Happy Saturday Ladies!
What ‘cha up to this weekend? I have to run a few errands but I have a spa lined up later today which I am hoping will be better than the most recent experience I had!
After all the rain and cool weather we had in the past few months, the sun has been blistering HOT in the day lately! Just nicely, we have here 4 brands with new launches for their whitening or brightening skincare and some quick immediate thoughts I have on them, and my quick answer to some queries on using whitening skincare below 🙂
Vichy Bi-White Deep Cell-Whitening Spot Intervention
A targeted spot treatment from Vichy Laboratoires so you only use it on the problem areas not all over your face. What this product is supposed to do is to arrest the melanin at the cellular level to control melanin production. The better it is controlled, the less dark spots or the lighter spots become. You can use it to reduce the appearance of dark spots (pigmentation) or acne scars too. Hypoallergenic and Paraben-free and said to be suitable for sensitive skin. I’ve been working on this for a while now but unfortunately the difference may be too minute for me to notice.
Prices: Vichy Bi-White Deep Cell-Whitening Spot Intervention retails at RM99/15ml
Clarins White Plus HP Whitening Repairing Night Cream
Clarins introduces their new night cream in the White Plus HP range which is an addition to the present White Plus HP line. This time, other than Sea Lily, the cream is also enriched with daisy extract to control and slow down the production of melanin at night and to combat the stresses and UV effects of the day. Use at night after cleansing, toning, and serum (if used). Tested this on the back of my hand and it feels lovely and light on the skin and absorbs quickly plus the scent is quite intriguing 🙂
Prices: Clarins White Plus HP Whitening Repairing Night Cream retails at RM240/50ml
Laneige White Plus Renew whitening range
The Laneige White Plus Renew whitening skincare range is boosted with the inclusion of White Plus Renew Foam Cleanser, White Plus Renew Eye Protector SPF12 PA+ and White Plus Renew Daily Protection Cream SPF36 PA++ This time, the focus is on what Laneige calls “the apple zone” which is the eye and cheek area. Smile! Now you know why they call it the apple zone 🙂 The focus on the apple zone is because the skin there is supposed to be thinner and is more prone to dark spots and pigmentation. Personally, I find that the truth! I started getting freckles there and my pigmentation spots are also concentrated on my cheekbones. Perhaps the Laneige White Plus Renew range would be the solution to turn me back into Snow White? 😉 The star product, the White Plus Renew Essence might. The products actually smell quite lovely and not too strong. The day cream is the one that really got my attention because it at once feels light on my skin yet creamy. The high SPF isn’t shabby either.
Prices: The Laneige White Plus Renew Eye Protector SPF 12 PA+ retails at RM125/6.5ml and the White Plus Renew Daily Protection Cream SPF36 PA++ retails at RM165/50ml. Price of foam cleanser unavailable for now.
Diorsnow White Reveal Whitening Skincare range
The Diorsnow White Reveal range has been around a while. This time, they have revamped some of the products and there are some additions to the line, notably the Diorsnow BB Creme that I’ll tell you about later 🙂 For now, the new items in the Diorsnow skincare line are the White Reveal Essence DNA Control, White Reveal Fresh Creme (day cream), DNA Reverse White Reveal Strengthening Cream (night) and White Reveal Instant Spot Corrector SPF50. From the references to DNA, you can tell that Dior too is targeting the formation of melanin at the most basic level. I’ve tested a little of the White Reveal Strengthening Night Cream and have found the texture a little surprising. It feels thick and does not spread very well. However, it promises that you will wake up to brighter skin. Perhaps my bleary eyes in the morning was tricking me, but my skin seemed a little brighter in the morning. But its too soon to tell 🙂
Prices: The Diorsnow White Reveal Essence DNA Control retails at RM400/50ml, White Reveal Fresh Creme (day cream) retails at RM290/50ml, DNA Reverse White Reveal Strengthening Cream (night) retails at RM310/50ml and White Reveal Instant Spot Corrector SPF50 retails at RM165/15ml.
My quick thoughts on using whitening skincare
I have been asked recently if I use whitening skincare all the time or if I mix and match. My answer is that I mix and match (and I’ve explained my reasons before). I do realize that if you are really concerned about brightening or whitening, and essentially, looking fairer, then you should use a full line of whitening products. Layering every product in the range will increase its whitening properties and let you achieve your goal faster.
