Review: JuJu » Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Whitening Washing Foam

I've heard plenty of great things about the Japanese brand JuJu Cosmetics and their Aquamoist line! So, on my last trip to Little Tokyo in downtown LA I picked up this White Washing Foam cleanser. I was excited for the whitening properties and Vitamin C and since my beloved Steam Milk Bubble Mask from Skinfood finally ran out I figured I'd give this a go. Unfortunately, I ended up hating this cleanser!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » JuJu Cosmetics
Product » Hyaluronic Acid White Washing Foam
Size » 120g
Cost » $12 USD
Website » www.juju.co.jp/eng/
Would I repurchase? » Never!

The Aquamoist White washing foam is supposed to hydrate your skin with hyaluronic acid, brighten with vitamin c, and whiten skin while cleansing off makeup and impurities. It is also meant for sensitive skin as it contains no colorants, no fragrance and no mineral oil. However, this cleanser did nothing but torture my skin!

I am a huge fan of hyaluronic acid because it does an amazing job at hydrating skin by drawing in moisture from the air. I've had huge success with hyaluronic acid before with another Japanese brand, Hada Labo, but for some reason this cleanser did the exact opposite of hydrating my skin! I had to stop using this after just one week because it was completely sucking my face dry! I was really surprised by this because I had heard so many great things about this being extra hydrating. Unfortunately, it made my skin feel tight and uncomfortable after each wash and after a few days my skin started to flake off!

This comes out of the container looking pretty simple. I know this contains no fragrance, but honestly when I first put this on my face it reminded me of the faint smell of pool water, but maybe a little fresher. It wasn't necessarily off-putting, but it wasn't pleasant either. It creates a decent amount of foam and isn't difficult to wash off, which I did appreciate.

Ingredients: water, myristic acid, glycerin, stearic acid, potassium hydroxide, glycol distearate, lauric acid, palmitic acid, sodium laureth sulfate, sorbitol, glyceryl stearate se, peg-190 distearate, phenoxyethanol, hydroxypropyl methycellulose, bht, butylparaben, disodium edta, ethylparaben, ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, trisodium edta, ascorbyl glucoside, papain, sodium hyaluronate.

I don't know if the whitening or brightening effects work because I was unable to use this cleanser for very long, but after one week of use I didn't notice a difference. This did not do very well at removing my makeup with gentle scrubbing and even left some of my BB cream on my face. It also stung any sensitive areas while washing. Overall, the Aquamoist White Washing Foam left my skin feeling unquenchably thirsty, sensitive, and awful. I haven't given up on the Aquamoist brand altogether, but for a cleanser I had such high hopes for, it did nothing but disappoint! (╯︵╰,)

Love,

Review: The Face Shop » Mugwort Herb Day Massage Cream

Did you know that facial massage is something you can do every day and is very beneficial to the health of your skin? However, you don't want to be rubbing and irritating your skin with excess friction and this is where the Herb Day Massage Cream from The Face Shop comes in handy. In short, this cream is amazing!

FLASH FACTS
Brand » The Face Shop
Product » Herb Day Massage Cream in Mugwort
Size » 150ml
Cost » $10 USD
Website » www.thefaceshop.com
Would I purchase again? » Absolutely

This comes in a decently sized plastic container with a twist off lid and a second lid that lifts off. The cream is the consistency of warm butter and melts onto the face after application. The package says that it smells like mugwort. Now, I don't really know what mugwort smells like, but this smells herbal as you would expect. If you're not a fan of overwhelming or strange herbal scents don't worry because this one is rather light and soothing! I really like the smell because it makes me feel calm and relaxed. Also, in case the word mugwort sounds scary to you, mugwort is an herb that grows naturally in Europe and Asia and the extract has calming and soothing properties! Pretty awesome!

The cream changes into more of an oil once you start massaging and I was worried that this would cause my skin to break out. Fortunately for me, this massage cream has done nothing but benefit my skin! But beware, this contains mineral oil! Although my skin has no issues with mineral oil I know many of you might be allergic to it or your skin simply doesn't agree with it. On the bright side, this contains vitamins B and C to refresh the skin and helps to flush away any redness with a calming effect. This does an excellent job at moisturizing your skin and I can't express enough how soft my skin feels after use.

Ingredients: water, mineral oil, cetyl ethylhexanoate, petrolatum, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, propylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, beeswax, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, aspalathus linearis extract, lilium candidum flower extract, borago officinalis extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, centaurea cyanus flower extract, artemisia vulgaris extract (50ppm), anthemis nobilis flower extract, peg-100 stearate, dimethicone, sorbitan sesquioleate, triethanolamine, benzophenone-9, butylene glycol, carbomer, disodium edta, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum), caramel, green 3 (CI 42053)

The Face Shop has this great chart that shows you an easy massage! I honestly think that anyone who wants to take great care of their skin should be doing this because it has SO many benefits. When you massage your face it helps to calm the muscles underneath your skin, which in effect, helps diminish fine lines and prevents deeper wrinkles from forming! In addition, it increases blood circulation in the area which filters out acne causing and skin clogging toxins. It also helps diminish dark circles and brightens and de-puffs the eye area! Another great benefit is that because it eases stress and tension in your face it can help get rid of headaches and helps your skin heal more quickly.

