Summer’s here, and as we shed layers of warmer clothing and look to sunnier, brighter colours, we also want a refresh for our skin. Events, travel, parties and weddings are back on the horizon and we want to be ready. This summer, we’re relying on Japanese beauty wisdom, and its latest innovation: Shiseido’s super-powered, quick-fix face mask – the ultimate at-home facial.

So what makes Shiseido Vital Perfection LiftDefine Radiance Face Mask (€104 for a pack of six) different? Shiseido bring over a century of expertise to this innovative skin treatment, which elevates the concept of the sheet mask. It’s a high-performance sheet mask in two pieces, uniquely formulated to deliver a brightening, lifting and firming effect – all at once. If you don’t have time to book in for a salon facial, no matter: this is the luxurious alternative. Just put it on for ten minutes while working from home or watching a movie.

Why two pieces? One treatment mask covers the face area; it’s infused with serum to lift and brighten skin. Ingredients such as squalane, Bulgarian rosewater and a variety of leaf, flower and root extracts make this a speedy way to combat dullness. But the action doesn’t stop there. A second mask is specifically shaped to target the chin and neck areas. This LiftDefine aspect helps to sculpt the jawline and fortify the skin’s dermal layer, improving the definition of contours: it’s like a hammock for your lower face. And often this is where we need a bit of support. According to a recent consumer survey, changes in the lower face – such as lines, dark spots and sagging skin – have a larger impact on the overall appearance than those in the upper half.

Use the LiftDefine Face Mask the night before a big event or occasion – you can use one up to three times a week. Just apply to clean skin as a first step before your moisturiser. It’s fuss-free and fast to use, so it’s a perfect pre-Zoom pick-me-up for your skin. And it’s effective: the mask is powered by vitamin C, which inhibits production of melanin (which causes dark spots) and helps to brighten and even skin tone.

Testers saw a visible improvement in just ten minutes, with a more toned face and jawline, and improved improves contours as well as increased brightness in the skin (after one application)*. Which means that if you’re rushing to get ready for a night out, or big day ahead, this is an ideal go-to speedy skin saviour.

ON TARGET

If you love the results and want to boost them further, look to Shiseido’s Vital Perfection Intensive WrinkleSpot Treatment (€101, 20ml): this concentrated treatment is a neat weapon to have at your disposal – it’s designed to visibly improve deep wrinkles and dark spots in just four weeks. A last skincare step in the morning and at night, this neat golden tube can be used to target lines around the eyes and mouth, on forehead wrinkles and the neck, and on dark spots.

It’s powered by Pure Retinol – a form of vitamin A, and one of skincare’s most effective ingredients – plus 4MSK brightening complex, Shiseido’s unique combination of brightening ingredients and botanical extracts, helps to promote an even and radiant complexion, working to diminish the appearance of age spots. Watercress extract supports skin’s own production of collagen and its natural resilience, strengthening, firming and targeting lines. It all adds up to a lifted, firmer and brighter look, and should be your new desk or handbag companion.

Try combining these two innovations with other hero products from the Vital Perfection range: the LiftDefine Radiance Serum, for even more luminosity, and the Uplifting and Firming Cream for daytime.

DAILY RITUAL

A daily skincare routine wouldn’t be complete without Ultimune, Shiseido’s powerhouse serum that now features innovative skin technology powered by eight botanical ingredients.

Shiseido Vital Perfection range is available at Arnotts and selected pharmacies nationwide.

*Tested over 8 weeks on 112–117 women, aged 45–59.