DAVINES, The Italian Haircare Spa Pampering Review

Founded in Parma, Italy in 1983 by the Bollati Family, Davines Group started as a research laboratory, producing high-end hair care products for renowned cosmetic companies worldwide. After a decade of honing their expertise, they began creating their own brand of Davines hair care products exclusively for salons, and in 1996 founded (comfort zone) skin care for premier spas.

“By Creating beauty sustainably, we encourage people to take care of themselves, of the environment in which they live & work, of the things they love.” Since the beginning, they’ve focused on crafting quality products that are scientifically engineered to work, and express our distinctive style and spirit.

More than two decades later, the Davines community spans over 75 countries, thousands of salons and hundreds upon hundreds of passionate hairdressers. Although they continue to grow, with headquarters in Parma, New York City, Paris, London and Mexico City, their roots are firmly planted in their beginnings as a family-owned research laboratory guided by the same desire for quality products with an authentic approach and timeless appeal.

It's great to meet Albee greeting me courteously at EIG Building that afternoon at the lobby. As I was early for my appointment at 2pm, she brings me for a short tour all around the Esthetics International Group from Aster Spring to Dermalogica brand, Clinelle and Davines itself. Check out Davines brand from their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/davines.malaysia. Sipping some tea, I'm getting all ready to sneak a peek into Davines haircare brand eagerly that fateful afternoon. 

After an interesting introduction about Davines brand with its 'Sustainable Beauty' theme, Jollene started Step 1: Massage for me with relaxing sensory pleasure of using aroma essential oil on my hair scalp. Ooh La La, the spa massage was a heaven sent angel blessings to me as this Step 1 has somehow managed to relax my body, mind and soul to perfection already.

Step 2: Mud Mask using NaturalTech Depolluting Mud for scalp and hair. Spreading it evenly all over my hair scalp only, Jollene massage my head again firmly. After 15 minutes leaving the mud mask to work its magic on it, she started on Step 3: Depolluting Scrub Shampoo. This Revitalizing Shampoo treatment combines delicate surfactants natural origin of scrub particles to cleanse scalp and providing a protective action against free radicals.  

Step 4: Energizing Shampoo is a gentle shampoo that come as a double cleanser for dry scalp like me. It gently cleanse the hair, stimulating scalp micro-circulation and I feel so rejuvenating with the essential oil scent that smells amazingly delightful of fruity+plant scent for me. Step 5: Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Conditioner came in after that meaning to moisturise, act in final conditioning to protect the hair structure with a light head massage again. 

I wanted to fall asleep already after the double cleansing part plus the head massage at the wash tub area but then, Step 6: Nourishing Hair Royal Jelly Superactive treatment needs to be done before I can rest and relax to the max. This multi-active, remineralizing and vitaminic complex specially catered for dehydrated scalp is enriched with Royal Jelly, produced by the glands of young worker bees. 

The nourishing, moisturizing and soothing properties of Royal Jelly is rich in vitamins and essential amino acids provide enormous benefits for the scalp. Applying it drops by drops to section by section of my dehydrated scalp carefully, it's a soothing and calming treatment ideal for me or others who have sensitive scalps as well. 

This treatment is particularly to treat my dry scalp and the result can be seen here obviously with hydrated and clean scalp for sure. Before we started this hair and scalp spa treatment, Jollene told me I didn't have much problem with my hair or scalp, only having dry scalp problem. And so this Royal Jelly treatment somewhere, somehow succeed to treat the Queen Bee dry scalp problem successfully. Fantastic result, Yay!

Last but not least, the Step 7: All In One Milk Multi Benefit Beauty Treatment, a rich nourishing formulation suitable for all hair types. This leave in multi benefit spray treatment is enriched with roucou oil can helped to add shine, softness and silkiness to hair, gives body without weighing hair down and provides a longer-lasting hairstyle. 

