My Thoughts. My Life

(Warning: Super long-winded post. Scroll all the way to the first picture if you want to escape the whining.)

Went to the Launch Party of Albion at Takashimaya Singapore with Annaling earlier.

Did not take any picture as I forgot to bring my camera =.=”

Mixed mixed mixed feelings about the event. I left feeling upset. Hours later, I’m still feeling kinda upset.

We went down super early, I think we were one of the earliest guests (if not earliest).
Dressed up, dolled up. I would say I was really looking forward to the event and I intend to give my best behavior. This is how much respect/face I gave to Albion…

Some background..
Was recommended to this brand by Amanda. She highly recommends the Exage White cleansing oil and the brand’s best selling Skin Conditioner (Face Lotion).

I chanced upon the Skin Conditioner and Exage White white milk in VoCe 2010 voted Number 1 for Lotion and Emulsion respectively.

Got me curious. Especially their using emulsion before lotion steps.

Anyway, I signed up for the launch party the very moment I knew that it exists. Too excited. Confirmed with the staff that I can go down slightly earlier today to pay for the event vouchers and the staff can show us some of their products.

I did some homework, and thus knew what to ask.

Firstly the promoter asked what am I interested in. I told her skin conditioner and the milk. She gave us 2 brochures and we had a Q&A session. I feel that she is knowledgeable and I was quite satisfied with her answers. Though I was slightly disappointed that not once did she offered to let us try.

Then the event starts and after the talk, we shopped around. We tried the testers on our own, and after a while, she was suddenly keen to serve. Let me try the milk, skin con, and cleansing oil that I requested for.

Finally I decided to get the Skin Conditioner 330ml @ $140, Exage White white milk II @ $82.
Total spending of $150 entities to a 4 pieces GWP, while total spending of $200 entitles a 5 pieces + 2 packs cotton pads GWP.
I told her my concern…  the 5 +2 pieces GWP is of the Excia range which is more suited for age >30. My skin is more to the sensitive side, and thus I will have to pick the GWP of lesser value as I’m afraid of outbreaks… But wasn’t I losing out? I’m getting something much lesser value than what I’m supposed to.. I hinted to her numerous times, she refused to get the hint. So I told her straight ‘but the value of the GWP I’m getting is lesser than what I’m supposed to get and she’s not going to throw in more samples..’ She ignore me totally the whole time when I mention about GWP. Sad sad sad sad max! Being ignored!

Later on, Annaling told me that she saw that promoter being extra nice to other older customers. She felt that we got the cold shoulder until the ‘buying time’ too.. Maybe we are seen as not having as much spending power? Honestly, this is the first time I get such a feeling. Promoters are usually nice to me because I’ll buy after asking questions to understand more about the products. As usual, I did my research beforehand, asked only questions of things I wanted to know. And I do think that I’m asking intelligent and necessary questions.

If she had been a promoter from hell, I could just send her straight back. But she’s not.. and that alone makes me miserable, with nowhere to vent.. I don’t know. I just feel very upset that she did not even try explain why I cannot have more samples, instead of pretending not to hear. HELLO!! I could have just give your commission to someone else who is more willing. 😦 $222 is definitely not a small sum to be spent! You may wish to call me stingy if you want.. I still think I deserve better.. Judging from how much ‘face’ I gave Albion. I definitely didn’t look poor looking or sloppy.

Oh yah.. and after I made payment for my purchases, I have to remind the SA about the lucky draw that we’ve heard about. Then she goes “oh yah..” Tsk tsk tsk.. Had my skin be any thinner, I might just quietly stand at the side and mope… Of cuz I didn’t win any of the 3 generous gift pack of $300 each. Such bad mood how to have good luck? But still, I really do hope it wasn’t done intentionally and she was just tired..

Anyway, enough complaining for now..  back to the event.

ALBION FB https://www.facebook.com/AlbionSingapore

ALBION Japan website http://www.albion.co.jp/

This is what was in the goodie bag for the launch party. Worth $38 🙂

Skin Conditioner face soap 6g, Exage Moist Cleansing Oil 21ml, Skin Conditioner 12ml and Exage Serum Birth 4ml.

My undervalued GWP of Skin Conditioner 27ml, Exage Moist Crystal Milk II 21ml, Exage Moist Active Lotion II 21ml and Exage White Clearness Lotion II 21ml.

What I’ve gotten. Skin Condtioner 330ml at $140 (165ml at $82) and Exage White white milk II 200g at $82.

From what I understand, almost one bottle of Skin Conditioner is sold every 2 minutes in Japan. Ok this is not very important to me.
What is important is: For the past 38 years, the formula for Skin Conditioner has been UNCHANGED until 2 years back… something was done to the active ingredient Job’s Tears or added?? (Sorry, I didn’t catch this part clearly)

If a product wasn’t reformulated/revamped/ replaced, it means that there just wasn’t a need to.Meaning the product is effective and managed to produce intended desirable results!! How great is that??

I’ve recently read some good stuff about Job’s Tears, and how rare it is. The Job’s Tears in these Skin Conditioners are grown specially in Hokkaido, which has a colder climate than the normal ones.

What’s more promising about  this Skin Conditioner is that it is

• suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin (like mine)
• brings radiance
• less prone to outbreaks (including PMS)
• moisturize, refine, strength skin barriers, etc…

I was told that one small bottle (165ml) should last for around 3 months, and thus I would expect my 330ml bottle to last all the way till my big day in March 2013 🙂

Hope it works hope it works hope it works. Great skin awaits great skin awaits, I can’t wait!

EXAGE range, which has 2 range moist and white, are more suitable for the 20s.
EXCIA range, which has also 2 ranges which I’m unsure of (never ask any Qns since I’m not interested =.=), is more suitable for skin in the 30s and above. From what I remembered, there is also a more premium anti-aging line for matured skin.

Anyway, I got the EXAGE White white milk II. (I is for oily, II normal, III dry)

ALBION has a very unique application step that is different from usual skincare.

Cleanser -> Milk (emulsion) -> Skin Con. (lotion) -> serum/essence/ cream.

Total swap of the usual lotion -> serum -> emulsion steps.

*If you are only using the Skin Conditioner from the brand, it would be
Cleanser -> Skin Con. (lotion) -> serum/essence -> emulsion/ cream*

A demo was done during the party, which

1) Skin Con. applied directly to skin -> absorbs slower by skin

2) Skin Con. applied after milk has been applied to skin -> absorbs visibly faster!

As for application methods, do drop by the counter at Takashimaya level 1 for a trial. According to the facebook page, the SAs are handling out sample sachets of the skin conditioner to try. 

Oh yah…. I’ve also tried the cleansing oil that Amanda raved. It is a little oily to touch, but when applied directly,it feels as though there is a cushion in between… and thus the skin does not feel oily. Can be rinse off directly and followed by a cleanser, no need emulsify the oil.

Another item that I’m eyeing is the Skin Conditioner Essential Paper Mask. Pack of 8 at $50. Will get this if I managed to reap positive results after using Skin Conditioner 😀

Other related news. Light refreshments and drinks were served throughout the party. The food was great! My favorite was the fruit tarts while Annaling’s was the smoked duck. Staff were nice too! Do check out their webby should you need to organize any events. There are quite a few different menus.

KUDOS to people in Albion for organizing the party, having us, and not forgetting the goodie bags. 

Had a great time (despite the minor hiccup I had), and the party is definitely a SUCCESS! 😀