Sunday, March 15, 2015

Review + Giveaway: BelleWave Skincare Range

Raise your hands if you are NOT using a Swiss brand as part of your skincare regime! More often than not, I would think that you would either be using Korean or Japanese skincare brands. And no wonder, because Switzerland is always more famous for its watches than skincare. But, I’m here to tell you that Switzerland does indeed have skincare brands, and some reputable ones as well such as Crabtree and Evelyn, La Prairie, and Arbonne, amongst others.

One of them is BelleWave. Their products are botanical based with NO animal testing done, and BelleWave has been in Malaysia for 15 years. So if they have been around for so long, why haven’t we heard from them? Well, they are salon exclusive products, so more often than not, you wouldn’t know what brands your salon uses as they are not usually forthcoming about their products.


BelleWave has two main product ranges, which is WhiteWave, and ClearWave.
WhiteWave is a compilation of advanced lab-formulated essentials that will put you on an accelerated path to skin renewal and whitening. Dramatic lightening effects await you even as skin enjoys supreme sun protection. These capable concoctions lighten skin progressively by reducing melanin reserves so a prolonged whitening effect is attained. Mild yet potent, these high quality formulas will not harm the epidermis or its natural pH balance. Instead, it maintains the biological equilibrium of skin’s functions, thus helping skin defend itself against external aggressions such as pollution. Day after day, skin becomes more resplendent.

ClearWave on the other hand is formulated for combination oily and acne-prone skin. BelleWave’s ClearWave product line is a fine selection of problem-solving essentials targeted at banishing blemished complexions. Curb overactive sebaceous glands without drying out skin. Powerful concentrates of rigorously selected ingredients help maintain the hydrolipidic mantel of skin while whisking away pore-clogging impurities, and reducing and controlling excessive shine. The result: Purified and tightened pores, and healthy skin that glows enviously.

So what products will I be featuring this time around? A mix of WhiteWave and ClearWave products :D


They are:
  • BelleWave WhiteWave Gentle Cleansing Milk
  • BelleWave WhiteWave Gentle Wash
  • BelleWave ClearWave De-Bac Astringent Lotion
  • BelleWave ClearWave Comedone Repair Activist 
  • Bellewave Sunwave UV Extra DNA De-Tox UV Block White
Generally, BelleWave products come in a clean and sleek transparent pump bottle. It’s tall, so it doesn’t take up much space on your dresser, but I find that you need to set it down properly as it has a higher center of gravity so if you are not careful, it will fall over, but I’m not really bothered by it, so to each his own. I love the transparent bottle though, because it is an easy indicator of how much product I have left, so I can plan my next purchase when the product is finishing.

One other thing I want to mention is that even though BelleWave has a wide range of products, their product prices are seemingly the same across the board (for me, at least). For all the products that I will be featuring, each product is priced at RM168 per bottle.

So moving on to the reviews:


WHITEWAVE GENTLE CLEANSING MILK – suitable for all skin types


This smooth-textured gentle cleansing milk cleanses skin delicately without harming the epidermis and its natural pH balance. It helps to remove all traces of make-up, dull cells and impurities, including those caused by environmental agents, giving skin an immediate boost in clarity, suppleness and softness. This high quality formula also contains a specific whitening element that favors the lightening of the complexion. It imparts immediate softness and glow to skin.


Its active ingredients include:
  • Mulberry Root Extract which has whitening and unifying action on skin, thus imparting clarity and glow to the complexion. 
  • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Helps attenuate dark spots, stimulate and reduce the appearance of fines lines. Also reduces oxidation of the skin and damage caused by UV radiation.
  • Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Vitamin E has an anti-oxidant action and skin-moisturizing properties. It helps skin glow, tones tissues and plays an important role in preventing damage due to UVA and UVB radiation.
  • Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5): Has a protecting and moisturizing action on skin. It also helps restore and maintain natural skin moisture, leaving skin feeling velvety and smooth.
  • Carica (Papaya) Fruit Extract: It is mostly known for dramatically improving tone and texture of skin. It increases better circulation of blood, and thus promotes healthy, vibrant complexion. Mainly these are good for rejuvenation of mature, dull skin; aid in clearing brown spots from sunlight exposure, smoothing the skin and creating a healthier looking skin.

