We haven’t had a major brand launch a new skincare line recently have we? Many of the new releases we’ve been getting are reformulations of existing products or additions to an existing range. So, learning of a brand new addition to the Shiseido skincare stable about 2 months ago was very exciting.
The new range is Ibuki and you will be seeing it roll out at Shiseido counters starting from about now or early September 2013. I believe this is a worldwide launch date, which puts us in Malaysia up there with the rest of the world! We are getting with it, peeps! 😀
Ibuki will replace The Skincare which you may be familiar with under Shiseido’s skincare range. This new range is targeted at the men and women of the new millenia – working long hours, leading fantastic and hectic lifestyles, battling city pollution and free radicals, staying up date chatting on whatsapp and scanning Instagram feeds… oh wait. That’s just me I think hehe… 😉
Ibuki intends to address these stresses on the skin and help build the skin’s resistance to UV rays, dryness, pollution and strengthen it from inside out, making skin stronger, so your skin looks better and is ready for anything. This is done using something called a “Shape Memorizing Cell Technology™ which works to return cells to their ideal condition by plumping them up and restoring skin moisture. Basically, it rehydrates dehydrated cells, much like how you rehydrate your dried shiitake mushrooms before cooking. Erm… yes. Very culinary and very scientific! Here’s a quick run down of the products – only 7 for now.
Ibuki Gentle Cleanser and Purifying Cleanser – RM115/125ml
These cleansers lather up to the richest and softest lather I have come across so far. It is seriously impressive how well it lathers up from just a little bead of product so a very little goes a very long way. I have tried the Gentle Cleanser and I love the cushiony lather and the lovely floral scent. But best of all, unlike many other cleansers that lather up this impressively, it doesn’t dry my skin. It feels clean – almost to the point of being squeakily so – but doesn’t feel tight. The Gentle Cleanser would be more suitable for those with normal-dry skin while the Purifying Cleanser will be targeted at those with oily skins.
Ibuki Softening Concentrate – RM160/75ml
This would be the “star product” in that it would be the one product to try from the brand. This is intended to soften the top layer of the skin to help products absorb and penetrate better into the skin. Think of it as a pre-moisturiser because it is on its own, quite hydrating. It does hydrate your skin and makes skin feel lovely and soft. There is a floral scent which is quite strong but not terribly cloying or unpleasant. But you can’t miss it. I’ll take this for a spin and let you know what I think of it in a month or so 🙂
Ibuki Refining Moisturiser (75ml), Refining Moisturiser Enriched (50ml) – RM175
Next comes the moisturiser which comes in 2 types. A light textured Refining Moisturiser which has a lotion/emulsion feel and comes in a pump bottoe; and a heavier textured Refining Moisturiser Enriched which has a cream feel and comes in a tub.
There is that signature light floral Ibuki scent, which you soon start to recognise, and I find the texture of the Refining Moisturiser lotion is quite moisturising on skin. Applied over the Softening Concentrate, it seems to infuse skin with even more moisture, so it feels quite comfortable and dewy. The Refining Moisturiser Enriched has a slightly heavier feel since it is a cream, but isn’t too heavy. I think the latter would be more suited for someone with significantly drier skin.
Ibuki Protective Moisturiser SPF15 – RM170/15ml
I am not sure what to make of this. On the one hand, it is a moisturiser, so think of it like a day moisturiser. On the other hand, it only has SPF15 sun protection! I do wonder what Shiseido was thinking of when they made this, but they definitely weren’t thinking of us here in the tropics where the sun is harsh and UV rays cause our skin to explode in frenzied pigmentation marks. My suggestion, skip this and use a proper sunscreen. After all, Shiseido makes an excellent one!
Ibuki Eye Correcting Cream – RM170/15ml
Yep, that’s that little tube right there. On the back of the hand, it feels comfortable, and it is supposed to calm and hydrate skin while diminishing dark circles and fine lines. Practically what every eye cream tells you it does. No thoughts on this but knowing my poor history with eye creams, I won’t be trying this one.
Incidentally, if you want to try this brand new skincare brand, there is a beauty set available at counters where you can get a full size Softening Concentrate (told ya it was their star product!) and generous deluxe sized samples of some items while stocks last. Happened to see it in a flyer so, that might be the best way to give it a go, or just try asking for samples at the counter. I’m sure they’d have them since they have to promote a new brand and how else do you promote it except by letting people try before buying, eh? 😉
Does the Shiseido Ibuki skincare range interest you?
I put this as a rather basic range, pretty much as The Skincare was. You get your basic wash, softener and moisture and it will do just enough. Nothing more. So, if you are in the market for a basic range of skincare (you can of course, slot in your serums as you go along, rather like a jigsaw puzzle) then I suppose, this is always worth taking a look!
Paris B
Shiseido Ibuki skincare will be available from 1 September 2013 at all Shiseido counters. Prices of products are as set out above
I was there the other day at KLCC to check out this new range. The BA kept pushing me to buy their starter kit and/or the full set. I requested for samples politely to see whether the range is suitable for me or not. What happened was, the BA told me there is NO samples available at all. I should get either the starter kit and/or the full set to try the products because it is that good. When I refused to buy, she used scare tactic. She even made negative remarks about my skin. This is coming from a well known brand in the market. I DISLIKE and HATE people who use scare tactic on me. That is NOT the right way to persuade customers to part with their money. In short, I will NOT spend money on brands who uses scare tactic on me. Plus, I will NOT die without using their products. There are many brands in the market.
Would you happen to remember how much the starter kit costs? Thx
Butting in: I’m not sure about the starter kit, but in the flyer I received, it said that if you buy the Softening Concentrate (RM160) it comes with deluxe samples of the other products too.
