Cellular Performance Extra Intensive Face Care by Sensai

Disclaimer: I received the products described in this post for free. I have not been compensated for writing this post. All the opinions expressed in the text are my own and they are based on my own, personal experiences.


I was introduced to SENSAI brand when I was seeking advice on my wedding day make up. The make up artist whom I consulted then, suggested using cosmetics by SENSAI. That was the moment when I discovered the world of wondrous Japanese silk and its benefits, considering the face and general appearance as well. I fell in love immediately with those SENSAI make up items which were presented to me - they were quite sensational indeed and the make up felt so good and light on my face too! It all happened quite a few years ago but I have used the SENSAI Cellular Performance Foundation,  their smoothing make up base and eyelid base ever since.
I wrote more about them here.

When I came to the USA, I also found out that, unfortunately, products by SENSAI are not available in the local stores. I missed the time when (in Europe) I was able to watch and try 'live' at least some items of the SENSAI cosmetics collection. Luckily, I still could get them in certain Internet stores.
Not long ago, I was quite happy to see the Twitter account of @SensaiBeauty as I thought it would let me follow the company news and updates. I was amazed and so delighted when I received SENSAI Cellular Performance Extra Intensive Series Introduction Kit sent by @SENSAIBEAUTY.

I knew that SENSAI cosmetics contain Koishimaru Silk - a unique and exclusive fibre which, in the past, used to be available to Japanese royal family only. This extraordinary ingredient and excellent moisturiser, stimulates the production of the hyaluronic acid and makes the skin beautifully saturated, silky soft and wonderful. I had never had used any SENSAI face care treats though, so I was more than ready to try the gift on my face!

What is so special about the SENSAI Cellular Performance products? They also contain SENSAI's ENE-ACTIVE Complex and exceptional, activating, anti-aging ADVANCED CPX VITAL Extract, which make the face skin look and feel fabulously refreshed.

 

The Cellular Performance Extra Intensive Series Introduction Kit consists of:

 

SENSAI Prime Sollution

Face care morning and evening primer - has a special ingredient Sanzashi (hawthorn) Extract which softens the skin and, boosting its cellular activity, makes your face more than ready for the next stage (eg. your favorite face cream treatment). The pump at the top of the bottle allows, very conveniently, dosing the right amount of the lotion. Depending on how strongly you press the pump - you can get a tiny drop of it or a bigger dose - enough to apply over the entire face.

It did make my skin smoother and firmer!

 

Extra Intensive Essence 

Thanks to its Deep & Quick Penetration Formula, it moistens the skin stupendously and visibly effectively as well.

The Extra Intensive Essence with the Extra Intensive Cream make a perfect team which smooths the skin and fine lines immediately. And it makes you feel gorgeous!

 Extra Intensive Cream

Stunning moisturizer for tired (and not only!) skin which contains the Immediate Firming Formula, and HA/COL Booster (part of anti-aging ADVANCED CPX VITAL Extract). To be applied on the face after using the Extra Intensive Essence.
I would say it is magic in an elegant jar - why? Read my notes at the bottom of the post.

How I am using them

So called 'Saho Skincare' is, in other words, double moisturizing skincare approach recommended by SENSAI. Following the Japanese beauty techniques, first of all, our clean skin needs to be saturated to make it ready for the enriching ingredients of a face cream.
That is why, after washing my face, I have applied the SENSAI Prime Solution to half of my face. Then I used my regular face moisturizer (not included in the set). To observe the properties of the Prime Solution lotion and simply see how it works on my skin, I also used it on its own. I am amazed with the results! It does saturate the skin instantly and noticeably smooths the lines. What is more, it also makes the complexion silky soft and nice.

I am using the Extra Intensive Duo - the Essence and the Cream - on the other half of my face. It may seem strange but the reason of it are some nasty fine lines, which have appeared there, caused also by the fact that I tend to sleep on the same side (and cheek) every night. When I received the Kit by SENSAI, I thought that maybe the Intensive team could do something for me and my wrinkles.
Anyway, I put a drop of the Extra Intensive Essence on my face, tapped it with my finger tips and next, I did the same with the Extra Intensive Cream. Next day, when I looked in the mirror to see how the things were - Ah! Magic! The fine lines on my cheek were smoother and much less visible.
After a week time (morning and evening application), the lines are almost gone - at least they are not noticeable. I am really delighted!

In addition to this, I need to mention, that the scent of these SENSAI products is really light and delicate. I have also applied it close to the under-eye area, to check whether my eyes like the cosmetics or not.
I am happy to say, the lotions and cream, despite their anti-aging and active ingredients, are really gentle, easily absorbed by the skin, do not irritate my eyes and do not trigger my allergic reactions either. And you need to know, due to my picky face skin, I usually have big problems with finding a cream/under-eye cream which does not cause painful allergies and/or irritation. Most often, the more anti-aging active a product is, the more stingy my face and eyes find it. But not the SENSAI products! They are truly wonderful. Since they do not leave any greasy film on the skin, they can be used also as make up routine complexion preparation.

All in all, I have been quite overjoyed with the beauty kit from @SENSAIBEAUTY.
The products are not only top quality but also work for me really well! And they make me look and feel good! Which is all what I wish for when I get new cosmetics for myself.

Visit SENSAI website and learn more above the brand and its products.

Disclaimer: I received the products described in this post for free. I have not been compensated for writing this post. All the opinions expressed in the text are my own and they are based on my own, personal experiences.

Big (and hot) Summer Day Makeup

It is this time of the year when some of us start missing the warmth of the summer. The colder it is getting outside, the nicer it is to think about the sunny summer or spring days when the weather was a bit more comfortable. However, it all depends where you are - in certain places in the world, the heat of the summer months makes you dream of the winter.
Not long ago I was looking for makeup items which would not fail on a hottest day, meaning the temperatures and the climate of course.
This is what I found (see the picture below).

