Review: Origins Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst

The Origins Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst is not something newly launched from Origins... it has been lying silently bidding its time in my drawer for half a year or so.

Although i am adventurous in my quest for my team of HGs (aka "i-can't-live-without-them" kind of skin saviours), i do not believe in miraculous products that "claimed" to "save" your skin overnight just like magic, or maybe perhaps the magical product is out there its just that i have not encounter them just as yet.

I prefer to test-drive a product for at least a couple of weeks before giving my 2 cents worth unless they give me breakouts more than once then i would stash it away until somebody who suits it comes along.

Now, the Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst is a facial serum that is suppose to restore your skin's luminosity, clarity, smoothen and soften texture of the skin as well as lighten mild pigmentations (brown spots).

Origins Modern Fusion Skin Transforming Catalyst.

Packagingwise, the serum comes in a neat bottle with pump (hygienic=good) that is able to dispense the appropriate amount of serum in 1 pump for the entire face (excess left on the hands goes to the neck).

Hardly any wastage in dispensing the serum, however like all products with pumps, it is a little tricky getting the product that is left at the bottom of the bottle... patience is the key here- just overturn the bottle and scoop what you need accordingly (not a pretty sight when the serum spilled a little around the neck of the bottle when i opened it ).

Infused with the goodness of rice which is believed to be able to combat various skin problems such as dullness, roughness etc... the serum actually smell like rice paste with a hint of citrus in it. I am guessing a very subtle hint of bergamot or something along the citrus line is part of the ingredients. Nice and pleasant scent, nothing overpowering... not bad at all.

A closer look at the texture of the serum.

In terms of texture, the serum has a slightly thicker consistency than most serums (eg. Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair and Origins Dr Andrew Weil's Plantidote Mushroom serum). Despite that, it spreads over the skin easily, it might be a little sticky upon application on the skin but the serum is absorbed into the skin rather quickly leaving the skin smooth to touch.

After application.

After using the serum for 2 months (twice daily), i do not see a drastic change in my skin in terms of clarity, radiance level, texture, improvement on dullness, so on and so forth. This is not a magic potion but i like it enough to buy a new bottle when i run out of it.

Why?

I like its lightweight texture (though slight thick consistency and a little sticky on application), its ability to be absorbed into the skin faster than my other HG (Dr Andrew Weil's Plantidote Mushroom serum which can be prove to be a tad oily for me on those rare days), mostly importantly this bottle of serum has the ability to perform dual tasks, both as a serum and moisturiser to me (for night usage) and my face do not have that sheen of oil shine when i woke up the next morning (i have oily-combination skin). Texturewise, i do feel the improvement, it is really softer to touch but i can't say the same for pigmentation as i don't really have brown spots at the moment (Touchwood!).

This serum suits people of all skin types with few skin concerns who would like to "enhance" the quality of their skin and lazy people like me (fuss-free), not really meant for those with major skin concerns.

It is not love at first sight for this serum, it sort of grows on me without my realisation until i have problem pumping out the serum then it hits me that i have been reaching out for it every day.



Priced at $77.00 for 30ml, available at selected Departmental stores.

Review: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

I am constantly suffering from the lack of sleep for quite a few reasons and thus dark eye circles became my good friends and sometimes even the eye bags come out to play... So, i am on this forever on-going quest for the potion or cream that can help to salvage this condition.

When Origins GinZing refreshing Eye Cream was launched in Singapore early this year, i was tempted to give it a try (i have been using Origins Eye Doctor for quite a while, which is moisturising enough for me, but helpless when it comes to my dark eye circles).

According to the product description, GinZing eye cream contains caffeine from coffee bean (which stimulates the enzymes to restore protective layer of the facial skin and the blood circulation around the eye area), Panax Ginseng (Red Ginseng), Magnolia extract and natural optic brighteners which refreshes tired eyes. It is also said that dark eye cirlces are instantly reduced and eye bags as well as puffiness around the eyes disappear with usage.

And so, i took the plunge and bought it at a sale....

Plastic jar screw cap packaging of the eye cream.

The slightly light pinkish orange cream.

Texture on the skin.

Like any other Origins product, the GinZing eye cream comes in a plastic jar with fuss free packaging. Much as i do not really like my skincare products to come in a jar whereby one has to dip her fingers in, it seems that majority of the eye creams in the market are packaged in that way. It would be nice if it comes in a tube form...... less chance for bacteria and germs to invade into your eye cream.

The slightly pinkish orange eye cream doesn't really have much of a scent, not anything that i can detect, which is good for those who prefer their skincare products fragrance- free(Eye Doctor on the other hand has a subtle minty sweet scent that i adore). Texture-wise the eye cream is a little creamy but it isn't oily at all when the eye cream is fully absorbed into the skin.

After test driving GinZing for approximately a month, i find that the eye cream doesn't really do much to eradicate my dark eye circles and eye bags (when they appeared). I would say upon application, the appearance of my dark eye circles does lighten visibly but that could be attributed to the natural optic brighteners the eye cream contains so, it more of like a eye brightener (in cosmetic sense). In terms of moisturising capabilities, GinZing is a little behind Eye Doctor.

I am a 1/4 through the jar, so i am planning to follow through and finish the entire jar, perhaps it would eliminate my dark eye circles as i wish it would (in the one month that i have tried).

Perhaps then, i will review my verdict on the final results.

Meanwhile, i am still sitting on the fence for this one, speaking of which i do miss my Eye Doctor (maybe it's time to get it at the next sale).

Priced at S$60.00 for 15ml, available at Selected Departmental Stores.

Review: Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum

I have a friend who has very sensitive skin, almost anything would trigger violent reactions from it. Dust, dryness, the weather, anything you named it, her ultra-sensitive skin would react to it almost instantly causing blotching of the skin and then redness. Her saviour comes in the form of Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum from Origins.

With regular use twice a day, her extreme skin condition that has always been the core of her frustration actually subsided in a few weeks time. Her skin does not look blotched red every time i see her, though it remains slightly pinkish and it actually looks quite smooth.

That is a miracle for her and well, that prompted me to try this miracle potion wondering if it could conjure its magic to me. My skin is not as sensitive as hers however i do encounter problems such as dry patches around the cheeks but oily T-zone, mild irritation and appearance of some fine lines.

I jumped in to try the face serum, it comes in a clinical looking green glass bottle with a pump, it smells rather herbal (perhaps its due to the Reishi mushrooms, Ginger, Turmeric and etc used), the smell is not strong but to some it might put them off. The serum has a thin consistency of a lotion, lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin.

After a few weeks or so, it did what it claimed, the my skin felt more balanced, less irritated and the appearance of fine lines is not so obvious though its still there. I was told by the Sales lady that the serum has anti-aging properties too, i can't really tell for sure about that but i will see how i turn out years down the road.

This serum has been my friend's holy grail for a few years, as for me, i will always go back to the green bottle whenever i can feel my skin acting up.

Priced at S$108 for 30ml and S$138 for 50ml. It is the saviour for those with ultra sensitive skin, a holy grail material in the making.

Main Ingredients: Hypsizygus ulmarius, Cordyceps, Reishi mushrooms, Ginger, Turmeric, Holy Basil, Resveratrol and Argan Nut oil.