Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Hydrachange Essence

My favorite part about modern skin care is its effectiveness. Good products deliver visible results within weeks or even days, and while they won't give you a face lift or a nose job, they make one's skin look as good as possible without having to use methods like the one you see above. Other than sun protection (and correcting past sun damage), my main focus is keeping my skin looking alive. It's all quite Harry Potter-like: Potions, Defence Against The Dark Arts and a touch of Herbology, so I like that Kanebo Sensai's nearly magical serum is called an "Essence".

Cellular Performance Hydrachange Essence looks like a runny lotion but you can tell as soon as you apply it that there's some heavy duty concentrated moisturizing there. The "magic" is in the contrast between the lightness of the texture (and the absolute lack of any grease) and the instant plumping and suppleness it gives the face. And these results don't vanish. My skin remains happy for long hours, and I can also tell now, after over a month of daily use, that I've achieved a new and better balance.

Granted, the real test of a superpower hydrating product is during the winter, when freezing temperatures and overheated spaces conspire to age us all, but from what I'm seeing now I have high hopes for the Sensai Hydrachange Essence (and also for the cream from this series which I will start testing as soon as the weather changes). As for integrating this product into my existing routine, I use it every morning after moisturizing and once again in the afternoon or evening once I've taken off my makeup. I still use the brightening Cle de Peau serum right before bed and the results are great, so there's no conflict between the two products.

Bottom Line: Fabulous.

Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Hydrachange Essence ($150, 1.35oz) is available at  Bergdorf Goodman and also online from neimanmarcus.com. A press sample was provided by the company's PR team.

Image: glamourdaze.blogspot.com

Kanebo Sensai Hydrachange Mist

Complaining about the weather gets old and boring quickly, especially since we all know I'm going to whine twice as much come winter. But this summer has been brutal, making me more obsessed than ever about protecting my skin and keeping it in top shape with all the moisture and nutrients I can get.

It can be a bit odd how after a day of running around in soup-like humidity once I'm back in the cool and airconditioned house all of a sudden my skin looks and feels deflated. This is where this liquid spray, Hydrachange Mist from Sensai by Kanebo makes a difference.

The Hydrachange Mist looks like water but feels thicker, like a very runny serum. It's actually a mix of water with hyaluronic acid that allows skin to hold unto the moisture and retain it. I've heard some people like to keep the spray bottle of the Mist in the fridge and use it to feel refreshed. Personally, I don't like spraying my face with anything too cold, so I keep it in room temperature. I find that it perks me up instantly and my skin feels very supple after every use. It can be used under makeup or over it and I think it helps makeup stay on and look freshly applied longer. Is this much difference than spraying your face with mineral water at a fraction of the cost? It's hard to say, but I do feel a difference in my skin, so the hyaluronic acid must be doing its job.

Bottom Line: At $75 for 100ml, this is a real indulgence, but after two weeks of temperature in the 100s one starts to appreciate anything that works.

Bottom Line 2: I wish they'd make a travel size bottle, small enough to take on a plane.It would have been the best fix for flight face.

Kanebo Sensai Hydrachange Mist ($75) is available from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus (the latter is online only). A press sample was supplied by the company's PR team.

Image: Veruschka by Franco Rubartelli, Vogue US June 1968

Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Bronze Soothing After Sun Mask

The last month or so the weather here has been on the range between horrible to atrocious. Hiding in air conditioned spaces is nice, but as the husband and I wanted to make the most of our weekends, go places and visit interesting antique centers (a note to the wise: south-central Jersey leaves a lot to be desired) it meant quite a bit of time in the car and walking around. I've been really really good, using sunscreen, wearing a wide brimmed hat and covering myself with a scarf for some extra protection, so other than the top of my feet which I systematically forget to slater with sun blocks, I've kept my natural pale ash color.

 But it doesn't mean that the heat and sun didn't affect my skin. I could tell that no matter how much water I drink, my skin lost  moisture and felt sensitive. I also missed a spot when applying sunscreen to my hands and got a little sunburn on my right hand just below the pinky finger. My regular arsenal of moisturizers helped a little, but not enough to make me feel restored, which was why I turned to the heavy duty product: Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Bronze Soothing After Sun Mask.

