4 weeks back I was sent four products from Mary Kay’s new skin care line; Mary Kay Botanical Effects Skin Care. It comes with 2 basic steps (Cleanse & Hydrate) and 2 booster steps (Freshen & Mask). This actually came in time because my face was really drying from my recent Bandung trip & my recent habits to sleep in air-condition room at night due to the warm weather.
Anyway this is my first time coming across Mary Kay products because usually I don’t buy from direct selling company but since they are giving me a set to try so why not right? Like usual I always did research before starting to use a new brand or products
Mary Kay skincare products are hypoallergenic as it is formulated without alcohol, fragrance or synthetic dyes. It’s non-comedogenic too which means the ingredients used will not clog our pores! It has been clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy thus it’s suitable for people from dry, normal or oily skin – even if it’s sensitive skin!
There are a total of 3 different formulas (dry, normal & oily skin) under the New Mary Kay Botanical Effects Skin to caters to different skin conditions but all of them contains an exclusive, antioxidant-rich complex, in addition to botanical ingredients customized by skin type
Silymarin, also known as Milk Thistle, is a powerful antioxidant that has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy. Silymarin is known to help defend against environmental damage, while helping to calm the skin.
Luo Han Guo, a cousin of the cucumber and a member of the gourd family, has been used for centuries by the Chinese. Nicknamed the “longevity fruit,” Luo Han Guo is a round greenish-brown fruit that is known to contain potent antioxidants, and also believed to help promote healthy skin.
I’m using Formula 1 which is caters for dry & sensitive skin type. This formula consists of extra ingredients such as Flax Seed Extract and Sea Kelp Extract which helps to moisturize and help relieve dry skin and at the same time balancing the skin.
I was glad to found out that all Mary Kay’s products packaging are made from post-consumer products and cartons are forest stewardship certified. Well it is environmental friendly & gentle to our planet, I’m definitely supporting this!!!
Step One : 3 in 1 Cleanse
Mary Kay Botanical Effects 3-in-1 Cleanse (RM66 for 113g) claims that it cleanses, exfoliates and freshens in one step. It promises that makeup & impurities will be removed without stripping the skin of essential elements, leaving it feeling hydrated and nourished.
Cleanser comes in a tube, easy to determine how much to dispense to ensure no wastage.
Scent: Light pleasant powdery scent
Texture: Creamy and contains micro beads
Direction : Apply on wet face & neck
Review: I can feel the micro-beads when I scrubed it gently on my wet face in circular motion like I always do. I tend to scrub longer and slightly harder on areas like nose and below the lips where there are white heads. After rinsing off with water, the immediate feeling I felt with my fingers are, the face are smoother and there is no-pulling or dry feeling which is great as it does what it claims. Although the product state that it can removed makeup, I don’t think it can removed waterproof makeup and I always think it is safer to double cleanse our face and always use the proper makeup remover before cleansing the face to avoid clog pores.
Step Two : Hydrate
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Hydrate (RM80 for 88ml) is a moisturizer. It is rich with flaxseed and sea kelp extract –infused formula which promises to maintain skin’s moisture level and extra measure of comfort your skin needs leaving the feeling comfort, supple and hydrated.
Scent: Light pleasant powdery scent
Texture : Light lotion absorbs within seconds upon application.
Don’t forget to apply on neck area – it’s as important as our face area too :)
Review : I always warmed up my palm before applying my moisturizer as I felt products will absorb better in this way. I apply moisturizer all the way from the neck to the forehead, with light pulling up method for lifting effect. The moisturizer texture is light and absorb almost immediately upon massaging it on my face. I felt my face is moist & soft and there is no sticky feeling at all after that. I like how the moisturizer texture is light yet it keeps my skin hydrated whole night till the next morning even though I’m sleeping in air-condition room. And best is the next morning, my skin still feel supple! I am pretty happy with the Mary Kay Botanical Effects Hydrate as it does what it promises, keeping my skin hydrated and comfortable at the same time.
At this point, the 2 basic skincare regime is completed for people who are minimalist and do not like to apply too much products on their face. But for people like me who are super concern about our skin & hardworking when comes to taking care of our skin, we would definitely love to add on the Booster Step to make our skin happy. In this Mary Kay Botanical Effects range there is no serum but there is Freshen & Mask instead which are the Booster Step.
Booster Step : Freshen (apply before moisturizer)
Mary Kay Botanical Effect Fresher (RM68 for 147ml) is a mild-hydrating lotion (i.e our usual toning lotion) removes excess residue from skin and restores skin’s natural balance for skin that looks radiant and healthier. Helps calm and soothe skin.
Comes in a spray bottle. According to the instruction, spray on the cotton pad/ball until its moistened. The lotion is clear like water.
Review: I applied the wet cotton pad sprayed with the Freshen on my face & neck and avoid eye & mouth areas using the upward motion. I like how my face feels moist but not sticky here. The lotion contains no alcohol hence it would be suitable for people with sensitive skin too!
Money Saving Beauty Tips: My secret beauty practice is that after I wiped through my face & neck, I’ll used the remaining lotion on the cotton pad and wipes through my arms and chest area. And you will be shocked what you will see…some dirt…unless that particular day you scrub your body pretty well but then again you can't scrub everyday because it is drying!
Booster Step : Mask
Mary Kay Botanical Effect Mask (RM80 for 113g) can be used as mask or scrub. This mask gently exfoliates as it improves skin texture. Replenishes hydration, and skin looks smooth and feels renewed.
Scent: Light pleasant powdery scent
Texture: Rich & Creamy with micro beads
Happy masking in my garden while having fun playing with my Bebe (aka my dog)
Review: Mask is always my favourite skincare regime because I always love to see the immediate result that I removed the mask. I applied a thick layer of the mask and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off. When washing it off, I applied water bit by bit and scrub the mask off my face. I can feel the micro beads is larger those in cleanser. I felt my face immediately feel smoother & brighten after rinsing off with water! Like normal mask it is recommended to use 2-3 times a week for better result. This is my favourite products besides the moisturizer!
Overall review: Mary Kay Botanical Effect range is pretty simple to use and follow. For the past 2 weeks, it seems to deliver what it promises and keeping my face hydrated and comfortable. I found out that Mary Kay products are all made in USA and I do think the price is affordable considering the size of the products and most importantly it delivers! Mary Kay Botanical ranges of products are available starting April 16, 2012, through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.
To those who didn’t know, Mary Kay is one of the world’s largest direct selling companies with more than $2.5 billion in annual wholesale sales worldwide. It’s founded by Mary Kay was founded in 1963 by Mary Kay Ash with the goal of helping women achieve personal growth and financial success. Mary Kay remains committed to enriching women’s lives, and today more than 2 million people of all backgrounds are enjoying the advantages of being Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants. Mary Kay’s high-quality skin care and color cosmetics products are sold in more than 35 countries around the world. Mary Kay products are products are available starting April 16, 2012, through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.
Watch video to know more about Mary Kay Botanical Effects Skin Care
For more information about Mary Kay visit http://www.marykay.com.my/
Like Mary Kay Malaysia facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Kay-Malaysia/182093635231581