NEVER TOO EARLY TO FUTURE-PROOF SKIN
For a new mom like me, skin care had fallen off the list of priorities
The afternoon brimmed with promises of primping and pampering, of leisure and luxury, of relaxation and even a flash of realization—providing a much-needed pause from the frenzy of a packed daily life.
At Chi, The Spa, at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel’s tranquil Garden Wing, the innovative Japanese cosmetic company Shiseido hosted a timely beauty retreat that included an indulgent facial treatment and hand massage, as well as makeover services and aromatherapy.
The past few years have not been kind, but even with hints of better things to come, there are still everyday struggles to contend with. Soon, a deluge of holiday events—not to mention heavy holiday traffic—will add to the mix. Like it or not, stressors will ultimately find ways to leave evidence on the skin.
For a new mom like me, lack of sleep seems to be the most likely culprit for my dull and dry skin. And with a never-ending list of to-dos that I must squeeze in between baby duties, the threat of the coronavirus having kept me indoors for most of the past two years and my face half-obscured by a mask whenever I go out anyway, it was inevitable that skin care would fall off my list of priorities.
But that is exactly what Shiseido Future Solutions LX prestige product line is all about: The need to future-proof skin to keep it looking youthful longer needs to start now.
Premium range
Designed for thirtysomethings and older, the premium range of Shiseido skincare products helps address a broad spectrum of concerns, including lifting and wrinkle reduction. Noncomedogenic and dermatologically tested, it is infused with healing properties of the “legendary” enmei herb, said to have been used by a Buddhist monk to help a sick traveler recover.
The company spent eight years studying and developing the herb into what is now the Future Solution LX formulation.
I had my 20-minute Yutaka express facial, which used the gloriously luxurious Future Solution LX products, starting with the Extra Rich Cleansing Foam to clear out dirt and oil that clog pores. My aesthetician Cielo explained that it should be lathered into a foam prior to use so as to mix the ingredients together better, which will aid in maintaining the natural moisturizing powers in the skin.
The alcohol-free Concentrated Balancing Softener was then massaged onto my face to balance sebum and moisture, and remove dead skin cells. The first application stung a little around the cheekbones, where my skin tends to dry, but the pain was nothing compared to how it usually is when using regular toner. A few more seconds of gentle kneading and the stinging almost completely went away.
Massaging helps in hydration and encourages turnover of cells and blood circulation, and it was particularly pleasurable with heated smooth Imari porcelain gliding over my tired skin.
The line’s rich, velvety moisturizers reduce wrinkles and refine skin texture. The Total Protective Cream for daytime protects against UV rays while their night cream, Total Regenerating Cream, is optimized for when the body is resting.
The Eye and Lip Contour Regenerating Cream works on the delicate spots on the face that are especially susceptible to aging—in wrinkle areas around the eyes (lightly moving outward under the eyes to encourage lifting) and on laugh lines. The potent formula not only works on fine lines, but on deeper wrinkles, as well.
Curiously enough, the same products were used for the hand massage (with the Eye and Lip Contour Regenerating Cream applied to the knuckles), leaving my hands that have been roughened by vigorous handwashing and constant alcohol rubbing surprisingly smoother and positively supple.
It might be too early to tell whether the mystical ingredient in the Shiseido Future Solution LX range lives up to its storied reputation, but the transformation of my skin from unhealthy-looking to glowing, plump and deliciously hydrated in just a matter of minutes was, at least for me, already undeniably legendary.