Roucou Oil benefit is to prevent hair aging and giving strong anti-oxidant action. The other active ingredients are Provitamin B5 and Functional Amino Complex to help in-depth moisturizing for hair and protects the hair from heat damage. It smells heavenly divine and leaving my hair silky-smooth too. You can purchase their haircare products at all the Aster Spring nearest to you. 

Thanks to Albee for being so nice and generous to present me a gift set of Davines NaturalTech Haircare set for home use, besides inviting me to experience such a lovely hair and scalp spa pampering of my lifetime. In fact, I loved the overall professional spa treatment like Davines to maintain my hair and scalp crowning glory to stay healthily pretty for many years to come. 

As a finale of my review for this Davines Hair Spa Treatment, this is the proof of the healthy hair that I'm satisfied to show everyone. My hair didn't feel heavy at all but feeling airy, light and easy. Haha...And my hair is silky-smooth to touch now. I loved the divine scent of the haircare range so much, I never failed to pamper myself using it every night before I sleeps. Essential oils plays an important part of my daily beauty and vanity care, that's life to me!     

GUARDIAN People’s Choice Award

Brands that continuously innovate and build products with integrity were among the major winners at the 15th annual Guardian People’s Choice Award (PCA). The PCA, initiated in 2001 by Guardian Malaysia has established itself as a platform to engage its customers and to help business partners and brand owners stay relevant to evolving needs of customers.

For the PCA 2015 series, a total of 300 products from 180 brands competed for the 75 categories of award ranging from hair care, face care, personal care, cosmetics, beauty, hygiene, supplements and medication, mother and child products, confectionery, home and accessories. The winners were awarded based on votes submitted by customers from 4 to 28 April 2015. 

Caroline Mak, Group Director, Health and Beauty of Dairy Farm, which owns Guardian Malaysia, presided over the presentation ceremony and paid tribute to owners of the winning brands. “I would like to congratulate the winning brands for continuously pushing forward with product innovation, quality and more importantly, the integrity of your brands. Your investments to build trust and passion for your brands have been inspiring.” “At Guardian, we too embrace these elements as we build our brand alongside your brands. These elements are essential for our collective success,” she added.

Guardian Malaysia initiated the Awards in 2001 to give recognition to brand building as an integral business investment and to provide an unbiased brand valuation exercise to ascertain brand equity among customers. Since then the PCA has evolved to keep pace with the dynamic changes in technology and lifestyle. 

Apart from introducing new categories of Award, Guardian has also engaged its customers actively using social and digital media, such as enabling voting online. Teenagers have also been given their share of voice through the Teens Choice Award introduced last year.

Customers who participated in the voting for their favourite brands were given the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. This year a total of 115 Guardian customers took home prizes worth over RM50,000.

PURE BEAUTY Exclusively At Watsons Collaborates With Hong Kong Artistes For Beauty Infotainment Series

Malaysian fans were treated to a special up close and personal with Hong Kong superstars during the launch of All Things Girl infotainment program at Sunway Pyramid. The beauty inspired program series is made possible here in Malaysia by Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons.

Priscilla Wong, Elena Kong and Joyce Tang were greeted by nearly 500 guests, members of the media and screaming fans at the launch where the Hong Kong artistes attended to a meet and greet session with lucky Watsons shoppers.

“Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons is proud to bring this infotainment series to Malaysia by adopting the concept aired in Hong Kong, but the content is tailored and suited for the local audience. We hope through this program we are able to leverage on this engagement with the audience and especially to our customers with Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons products,” said Danny Hoh, Head of Marketing, Watsons Malaysia at the launch.

During the launch, the Hong Kong superstars treated the audience with a special hindsight of what was to expect from the special 6 episode program.

“Each of us will host each episode and would cover a topic relevant to women today. And there will be special guests invited for every episode to speak on the topic and that every woman can relate to,” said Elena during the stage interview with the audience. Elena recent success on the movie screen was on her role in Triumph in the Skies (衝上雲霄), a romantic drama film released earlier this year and also coincidently presented by Watsons during the movie release in Malaysia.