Designed for use after serious sun exposure, the 10 minute mask cools the skin and reduces inflammation. It's supposed to minimize peeling and sustain an even tan, but that's obviously not my thing. What I can tell you is how quickly the mask restores skin suppleness and moisture level. The mask contains some interesting good-for-you ingredients like hyaluronate collagen booster, apricot essence and silk complex in a base solution of mentholated water (that's the instant cooling effect). I used it nightly after returning home and once before going out again in the evening, and could see the results especially after a couple of days- my skin looked rested and healthy with no sign of heat exhaustion.

This Sensai product is an actual mask- a three-layer paper product that is saturated with the liquid solution. You take out the sheet from the individual packet, unfold it and apply carefully smooth it all over the face. It feels a little weird the first time, especially since you need to position it correctly over the eyes, nose and mouth. There are flaps for the eyes which you can use to cover the lids and take a ten minute catnap or lift them, as desired. I cut one of the flaps and used it on my hand and it worked great. Two days later there was no sign of sunburn.

A full pack of the Silky Bronze Bronze Soothing After Sun Mask contains 8 sheets. You're supposed to use them for five consecutive days during your vacation/sun exposure time and then once a week for three more weeks. I've been just using them as needed, making sure not to do that when expecting the UPS guy to ring the doorbell, to avoid an Eyes Without A Face moment (the French horror film, not Billy Idol's song). I find it highly effective and a summer essential.

Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Bronze Soothing After Sun Mask ($100 per pack) is available from Bergdorf Goodman. It doesn't currently appear on their website so you'll need to give them a call if you're interested and unable to get there in person. A press sample of the mask was provided by the company for my consideration.

Kanebo Sensai 38°C Mascara- M3 Smoky Green (Limited Edition)

Smoky Green is a new limited edition color in Kanebo Sensai 38°C  Mascara line. This is the Separating & Lengthening formula with the delicate thin brush which I find easier to use than the angled brush of the Volumizing mascara. You can reach the base of the lashes with this brush and it creates a beautiful full fringe. I like it because the result is naturally full and healthy lashes. The mascara's texture is so good and smooth I can even apply it on my lower lashes to define them without looking too obvious or creating a dark shadow under the eyes.

Smoky Green is a black-based olive. On dark lashes it gives a hint of a color and is good when you want to lighten up the look and avoid black, or when you want your lashes to stand out against a shiny black eyeliner (this look is a bit too harsh for me, but it's not half bad). I also like applying this Sensai mascara  as a second coat just on the tips over a black-brown one, but this is probably something only long-lashed ladies should attempt. This color is probably best for blondes, though. It will stand out the most against fair skin and bring out any flecks of green or hazel in your eyes. Mine have more cinnamon and the contrast is interesting, but I think navy works better for me.

One thing to avoid if you have very dark lashes is applying the 38°C  (and most colored mascara) directly over a white base. While it makes the color more obvious, the lashes look dusty and too light. I tried it with two different primers and got the same unflattering results, so keep that in mind. Blondes need not worry about this and using a lash base would probably intensify the mascara's effect on them.

Bottom Line: Excellent for blondes, worth a try for most.

Kanebo Sensai 38°C  Mascara ($25) is sold at Bergfdorf Goodman (Neiman Marcus is online only). You'll probably need to give them a call to reserve one in this color. I received this press preview sample from the PR team.

Photos by me.

Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Sun Protective Cream For The Face SPF 30

Here's the problem with most sunscreens: they don't always play well with the other stuff we put on our faces. We all have a skin care routine. Serum this and anti-aging that. Then there's makeup, from face primer and up. And nobody wants white residue, a greasy face and foundation that melts and travels south. But sun damage is even less desirable, so we experiment. Last summer my solution was Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30, a sunblock in powder form you can apply over your makeup. This season Chantecaille is offering a similar product with a higher SPF and hopefully a better mechanism than the PTR brush, but as much as I want to try it, Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Sun Protective Cream For The Face SPF 30 is looking like an even better option.

