L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream

It’s no secret but I am an eye cream junkie. Nope, I am not going to bore you with how delicate the eye area is and signs of aging always show up there etc etc ( Opps, slip of mouth here). Anyway, yes I have been testing out more budget friendly eyecreams and am pleased to say this L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Cream is currently on the editor’s testing board.

With 8 natural lifters, this eye cream reduces the appearance of wrinkles and gives skin that much needed lift while firming up the delicate eye area. It also promises a more toned and even eye area plus building up its resiliency.

I first started off with this about a month ago when I ran out of my usual regenerist eye. So far so good with this yellow hued eye cream. It does take a while to be absorbed into the eye area though. But I love the way it really nourishes and puffs up my tired and sunken eyes. With regards to its line control abilities, this does nothing on deeper lines but it does soften the appearance of finer squint lines. (You’ll need more hardcore regimes for lines actually, like botox for example).

Verdict: Good hydrator for the eye area, this does give eyes a lift to once a creased and crepey eyelid. Unless you desire a permanent lift, I would say there’s always Revitalift (pun so intended).

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Eye Cream retails at S$25.90 at all Major Departmental Stores.

L’Oreal UV Perfect Longlasting UVA/UVB Protector

It’s been quite a saucy month lately as the sun has been vigilant in baking innocent columnists (me for an example). Sparking up my usual panic for SPF, I had recently purchased two tubes of this L’Oreal UV Perfect Longlasting UVA/UVB Protector  as a strike at sun damage. (I do admit I somehow got suckered into this due to Fan Bingbing being the ambassador).

With SPF 50+/PA +++ protection factors, Mexoryl SX and XL Block. This sun block works by forming a shield against the sunrays for up to 12 hours of protection. It’s a pretty intelligent sunblock in my opinion as it also contains Detoxyl to prevent skin from dulling and Activa-Cell (powerful antioxidants) that further shield the skin from free radicals and pollutants from fixing themselves onto the skin’s surface.

Oh this is a heaven to use when I have like 10 minutes to scoot out of my house!( I blame this on sleep debt). I normally skip moisturizer when I have this on as its very creamy and thick. I love how comfortable skin feels after smoothing it on plus it leaves skin looking dewy after application. No streaking or embarrassing white marks when you perspire with this one.

Pros: It’s a good makeup base and great for days when you don’t want to pile on like 5 layers of product excluding foundation. Skin is left unscathed as no darkening was spotted with this one after a day in the sun (do trust my stringent testing measures). (PS: I adore the Anti-Dullness purple shaded version of this sun block as it really illuminates the skin. Remember my color-correcting tip? Purple= illuminating, Green = tone down redness).

Cons: The dewy finish may look greasy if you are too heavy handed with this product. But just dust a layer of loose powder over and all is well. Does cause some little pimples if left on for more then 12 hours.

Verdict: Value for money, travel sized and a total time saving product. Recommended for Groomies who are fans of multitasking products, this one is for you.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

L’Oreal UV Perfect Longlasting UVA/UVB Protector (Comes in 3 shades, Normal, Anti-Dullness and Even Complexion) retails at S$22.90 at all Watsons Stores.

L’Oreal Paris White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Night Cream

I was digging amongst the drawers of desire lately. It’s a beautiful place like Carrie Bradshaw’s closet in the SATC movie where every tube and bottle of promise is placed lovingly on velvet shelves. I do admit I am guilty of hoarding but which editor isn’t? Ahem* Yes, back to review, the L’Oreal Paris White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Night Cream.

A night cream that is reduces melanin (that peppery pigment that colors you dull). It brightens skin with Melanin-Vanish and banishes that awful yellow sheen on skin replacing it with a rosy glow thanks to the Tourmaline gemstone (this boosts skin circulation = better circulation equals glow, no rocket science to it)

I bought this when I was halfway through the tube of the L’oreal White Perfect Essence during the bounce back from the darkness phase (honestly there should be a claim for sunburn, I’ll be laughing to the bank yearly). A light textured purple cream that smells a little copperish (could be the gems in it), it feels soufflé light on skin (the bestie M calls it Crème de Velvet.) and somehow it managed to break the whitening plateau I experienced during week 2 and help boost my skin brightening efforts back to my shade of light toffee. (M.A.C NC 40).