I have gone down that route before but these days, I don’t have that much concern anymore. I concentrate on anti-aging skincare in general but when I use a whitening product, I stick to the serums or essences which are more potent and therefore work more quickly, and a whitening night cream. If I really have spots to lighten (e.g. when I pick at a pimple – do not do this kids! 😛 ), I add on a spot treatment to lighten the marks from my itchy fingers. Oh and of course, I’m never without sunscreen. I also tend to go for whitening skincare after a bout in the sun e.g. a beach holiday or a holiday somewhere hot.
Have you used whitening or brightening skincare before? Do you use it at all and is it a primary concern for you? 🙂 Many whitening products can also be used to help lighten acne scars or marks so its not all about whitening your skin to look like Snow White! 😀
Happy Weekend everyone!
Paris B
xin says
March 19, 2011 at 9:36 amU know what, I think one of the above really brightens up my skin. Can see more even skintone
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:24 pmI find in general, if I’m hardworking and use these as part of a routine, I do see my skintone evening out. Its not all bollocks 😛 But some just take a longer time than others to work 🙂
Hanny says
March 19, 2011 at 10:25 amNever tried whitening products before. Somehow I’m not really concerned about getting fairer. Which I should, because most people go wide-eyed and awed when I speak Chinese (they mistake me for being another race, no offense to others, that is). *sighs*. I’m just happy that my current routine keeps the breakouts away. 🙂
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:26 pmUsing whitening products is a very personal thing I feel. So long as we are comfortable in our skin, who cares what others think 🙂 Just make sure to use sunscreen and everything else is good 🙂 That said, sometimes, it might just be to do with evening out skintone, not just getting fairer but its all intertwined 🙂
plue says
March 19, 2011 at 10:43 ami saw the vichy one n was interested, but your quick thoughts is making me thinking twice now. have you tried the bi-white serum? am eyeing on that when i finished my current one… 😀
i usually stick to whitening serum/ essence and the rest are for hydration, i am scared of dry flaky and dark skin! lol
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:28 pmI don’t think I’ve tried the Bi-White serum. I do think the spot corrector helps, if used with another whitening serum, as I am now. But on its own, results take a long time to show. I find that whitening products tend to be a little drying – not sure about you, hence I don’t use them so much or so long.
plue says
March 22, 2011 at 9:59 ami use it together with a hydrating moisturizer, so it doesn’t go dry on me, instead it sometimes go oily on me?
Amanda says
March 19, 2011 at 3:17 pmI’m using the whole white HP range from Clarins, unfortunately after finish a bottle of serum, and half bottle of the cream I dont see much different on my skin tone. My freckles still obvious like ever, and I still have uneven skin tone on my cheeks :(, however my cheek is no longer dry.
Your vichy review make me wanna give it a try coz I dont really believe in laneige and seems Dior too expensive for me. 🙂
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:32 pmI tried some of the Clarins White Plus HP line from last year, but it didn’t wow me either. The Vichy one is just for spots, and for its price I think its worth giving a go. If you’d like an essence that delivers a better “whitening” result, try the Clinique Derma White Clinical Brightening Essence. That one worked well for me 🙂
Amanda says
April 23, 2011 at 3:43 pmokay, I take back my words.
I run out my Clarins serum for like 2 weeks, but haven’t find the replacement for it since I’m on budget diet (this is the cause of impulsive buying) and I just remember I still have white plus renew serum in sample bottle (10ml) Start using it for about 10 days… and u know what, I can see my freckles lighten up… So Happy 😀 a little bit only, but I notice it’s better than my whole bottle clarins.