As the chart suggests, you can massage your face for as little as one minute a day and see results. I personally like to massage my face for longer than one minute because honestly it just feels really relaxing! In addition to this chart I would add that if you press on the sides of the bridge of your nose between your eyes, on your eyebrows, and under your eyes it will help to diminish dark circles. I would also suggest to massage your neck with upward strokes (we're working against gravity here) to prevent wrinkles in that area. Lastly, while massaging your face make outward swipes all the way to your ears and from there swipe down the sides of your neck. You want to do this because you are helping to flush the toxins down your neck and away from your face, where your body can then flush them out of your system.

I highly suggest incorporating facial massage into your skincare routine if you haven't already! Since I've started doing it my skin has looked much healthier and brighter. Although I don't have any deep wrinkles, I have noticed that any fine lines have disappeared and my skin is left more firm and supple. You can massage your face with anything as long as it reduces friction so you aren't pulling at your skin, but the Herb Day Massage Cream is extremely gentle and soothing! My hands glide effortlessly over my skin while using this. Also, the cream never absorbs fully into your skin which means it lasts for long massages and you'll want to wash it off with a cleanser when you're done. I believe there are two other variations of these creams, one in Cucumber and one in Ginkgo, but I chose Mugwort because it smelled the best and left my skin feeling the softest when I tested them in store!

Love,

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,

Review: Skinfood » Black Sugar Mask Wash Off

There is so much hype around the Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off that I had to give it a go! Plus, being a fan of all things sweet, I definitely had to try a mask that lists caramel as one of it's ingredients! Needless to say, my curiosity finally got the best of me.

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Skinfood
Product » Black Sugar Mask Wash Off
Size » 100g
Cost » $17 USD in store
Website » eng.theskinfood.com
Would I repurchase? » Probably

The Black Sugar Mask comes in a simple container that many of Skinfood's masks come in. The cap screws off to reveal a second lid that helps to keep bacteria out of the product. The concoction inside is so thick that if you turn the container upside down it won't even move! It isn't hard or sticky, but you'll have a lot of trouble getting this out of the container without a scooper as it is slightly dry and quite dense.

Keep in mind you have to apply this to a dampened face to get it to spread, otherwise you could very well end up damaging your skin. Once applied, I looked like a had a really horrible tan because of how brown it is! Ha, after about 10-15 minutes the mask should be washed off with lukewarm water. Before I wash it off, I wet my hands and gently scrub my face with the sugar granules as a mild exfoliant. The key here is to be gentle!

I have heard numerous rumors about the smell of this mask, but to me it smells exactly like lemongrass. Not quite the scent you would imagine for a Brazilian sugar mask, but I personally like the smell. Now that that's out of the way, let's take a look at the first 5 listed ingredients and what they actually do for your skin:

» Sucrose Cocoate: A mild cleansing agent with conditioning and moisturizing properties.
» Glycerin: Attracts and holds moisture.
» Candelilla Wax: Anti-inflammatory agent.
» Macadamia Seed Oil: Promotes radiant skin.
» Lanolin: Skin protectant.

Full Ingredient List: Sucrose, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Lanolin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Sorbitan Laurate, Butylparaben, BHT, Caramel, Parfum

Skinfood claims that the Black Sugar Mask promotes smooth, glowing skin. While I would agree that my skin feels smooth after each use, I would not ever say it is glowing. This mask is not very moisturizing and it does not feel cool or hot when applied. Also, I personally prefer a peeling cream for exfoliation as they are much more gentle and (I think) more effective.

However, I'm not sure if it's entirely due to this mask, but my skin seems to be less oily during the day after applying! This is also great for blackheads and it has seemed to help with diminishing my pores. My skin feels healthier and firmer after each use as well, so for that I would think about buying this again. I think this could be used every day, but ONLY if you are extremely gentle and cautious. Overall, I don't see exactly what all the hype is about, but I do like the way my skin feels after using the Black Sugar Mask Wash Off :)

xo,

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,

Etude House » I Need You! Sheet Masks: An Intro to Korean Mask Packs

안녕하세요! Hello! This post is dedicated to the skincare junky's most favorite can't-live-without-item: the Korean sheet mask! If you ever wonder how Koreans have such flawless skin then you best start stockpiling these babies right now...like, right now! Okay, I do not recommend hoarding, but having a few of these on hand at all times is sure to brighten your skin as well as your mood.

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Etude House
Product » I Need You! Sheet Masks
Size » 1 sheet, 23ml
Cost » $2 USD each
Website » www.etudehouse.com
Would I purchase again? » Absolutely!

