REVIEW: Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Gel Yeux

 Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Gel Yeux

~AG~

Been using this Chanel Eye Gel for over 6 months now. This is the most expensive eye care product that I have ever bought! This pricey eye gel costs US$68 (S$95) and comes with 15 ml of product.

The color of this product reminds me of the turquoise water of the Mediterranean seas. This Chanel Micro Gel claims to reduce puffiness with its anti-fatigue Micro Peptide. Blue Ginger, an active ingredient, works as an antioxidant to protect the skin from free radicals. The pure, micro-extracts from the Camellia flowers are supposed to boost moisture level and smooth dehydated skin. The texture of this eye gel is light and cooling. You only need to apply a grain-sized amount for the under eyes area. Honestly, I cannot tell whether this Chanel Eye Gel works for my dark circles. I use it daily to hydrate my under eyes area. My concealer goes on more smoothly after applying this Eye Gel. This Eye Gel does not cause milia to appear, which is a good thing. It is difficult to find an eye gel or eye cream that is suitable for my under eyes skin. As the skin around the under eyes area is prone to milia, I am cautious of trying new eye care products. 

This product comes with a pump packaging with a protective cap. The pump packaging makes the Eye Gel more hygienic as you do not have to dip your fingers into a tub. This product is convenient to travel with. There is no worry of spillage due to changes in air pressure. I especially appreciate the clear packaging as you can see how much product you have left.

Even though this Chanel Micro Gel is suitable for my under eyes skin, I would not repurchase it because it is too pricey. Although this 15 ml of product can lasts at least seven months, as you only need minimal product to hydrate the under eyes area, it is too expensive for an eye gel. 

NEW BUY: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè

~AG~

When I was researching on the must-buy beauty products from French pharmacies, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè came up in every article I read. This multi-function moisturizer can work as a makeup primer and face mask as well. This 75ml tube costs Euro 16.90 (S$28). That is an affordable price tag for a moisturizer that claims to be nourishing and hydrating for the skin.  It claims to be a 24-hour miracle cream that is suitable for all skin types. Apparently, it is a cult favorite of makeup artists, models and celebrities. Honestly, I have not heard about this product. When I asked MG about this product, she mentioned that she has heard about it and almost purchased it online a few years back. With that being said, I was convinced to purchase this product. In fact, I bought 3 tubes to give to friends. Haha ^_^

The pharmacist said that Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrè is a popular product.When I tried the tester at the pharmacy, the texture felt creamy but it was not too rich. The Embryolisse Cream did not leave a sticky feeling. My current skin condition is combination skin that can get especially dry in the cheeks area. Cannot wait to try out this multi-purpose Cream! I hope it works just as well in Singapore's humid weather. Stay tuned for my review of this best-selling product from Embryolisse.

NEW BUY: Darphin Hydraskin Light Gel Cream & Aromatic Purifying Balm

~AG~

So while in Paris, I decided to check out their pharmacy for some French skincare products. While browsing through the pharmacy, I asked the pharmacist to recommend some products. She recommended this Darphin Hydraskin Light Gel Cream and Aromatic Purifying Balm for my skin needs. I have seen Darphin products being sold in Bloomingdales but do not know much about the brand.

Darphin Hydraskin Light Gel Cream comes with 50 ml of product. This lightweight gel cream has a nice texture. The texture reminds me of Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream. When I was testing it on the back of my hand, the gel cream soothe and hydrate my skin instantly. Darphin Hydraskin Light Gel Cream contains: HYDRA-STRUCTURE™ Technology,a high-performance hydrating complex of powerful ingredients from Nature (Salicornia Herbacea,Butterfly Lavender) to help wake up skin's moisture mechanisms and defend skin's critical moisture reservoir. Cannot wait to try this product after I am done with Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream.

The Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm comes with 12ml of product. It costs Euro 56 which is equivalent to S$90. Didn't realized it was that expensive! This Darphin Purifying Balm contains 12 Essential Oils from medicinal plants, spices and flowers to target skin imperfections. It contains: 1) apricot kernel oil, 2) sunflower seed oil, 3) rosewood oil, 4) grapefruit peel oil, 5) thyme oil, 6) lavender oil, 7) cinnamon bark oil, 8) germanium flower oil, 9) sage oil and a few more essential oils. This Balm clarifies pores and helps reduce imperfections. The pharmacist mentioned that Darphin Purifying Balm will help reduce the blemishes on my T-zones. She recommended that I use it twice a week, at the most. You are supposed to leave the Purifying Balm overnight to work on the skin. This is a unique product which I have not seen elsewhere on the market - a mix of essential oils that target skin blemishes. Will try it out soon as I have a few blemishes on my chin and nose area right now. 

Stay tuned for my reviews of these Darphin products! Excited to try these French beauty products!

REVIEW: Avène Gentle Purifying Scrub

Avène Gentle Purifying Scrub

 

 ~AG~

Since I am a big fan of Avène products, I decided to try this Gentle Purifying Scrub. This product retails for $20.32 in Watsons and Guardian Singapore. I cannot remember how much I bought it for while in Italy. I

This gentle scrub is designed for sensitive skin. The jojoba wax microbeads gently exfoliate dead skin. Other ingredients such as zinc gluconate helps to clog pore. Sodium salicylate complements the exfoliating actions of the microbeads. As with other Avène's product, this Purifying Scrub contains Avène Spring Water to soothe the skin. According to the directions, you can use this Avène Scrub one or twice a week.

The pink and white microbeads 

After using this product on and off for about three months, I can say this Avène Scrub is especially gentle for my sensitive skin. My skin will not be red or feel raw after using this Purifying Scrub. My combination skin tend to get dry around the corners of the nose. While I was doing the trial makeup for my wedding day, my makeup artist, Shaun Lee, suggested that I scrub those dry areas so that my makeup would go on smoothly. He recommended that I use a facial scrub once a week in the months leading to the big day. So I religiously used this Avène Scrub once a week; one month prior to the wedding. The only thing that I noticed that my blind pimples will turn into whitehead pimples the day after I use this scrub. This is probably due to the scrub trying to remove the dead skins and impurities.

Since this Avène Scrub is so mild, you might not see significant skin difference compared to other abrasive scrub. On days when my skin need extra exfoliating, I use the SkinFood Black Sugar Mask instead of this Avène Scrub. This 50ml of scrub can lasts for more than 6 months, depending on the usage. This Avène Purifying Scrub is recommended for those with sensitive skin or skin redness. For those with normal skin type or combination skin type, this Avène Scrub might be too delicate for your skin needs.  

REVIEW: Avène Gentle Cleansing Foam

 ~AG~ 

Bought a bottle of Avène Gentle Cleansing Foam when I was in Italy last April, and actually like the product. This Cleansing Foam comes in a pump packaging that dispenses foam. Previously, I have tried another facial cleanser from Avène, Cleanance Cleansing Gel, which is designed for oily and acne-prone skin. Since my skin has been on the drier side recently, I was looking for a different facial cleanser. This gentle cleanser is just right for my skin condition. This Cleansing Foam is designed for normal and combination skin. My skin does not feel tight after washing my face with this Cleansing Foam.

It costs Euro 17.10 (S$28) in Italy while Guardian Singapore retails it for S$31 when it is on offer. Since my skin is ultra sensitive, I have to be careful of the skincare products I use. So far, Avène skincare products has been suitable for my skin. This soap-free cleansing foam gently removes makeup and dirt from the skin. The soft foam is comfortable on the skin. Compared to Cleanance Cleansing Gel, Gentle Cleansing Foam does not have any fragrance. The only con about this product is that it goes by rather quickly. It takes 1 to 1.5 full pumps to thoroughly cleanse the face. One bottle of 150ml can only lasts me for 2 months. While the Cleanance Cleansing Gel which is 200 ml could lasts me for more than 4 months. With that said, it is a pricey facial cleanser and I might look for an alternative. Overall, Avène Gentle Cleansing Foam is a good product for sensitive, normal/combination skin. 

UPDATE (15 August 2018): I am on my 5th bottle of Avène Gentle Cleansing Foam. This is the longest-serving facial cleanser on my record. It is a good product and is suitable for my sensitive skin. Since I only use it at night time, a bottle can lasts me about 3 months. However the product seems a little drying for my skin now and I am switching to a cream cleanser instead.