Thinking to buy the full size, but I just bough hada labo arbutin essence 🙁
deepa says
March 19, 2011 at 3:20 pmIm using the Guerlain Perfect White range… Its superbly good, since I have hyper pigmentation and scar marks from pimples. This really makes them lighter and is as good as it goes.A bit on the Expensive side, but it lasts for a very long time and is totally worth it.. Now they have come up with a new line called Beaute de Perle… So, am waiting to finish up my old range and try that one out!!! Oh, and have you guys noticed that these days loads of Cosmetic and skincare companies are entering into the world of pearls?? Chanel is doing it, Guerlain is.. 🙂
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:33 pmI haven’t tried Guerlain’s whitening range, but it sounds good! I’ve always been happy with Guerlain’s skincare – pricey, but you don’t have to use a lot, so it actually lasts a while. Does it have a strong fragrance though? I have seen the promos for Chanel’s le blanc range, but I didn’t pay too much attention because I tried their skincare a while ago but it didn’t seem to like my skin.
deepa says
March 19, 2011 at 3:35 pmoops sorry meant to say the NEW BLANC de PERLE range from Guerlain… thats the new ranges name…
melchewvin says
March 19, 2011 at 4:08 pmI love Lancome’s whitening serum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I use it for 2 day ONLY 2DAY!! and i could see the results!!!!!! fairer,lighten spots and even skin tone!!!!!
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:33 pmAhh Lancome’s serum is nice too! 🙂 Great to know it works so well for you 🙂
Julia says
March 19, 2011 at 6:19 pmI’ve used Sekkisei products for a while and found that my skin became really translucent after regular use of the lotion as a mask. However, I am already very white (like, no matching foundation to be found white) and my momentary concern is acne, which for some reason decided to come back. >.<
I am interested in a good eye cream with spf, though.
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:34 pmI haven’t used Sekkisei before but I have heard that its pretty good. For eye cream, the Laneige Eye Protector is an eye cream with SPF12 and it does feel rather nice on the skin. Perhaps you can take a look at that one? 🙂
eve says
March 20, 2011 at 1:41 amparisb .. recently got like 5 dark spots all on my t-zone area scars due to my itchy finger (slap finers ! ) go extract it .. now it has been there for almost 2 weeks d .. am looking for smthing that will speed up the processof lightening it .. from all of the stuff u have tried which would u recommend ? thanks oh ..
ParisB says
March 20, 2011 at 12:37 pmAhhh… *slaps your fingers too* 😛 I personally found that the Clinique Derma White Clinical Brightening Essence worked most quickly for lightening dark spots. I repurchased but am using it less now. But when I have spots that need lightening, I reach for it 🙂
eve says
March 20, 2011 at 9:43 pmthanks a millionth .. i brought the estee hydrationist thing .. went and tested the kiehls midnight concentrate but bcoz its essential oil don dare to buy , im afraid that i’ll clog my pores (smhow it always does when i use essential product from saloon brand) .. nvr tested those from counter so still thinking bout it .. n brought the vitc from body shop , the rare earth mud mask by kiehls too .. oh my wallet =( ! LOL . willl test it all out n let u know =)
myvi says
March 20, 2011 at 5:07 pmlove this blog…
Rina says
April 14, 2011 at 6:49 pmHi ParisB,lovely to know your blog..good input! im looking d’best serum or essence for me..is it posibble to use diff serum for day n nite ? now im stick with olay regenerist range (very good 4 my skin) but thinking to enhance my skincare. ( in consideration : FTE SKII & Genifique serum ) i have a normal skin ..
Ayo says
June 5, 2011 at 11:52 amhow can i order Clarins white plusHP?.
ParisB says
June 5, 2011 at 11:59 amI’m not sure where you are based. This may be an Asia only product, in which case if you are in Asia you can buy it from any Clarins counter. If you aren’t based in Asia, you might have to look online at websites like Sasa.com or Strawberrynet.com
rence says
August 3, 2011 at 1:00 pmhi. Should i apply the vichy biwhite deep cell whitening spot intervention after olay regenerist serum or vice versa?
ParisB says
August 3, 2011 at 1:33 pmI don’t think it makes a difference either way.
lulu says
September 17, 2011 at 8:26 amhi Paris.
I spotted the clarins white plus range yesterday and I,m intrigued.
it’s pretty expensive, and right now I can’t image imagine spending That much on skin products that Dont work..
did u use the entire white plus range( night cream, day cream body veil etc) or did u try only the night cream?
I’m not looking for dramatic lights whitening just lighter, more even skin.
please advise me on what to use
ParisB says
September 17, 2011 at 11:42 amHi Lulu, I’ve tried the night cream only. My review is here. I tried the rest of the products a while ago and they were alright. To be honest, I think best results usually come from using a whitening serum coupled with a whitening cream, preferably from the same range. That way, it usually works in most brands 🙂