Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Monday, October 21, 2013

Review: Skinfood » Wine Bubble Cleansing Foam


There is nothing like curling up with a good book and a glass of wine at the end of the night just before bed. Add a roaring fire to the mix and you're in for one classy evening. As wine contains many of those helpful antioxidants we hear oh so much about, it's not only good to drink (within reason), but those same antioxidants can do wonders for your skin! Long story short, this cleanser looked too fun and unique to pass up.

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Skinfood
Product » Wine Bubble Cleansing Foam
Size » 160ml
Cost » $20 USD
Website » eng.theskinfood.com
Would I repurchase? » Probably not


The Wine Bubble Cleansing Foam contains wine from Cotes du Rhone, an excellent wine producer in France. What's good about that is that their wines are packed with plenty of powerful antioxidant polyphenols. But what are antioxidants anyway and why should I even care? Well, antioxidants basically protect your skin at a cellular level and help it to recover from injury. They can help combat the damaging effects from the sun and in the long run this means they will help to keep those pesky wrinkles at bay!

Skinfood also mentions that this cleanser contains AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) which is a naturally occurring acid in many fruits, and in this case grape wine, that helps to break down dead skin cells and gently exfoliate your skin.


This is a pretty typical foam cleanser and the consistency of the foam is identical to most foaming hand soaps. The best part about this cleanser though is by far the smell! It does not actually smell like wine, but rather permeates a sophisticated floral scent which is absolutely refreshing. Let's review, I looooove the way it smells!

However, I am not quite in love with the rest of this cleanser. It is pretty gentle and I would recommend this to any skin type. It is slightly moisturizing and also helpful for those of us with oily skin. On the downside, I have noticed that it usually takes at least two washes to get your base makeup off and you best double rinse otherwise this cleanser can sometimes leave a subtle, but noticeable film that lingers on the skin and could be potential cause for breakouts.

But if you're willing to put in the extra work, the Wine Bubble Cleansing Foam will leave your face feeling sleek and clean and even a little softer. The exfoliation aspect is very mild and only noticeable over time. In my opinion, it doesn't seem to deep cleanse your pores, but if you are looking for a cleanser that smells amazing, is very gentle, and does a great job at cleaning the surface of your skin with a little more effort, then you might want to consider picking this one up. Overall, I don't love it, but I don't hate it either.


Side note: I apologize for not regularly keeping up with my blog lately, but I am here and I do read all of your comments! It's busy season for the film industry right now and I have been working A TON. So, sorry about that. I will try to post more often and get back into the swing of things. Love you all!! As always, thank you for reading :D xo

Love,

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Review: Skinfood » Rice Shimmer Powder #80


Hi everyone (´ω`★) I'm back after a long hiatus to tell you about this lovely loose powder that I absolutely adore! It's Skinfood's Rice Shimmer Powder. I eyed this for a long time before I finally gave in to buying it and lucky for me it turned out to be amazing!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Skinfood
Product » Rice Shimmer Powder #80
Size » 23g
Cost » $12 USD
Website » www.theskinfood.com
Would I repurchase? » Absolutely


The Rice Shimmer Powder comes in a sturdy plastic container that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It also comes with a generous amount of powder for the price, as I've purchased other loose powders with way less for much more before. So what's so great about this powder anyway? Let's take a look at what Skinfood says:

"Infused with soft, fine pearl particles, this multi-function powder achieves a subtle, luminous finish. Rice extract creates a clearer, incredibly radiant skin tone."

Yup. I totally agree with them on this one guys!



I'm sorry, but the picture above doesn't show the true quality of the shimmer this powder has. It was taken in bright outdoor light as you can tell by the other photos. But take my word, it's one of those powders that only shimmers in the right light, which is what I love about it. It doesn't look like you're wearing glitter on your face, but rather gives a soft and sophisticated glow at certain angles which really enhances your features. It almost reminds me of moonlight.

