Expensive yes but they last a long time. My Lab Series mask and scrub are still about half full even though I bought them about 4 months ago.

Woo, finally got my Shiseido men essential kit pack. It consists of 30ml cleansing foam + 30ml moisturizing emulsion + 15ml total revitalizer, no longer with 30ml hydrating/toning lotion pack. Haven't try the foaming cleanser yet, but the moisturizing emulsion seems a bit too greasy for my liking, unless I use it in an air conditioned room. Got mine from Isetan Gardens. The SA let me test on hydrating and toning lotion. The toning lotion seems very cooling but after sometime I feel my skin is a bit more dry compared to the area using hydrating lotion. She intended to give me some toning lotion sample to try but it was out, so she gave me hydrating lotion instead... which I think I would prefer more ;P. The area where hydrating lotion was used, was soft and supple...something that I never really get before from many moisturizers unless living a greasy feeling(or if i use a mask)... this lotion doesn't seem to do so! I even asked for the scrub to try on. Would review again once have tried all the Shiseido products.

Good to hear that u r liking some of the products ! I agree that the moisturizing emulsion is heavy and greasy. I been using it for a week now and my skin texture actually improved..very smooth and supple. I was expecting to break but it never happened. The trick with using the moisturizing emulsion is to use a small measured amount. I used a 10sen coin size and it was too much...i adjusted and now using a 5sen coin size..seems just right to cover the whole face.

Also I think it's best to apply it this way...apply a 5sen coin amount to palm, spread around both hands (palms n fingers) and massage onto face and neck. Massaging it into the skin is key in order for the moisturizing emulsion to be less greasy and heavy. I used to use Clinique M Gel and the moisturizing emulsion beats it hands down...M Gel is so light that I sometimes can hardly see any noticeable benefit from using it. Same price as the moisturizing emulsion, I rather use the shiseido as a little goes a long way and the full size 100ml is going to last a long time. Btw, I only use the moisturizing emulsion at night as my acne med is strong and dries the skin...not to mention my room is air conditioned. In the day the Hydrating Lotion is awesome as a toner and moisturizer..feels great when applied after shaving. The scrub is disappointing as it's basically the cleanser with some exfoliating beads and granules. I prefer more hardcore scrubs instead of a 2 in 1 scrub-cleanser combo.

Have u used the Clinique Skin Supplies For Men Face Scrub ? Any comments on it ?

Just for the fun of it, here's what I use:

Cleanser: sebamed liquid face & body wash. I've used this for years, and while I may try other cleansers I always come back to this. Lasts forever.

Exfoliator: Freeman Facial Enzyme Mask Pineapple. Contains AHA and pineapple extract and silica sand. You get chemical and mechanical exfoliation.

Moisturizer: Nivea for Men Oil Control Moisturiser. This is incredible. L'Oreal sells something similar with Pierce Brosnan promoting it, but PB is expensive and this is not. The best moisturiser for my oily face I've discovered to date.

If any of you with oily faces have used any of these but got better results using something else, speak up!

blackhead problem is always bugging me all this while..i've tried everything, deep cleanse facial foam, scrub, pore packs and none of them helps...my fren recommends black bean nose pack (Skin food) anyone used it before ?　does toner help ?

I, too, have a major problem with blackheads. I know of no solution.

how good if we could just pop those shitty stuffs in the pores out.. =(

Here's my skin care list:

Cleanser: Shiseido Men Cleansing Foam. Quite expensive but does a very good job and I only use about half a pea size amount. 125ml I think can last me at least 6 months. Gentle on skin and never leaves my skin tight.

Toner (day): Shiseido Men Hydrating Lotion. A nice toner-moisturizer that hydrates my oily skin well and prevents excess oil.

Toner (night): Avene Cleanance Anti Shine Purifying Lotion. A very effective but kind on skin toner. Contains salicylic acid (BHA) and the level of alcohol is lower than other toners in the market.

Scrub: Lab Series Invigorating Face Scrub. A very basic scrub but does a good job. Expensive but better than the pharmacy brands that are either too watery or too coarse.

Mask: Lab Series Purifying Clay Mask. Clay, charcoal and salicylic acid makes this quite a good mask. The texture makes it easy to spread and only a thin layer is needed.

Moisturizer (day): Shiseido Men Hydrating Lotion/Clinique M Gel Lotion. On the days I shave i use the Shiseido. However I am not impressed with the Clinique and will not repurchase.

