Juniper
There are a number of Shiseido skincare ranges which cater to different ages and skin concerns but my personal favourite has always been the White Lucent range because it’s a moisturising whitening range. Over the years, I have used just about every product within this range and am a huge fan of the White Lucent Brightening Massage Cream as it promotes blood circulation but it’s best when applied by Shiseido’s Beauty Advisors at their counters. Apparently, White Lucent is the #1 brightening range in the prestige market.
Earlier this year, I used the White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum (launched in Feb 2010)with positive results. Last month, Shiseido launched the White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ but don’t go looking for it at the counters yet as it’ll only be available next March. As you all may have noticed, March is Whitening Month when all the brands with whitening skincare hold promotions at major malls. It’s also the month when brands come out with new or improved versions of existing whitening skincare products.
Mr. Jamie Ong, Senior General Manager of Shiseido Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. mentioned the following in his speech during the launch:-
“Shiseido has long established its name in developing effective whitening/brightening products, using the most advanced skincare technologies.
In 2010, we launched Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum to help women diminish spots in just 2 weeks. Then in the beginning of this year, we had the White Lucent Mobile Lab going round and stopping at various major shopping malls, commercial office areas and universities in KL area to begin the Shiseido Real Life, Real People, Real Results campaign. This campaign brought upon the great opportunity for us to shout about the qualities of the White Lucent range to consumers out there. The Mobile Lab attracted about 15,000 people and close to 400 people took up the challenge of using the Intensive Spot Targeting serum for 2 weeks. They were then asked to have their skins analyzed at our various counters.
Finally in March, we revealed 4 users who shared their real life experiences at KLCC Centre Court. Incidentally, we also have 2 Shiseido White Lucent users here today to also talk about the results they’ve noticed after using the products.”
These are the 2 lovely ladies who are in their early 30s. On the left is Joanne Lim who has been using the serum since March 2011 after joining the Shiseido Brightening Campaign. Joanne started with the Intensive Spot Targeting Serum and then used the Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ for a month. On the right is Mary Wong who has been using the Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ for a month.
I think that their flawless complexions speak louder than words.
As for myself, I have only been using the serum off and on for less than a week so I can’t comment on any improvement or lack thereof with regard to my dark spots until a more reasonable testing time has passed. However, I will say that I like the fludity and silky lightness of its texture and that it feels more like a moisturising serum than a whitening serum because my skin feels hydrated and soft after application. When I apply the Serum+ at night, I do notice a glow to my skin the next morning.
Each time I use this serum, I push the pump once if I am only applying to my dark spots but twice if I am applying to my entire face. Anyway, twice is the recommended “dosage” and according to the instructions, one is supposed to apply the serum on 5 areas of the face starting from the center outwards. Certain massage techniques have to be employed for maximum efficacy and absorption. There is a diagram on the leaflet included with the product. According to the leaflet, with recommended usage, the bottle contains enough product for 2 months’ usage.
Other than the key ingredients mentioned in my earlier review on White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum which are m-Tranexamic Acid, 4MSK and Multi-Target Vitamin C, there is now an extra ingredient to the White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+, i.e. Melano Crush Energizer which targets trouble spots and crushes melanin.
This newly formulated MelanoCrush Energizer targets basement membrane cells in spots that have hardened due to accumulated melanin. It’s been formulated to crush these concentrations, improving stubborn spots that are typically difficult to remove.
Some users of White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ have commented that their blemish scars have become lighter. Since I have a reddish mark on the left side of my face, I would put the product to the test. Maybe it would improve the appearance, maybe it wouldn’t. I just wanted to see if there would be any difference to my skin tone overnight so I took a pic of the left side of my face yesterday evening and compared it with my most recent pic this morning when I woke up.
To my surprise, there is a slight improvement in that the mark appeared less reddish and I have to attribute the improvement to the Serum+ since the only other product I applied over the Serum+ was my night moisturiser. “Before” & “after” pics are the same but in the 2nd set of pics, I’ve encircled the mark in question.
While it has been claimed that Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ can improve the appearance of dark spots in 10 days compared to 14 days for the White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum, we have to bear in mind that since everyone’s skin is different, we can’t expect the same fast results for everyone plus we have to take into consideration the fact that there is more melanin in darker skins but as far as I am concerned, I have confidence in this product simply because Shiseido skincare products have always been good for me and if White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum worked for me albeit in 4 weeks, White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ should produce positive results too.
White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ 30ml will be available in March 2012 and retail at RM410 (note that there is no increase in price).
Shiseido Japan will be setting up a special webpage in relation to the White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+ at http://www.my.shiseido.com/s2012/whitelucent/. Please note that it will only be officially launched on January 16, 2012.
