While it always seems like happy-happy-joy-joy on blogs where we rave about the latest discoveries and new products, out there in the sidelines and out of the limelight lie a fringe of discards. Products that don’t perform as they say they do, products that for one reason or another doesn’t agree with our skin and products that we just don’t quite like at all. It happens. Not everything is or can be a new favourite.
Here are some products that I’d been trying and testing off and on over a few months trying to decide if I like them or I don’t. If I like something, I usually form the impression quite quickly. When I don’t, I like to take a longer time to see if it grows on me, just to be fair.
These didn’t, although with one or two of them, I don’t dislike them enough to bin them immediately but will finish them up. So, in the middle of all my raves for skincare I like, here are the ones that didn’t make the cut one way or another.
Melvita Prosun SPF50 High Protection Sunscreen RM150/40ml
I admit that when I first laid eyes on this certified organic high SPF sunscreen from Melvita, I was very interested in it. The reason is because we don’t get many high protection broad spectrum sunscreen that is certified organic. SPF50 is rare enough in regular skincare and to find this sort of protection in an organic product was a bonus, and I hoped that I would like it so I could tell you all about it. I know the organic skincare movement is on the up trend locally so it would have been nice to share thoughts on a product that worked. The UV blockers are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, a good combination for broad spectrum physical blockers. Unfortunately however, I didn’t like it
Why don’t I like this: The texture is very thick and leaves a visible white cast on the skin, and takes a while to absorb. It also turns my skin oily and there is a strong scent I find unpleasant to my nose. I tried my best to like it but the scent and texture got the better of me. I also find it pricey for a product I dislike, so I’m afraid this was one I just couldn’t bring myself to like.
Kate Eye Make Up Remover
I’d run out of eye makeup remover (yes, I use separate makeup removers for eyes and face before cleansing) and rummaging around my “store” yielded this one from Kate, which is a sub-brand of Kanebo Cosmetics. I can’t remember how much this retailed for but it isn’t terribly pricey and I can’t remember when I bought it either. It’s a usual bi-facil style makeup remover with oil that you shake up to mix before using to remove makeup.
Why don’t I like this: I didn’t think this eye makeup remover to be very efficient especially to remove waterproof eyeliner. It takes quite a lot of work to get this to remove the Bobbi Brown gel liner pencil. I don’t wear mascara much anymore but when I do, it doesn’t do a good job of removing. I was using Maybelline before and I liked it. I like the L’Oreal one too. This one? I’ll finish it but I’ll never repurchase.
Kérastase Nutritive Irisome Bain Satin 2 Shampoo (RM78/250ml) and Lait Vital Conditioner (RM90/200ml)
Kérastase makes pretty good hair care products and if your wallet allows it and it suits your hair (like skin, not every hair care product suits everyone) then it’s pretty good. When my hair was much longer than it is now, I loved keeping a tub of Oleo Relax mask on standby in the shower to use occasionally because it literally relaxes my hair and makes it soft, shiny and manageable all the time. The Nutritive Irisome is a new range to provide long lasting nutrition to hair by infusing dry hair with nutrition and keeping it nourished and protected and looking good.
They both smell pleasant. Not too strong, nor too chemical and I liked how neither the shampoo nor the conditioner felt too slippery with silicones. I don’t like that overly slippery feel any more in hair products. Yet, despite being about halfway through both products, I finally decided I don’t quite like this range.
Why don’t I like this: For some strange reason, despite everything that this Nutritive range claims to do, my hair actually started feeling drier and drier with regular use. I don’t have a sensitive scalp and my hair, while a little dry is fairly normal for non-treated hair. It didn’t feel like straw, but I noticed it was losing its lustre. I broke off for a spell, tried out Sachajuan (which I do like!) and my hair felt better. Came back to this when my Sachajuan samples ran out and it’s just “like that lah!” I will finish it because it’s there and my hair doesn’t feel like straw, but I don’t like this enough to recommend it nor to repurchase the way I have Oleo Relax.
Lancôme Blanc Expert Melanolyser III Intensive Specialist Spot Eraser – RM370/30ml RM490/50ml
This one’s a new formulation from Lancome and while I had a decent enough result after trying a version from years ago, it was surprising that I derived no benefit from this product this time. I’ve given it 2 months and I’m at the stage where I’m quite unfazed by having pigmentation, and where I think my existing skincare routine which is devoid of whitening products, is doing a good enough job at keeping things under control. It’s not to say I’m against using whitening products, but all I’d say is that they are no longer on my radar nor on my dresser.