The audience and especially Watsons customers also had the opportunity to learn from the Hong Kong superstars who shared on some personal beauty tips and also assisted in some beauty demonstration with Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons products.

“My beauty tip is simple despite living a hectic schedule. I make sure I have enough rest so my skin can regenerate and I also eat clean and lead a healthy lifestyle. I also ensure the beauty products used are gentle to my skin,” Joyce elaborated during the chit chat session with the other personalities.

Joyce is an actress with Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) in Hong Kong and is also better known to viewers as a tough woman mostly due to her characters in dramas, particularly her role as “Chan Sam Yun” in 1998 Hong Kong’s modern cop drama Armed Reaction.

Priscilla, the lead actress for Come Home Love 2 (愛·回家) also added, “It is important for us ladies to take control of our body so that we are able to perform despite the busy schedule. There is no beauty to my secret only that I pay attention and take care of my body and physical needs.”

Also present at the launch was Caryn Loh, General Manager of Trading, Watsons Malaysia who later gave away bouquet of flowers to the three Hong Kong superstars. 

Over the past decade, Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons has embarked on a search for the perfect antioxidant, and along the way discovered many more of nature's skincare secrets. Inspired by Korean skincare innovation, incorporating the finest natural ingredients and made possible by leading edge technology, Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons have created unique skincare products based on powerful antioxidant blends for visible, long-term results. All products are dermatologically tested and proven to be safe and effective solutions leaving the skin looking healthier, softer and younger. The skin care range available at Watsons stores are the Pomegranate Antioxidant and White & Bright range respectively.

All Things Girl is a joint collaboration between Astro and TVB and sponsored by Pure Beauty exclusively at Watsons. The program will start airing on 6 September 2015 at 9pm and will be aired on Astro’s Wah Lai Toi and Wah Lai Toi HD channels respectively.

ABOUT WATSONS MALAYSIA 

A.S. Watson Group is the largest international health & beauty retailer in Asia and Europe, with over 10,700 retail stores in 25 markets. The Group has a diverse portfolio of market leading retail brands offering everything from health & beauty, food, electronics, wine to perfumes. With over 100,000 employees, the Group is also a member of the world renowned multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited, which has six core businesses - ports and related services, property and hotels, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications in 52 countries.

Watsons Malaysia currently operates in more than 300 Watsons stores in the country serving more than 3 million customers per month. Watsons continually to set the standards in the health, wellness and beauty market, providing personalized advice and counselling in health, beauty and personal care on top of its market-leading product range, making customers LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT every day. Since 2009, Watsons has been the No.1 pharmacy/drugstore brand in Asia Pacific for the 6^th year running*. Watsons is the flagship health and beauty brand of A.S. Watson Group. 

*Campaign Asia-Pacific’s “Asia's Top 1,000 Brands” Survey 2014 of over 5,000 Asian respondents

Fortitude Is My Attitude

Last night Rambo came back from a meeting, shared a picture with me and excitedly told me, "Tq my lovely wife for letting me go for this meeting because I get to meet this malay hero who earned RM500,000+ per month. Such a great celebrity he is now that everyone in this weekly meeting mostly the malays (Chinese meeting falls on Tuesday) also wanted to take a picture with him.See, I told you he's a plain-looking guy who wears just a plain shirt with no brand and a nice guy too." Jac: "Yea, I always said that to you what. 'Yan Pat Ho Mau Seong' and never judge a book by its cover. I especially respect people who are humble and nice, not because he's having higher status, rich or whatsoever reasons." 

Rambo: "He's so nice to share his secret of success with everyone of us." Jac: "Haha...so enjoy lah. Great for you. In fact, today I was glad to meet my dear friend at this exclusive event too and she reminded me to meet up again at Hotel Seri Petaling for the great lunch we had early this year. Those arrogant ones who thought they're somebody I heard not so good and smooth life for them and I thought to myself, God love humble people and I know he played it fair and square. Be nice, humble and thankful to Amituofo that you're healthy, you'll be good that's for sure!" Rambo: "Yes, I believe so. Tq again baby, enjoy your movie lah!" Jac: "Yea, to be continue tomorrow!"