The product itself is white in colour and has a pleasant scent. It kind of reminds me of melons. The trick with cleansing milks (or any other makeup remover for that matter) is that you need to give it time to do its magic. Never rush it, and always gently massage it on your face, otherwise you will get wrinkles earlier than you think :p As a cleansing milk, it touts to be able to remove makeup and impurities, even with waterproof makeup, so I did a little test. I have on my hand products that I use on a daily basis: waterproof mascara, liquid eyeliner, pencil eyeliner, and eyeshadow.


I pumped out a small amount on my hand, and massaged it in a circular motion. After a few minutes, I noticed that my makeup is slowly melting away, even with the gentlest of motions. It took approximately five minutes plus minus (no I didn’t time it >.<) for everything to melt away. Some people might think its tedious to have to wait for five minutes to fully remove make up, but for me, I rather wait those five minutes than get wrinkles from excessive rubbing to remove my makeup.


To remove, just dampen a cotton wool with lukewarm water, and wipe it off your face. After using this product, I find that it doesn’t dry my skin out, which is a plus point. However, I usually like to double cleanse, which brings me to the next BelleWave product.


WHITEWAVE GENTLE WASH – suitable for all skin types


This gentle wash cleanses skin perfectly in the gentlest possible way without drying and irritating. It dissolves keratin and purifies the skin. It also helps to balance the biological equilibrium of skin’s functions, thus helping skin defend itself against external aggressions such as pollution. Day after day, skin appears more youthful and the complexion becomes fairer and more radiant.


Its active ingredients include:
  • Mulberry Root Extract: Rich anti-oxidant content found in these root bark aids in preventing formation of wrinkles and slow down aging process. These roots bark consist of excellent properties to enhance whitening effect, removing impurities and residual rough skin. This extract reduces the production of melanin in the skin as a reaction to UV exposure and so has a lightening effect on the skin.
  • Carica (Papaya) Fruit Extract: It is mostly known for dramatically improving tone and texture of skin. It increases better circulation of blood, and thus promotes healthy, vibrant complexion. Mainly these are good for rejuvenation of mature, dull skin; aid in clearing brown spots from sunlight exposure, smoothing the skin and creating a healthier looking skin.
  • Hydrolyzed Wheat Germ Proteins: A skin-conditioning agent that moisturises skin, and helps bind water in the tissues. 
  • Hydrolyzed Carrot Proteins: Moisturise and defend the cutaneous and dermis cells against factors responsible for aging. 

As I mentioned earlier, I practice the double cleansing method, so usually after I remove my make up with the cleansing milk, I make it a point to wash my face one more time with cleansing wash. The double cleansing method actually ensures that you face gets a proper clean and helps subsequent products to absorb better into your skin.

This product has a clear gel-like texture, which I love :D I don’t really like watery types, because I have a tendency to be quite clumsy at times, so the product that gets pumped out will be wasted if it spills over the palm of my hand :p It doesn’t have a very strong scent, considering that the cleansing milk had a very refreshing melon scent.


It can also wash away makeup, which I’ve tried doing. But I will only use this method if I have on just face powder or non-waterproof makeup. In the pic above, I used my Catrice Semi Waterproof eyeliner as a test subject. After just a few seconds of applying it, the eyeliner was removed.

In terms of efficacy of the product, it doesn’t leave my skin tight and dry after usage. I feel that my skin is more moisturised and has a more velvety feel to it after drying off.

And moving on to my next skincare…


CLEARWAVE DE-BAC ASTRINGENT LOTION – for combination oily skin


This lightly-textured antibacterial astringent lotion gently whisks away pore-clogging impurities and oil that can lead to imperfections. It reduces the formation of blackheads and blemish spots, tightens the pores, and soothes and moisturizes the epidermis. Skin is refreshed and clean, yet feels dewy and comfortable. BelleWave ClearWave promotes problem-free skin.