The powder is incredibly soft and slightly build-able (although it doesn't need it). Although mildly perfumed, the scent isn't heavy and doesn't linger on your face. If you like your makeup completely scent-free I'd look elsewhere, but I personally like the extra feminine touch when I open the lid.


The Rice Shimmer Powder is not completely translucent, so I'd recommend it for skin tones more on the fair side. Can I stress that this is perfect for setting your makeup? The only downside to this product is the fact that it comes with a sponge puff to apply the powder. In my opinion, it doesn't evenly distribute the powder on your face so I don't use it at all. However, I can't necessarily take points off for that as I feel if you want a natural looking finish from your powder, you should be using a powder brush anyway. But hey, it was nice of them to include something to apply the powder for those of us who don't have a brush or need to use this on the go.

Overall, I absolutely love this powder. I've never had any breakouts or negative reactions while using this. The Rice Shimmer Powder makes your skin look natural and doesn't leave that fake, white, powdery look when applied correctly. It doesn't cling to or emphasize flaky bits of skin and it lasts basically all day. The best part? It truly gives off a youthful, glowing, finish that brings out the natural beauty of your skin.

Love,


INGREDIENTS: talc, mica (c177019), zinc stearate, titanium dioxide (c177891), triethylhexanon, magnesium carbonate, silica, cetyl ethylhexanoate, zinc oxide (c177947), alumina, methicone, ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate, cholesteryl lanolate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone, oryza sativa (rice) bran oil, hydroxyapatite, tocopheryl acetate, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance, iron oxides (Ci 77492), iron oxides (ci 77491), iron oxides (ci 77499)

Monday, September 2, 2013

Review: Etude House » Moistfull Collagen Cream, First Essence, & Enriched Cream


May I just mention that Etude House's name was inspired by Chopin? I don't know about you, but to me that's pretty enchanting! Their Moistfull Collagen collection is another reason I love this brand, and as it's one of Etude's most popular lines, I can't wait to tell you about it!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Etude House
Product » Moistfull Collagen Cream, First Essence, Enriched Cream
Size » 50ml, 100ml, 50ml
Cost » $20 USD each (prices vary)
Website » www.etudehouse.com
Would I purchase the full version? » Yes :)


Moistfull Collagen Cream

Etude's Description: Fight for dryness!! Firming moisture cream with baobab tree and collagen extract improving your dermal structure leaving tight and moist skin.

The Moistfull Collagen Cream has one of the more interesting scents I've experienced in skincare products. To me, it smells like a combination of orange peels, jasmine, and a hint of allspice. It's a strange mix, but I do enjoy the scent! It isn't strong smelling and it fades as the cream absorbs. This is thick enough that if you turn the container upside down, the cream will stay in place.

The texture is smooth and light, but it isn't watery like some creams. After a minute or so, the cream fully absorbs to leave your skin with a velvety smooth surface. The effects are immediate and leave your skin with a noticeable layer of moisture.

Ingredients: hydrolyzed collagen, water, butylene glycol, cyclopentasiloxane, adansonia digitata fruit extract, glycerin, cyclohexasiloxane, glyceryl polymethacrylate, hydrogenated lecithin, cetearyl alcohol, hydrolyzed adansonia digitata extract, betaine, cetylethylhexanoate, glyceryl stearate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, stearic acid, pca dimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclomethicone, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, silica, dimethicone, polyethylene, sodium polyacrylate, polyglyceryl-3 methylglucose distearate, hydrogenated polydecene, peg/ppg-20/15 dimethicone, phenyl methicone, ethylhexylglycerin, ppg-5-laureth-5, carbomer, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, fragrance, yellow 5 (ci 19140), red 33 (ci 17200)



Moistfull Collagen First Essence

Etude's Description: moisturizer maintains 90% of Hydrolyzed Collagen content to tighten and moisturize complexion while strengthening skin structure to prevent aged look.

