Review: Ren Clarimatte Clarifying Toner

So after finishing my Clarins Exfoliating Toner, I am back on my Ren Clarimatte. I can't remember how many bottles of this I went through so I thought this definitely deserve a proper review.

Ren claims

Ingredient for those interested:

Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Water, Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Passiflora Quadrangularis Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Alcohol Denat, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Linalool, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Bisulfite.

At first I was quite confused with how they claim to contain Glycolic acid but it is not written in ingredients. For the record, I bought the first bottle when glycolic acid craze was still recent and I was desperate to get one.

So according to the website which is very informative

" Salicilin from Willow Bark gently exfoliates, purifies congested skin, reduces pore size, and is antibacterial

Glycolic Acid from Pineapple Extract, Lactic Acid from Passion Fruit, Citric Acid from Lemon Extract and Tartaric Acid from Grape Extract exfoliate, decongest and remove dead skin cells to renew skin surface"

So after a bit of googling I learnt about sources of glycolic acid other than sugar cane *the most common* which include pineapple and papaya. So Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) fruit extract is the glycolic acid, that make sense.

Is it because it is not synthetic glycolic acid, so they put in pineapple fruit extract instead in the list...

It claims "do not contain 'synthetic' AHA BHA" which to be honest I don't fully understand. They used the term 'bio-extract' but I would imagine other AHA BHA products would come from the similar sources but they still list the actual acids name. I don't know if it just REN marketing style, but I'm not too keen to pry into this and try to define what are synthetic AHA BHA...

While I was trying to figure out where the glycolic acid lies in the ingredient list, I also did a quick google on other ingredients which I don't know, which is not really a good idea...I don't recommend doing that.

It is like basically googling about paracetamol or ibuprofen and you definitely get the information about the side effects on liver,  all the gastric upset, hypersentivity and you could get scared about it for nothing. I've been taking them since childhood... as far as I know I am fine and dandy... 99%people taking this common meds are.

So things like Phenoxyethanol which is dub as an alternatives of parabens, while you can appreciate it's germicidal/antibacterial properties *a plus point for those with wounded skin ie. Scars, popped pimple, eczema etc...* you will get those warning of it may be a skin irritant and those paranoid articles which use the  word 'severe' too frequently. 

I don't deny that there might be someone out there with an allergy to any of the ingredients in any products, you just have to get to know your skin. You would not want to just blindly follow articles/bloggers.

Enough ranting! Sorry about that.

Personally I have no problem at all with this toner...none whatsoever.

It never gives me flares up and any active acnes seem heal/improve at least slightly faster. It is not really a miracle to be honest, but it definitely do not make things worse. 

This is definitely a mild acid toner, suitable for everyday use or good one to start off if you're new to acid toning.

Application:  So refreshing and moist and you don't need a lot! There is no sticky or oily feeling afterward and no dryness.. After months of using just Clarins then finally back to this wonderful stuff from Ren, my skin felt back into it's good momentum, I don't get that weird slippery feel like from Clarins. I felt comfortable and fresh and ready for the rest of the skincare routine. 

I applied with dampen *not soaked* cotton pad after cleansing day and night. On certain days when I I feel I need extra tingle I went for higher acid %.

So for those just starting to get into acid toning, I believe this is a good start.
Only GBP 13.00 for 150 ml and it will last longer than you expected.

Overall Rating - 4.9/5.0
(seriously, you can't go wrong with this. who cares the word 'clarimatte' does not make sense!)

Simple Midtone Orange Lipstick

I am no good with bright lipstick, but I could not help being attracted to it especially ORANGE believing that I might be able to carry it off. I have searched and searched for the best way to wear orange lipstick, googling for tutorials and celebrities pictures that can inspired me and without looking too dramatic.

Alas, the only way I found best is definitely to keep it simple.
It really depends on your skin tone, the orange you choose and the effect you want.
I want to have that edgy effect of orange in a elegant way.

Inspiration:

after seeing Tessa Thompson, I have sudden urge to wear my orange lipstick more often

I am not really into that ultra sexy bronze goddess look that would be achievable with warm gold bronzy smokey eyes, this look is what most tutorials and celebrities go for . But it is just too much for me, the orange is already bright enough for me. In addition to that, matching clothes and headscarf would be very tricky. You can go bright and light if you're up for it. But I really think the best colour to wear is definitely black like how you love the contrast in girls with dark black hair.

So I am just sharing with you guys how I would wear a midtone orange lipstick especially now that we're in spring/summer.

I opt for a dark brown headscarf instead of black just because of the top I am wearing and that there is no black at all in this outfit. But I tried before with black outfit and it probably match the best.

Base makeup: 

Wear foundation that match your skin and conceal as needed. 

Cheeks:

I definitely avoid blusher even the peachy one. It might look good but just not my style. I just go for bit of bronzers. Contour and sheer highlight as usual. 

