Although it does not feel heavy when you first dispense the product, I find that it does feel slightly heavy on my face. As I have dry skin, I actually find this (I use shade #21) to be adequate in terms of hydration, but again, the staying power is so-so. It can smear with humidity (I live in Toronto which is mostly dry). I used this in the winter time and I find that sometimes it tends to smear half way through the day even though I do not have oily skin.

Hot on the Avon trail, I also bought the Avon ANEW CLINICAL Advanced Dermabrasion System (US$28.00/CAD$35.00), which is like a professional scrub. I read very good reviews on makeup boards so this can’t possibly go wrong.

I like the dial system – you can work up to 4 levels so your skin doesn’t get too used to the same intensity. The first level basically is very fine and the fourth level is much coarser and strong. I do like the texture of the product – it’s kind of like soft pumice on your face basically – and even on my sensitive skin, I had no adverse reaction to the product and did not even feel any tingle at all.

Because alumina is the main ingredient (feels like pumice) in this product and in most other similar products, Avon ANEW CLINICAL Advanced Dermabrasion System is actually quite a steal. I find that it doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin.

After finishing my jar of Force Extra Triple Lifting Night Cream, I decided to try another night cream in the Anew range. The Alternative line has no age limit, and because I am using the Anew line only to keep my skin bright and clear without major problems such as wrinkles or hyperpigmentation, I thought I would give Alternative Intensive Age Treatment a try.

This product is slightly more expensive than the Force Extra cream, but not by much. You get 50ml (1.7oz) for US$32.00 (CAD$39.00). Again, I bought it on sale which is a good deal.

This cream is supposedly a fusion product that incorporates Eastern herbs with “advanced Western technology”. (I have to chuckle at that because most of the Japanese products are much more advanced than ‘Western’ technology) Many reviewers mentioned a ‘nauseating’ odor, which made me a bit nervous, but when I used it, I did not find it that strong. Again, that’s probably because I am using IOPE and Sulwhasoo, the fragrances are pretty heavy in those products so everything else kind of pales in comparison.

The texture is slightly lighter than the Force Extra cream. It was supposed to get rid of dark spots and restore ‘youthful contours’ of your face. As my skin is very firm, I cannot give feedback on the lifting claims, but while it does keep my skin clear just like Force Extra, it did not seem to get rid of a few small freckles I have, that are not even that dark or severe.

Being a huge fan of anything Maquillage, I am always excited to see new items that come out every new season. Since Spring is just around the corner, a new line of base makeup for Spring/Summer has been launched: 8 Hours Keep, a long wearing base makeup line that promises touch-up free makeup for up to 8 hours.

Laneige’s point makeup products are among my favorites. If I have to pick one item that I like the most out of all the Laneige makeup products, it would be the Snow Crystal Moisture Lipstick.

I love the light texture – it does not feel heavy on your lips and yet it provides very lasting hydration. I would say it reminds me of Shiseido The Makeup’s lipstick (Shiseido’s still the best though).

This foundation is basically the same as Moisture Lighting Foundation (the oil free version is the same as Clear Lighting Foundation). Again, like the makeup base, there is no noticeable difference between this new version and the old line. Just a name change and a slight change in packaging – that’s all.

The coverage is medium and is buildable. However, the lasting power is lacking – unlike Maquillage’s foundations which don’t require touch-ups (unless you have super oily skin), this one will smear a bit, even on my dry, non-oily skin. I also find most Korean base makeup to be slightly on the heavy side, with a bit too much pink, which always gives you the white face yellow neck look. I also find that the #21 in this Skin Veil formula is a tiny bit lighter and more pink than before as well.

The famous makeup artist (and one of my personal favorites) Bobbi Brown once mentioned in her book, that skintone correcting primers are not a good idea. And after using both shades from the Laneige base makeup range, I understand completely what she meant.

When I bought this, I forgot that “Twin Pact” in Korean products usually means it’s full coverage. This is exactly that – a full coverage foundation pact. Although it is part of the new Snow Crystal line, it is basically the same as Fitting Day Cake or the Star White Twin Cake, both of which were discontinued a few years ago.

The Satin Finish Twin Pact contains Ceramide repair water which hydrates your skin. Although I have dry skin, I find this product very oily. The coverage is super thick and cakey, leaving you with a severe mask-like appearance. Even though my skin is dry and dehydrated, this product left my normally matte skin very oily and it smeared. I was not impressed with this product at all. All I wanted was a sheer powder pact but I guess this is really meant for heavy duty stuff!

This is the second version of Maquillage liquid foundation I have used (the other one being the Flawless Skin Liquid), and it is just as fabulous. This is the Spring/Summer version and comes with a stronger SPF (28 A++), with a very thin, light texture.

While many Japanese foundations are great, this one lasts all day and yet it is so light, it does not feel like you are wearing foundation. It lasts through sweat, humidity and heat. I cannot stress enough how awesome the texture it, and how natural the shade is. I have the OC20 shade.

The coverage is light to medium, and is super blendable. For summer, this is the best foundation I have used and I will continue to buy Maquillage base products as long as they are around!

SKII, the pioneer in cloth essence sheet masks, has another breakthrough product that is very buzz-worthy – a new disc mask that literally melts right into your skin!

This program consists of 3 pieces – 2 Whitening Source Melting Essence Films and 1 Whitening Source Derm Revival Mask, which goes on top of the melting flims. Each of the discs contains 7 drops(!) of Whitening Source DermDefinition, and dissolves onto your skin in just 15 minutes.

As sad as I was that Kanebo had discontinued T’estimo more than a year ago, I was not too worried because as we know, most of these J-brand cosmetics come and go. As some old favorites are retired, new, bigger and better things always come along. Think PN by Shiseido – it was great, but now, everybody loves Maquillage!

Coffret D’or is a fairly new makeup brand by Kanebo. Where T’estimo was more or less a point-makeup line, Coffret D’or is a full makeup line with base makeup, point makeup (eyes, cheeks and lips) and nail color. The packaging is far more luxurious and grand than T’estimo, true to Kanbeo fashion.

As if the products alone aren’t attractive enough, 5 very popular Japanese actresses adorn this brand. My favorite of the bunch is Takako Tokiwa, who looks 10 years younger than her 35 years.

After having great experience with the Force Extra night cream, I wanted to try out the other Anew products. Another well-reviewed product, Avon ANEW CLINICAL Advanced Retexturizing Peel was exactly what I needed – since I don’t have the time to go for professional exfoliation.

Even though I bought this at full price (CAD$35.00 or US$25.00), I thought it was worth every penny. It does tingle a lot in the beginning so if you have sensitive skin like mine, it’s best to wait 15 minutes after you wash and dry your face before using this. I have almost instant results – my skin got much clearer after just one use (practically the next morning), and you are supposed to use this every other day. I used it every other day with my first jar, and after that, I only use it occasionally.

I am on my third jar now and I think this is my holy grail of treatment products!

I was never an Avon girl, and never had much interest in its products, but I was looking for a night cream with AHA that will keep my skin clear and radiant. After researching online for user reviews, I decided to give Avon ANEW FORCE EXTRA Triple Lifting Night Cream a try.

Luckily for me, it was on sale at the time, and I paid only CAD$11.00 with free shipping for this item. Like most AHA products, it gave my sensitive skin a tingle that lasted a few minutes, which my skin slowly adjusted to. The Force Extra line is for 35+ skin, and although I still have a couple of years before I hit that age bracket, the good reviews won me over.