It’s that time of year again. The holiday season and nothing makes me happier around the holidays than gift-giving. Searching for the perfect gift for those I love brings me joy. I try and remember everything you’ve ever mentioned to me as a friend, so I can surprise you on your birthday and Christmas with a thoughtful present. Therefore with the holidays around the corner, I want to share with you, two special women in my life and how I was able to give the gift of beauty thanks to my partnership with Shiseido.

Why Shiseido?

Everyone is unique and everyone deserves the confidence of beautiful skin. So I partnered with Shiseido, because as a brand, we go way back. As far back as high school I can remember thinking about my skincare routine. When I spoke to my mom and asked her for advice, she took me to a Shiseido counter. My mom used and trusted Shiseido herself and introduced me to the brand. We bought my first full skincare routine from the Shiseido Pureness line. I continued to use Pureness for years, eventually moving into the White Lucent Line around college.

Thanks to Shiseido and my mom, I developed the habit of using a three step skincare routine. Even as a teenager, I was given the gift of beauty with Shiseido. Therefore when thinking of my two friends for the holidays, I knew Shiseido would have the perfect products for both women no matter the age, or skincare concerns, and lifestyle because there is something for everyone at Shiseido.

Another reason I love the holiday season, is being able to highlight loved ones in my life and show appreciation to those who mean the world to me and gift giving is part of showing my appreciation. Heather and Vi are just two extraordinary women who have been there for me and I treasure their friendships. So I wanted you to meet them.

Heather

Meet Heather, an amazing and inspiring woman who has lived life to the fullest. Heather is a two time cancer survivor, my voice teach, mentor, and friend. I met Heather at a time in my life when I was truly lost and broken. I had lost my voice due to trauma and Heather helped me find it. She has been in my life for about 8 years now and has seen me through deep depression, loss, love, marriage, and major growing pains. With all that Heather has dealt with, I wanted to give her the gift of beauty with Shiseido by helping her find a skincare routine to address her skincare concerns.

Skincare Concerns Are:

• broken capillaries
• dryness
• loss of firmness
• sun damage
• stress (internal and external)

The Products

White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam $35 for 125ml

• Formulated with Micro White Powder to help remove dead surface cells that can reduce skin clarity.
• Cleans away impurities without stripping the skin

I have personally used this cleanser and love it! It’s a rich lather that truly leaves my skin feeling clean, radiant, and brighter, all without stripping my already dry skin.

White Lucent Luminizing Infuser with PROApprochx2 Technology $50 for 150ml

• A dual-action technology that combines both dark spot resisting technology and dark spot- correcting technology
• Tranexamic Acid- reduces the appearance of dark spots and unevenness.
• Rosa Roxburghii Extract- Helps address dryness
• Bright-Derm Fragrance – A fragrance ingredient derived from Bulgarian rose oil, and White Lilac element to enhance brightening benefits.

After cleansing, toning or using a softener is one of the most important steps in a skincare routine that often gets neglected. The White Lucent Luminizing Infuser is a new product for me that I’ve been testing out the last few weeks. Within 2 weeks, I had noticed a brighter more even complexion. I suffer from dark spots and discoloration thanks to sun damage and found this product to be a game changer.

Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate $67 for 30ml, $97 for 50ml, $125 for 75ml

• Strengthens Skin
• Power to resist external and internal aggressors like UV rays, pollution, and stress
• Power to protect skin’s natural barrier function
• Power to regenerate to optimize cell turnover
• Power to strengthen skin’s defensive function against aging.

Another new to me product and an immediate hit! I noticed my skin was smoother, brighter, plumper, and overall hydrated. Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate is a magical product that is applied after cleansing and soften and before serums and moisturizers. Watch my YouTube video and you will see Heather try the product on her hand and the immediate difference.

Bio-Performance Glow Revival Serum $89 for 30ml, $120 for 50 ml

• Capillary management technology with Multi-Capsolve1124
• Vitamin C Extract- decreases excess melanin and reduces surface discoloration
• Glycylglycine – suppresses inflammation and improves the look of pores
• Hawthorn Extract and Rice Bran Protein- supports circulation and enhances skin clarity.

Testing this serum out myself, I’m loving how it works with the Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate. My skin has been a lot more resilient this holiday season. Love the high concentration of Vitamin C and Glycylglycine for my own personal skincare concerns.