This is the first step in the 7 part Moistfull Collagen skincare system. The smell is nearly identical to the cream, but I would say it leans more toward a citrusy scent. This glides effortlessly onto the skin in a consistency slightly thicker than water. As the essence is absorbed, the texture turns from watery to something familiar to a lotion, becomes slightly sticky, and finally the stickiness fades completely, leaving your skin looking instantly more youthful and revamped.

This makes me feel as though a layer of clouds has landed on the surface of my skin and are awaiting the arrival of more moisture! It takes around 3 minutes for the first essence to fully absorb. It seems to rest beneath the surface and preps the skin for the addition of another moisturizer to fill in the gaps, but it leaves my skin feeling refreshed and soft from the get-go.

Ingredients: hydrolyzed collagen, alcohol, adansonia digitata fruit extract, hydroxyethylcellulose, butylene glycol, peg-60 hydrogenated castor oil, benzophenone-5, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, ci 19140, ci 17200, fragrance


Moistfull Collagen Enriched Cream

Etude's Description: Enriched texture forms protective, moisture binding barrier to keep skin smooth and soft. Contains baobab tree seed oil for moisture retention and collagen for elasticity care.

The Moistfull Collagen Enriched Cream can be used interchangeably with the regular Cream. The scents are nearly identical, if not the same. The textures are similar as well, but I would say the enriched cream is slightly heavier than the regular cream. "Barrier" is the word to focus on here, as it really does seem to create a shield of moisture on the surface of the skin that the regular cream does not provide. The regular cream does give a layer of moisture, but I would say that the enriched cream is a little more heavy duty and aids more with elasticity. Neither one is better than the other, they are just different in my opinion! The enriched cream takes around 5 minutes to fully absorb.

Ingredients: water, hydrolyzed collagen, glycerin, butylene glycol, hydrogenated polyisobutene, cetyl ethylexanoate, adansonia digitata fruit extract, phytosteryl/behenyl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, hydrolized adansonia digitata extract, sodium hyaluronate, glyceryl stearate, cetearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, ethylhexylglycerin, carbomer, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, peg-60 glyceryl isostearate, dimethicone, tromethamine, disodium edta, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

It was only after continued use that I began to see why this collection is loved around the world. To be honest, although my skin did feel moisturized on the first day, I didn't think the Collagen Moistfull Line was all that special right away. However, after a week of applying the first essence, followed by the cream in the morning, and the enriched cream at night as a sleeping pack, I have noticed a huge difference in the quality of my skin!

Even if you don't understand Korean, this video is cute!

My favorite thing about the Moistfull Collagen line is that it has made my skin extremely soft! The shocking thing is the softness actually remains even if I stop using the cream for days! Nothing lasts forever, of course, but I am not used to softness lasting so long from using a product. What's more, I can actually feel that my skin is firmer from the inside out and not just on the surface. These have most certainly helped with elasticity! I have even noticed a slight diminishing of fine lines and tightening of pores. 

I was worried that these creams would be a little too heavy for my combination skin, but I am pleased to say that I have never experienced any negative reactions to these products and recommend them for all skin types. In fact, my skin has been recovering from a string of stress related breakouts and these have helped to speed up the healing process! I've only tried these 3 items from the Moistfull Collagen collection, but I wouldn't doubt the effects are even greater when all 7 steps are used. Overall, these leave my skin looking and feeling much healthier and even give my skin a natural glow!

xo,

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Review: Laneige » Pore Minimizing Pack


Laneige as a brand makes me think of crystal clear skin. With the name meaning 'snow' in French it's no wonder that their brand focuses on water to keep skin healthy and lively! I've really grown to love Laneige and after visiting the Amore store awhile back, I received a generous amount of samples of their Pore Minimizing Pack. I couldn't wait to try it out and yes, I absolutely lucked out with this one!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Laneige
Product » Pore Minimizing Pack
Size » 100ml
Cost » $20 USD
Website » www.laneige.co.kr/en/main.do
Would I purchase the full version? » Yes!!


