Review: REN Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask

Founded in 2000 by Robert Calcraft and Antony Buck, REN is a skincare line that uses the latest high-tec bio actives and they abide by their 5 Rights Principles, which is right ingredients, right science, right product experience, right environmental impact and right attitude.

This skincare line that is free from potential irritants is rather new in Singapore (if i am not wrong), and riding on the wave of the "free from skin unfriendly irritants", REN has a cult of followers here.

I chance upon REN during my trip to the Luxasia Warehouse sale, having heard raves about this brand in the cyberworld, i snagged one to see for myself if it is indeed what it is worth.

Presenting the Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask which is suitable for all skin types ......

The simple white and blue packaging.

The tube of mask with transparent bottom that shows the product.


The pump that comes with a stopper.


The thick paste-like texture of the mask.


List of Ingredients:

Packaging-wise, it is a fuss-free kind of simple package with no unnecessary extras, so to me it felt just like its ecco theme. I was puzzled by the white cap-like thing that was attached to the side of the white pump initially, and was on the verge of cutting it off until upon closer look then it dawned upon me that that white cap is supposed to cover the opening of the pump so that the mask would not dry up even after capping it. Its rather ingenious to come up with that kind of design, plus there is a separate transparent sack that holds the mask in the container. There is a certain clinical feel to the packaging. Not that its bad, it will be a matter of personal preference in this case.

Scent-wise, there is a slight herbal scent when i was applying the mask to my face and the fragrance stayed throughout the entire time when the mask was on my face and it sort of lingered after i washed off the mask. I don't hate it neither do i like it per say.

Application-wise, the texture of the mask resembles those thick paste "cement", it is smooth and easily spreaded on the face without much effort. There is a slight warm sensation when i put the mask on (maybe its doing its detoxing job, i don't really know), which is quite comfortable. After a good 15 mins, whereby the mask has more or less dried, i find that using solely water to rinise it off isn't good enough as the mask has already dried and it sort of "stuck" to the skin. What i did was to use warm water to wet my Bodyshop facial sponge and gently wipe it off bit by bit, patience is required here.

After more than five usage, once per week nearly a third through the bottle, i don't really feel the pore minimising or detox effect. Maybe it is meant to be used with some other products in the same line for the effect to be obvious, but to me, the mask is simply just another mask that promised to minimise pores and to detox at the same time.

Like it enough to buy it again?

Nah, i am better off continuing my quest for THE mask that is able to do exactly what it promised.

Priced at S$56.00 for 50ml or 1.7oz fl, available at Tangs and Eccentials at Paragon Shopping Centre.

Luxasia Warehouse Sale Haul @ Tai Seng (Makeup, SKincare and Fragrances)

It's that time of the year again.... nope, not the Great Singapore Sale (which in my humble opinion isn't that Great afterall... ; ) ). It's the much anticipated Luxasia Warehouse sale, which is held almost on a yearly basis for 3 or 4 days. This year, its from the 26th of August to 28th of August. Luxasia is the distributor for quite a list of makeup, fragrance and skincare brands in Singapore, thus this is THE SALE that "saleaholics" look out for.

As the sale is held at their warehouse, the location is a little out of the way for people who doesn't live near the east side of Singapore. Nevertheless, if one googled the location, it shouldn't take too much of an effort to find the place.

I had quite a haul that day, and would have hauled even more if my 2 best girlfriends hadn't restrain me with a leash.... good, 'coz when i cooled down i realised those are not really what i wanted. : ) Thank you, gals.

Okie, here's what i hauled that day......

My Haul.

The Guerlain Haul.


4 Single Eyeshadows.


L-R: 182 L'instant Nuit, 181 L'instant Emeraude, 180 L'instant Fume and 160 L'instant Coquin.


A closer look at 182 L'instant Nuit- A rich black with gold shimmer.

A closer look at 181 L'instant Emeraude- A nice olive green with a subtle golden sheen.

A closer look at 180 L'instant Fume- A light taupe brown with a hint of golden sheen.

A closer look at 160 L'instant Coquin- A subtle matte fresh pink. The only matte colour among the 4 eyeshadows.

Guerlain's Parue Extreme Luminous Extreme Wear Foundation with SPF25 PA++ in 13 Rose Naturel.

