February 2, 2010

Can’t Live Without: Bihada Ichizoku Aqua Gel Face Cream Review

Been pretty brutal weather-wise in New York lately so my skin is all about how much moisture I can provide. My current skin regime is working wonders and I swear not a bite of cold brisk air gets through to my super moist, dewy skin. To maintain it, one item I can’t live without, is Bihada Ichizoku Aqua Gel Face Cream.

I’ve been prepping with this for as far back as can remember and it’s one of those things I’d never want to be without.

Check it after the jump!

Bihada Ichizoku is an entire range of cutesy Manga inspired skincare and masks which is produced in Japan by a company called Love Labo. Don’t quote me but I started using the brand three years ago or more and ever after it’s been a main staple of my daily skin care regime.

I am NEVER without Bihada Ichizoku Aqua Gel Face Cream as it’s simply a must have for me especially during the Winter months and particularly during the Summer.

What is it?

Bihada Ichizoku Aqua Gel Face Cream is a gel like cream that quickly absorbs into the skin. It starts out as a white creamy moisturizer but upon contact with the skin it turns into a watery transparent gel. It’s very soft, cooling, and easily absorbs into the skin. In the Winter I prep with this prior to applying my base and after my main moisturizer as it creates a cool, dewy surface that allows my BB Cream to easily blend onto my skin. The cream helps to restore and maintain natural moisture on my skin and continues to do so through the day keeping me hydrated and moist. After continuous use I feel like it’s improved my skin and allowed a smoother more moisturized surface minus flaking, tightness, and itchiness which is commonly associated with the Winter weather. It has a slight grapefruit smell which is very pleasing but not overpowering.

In the Summer when my skin leans towards being a tad more oily this becomes my main moisturizer as I skip on my heavier, richer facial creams and simply use this.

It’s been referred to as “magical” in some Japanese reviews and I couldn’t agree more. The way it transforms into an watery, refreshing gel makes my face feel incredibly moist but not greasy or oily.

Overall, I simply can’t live without it nor would I want too. It’s possibly one of the best preps I have in my beauty arsenal. I highly suggest it for anyone who hates silicon primers but wants a prep and prime that will help ease their foundation application or those who have oily skin and want a lighter moisturizer that won’t clog pores.

It’s a must have in the Muse’s opinion and totally approved for purchase!

I normally get this from JpMon but Amazon has a seller who sells the entire range for close to retail at http://www.amazon.com

Hey chicklets!

If you have a brief second I’d really appreciate you filling out the below poll as it’ll help me to decide on the path my reviews take.

Disclosure: The following item was purchased by me for review purposes (and because I like flinging my money at makeup products of any kind) on Musings of a Muse. For further information please see my FTC Guidelines or my Disclosure/Disclaimer posts.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Jolyn

    !!!!!!!!

    Xinfinity!

    I bought the Bihada Ichizoku masks (Pink and Blue) because the SASA outlets here in Singapore keep running out of stock! I just purchased this the next before and my mom loves it! It’s amazing how the gel transformed into water droplets! She said it was very moisturizing and that it was like a comfortable barrier on her skin, giving her smooth texture all day long!

    P.S. I love your asian reviews Muse, please continue!

    • the Muse

      hi joyln!

      hehe 😀 love your excitement! I love the masks but I hate they don’t sell them in 5 piece sets! grrrrrrrrr! It’s incredible! I’ve been using it for a long time now and just can’t live without it! It really is awesome how it transforms from cream to water! It really provides lasting hydration through the day!

      yay glad you enjoy asian reviews 😀 I’m so happy to hear that!

      Hugs!

  • Jolyn

    I’m super duper excited cos’ i was just recommending it to a friend, and checking out your blog to see if I had any more things to haul from SASA.com!

    Great minds think alike!

    I think Bihada Ichizuko masks are great, but I’m wary of counterfeits. I saw a spree selling them for S$3.00, which is roughly US$2. The price difference is alot yes? 🙁 I figured I’ll buy 1 and compare with the mask I bought from SASA itself, if its a fake, then spelling mistakes galore! If not, I’ll share them with you!!!

    Its so nice to see the American friends liking asian makeup, especially when I myself have been neglecting our technology for so long, but its never too late!

    • the Muse

      ha Jolyn! I read your mind!!!!!!!!! 😀 Sasa US Doesn’t carry it unfortunately where you from doll?

      no way I would be wary! $2 bucks is cheap! aw thanks you’re awesome. But I can understand why you are feeling unsure about the purchase. Well you only live once if it’s black market you can just ditch it 😀

      Oh gosh I ADORE Asian makeup truly it’s something special 😀 Get on there and enjoy it! It’s well worth your time 🙂 I wish we had half of what was available in Japan and Korea!

