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

[rating:5/5]

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

[rating:4.5/5]