The best thing about this Sensai sunscreen is the skin care/anti-aging aspect. It can actually replace whatever else you apply over your basic moisturizer while providing sun protection. It looks and feels like any good face cream, goes on sheer and leaves no goop or white residue behind. The Silky Bronze series is formulated with a bunch of good-for-you ingredients from Vitamin B to apricot essence complex and is chock full of hyaluronate/collagen booster (the stuff that makes skin retain moisture and firmness). I tend to take big promises with a (yet unbottoxed) raised eyebrow and a grain of salt. Still, there is no doubt that my skin likes Silky Bronze and responds well to having it daily under my foundation or tinted moisturizer. The cream holds nicely to makeup and does the sun protection work while not messing with everything else.

Bottom Line: Happy face.

Kanebo Sensai Silky Bronze Sun Protective Cream For The Face SPF 30 ($100, 1.7 oz) is available at kanebo.com, neimanmarcus.com (though not in stores) and Bergdorf Goodman. I received a press sample from the comapny's PR team.

Image: Sunlight from digitalart.org

Kanebo Sensai The Lipstick (Hiwada 10)

It's quite a statement when a brand names one of it lipsticks The Lipstick, and once I tried The Lipstick from Sensai by Kanebo it was quite clear why they think it deserves the title. I find that the lipsticks I use the most are the ones that not only provide a gorgeous color and pretty shiny finish, but also keep my lips soft and moisturized throughout the day and would never ever end up as a leftover pigment on pruny looking lips.

This Kanebo Sensai lipstick offers one of the greatest textures you can find on the market. The rich pigment doesn't betray the fact that this is probably just as much a skincare product as a makeup item, which gives both immediate and lingering results. When I use the lipstick for a couple of consecutive days (hey, it happens), I see a difference in the level of plumpness and smoothness. I've been testing this lipstick for months now (the date on the earlier photos I took is from October) and it performed beautifully on the harshest winter days.

Hiwada is a very warm red.with a slightly orange-brown base. It's bold and dramatic and requires you to make sure your skin is in the smoothest, clearest shape possible (go for the whole shebang and don't skip anything: primer, foundation, concealer and light-diffusing powder). Keep the eye makeup minimal- mascara, eyeliner and nude-looking lids. Think of Dita Von Teese when she's off-stage and you'll get it right.

Bottom line: Red carpet-worthy.

Kanebo Sensai The Lipstick ($55) is available from Bergdorf Goodman online and in store and Neiman Marcus (online only). You can also order through the company's website and have a consultant call you to make sure you're getting the best product for you. The company's PR provided me with a free press sample.

All photos are mine. Model: Lizzy.

Kanebo Sensai 38°C Volumizing Mascara

Show me a mascara with a special shaped brush and I'm there, excited to try it and see how it differs from all the other super wands. But it turned out that I like the Kanebo Sensai 38°C Volumizing Mascara despite the brush and not because of it.

The 38°C Volumizing Mascara has a wonderful glossy formula that makes the lashes stand out instantly without gooping them up. It gives a lot of definition and a reasonable increase in volume, though not very dramatic, so one or two coats are great for everyday wear.You can build it up for more impact if desired and the lashes remain separate and clump-free. I find that this Sensai mascara also gives my lashes a significant eye-opening lift and holds a curl nicely. Combined with the color intensity and glossy finish, the final result looks very polished.

Another advantage of the 38C formula is its durability. The longest I've had it on was 16 hours and it stayed firmly in place despite a nap on the couch and a quick eye rubbing. It never flaked or left any black debris around my eyes, yet the mascara is easy to remove with any conventional product.

