I've seen and tried many types of facial cleanser in the market and it is always interesting when there are new products on the shelves which are different and better than what's currently available. Receiving this box of Black Paint got me excited and puzzled at the same time - a black bar of soap, 2 bottles of liquids, a tub of cream and a black rough and hard 'stone' sponge. Where and how to start? Had to whip out the info brochure from the package and start reading.
Black Paint is an organic skincare brand established in Kyoto, Japan 15 years ago and is made from natural, organic materials which are blended from more than 100 types of plant oils, more than 50 types of essential oils and Kishu Binchotan Charcoal, which explains the black bar of "soap"!
First step is to soak the bar of black paint in warm water and apply directly on a dry face. You can also use it over make up as a make-up remover as it has cleansing properties. This unassuming bar of black paint contains 23 types of organic plant oils and is alkaline in nature, hence able to remove all the impurities in your pores.
How do you know when the soap is ready to be used? Make sure the top layer is soft, and "melts" into a paste-like texture. Once you get that consistency, start to "paint" your face black!
It takes some time, but this is the paste I get after a few attempts.
While using, I realised it does get quite messy and difficult to apply evenly throughout the entire face. Not to worry, once your face is almost covered, you can use your hands to spread and massage the paste evenly. Massaging motion helps in the extraction of dirt from the pores, so don't skip this step! Rinse off the paste with water once done and with that, your pores are cleansed and reduced in size already!
Soak the konjac sponge in warm water to soften it, then gently massage your face with the sponge in a circular motion to absorb the impurities off the surface of your pores so that your pores can be cleaned thoroughly. This sponge is made from natural konjac fiber, which removes blackheads and oil effectively.
Next, soften your skin using Best Water. Best Water is a toner which contains about 30 different kinds of minerals that helps to keep your skin moist and to close your pores. It penetrates deeply to restore the skin's barrier and prevent moisture loss from within. It does not contain alcohol, hence prevent evaporation of moisture from the skin. To use, pump 1-2 pumps each time on your palm, and press in the essence gently onto your face. Best water does not contain any synthetic or chemicals, so you can use it with a peace of mind. Because of its moisturizing benefits, this is greatly recommened for those with dry skin. For Best Water to work more effectively, you can use it with a facial paper mask or steam packs which were provided by Black Paint. You can always trust the Japanese from being innovative. These steam packs is designed with a thin film layer on one side of the pad, to prevent the ingredients from the water from leaking out, so all the essence will not be wasted! With no alcohol content, you can leave the pad on your face for as long as you desire. What's even more amazing, you can use Best Water on top of your make-up and not worry about your make up coming off! Just like a water mist.
Third step is using the Oil Water Rose which is similar to a lotion. Do you know there are about 200,000 pores on your face alone? Oil Water Rose contains nutrients and many precious ingredients which are beneficial for our skin. It contains a dual layer emulsion which soothes and softens with vitamins, anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. The top layer of oil is made of damask oil, argan oil, wild rose oil and other types of oil. The bottom layer contains water from the damask rose oil, which is a precious ingredient. This oil water has a really nice natural fragrance from the damask oil which I love. Before using, remember to shake the bottle well. Pump about 2-3 times onto your palm and massage the oil onto your face. Repeat this step 2-3 times.
Finally, apply the Water Cream to keep your face moisturised over a longer period of time. This water cream, as the name suggests, contains a lot of moisture, locks in moisture and promotes moisture retention. To use, take a pearl-sized amount using the mini spatula provided and spread onto face. The cream will transform into water droplets upon application. Containing 7 types of organic oil, I noticed the effect almost immediately that after application, my skin felt velvety smooth. Use this in the morning before makeup as it makes a great foundation base.
It is recommended to complete these 4 steps over a continuous 28 days period to achieve the best results for your skin. During this period, the clogged impurities in the pores will start to emerge and you may experience stiffness, roughness or even a mild outbreak in the initial stage. Don't be alarmed as this is expected! With no chemicals and the use of only good ingredients, Black Paint promises clean and smooth skin after a period of usage where the skin is reborn.
My personal experience?
I love the fact that Black Paint uses natural and organic ingredients in their products, allowing me to use them with ease. The products smell good and made me feel good and refreshed after application, a sign that the essence of the products are working on my skin. I've been using Black Paint series for about a week and did not experience stiffness, roughness or any outbreak. However, I did cheat a little by using my Clarisonic brush to cleanse my face every morning.
That said, beauty takes time and effort. I do find it a little time consuming and a bit of a hassle having to go through the whole process. This is especially so for the first step with the need to soak the bar of soap to get the paste-like texture, to try to apply evenly on my face and after that to clean it off. Having to rush to work every morning, I just couldn't afford the time every morning to go through all 4 steps! The bar is also left to dry in a bowl in my bathroom, exposed to air, so I'm a little concerned about the hygiene issue as well.
For those who are interested to try Black Paint, you can get them at Takashimaya Basement Level 1, Isetan (West Gate) Basement Level 2, or through Black Paint's official website at http://blackpaint.sg.
Follow Black Paint Singapore on their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/blackpaintsg for the latest updates too!
*UPDATES*
After using Black Paint for 3-4 weeks, another 1-2 pimple did pop out, but this was a small issue. My personal experience is that the black bar of soap does get more and more difficult to use as it becomes smaller and more irregular in shape. Since this soap is said to double up as a make up remover, I tried massaging some on my eyes to remove my eye make-up. It went terribly wrong as the soap went into my eyes and it stung ALOT. I guess it will all be fine if I was careful, but the soap does not come off easily with one wash so the chances of it getting into the eyes is definitely much higher. Do take note to avoid eye area when using this product!



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