L-R: RMK's Creamy Makeup Base in 00 and Creamy Makeup Base Mat in 02.

Tangs Orchard's exclusive- REN's Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask.

Guerlain's L'instant de Guerlain fragrance Coffert set- 50ml EDP and 75ml body lotion.

Guerlain's Insolence Fragrance coffert set.

Guerlain's Insolence Fragrance Coffert set- 50ml EDT and 75ml body lotion.

Thierry Mugler's Innocent Angel.

A peep of the unique packaging.

A closer look.

L-R: 100ml body lotion, 5oml EDP and 25ml shower gel.

My damages (original price in departmental stores, estimated):

1. 4 Guerlain Single Eyeshadows at S$10 each, usual price S$5o each = S$40 (S$200)

2. 1 Guerlain Paure Extreme Wear Luminous foundation, usual price S$87 = S$19 (S$87)

3. 2 RMK Makeup base at S$20 each, usual price S$60 each = S$40 (S$120)

4. 2 Guerlain's fragrance coffert sets at S$29 each, not too sure of the usual price but the fragrance alone is in the S$90 range = S$58 (S$180)

5. 1 Thierry Mugler Innocent Angel fragrance coffert set, about S$90 in departmental store = S$39 (S$90)

6. 1 REN Multi-Mineral Pore Minimising Detox Mask, usual price about S$50 in Tangs Orchard(not too sure) = S$25 (S$50)

Total damages : S$ 221 (not too bad, as i went with a budget much higher).

Total damages if haul is from departmental stores : S$ 727 (not the exact figure but more or less there)

Amount saved : S$ 506 (Approximately a 70% off retail prices!!!)

A very worthy haul indeed, its worth all the hassles of finding the place and the beads of perspiration from fighting with the crowd and bad ventilation.

Note: Do check the expiry date for the products, majority of mine have expiry dates in 2012 and 2013, with the exception of 2 eye shadows that will expire in August 2011 (which i am using almost everyday now).

Sightings of brands:

Makeup
1. Stila- Mainly the Smudge pots, lip glosses and some eyeshadows (i heard there are some eyeshadows palatte, but there were gone by the time i reached the table and i reached the warehouse at 10.45am!)

2. IPSA- Only the compact cream foundation.

3. RMK- Single eyeshadows refills, LE Eye duos, the makeup bases 00 to 02, 1 liquid foundation shade, 1 blusher stick (a near dark berry shade) and some nail polishes.

4. Guerlain- 7 Single eyeshadow colours, 1 eye palatte (lavender pink combination), some lipsticks, lip glosses, bronzing compact, some liquid foundations and some compact cream foundations.

5. By Terry- 1 eyeliner (it was lying on the table pitiful by itself, so i gather the rest of the stuff must have been taken)

6. Lancaster- Duo Blush and bronzing compacts in 2 shades.

A very worthy haul indeed not to mention worth all the hassles of finding the place.

Skincare

1. REN- Mainly the masks, facial wash, hand wash and some lotions.

2. Jurlique- Some essential oils, face lotion with SPFs (not much if i recall correctly).

3. Bvlgari- Some Facial lotions, creams and serums containing precious gemstones.

4. Guerlain- None sighted (Saw people posting the skincare they hauled, so i guess i was too late when i reached the table)

5. Other sighted brands but did not approached the tables-Carita, Lancaster and La Prairie.

Fragrances

1. Guerlain- Quite a few fragrance coffert sets, as well as single bottle fragrances and 1 Insolence Parfum.

2. Thierry Mugler- Lots of Eau de star, Innocent Angels, Cologne and Alien but no Angel : (

3. Salvatore Ferragamo- The Incanto series are almost all there as well as some men fragrances.

4. Bvlgari- some of the range are there but no bundle set seen.

5. Issey Miyake- bottles of 25ml of Eau de Issey and the latest scent at much lower price than departmental stores.

6. Hermes- Kelly Caleche sets, Eau des Merveilles, Amazone, Terre d'Hermes, Eau d'Orange Verte and Un Jardin sur le Nil.

6. Others- JPG, Stella McCartney, Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely and Covet, Van Cleef & Arpels's First and the CK's.