Review: Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Mask for Dehydrated Skin

I am back! No, I haven’t left SoLoverly; things got pretty crazy after I started the last leg of my Masters so I took a bit of a break until my studies were done. Kahani and Syen have been terrific about it but I am now back and ready to pick up the burden. :P 

I mentioned back in May that the Clarins HydraQuench Mask was part of my winter routine. My skin dries out like leather during cold months and my regular sheet masks (My Beauty Diary Aloe and Apple masks) simply aren’t up for the fight against winter. The Clarins HydraQuench serum helped a lot but I still needed something more to amp up the moisture levels for my skin.

Kahani had previously reviewed the Clarins HydraQuench Mask waaaay back in 2010 and her review sent me waffling around the block and back trying to decide if I should purchase it or not. My soft spot for Clarins (and a Strawberrynet discount) won out in the end.

Autumn/Winter Skincare Routine

(Would have taken a better picture but my camera died on me)
L-R: Olay Complete Moisturising Lotion, Clarins HydraQuench Intensive Serum,
Clinique All About Eyes Serum, Natio Eye Gel, Clinique MoistureSurge

Winter is just around the corner for us in Australia and I have been tweaking my skincare routine to deal with the change. While summer is all about sunscreen, exfoliation and brightening products, my winter skincare routine revolves around hydration.

Products that I have left in my routine are Clinique MoistureSurge, Natio Eye Treatment Gel and a Clinique All About Eyes serum. The latter was part of a Clinique travel exclusive set and I have only just started using it since the weather started getting chilly. I can't say if it has improved the area around my eyes but it feels quite refreshing especially on days when you didn't have enough sleep.

My Last Malaysian Haul

I am still getting used being back in Sydney -- right now, I don't even have a table to type on! -- so review posts are going to be a little erratic until I settle down. So why don't I show you my very last haul from Malaysia? Cosmetics are incredibly expensive here so I indulged in a little shopping and stocking up. I won't be back in Malaysia for a year after all.

And in no particular order...

Reader's Q&A: I ask, you answer!

Let's have a twist on the usual Q&A! Instead of answering questions from readers, why not let you play beauty blogger and answer my questions instead?

Question 1:
Dear reader, I just went to the Clarins counter to pick up a refill of my favourite Clarins UV Plus HP Dayscreen. I was told that it was no longer available in 50ml bottles, only 30ml. As you can imagine, I was horrified and asked for more details -- when, why, how? According to the sales assistant, the 50ml sizes were discontinued sometime in September but she didn't know the reason why.

I didn't have the time to confirm this with other Clarins counters so I thought I would check in with you readers. Is it true? I googled it up and the nearest search result I could find was a note on Makeupalley.

Review: Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen SPF 40

Freaking fantastic HG stuff. I would leave my review at that but seeing how a "proper" review is supposed to be at least 3 paragraphs long, I will expand on it.

What is there not to like about Clarins UV Plus? It is lightweight, easily absorbed, dries to a slight powder finish, doesn't give me pimples and travels really well. I have used this all over Borneo -- river cruises, trekking, kayaking, swimming -- and it has yet to fail me. It works better than my other kononnya heavy duty, water resistant, sports sunscreens. I just wish that it was cheaper so I can use it on my body as well.

And I am Back!

Syen and Kahani were kind enough to let me off blogging duty for a month, seeing how work, constant travelling and a persistent cough were driving me up the wall with little energy to spare. After the long Eid holiday and a much anticipated break with my boyfriend (am waiting for the day when I can show the finger to all those well-meaning “friends” who predicted doom and said long distance relationships don’t last), I am almost back to my usual self and am ready to report for regular blogging duty.

I am still catching up on the beauty scene so don’t expect anything from me on new trends and news ( Beaut.ie does a great job of it so go look there). I do have stuff to report from the Quest for Clear Skin Battle Front though. In brief:

My Favourite Things: Clarins Facials

This review has been a long time coming. And it's made it all the way into my list of Favourite Things.

The first time I ever started going for facials was only just last year, about three months prior to my wedding. Sad, but true. I've never been for a facial before that.

After considering several options, I decided to give Clarins' a try. And boy, am I in love!

