Review: Skin Care: Kanebo Impress Emulsion moisturizer

The Kanebo Impress Emulsion 2 is going to be my holy grail of night moisturizers. This is the final step in the basic skincare regime of double moisturizing and follows the Kanebo Impress Lotion.

I test drove this moisturizer in 2 conditions. The first time was while I was on holiday. I was out in the sun during the day, and in a hotel at night. Both situations are very drying and my hands and feet suffered the effects. However, my face never looked better! Granted, I was test driving the whole Kanebo Impress skin care line at the time, but it was really wow! I was already pretty impressed at this stage.

The second time I tried it was after I had a bad breakout after using some cream that did not agree with my face. After bringing the breakout under control and returning to my Kanebo Blanchir skin care line, I came upon another sachet of the Kanebo Impress Emulsion 2 and thought to give it another go, but this time, I only used it at night. In 4 days, my skin was glowing and radiant and never looking better!

I knew I’d found my holy grail night moisturizer. I like the Kanebo Blanchir Milky Conditioner for the day because its light and non oily. For the night however, although the Blanchir Night Conditioner is nice and all, I found something lacking in it, possibly because I sleep in an air-conditioned room which can be drying. Kanebo Impress Emulsion 2 seems to be the answer.

The Emulsion comes in 2 types:

• Kanebo Impress Emulsion 1 - Fresh for Normal and Combination skin
• Kanebo Impress Emulsion 2- Moist and Smooth for Normal to Dry skin

The emulsion is white liquid with a viscous texture. I find that very little is needed because it spreads very easily and then you help it adhere with the Adhesive application method. As an example, a 2g sachet lasted me about 4 to 5 uses and that is saying a lot!

Prolonged use of the Impress Emulsion is supposed to help with coarse and dry skin and to refine the skin and help it retain moisture. From personal experience, I can say it does all this and more. My skin is radiant (even my facialist commented on it) and my pores are much less noticable.

Even when I do my makeup, I find I only need some concealer and light powder foundation and I have as close to flawless skin as I can get. It is pretty amazing for me because its been years since I’ve had anything resembling flawless skin.

I also tested the Impress Emulsion 1 which has a lighter texture. However, I did not find it moisturising enough for me and I prefer the suppleness of the skin after using Emulsion 2.

So, whats the price of radiant close-to-flawless skin? RM380 for a 100ml bottle. Ouch? Very. I’m going to wait till I’ve used up my Blanchir night conditioner before I switch over to this Impress Emulsion. It’ll give me time to set aside the money in the meantime and I’m consoling myself with the fact that it will last me a long while if used only at night because only so little is really needed.

Pros: Effect of radiant skin, reduced pore size, better skin texture
Cons: Expensive

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Review: Skin Care: Kanebo Impress Lotion

The Kanebo Impress Lotion comes in what is commonly known as the toning step. In the Impress line it is known as the first step of double moisturizing. In Kanebo skincare, there is double cleansing and double moisturizing. The Lotion acts as the first layer of moisturizer.

The Impress Lotion comes in 2 formulas:

• Kanebo Impress Lotion 1- normal and combination skin (Fresh)
• Kanebo Impress Lotion 2- normal to dry skin (Moist and Smooth)

I test drove the Impress Lotion 1. The texture is quite different from the Kanebo Blanchir Whitening Clear Conditioner which I am used to. The Blanchir Clear Conditioner is very liquid and soaks into a cotton pad quite easily. The Impress Lotion however is more viscous and less watery.

Pour some into a cotton pad, soaking about 60% of the pad and pat lightly over the face. For Impress skincare however, there is a specific method of application called the “Adhesive application method“. You can read the specifics on their website. Essentially, what you do is lightly press the cotton pad on your skin to apply the lotion all over the face, then with your palm and fingertips, lightly apply pressure to help the lotion “adhere” to the skin.

I love my Blanchir Clear Conditioner but this one takes the cake! My skin immediately feels soft and dewy and prolonged use is supposed to help refine the skin and reduce and treat problems like coarse skin or dry skin, to leave the complexion looking clear and radiant.

I briefly tested the Impress Lotion 2 and the difference lies in the texture. Lotion 2 is even more viscous than Lotion 1 and I can imagine would be wonderful for dry skin because it feels very moist.

There is a light fragrance that doesn’t bother me. The setback however, is the price. The Kanebo Impress Lotion retails for RM330 for 150ml, at Kanebo International Salons and Kanebo cosmetic counters at Isetan only for now (Malaysia).

Pros: Makes skin feel soft and dewy

Cons: Very expensive

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Review: Skin Care: Kanebo Impress Creamy Soap

Don’t be misled by the name. The Kanebo Impress Creamy Soap is not soap, although it is a creamy facial cleanser. This is the second step in double-cleansing and follows the Impress Cleansing Cream.

The cream feels light and it spreads well and lathers up well. There is a light fragrance which doesn’t bother me. I found that after washing my face, my skin felt smooth and soft, but a little tight. It was a bit of a strange feeling after the suppleness that the Cleansing Cream left me with.

Other than the nice creamy texture that feels lovely and the fact that it rinses off well, I don’t think I’ll be spending too much money on this cleanser. I personally find that most cheaper cleansers work as well for me.

This Impress Creamy Soap retails for RM168 at Kanebo Salons and Kanebo counters at Isetan department store only for now (Malaysia).

Pros: Nice creamy texture, cleans skin well

Cons: Skin felt a little tight, Expensive

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Review: Skin Care: Kanebo Impress Cleansing Cream

The Kanebo Impress Cleansing Cream is the first step of cleansing. It operates like a cleansing oil in that its primary purpose is to clean the skin of makeup and impurities. Like a cleansing oil, you use it with dry hands and a dry face.

The texture of the cleansing cream is that of an emollient cream and it spreads very easily. You then massage the skin gently to remove your makeup and sunscreen and you will find the cream turning into an oil consistency in a relatively short time. This is rather unlike the Kanebo Cleansing Gel which has a thicker consistency and takes longer to soften.

I liked the Impress cleansing cream because it is easy to tote around. Anyone who has had to tote cleansing oils around when you travel will know how inconvenient it can get because of the danger of spillage.

Secondly, I loved how my skin felt after using the cleansing cream. It felt soft and smooth and was not drying at all. In fact, my skin even felt slightly moisturised. Once rinsed off, I could immediately feel that my skin was clean and clear and just waiting to receive the benefits of the lotion and emulsion!

It is pricey though at RM188 for 125g of product. However, due to its texture you only use quite little compared to other forms of cleansing oils. You can read about the Kanebo Impress Cleansing Cream on the Kanebo Impress website (English). Kanebo Impress can be purchased at Kanebo International Salons and Kanebo cosmetic counters at Isetan only for now in Malaysia.

Pros: Skin feels clean and clear, Not drying, easy to carry around

Cons: Expensive

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