 

Bio-Performance Glow Revival Cream $100 for 50ml, $125 for 75ml

• Diminishes the appearance of redness, dullness, discoloration, visible pores and wrinkle
• Super Bio-Hyaluronic Acid Plus replenishes skin with rich moisture
• Multi-Capisolve 1124™ targets skin’s capillaries to improve resilience and the appearance of evenness and clarity.

The Bio-Performance Glow Revival Cream is a luxurious rich moisturizer perfect for mature skin or those worried about hydration, capillaries, wrinkles, and dullness. I like to use it at night.

Vi

Meet Vi. Vi, is the mother of a very active two year old boy and one of my oldest friends. Vi, is in her early 30’s and dealing with being a first time mommy.  As if that weren’t enough, she and her husband are currently in the process of selling their first home and moving into a new one, talk about stress!

I have known Vi for as long as I can remember being in school. We grew up together and have remained close, despite the distance and life changes. It is rare to find a friendship like what Vi and I have. As different as we are, we just get each other.

Skincare Concerns

Some of Vi’s skincare concerns

• Time (being a mom of a 2 year old boy, leaves very little time for skincare routines)
• Stress (internal and external)
• Breakouts (usually monthly)
• TIME!

The Products

Thanks to Shiseido, I was able to find a collection of products from their newest line, IBUKI geared towards 25 to 34 year olds. Because of the millennials fast-paced lifestyle including late nights, unbalanced diets, and stress. The IBUKI line was created for us.

IBUKI Multi Solution Gel $38 for 30ml

• High impact gel solution for skincare emergencies
• PhytoTarget Complex – improves the skin’s barrier functions, restore skin’s resistance
• Glycyrrhizic Acid – leaves skin feeling supple and smooth
• Glycylglycine – diminishes the look of pores and improves skin’s texture
• Salicylic Acid – heals and prevents breakouts
• Peony Root Extract – addresses breakouts and blemishes by inhibiting the lipase enzyme which breaks down sebum.

One of the first IBUKI products I ever tried and loved! This is truly a lifesaver product. I use it as a spot treatment on blemishes under and over makeup. During that time of the month, I like to apply a thin layer to my jawline before bed to prevent breakouts.

IBUKI Quick Fix Mist $25 for 50ml

• dewy, refreshing gel that sprays as a cooling mist
• treats shine and dehydration
• controls sebum while delivering moisturizing ingredients
• use anytime, anywhere, even over makeup
• Marjoram Extract – targets dehydration by promoting hyaluronic acid production.
• PhytoTarget Complex – improves the skin’s barrier functions, restore skin’s resistance
• Anti – Shine Complex – helps suppress surface oiliness for less shiny skin over time

What I like about this gel mist the most is how it is a gel. Because it is a gel, it does not evaporate into the air as quickly as other mists, so I can actually feel and see it working. Perfect for setting my makeup and for mid-day touch ups; and since I have combination dry and oily skin, this is the perfect on-the-go product.

IBUKI Beauty Sleep Mask $40 for 80ml

• leave – on, non sticky gel that helps skin recuperate from external stresses.
• hydrate, smooth and renew the skin for a refreshed look in the morning.
• Encapsulated Vitamin C and E – treats skin with a surge of strengthening nutrients and helps tired-looking skin appear brighter, clearer, and radiant.
• PhytoTarget Complex – improves the skin’s barrier functions, restore skin’s resistance

This is the perfect skincare treatment for those who don’t have time for skincare treatments and masks. Everyone has to sleep sometime, so why not multitask at night? Hence why, I’ve been using the IBUKI Beauty Sleep mask while I’ve been fighting a cold and it has given me the ability to not look as bad as I feel. I also think all the Shiseido products have helped my skin remain clear and resilient while my body has been fighting a cold. Normally my skin would be a mess, but thanks to Shiseido, not this time!

Don’t forget to check out my video where I share more about my relationships with Heather and Vi and watch their reactions to opening their gifts.

https://youtu.be/FsrPZy3n3O8

xoxo

Serein

SHOP THIS POST

Bio-Performance Super Glow Set

White Lucent Brightening Cleansing Foam

White Lucent Luminizing Infuser with PROApprochx2 Technology

Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

Bio-Performance Glow Revival Serum

Bio-Performance Glow Revival Cream

IBUKI Multi Solution Gel

IBUKI Quick Fix Mist

IBUKI Beauty Sleep Mask