I really don't have anything bad to say about this clay mask! It smells sophisticated and feminine and spreads on with a consistency of a lotion or BB cream. I loved this aspect of the mask because it wasn't so thick as many other clay masks I've tried in the past. I was actually really surprised by the consistency! I agree with all the claims Laneige makes about this product and have experienced excellent results. I'm definitely on the more obsessed side when it comes to dealing with my pores and this mask helps a lot!

The Pore Minimizing Pack honestly does dry in only 3-5 minutes. You don't need to leave it on longer than that to get results. Laneige says you only need a nickel-sized amount to spread around, but in reality you need more than that for your entire face. A little does go a long way, however, and you don't need to lay this on thick to get results.

Laneige's Directions:
Sooth skin with toner and apply a nickel-sized amount over your face, avoiding the eye area. Cover your entire face with an opaque layer.
When the pack dries after 3~5 minutes, rinse off with water and sooth skin with toner.
You may use this product on the entire face, but it can also be used on problematic areas with excess sebum secretion.
Use it 1~2 times a week, but you may increase the frequency according to your skin condition.

Ingredients: water, kaolin, butylene glycol, magnesium aluminum silicate, sodium methyl cocyl taurate, titanium dioxide, moroccan lava clay, melia azadirachta extract, protease, salycylic acid, chlorphenesin, xanthan gum, glyceryl stearate, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, disodium edta, fragrance


Sorry I know this photo doesn't have the best lighting, but as you can see it dries to look like I'm wearing way too much sunblock haha. I accidentally put extra on my nose so it looks more white there. The amazing thing about this clay mask is that my face doesn't feel super tight while the mask is dry! Yes, it is a little stiff, but only slightly (it is a clay mask after all). I can still move my face around and it isn't nearly as thick as other clay masks! The mask doesn't turn out looking cracked while drying.

This is SO easy to wash off! Lukewarm water works best and once the water hits your skin the mask just wipes off! My skin feels incredibly smooth after and my pores are significantly smaller. You really can notice!! One troubling thing I've experienced with other clay masks is struggling to wash it off which causes me to pull at my skin. This results with my skin looking red and feeling irritated and tired. But NOT with this mask!! The Laneige Pore Minimizing Pack is amazing in that it is very light for a clay mask and has never left my face looking red or feeling irritated either.

Also, this helps to pull out impurities and toxins from your skin. It makes blackheads especially easier to remove and I can just tell that my skin feels cleaner from within. This does help a little bit with sebum control and exfoliation, but I mainly like it for minimizing my pores. Another great thing about this mask is that it doesn't suck any moisture out of your skin! I'd recommend this for any skin type and for those if you with oily skin to use more often throughout the week. Overall, I love the Pore Minimizing Pack from Laneige and will definitely be purchasing the full version of this product!

Love,

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Review: Skinfood » Fresh Apple Sparkling Pore Toner & Emulsion


On one of my latest trips to the Skinfood store in Los Angeles I received this cute little gift set from their Fresh Apple Sparkling Pore line! My natural love of apples already had me eyeing this line, but when I found out it was meant for oily skin I couldn't wait to test it out!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Skinfood
Product » Fresh Apple Sparkling Pore Toner, Emulsion
Size » 160ml each
Cost » $18 USD each
Website » eng.theskinfood.com
Would I purchase the full version? » Toner? No. Emulsion? Probably not.

The first thing I want to mention is that I LOVE the way these smell! They're just like fresh tart apples mixed with something sweet and clean and the scent is very refreshing! The toner has a noticeable alcohol smell though, as many toners do, but it isn't overwhelming. They both come out clear from the bottle.

For years I tried western brand toners and always HATED them because they stung, dried out my skin, and overall left my skin feeling damaged and uncomfortable. No matter how many different brands I tried, it was always the same result. So, I gave up on toners altogether. However, once I discovered Asian skincare I realized not all toners are evil! My skin is in much better condition than it was years ago, so that might be a reason I'm relatively okay with toners now, but so far I've only liked toners from Asian brands.