It’s a rather gentle product, as I did not outbreak in hives or acne during its 4-week tenure on the testing board. My only gripe with this is its moisturizing levels could be improved, as it feels a little inadequate during the mid week period when stress and dehydration hits me (that’s when the Laneige Sleeping Pack comes in, review coming soon).

Verdict: Recommended for the groomie who needs that extra lift and boost in the glow department. This is a good whitening moisturizer to implement during the summer months where we naturally turn a shade darker. 黄脸婆’s rejoice.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

L’Oreal Paris White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Night Cream retails at S$25.90 at all Major Departmental Stores

L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème with Pro-Keratin Hair Color

I am a victim of graying. Nope, I’m not with some scientology movement or new age religion that has me twirling in robes of silver. Its grey hair I am talking about, and I find myself cheating behind my hairstylist’s well apron-ed back with this L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème with Pro-Keratin Hair Color whenever I am in the need for that last minute cover-up (Surprise meetings at the coven or that odd birthday party your frenemy is throwing. Joke!).

L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème is permanent hair color (no turning back, unless you dye it black groomies) that comes with a special tube of protective serum to help shield your sensitized hair ends from damage (Stroking my imaginary waist long locks while writing this). With up to 100% grey coverage, it also comes with a small bottle of conditioner to ease and defrizz your treated locks.

Throughout all my DIY experience (which is not too many as I rather have someone do it for me, sounds so wrong though but you do get the picture right?), Excellence is truly a dream dye to use as it has a rather thick consistency and does not drip easily (I was bobbing to Beyonce while waiting for the color to develop). Just apply it in with the comb applicator attached (great for long hair), leave on for 30 minutes and rinse out. Do use the conditioning treatment that comes with it as it does leave hair smelling amazing and “cashmere like” soft. Unlike other DIY hair products, this hair color did not give me any form of scalp irritation (well the box did say gentle formulation) and that alone is one of the reasons I hoard like 2 boxes of this in the “drawers of desire”.

Verdict: Recommended for groomies who are looking for a home colorant or seeking a product to lose their  “virgin hair color experience” to. Excellence is a rich deep even colorant that is gentle on the scalp and hair ends, perfectly safe to be “ used in the nude and I am not trying to be crude” when a little bit of covering up is required.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

L’Oreal Paris Excellence Crème with Pro-Keratin Hair Color retails at S$18.90 at all Watson Outlets

L’oreal Perfect Slim Lifting Pro

Hello again groomies, C’est moi (its me) the grooming editor with another cellulite fat blasting treat. As a victim of “loose bitch syndrome” due to a slight weight loss in the past year, I found myself testing out various body shaping, tightening and anti stretch mark products round the clock, day and night in a desperate attempt to look “tightened and taut” in the day. I was using the soap & glory slimwear prior to this but instead of repurchasing, I found myself itching for a separate product and winded up with the L’oreal Perfect Slim Lifting Pro instead.

A slimming and firming gel containing Caffeine and Pro Elastin, these two ingredients work in tandem with each other to break down lipid chains and encourage fat deterioration while stimulating the skin’s natural elastin (read this as elasticity) while preventing its degradation for a firmer and tauter silhouette. Just apply the gel and roll the duo massaging heads over targeted areas to help massage and break down fat.

I like to apply this pinkish citrusy gel first thing in the morning/night after a shower with small circular strokes to aid absorption. Much to my dismay, no tingling or burning sensation with this one as once it got absorbed (its my instant gratification feel good factor). In regards to the roller massaging head, this tool works by actually pinching the skin up into a tiny tent to enhance blood circulation and dislodge whatever cellulite within the veins. Nope, it did not hurt and I did notice that over a good 2 weeks, the rolling certainly did add that lil perk back into the bum department. Pros and cons about this product? It really does give a firmer and less water retention looking legs sans cellulite (read this as lightened but not disappeared) but did nothing for the tummy department.(which still looked like I’m mildly bloated).

