My Winter Skin Survival Kit

Winter weather is cold and dry, taking the moisture from skin, making it dehydrated, dry and sometimes flaky. In this post I will share some of the skincare products that I use to keep my skin hydrated, soft and healthy in these harsh weather conditions.

Using Shu Uemura's Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O as my first step of cleansing, this oil takes off all makeup while it does not strip the skin of its moisture. It is highly moisturizing and skin feels soft after using this and does not have a tight feeling. This oil is also highly effective in removing waterproof and heavy duty makeup with just a few gentle massaging motions on the face.

Shiseido's Future Solution LX foaming cleanser is a very gentle foaming cleanser that I use after the cleansing oil and it creates a thick foamy lather. It has various ingredients that nourishes the skin as it cleanses and does not leave the skin feeling dry. I feel that it gets rid of any residues left over by the cleansing oil and hydrates at the same time. After using this cleanser, I have been noticing a glow on my skin.

Shiseido's Eudermine is one of the brand's oldest products that works as a excellent toner. For those with flaky skin (myself included) this toner would be able to help get rid of it gently while being highly moisturizing at the same time. I apply it with a cotton pad and massaging motions to make this toner even more effective and soften my skin at the same time.

As a serum I use Cle de Peau's Essential Correcting Refiner. This serum has to be shaken before applying and needs to be massaged into the skin with a cotton pad. The serum helps to balance the skin and make the skin smoother while evening the skintone. After using it for a week, I have seen positive results with clearer skin, a less oily T-zone and smaller pores.

The final step in my winter skincare regime is the Guerlain Abelie Royale cream. I use both the night and day version of this and it gives deep hydration. With ingredients such as royal jelly, this cream keeps the skin smooth and helps it stay moist in cold weather. Even walking in the cold, I have seen fewer dry flakes and patches when I apply this before I go out. 

Well, here are the products that I am currently using for this winter season. I have combination skin with dry cheeks and a oiler T-zone and these products have been keeping my skin healthy. Hope it helps and comments are welcome! 

Review: Guerlain les Voilettes Mineral Powder

Guerlain les voilettes mineral powder is a lose powder that can be used as a light and seer foundation itself or to set other foundation beneath it. It is a very fine powder that is extremely fine in texture and can also be used for touchups. The powder does not cake after applied and it just blends in with the foundation underneath making it very natural.  I use a large powder brush to sweep it across my face to make a even more even application.

It mattifies foundation and it also gives the skin a glow.  Upon using this as a setting powder, I do find that my foundation lasts longer and fewer touch ups are needed throughout the day. It has been one of the most natural and fine powders that I have used.

Pros:
-sets makeup evenly

-long wearing

-natural

Cons:

-pricy

-hard to carry around

Overall
5/5

Review: Guerlain Tenue de Perfection Foundation

The Guerlain tenue de perfection is “timeproof “foundation that is long lasting and provides medium to full coverage.  It claims to have 16-hour coverage and has different oils to help adhere to the skin.  Despite it being heavy duty, the foundation does allow for the skin to breath and does not darken through out the day.  I have personally not worn this foundation for more than 12 hours, so I cannot comment on its 16 hour claim, but throughout my wear, I have only required 1~2 blottings and touch up on my oily areas.  I would say this foundation is truly long lasting and has great oil control too.

Upon pumping, the foundation comes out rather thick, hence its great coverage. Only a small amount of product is required for the full face and it easily blends into a natural, glowing semi-matte finish.  The coverage is definitely buildable and I find little need to use of concealer. It evens out the whole complexion while covering up imperfections yet looking natural at the same time.

To make this foundation even more long lasting, I usually apply sheer layer of the Guerlain les voilettes mineral powder (review here) on top of the t-zone areas to set the foundation. Overall, this is a very great product and would be recommended for those who would want to wear long lasting makeup and especially those with little time for touchups!

Pros:
-great coverage

-long lasting

-natural, easy to blend

Cons:

-pricy

Overall:

5/5

Review: Pola Whitissimo

          I have recently got a gift with purchase set of the Pola Whitissimo skincare line. Pola is a brand from Japan that may be hard to find but the quality of the products are great. As from the name, the Whitissimo line focuses on whitening and brightening. After using these products for almost a month, I do notice that my skin tone is more even and lighter (which i love). My acne scaring has not changed much however. 