  • Angie Twe

    I like the voting thing 😛
    I’m surprised to see lots of votes for Asian..

    • the Muse

      hehe angie glad you like. I was just curious to see if everyone was enjoying the Asian cosmetic reviews 🙂 I’ve been saturating my reviews lately with plenty of Asian goodness!

  • Jolyn

    Hello!

    I’m from Singapore, we are fortunate enough that we have SASA outlets here carrying the range but they always go OOS so quickly! I have the Bihada Ichizoku Cleanser as well, but I don’t know how to describe the feeling, so I can’t really say. My skin’s super sensitive tho’, so prior to this, I was using SKII’s travel-kit cleanser and before, a dermatologist product! But again for the B.I cleanser, feels super clean and not soap-tight, but face-small tight!

    You agree with me yes? If its authentic, I think both of us can do bulk purchase like nobody’s business! Another mask to try from SASA would be the SILK WHITIA COLLAGEN GEL MASK, my mom and I tried it, and results’s astonishing! works out to about US$1+ for a piece!

    Unfortunately, I don’t use much of makeup, though I buy alot. I’m really a lazy girl 🙁

  • suz

    grrrrrrrrrr you have it before me

    but THANK GOD this guru loves it!! now it’s a must on my list!!!!

    & frankly the ONLY reason I love your blog it’s b/c you are so diverse when it comes to reviewing products…and especially…you have wide range of Asian product reviews so YES keep them up!!

    • the Muse

      oh suz I’m not a guru 😀 haha but thanks flattered.

      Yay! glad you likey the asian stuff 😀

      I’ve been using this for AGES and absolutely adore it 😀 you’ll love it!

  • Rena

    FYI, for those in the tri-state area this can be purchased at Mizuwa in Edgewater NJ. They have decent sized beauty and hair aisle. I’ve seen this before but never knew what it was until now, headed there to try some….curses can’t read Japanese! Thanks Muse!

    • the Muse

      oh rena thanks that’ll be helpful to many of our jersey readers, cheers!

      Ha yup! I can’t either, read Japanese that is, but I’m so into their cosmetics/skincare I do alot of research and end up sneaking out what things are for. This is worthy of a pick up!

      Do you by chance know the price from that store? curious minds!

  • Tammy

    This sounds awesome! Thanks to you, I want to try like every Asian brand. Time to make a list!

  • Emily

    MUSE! I love your Asian reviews because I am living in Asia and they give me such great ideas! But I also loathe your Asian reviews because they make me want to buy EVERYTHING you review, hahaha!!!

    I see this brand everywhere here in Japan! The mascaras and eyeliners seem to be especially popular (manga eyes, anyone?). I can’t wait to see if you have more reviews lined up for this brand!!

    • the Muse

      aw shucks thanks Em! 😀 You’re SO lucky to have it easy to buy! Wish I did 😀 I have the concealer, blush, and gloss but never indulged in the mascara or eyeliner 😀 I surely will do more reviews if you want them as I have collected lots of the items 🙂

  • jonnie

    I’ve been obsessed with Asian things since high school so please please keep reviewing! I’ve bought a lot of the Asian things you’ve reviewed that I’m sure I never would have heard of on my own. Since I’m in the market for new moisturizers all the time (I’m sure one day I’ll finally find ones that suit my skin for the various seasons… Sigh) now I want to try this one too! The girl on the tube reminds me of the illustrations in my old Gothic and Lolita Bibles… 🙂

    • the Muse

      hey jonnie! 🙂 totally with ya. I’m obsessed with Asian culture/people/etc…myself! this will def be a great one, the formula is simply incredible. I highly suggest snagging some you won’t be sorry!

  • Gisselle

    Hi
    I’m interested in trying this product. Can you list the ingredients or is it listed in Japanese??

    Gigi 🙂

  • christy

    Muse I heard that it is discontinued in Japan. -_-
    I heard it from several retailers and I remembered that it is gone from my mitsuwa.

    • the Muse

      oh no christy really? my last order it arrived fine…but that was from JpMon…sigh! And I really like it too 🙁

  • Lalalabrose

    Hi
    Im desperate.
    I’ve been trying to find this Bihada Ichizoku aqua gel cream selling online anywhere. Since you are NEVER without it as it’s simply a must have for you, could you pls pls pls share with me where i can purchase some? This is the only moisturizer i can use without oiling up during the day as a girl with very-oily skin.
    Thanks mucho in advance.

    • Isabella Muse

      Hi there. Unfortunately it’s been discontinued so I have no recs where to buy it! Sorry!