That being said, the Fresh Apple toner didn't sting my skin even when I applied it during a breakout which really surprised me. It also doesn't dry out the surface of my skin and leaves it feeling fresh and extra clean. I still don't find toners to be all that necessary as long as you properly cleanse your face, but this is one I would consider using on occasion. I do not love this toner, as I've never found a toner I love (even with Asian brands), but I like it for the simple fact that it keeps my skin less shiny.


The emulsion is a bit stickier and a little thicker than the toner (as it should be). It feels fresh and light on my face throughout the day. Be cautioned though, if you put too much of this emulsion on then it won't be good. I've found that you just need a slight amount to layer on the skin and it will indeed help with sebum control, but if you put a little extra it will have the opposite effect and your skin will end up feeling heavy and even more oily than before!

Now, let's take a look at what Skinfood says to see if these measure up!

Skinfood claims: 
     Toner: A carbonated toner with fresh unripe green apple extract that cleanses soap residue and
                 skin impurities while tightening pores.
     Emulsion: An emulsion with fresh unripe green apple extract and carbonated water that controls
                 sebum production and tightens pores.

Check and check! I'm never too convinced with products that are supposed to help with sebum control (because many don't work), but these honestly kept my face less oily not just for a few hours, but for the ENTIRE day! As long as you go easy on the emulsion, at least for me, the effects were far greater than I expected. On one occasion my skin wasn't oily at all the whole day while wearing these which was a total shock to me. This only happened once, but on average these help a bunch with keeping my skin less oily.

On the downside, these seem to be slightly and slowly dehydrating overtime so it is not a good idea to skip your daily moisturizer while using these (that's not a good idea anyway). It's not that my skin has gotten dry and flaky, but I have noticed that my skin feels dehydrated from deep within. My lovely readers mentioned in the comments that this is probably due to the high alcohol content in the toner (emulsion, too) and I absolutely agree! That is the unfortunate reality of many toners and as I mentioned before, I'm still not convinced that toners are necessary as long as you use a good daily cleanser. To end on a positive note, I really like the way my BB cream clings to my skin after applying the emulsion. Overall, these smell amazing and really do help with sebum control!

UPDATE: After using these for a longer period of time, they started to clog my pores D: !! Not fun. I would attribute this to the drying effects of the toner on my skin. I still think the emulsion is not to blame, but I can't be 100% sure as I was using both the toner and emulsion simultaneously. If anyone has tried these let me know in the comments. Thanks!

xo,




Saturday, July 20, 2013

Review: Etude House » Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence


If you have oily skin like me I'm sure you have searched far and wide for products to help to keep your face from looking irritatingly shiny. Trust me, living in La La Land (LA) has me especially conscious of how well my makeup is faring throughout the day. But, even if you don't live in a world of bright lights, cameras, and actions, the Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence is a great item to keep in your beauty stash!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Etude House
Product » Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence
Size » 20ml
Cost » $10 USD
Website » www.etudehouse.com
Would I repurchase? » Yes


What Etude House claims: The Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence is a moisturizing makeup primer that masks pores to subdue sebum and improve makeup coverage.

What Beautiful Doki Doki Says: I am quite pleased with this primer! It is not a "wow, this changed my life" product, but it does the job! The results are noticeable and it definitely helps to mask enlarged pores and creases. The texture of my skin isn't too terrible to begin with, but this primer helps to smooth out my flaws, especially on the nose area where my skin gets the most oil. In terms of oil control, this noticeably helps to subdue the shine throughout the day. This primer does not get rid of the oil altogether, but my skin is significantly less oily when I apply this primer. Also, my skin remains fresher for longer!


This primer comes out a milky and slick consistency. I would say it is somewhere between a cream and oil in terms of how easily it spreads around. It is off-white in color and has a noticeable fragrance that I can't particularly place, but it does smell soft, clean and fresh! Don't worry, the fragrance does not linger on your face.