And so I continue watching my favourite TV series of Gossip Girls, Devious Maids after our meaningful conversation. Seeing him got so motivated sharing one of his important agendas with me somewhere, somehow empowered me to do better too. Haha...I'm glad to see him get motivated in life just like old times. I adores to see him speaking at leadership conferences, meetings and company events. He made me feel so proud of him, besides supporting him 100% to success forever. Watching Gossip Girls nowadays reminded me many of my younger years' memories in the corporate world working in multinational companies. It managed to reflect many of my great memoirs being a socialite for my company functions and social events as well. 

Just like in the Gossip Girls TV show, Serena and Blair got spotted at parties and events and often got themselves dipped into hot soup of scandalous events, some maybe true but some might not be the real truth of it all. They can be bitchy at times having selfish characters or acting like the big bullies, fighting each other for the top spotlight. I liked to mingle around with all walks of people, from the CEO, Head of Departments to all executive levels of the company. Being labelled under the elite group at company events can be challenging at times because we're expected to be the best of the best PR for the company. Every events or parties, we need to attend till late at night but management treat us well and cherished us like the celebrities of the company. We get all the perks and benefits that's for sure. 

Sometimes I even heard those elite group friends sharing with me they got so frustrated with the high society group when the others asked them which rank of Datuk they are in because there are many rankings one you know. They responded "Walau eh, like that also can." Haha...If you have decided to join this group of elite or super duper high society people like them, who thought they're much superior and better than you, be prepared to get stone or thrown of arrogance shit onto you every now and then. You chose which route to pass through, so you need to bear with them or dare to bare it all with them. 

Not only at the events, but all the time you need to stay alert to be rich, high class with luxury or you'll be caught red-handed anytime people wish to bring you down when they knew you're better than them. You cannot be richer than them, if one day you're driving Jaguar, the others who loathe you so much, they may get a better Rolls Royce car instead. Just like one of the famous Filipino Elite residing here in Malaysia for years liao, there's this blogger who loves to blog about rich and famous people in Malaysia and covering many exclusive events where that day I saw my fame-hunger friend also shared one of the event on his Facebook.

I met this blogger many times and like I said, this is a small small world where my sis told me they met at her boss's grand events, he looked down on her because she's not into investing much on her branded wardrobe while he's always on the branded clothings that got him to win best-dress award too. Once he was even standing next to me because we both won the best-dressed award together at the sexy party, such a small world to me. I met him at many of the classy, luxury events also and such a coincidence, he's sitting at the same boat with me at one of the media event at Kuala Selangor.

While his partner who's a he turned to a she-celebrity offered his hand holding my right hand and another Khoon Hooi Celebrity was holding my left hand to make sure I get on the boat safely, he was rushing everyone to wash our legs after the muddy event hurriedly. Not only he looked down on those people who didn't dress well like my sis who disliked him, I heard he's always leeching money, fame and status from the billionaire socialite, following her travel to Europe and taking money from her. So what is that to be proud of then when my sis is having many properties all by her own hardwork, not leeching anything from anyone at all.

And when sometimes my sis are doing some serious accounting projects with new clients like Datin M, she asked me if I know her well or not? I replied her honestly, "Not really but I always met her at many of the events and just last year, we passed by each other at a VIP party she smiled at me and we even sat at the next table to each other having great moments at the party together. She's not 'Ba Pai', quite friendly one and smiley although her face may looked frozen a bit. "Oh yea, speaking about frozen face, do you think she did any plastic surgery?" my sis was asking me. I said, "Yes, definitely!" 

