BEAUTY REVIEW: Tatcha

I’ve been wanting to write this review for the LONGEST time. How I found Tatcha was a complete random act of internet serendipity. You see, I had been given a packet of Japanese oil blotting papers from a friend, and I wanted to google the brand (which I couldn’t as I couldn’t read Japanese, nor could I type japanese or copy and paste anything), so I ended up typing in ‘japanese oil blotting papers, geisha’ (as the brand I was originally looking for had a geisha face on its packet). Low and behold, in my search results was this name that kept popping up – Tatcha. [expand title=”Continue reading”] Apparently their oil blotting papers are THE BOMB (and yes, since then I ordered some, and tried them, and they are even better than the brand that my friend gifted me! One sheet keeps me oil free for most of the day, and my oil glands stay well behaved. They don’t scream at me and try to re-hydrate my skin with extra excess oil to compensate).

Anyhow, while I LOVE their oil blotting papers, I really want to take time in this review to chat about their skin care range. Being 32 (It’s scary saying just how old I am here :P ), and a photographer that travels constantly, it means I am under the sun alot, and exposing my skin to the horrors of airplane air-conditioning, which we all know sucks the living daylights out of our skin’s water reserves. I’m also time zone jumping alot, and working long hours so I am often very sleep deprived. All these issues combined meant that by 31, I was suffering from uneven skin tone, tonnes of acne, fine lines, looking overall haggard, and so my skin was screaming in desperation to be saved. To top that off, my skin is sensitive, meaning I break out often to products that are either too rich, too complex, or just plain no-good. So whenever I use products, I have to make sure they don’t break me out, and also work in the areas that they claim to work. I had been using Shiseido products for a bit, but I wanted a simpler beauty regime as I am SO time poor due to my chaotic and busy work schedule. Something that would only take me about 5-10 mins in the morning.

So, I took the plunge and eventually bought the starter kit from Tatcha :) I loved it so much, I eventually went back to order full sized items of their stuff. Here is what I absolutely ADORE from their range:

1) Their enzyme powders (its their gentle exfoliant):

Their exfoliators are in powder form. All you need to do is add a bit of water and gentle massage this around your face (avoiding the eye area of course) – its so gentle, the first time I used it, I couldn’t feel it ‘exfoliating’ my face so I was a bit disappointed…. until I rinsed it off. My face was baby butt smooth. No kidding. I use this about twice a week to get rid of dead skin :)

2) Their moisturizer (the Moisure Rich Silk Cream) and their Deep Brightening Serum:

Because my skin is sensitive, yet dehydrated on the underside and oily on the top, I needed a cream that was hydrating, but not heavy. It had to moisturise without making me greasy. I love this cream from Tatcha because it does exactly that. You pair this with their Deep Brightening Serum and your skin will LOVE YOU. This serum of theirs, is wonderful in giving your skin a glow, and balancing uneven skin tone. These two products are a dynamic duo. I think after 1-2 weeks of using these two products together, I could immediately start to see that my skin was looking healthier and more radiant.

And while I don’t really use Tatcha’s Camellia cleansing oil (as I don’t often wear makeup), this oil is extremely effective in removing make up, and unlodging dirt, pollutants, and other particles from your pores before you use your regular cleanser (yes, I double cleanse whenever I wear makeup as I have really large pores).

3) Their face mask (the Deep Hydration Lifting Mask), and their eye mask (the Deep Hydration Revitalizing Eye Mask):

Ok, so I will admit, their masks are not cheap. But boy, do they work. You ideally want a mask that brightens (ie. gives you a glow), hydrates (so your skin is plump and radiant, and makes it look smooth and supple), and does not leave a sticky residue. I use Tatcha’s face mask about once a month (or before a big event like a wedding or special date with my husband), and the eye mask if I know I haven’t had enough sleep the night before. I swear, my skin looked so good the next day….it leaves your face looking radiant and smooth, and your eyes will love you for the lack of puffiness, dark circles, and fine lines. I can understand why they sell out so fast.

4) Their hand cream (the Indigo Soothing Silk Hand Cream):

I work with my hands alot in my job. And it has the unfortunate characteristic of being unable to hold in moisture for long when I put creams. So when I found that this cream not only hydrates, but it allows your skin to retain the moisture you add in when you apply this cream, even after washing, I was really surprised! For any ladies out there who do alot of washing, or cleaning, or working with your hands, I highly recommend this for giving your hands a little extra love :)

While this brand is one of the newer kids on the block in the beauty world, Tatcha has already made big strides, and has become the raves of some very well knowns in the industry! Receving rave reviews from Jennifer Lopez, W, Vogue, Refinery 29, Megan Markle, Karlie Kloss and many more. You can google it if you don’t believe me! :)

Now, for some exciting news!! Tatcha and I are combining to giveaway a set of all these products (numbered 1-4 above) I just mentioned in oh-so-adorable (AND convenient!) travel sized packaging so you can take Tatcha with you wherever you go, wherever you sleep over, and never have to miss out on their skin care regime! Have a look at what you can be in the running for below:

To win, its SUPER easy…. Just follow the below steps to be in running:

1. On Instagram, follow @tatcha (link here) and @jennysun (link here)
2. Like THIS PHOTO
3. And comment on the photo by tagging ONE friend in your comment!

It’s THAT easy. No reposting or anything of the sort needed :) You must do ALL three steps to qualify for an entry. Competition closes on 27th September 2014. Winner will be notified on the 29th September! Get entering!

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