My issue with the brush is caused by the angle of the curve. Apparently, this arch is not ideal for my specific eye shape and I can't reach with it to the tiny lashes in the inner corners (the outer side of the eye allows for more wiggle room). The brush is thin, so it gets the base of the lashes, but this same flexibility made me try several times to capture the more elusive lashes and I ended up getting the brush in my eye and making a royal mess. While these weren't my finest moments, I discovered another thing about the Kanebo Sensai formula- it's very gentle and non-irritating, so if you have sensitive eyes and/or wear contacts this is definitely worth trying.

Bottom Line: In the end I learned to get the best of the 38°C Volumizing Mascara without stabbing myself in the eye.

Sensai by Kanebo 38°C Volumizing Mascara ($32) is available from Bergdorf Goodman (in store and online) and Neiman Marcus (online only). I received a couple of samples from the company.

Photos by me.

Sensai by Kanebo- Total lip Treatment

I had a lip emergency. Between the weather outside and the dry heat in the house (I keep things toasty), I've been going through tubes and pots of lip products. I didn't notice I was running low until I found myself on a cold NYC day with painfully chapped lips. Dryness is even worse on my bottom lip because of the stupid tiny scar that runs across and starts bleeding if not moisturized regularly. It's not pretty and my lipsticks deserve better.

The day was saved by a small sample of Kanebo Sensai Total Lip Treatment I had tucked somewhere in my purse. I had a few of those around- one came from the company and another one or two were a Bergdorf GWP that arrived in the nick of time. It only took minutes for the balm to start hydrating my lips and restoring them to a soft and healthy look. A good lip treatment also plumps- not by stinging or irritating but by making your lips look their natural best. It's an excellent starting point for a dark lipstick (you can't wear red if your lips are pruny and peeling) or a simple gloss.

Bottom line: This is real skincare for lips. Worth every penny.

Total lip Treatment ($65, 15 ml) and the rest of Sensai by Kanebo products are available online from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. In store they are exclusive to Bergdorf. One can also place the order on kanebo.com and have a rep call you to confirm and consult. Not exactly my way of doing things, but I can see why it would appeal to some.

Image: blog.modernmechanix.com

Sensai by Kanebo- Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment

It's becoming pretty clear that if one is looking for good anti-aging hand lotions, the place to find them is at companies and brands that specialize in serious skin care and produce the best treatments for your face. it makes sense, after all. While greasy creams and petroleum gel-based products have their place when you need a buffer between harsh conditions and your skin, they don't nourish or restore your hands, and definitely have no anti-aging properties.

I've been going through sample tubes of Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment by Kanebo Sensai and have nothing but praise for it. It actually plumps the skin and makes my hand not just feel better but also look smoother. The best part is how the cream sink right in leaving no residue on the surface. It's not greasy at all- I can thoroughly slather my hands and then pet the fluffiest of my cats and no hair would stick to me (I have creative testing methods).

I'm often asked about age spots, but I don't have any on my hands so I can't tell you if this Kanebo cream would make a significant difference. What I definitely see is that it keeps my skin very soft and nicely textured even in this weather. Considering I'm prone to scary parching, I'm very happy with it. Not seeing a dry cuticle in weeks has also been a very nice bonus.

Bottom line: Worth the price.

Sensai by Kanebo Cellular Performance Intensive Hand Treatment ($90 for 3.4 oz) is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I've received several samples as GWP and from the company's PR team.

Photo by Rene Zuber, 1930

Kanebo Sensai Eyelid Base (Primer)

Regular readers know that I'm a big advocate of makeup primers. They make whatever color products you use last longer, look better and even apply more smoothly. It's an extra step, but a quick one that pays off hours later. Eye primers are especially great because they prevent your shadow from creasing, melting and changing color as a result of exposure to air and skin oils.

However, I understand why the cream-to-powder texture of many popular brands might feel too dry for those with super dry or mature skin. The Eyelid Base from Sensai by Kanebo is an excellent solution for this issue. This is a very creamy primer, as you can see in the picture. It has moisturizing and shielding qualities while still providing a silky canvas and anchoring your eye makeup. The flesh color you see in the jar disappears upon application, but instead there's a very subtle brightening effect. It's barely noticeable- no sheen, shimmer or frost- only a slight illumination that is always welcome around the eyes.

