Cause I didn’t.

Well, I did, but I always relegated it to too hard and toner-esque and subsequentley never really gave it a good nudge.

Meanwhile I had friends screeching about how much they love their essence, gotta have their essence, if I ever get any extra essence, they’re happy to take it off my hands.  (Usually I’m fine but sometimes I’m all all like, Cate! Jesus! Can’t you get your own? You’re the spokesmodel for gorsakes!)

And then, a couple of weeks back, the SK-II kids are like, hey, you. You been usin’ the essence? And I’m like no, and they’re like why not? And I’m like, what are you planning on doing with that baseball bat? And they’re like, nothing, and I’m like, well good, and they’re like, so, if we give you some, will you do a trial, using it morning and night for 28 days like you’re supposed to? And i’m like, well, I don’t know, it looks kind of time-consuming… And they’re like, well it’s not, ok? You just use whatever you’re pre-existing skincare is, and slip it in after cleansing and before your serum or moisturiser. And I’m all, like, really? It’s that easy? And they’re like, totally. You just pour some onto your hands and then pat all over your face. Couldn’t be easier. And I’m like, well, yeah it could, it could be a spray… and they’re like, shut up, weasel. Just do the 28 days and no one gets hurt.*

And so I did.

And it’s been over two weeks now, and I have to say, they were right about it being easy to use. (Little bit cold first thing in the morning, but let’s view that as "refreshing".)

My skin? Yeah, it’s actually looking pretty good. Hydrated. Good, even texture. Fresh looking.

But like I told them when they did their mid-test-check-up email, that could be from a variety of things.

* Not drinking for a month (I’m in Dry July – it’s an annual thing.)

– A week of meditation in Bali (I came back just before starting on the essence.)

– No caffeine since Bali.

– Eating better since coming back from Bali.

– Thicker, more hydrating face creams for winter.

–  SK-II facial Treatment Essence.

In any case, it’s become part of my routine now, so their job is done. And even if it’s not the essence making my skin look nice, it might be the essence making my skin look good, so I’ll keep using it just in case.

They say that if you’re gonna buy any of the SK-II range, the essence is the stuff you buy. And fruits, I think I’m gonna have to agree. Kind of. Their face masks are right up there, too.

* Conversation may be a complete fabrication.