Its active ingredients include:
  • Anti-Bacterial Burdock Root Extract: Purifies skin, thus reducing the formation of blackheads and spots. It tightens pores and soothes the epidermis.
  • Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom) Extract: Has astringent, pore-tightening and moisturising effects on the skin.
  • Witch Hazel Water: Witch Hazel is well known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties, due to the high amount of tannins that this herb has. It is an astringent herb and can reduce the body fluid discharge by constricting the skin and its pores.
  • Rosemary Essential Oil: With antiseptic, purifying, toning and anti-oxidising virtues.
  • Peppermint Essential Oil: An aromacological fragrance with toning, refreshing and soothing features.
  • Panthenol (Provitamin B5): Promotes healing. Has protective and moisturising actions. It helps restore and maintain natural skin moisture, leaving the skin feeling velvety and smooth


The product is a clear pink solution, and has a minty scent. It also comes in a tall transparent pump bottle, synonymous with their other products. As with all lotions, this step comes after cleansing your face. For me, one pump of this product is enough. I pump it on a cotton pad and smooth it all over my face.

It further cleanses my skin of impurities that the facial wash has not managed to cleanse away. I love the product for its minty scent as it leaves my skin feeling refreshed. Its moisturising properties are also commendable as my skin doesn’t feel dry and taut after usage. There was no dryness when I touched my skin, it felt really velvety and smooth.


COMEDONE REPAIR ACTIVIST - FOR TREATMENT OF COMEDONES & BLEMISHES/PORE-TIGHTENING


ClearWave Comedone Repair Activist — a first-of-its-kind treatment for comedones, commonly known as blackheads and whiteheads —effortlessly dislodges blockages and impurities. An unsurpassed concoction developed from extensive research, it contains unique ingredients with an exclusive biological re-equilibrating agent that balances cutaneous disorders typical of oily and problem skins. Inculcated with pore-tightening astringent, tissue-repairing and calming properties to aid prevention of blemishes, its formula allows you to relish in clean and tight pores in the comfort of your home.


Its active ingredients include:
  • Salicylic Acid: An effective keratolitic agent that favours exfoliation and thus improves the appearance and feel of skin.
  • Calendula Extract: Contains calming, softening and moisturising virtues.
  • Camomile Extract: Has calming, moisturising and tissue repairing properties.
  • Burdock Root Extract: Purifies skin, thus reducing the formation of whiteheads, blackheads and spots. Tightens pores and calms the epidermis.
  • Biological Equilibrating Agent: Helps balance cutaneous disorders typical of oily and problem skins.
  • Tomato Juice: A special botanical juice prepared from carefully selected fresh tomatoes. It helps improve skin grain thanks to its astringent effect and provides good calming, refreshing and exfoliating properties.

This was a product that I was really excited to try, especially because it claims to be able to remove my black- and whiteheads and refine my pores. The packaging itself is different from the others. It comes in a small silver bottle, and when you unscrew it, you will find that it is a dropper, and the white button above it is the suction bulb itself which is quite cool as it does away with the typical rubber suction bulb that products like the Estee Lauder ANR has. I quite like it as it has a very old-school apothecary feel to it with the dropper and what not.


The texture of the product itself is not very oily, and is a clear yellow. However, it IS quite watery, so I’m usually prepared with a cotton pad after I lift the dropper as it will drip even without me pushing the suction bulb. One pump is sufficient for my nose, cheek, and forehead area, so I usually just pump it out once. Once applied on my skin, it leaves a slightly oily residue before fully absorbing into my skin, so I totally don’t feel the oiliness after that.


After using it for two weeks, I noticed that my pores are slightly smaller, and there are less blackheads on my skin. Of course, not ALL blackheads will be removed, but there is a slightly less number of them. As for pore size, of course it’s hard to expect a drastic change in just two weeks, but I’m satisfied with the results that I got. I believe that I will definitely see more improved results the longer I use it.


SUNWAVE UV EXTRA DNA DE-TOX UV BLOCK (WHITE) (SPF 45 / PA+++)


Sunwave is another range of skincare, to protect our skin against the sun. This non-greasy, ultra-light emulsion is the answer to complete protection from the sun’s noxious UV rays and other environmental pollutants. The spectacular blend of technological ingredients ensures tanning is effectively avoided, while providing full-spectrum shielding. Strengthened with Vitamins A and E, skin also enjoys an unsurpassed level of moisture and nourishment that helps keep it healthy. Skin feels velvety, smooth and light throughout the day!


