are curious to try it out, you can try out in Faceworks Clinic where we do have a set for patients to try out the product on themselves and if you want, our nurse can do a make-over for a minimal sum.

For more information or to purchase this product please visit us at Faceworks Clinic or call 03-21440080 / Email to info@faceworksclinic.com .