Admittedly, the first time I ever put one of these on I did feel kind of silly. Not to mention, one glance in the mirror said I looked like a total creeper from some low budget indie horror flick. Nonetheless, sheet masks are amazing!! If you've ever seen a K-drama, then odds are you've seen the girls (guys, too!) wearing these at some point and that's because they are HUGE in Korea. Hey, Koreans take pride in their appearance and who can blame them?

Now some of you might be thinking, but what about other sheet masks? Well, of course there are tons of great mask packs out there from other parts of Asia. I actually have never tried a sheet mask that I didn't like, but so far Korean brands have always been my favorite. In particular, Skinfood, Etude House, and Mamonde would probably be my top brand choices for sheet masks, although the list is ever growing as I try out new ones.

Sheet masks contain an enormous variety of ingredients all meant for improving particular skin concerns. Red wine, gold, caviar, and even snail extract (actually very trendy right now) are some that I have tried that might make someone look twice, but I assure you they are wonderful! There are plenty of awesome natural ingredients that come from things other than simply fruits and plants. They are great for skin whitening, tightening, firming, brightening, moisturizing...and the list goes on. Each mask pack is different, so just pick which one is right for you. Personally, I like to have a variety.

In particular, the Etude House I Need You! mask sheets come in 7 different choices:

I Need You, Aloe! Mask Sheet: Essence mask contains moisturizing aloe to prevent acne and soothe skin.

I Need You, Green Tea! Mask Sheet: Essence mask contains green tea extract that soothes & comforts stressed and fatigued skin.

I Need You, Lemon! Mask Sheet: Essence mask contains lemon extract to brighten and clarify skin tone.

I Need You, Royal Jelly! Mask Sheet: Highly nutritional royal jelly restores skin health and soothes the skin after being damaged by pollution, debris and weather. It helps skin to maintain smoothness, softness and luminosity.

I Need You, Red Ginseng! Mask Sheet: 6-year-old red ginseng restores skin strength after being damaged by stress, pollution, debris and weather. It helps skin to maintain firmness and smoothness.

I Need You, Pomegranate! Mask Sheet: Essence mask contains pomegranate additives that nourish for a healthy complexion.

I Need You, Pearl Extract! Mask Sheet: Essence mask contains pearl extract that promotes natural skin glow.

Remember that when you're shopping for sheet masks, price is not an indication of quality! I've tried sheet masks that cost less than a dollar that were just as amazing as others that cost ten dollars each! Like I mentioned before, I've never tried a mask pack I don't like!

In general, most sheet masks are to be worn for about 15-30 mins. I've left them on longer before as they are ultra pampering. Some are clearly scented while others don't contain much of a smell. No matter what, my skin always feels much more relaxed, moisturized, and healthy after using these!

Creeper? Maybe. Happy skin? Absolutely! Lol

Beautiful Doki Doki's Tips: 

1» The best time to wear your sheet mask is just after using a peeling cream or gel like this one. Why?Your skin absorbs the mask essence better without all those dead skin cells in the way. However, while sheet masks can be worn every day, a peeling cream should only be used 2-3 times per week.

2» Place your sheet mask in the fridge for about twenty minutes before application if you want an extra cooling sensation!

3» Sheet masks are an ultra stress reducer! They are great for relaxing and extremely therapeutic!

4» Use any extra essence left in the packet and pat it onto your neck. It will help prevent wrinkles!

Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!

xo,

Body: Skinfood » Grape Seed Oil Body Shower Gel » Mini Review

Purple is probably my favorite color if I had to choose. Grape, on the other hand, is not particularly my favorite scent. However, I've found Skinfood's Grape Seed Oil Body Shower Gel to resonate a wonderfully clean and soft grape scent that I surprisingly rather enjoy.

FLASH FACTS
Brand » Skinfood
Product » Grape Seed Oil Body Shower Gel
Size » 260ml
Cost » $10-$20 USD
Website » eng.theskinfood.com
Would I purchase the full version? » Maybe, but pricey in my opinion.

What Skinfood Says: Body shower gel that contains jojoba beads to control rough horny substances and nutrient-rich grape seed oil to improve the smoothness of the skin.

OKAY, side note...I just gotta say that this is one of those entertaining translations. Rough horny substances? What is that? I think that they meant to say that the shower gel helps to exfoliate rough patches of skin. That one had me laughing for quite some time...

What Beautiful Doki Doki Says: This shower gel foams really nicely and does a pretty decent job at exfoliating my skin. This isn't a product I love, but I do like it well enough. My skin is noticeably softer upon leaving the shower especially after multiple uses. It is definitely not a luscious waterfall of hydration, but my skin does feel silky and soft out of the shower.

I feel that this shower gel is best suited for everyday use, rather than a luxurious treat for the shower. It is a little expensive for the size, but if price is not an issue for you or you especially enjoy grape scents I think you will really like the Grape Seed Oil Body Shower Gel. In my opinion, it is not amazing, but I still like it and I still might buy it unless, of course, I find something else I prefer. Skinfood has a lot of interesting options for body products, including their Beer Bubble Body Cleanser, which for whatever reason is intriguing to me and on my list of things to try.

xo,