Why don’t I like this: It absorbs into skin quickly but I didn’t quite like the texture nor the strong scent. I couldn’t bring myself to be diligent enough about using it because whitening serums no longer fit in my routine and I just didn’t like it. It’s one of those things, and although I kept to a minimum 1 month use, I saw little to no results and 2 months use didn’t yield any better.
Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum and Brightening Hydrating Emulsion
Clarins reformulates their White Plus every year or every other year it seems. Last year they’d done away with their signature Sea Lily Extract and the formula now not only brightens but makes skin more luminous. While I think Clarins does well for my skin with their hydration range that comes in the blue packaging, my skin has never taken very well to the White Plus range which is why I chose to not try this one but gave in when pressed. I’ve tried White Plus over the years with different incarnations and the result has always been the same – I find it too drying. It’s not unique to Clarins. I find most whitening products drying with very few exceptions which I attribute to the formula.
Why don’t I like this: I thought the serum was ok. It absorbed well enough into skin and although I initially didn’t like it I found that what I really did not like was the Brightening Hydrating Emulsion which now comes with SPF20, for the reason that it is not hydrating at all for my drier skin and it doesn’t absorb into my skin, and causes my sunscreen and foundation to ball up. It’s very strange because the previous formula was fine by me. I had no complaints. This time, the emulsion refused to absorb and when I layered my sunscreen over (Shiseido Perfect UV has a very light texture) it balls up and then I get worried that I wasn’t getting the due protection the sunscreen should give me. I even used other sunscreens over and it caused them to ball up too (Kanebo Impress IC and Kose Sekkisei). As I’m not one to mess with my sunscreen, the answer was simple, this product had to go.
Have you used any of the products here and have a similar or different opinion?
Please feel free to share your view. Just because I don’t like them doesn’t mean it’s bad. It just means I don’t like them :P I’m always happy to hear alternative views, especially if you happen to love any one of them.
Paris B
The only product I have used here was the emulsion from Clarins. I didnt like the one with SPF 20 but I prefer the one without. Like you, the formula is kinda weird and gives a greasy look on my face. My makeup and sunblock doesnt go well with it either. So yeah, lets just hope we are not the only 2 nutties who dont like it. LoL!
I remember the previous Clarins emulsion formula was much better. But like you I believe the non-SPF version was better. This one is new I think but man, it totally screwed with all my sunscreen! Hated it :P
I love the Kerastase Bain Satin 2. Does a great job on my hair, which is why it’s a pity it didn’t work for you. But I’ll, er, steer clear of the rest of the stuff you mentioned. :P
Haha One woman’s trash is another’s jewel! ;) I’m finishing up the Kerastase because it’s not like it dries out my hair but it does make it feel a bit dry after using it too long so I have to switch it up a bit. As for the rest, meh :P
Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum and Brightening Hydrating Emulsion. The serum dried my skin, and the emulsion gave me breakout and tiny bumps. Ugh. I dislike both.
So I’m not the only one! Ok, not the breakouts bit but the drying bit. I just don’t like the range at all despite it being their most popular range (so I’m told)
my hair has always been quite a fan of kerastase products :D but recently also loving the loccitane shampoo + condition for damaged hair :D it smells really yum!
You know, L’Occitane shampoo tends to leave my hair feeling very dry. I’ve only tried samples but they didn’t impress me enough to buy the full size. But Kerastase is nice isn’t it? Just this one wasn’t as nice as I expected it to be LOL
I was looking forward to clarin’s white plus range..didnt know it was so drying :(
which other product would you suggest for hyper pigmentation?
I personally find it drying Parita but then I find all whitening skincare drying so I’m perhaps not your best benchmark :) If you can get some samples, it’s worth trying. I don’t use whitening products anymore so I’m probably not the best person to ask. But when I did use, I found the Clinique Even Better Serum helped lighten some pigmentation as well as the Shiseido White Lucent serum. I’m afraid those are the only 2 that really stood out for me. I haven’t paid any attention to whitening since then.
I had not intended to try any of these products, and will have to remember this if I do want to in the future! :)
I am having a lot of troubles finding a whitening serum that isn’t drying as well. I end up layering it under other serums and moisturizers to alleviate the dryness, which can end up being too much.