A little note here before we continue that this won't be a detailed post about the facials I've gone for, but my experience in general and the results, which have been fantastic.

So like I said, I only started going for facials about three months prior to my wedding last August, so you can imagine it would have been one heck of a marathon to get my skin in top form, and it was. Of course, I'm not complaining about the fortnightly facial pleasures I had back then.

The options

Unlike most saloons where you decide what skin problem you want to tackle (ie. acne/ hydration/ freckles etc), then sign up for a facial package, Clarins kind of goes the other way around. You can either pick a one-off facial session, or sign up for a package.

Then every time you go for a session, the uhh... facialist, will help you choose what treatment you need most urgently, depending on your skin condition at the present time. Of course, however, me being me, I sometimes override her suggestions anyway and just go for what I want. And she usually obliges. Because she's nice like that. (More on my facialist later.)

My favourite, by far, is Truly Matte from Mogok. Having oily skin, this works great as a deep cleansing treatment, and tackles the problem of having oily and pimple-prone skin.

The only other one I've tried is Whitening from the Alps, which I used to help brighten up my skintone, on that last visit before the big day.

Can't say much about the rest here, although you can read what Kahani has to say about Hydration from Madagascar here.

The experience


What I really love about these facials is the fact that their treatment focus is on the hands. There are no fancy or elaborate machines. Everything the facialist does, she uses her hands, which really feels incredibly soft. The cleansing milk, cleanser, scrub, mask, serum etc. goes on, gets massaged in, wiped off, repeat. Pretty much along those lines.

What I also like is that they're not big on extraction, which I sometimes feel can do more harm than good to one's face.

The facial also comes with a shoulder, hands and head massage - which seems like a pretty good deal to me. At the end of the session, I feel incredibly relaxed, and my skin feels uber happy.

Here I'd like to add a little note. I've pretty much had all my facials done by the same girl - Corinne (Midvalley Metrojaya counter) and she's been very lovely. She's very professional and after so many sessions, she seems more of a friend already. This is not an endorsement, but more of a personal recommendation based on my own experience.

The results

After three months, my skin was at its all-time best. It was clear, it was glowy, it was pretty much problem free. I was incredibly happy. I think the photos below will be able to say enough.

Photo taken in Dec 2008 - before this and before facials. I've selected both photos with makeup, because my skin condition is evident even with makeup on. And my makeup application is generally light. Just powder foundation and blush for a base.

Photo taken Oct 2009 - after facials. Makeup would generally only be powder foundation, blush and lipbalm/lipstick.

Cost


Of course, good things in life never come cheap. But you can try to save some cash even while you're having a good time. Clarins has two set of prices - their counter prices and their boutique prices. For example: Counters charge RM148 for a 45min session for Truly Matte, while their boutiques charge RM208 (I believe) for 60mins of the same treatment.

I've never tried the boutique but I'm perfectly happy with the ones the counters have been providing. Also ask the beauty therapist if they are having any promotions/packages to help you further save. Clarins is currently having a buy-4-facials-free-4-eye treatment package, which I exchanged for a buy-4-free-1 facial package. That cost me RM592, which averages out to be about RM118 per session. Not cheap still, but worth it, in my opinion.

Conclusion

So anyway. After the wedding, since I already had glowing skin and all (and since funds were running a little short), I figured I could manage my skin on my own right? Not quite. It's been about 8 months since the wedding, and my skin has gone shites. So there. I'm back at Clarins for my monthly pleasure.

And it looks much happier already.

Review: Clarins HydraQuench Cream Mask

About once a week I give myself a mini-facial at home. I deep cleanse, scrub, apply a clay mask and follow up with a hydrating mask. Not only is it an indulgent beauty ritual, I find it leaves my skin clear and happy going into the week. Since I got this mask to try from Clarins, I've been using this as my hydrating mask.

Although it's a thick cream it hasn't broken me out - for which I'm grateful. You apply a layer that's thick enough for a even coat of white and after about 15 minutes you'll notice that some of it has disappeared. According to Clarins, this means your skin was dehydrated and it's absorbed the mask.