         
          The first product to use in this set is the Makeup Cleansing Cream. It is part of a 2 step cleansing process and this cream cleanser should be used first to take off makeup and impurities on the skin. I wet my face first and squeeze a pea sized amount on to my hand while i rub it into my foundation covered face. While this manages to do a good job at taking off my base makeup and powder, I find that do need to use a oil based makeup remover for my waterproof eye makeup. The cleanser does not leave the skin feeling dry at all. 

         After taking off my makeup with the cream cleanser, the Cleansing Foam is the final step in cleansing. This cleanser really foams up and leaves the skin feeling clean and soft. I do notice that my face becomes brighter after the use of this cleanser. It does not leave my face feeling dry at all and I think this would even be suitable in the approaching winter months. 

   
        The Whitissimo Lotion is actually a toner, and I put a few drops onto a cotton pad then wipe it on my face. It does hydrate the skin and helps the moisturizer absorb better. It is rather light in texture and consistency. 

       The set has also came with the Milk Night, which is a light more fluid-like night moisturizer. Despite its texture, this milk does a great job of hydrating. I usually just apply this without any other moisturizer on top and is enough to make my skin feel soft and supple. 

        The final product of this set is the Whitissimo Cream. It is light in consistency but is intensive in moisture. I only use this on days in which my skin feels extremely dry.

Overall, the whole set is very moisturizing and it would be very suitable for those with  dry skin and also like whitening.

Pros:
-moisturizing
-whitening
-unscented
-effective

Cons:
-may be hard to find

Overall:
5/5 

Review: Vidi Vici Moisture Cream Foundation

Vidi Vici's Creamy Moisture Foundation comes in a whipped, thicker texture but is very easy to blend and offers good coverage while looking natural. This foundation also claims to be waterproof and sweat proof, which is pretty true as the foundation has been quite long lasting on my face. I have also applied some onto the back of my hand while I was testing this and even after washing my hands, this did not come off until i used makeup remover! *thumbs up* 

Upon opening the package, you will see a cute jar containing the foundation. I really like the packaging of this which includes a spatula for you to scoop out the foundation. I place a dot of foundation on my cheeks, chin, nose and forehead and then I begin to blend outward. It is very easy to blend and gives a dewy natural finish. I do find that I have to set this foundation with a lose powder to prevent it from moving on my face.

Pros:
-long lasting
-natural yet amazing coverage
-easy to blend
-moisturizing

Cons:
-may move on face if not set with powder

Overall:
4.7/ 5 *highly recommend!* 

Review: Shu Uemura Brightening Mousse SPF 30

The Shu Uemura Brightening Mousse SPF 30 is a purple mouse primer/ makeup base. When squeezed out from the bottle, it looks feels light and airy, as how you would expect from a mousse. It is extremely easy to blend and a sponge is recommend for this.  The purple pigment in this is supposed to cancel out yellow undertones in the skin so that it has a brighter and illuminated look. It evens out the skin tone with a sheer cover and does make it smoother for makeup application.

This primer does help the makeup adhere better onto the skin and does make it last longer. I would not say that the oil control is amazing, but it does do a decent job of balancing my oily T-zone and dry cheeks. I have also discovered that this works better with cream or liquid foundations rather than powder. 

Pros:
-even outs and brightens complection
-makes foundation and base makeup appear smoother and last longer
-light weight

Cons:
-may not be suitable for powder foundation

Overall
4/5 

Review: Holika Holika Jewel-light Waterproof Eyeliner

The Holika Holika Jewel-light Waterproof Eyeliner is one of the best eyeliner pencils that  I have used up to date. It is a gel formula and the pencil is to be sharpened instead of being twisted like automatic liners.  Being intensely pigmented and long lasting, this eyeliner retails for a very affordable price!! 

The tip of the eyeliner is rather blunt, but when the eyeliner is tilted on a 45 degree angle, it is easily possible to draw a thin line. It sets after a few seconds of applying and stays on for the whole day. I have be able to wear this for 8+ hours without it flaking or smudging! It truly is waterproof after setting and has only minimal smudging even after swimming with it on! 

This is very pigmented and glides on easily with no tugging on the eyelids at all! Tight lining and water lining is very easy with this! Removing this with waterproof makeup remover is very easy despite its staying power.

Pros:
-very pigmented, glides on easily
-long lasting
-affordable
- sets quickly 

Cons:
-may not be suitable for beginners coz it is so pigmented 
-maybe be hard to do precise lining at times

Overall
5/ 5