I am definitely not a Millennial, but the latest skin care range from Shiseido definitely has appeal for those of us who are old enough to remember the eighties.
I was immediately drawn to the paired back, Japanese aesthetic and the simplicity of the seven product range. This is something completely different from high-tech, anti-aging skin care technology that we are used to seeing from the Japanese skin care doyenne, and definitely one that I was dying to try for myself.
What is WASO?
Launched in June 2017, the WASO skin care rage was designed with millennial’s in mind and their search for authentic brands (think Glossier) and the shift this generation has pioneered towards challenging traditional beauty ideals and celebrating diversity.
Designed to treat the needs of Millennial skin (ahem.. youthful skin!), the product range resolves essential skin care concerns like dryness, oiliness and visible pores. This is not an anti-aging or actives range, but a simple, easy-to-follow skincare range that delivers results for your skincare concerns.
Plant based Japanese Ingredients
Plant/ food based Japanese ingredients are key to the WASO range, giving it a more natural focus. Some of the key ingredients in the WASO range are:
Ninjin (carrot) – this moisturizer infused with the power of carrots nourishes skin, and keeps it feeling soft and plump.
Biwa no ha (loquat leaf) – infused with the power of loquat leaves, this moisturizer both hydrates and mattifies the skin so pores are less obvious and reduces shine.
Tofu – the skin smoother infused with the power of soy lecithin, refreshes skin so you can feel its smoothness immediately.
Shiro-Kikurage (white jelly mushroom) – the lotion infused with the power of white jelly mushroom delivers hydration to plump skin from within.
Hachimitsu (honey) – the cleanser infused with the power of honey removes impurities and refreshes skin, without stripping away essential moisture.
The complete WASO Product Range
Clear Mega-hydrating Cream ¥4,860
A specially formulated, intensely hydrating clear cream with whole carrot cells. Immediately plumps, softens and nourishes your skin throughout the entire day. For use under or over makeup.
Quick Matte Moisturizer Oil-free ¥4,860
An instantly mattifying, oil-balancing, clear gel emulsion with whole loquat leaf cells. Leaves your skin feeling smooth, hydrated and less shiny.
Color-smart Day Moisturizer ¥4,860
A skin-brightening day moisturizer with whole carrot cells. Adeptly changes color to enhance your skin tone, for long-lasting hydration and healthy-looking glow. It also contains SPF30.
Color-smart Day Moisturizer oil-free ¥4,860
A skin-brightening, day moisturizer with whole loquat leaf cells. Adeptly changes color to enhance your skin tone, for a matte, healthy-looking glow. It also contains SPF30.
Soft + Cushy Polisher ¥4,104
A skin-refining exfoliating polish. The tofu-like gentle texture clears complexion and leaves your skin silky and smooth.
Quick Gentle Cleanser ¥3,456
A heavenly refreshing cleanser with honey and royal jelly from bees. The honey-like gel foams without water to remove makeup and impurities, without stripping essential moisture.
Fresh Jelly Lotion ¥3,780
An epic hydrating lotion that contains an ingredient derived from white jelly mushrooms. The jelly like texture transforms into lotion on your skin, plumping from within.
What did I think of the WASO skin care range?
As I mentioned at the start of they article, I was immediately drawn to the WASO range when I saw the product images start appearing. I love Shiseido, and have used many of products across the various brand range in Japan. However, I have sensitive skin and the high alcohol and fragrance content of some Shiseido skin care products can be an issue for me. So when I read that the WASO range included more natural ingredients, my ears definitely pricked up and I visited the Shiseido to get my hands on some samples.
After a lovely chat with the Shiseido staff I took home a sample of the Quick Gentle Cleanser, Fresh Jelly Lotion and Soft & Cushy Polisher. After greedily using up all of the samples! Here are my thoughts.
Quick Gentle Cleanser– Quite a different texture cleanser as you massage the clear gel directly onto your dry skin. As you massage the gel transforms into a low foam, which I was slightly concerned about, as it could potentially be quite stripping and drying, but it as its name promises it is very gentle. After rinsing off with lukewarm water, my skin was clean of foundation and not at all tight and dry. Quick Gentle Cleanser gently removes and makeup and dirt from the skin, but you will have to use a separate eye make-up remover for mascara and eye liner.
Soft & Cushy Polisher– the name is so cute and really different for Shiseido which is usually more serious and sophisticated. I had high hopes for this gentle exfoliant as it was the Shiseido consultants favourite products from the WASO range, and I was not disappointed. The fine-grained, cream exfoliating paste is very gentle on the skin. Even my sensitive skin, which usually turns inflamed and red at the sight of any kind of physical exfoliant, felt oh-so gently buffed smooth after using this product. I was very conservative (for the above reasons) when I tried it the first time, but the second time I was really pleased with the gentle exfoliating action.
Fresh Jelly lotion This was my favourite product of the three I have tried so far. The jelly texture is very cooling on then skin, which I love as I am prone to redness and heat on my cheeks, and this feels so soothing to gently pat/ press into the skin after cleansing. But best of all if delivers an enormous amount of hydration to the skin, making it immediately look and feel plump and soft.
So would I purchase and use WASO now that I have tried it?
Absolutely. Here is why:
– The price point is affordable for a department store brand, especially as there are no serum in the range, which tend to be more expensive.
– Effective and gentle on sensitive and dry skin. Although there are oil-free products also in the range, but I didn’t try these as they are not suited to my skin type.
– Easy to use skin care routine without too many steps. I feel like there is a definite shift away from using too many steps/ layering too many products on your skin and the WASO range shows this, a succinct range that you can tailor to your skin care concerns (dryness, oiliness, pores etc.)
There is one thing that I need to point out though, if you have super-sensitive skin that cannot tolerate any fragrance than be careful with the WASO range as it still contains some perfume. Not as much as other Shiseido skin care ranges, but still some. Which for me is fine- the products smell gorgeous, but not-overly perfumed and my skin has not reacted at all. But I just want to point out that this is not a fragrance-free skincare range.
It is however alcohol, mineral oil, soap and paraben free!
So now, I am definitely returning to the Shiseido counter to stock up on the Fresh Jelly Lotion and try the amazing moisturizers that have heard such great things about.
Where can I buy WASO?
After it’s launch in July, WASO is now available in almost every country that has Shiseido. Here are a few links for easy reference!
Japan
– Shiseido counters at Japanese Department Stores
– Shiseido (online store)
USA
– Shiseido (online store)
Singapore
– Sephora
UK
-Shiseido (online store)
Australia
– Myer, David Jones and select Pharmacies
I agree, this reminds me of Glossier 😀
Such a lovely range! I do wish it was available in my country haha 🙁