Each piece is a kind of art achievement in the field of cosmetics. They worked well for me, despite of the high summer temperatures and high levels of air humidity.  Their prices are on a more expensive side though, which is a kind of disadvantage. I find them great anyway.

1. SENSAI Smoothing Water Make-Up Base by Kanebo
 
From the manufacturer's website: "SENSAI combines advanced skincare technology with the supreme power of its precious signature ingredient, Koishimaru Silk. This extraordinary fusion of science and nature works in harmony with the body, creating flawlessly silky skin that enhances every woman’s unique beauty." Japan's Koishimaru Silk hydrates skin and stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid within the skin. You can read more about this magical silk here.
The base is absolutely wonderful. It 'creates a taut, invisible veil that leaves the skin firmer, smoother and primed for make-up' - all true. It not only keeps the face skin moist and relaxed all day long, but also gives it a kind of natural, radiant look. Three little drops of the base are enough to cover the entire face, which makes the product last quite long.

2. SENSAI Cellular Performance Total Finish Foundation (with SPF 15) by Kanebo.

 Another great product - a true gem. Although it is a powder foundation, it is good for dry skin as it gives it a pleasant and moist feel. The foundation is easy to apply flawlessly to the face with a sponge provided by the manufacturer. The Total Finish Foundation is so light like a delicate veil, even after wearing it for many hours I do not feel it on my face - the skin stays relaxed and radiant. The foundation covers skin imperfections quite well and does not clog pores.
I bought a refill  package of  this SENSAI item (which helped reduce the price of the product), which included the foundation in a convenient box + the sponge. The refill version works as well as the product  in its original package. The powder base stayed in place and looked good on my face even when the summer temperatures were reaching 100F. However, it seems that 'my' Bamby Beige shade is no longer on offer.

3. SENSAI Eyelid Base by Kanebo

 
Its formula reminds a very light cream - it moisturizes eyelids and enhances the colors of eye shadows/eyeliner. A small amount of the base applied to eyelids with a finger helps keep the eye make up in place. It does not irritate my eyes, simply adds a touch of comfort to the eyelids.

4. Blush Prodige Illuminating Cheek Colour by Clarins

What I like about Clarins products (besides their quality) is that some of them are provided in red, velvet etuis which, in my opinion, add  cuteness to every item (and purchase).  I use this blush when I do not apply the Meteorites (read below). There are two mat and two shimmering shades in the blush box. My complexion is rather pale so this delicate, satin and illuminating color gives my face a healthy glow. It covers the skin evenly, without any ugly darker spots or marks. According to the manufacturer, the blush contains plant and mineral extracts. The little brush included in the box is rather better for a retouch than a regular application, but still it is a convenient addition - quite handy when away from your big blush brush. However, I have never done the retouch thing as I simply never needed to do it.

5. Meteorites - Powder for the Face by Guerlain

The illuminating powder consists of  light-diffusing balls/pearls which five colors depend on their purpose. The white pearls illuminate the skin, green color helps to correct redness, yellow pearls highlight and catch natural light, mauve ones brighten the face and the red ones give it a nice glow. The pearls contain a spherical pigment which brightens the skin with a halo - radiant effect. The Meteorites can be applied in different ways (see the tutorial video included below). I like to sweep them with a brush over my temples only, just for an illuminating effect.


 

The handcrafted powder pearls are available in three different color sets. The powder is really efficient - even if used every day, lasts really long - which maybe rewarding - considering not only its great properties but also quality - and price.

6. Blended Face Powder And Brush by Clinique

 The powder is supposed to be good for all skin types. What I can say about it is that my, a bit dry, skin likes it. It does set makeup quite well, with a natural look/feel effect on the face even during a hot summer. It is also useful when I want to give my face some nice shade without using any foundation. The brush size is good enough to put the right amount of powder on the face - without unwanted excess.

7. Instant Light Brush-on Perfector - Concealer by Clarins 

It is one of the best concealers I have ever used. It covers and brightens dark shadows, moisturizes, and smooths the skin. This Perfector contains oat sugars and Clarins Light Optimzing Complex which make the under-eye area not only look but also feel great.

8. Eye Shadows from Eye Shadow Pallette by Yves Rocher

Yes, I really like them! The shadows are quite high pigmented, cover the eyelids evenly and stay on them all day long. They do not crease and do not fall on the face during applying them around the eye area. The pearl shadows look good also in the daylight and, what matters to me, they are 'eye-friendly' - do not sting/irritate the eyes.

9. Long-Lasting Eye Liner by Sephora

The eye liner defines the eyes nicely. Its consistency helps to draw flawless lines, it doesn't smear and gets dry on the eyelid quite fast. However, to avoid marks below the eyebrow area, I usually kept my eye closed for a moment after putting the eyeliner on the upper lid eyelashes line.

10. False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara by Max Factor

I enjoyed using the mascara. It thickened and lengthened the eyelashes, giving them a nice but not artificial look. I have already run out of it and I did not take a picture of it. Well, it was really good.

And finally something for the lips.

11. Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencil by Estee Lauder

One of the products that have never failed my expectations. The pencil is soft enough (but not too soft)  to define the lips and also cover them with the color quite easily. It really is a long lasting lip pencil and its slightly creamy texture does not dry my lips. The convenient brush helps with the lipstick application.

12. Perfect Rouge Lipstick by Shiseido 

Well, it is perfect for me - the illuminating color, the texture and how long it lasts on the lips. The lipstick softens and smooths my lips (it contains hyaluronic acid and Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE). It gives a nice vivid finish to the lips.