Actually she's a nice socialite who did many good deeds from what I've read those magazines about her." My sis said, "Yea, she's nice, bo arrogant one" and I concluded to say that "That's what really matters at the end of the day." I also heard that her hubby 'main kayu tiga', betraying her with another woman that got me very surprised about it because she had such a happy family staying in a big bungalow featured in the magazine. Like I always said I really don't know what the men really wanted in their lives, got money and status already, they wanted younger women, setting bad publicity for their supposedly happy family. Sigh men!

Back to my original story above, I didn't like to mix with the arrogant ones. If it's not because of my friend who invited me to sit near to her and reminding me to take pictures with her, I rather sit far far away from them immediately. Not that I hard up to mix with these Tai Tais who think they're somebody like that, but not all of them are like that. One of the 'Si Tau Po' keep talking with me also although I was busy eating and listening attentively to the speakers about aesthetic beauty. After the delicious hi-tea, I left early also after taking pictures with my friend. I enjoyed attending events like this, just never fancy meeting those arrogant people only. Not my style of social networking at all, really not a big deal anyway.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop anyone's conversation at all but sitting near to each other, you tend to hear what they're sharing to each other obviously. I heard she had no mood to go to any event because she lost more than hundred thousands of dollars in some investment. I malas to layan their telenovela, I went to enjoy some Teh Tarik liao. My friend Datuk W.Lim is a super duper rich multi-millionaire and invited me to this KLGCC Club for her Polo Event too, but she's humble and nice to me. This is a big deal I'm talking about, and life is never complicated before. Only those who 'Gau Ngan Hok Yan Dai' - people who looked down on others are the total losers of all time. More to blog on this subject matter in my next blog, stay tuned! 

ONE World Hotel Jewel In The Lotus At Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant

JEWEL IN THE LOTUS AT ZUAN YUAN CHINESE RESTAURANT (1 August – 27 September 2015)

The familiar sight of Chinese fruit cake or better known as mooncake marks the arrival of the autumn harvest. The celebration falls on the 15^th day of the eighth month on the lunar calendar and traditionally involves families admiring the moon while savouring the delicate masterpieces together.

Dim sum Chef of One World Hotel, Jordan Chin once again presents an assortment of exquisite creations which comprise both traditional and innovative flavours. Rich in culture and heritage, texture and taste, the pastry is baked to perfection for total indulgence.

For fans of this delectable treats, there are choices of nine baked mooncakes and eight handcrafted snow skin mooncakes. Sample the delightful Deep Fried Teo Chew Yam Paste with Single Yolk, White Lotus and Black Sesame Paste with Single Yolk, Supreme Mixed Nuts or Tiramisu and Walnut to name a few.

As for the snow skin mooncake, opt for the Red Bean Paste with Pumpkin Seed, Durian Lotus Paste or the Green Tea Lotus Paste. The menu is tailored for everyone including the health – conscious with Sugar Cane free selections such as the lip – smacking Pandan Lotus Paste and White Lotus Paste with Mixed Nuts.

Elegantly presented in a beautifully crafted packaging, it serves an ideal gift for business associates, family and friends. The mooncakes are available ala carte or in sets of four baked skin and eight snow skin mooncakes. Thank God the mooncakes are not very sweet like many others, and I liked it simply tasty without too much 'Ham' ingredients that kinda blocked the original mooncake flavour tastiness.

It is priced from RM13 nett onwards, inclusive of 10% service charge and 6% of Goods and Services Tax. For orders or enquiries, you can call Zuan Yuan at 03-76811159 or email to zuanyuan@oneworldhotel.com.my

A CHEF’S SAVOURS AT ZUAN YUAN CHINESE RESTAURANT (1 - 31 September 2015)

A month like no other, the month of September is definitely going to be promising and full of surprises, as Chinese Chef Michael Chew has put together a special showcase for diners at Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant. On the menu, well-crafted delights are ready to sate any discerning palate.