Its active ingredients include:
  • Dispersed Micronised Titanium Dioxide: Gives safe and effective broad-spectrum UV protection with optimum transparency.
  • "New Generation" Sun Filter Complex: Helps protect skin against sun radiation and delays erythema and premature aging due to noxious sunrays. Acts as an SPF booster and enables the achievement of an excellent protection by a synergistic effect while offering good tolerance.
  • Detoxileneä: A purifying complex. Activates drainage, reduces tissue clogging and favours the purification of tissues. It is also shown to have skin restructuring properties.
  • Sodium Hyaluronate: Has strong moisturizing and film-forming properties. Helps preserve the most important characteristics of youthful, healthy skin, such as suppleness, elasticity and tone.
  • Caprylyl Glycol: Has exceptional moisturizing virtues as well as distinct, immediate and persistent calming effects.
  • Shea Butter: Has cell regenerative, softening, moisturizing and restructuring virtues and thus efficiently delays skin aging.
  • Olive Oil: Has moisturizing and regenerative properties, which in turn promotes and preserves youthful skin.
  • Vitamin E: Has an anti-oxidant action and skin moisturizing properties. Also plays an important role in preventing damage due to UV radiation.
  • Vitamin A: Helps maintain healthy skin by improving texture, firmness and smoothness. Also helps to contribute to the prevention of desquamation and dry skin.
  • Soothing Agent: Reduces the formation of diffused redness by reinforcing the capillary wall, and calms irritation and feelings of discomfort typical of sensitive skin. Also helps to diminish dark circles around the eyes

This product comes in a tube, and is white in colour. There are no distinguishable scents, apart from mildly smelling of sunscreen, which is to be expected. It goes on quite smoothly, and absorbs into the skin after a few minutes. It is quite lightweight and I don’t feel it on my skin at all!

I smooth it on after my moisturiser and before make up, and it’s very easy for me because it absorbs into my skin very fast. So I don't have to wait too long before applying my make up.

So what do you think of the products? I have used them all for two weeks, and this is what I have to say:


Overall, I feel that these products are good for my skin, as they addressed my main concern which is dryness even though my skin is oily. A beauty therapist once told me my oily skin was due to a lack of moisture in my skin, which is why it produces more oil to compensate for it. 

After using these products, it has evened out my skin tone somewhat and reduced my skin's redness. Like in the red circles for my before pic, you can see the redness in my skin, but after two weeks, the redness has been reduced. My skintone personally for me I feel that it is more even, my pores are smaller and blackheads are significantly less. 

I like using the BelleWave range, because even though I'm using two different ranges from BelleWave, I feel that it is catered specifically for me to target different areas that I have concerns on. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to give a new skincare range a try!

SPECIAL


And speaking of which, BelleWave actually currently has a special ongoing promotion until 31 March 2015, whereby where 3 full size product of Cleansing Milk, Cleanser & Toner (that is tailored to the skins needs like mine i.e BelleWave or ClearWave range) are on sale at RM198 (worth RM504). Of course, the promotion is while stocks last, so hurry up and get those now!

Kindly click on http://www.bellewave.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/pages/BelleWave-Malaysia/208917775811084 to find out more.

For product/Sale enquiry, kindly PM BelleWave Malaysia FB page to find out where is the nearest salon to buy the products: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BelleWave-Malaysia/208917775811084?fref=ts

Enquiry Email :[email protected]

GIVEAWAY

And if perhaps you think that maybe you would like to try your luck at winning a travel set instead of forking up money to get the full set, then you're in luck! Because BelleWave will be giving away FIVE travel sets worth RM138 to my readers!

It will be a facebook contest, and will run until 31st March 2015, and all you need to do is:

1. Head over to my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/choulyin and like it!
2.  share my FB post on the BelleWave skincare and tag my FB page and also BelleWave Malaysia (FB link)
3. Don't forget to include the hashtag #BelleWaveMalaysia
4. That's it! It's very simple and easy, there is even no need for a slogan or creative comment :p

So head on over to my FB page now to enter!

Til the next time, stay beautiful!

xoxo,
yin

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