Hot Weather Saviours – Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask & Quick Fix Mist

It seems like I’ve been complaining about the haze so much for the past year… what used to be an annual affair that lasted for a few days has now evolved into a state of constance.  We had a fleeting break of a few months, and people seemed to have forgotten that last year, Singapore suffered from the transboundary haze from May – November!  And this year, it has started from end March.  No, this is unacceptable.  People, you can choose not to live in this constant state of air pollution.  Simply make wiser choices in your daily lives – pick produce from nations that do not practice slash & burn farming, and for goodness sake stop spending your hard-earned cash vacationing in those countries (fyi Bali is part of Indonesia)!  Instead of throwing your money into the pits by donating to useless projects to put out those fires, consider diverting your consumption in a way that does not require deforestation in the first place.

Alright, with that rant out of the way, I would like to divert your attention now to a couple of new products from Shiseido’s Ibuki line that are saving my skin from the stressful pollution, and unbearable heat!

Shiseido’s Ibuki line is designed to help the modern woman combat environmental stress, and help skin stay smooth and trouble-free.  At the heart of the formula is Shiseido’s exclusive Shape Memorizing Cell Technology that returns cells to their ideal condition and inhibits future shrinkage, so that skin cells can function at their optimal levels.  I had given an introduction to the Ibuki range when it was first launched in 2013, please feel free to hop on over for a read.  Now, Shiseido has discovered a new PhytoResist Complex which helps to enhance the production of natural moisture factors in skin, to ensure an optimal barrier function enabling skin to fight external aggressors.

Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask is an overnight leave-on mask that promises to correct dullness and bolster tired-looking skin.  It has a gel texture with vitamins C and E encapsulated in tiny beads that explode upon contact with skin.  In this way, the active ingredients are kept fresh until application, ensuring maximum efficacy of the product.  Both vitamin C and E provide potent antioxidant protection, shielding skin from damaging free radicals.  Vitamin C also reduces the appearance of dark spots, and boosts collagen production.

In addition, Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask also contains a phytoplankton extract which is rich in fatty acids that help to plump up skin for a smoother, younger look.  Indeed, the Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask gives my often parched skin an intense moisture boost, and leaves me looking rested and plumped the next morning even if I’ve slept badly.  The mask has a pleasant floral musk scent that helps relax and ease the foul smelling haze away, and stays tactile and fluid long enough on the skin to enable a quick facial massage to induce sleep.

To accompany us throughout the day, Shiseido Ibuki Quick Fix Mist keeps us from looking worn out, maintaining the perfect moisture balance to prevent shine and dehydration.  It comes in a lightweight palm-sized plastic bottle that is convenient for carrying around in a bag, allowing us to mist anytime.  This is the first gel-mist that I’ve tried, and it gives an instant cooling sensation and is high in glycerin to really moisturise the skin.

The Ibuki Quick Fix Mist contains marjoram extract which Shiseido claims is derived from a multipurpose aromatic herb to target dehydration.  But marjoram extract is also known to have anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight against free radicals.  Anti-Shine Complex helps to control sebum production and prevent shine.  It can be spritzed on top of makeup throughout the day to soothe and refresh the skin.

Both Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask and Quick Fix Mist are lovely, and really helps to keep my skin hydrated.  My skin simply loves the Beauty Sleeping Mask, I slap it on right after cleansing and toning on super lazy nights, or even on top of my moisturizer when I find myself up late and my skin can do with a little bit more pampering.  The gel texture is light and never feels oily or too much.  The Quick Fix Mist is the most hydrating mist I’ve tried, it does not feel like just water that evaporates and does nothing for my skin.  I recommend it for those who suffer from really dehydrated skin, and is great for plumping up the skin mid-day and preventing lines and flakes from showing up.  Shiseido Ibuki Beauty Sleeping Mask and Quick Fix Mist are now out at all Shiseido counters, and retail at $60 and $45 respectively.

_{This post featured products that were kindly provided for my consideration.  Regardless, all opinions expressed here are my own honest, unbiased views.}