Is silicone bad for my skin? The short answer is no! First of all, silicone is commonly used in foundations and makeup primers so it is a little hard to avoid. Silicone is not absorbed into your skin, rather, it fills in pores and fine lines to create the illusion of smooth, flawless skin. On the other hand, some people have problems with silicone because it can trap sebum and bacteria in your pores which can cause breakouts. Other people are simply allergic to silicone, in which case there isn't much you can do.

However, don't be afraid of trying out products containing silicone! You never know what will work for your skin or not unless you try. Personally, I have never had a breakout from using the Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence! I always keep my face and hands clean before applying, so just make sure your face is properly cleansed before putting on primers (or anything for that matter!). Overall, I don't find silicones to be a big deal, but remember to find what works best for your individual skin :)


Above is a super close-up of an enlarged pore on my face. The primer doesn't erase flaws completely, but it does help! Plus, no one is actually going to see your skin this close up anyway! haha I also probably wouldn't use this as an all-over-your-face type of primer, especially since the container is kind of small for that type of application. I only use this on my t-zone or on any trouble spots. My makeup does stick well with this primer and it does not dry out or break out my skin. Overall, the Goodbye Pore Ever Primer works as it says, but like I said before it isn't amazing.

Thanks for reading,

Love,


Saturday, July 6, 2013

Review: The Face Shop » New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Clay Nose Pack


Whew! That is somewhat of a mouthful to say. There has been a lot of hype about The Face Shop's New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Clay Nose Pack and as I am unfortunately plagued with far from flawless pores I jumped at the opportunity to try this!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » The Face Shop
Product » New Zealand Volcanic Clay Blackhead Clay Nose Pack
Size » 50mg
Cost » $6 USD
Website » international.thefaceshop.com
Would I repurchase? » Sure


There is a daily battle between me and the blackheads on my nose *sigh*. I have tried nose strips before and those work fine, but with so much excitement over this product it seemed like it could be nothing less than amazing. It's actually so popular that every time I went to The Face Shop store I frequent here in LA it was sold out, with the owner telling me it is one of their most popular items. They also said it was unknown when they would be receiving another shipment. Alas, I ordered through Amazon and eagerly waited the two weeks for my little package to arrive from Korea.


I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but it is very sticky! Be warned, you have to apply this immediately for it to spread the right way. I also learned the hard way that leaving the cap open while you do so causes a buildup to start forming in the tip. So keep it closed while you apply! A thick application works best for this nose pack. Be prepared to let it dry for 30 mins! It says on the tube that it takes 10-15, but sometimes that just isn't enough time for it to fully dry and it has to be totally dry or it won't work at all.


Sorry, I know the picture below is gross! I'm not entirely sure how well you can see the results. In my opinion it works well, but not great! To be honest maybe my expectations were way too high because of all the hype, but I'm a little bummed. Don't get me wrong, it does work to an extent, but every time I use this, there are still a lot of blackheads left on my nose. It seems to do just as good a job as nose strips that I've tried. However, I still prefer this to nose strips because you get way more uses out of it and you can shape it to any area you want! You don't have to worry about cutting a strip to the right shape and you don't have to buy 3 different products to do one job. This can just go anywhere on your face and for that it's really convenient.



Overall, I would purchase the Volcanic Clay Nose Pack again, but I still wish it worked a little better. The Face Shop has a whole line of Volcanic Clay products so perhaps they work best in combination. I'm curious to try their New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Gel oil so maybe I'll get it and do a comparison.

xo,


Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Review: Etude House » Mint Cooling Eye's Cream


Sometimes, I wish western packaging was this clever. The Mint Cooling "Ice" Cream from Etude House comes in a kawaii little box with an ice cream cone cutout displaying the cream stick inside. I got this cream to help combat my dark circles, as we all know how annoying those can be!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Etude House
Product » Mint Cooling Eye's Cream
Size » 6.5g
Cost » $10 USD
Website » www.etudehouse.com
Would I repurchase? » Undecided


The Mint Cooling Eye's Cream comes with two protective caps and twists up just like a lip balm. I was a little surprised to find that the cream smells nothing of mint. Rather, it has a subtle and perfumed, perhaps floral scent. This eye cream is supposed to help lessen dark circles and puffiness around the eyes with a cooling and soothing sensation. I was really excited when I discovered this cream not only because I love Etude House, but also because it doesn't cost a fortune as most eye creams do!