Expect a lavish selections of recipes such as the Double Boiled Fish Maw Soup with Papaya and Aloe Vera, Braised Fish Maw and Sea Cucumber with Yellow Superior Broth, Traditional Deep Fried Wrapped Chicken, Sliced Wok Seared Canadian Cod Fish with Preserved Vegetable and Wolfberry as well as Pan Fried Lamb Rack with Cumin and Chilli to name a few. It's not very often I'll go on raving about hotel soup because I usually made my own best of the best double-boiled soup at home, but this delightful soup managed to fulfil the starter of a great dinner I had last Thursday night. Yummy soup that I finished it off without leaving a drop of it at all. Haha...Soup played a very important part of my life for years already!

With a highly acclaimed and deserved background, Chef Michael Chew made his culinary debut in reputable restaurants before he chanced upon the opportunity to work in Brunei prior to his engagement with One World Hotel. From the rich experiences garnered from his past, he then was able to thrive and concoct myriad of innovative dishes, which he has therefore decided to share with connoisseurs throughout this month. Delicious and tender chicken which I only leave the bone for them.

At the end of the meal on a sweet note with exquisite treats, the Chilled Osmanthus Jelly was served to please us surprisingly happy. In fact, this is my favourite dessert of all time and I loved everything that comes with Osmanthus flower which helped to beautify and smoothen my skin always and forever. 

Don’t keep the news to yourself, share the love with family and friends and let them come experience our chef’s secret recipes from a real gourmet perspective. Zuan Yuan is open daily for Lunch at 12 noon to 2.30 pm and Dinner from 6.00 pm to 10.30 pm. Check them out if you're in the mood for Chinese dining during the mid-autumn season.

Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant – Chef Michael Chew (Chinese Chef)

At the helm of One World Hotel’s Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant is Malaysian born, Chinese Chef Michael Chew who has been in the hospitality industry since 1994.  His last appointment was as Chinese Chef at Hilton Hefei in China. 

He started his career at a well known independent restaurant as Commis. It took him 3 years before he was appointed as Chef De Partie at the Royal Selangor Club before he ventured into the Hospitality industry in Brunei. In year 1994, he returned to Malaysia and joined The Legend Hotel KL as Banquet Chef, overseeing the operation matters in the banquet kitchen. Thereafter, he chanced upon the opportunity to work in Germany as 1^st Wok in an independent Chinese Restaurant. With Chef Michael’s ability to inject unique touches to his menus, he had created many creative new dishes for the restaurants that he has served.

With his vast experience garnered from the different countries he has worked, he took on the challenge at Hilton KL to oversee the opening of the Chinese restaurant, and later at the Palace Of The Golden Horses, before joining Hilton Hefei Hotel, China. Having 19 years of experience as a Chef who specialises in authentic Chinese cuisine, he is also passionate about Asian Cuisine like Thai, Malay and Nyonya dishes.  Having the opportunity to travel and work across the globe has proved to be a great learning experience for him.

Defining the Future of Skincare - Two unique innovations unveiled at KOSÉ SkinTech 2015

I was so glad I made it that morning to this futuristic beauty world KOSÉ SkinTech 2015 as I've been an avid fan of KOSÉ brand since many years ago. In fact, almost everyday I'm pampering myself with KOSÉ mask from Japan that I loved so much because it's easy to use and managed to give me soft, smooth skin ever. I have never looked back since the day I 1st discovered the amazing mask I bought from Japan Honshu holiday. I grabbed about 5 boxes of it after I've tried it in Tokyo and finishing all the 5 boxes of it, my hubby Rambo would asked his Japanese colleagues or his best buddy Nakamura to get it for me as many boxes as I wished.