Moisturizer (night): Shiseido Moisturizing Emulsion. One of the best I have used because it does what it promises to. I have oily skin but I believe that oil is better controlled when the skin is sufficiently hydrated. I love the texture and I only need a 5sen coin size amount for my whole face and neck.

Oil Control (day): Clarins Anti Shine Gel. I have tried a few oil control moisturizers before but this one delivers. On a normal day I get 4-5 hours of matte oil free skin. But I don't think I will repurchase as the price is a killer. RM147 for 50ml tube.

Anti Acne (night): Avene Diacneal. Having used numerous acne meds before this, Diacneal was my last hope before going on prescription meds. It is good stuff but not for those that want immediate results. Some ladies I know even use this as an anti aging cream.

Sunscreen: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF50. I need to use sunscreen as the AHA in Diacneal makes my skin photosensitive. This sunscreen is one of the cheapest but less oily ones I can find. Gives quite a matte finish.

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Added on February 28, 2010, 10:19 pmNot easy to get rid of blackheads yourself man. go to one of those skin care places and get the beautician to manually extract the blackheads. After that use a toner with salicylic acid to prevent the blackheads from forming. Scrubs and masks can be used to but not daily. When buying products for blackheads always make sure it contains salicylic acid (BHA) and in good amounts. Biore Pore pack can also be used weekly to get rid of blackheads but can be a little tough on sensitive skin.

This post has been edited by jonny4: Feb 28 2010, 10:19 PM

i tried biore..can't take out a single thing =(

Then it might be time for a facial LOL

I have not gone for one myself.

yea..guess they're real tough ones.. =(

Ever tried those peel off mask? There are a few in guardian/watsons... I've personally not tried such before but from my cousin's feedback it seems effective than those nose peel thing.

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Added on February 28, 2010, 11:22 pmYea I think the SA gave me too much of it too, around 10cent just on my hand lol... So yeah, would take your advice and adjust according to my needs. I did visit Clinique before for consultation and she was kind enough to give me some M Gel sample. But after 1-2 days trying it, I start to get the itchiness sensation, so I banned all Clinique stuff lol. So to answer your question, nope never used Clinique men face scrub.

However I have indeed used Dermalogica's skin prep scrub. It uses corn granules to do the scrubbing. I have to say its nice but the price is a little on the higher side. Upon finding other alternatives, I came across skin food's black sugar wash off mask (click here), which works as exfoliator and mask (rm 40+ for 100ml...great value).... going to try that once my current scrub finishes. I just got myself skin food's cucumber hydrating mask(rm 33 for 100ml) as my Dermalogica's skin hydrating mask is about to finish. If you read the ingredients label of this cucumber mask... the 3rd ingredient is already cucumber extract.. which indirectly means the quantity of cucumber extract is high and thus more natural compared to most other brands where cucumber extract etc is among the bottom of the ingredients list. In common practice, the ingredients with the highest quantity is listed first, and of course with descending order.

Have not try the cucumber mask yet, when I do will review it =)

This post has been edited by kaspersky-fan: Feb 28 2010, 11:22 PM

I also noticed that if u apply the moisturizing emulsion right after cleansing, it will absorb better and have a better finish. It works well as an aftershave too haha. I do like Clinique M Gel but it costs RM140 (100ml) and is too basic of a moisturizer to warrant such a high price. At the moment Shiseido Moist. Emulsion seems like a better option for me.

Thanks for the scrub suggestions but I have read that for my acne prone skin, the best scrubs are the ones with small polyethylene beads. this minimizes the risk of infection caused by sharp exfoliating particles. For example the St.Ives Apricot scrub uses crushed apricot shells/seeds. I will definitely check out the Dermalogica and Skin Food suggestions.

Yea I am aware of the order in the ingredients list. That's why I stopped using Clinique toners because of the very high alcohol content LOL.

Well... but the Shiseido hydrating lotion too has high alcohol content =P ...


Well for gentle scrub, you may want to try their rice mask.... it seems to be their best selling product

This post has been edited by kaspersky-fan: Mar 1 2010, 12:09 AM

Not as high as the Clinique toner

I've got oily skin so some alcohol can be tolerated.

Did u try pressing them out with ur fingers,like how u press pimples? Rinse ur nose with warm to hot (not boiling hot) water before helps alot. I do this about once every 3 weeks.

Lets hope my skin would tolerate it too ~_~

yes i tried dat..but they just won't come out..and i end up with a reddish nose like clown..my nose is very smooth on the surface, i guess they're buried very deep inside... =(

anyone know where we can get Jack Black products in malaysia?

I have been looking for that brand too but so far I have not seen it in msia yet.