Dermalogica Extra Firming Booster

USEFUL FOR: MOISTURE LOCK


This product has been around for a few years. In fact, this was one of the more costly products I parted cash with when I started getting serious about skincare. The Dermalogica range is high end and employs a prescriptive medical approach to skincare. It is best known for "face mapping" where parts of a user's face is sectioned into regions where skin-needs differ.

I was prompted to write this review after having a few Dermalogica facials, which made me think of all its products I have used through the years. So look out for more Dermalogica reviews in the future.

This booster costs about SGD60 or more, depending on where it is sold. That roughly translates to more than SGD2 per ml. That is pricey for a tiny 30ml bottle. The intention behind a "booster" is that it provides instant results, what it calls "Flash-firming" effects.

The directions are to smooth over cleansed face and throat before moisturiser. Used in this way, it helps to form a moisture-locking base. There is also a suggestion to add a few drops into your regular products, for added boost. The product is a clear gel with a slight yellow tinge. As listed on its product page, it has no artificial fragrances, but it definitely smells slightly herbal.

Effect:

I used this over a period of a few months, it was my second repurchase after the first bought many months ago had gone rancid. Surprisingly, while I found the product effective in creating a barrier, it did not deliver any firming or tightening. The areas that it was applied on had no visible results, even though supple and hydrated.

So instead, this has been used mostly in air-conditioned environments, and also as a go-to hydrator for plane rides. For periods where my skin had a dry spell, I layered this with first a serum, and under a moisturiser. That helps to keep it hydrated over a period of a few hours, while letting the skin breathe.

Because it has not delivered on its promise, this purchase will be my last. Even though it has had an unexpected benefit for plane rides, there are cheaper alternatives. Also, after being opened for 2+ months, I noticed the smell has gotten stronger, which is probably the product going rancid again.

The bottle design is also a bit problematic. Due to its opaqueness and light weight, it is impossible to know if the product has run out.

Product listing (Dermalogica Website)

MANDESCRIPT REVIEW

Manuka Valley Bee Venom Mask

USEFUL FOR: PLUMPING, MOISTURE LOCK

Part two of nature's venomous skincare series looks at Manuka Valley Bee Venom Mask.

Since its induction into the skincare belt 3 years ago, this product has had releases by various brandnames. While there are major luxury brands touting their best, I bought the Manuka Valley brand, as it is a "Made In NZ" product, boasting both locally produced bee venom and active Manuka Honey.

New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world which has 100% organic produce. While this normally covers vegetation and plant goods, it also extends to its other produces such as animal products. Safe to say, I am confident in NZ goods based on this promise. And the purer the skincare, the better it is for the skin. On the ingredients list, bee venom is number 2, highest only to water. That is a really good sign.

The product arrived in a slightly different jar than the above (50g). But everything else was accurate to the description. The jar is a thick apothecary glass, brown-tinted to protect the cream from light degradation. It is quite handsome, something out of a traditional gentleman's parlour. The cream within is white, somewhere between a light but stiff consistency. It is not runny and scoops out quite easily, eliminating any kind of drips.

Application for the product is in two ways: as a facial mask, and a leave-in mosturiser. Having tried both, the first suggestion of piling the product on as a mask and then rinsing it away after 20 mins was a bit of a waste. Especially for 50g product. Opting for an in-between usage, the cream was used instead with a gentle massage, basic firm stroke upwards in areas where both "lift" and "freeze" is desired.

Effect:

After 1 week of use, the areas around the mouth and jaw, where the formations of jowls occur, are lifted slightly. It is also helped more by the plumping effect, that is encouraged with the massage. The cream, after being absorbed, does sit on the skin a bit, so it is best applied at night or during dry seasons. I would imagine this would be a good humectant for winter.

I used this every night for 1 week, after a face cleanse before bed. Massage is also an excellent way of relaxing the face, so it was multi-tasking at its best: Relaxation, Moisturising & Tightening. Upon waking, the product is less greasy on the skin. A quick rinse with cold water that's all, before applying sunscreen.

It does work, but give it time. I expect better results with extended use. It is however not the answer to Botox, although it has above average plumping effects.

www.manukavalley.com

MANDESCRIPT REVIEW

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum Pen

USEFUL FOR: REDEFINING, TIGHTENING, TEMPORARY

If you are looking for a bit of tightening for those forming jowls, products such as the above by Rodial promises to give a much needed lift. Active ingredient is a synthesised venom by-product called Syn-ake, which is an industry trademarked ingredient found in many "freezing" and "lifting" products of the kind.

Form factor is excellent and fuss-free, it comes in a thick pen. Pop the cap off, and you will see three silver ball bearings for roll-on product application. A few clicks at the opposite end of the barrel pumps the product out. The instructions suggest a basic massage using the pen, and I do agree that this is the best way of application.



Effect:
I was really curious whether this will deliver on its promise, and applied on a freshly cleansed face. The massaging needs to be firm but not dragging on the skin, focusing on upwards stroking motion. After two clicks and a few minutes encouraging the product onto the outer areas of my eyes, there was a noticeable tingling and tightening of the skin.

It was really hard to see actual visible results in the mirror, but throughout the next few hours, the contours around the eye and upper cheekbone was more defined. The light/shadow on it, made it slightly pronounced, creating a subtle highlight.

The next few applications, over the 2 weeks of usage, I experimented on parts of my face. The chin and jaw area was a no-show, but the product along with draining massage around the nostrils did improve the naso-labial creases. This resulted in a smoother nose to cheek area, with less sagging around the smile lines. Its primary mode of effectiveness is in tightening the skin, thus smoothing out the lines, instead of introducing a plumping effect.

The product lasts for about 4-5 hours, so it is best used for a special occassion where you want to look your best. It will also work well with companion products such as caffeine-infused brightening roll-ons, which will go some ways in redefining facial contours, for a more chiselled appearance.

MANDESCRIPT REVIEW