Haha...talking about the beauty world, I even shared with a few writers early morning at this media launch that the last time I talked about the Cosme Decorte brand in February 2015 before DECORTE rebranding its name this August month, I super duper loved the Moisture Liposome Serum. A journalist from Johor, yay same kampung with me, she went and bought the whole Cosme Decorte skincare including the ML Serum I told her about. She told me she bought about RM1000+ including the Cosme Decorte Cellgenie Mask we both fell in love at the same time during the media launch event. You can read all about it at http://jacyntacsy.blogspot.com/2015/02/turn-on-your-skins-anti-oxidant-switch.html 

After 2 months of using the whole skincare range plus the Cosme Decorte Lotion we both had from the media launch, her face is now glowing like a beautiful Snow White. So flawless, radiant and smooth she actually took my hand to feel it myself. Seeing is believing, but after touching her skin I'm even more convinced that whatever compliments I have showered about Cosme Decorte products was so true. That night itself, I took out all my precious Cosme Decorte products that I kept nicely and splashed it luxuriously on my skin because I wanted to look beautiful having smooth and flawless skin like her, as soon as I can. 

Since 1946, KOSÉ Corporation has been working passionately to search for the essence of beauty. For decades, the Japanese multinational beauty company has been producing innovative skincare products based on extensive research, using a combination of nature and science to produce unsurpassed results.

2015 marks the start of an exciting future for KOSÉ Corporation as the company unveils today, the inspiring tale of innovation behind two new key products from its most well-loved prestigious brands INFINITY KOSÉ and COSME DECORTE.

Kojic Acid technology is from gastronomic tradition to perfect skin clarity. Lovers of Japanese culture will be familiar with rice wine, soy sauce and miso (fermented bean paste), but did you know that all these would not have been possible without the addition of Koji?

Gourmet food aside, Koji is a specific type of mould spore that occurs on steamed rice and it contains Kojic Acid, which is the star ingredient in a few of KOSÉ’s whitening skincare series includingINFINITY KOSÉ REALIZING WHITE XXand COSME DECORTE WHITELOGIST MX.

In 1907, Kojic Acid was discovered by the Japanese. Around 1975, research was carried out on its whitening effects, mainly due to the observation that the hands of miso and rice wine makers appeared fair and bright. In 1988, Kojic Acid was approved as a whitening agent by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labourand Welfare.

Thanks to a unique fermentation (bio-technology) method, KOSÉ is able to obtain 100% pure Kojic Acid. This naturally-sourced substance has smaller molecules than general whitening agents, and is therefore able to penetrate into skin more effectively.

Akinobu Hayashi, General Manager, Advanced Cosmetic Research Laboratories in KOSÉ Corporation, explained how Kojic Acid works on the skin to lighten dark spots. “Pigmentation occurs due to a few reasons: UV exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, stress, visceral imbalance and also genes. As a result of these ‘aggravations’, we get liver spots, age spots, freckles and inflammatory scars.”

“These dark spots are caused by the effects of Tyrosinase, which contains copper ions. When our skin is exposed to UV rays, the copper ions send messages to the Tyrosinase to start working, resulting in melanin production and pigmentation. Kojic Acid works effectively on dark spots by ‘circumcising’ the copper ions so that they fail to activate the Tyrosinase. This allows Kojic Acid to control the action of Tyrosinase, thus preventing melanin production. Kojic Acid is found to be effective in controlling and lightening the four main types of pigmentation I mentioned earlier,” he continued.

The latest whitening beauty product that incorporates Kojic Acid is the INFINITY KOSÉ REALIZING WHITE STICK XX. It innovatively delivers the naturally-derived active whitening ingredient kojic acid to skin zones with dark spots through a stick-type serum. Experiments were repeatedly conducted to come up with a formula that accurately targets the root cause of pigmentation spots, and for the first time, KOSÉ incorporateda highly adhesive oil to create this stick-type serum. When the stick is applied directly to zones prone to blemishes, the formula tightly seals the area off with an intensive, rich formula, delivering kojic acid to the root cells.

Kojic acid is also incorporated in Whitelogist MX, a whitening serum under COSME DECORTE. It works side by side with another active ingredient, m-CLOSER, and is delivered directly to melanocytes—the cells that produce the pigments that lead to dark spots. It goes deep into the skin to prevent dark spots and freckles, almost as if the skin absorbs it, creating a bright illuminating white complexion.  

