Sephora launched their third store in Bangalore and as expected I wanted to go check it out and pick up a foundation (got tanned recently and the current shade is a little too light). Found a shade that matched perfectly - Sudhir agreed that it did, but he was able to make out that I had something on my face as it looked "smoother". I explained to him that that is what foundations were meant to do :-| Now, as it was a new store, while billing I asked them for some samples. The sales lady apologised saying that she did not have anything from the range that I purchased to give me. When she asked if I had any skin concern or if I wanted to try on some cream, I told her that I have severe combination skin and would like some cream for my face.
Now, coming to my face. When I say extreme combination, I mean extreme combination. It is extreme to the extent that the dry parts flake, and the oily parts have small pimples... yeah, it is a pain finding something that suits my face, which doesn't make it too oily, but at the same time something which moisturises it enough at the dry parts. I have tried a lot of creams, and somehow after some time, they end up making my skin either too oily or too dry.
So, the sales lady gave me a bunch of sachet testers from this brand called Shiseido. Now, I've seen this brand across counters at Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop and other outlets, but I've always thought that it is another brand like Boujouris or summat - so I've never really bothered with checking their stuff out. The sales lady asked the person at the Shiseido counter to give me something for my face - so the lady gave me this White Lucent range of testers. I got sachets for their entire range, and she also threw in something called Ultimune and a day eye cream. All I could think of at that point of time was "Cool !! So so many free thingies ! yay" :D
After coming home, before I started putting anything on my face, I did some research online and found out that Shiseido is actually a 140 year old Japanese company and is a leading cosmetics company for skin care and cosmetics! Bottom line is - they know their stuff. I was convinced and I began using the stuff :)
Let me tell you, Sudhir was able to make out a difference on my face after 4 days of use (yes, I had to bug him, but he said he could make out a difference at the end of it). I decided to get the products in full size. :) :) :) Went to Sephora near my office and when I went to the counter I was told that the entire range costs 14k!!!! FOURTEEN K ??? LOL ... I decided to get one of the products from what I was given earlier - the Ultimune. I shelled out 4.8K for a 30ml bottle, but I was like, "it's ok. It will last me at least 4 months which essentially is all right". Now what this is supposed to do is help improve your skin's immunity and also enhance the effects of anything you put on your face afterwards. I already own the Loreal clinical white serum that is supposed to help make your skin smooth and remove skin spots. I have quite a few - it is hereditary and caused due to hormonal changes as well, and it is something that I hate!! One way to remove it is through a laser process, hence you can understand my reluctance to go that way. I've decided that that will be my last resort. Very honestly speaking, I felt a little bit of my heart break a bit when I swiped my card - 4.8k in one shot for a 30ml bottle of face serum...
While I was billing, I spoke to the Shiseido guy at Sephora and told him there is no way I can shell our 14k in one shot :D I would much rather try one product and if I liked it, I might come and pick up another piece. He told me not to worry - hence, check out my freebies !!! He gave me the serum (2 packs), the lotion (in 2 small bottles), a proper tester size for the toner, face wash from the White Lucent range and 2 bottles of the night lotion :) :) Reason he gave these is so that I can figure out if I like them and they suit me before I decide to take the plunge :D I also got 4 small tester bottles of perfumes (Burberry Body, Mont Blanc and Boss) *yay*
After buying the product and getting all the free stuff, I also realise that I am not "young" anymore, and need to pay some attention to my skin :)
I did some reading up online and spoke to Roomi as well, and learnt that skin care regime for today's day and age should be in the following manner. Face wash -> toner / softer -> pre-serum (optional) -> serum -> face cream -> eye cream (as skin around the eyes is much more delicate) -> sun block. I know our moms will be like "this is way too much stuff to put on your face; we never used anything except cream or maybe powder at max".. But the thing is, the climate, weather and the environment we are growing up in has changed now. There is much more dust in the air, our skin is exposed to so much more pollution and God knows what all chemicals from exhaust fumes. We have to take care of our skin, else I'm pretty sure we will age faster than our moms (I am already being told that my mom looks like my sister when we go out together). So all this research did in fact tell me that using the stuff I got is good.
This being said, I got myself Clinique toner (face softener) and moisturising gel (not lotion) for combination dry skin. My cousin, Divya, told me that she recently bought the same product and is in love with it. She specifically called me to tell me this as we both have similar skin :D The lady in the white coat at the Clinique section at Shoppers Stop told me to use the No.2 toner and No.3 moisturising gel - lotion would make my skin too oily, hence the gel. The toner actually helps exfoliate dead cells a bit while applying with a bit of cotton - so I do follow that religiously :)
Current regime :
1. Face wash : my favourite Lakme Strawberry face wash. Been using it for over 7 years now
2. Toner : Clinique (No.2)
3. Pre serum : Shiseido Ultimune
4. Serum : Loreal Clinical White serum. For this step I am considering making it either the "Shiseido White spot correcting serum" or the "Clinique Dark Spot remover serum" - both are said to target the spots on one's face which come due to age / sun burn / tanning / hormones. I got a small sample from the Clinique counter at Shoppers Stop when I bought the toner and cream, lets see how that works. The Shiseido one is also supposed to be good - I need to decide which one of the two I will pick.
5. Face cream : Clinique dramatically different moisturising gel
6. Eye cream : Shiseido white lucent SPF 15
7. Sun block : La-Roche Posay SPF 50
So far I am liking the extra attention I am giving my skin, and I think it will definitely help in the long run. I stopped getting any facials done and am only going for clean ups. As for the irritating spots I have - they seem o have reduced (or maybe I'm saying this because I have paid so much money for the stuff I am using :P). But all in all, I am happy :)
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