Monday, June 11, 2012

Skincare routine (late spring-early summer)



In responding a request by a fellow follower, this blog post is about my current skincare routine.


We have been having a mild winter so far but it wasn't until recently that temperature is rising up to the 80's, so my skincare focus on lighter creams and gels for easier absorption but at the same time provide enough hydration.


First step of my skincare routine, I use Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid with Salicylic Acid with the help of the cleansing mode in my Hitachi Hada CRiE CM-N1000 machine:






For those interested in a full length review of the beauty gadget Hitachi Hada CRiE, please check out my earlier post here.


After my face is properly cleansed, I move on with [1]Phyto-C Phyto Plus-Gel and [2]B-5 Gel:






I will first use the Phyto Plus Gel which provides treatment for hyperpigmentation, then I will layer it up with B5 Gel for hydration (and also suggested by the Phyto-C to use B5 gel after Phyto Plus Gel). So far it is quite effective with my stubborn acne marks that was caused by a sudden out break from a few months ago. Also, the texture is watery and very easily absorbed, which is perfect for warmer weather. However, the only downside is the price of these 15ml bottles. But since it's something that works, I will repurchase again!


Then I will use Laneige pore tightening essence on my nose and check areas:






It's a huge bottle of 35ml and everytime I use I just need a small pump, and this bottle has lasted me for over 1 year already.... and I heard Laneige has already this amazing pore essence, so I will need to look for a replacement after I am done with this!


After I have completed the above steps, I will move on to blow dry my hair while waiting for the skincare items to absorb into my skin. Typically, I will be waiting for about 5-10 minutes...


Then I move on to SK-II Facial Treatment Essence with the moisturizing mode of the Hitachi HADA CRiE CM-N1000:






After patting down the SK-II essence, I move on to applying HABA White Lady whitening essence:






On days that I have more free time, I will pair this essence up with the Haba G-lotion and Haba Ion Machine along with My Beauty Diary sheet masks for a nice treatment. The main function of this Haba Ion Machine is the "refresh" mode, which is the same as the 4th mode "refresh" in the Hitachi Hada CRie CM-N810 model. I tend to do it 2-3 times a week:






Then my skincare is followed by my Caudalie Premier Cru eye cream:






Interestingly I used to think this eye cream is a tad too oily for me. But since I have started using the Hitachi Hada CRiE machine, heavier creams tends to absorb better, and by that I mean this once too heavy eye cream does not feel greasy after I massage my way in.


Final step in my skincare routine is the Creme de la Mer moisturizing cream:






Yea, I know this cream is super duper expensive, but a little goes a long way. I just need to use a tiny bit every time and it used to be too moisturizing for me. But since the use of Hitachi Hada CRiE, this cream is perfect for me, even in this warmer weather! 


Since Hitachi Hada CRiE has become so important in my skincare routine, and it has helped tremendously with the absorption of all the above skincare goodies. My break out conditions has greatly lessen, but I still need to wait till the peak of the summer to see whether this Hitachi Hada CRiE machine will help me with preventing acne!


So occasionally I still have small acne, so to treat these occasional break outs, I will use Naruko T-Zone Blackhead Remover (as a leave on mask for spot treatment) and Naruko Tea Tree Acne and Oil Out Targeted Treatment (for immediately relief):






And as part of my beauty regime, I have been enjoying the Fekkai Glossing shampoo, conditioner and cream series, they make my hair so soft and shiny! I know they are not the cheapest shampoo out there, but since I love Japanese shampoo and they cost a bomb to be shipped to the US, these are better and easier alternatives I can get in the US:






I hope you have enjoy my skincare routine. I will constantly update my skincare routine as I go, let it be discovery in new products or a change in the weather. So, stay tuned for more!

11 comments:

Maria said...

thank you for this post!
now i'm so curious about phyto c brand! i have never heard about it, but i like Is Clinical so i guess i should try this one also.
can you suggest any online store for this (except ebay)?

Cutie Fishball said...

Thank you!! Yes it is similar to clinical, except not as pricey you can get online at skinstore, askderm, skin-etc.... if you google phyto-c you can see there are quite a few stores carrying it :)

Popcorn said...

woah isnt the SK-11 stuff expensive? haha

I love the beauty diary masks <3

Cutie Fishball said...

@Popcorn: Yes SK-II is expensive but I don't need a lot everytime I use. Probably using it since the beginning of the year and it lasted me for a while already, so it's a good buy!

Anonymous said...

you have a really good skin care going there! I don't think I'll use SKII for another few years.. my pocket wouldn't be able to handle it and I'd hate to rely on it so soon but I have heard it's done wonders for a lot of skin. I asked my mother in law why she never used SKII (she's a big fan of chanel and lancome) she didn't know SKII was that popular! I think SKII is hugely market outside Japan.. it's pretty big here too but they're trying gain younger consumers using Haruka Ayase ^^

Btw have you review this Haba gadget?! Seems interesting.. I'm sure I have seen it around too! great post :)

Cutie Fishball said...

@Nic Nic- it's taking some serious commitment for all those steps (my husband hardly ever put on a single moisturizer!!) SK-II was actually a gift from my mom, but actually it's not that bad as this bottle lasted me for a while. SK-II is huge in HK because of its marketing, and I guess Japanese prefer foreign brands too!

I have not review the Haba gadget, but I think the Hitachi 810 model is pretty much the same function in helping with abortion! I am pretty sure you can get the Haba machine cheap in Japan too!

Maria said...

hello again!
i think i found where to buy online Phyto c.
but i wanted to know how did you choose exactly these 2 serums? i looked at their site - there are different regimens. and of course they suggest to use much more of their products then just 2 :)
i'm sure about Phyto Plus gel (since my target will be pigmentation), but there is also an Icy Blue serum (seems rather similar to b5 gel)
and also supreme serum as the 1st step...
did you ask them for a personal regimen?

Cutie Fishball said...

Hi Maria- I choose Phyto Plus gel for pigmentation from post acne scars, but B5 gel is one of its other star product and it works along well after applying plus gel. And I like how the B5 gel provides hydration without the stickness of some serums will give me, so it's perfect for summer!

. said...

Hi! I have some acne scars on my chin from a breakout a few months ago. Which of your products would help lighten them best? I am looking to try one of them.

Cutie Fishball said...

Hi Shina- Welcome to my blog! For scar lightening, I like the Phyto Plus gel or Naruko's Raw Job Tear series and they are both working fine for lightening my scars... and the mask+haba white lady regime also help as a great booster!

sherlylie said...

Hai can you use HABA white lady with Hitachi Hada Crie?