The mask contains hyaluronic acid, katafray bark for hydration and sobier bud for circulation. But honestly, all it really seems to do is hydrate. Nothing else.

It smells lovely actually, not too strong, faintly of roses and vanilla. Normally I'd hate such a scent but the mask actually smells soothing, cosy and spa-y.

Conclusion
At RM135 per tube, I certainly won't be repurchasing this. For dry skinned gals though I can see how it may be a god-send. But as my skin really isn't dry at all, I use so little that this large tube of 75ml will last me quite awhile. Still, for all it does - hydrate - I'm sure I can find a cheaper alternative. I wish it whitened, de-wrinkled... ANYTHING other than merely hydrate.

What's your favourite hydrating mask? Recommendations please?

For the review of this mask by a dry-skinned babe, check out Connie's.

Monday's beauty bits: Clarins Hydration From Madagascar Facial Review + Kahani's DIY at home facial

I have a confession to make, my review of the Clarins facial isn't as thorough as I'd like because 5 min into the relaxing facial I was in the zone and my brain was happily purring to itself instead of taking note. So I thought I'd bundle the quick review of the facial with my quick and easy DIY weekly facial.

Clarins Hydration From Madagascar Facial
Why Madagascar? Because the power ingredient in the hydrating products used is katafray bark extract from Madagascar. The extract is meant to increase the hydrating factor.

I've been into hydrating treatments since discovering ~H2O Face Oasis would actually decrease my skin's oiliness. I reason it's because less dehydrated skin feels less of an urge to overproduce oil. So I was delighted with Clarins managed to organise a facial session for me and give me three products from their new Hydration Range to try. They were super sweet and organised it on my day off!

Before the facial Clarins measured my hydration level. At first go, I registered as 'highly dehydrated' (18) to their delight. Then I convinced them to clean off some of my powder foundation and try again. To their dismay, my skin was well hydrated at (40) - the higher end of 'normal'.

Clarins facials are legendarily relaxing - incorporating massage and eschewing painful things like physicial extraction. So after the initial tense-and-relax excercises and bried foot massage I was happily tuned out.

My impression of the facial was - slather on mask/serum/oil/cleanser, wipe off, massage, and repeat for an hour! The facialist was quiet, gentle and professional.
The result of the facial was hydrated happy skin. Measured by the machine I registered as 'hydrated' with a score of 45.

in conclusion, the facial would be a god-send for dry skinned gals. Myself, although I had no breakouts, felt it was a bit rich for my oily skin. I would love to try their cleansing facials though!

At RM198 a session it is pricey. But it's cheaper (if shorter) at smaller Clarins outlets, and packages exist.

My DIY facial for oily acne-prone skin
This is not particularly relaxing or even pampering, but it is great for my skin. After a hard week my skin looks dull and clogged. This routine leaves it glowing, pores clear and closed, and absolutely no breakouts after. It also helps clear existing breakouts. And it's breathtakingly quick and easy.

1. Scrub & deep cleanse - 5-10 min
Cleanse skin of all makeup and then use an exfoliating mask. The aspirin mask is great for this. I use Soap & Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It. Rinse off with gentle scrubbing motions, use a toner (I use Clinique's Clarifying Lotion 2), and then...

2. Detox with clay mask - 15-20 mins
Suck out that excess oil and toxins with a great clay mask. My fave is, of course, Himalaya Herbals Neem Mask but any cleansing clay mask is great. Rinse off massaging the wet mask gently into skin, use toner and then...

3. Hydrating mask - 10-15 min
Slap on a hydrating mask of your choice. Right now I'm in love with Clinique's Derma White Brightening Moisture Mask (review coming up). Other great options are Neutrogena's hydrating mask, Clarins hydrating mask, or a thicker application of ~H2O+ Face Oasis / Clinique Moisture Surge Extra (review also on its way). Massage into skin, tissue off, or cleanse with water when done, and...

4. Finish
Apply a light moisturiser and use light makeup or try and give your skin a break from makeup for the day. Or as long as possible.

DONE!

Easy yes? And if you don't use sheet masks, you can potter around doing laundry and housework. Weekends are precious after all and I won't waste a minute of it.

What's your fave facial routine?