I've been testing the Sensai Eyelid Base with most eye shadow and eye liner brands I own and the results are always great, no matter what (or how much) eye cream I've been applying underneath. The makeup stays on looking fresh with no change to color and finish. My one and only gripe is the packaging. The primer comes in this little jar with no want or applicator. You're supposed to dip your finger and dab right on the lid. I suppose you could also use a brush (a synthetic concealer brush would work here), but I find that primers are best applied with one's pinky. The average germaphobe wouldn't be happy with this arrangement, so my suggestion is to use a clean plastic applicator (like the one that comes with many good skin care products) to spoon a tiny amount out of the jar, then use your finger from there. Clean the applicator and rinse in hot water after use and store in a little ziploc bag.

Bottom line: Other than the packaging this is quite fabulous.

Kanebo Sensai Eyelid Base ($26, 0.22 oz) is exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I received it as a PR freebie.

Photo by me.

Bottom line: A great product and

Kanebo Sensai Lasting Treatment Rouge (LT 06 Matsu Kasane)

I'm starting to think that one can't go wrong with Kanebo Sensai products. At least the ones I've been sent to try so far. A lip color I wasn't even supposed to like has become one of my most used products, and now Lasting Treatment Rouge is teaching me a lesson about lipstick staying power and moisturizing. I must say it's setting the bar pretty high.

The literature about Lasting Treatment Rouge says the formula's secret is "gel-coated pigments" and they weren't kidding. It has a gel-like feeling the treatment effects are visible and can be felt within 10 minutes from application- my lips fill up and look smoother. They remain so for hours, while the pigment is rich and gives excellent coverage. The lipstick survives a drink but needs to be re-applied after dinner, though lips remain clearly stained- it's mostly the finish that is lost.

The color I have, LT 06 Matsu Kasane, is a reddish mauve-brown with a silvery sheen. The silvery flakes appear in other colors I saw swatched online, so if that bothers you it might not be the lipstick for you after all. I find that this finish balances out the LT 06 and makes the brown very wearable. I sometimes top it with a pink toned gloss to bring it down a little, but all in all, this color is about a shade and a half darker than natural color and is surprisingly flattering both for day and for night.

Bottom line: I see LT 04 and LT 05 in my future.

Sensai by Kanebo products including Lasting Treatment Rouge ($40) are available exclusively from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, in store and online.The company's website (kanebo.com) also provides personal consultation by request. I received this preview sample as a PR Freebie.
All photos by me.

Kanebo Sensai Deep Moist Shine Rouge (MS 111 Usuhanasakura)

Out of several Kanebo Sensai lipsticks I've been testing lately, this Deep Moist Shine in MS 111 Usuhanasakura should have been my least favorite, because the color is much too pale for me to wear- this type of shimmery pink is about two tones lighter than my natural lip color, so worn on its own it looks chalky and weird, even though it's semi-sheer. However, I find myself reaching for this Deep Moist wonder quite often and wear it on top of many of my super diva dark purples and plums to make them more approachable for day or casual evenings.

The wonderful texture of Deep Moist Shine adds a balmy feel to any lip color I'm wearing under it, and the glossy shine is surprisingly sleek and wearable. I'm still discovering pretty options and combinations, which is a lot of fun for anyone who likes to mix and match colors. Of course, if you're pale, this tender pink would probably work beautifully on its own.

Kanebo Sensai products are available from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, but I couldn't find the Deep Moist Shine Rouge on their websites. However, ecosmeticworld.com sells these lipsticks ($40) online. I received a press sample directly from the company's PR.

All photos by me.

Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Wrinkle Repair Cream

One thing I've learned in the last four or five years is that skin care really matters. It won't make you taller, skinnier or smarter, but good skin care used consistently (religiously, actually) makes a world of difference in the way we look. And feel.