What I like: I've been using the Mint Cooling Eye's Cream for about a month now and it has definitely helped to relieve the puffiness around my eyes. I don't always have puffy eyes, but on those days where I haven't gotten much sleep or for whatever reason my eyes are feeling really tired it has been especially soothing. I like the idea of having extra sun protection for this delicate skin area, so it's a plus that this eye cream contains SPF30 PA++. The blue color of the cream helps a little to brighten your under eye area as well, which helps slightly with hiding the dark circles. It is also decently moisturizing and works great as a primer.

What I don't like: The cooling sensation is at times hardly noticeable. I won't deny that it is comforting, but the sensation only lasts a couple seconds and isn't very strong. The main reason that I got this cream is that I was hoping it would help to get rid of (or at least noticeably diminish) my dark circles. However, after a month I really haven't noticed much of a difference, if at all. 


If you are looking for an eye cream that relieves puffiness, the Mint Cooling Eye's Cream might be the one for you, but for those of us who struggle with dark circles you might want to look elsewhere. I am going to keep using this eye cream in case it takes longer to work, but with over a month of no real changes the outlook seems grim. Overall, I do like this eye cream for the soothing factor and if I did repurchase it it would be simply for the puffiness control, but I feel like there is probably something better out there. I'm also curious about this cream's twin product, the Vanilla Moist Eye's Cream, and wonder if they might work best as a pair.

Love,


P. S. What's your favorite eye cream?

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Review: The Face Shop » Green Tea Phyto Powder In Cleansing Foam


I'm pretty satisfied with the Green Tea Phyto Powder In Cleansing Foam from The Face Shop. Although it's not my favorite cleanser (it doesn't beat Skinfood's Steam Milk Bubble Mask reviewed here), I do enjoy it for it for its own unique qualities. Plus, I am an absolute fan of green tea!! Matcha green tea, green tea ice cream, green tea cheesecake, green tea skincare...you name it! Odds are I love it (I even ate green tea pancakes earlier today). Okay, moving on...

FLASH FACTS
Brand » The Face Shop
Product » Green Tea Phyto Powder In Cleansing Foam
Size » 170ml
Cost » $10 USD
Website » international.thefaceshop.com
Would I repurchase? » Perhaps


The Green Tea Cleanser comes in a simple yet attractive tube packaging. The product squeezes out of the bottom and comes out a thick gel-like consistency with a pearlescent shine. For some reason, when I smelled this cleanser in the store I thought it did indeed smell of green tea, but when I brought it home with me it didn't seem to smell like it at all (guess it was my imagination). It does smell good, however, but the smell is more of a simple, light, clean smell with no specific scent that I can think of.

This cleanser foams quite nicely and does a good job at cleaning off my makeup. It actually foams a lot more than shown in the picture! However, if you wear heavy eye makeup I would suggest getting some type of makeup remover to use along with this cleanser. It can sometimes require excessive scrubbing in the eye area which isn't the best for the delicate skin around your eyes. It also takes a little more effort than some cleansers to rinse off.

I do not recommend this for extremely dry or sensitive skin types. Although the Green Tea Cleanser is pretty gentle, it can be quite drying at times and if my skin is especially irritated this cleanser can slightly sting, which is never fun.

On a positive note, I do recommend this for those of you with combination/oily skin like mine. On days when my skin is oily and out of control, this cleanser does wonders. I do not like to use this cleanser every day though and am currently trading off between this and my Steam Milk Bubble Mask from Skinfood. The Green Tea Cleanser doesn't necessarily leave my skin feeling overly soft, but it is quite refreshing and does its job of getting my face clean. I also feel that over time it has helped to tighten my pores, smooth out my skin, and lessen the amount of oil I have.