A liposome is a tiny bubble made of phospholipids or the same material as a cell membrane measuring 0.1 to 0.2 microns. As cells measure 60 to 80 microns, liposomes are much smaller than skin cells. Thanks to its capsule format, it can be filled with active agents and deliver them to target areas in our skin before releasing them at designated timing. In addition, liposomes have moisturising properties, and are therefore capable of providing moisture.

The liposome technology was first applied to COSME DECORTE DUMOLLE skincare range in 1986. It went on to launch MOISTURE LIPOSOME in 1992 after the successful development of multi-layered liposome, which iscapable of encapsulating larger amounts of active ingredients. To date, MOISTURE LIPOSOMEis one of the brand’s bestselling products, and liposome technology has since been used not only for skincare products, but virtually in all COSME DECORTE’s base, eye and lip products.

It’s been nearly 30 years since the birth of liposome technology in skincare, and this year, COSME DECORTE is set to offer women a cutting-edge discovery that will help them achieve an unprecedented level of skin beauty. The all-new Liposome Treatment Liquid, the industry’s first multi-layered liposome lotion that revitalises ‘skin capacitors’ and instantly improves a weakened stratum corneum(or the outermost layer of the epidermis) will be unveiled. This high-performance lotion addresses roughness, dryness and dullness in aging skin, as well as irregular texture caused by the weakening of the stratum corneum.

Noboru Naito, Executive Director and Director of Research & Development Division in KOSÉ Corporation, explained further on the rationale behind the creation of Liposome Treatment Liquid. “We’ve discovered that there’s a substance between the layers of the stratum corneum, known as ‘skin capacitors’. This is the mechanism that allows skin to retain moisture. Skin with larger ‘skin capacitors’ are able to absorb and retain more nutrients, improving the barrier function and in turn, maintaining its healthy, beautiful condition. Some of the distinctive benefits of this treatment liquid includes refined skin texture, minimized pores, visible clarity and improved moisture retention ability,” said Dr. Naito.

The liposome technology deployed in COSME DECORTE Liposome Treatment Liquid is greatly enhanced to retain lotion containing multi-layered liposome in the stratum corneum, allowing the liposome to increase skin capacitor size and inject active ingredients and nutrients to the skin. These new and original active ingredients developed for Liposome Treatment Liquid are from plant extracts. Among their many functions and benefits include anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation properties to boost cell activity; and stimulate production of natural chemicals in our skin to promote moisturising and formation of healthy keratin layer.

It’s apparent that KOSÉ Corporation has come a long way since its humble beginnings in Japan. Masaaki Hara, Managing Director of KOSÉ Malaysia, comments, “We’re now available to millions of women in 17 countries worldwide, with a strong focus in the Asian markets.

We’ve always been in the forefront of product innovation, creating the world’s first skincare essence in 1975, and the world’s first powder foundation in 1976. We have four research facilities which are dedicated to innovating cosmetic culture and suggesting new lifestyles to make the entire experience more enjoyable and current. From providing customers with top-notch service to incorporating luxurious designs into our products, we pride ourselves on being able to provide KOSÉ users with the best beauty experience ever.”

About KOSE Corporation 

Since the creation of the company in 1946, KOSÉ Corporation has become one of the most innovative beauty companies. From humble beginnings in Japan, the company has grown to reach millions of women in 17 countries around the world, with 25 core brands, ranging from self-selection brands found in drugstores and pharmacies, to prestige and high prestige brands that retail at counters and stores where customers experience the full service and treatment.

In Malaysia, three of KOSE’s prestigious brands -- SEKKISEI, INIFINITY KOSÉ and COSME DECORTE are available. 

In year 2000, the company was listed with the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which was a big accomplishment for a Japanese beauty company.

For decades, KOSÉ Corporation has been working passionately to search for the essence of beauty. The company’s core lies in its innovative research, top quality, comfortable design and excellent service. It has been producing innovative skincare products based on extensive research, using a combination of nature and science to produce unsurpassed results.