It's not always a question of price, gold packaging and a formula made of Martian minerals and unicorn tears. Independent studies and my own forehead have shown that the $22 No. 7 serum from Target is an extremely effective wrinkle correction substance (these studies say nothing about battle scars you get when fighting other shoppers over the last bottle on the shelf). But when it comes to face creams and moisturizers with anti-aging properties, the more research and advanced technology that goes in the product, the better it can be. While this means a hefty price tag, it's usually worth it.

I've been using Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Wrinkle Repair Cream for the last couple of months. I don't have any serious wrinkles (and we all know that there's only so much a face cream can do once they actually set in), but I can confirm a case of a very happy skin. The Cellular Performance cream does an excellent work on the nourishing front. My skin looks and feels plump and very smooth. A few days of use revealed an extra radiance, and no matter what- it seems to retain a high level of moisture, which is probably half the secret of the Kanebo Sensai products I've encountered so far.

I've been using the Cellular Performance cream alternately with my Holy Grail, Lancome Secret de Vie. The Kanebo Sensai product is thicker and takes a little longer to absorb, so I prefer it at night. When I wake up in the morning there's a visible difference in the liveliness of my skin. My husband, of course, has no idea what I'm talking about.

Bottom line: I wouldn't expect miracles, but it works very well.

Kanebo Sensai Cellular Performance Wrinkle Repair Cream ($240, 40 ml) is available from Bergdorf Goodman. I was provided with a press sample by the company.

Image: sensai-cosmetics.com

Kanebo Sensai Eye Shadow Palette (ES02 Kaede Momiji)

I don't know what "Kaede Momiji" means in Japanese, but I suspect it could be "pretty and elegant", because that's how I'd label this Kanebo Sensai palette. As you can see, the colors are warm browns with a light shimmer, offering the full range from a highlighter to a dark chocolate liner.

There's nothing new or revolutionary here, just very wearable in a subtle, classy way. It's a go-to palette for a well put-together everyday look that can be lightened down or intensified, according to need. I usually skip the warmest color in the palette because it's too orange for my skin tone, but the other ones are very flattering.

Like every Kanebo Sensai product I've tried to far, the quality is the highest possible. The eye shadows are finely milled, the texture silky, smooth and blendable, and the staying power is very impressive. I use it over a primer and my eye makeup survives from day to night with no touchups, even after a short walk in the rain.

Kanebo Sensai Eye Shadow Palette ($50) is available from Bergdorf Goodman. Mine was provided by the brand's PR.

All photos by me.

Kanebo Sensai Collection Premier the Body Cream

This is one of the very few occasions in my life I'm quite happy to be short and not have neverending limbs. It makes my sample of body cream from Kanebo Sensai Collection Premier last just a bit longer.

This cream is beyond fabulous (and for $400 per 8.5 oz it better be). I've slathered my share of creams, lotions, butters and oils. Some were better than others, but I think it's the first time I could see the product's effect lasting on the skin for 24 hours. What I mean is that while this is definitely not the first super hydrating cream I've tried and loved, by the next day (and usually sooner) my skin is already demanding more. With Kanebo Sensai Premier, the newly found softness is still noticeably there. Considering my cuir de crocodile, this is quite impressive.

I haven't been using the cream long enough (it is a sample, after all) to comment on any long term anti-aging effect. The marketing materials talk about 20 active ingredients and name things such as Bukuryo extract, Chinese mulberry, seaweed extract and others. All I can say is that it feels great and makes my arms and legs look normal. The delicate white flower (quite a bit of orange blossom) scent is lovely and luxurious, as it ought to be.

My friend Tom mentioned a couple of weeks ago that at a certain price level he'd rather have stuff prescribed and not bought at Bergdorf, and I know exactly what he means. If my skin requires such heavy duty treatments (and it does. I've been prune prone since early childhood, even when I lived in a hot and humid climate), isn't it better to have my health insurance fork over?

Probably so, but it wouldn't feel as fabulous as the Kanebo Sensai Premier.

Bottom line: I'm doomed.

Kanebo Sensai Collection Premier the Body Cream ($400, 8.5 oz. Cringe) is available from Bergdorf Goodman, online and in store. The sample I received was a PR freebie.

Image: sensai-cosmetics.com