I’m like you Emy. Most whitening products are drying to me but in most cases, a lot of it has to do with the active ingredients. That’s the reason I chose not to use whitening products anymore because for it to work, you really have to use the whole range and I can’t stand the dryness nor having to layer hydrating serums etc just to make them work. These days, I just go with a hydrating-antiaging skincare regimen and the side benefits is that my pigmentation seems to be under control without using any whitening products! So that’s one good thing to come out of this :)
I used that Kerastase shampoo before and it was great for me, but I also actually switched to Sachajuan recently on recommendation of my readers, and I can say that the Sachajuan products are significantly better! You should give the Rahua shampoos a spin as well, see if you like it! :) I know I do!
And for the rest of the stuff mentioned, I’ll make sure I never lay my hands on them ever LOL! ;D
You’re right Shasha, Sachajuan is pretty impressive and the price point is roughly the same. I love the smell of Sachajuan shampoos. It’s so different! :) Thanks for the Rahua rec. I’ll keep a look out for it!
I have not used any of the products mentioned but I have really wanted to use Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum. I don’t think I want to waste RM300 on this product after this review. LOL. I am currently using the Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner and so far so good.
I am currently using shampoo and conditioner from the Cristalliste collection (pink bottles) and I do like it although I feel that the Resistance Force collection (green bottles) makes my rebonded hair look better :-)
Ah that Clarins toner! I’m thinking of giving it a go once I’m done with my REN toner. Am curious if it’s the same/different from what they get overseas. Kerastase does make good hair care don’t they? Especially for treated hair. For my non-treated hair, it’s always a bit of a luxury LOL
Hey Pais, I’ve tried the mask and pre-shampoo treatment from the Kerastase range, and they both work well. I have the same issue with that slippery silicone feeling, but I think this range is fine. So sorry to hear it’s not working well for you! I know that problem with some hair products though, that’s why I prefer to test even a shampoo out for quite sometime before I form an opinion.
Hey Sunny, I like how this Kerastase shampoo isn’t slippery the way many shampoos are! That’s definitely a plus point in its favour. But maybe because my hair isn’t treated nor long, I’m not reaping the most benefits out of it :)
Kerastase (Orange range): Doesn’t work on my hair esp. if I swim regularly. But their Purple range was good.
Clarins: A bit too rich for my combo skin. So am using it with other products.
Melvita: It was OK but the smell requires a bit use to it. It did make my skin brighter. Unfortunately I have skin color type: Olive & pinkish under the sun.
Hehehe.. never used Kate’s skincare before, only owned some makeup set. Haven’t tried it.
Ooh the Melvita Prosun made your skin That’s interesting! You’re right about the smell needing some getting used to. I just couldn’t get my nose around it >.<
Have to agree, the Kerastase Oleo Relax mask is a pot of gold. Love that thing. And don’t forget about their Elixir Ultime too. Expensive, but darn good. :D
When I had longer hair, I loved the Oleo Relax too! I love the smell as well which is weird considering I don’t like very strongly scented products. Oh and yes Elixir Ultime. One of the best hair oils I’ve ever used.
Oooo….! A list of products to avoid! :p
On the Lancome scent… that’s the thing with Lancome skincare… I am repulsed by the strong scent as well. Never gone back to it although mil still is a loyal customer. Such a shame on Melvita sunscreen. Perhaps you used too much?!??!? :p
Speaking of L’Oreal eye makeup remover. Yes I love it, but I found something else which I love too! It’s Botanics one from Boots. A bit oily but does the job well and no irritation to eyes. Best of all, it’s often on buy 1 get 1 free promotion! :D I’ll be back in KL mid June. Want to try it? I will send you some. :D
I don’t know what it is about Lancome but one of the best night creams I ever used was Primordiale which they then discontinued. It was really good stuff! After that my skin never liked any of their products again. Maybe a good thing eh? LOL! As for the sunscreen, it’s possible but then I use the same amount for every brand so it can’t just be me right? :P Ooh I remember seeing Botanics at Boots. It’s that good eh? Thanks for the offer! Maybe we could meet up for coffee when you’re back ;)
I could not remember the Lancome cream I used before. Because it smelled so strongly, I finished one pot and then found love in Origins. Bye bye Lancome ever since. HAHA.
I will be back 16-19 June with the kids as well. My schedule will be crazy but I would love to meet you for coffee if I’m around KLCC! On 18th is more possible for me, if you are around town. :D Otherwise, I can always post to you. hehe
Sure thing! Ping me when you’re back and we can fix a day and time :D