Friday 28 September 2018

{Review} Skin Care with Mary Kay Botanical Effects Range

When I was young, everything seems rosy, even my skin.  

When I am no longer that young, everything does not seem rosy.  Let's face it.  Hormones, late nights, stress and a whole long list of items and issues.  And it is most obvious on where?  The face.

I am not a preach for luxurious skincare or indulgent facials.  I try to be as fuss-free as possible, because, sleep is also not enough.  So I try to keep my skincare minimum.  A 1-hour skincare routine everyday?  I think, kill me.  But, ask me 10 years later, I may change my mind.  That's how "hiao" a.k.a vain a woman is.

In any case, I have no idea when I start having dry skin.  It was bad to the extent that I went through quite a few brands of cleansers, as most if not all gave me the tight feeling after cleansing.  Till I was introduced to Mary Kay's Botanical Effects range.

The Botanical Effects range contain a few formulas and I am using the Formula 1 for dry skin.  The 2 key ingredients, Silymarin and Luo Han Guo help defend against environmental damage and help promote healthy skin.




The Cleanse Formula 1 for dry skin is the cleanser that I felt did not give me that tight feeling after cleansing.  And I do not feel that my skin is being stripped of it's natural oil (which seriously, I hate because some cleansers strip the skin of its natural oil till you could hear the "squeakily clean" sound when you rub your skin).

I went through 3 sets of cleanser, 2 sets of toner (freshen) and moisturiser (hydrate) to date before writing this review.  

What I like about the cleaners is well, written above.  



Its toner, called the Freshen has a non-drying formula that gently removes excess residue and improves skin texture.  I like that it is a spray bottle and a bottle lasts quite long!

I have tried both Formula 1 and Formula 2 for the Hydrate.  Both works well for me although the ingredient difference is flaxseed extract and sea kelp in Formula 1 and frangipani flower and water lily in Formula 2.  For the very dry skin, Formula 1 will work best because of flaxseed extract as it is a rich plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help moisturise and help relieve dry skin discomfort.


Oh, and the mask!  It can be used both as a scrub and a mask.  With tiny beads that are gentle on my so-delicate skin, I use it more as a scrub than a mask.  

And you will be glad to know that this range is hypoallergenic, meaning it is relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.  That also means it contains relatively few or no potentially irritating substances.  Also formulated without synthetic dyes or added fragrance, I am happy to say that it did help with hydrating my skin.

As I grow older, I am now more concerned with my skin.  Aging is a fact of life and it is nothing I can change.  What I can try though : skin care is self care.  :)

Just a quick note, should you be keen in trying the above range or any other ranges that Mary Kay carries, Florinda Tay, a very established and experienced Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, is the one you should look for.  I am seriously envious of her skin, makeup looks and she shares tons of makeup techniques and tips on her Facebook.  Catch her at her live makeup sessions and you will know why.




Disclosure: I was sponsored a set of Botanical Effects range for the purpose of this review.  All photos and opinions are true to my own unless otherwise stated.  Other additional sets mentioned are paid by yours truly.  :)

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