EYES:

Just kept the lid bare, with just foundation/concealer or matte skintone eyeshadow.

Then contour slightly on crease and outer corner of the eyes.

I also put a bit of nude liner in waterline and sheer shimmer on inner corner for brightening 

Then the BLACK eyeliners. Go thicker if you want bolder. I definitely think a bit flick at the end compliment this look.

LIPS:

 Lined with orange lipliner followed by a midtone orange lipstick, a bit more toned down orange. I used MAC Mouth Off lipliner and MAC Alibi lipstick. Orange brown like MAC chili without the red. But unfortunately discontinue? or is it just available in certain place, because I think I remember my mum still buys this back in Malaysia, it's her favourite. On her fairer skin it looks like a mature brown orange. On me it can look a bit clownish, hence a bit tricky to wear. Generally orange can look too bright and clownish on me. My orange need some brown in it. 

Review: Eucerin Anti-Ageing Hyaluron Filler Night Cream

Today I am reviewing a night cream from the brand Eucerin.

Eucerin claims:

Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream

Anti-wrinkle night cream with Hyaluronic Acid for all skin types 

An advanced formula night cream to target and plump up even the deepest wrinkles from within.The formula of Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream contains two different types of Hyaluronic Acid to target and treat all wrinkle types plus bio-activeGlycine-saponin, to actively increase the skin’s own Hyaluronic acid production. Concentrated Dexpanthenol supports the skin’s overnight regeneration process. Skin feels soft and well cared for.

EUCERIN HYALURON-FILLER

As skin ages, levels of naturally occurring Hyaluronic acid deplete causing surface lines and deeper wrinkles to form.
Each product in the clinically-tested Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler range contains a combination of high and low molecular Hyaluronic Acid as well as bio-active Glycine Saponin, a substance proven to increase the skin’s own Hyaluronic acid synthesis.
If lines and wrinkles are your primary aging concern, the Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler range combines a potent wrinkle-plumping action with excellent skin tolerability.

INGREDIENTS:

Aqua, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter,Isopropyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides,Octyldodecanol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycine Soja Germ Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol,Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Dimethicone,Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Trisodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum

I gotta say, Eucerin provide one of the most useful website. They explain everything in detail and even include an ingredient dictionary. They also have this detailed list of what cream to use instead of the usual "Are you oily? Normal? or Dry?" :-

So now we don't have to be confused by the variety of product they offer.

This is a very rich night cream that is very suitable for very dry and dehydrated skin.
The reason I bought this in the past despite having oily acne prone skin was because I suddenly start experience dry flaky skin. This was before I use glycolic actively and was on daily BP gel.

The idea of hyaluronic acid for hydration was relatively new to me and I don't even know about the hype on Hyaluron that time.
So I just pick this up without looking into different brands. Unfortunately, looking at the ingredient, this is not the cream if you seeking for a hardcore 'Hyaluronic Acid' product.

Personal experience:

Colour: Off white cream

Texture: Rich and buttery and almost balm like.

I use this at night on top of my usual moisturizer whenever I feel it's not enough.
To be honest I was worry because this is way too creamy to suit my skin type but I admit I love this type of cream. So I always use sparingly to suit my oily skin.
The only issue I am starting to be cautious about now is the shea butter. The texture and smell the cream is definitely 'reeks' shea butter which is top in the ingredient list.
I usually tolerate quite well with shea butter but I think this might contain too much shea butter. And it does not help that I change my other cream with something that contain shea butter as well.

I never got break out from this. There was time I notice one two very tiny whitehead, which I presumed happen when I used too much. But it is not too bad... it is not a full blown pimple as usually by that evening after washing they literally vanish no bleed whatsoever.

After learning about the not so good thing about shea butter I want to be a bit more careful and I think I should avoid using this on the face.

Now having said that, this really felt good on skin, I cannot deny. It smooth out and hydrate all the dry patches and flakyness. 
Foundation just applied so smooth and give a good glow. I love using this when I applied makeup on my friends and when I experimenting with base makeup. 

I can't really comment about the plumping effect, if there is maybe it's not too significant... especially for me which has quite a 'puffy' face and I don't really have lines that too deep.

I still think this is a good product if you have no issue with shea butter and you don't mind the 'grease' look.
There is no problem wearing this even in the day and wear sunscreen on top. You can also use it selectively on areas with dry patches/flake like a skin balm.

Now this does belong a more 'mature' range in Eucerin, so it quite expensive for a drugstore cream... well I think generally Eucerin is quite on pricey side at Boots. So I would leave this cream as a last resort, because I think you might find cream with shea butter+ hyaluronic acid combination with cheaper price tag.

Price: GBP 26.00 for 50 ml

Overall rating : 3.7/5.0

And
 Happy Fasting to all Muslim whose welcoming the Ramadhan!