I came across this article yesterday and am very interested in some of the techniques different cultures use to pamper and care for their skins.
The full article is here:
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/12-beauty-secrets-from-around-the-world-2393238/
Some of the secrets are of particular interest to me and I would be willing to invest some money into it.
From Japan:
Rice Body Rub: "In the old days, rice bran was a substitute for soap," says K.C. Kang... "You'd bring your little cotton pouch to the local bath house and fill it up with the bran. Then you'd soak and scrub your whole body, including the face. People still do this." Beyond sloughing off the dead skin layer, rice bran oil is known for its potent vitamin E and other antioxidants that brighten the skin. To see for yourself, fill a pouch with rice bran, and rub your body. If you're bathing, leave the bag in the tub and let the nutrients seep into the water.
I found some rice bran being sold online:
Here: http://www.amazon.com/NOW-Foods-Rice-Fiber-Ounce/dp/B0017WFMZI
Here: http://www.nutsonline.com/cookingbaking/grains/rice/bran-gluten-free.html?utm_source=googlebase
Here: http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Rice-Bran-20-oz-567-g/11047
From Eastern Europe:
Milky Skin Wash: "Eastern European women are extremely vain." That's the verdict from Bella Schneider, who lived in Ukraine, Poland, Italy, and Israel while working in salons with Hungarian and Bulgarian clients.... "These women have always taken every effort to look wonderful, even in Communist times when so little was available and they had to rely on home remedies." A tried-and-true remedy is milk. "We know about Cleopatra taking milk baths," Schneider says. "The reason is the lactic acid, which now, we chemically alter for peels. But you can just use a little milk to rinse your cleanser off and it's great for the skin." If your complexion is dry, she advises, use whole milk; if oily, go for low fat.
Egg White Oily Skin Lift: A little egg on the face apparently makes an amazing mask for oily skin: Beat a few whites until they're not tacky, stir in a bit of baking soda, and add some shredded lemon and grapefruit peel. Brush on the mixture and let it harden. According to Schneider, you'll feel a undeniably youthful, fresh lift.
Michelle Phan did a tutorial on egg white and egg yolk masks, but I think this Eastern European take could be equally as soothing. I haven't tried it yet, what with the salmonella scare we're having in the Mid-West.
From Pakistan:
Crushed Orange Watermelon Mask: Another skin secret from her homeland: Take a dried-out orange peel and crush it into a fine powder. Add a little lemon juice, water, or in the summer, mashed watermelon, and apply the mixture on your face for 20 minutes before going out for the evening. "The mask has antioxidants, and—especially if you use lemon—oh boy, forget it!" says Kahn. "It smells good, your makeup goes on easily, and your skin looks so nice and bright."
This, I know, can help lighten your complexion. If this works better than the Envie de Neuf mask, I'll go ahead and do this every week! It is time to go buy oranges!!!
Globally:
The soak. ...[S]oaking is a universal beauty secret we often pass up in favor of the rush-hour shower. "In Japan, we worship water," K.C. Kang says. "Toji is the word for bathing, and it's been a traditional therapy ever since the Samurais started fighting." Aside from the minerals and healing qualities of certain waters, an obvious benefit is relaxation—and we know a zen mind can translate to beaming skin. To that end, Kang suggests taking a half hour, drawing a nice, warm tub, and throwing in a touch of sake. "It's fantastic for the skin," she says, laughing. "Just don't drink your bath!"
I hate the standard American bath tubs. They have a 2nd drain 6-8 inches from the bottom on the tub on the wall. This means that no matter how much you try, you can't ever get a really good soak because the water is so shallow. *grrr!*
But anyways, I really want to give these methods a try, and I think I'll be able to after this weekend.
^_^
September 30, 2010
September 27, 2010
September 26, 2010
Shiseido UV White
After finishing up my product review for the Shiseido Benefiance Concentrated Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, I'm actually quite surprised that I do not have any Shiseido products on my HG list. Actually, I'm quite surprised that I don't feel a great sense of loyalty to the brand given how many product lines and products I've owned and used. And now that I recall, in 2004 and 2005 the only skin care products I used were Shiseido products.
In 2004 I bought the Shiseido UV White product line. I believe that product has been discontinued for a while now and it is now called White Lucent. I'm sure you can still buy UV White from Amazon.com and other retailers for a markdown. The overview I'm providing below will probably not be as detailed as the Pureness line I overviewed in my previous post because the line has been disconnected and I can't tell exactly which size of the moisturizer I used. But the one thing I will say, is that the UV White packaging was sensationally fantastic!
UV White had a system of telling what type of skin you have. You were either a I or II. I fell into the category for oily skin, which I believe was II.
Cleansers
Purify Cleansing Foam I, 130 g / 4.5 oz
This was okay, it cleansed well but I don't think it had exfoliating beads in it.
Softeners
Whitening Softener II, 150 ml / 5 oz
This worked well. I remember it had a nice scent. I don't really like to waste softeners and toners on cotton pads, but the packaging of this toner really forced you to be inventive or to cave in and use cotton balls. Basically, it's a glass bottle with a screw cap. I don't think it has a stopper or a control mechanism in place.
Moisturizer
Whitening Protective Moisturizer II, 75 ml / 2.5 oz
The one I had back in the day was 150 ml / 5 oz. A great deal, huh? I really liked this moisturizer because it was very liquidy and milky, and moisturized my skin nicely. I'm not so sure about if it helped with the whiteness of my skin, though.
