SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Really is Miracle Water

Facial Treatment Essence touted as "Miracle Water" by not only beauty magazines all over the world but also by many friends of mine who swear by it. I have heard of this product for years, I mean, come on, it's famous! What stopped me from buying it in the past quite frankly was the price, at a minimum $100 for 75ml it is not cheap. 
When I began my new job 6 weeks ago I decided it was time to treat myself and really see if this wonder product lives up to the hype. 

The product SK-II Facial Treatment Essence $100 is a toner in a sense that that is where it fits in your line of products you use yet it so much more than that. This product was the first brough out by SK-II and contains their "wonder" ingredient Pitera and also has the highest concentration of it among all of their products. This ingredient not only massively increases your skins hydration but it also makes your skin incredibly smooth by evening out any lumps and bumps (the best way I can describe it) and makes your skin glow. 


Within a week of using this product my skin was already glowing and appeared so smooth, it decreased acne scarring on my cheeks. My skin did not seem dry at all which I think is incredibly important with Winter coming. 

To Apply: I use it morning and night after I cleanse I put a small amount into the palm of my hand and gently dab it onto my face with my fingertips. They say to use cotton pads to apply but off many people I have heard they don't say don't bother as it just wastes product.


They say this product is Miracle Water and I have to agree, my skin loves it and I haven't looked back and yes I will be buying this again. The funny this is that it has no smell, so weird! It really is miracle "water". I absolutely love it and I think you would really struggle to find someone who wasn't in love with it after trying it.

 You can find SK-II- at selected David Jones and Myer and also online here. 

Have you tried SK-II? Would you spend that much on skincare?


miss chew


xx

Dermalogica, you've done it again. Revew Multi-active toner

Dermalogica never ceases to amaze me, every single product of theirs that I have tried I have loved and my skin has thanked me for by being all nice and plump and glowy (really what better gift could you have?). One product I have been using for ages which I thought I probably should let you know about is called Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner- $45.90. 

I have had a on and off again affair with toners for years. It took me a really long time to realise how critical they are in your skin care routine. For me, this toner tops up the hydration that sometimes I feel can be lost after cleansing. What I love, well one thing I love is that it is a spray, great, the fact that once I have cleansed my skin I can just spritz this on is a big factor as it is less work (I know that may sound lazy but I have a million products I use morning and night, cutting down seconds is helpful) and I like that it stays on my skin. With toners in the past they have been wiped onto my skin but this is sprayed on to stay on. Once I have sprayed it I go about my other business, getting dressed or do my teeth so it completely dries before the next step. 
This beautiful toner counts aloe vera and lavender amongst some of its beautiful ingredients to heal and relax your skin (and your soul-gosh it feels good to take some nice deep breaths and let those beautiful smells surround you). All in all it is a really pleasant product to use.

You can find Dermalogica: From Beauty Salons, David Jones or online at www.adorebeauty.com.au

Do you use a toner? Which one do you use?

miss chew

xx

Tone the right way

Environ Alpha Toner Forte

Toning I think is the one stop so many girls (myself included, until recently) skip out on when it is so important!
I wanted to go over again as I am sure many of you have heard before the massive benefits of a toner! (I know this may make me sound like a nanna but it's for your own good!)
1. Cleans your skin deeper-Sometimes your cleanser will not remove all of the dirt and makeup off your skin, so this little baby mops up the bits you missed!
2. Makes your moisturiser work harder- So many of these amazing moisturisers that are coming out in the market contain active ingredients and there is honestly no point of having them if they can't penetrate through your skin!

3. Tightens your pores-In the toner I use it contains Alpha Hydroxy which exfoliates the skin to tighten and close off all those pours, which also means that dirt will have difficulty getting themselves back into your pours

4. Restores the Natural pH of your skin- Let me explain, the pH scale is between 1-14. If something is acidic it is measured between 1-6.9 and if something is alkaline it is between 7.1-14 and a 7 is neutral. If your skin is healthy its pH should be between 4.5-6.0 where it can fight off bacteria. (The bacteria is what causes acne as those little buggers get right in the pours and breed like rabbits!) Most cleansers have a higher pH so the toner aims to bring it back down to a healthy fighting level ready for when you slap on the moisturiser.
5. Removes excess oil from skin- for you girls that have oily skin toner really helps to get your oil under control by removing the excess sebum off your skin. Win!