L’oreal Perfect Slim Lifting Pro retails at S$39 at all Guardian/Watsons stores.

Verdict: A good one for the bikini season, it’s a leg enhancer in a bottle. Recommended for groomies who desire “flaunt worthy” lower halves.

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

L’oreal White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Radiance Boosting Double Essence

I sometimes can’t believe how far I would go to become a fairer gentleman. Dip myself in a vat of acid? Yes please if it does remove freckles and age spots. Jokes aside, I honestly admit I can’t get any fairer but I do maintain my glow with L’oreal White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Radiance Boosting Double Essence.

It comes in a duo chamber tube dispenser and once the nozzle is depressed, the two essences are  (I am tempted to say ejaculated but it sounds so wrong) dispensed and activated upon mixing them together. Rich in tourmaline gemstone (the gem that kickstarts skin’s circulation) and Melanin-Vanish (the lightening agent), this essence will lighten and brighten skin leaving it with a pinkish glow while reducing the yellow swallow tone common in most asian skin types.

Well, this was my go to essence after my charred sunburnt reservist experience way back in March. It smells rather acidic but its light gel texture absorbs into skin seamlessly and all I needed was 3 pumps each night coupled the night cream and I was back to my usual shade of MAC NC 40 by week 3. However in a strange way, I seemed to have hit a lightening plateau with it once I hit week 4, instead of whitening I would say it helps to maintain the glow and natural shade I was born in (aka MAC NC 40). Plus side to this serum is the glycolic acid in it somehow helped to gently exfoliate my skin leaving it visibly smoother to touch. No breakouts or nasty reactions to this, I would label it as a gentle product for whitening enthusiasts. However, do use a sunblock in the day with this one due to its acidic nature.

Verdict: It lightens and brightens the groomie to the shade they were born with. Once the plateau has been reach, its brightening effects will vanish (pun not intended). It maintains the hard work that it has done but it won’t leave you blushing pink under the sun.

L’oreal White Perfect Transparent Rosy Whitening Radiance Boosting Double Essence retails at S$34.90 at all Major Departmental Stores

Signing Off
The Grooming Editor

L’Oreal Renewal Lash Serum

Sometimes, I swear I hear products speak to me while I do my weekly walkabouts in Watsons. I was searching for mascara for a rather impromptu photo shoot the next day when L’Oreal’s Renewal Lash Serum caught my attention. “ I am perfect for you, your eyelashes are so perfect for using me!” it said. This translated to,“ Use me! You whom possess the crappiest short and sparse lashes.”

The lash serum promises more fortified and thicker lashes with ingredients like Arginine and Centella with consistent application under day (under mascara for ladies and men who are metro-sexual) and night. Such promising statements I liberally slathered the white viscous serum on my lashes and woke up naively next morning expecting to see lashes that Jennifer Lopez would approve. This disappointing morning inspection continued for a good while. And tempted as I was, i wanted to banish the serum off the testing board for being a useless product. However, I stuck to it like glue and miraculously I noticed results after 3 weeks! There were baby lashes growing on the bald patch on the inner corners of my eyes! Perhaps I did not notice them in the second week due to their transparent colouring but when week 4 came by, my bestie thought I was wearing falsies (okay that is a lie) but I honestly felt the overall lash line did look somewhat thicker and obvious. While there was no significant difference in the length of my lashes, any significant improvement is always appreciated!

On a side note, this lash serum works great as an eyelash primer. During my photo shoot I applied this two coats of this serum on a model and it does help non-waterproof volumizing mascara glide on much smoother while enhancing the plumping effect of the mascara.

Le Verdict: a good investment for the disbelieving person who wants thicker fuller lashes, it breathed a slight improvement to my pathetic lashes but imagine the miracles it could perform on normal lashes. I do advise a dose of patience with this product.

Signing off
The Grooming Editor