Ugh what horrible service Angelina 🙁 I would have thought that since it was a new brand they would have samples on hand. After all, who would be so brave as to invest in a kit without even knowing if they might have a reaction? Plus I HATE it when SAs make comments on skin. Gosh. When I hear that, I immediately shut down and leave. Not standing there to take their abuse 😛
This is sooooo tempting! Shiseido The Skincare was my first serious (and expensive) skincare. But curiosity have since steered me away from the brand. I’ve always have a soft spot for them. And yes, I’m one of those that splurge on their facial cotton. Crazy, I know. 😛
Saw this on Sephora’s website last week, and have been wanting to get my hands on a tester. I’m especially interested in the refining moisturizer, as it sounds like something that wouldn’t be too heavy for me. I don’t mind using a more “basic” moisturizer, as I have a habit of amping up my skincare routine with serums and masks (more excuse to try other stuff).
Haha not crazy, but certainly intriguing because I haven’t been able to bring myself to! I go through cotton pads very quickly so it feels like a waste. The skincare so far has been very gentle. I didn’t use The Skincare, but I did try some White Lucent products which, for a whitening range, is also very gentle. That’s what I like about the Shiseido brand – its very gentle but does its job 🙂
I received the flyer in my mail 2 days ago. Looks interesting since I am already using their sunscreen. I have used their moisturisers and softener before in sample sizes. I remember quite liking them but was a bit wary of their night emulsion as I think it does contain mineral oil. Did not have any breakouts using them though.
I’ve only sampled their White Lucent range from some samples a friend gave me. I liked that it felt gentle on me skin. So far, these are quite alright. Not drying, and feels nice, especially the softener. I don’t see mineral oil in the ingredients but there’s definitely alcohol, which every Japanese brand seems to have.
I’ve never really paid much attention to Shiseido. I don’t know why. I guess I’m sticking to the few brands I know my skin loves. I just splurged on Dior Capture Totale skincare. Love what it does to my skin!
That’s wise. I’ve used some Shiseido skincare in my time. I like that they feel very gentle on my skin but so far, after trying out loads of Japanese brands, I still need to use Western creams for my skin. It feels more comfortable.
Hi Paris B! Thanks for the thorough introduction of the Shiseido Ibuki range. Now I understand the whole purpose of this rane. I would love to try their cleanser after knowing about your thought about that cleanser which is also what I would want my cleanser to perform. May give softener a go 🙂 Sometimes I tend to confuse by different words used for toner. Softener, lotion and toner== lol!
The cleanser is very surprising. Usually, cleansers that lather up a lot tend to be drying but this one isn’t and it is so comfortable and relaxing to use because of the thick lather! I too get confused when I see the different words but it does serve a softening, moisturising purpose as opposed to a wipe off toner that has a more cleansing one. Maybe that’s what they mean haha
Thanks for the review Paris! I was very curious about the IBUKI line. I think I will be picking up a softener from this set when I get the chance :). Please let us know what you think of the moisturizers later on.
I will do that Becca 🙂 I believe there may be a starter kit for this range if you’re thinking of trying it. All sample sizes so you can try and be sure it works for you 🙂
Mon maman used to be a fan of Shiseido when I was a kiddo. She would have her facial done while we kept asking “can we go home please????” :p… haha those days there were not many choices (skin care, I mean). Anyway, before I entered teen, she swayed away from this brand so I never got the chance to try them myself.
Maybe soon is a good time. 😀
haha well, Shiseido is 140 years old so it’s one of the older beauty brands out there. I like that – a brand that truly transcends the ages and keep improving! They do make good skincare. I have never really used them myself except for a couple of products but they are generally quite good (just not very exciting haha!)
i just bought the ibuki softening concentrate promo set last Sun and I LOVED it. Already i am seeing some improvements to my problem areas.
However I would like to check with you how did the Shiseido consultant taught you to use it?
The SA told me to put 2 pumps on 2 cotton pad (so that it is thicker) for half face. I was told to then told to wipe it across the face for gentle exfoliation while allowing the product to penetrate. But this technique would make 4 pumps per face per use! Ya, she told me each bottle would last 1 month only….PRICEY!
Since I am trying to address my skin problem, i am sticking to her advise for now. True enough, i do see results. Smoother skin.
But i am thinking to cut down to the “pat pat (hada labo) ” method after maybe 2 weeks or so, or alternate between the “expensive” (for evening) and “pat pat” version for morning….
Would love to hear from you how did the product work for u.
Hey SH, I wasn’t taught how to use it but I have tried using with a cotton pad which I thought was ok, but I found there was wastage (to me). So what I do now is use a separate toner to wipe off on my skin as a form of exfoliation, then I pump 1 or about half a pump of Softening Concentrate into my palm and apply on skin, because of the texture. So, I use it as a pre-serum, if that makes sense. I do like it surprisingly! 🙂
The SA rationale is after you have washed your face, your pores are open. It is the best time to apply the concentrate so that it absorbs into the skin. THen followed by your moisturizer (or serum, then moisturizer) and finally pat your skin (the oilier or areas with open pores with toner). Thats what i am doing currently. If i had scrubbed my face earlier, then i will just apply it using my palm.
I am loving it so far and i am definitely replenishing it later.
Hmm… pores opening is a downer for me because that doesn’t happen 😛 Technically, if you use a toner AFTER applying everything then you’ll be wiping away the moisturiser. So, I’d do cleanser -> toner (if you use one) -> Softener -> serum -> Moisturiser 🙂
I bought starter kit rm165 with free gift of mask, mosturizer,sunblock,cleanser.altogether is 9 items. My skin is softer n i like it