When to use: I am sure you have all heard that you are supposed to tone after you cleanse morning and night and then you moisturise. I dab this particular toner onto my skin as it is very strong and is used to also help clear up the last of the nasties on my skin. A lot of people use cotton balls to dab it onto the skin. 


I hope this has helped to explain what a toner is all about and why it is so important


miss chew


xx

My Journey to clear skin

A lot of women are constantly on the search for the perfect combination of skincare products that will fix all their skin issues. The problem most women face is that it's a never ending journey; this is where seeking the advice from a trained professional comes in. 

Having had adult acne this past year, a lot of time has been spent getting rid of this skin condition and what were left were these little bumps which weren't exactly pimples that would not go away.

My Skin-April this year

Dee from the Clear Skin Clinic in Double Bay was to explain to me that these little bumps across our skin are very common and is caused by blocked pores. The cause of the blocked pores is the fat that is in a lot of commonly used beauty products. 

Dee performs a treatment which she calls the "Steam and Squeeze" which has a very simple philosophy behind it.
First your skin is thoroughly is cleansed and then she takes a really good look at your skin under a bright light and to find out what is going on. After a light exfoliation is completed a mask is applied to your skin and then you are placed under a steamer. When your pores are nice and open, this is where her work truly begins. All those blocked pores she has identified are then manually unplugged using her fingers covered in tissues. It is not a relaxing experience but a rewarding one. With pores that are very deep they are lanceted which is like a pin prick and then squeezed.
Once the squeezing is all done a chemical peel which is tailored to your skin type is then applied to your skin. After all the squeezing, the peel definitely stings but that doesn't last long as your skin begins to calm down. As the peel is wiped off a deeply moisturising cream which is water based and doesn't contain fats is then applied to your skin and you are done. 
Dee likes to tailor your new skin care regime which she calls your prescription of a cleanser, toner and moisturiser which will enhance the work that she has done. 
My products recommended are Environ Interactive Cleansing Gel $35, Environ Alpha Toner Forte $67 and Dr Spiller Biocosmetic Collagen Face Cream $114 which I have blogged about before. 

Cleansing Gel

Toner-Forte

The cleanser is applied morning and night. The toner is only applied once a day and all you do is put about 4-5 drops (such a tiny amount) into the palm of one hand then with the fingers of the other hand you dab the toner ONLY onto the affected areas as this stuff boy is strong! But the good thing is I will have this bottle for ages! I am finding that I am needing less and less after each session of seeing Dee. You do need to be careful with the other parts of your face as it will really dry it out. 
In regards to the Moisturiser you can read my blog on that here. I absolutely love it! My new fave, that's for sure!
I must admit when I first took a look in the mirror straight after she was done the first time, it wasn't pretty there were red marks all over my face and it was rather angry at me, so I wouldn't recommend doing this on a say when you have to go somewhere after. But the second day majority of those little bumps were gone and my skin looked visibly clearer! The second treatment was a week after and my skin looked my calmer and my makeup was going on much better. My last treatment was 2 weeks later and I cannot stop the comments I have been getting about my skin from my friends and co-workers. Loves it!!

After my treatments

It has been such a great boost of confidence and it makes me think, why oh why didn't I want to do something more proactive about my skin earlier? Did I not realise what could be done? Maybe you are like me as well, if your reading this and it rings bells, my advice to you is do something about it!!!
You do not have to put up with crap skin!!
My skin has never looked better so many people have said and I definitely agree. By Summer I was told I wouldn't need to wear makeup, a statement which, when I heard when I first met Dee I never believed. The work she does is so amazing because she is so passionate about what she does. Her greatest joy in life is getting people clear beautiful skin and educating people on whats right for you. 
I am easily wearing less makeup during the week and virtually no makeup on the weekends, something I never thought I would do, and let me tell you I really am finally feeling more confident in my own skin. 




Details: Steam and Squeeze costs $90 a session- with the difference she makes, it is beyond worth it!
Products: You can buy off Dee or buy online at www.adorebeauty.com.au 


miss chew


xx