I have never had any breakouts or irritations from using this cleanser (except for the rare slight stinging on extra sensitive days). Overall, I do enjoy the Green Tea Cleanser from The Face Shop, but I feel as though I would like to try something else before purchasing this cleanser again.

Thanks for reading!!

Love,


P. S. I couldn't end this post without mentioning that Kim Hyun Joong is the current model for The Face Shop. In case you don't know who is, he is a famous kpop idol and actor and is pretty dang cute (in my opinion)...just saying! :p



Sunday, June 9, 2013

Review: Tonymoly » Red Appletox Honey Cream


Yet another adorable apple from the Korean brand TonyMoly! Their Red Appletox Honey Cream comes in a kawaii red plastic apple shaped container that is quite similar to their Appletox Peeling Massage Cream, which I've also reviewed here. The containers might be similar, but the Red Appletox is an entirely different product! The Honey Cream is an excellent moisturizing cream perfect for morning or night that I'm so happy I found!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » TonyMoly
Product » Red Appletox Honey Cream
Size » 80ml
Cost » $10 USD
Website » www.etonymoly.com
Would I repurchase? » Yes, yes, yes!


Although I have an obsession with cute packaging, I totally understand the hesitation that some people might have that the product inside isn't actually good and the packaging is just a trick to get you to buy. However, adorable packaging aside, the Red Appletox Honey Cream is a truly wonderful moisturizer! The cream itself is definitely not as thick as our normal idea of a facial cream and I would describe it as being a little...juicy, or more of a gel cream. It smells just like a fresh tart apple with a hint of honey, which I love.


The top screws off to reveal a tiny spatula used for dipping into the cream and a plastic lid to help keep the cream from spilling over the edge and also to keep dust and germs out! The cream actually pours quite easily and you only need to dip the spatula to provide enough cream for your entire face! Perhaps if your face was extremely dry it might requiring scooping, but I've always found that to be way too much.

Notable Ingredients:
Manuka Honey Extract » from the wild trees of New Zealand. Antibacterial and immunity effect.
Royal Jelly Extract » cools down skin troubles.
Black Honey » rich in minerals and amino acid. Moisturizes and nourishes.
Apple Acid » smooths skin.
Propolis » provides antioxidants.

How to use: Apply an adequate amount day or night after cleansing. Gently pat your face to help the product absorb. Use 1-3 times a week.

Although it says to use 1-3 times a week, I have used this every night for weeks in a row and have never experienced any irritation with my skin. I think you need to get a feel for your own skin and if it is screaming for moisture I don't see a problem using it every night/day, although a couple times a week works great too! I personally only use this cream at night, because I use my Hadalabo during the day, but I honestly really love it as a sleeping moisturizer. The cream is supposed to increase elasticity, and I would agree that the Red Appletox Honey Cream certainly performs. Every morning I wake up after using this, my face feels softer and firmer!


The Red Appletox Honey cream is immediately soothing. I've used this when my face felt irritated or flushed and when I apply the cream it has an instant calming effect. The texture is different from most creams, but I find it light and comforting. Even though I don't use this in my morning routine, I think the texture would be great for use under your base makeup! The Red Appletox Honey Cream has worked well for me both when my skin was looking flawless and when my skin felt sensitive or irritated. Those with acne might also find this cream to be beneficial as honey naturally contains antibacterial properties, which I feel adds to its calming effect.

The only downside to this cream is that it didn't come with a full ingredient list. I've been searching for one and if I come across it I will update this post.

I think the Red Appletox Honey Cream is perfect for any skin type and has worked especially well for my combination skin. I'm surprised that the price isn't higher, but even if it cost more I would probably still buy it again. I don't wake up with my skin feeling oily and I've never had any breakouts from this cream. If you're looking for a moisturizing cream that is both comforting and gentle I would certainly consider this one. This little red apple is Beautiful Doki Doki approved!

Love,