Anyways, I have finally edited all the photos and reviewed the notes from The Laneige Power Of 4 Workshop which I attended last month. And because of the constant 'bugging' (in a good way, of course) from some of my readers who are die-hard Laneige fans (you know who you are, girls!), I decided to write about this workshop 1st.
OK, so Laneige Power Of 4 Workshop...........some logistics details...
It was organised by Laneige Malaysia and held in Skyview 1 function room on the 28th floor of The Gardens Hotel & Residences in Midvalley City. A nice venue, small function room with 3 round tables (set for 10 per table) for the participants and It was supposed to start at 10.30AM but unfortunately going by the infamous 'Malaysian timing', the workshop didn't take off till a little after 11AM. But at least we were provided with some light breakfast of finger food and pancakes (yummy, I can't resist pancakes ;P) and coffee (I need my morning coffee, and at least, it took away some of the 'irritants' of non-punctuality)!
So....why is it called Power Of 4?
The Workshop was conducted by Penny Lai, Training and Retail Manager of Laneige Malaysia. The workshop started with a video presentation on Laneige in general, and about what constitutes a Laneige woman.
Penny Lai (top left photo)Then Penny explained why the workshop was called Power Of 4. Generally, in Korean skincare regime, there are 4 main steps (4 main types of products):
Step 1: REFINER - it's for purifying function; to refine pores
Step 2: EMULSION - it's for balancing function; to balance the sebum(oil) and moisture content of the skin and to aid in absorption of essence and moisturisers
Step 3: ESSENCE - it's for treatment function; for intensive care of the skin, has similar functions to serum (as is known in other skincare regime)
Step 4: CREAM (Moisturiser) - it's for protecting function; to moisturise and hydrate the skin
And if you take a closer look at the names of certain products, there is the suffix 'EX' added to the end of their names. EX stands for Extraordinary, which means the product(s) have the active ingredient, Himalayan Glacial Water, added to them.
When I was first introduced to Laneige by my beauty buddy a while ago, I was a bit confused by the different terminology used in naming their skincare and I tried to seek clarification from the SA, but I wasn't explained to in such a clear manner. And Korean skincare was quite new to me then.
Anyways, Penny went on to explain about the different skin types and products which are suitable for each skin type, at the same time, helped us to identify our own skin types.
See the photo of the skin type chart below.
Click on the image to enlargeGenerally, for dry skin - you use products which are richer, usually in cream-form; for normal-combination(dry) skin - the products you use are more towards blemish control and exfoliation; and for oily skin - products have to be of lighter texture, usually gel-type.
Hands-on session
We started our hands-on session with, of course, removal of our makeup which we came with. That day, I only had on my skincare and sunscreen from Dr. Obagi, but nevertheless, I tried their Professional Makeup Remover Creamy Emulsion to cleanse my face.
It was quite a light white-colored cream which upon massaging onto the face, turned into transparent oil-like substance. I wiped it off with wet cotton pads. After cleansing, I didn't feel any tightness, but just a clean feel with slight cooling sensation.
Next, everyone was given their own 20ml tube of their famous bestseller, the Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel.
I used quite a considerable amount of the gel, which was opaque pink color with tiny granules. The moment I started to apply the gel onto my skin, little flakes began to form on my skin. By the time, I finished covering my whole face with the gel....well, basically, the gel just turned to those little flakes on every point on my face. This, according to Penny, was the peeling process at work.
It was rather messy, and I'd advise those who use it to do so over the sink, to avoid having to clean up your dresser after. After several minutes, again, I wiped my face with wet cotton pads. The result was softer, smoother, and dare I say, even fairer(whiter) complexion! And I am already quite fair to begin with. I didn't believe in whitening effect, may be more like brightening of the complexion, but after using this, I had to believe!
After peeling, we used yet another Laneige bestseller, the Strawberry Yogurt Pack! I massaged the mask onto my face until the granules (of vitamin E) dissolved and it became like transparent. Left it on for about 10 minutes, then wiped off.
And then, it's the Power Of 4 time!
Step 1: Applying REFINER.
I saturated a cotton pad with Power Essential Skin Refiner_EX which is for combination-dry skin with hydrating effect and wiped it on my face. Then Penny suggested that for extra hydration, we could either saturate several pieces of cotton pads with it and apply them on the face for several minutes. Alternatively, we could purchase those dry mask sheet and saturate it and placed on the face. This step, I did, with the cotton pads.
There was also another version of the Refiner Light, which was for those with oily skin.
Step 2: Balancing with EMULSION.
Balancing Emulsion 1_EX for normal to dry skin, which I used.
Balancing Emulsion 2_EX is for oily skin.
After applying Emulsion, I applied White Plus Renew Eye Serum (Night Care) which according to the description on the tube, treats puffiness, dark circle and tired eye area. I can't say much about the efficacy of this product, as I had only used it once.
Step 3: Applying ESSENCE. Intensive care, treatment.
Penny introduced us to the Water Bank Essence_EX from the famous Water Bank Range. Among its ingredients are Himalayan Glacial Water, bilberry extract, honey, soya extract(for firming effect), and extracts of custard apple. Just pump out the Essence once onto the fingertip, warm it between the fingers for easier application and better absorption.
Step 4: Applying MOISTURISER.
After using products for normal to dry skin type for the 1st 3 steps, my skin actually felt a tad too sticky, though I must say that my skin was literally glowing and appeared much fairer. There was moisturiser for dry skin (couldn't remember which one) which was cream-type and contained chestnut extract, and for combination skin, Water Bank Cream 2_EX, with a lighter gel-like texture. This contained ginger extract which was supposed to regulate the sebum secretion. We were also given a small sample jar Water Bank Hydro Gel which had the lightest texture of all, contained Swiss Alpine herb and recommended to be used in the morning.
I used the Water Bank Cream 2_EX.
After Step 4, we applied sunblock and time to start the short Snow Crystal Makeup session. I will write about the Makeup session in Part 2.
The sunblock which I used was Laneige Sun Block Triple SPF 40/PA++ with 3 functions - UV Block+Skin Protection+Color-correcting effects.
The amount of sunblock shown in the photo was quite sufficient to cover my face, according to Penny, to avoid clogging my pores!And now it's time for GOODIES I got from the workshop................
The Workshop was a paid one where we purchased a RM80 voucher which was fully redeemable for selected Laneige products available during the workshop. For Laneige Facebook members who purchased the vouchers at selected counters early, they received an exclusive early bird gift of Ultra-Hydro Essence_EX worth RM180 which is not available in Malaysia.
Early bird gift for Laneige Facebook membersEvery participant received a door gift worth RM95 as shown in the photo below:
And throughout the course of the workshop, we were surprised with little gifts and samples.
And I redeemed with my voucher, the following.......
My new loves....the Strawberry Yogurt Peeling Gel and Strawberry Yogurt Pack. But the GWP for the workshop was quite a great value and I topped up to RM250 with another item, a Foaming Cleanser.
With the total purchase, I received a 5-pc GWP.
Overall, a great workshop and I got to know the brand quite well, and tried some of their best sellers, and I can understand why they are their bestsellers after using them and see the almost instant results! This workshop had very good value for money too!! And Laneige Malaysia is really very generous (in terms of price of workshop, great door gifts and early bird gifts, and also great generous X'mas set offers on their retail front - to name a few).
I really do hope more beauty brands in this country will emulate the generosity this brand has and the flexibility it gives!
Thank you, Laneige!
P.s. I am describing the workshop based on my own experience, which was overall, very pleasant, though I know some may have a different view and opinion from that of mine. Feel free to leave your comments, but please be constructive, even if you want to criticize. ;)