Masks
The bad thing about products that have been discontinued is that they're completely discontinued. No more, kaput, zilch, nada.
I had bought this set of compressed dry masks. If I recall correctly, it was a set of 12 compressed masks that already had a dry ingredient in them. What you did with the masks was to rehydrate them using the softener and apply it to your face for 20-30 minutes. I can't remember very well how the masks worked, but they were really fun to use for a lazy Sunday.
That's it for Shiseido's UV White line.
Shiseido Pureness
After finishing up my product review for the Shiseido Benefiance Concentrated Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, I'm actually quite surprised that I do not have any Shiseido products on my HG list. Actually, I'm quite surprised that I don't feel a great sense of loyalty to the brand given how many product lines and products I've owned and used. And now that I recall, in 2004 and 2005 the only skin care products I used were Shiseido products.
In 2004 I bought the Shiseido Pureness product line under the recommendation of an acquaintance who was suffering from oily and acne-prone skin, although he seemed to have his acne under control at the time. I can't really recall exactly how much everything cost, but for a set of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, spot treatment, and blotting sheets, I don't think I went over $200.00 (I can't remember and don't take my word on this). The Pureness line is targeted toward adolescents and young adults, so I think their pricing is targeted toward those who haven't embarked on their career path yet.
I'm not about to go out and repurchase everything that I have used for the sake of doing a product review, but I will do a brief overview of the products I have used from the Pureness line and include any comments about the product, if I remember.
Cleansers
Foaming Cleansing Fluid, 150 ml
For oily, combination and normal skin types
Liquid cleanser transforms into airy lather, gently removing pore-clogging impurities, makeup and oil that can lead to imperfections. Leaves skin silky smooth and comfortable.
This is actually a very gentle and refreshing cleanser. But after I got 1/2 way through the bottle, I felt a little dissatisfied because it doesn't have any exfoliants in it. My skin felt as though it needed a top layer to be sloughed off. So I went and purchased:
Deep Cleansing Foam, 100 ml
For oily and blemish-prone skin types
An ultra-fresh foam with blue purifying granules, this rich lathering foam lifts away the pore-clogging impurities, makeup and oil that can lead to imperfections. Feels gentle and cool.
This felt much better for my skin, even on an everyday morning and night routine. I ended up going through 2 of these.
Softeners (Shiseido does not call these "toners")
Balancing Softener Alcohol-Free, 150 ml
A refreshing alcohol-free lotion that brings new radiance, softness, and balance to blemish-prone skin. Lightly rehydrates and leaves skin smooth and comfortable.
･Formulated with a botanical extract, Palo Azul.
･NON-COMEDOGENIC.
I never used this with a cotton pad because I always felt that for the price I paid I shouldn't be wasting most of the softener on a piece of cotton.
Moisturizers
Mattifying Moisturizer Oil-Free, 50 ml
A lightweight moisturizer, with oil-absorbing powder, that helps reduce surface shine as it provides exceptional hydration to skin. Feels refreshing and ultra-sheer.
･Protects the skin's natural moisture balance with Shiseido-exclusive ingredient Hydro-Balancing Complex*, containing botanical extract Palo Azul.
･NON-COMEDOGENIC.
This really did mattify my skin for the mornings, but by the afternoon my skin had started to look dewey-bordering-on-shiny. One of the things I didn't like about this product was that if I didn't wash my hands after applying this to my face, I would get a grimey sensation on my hands similar to when you move a lot of things around and your hands get dirty. I think that sensation was caused by the mattifying powder in the moisturizer collecting themselves in the groove of my fingerprint.
Moisturizing Gel-Cream, 40 ml
A lightweight creamy gel that moisturizes, soften, and refines skin as it promotes a healthy-looking radiance. Leaves skin feeling dewy fresh.
･Protects the skin's natural moisture balance with Shiseido-exclusive ingredients Hydro-Balancing Complex, containing botanical Extract Palo Azul.
･NON-COMEDOGENIC.
I really liked this moisturizer a lot. I just wished then as I do now that this came in a squeeze tube or pump bottle.
Targeted Treatments
Oil Control Blotting Paper, 100 sheets
Handy sheets freshen skin and erase shine on contact. A powerful oil-absorbing ingredient, Hydroxyapatite, provides the power to absorb sebum, as well as lipid peroxide.
Knowing what I know now about oil blotting papers (see this post), I would say I overpaid for these. Granted, Shiseido's oil blotting papers are bigger than your average blotters. However, I distinctly remember not liking these because they had powder on the sheets to help blot and mattify your skin. But the powder would get clogged up in the grooves of my finger prints, which would leave me with a grimey feeling.
Blemish Clearing Gel, 15 ml
A clear quick-absorbing gel that minimizes the appearance of blemishes as it purifies and refreshes skin.
･Formulated with salicylic acid to calm and soothe skin.
･Helps prevent the appearance of blemishes.
･NON-COMEDOGENIC.
I actually liked this a great deal. This worked great on soothing those hot, painful, under-the-skin cystic acne. I don't know if it really helped them come up to the surface or go away, but for those hot and painful acne, this gel really worked to cool them down and soothe that area. The only thing I didn't like about this gel was the cap and the type of bottle it was. It should have been in a squeeze tube or a pump, or even a jar, but not this type of semi-hard plastic bottle where squeezing the gel out would be difficult.
LOL, walking down memory lane really has me itching to retry some of these products. ^_^
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