Line Friends are a group of cute cartoon characters made popular from an asian messaging app. They are commonly found on merchandise, stickers and Missha have regularly used some of the characters on their beauty products.
My favourite character is Brown who is a salty looking bear who wears a constant frown. He has a sister named Choco and it is she who is used on the packaging of the Velvet Like Color Sticks. She’s just as cute and I’m not afraid to admit that I bought them mostly for the adorable packaging. I bought a blush (#Retro Movie), contour (#Sepia Filter) and a highlighter (#Key Light) so if you’d like to hear more about them please keep on reading 🙂
Product Description
from yesstyle.com
Creamy blush stick glides on effortlessly, leaving a high color payoff and velvety finish. Blended with mango seed and avocado butters to nourish skin. Cap is furnished with a three-dimensional figurine of Brown’s younger sister Choco.
Cost
$11.49 AUD from yesstyle.com *. Available in 5 shades. Prices fluctuate constantly on Yesstyle so keep an eye out for their sales.
Packaging
The color sticks are packaged in a sturdy plastic tube with its shade covering the whole container. The cutest part is that Choco is on the lid of each one. As well as being 3D, she is made of rubber and has a soft matte feel. It feels more expensive that is is and well made, very similar to Nudestix’s cheek stick packaging. Some of Nudestix products are made in Korea which is very interesting and since I have a fair bit of their collection, a review is coming very soon!
MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) – Retro Movie, Key Light and Sepia Filter
How to apply
I have used this product only on my cheeks, forehead and cheekbones but I’m sure like any multi use stick, you can also use it on your eyes and lips.
I usually swipe the product directly onto my face and blend with a small duo fibre brush. The Real Techniques Stippling brush is an excellent one but you can use any brush that can blend cream products. Fingers work too and I especially like using fingers to apply the highlighter.
For the contour stick (Sepia Filter)
I swipe it in the areas I normally bronze/contour which are the sides of my forehead, under my cheekbones and under my chin. I use the brush to blend it all in and it’s effortless.
For the blush stick (Retro Movie)
I dab the blush onto the apples of cheeks a couple of times and use the brush to blend it across my cheek. I’ve used my fingers to blend too but I prefer using a brush because it stretches the product a little further and is a breeze to blend in.
For the highlighter (Key Light)
I tap my index finger on top of the highlight and dab it onto my cheekbones. I don’t use a brush because I want a subtle sheen and doing it this way is perfect because you only need a small amount.
Performance
Just like the name implies, all three sticks dry down to a velvet finish which means that they are not sticky or need to be set down with powder. This helps with longevity and they last all day (9hrs) on me which is impressive. I do have combo skin (dry cheeks and kinda oily t-zone) so please keep that in mind. Pretty sure that they will last very well once powdered too if you have oily skin.
I didn’t expect much pigment since k-beauty isn’t well known for that but I was proven wrong. There is definitely strong colour payoff (as shown in the swatches) with all three of these sticks and layering them works well too.
MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition) Heavy and untidy swatches (sorry!) – Left to right: Key Light, Retro Movie and Sepia Filter.
Consistency
The texture is creamy and smooth but not so emollient that it will slip and slide around your face. They glide on easily making it easy to apply directly to the face. It has never lifted my base products which is a huge plus.
Scent
It doesn’t really have a scent but if you really sniff it you can smell the mango seed butter which is quite nice. This definitely doesn’t translate once on the face.
MISSHA – Velvet Like Color Stick (Line Friends Edition)
Final thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really liked it!)
As you can already tell by the rating, I really like these products. As well as having cute packaging the products themselves are decent. I didn’t give it 5 stars because if you blend them too much, they can blend away, in particular the blush. This can be remedied by layering more but it means you need to use more product. The contour has a nice tone to it but isn’t warm enough to use as a true bronzer so sometimes I need to apply a powder bronzer on top in order to get the bronzed effect. The highlighter is my favourite out of the three. It looks very light/white in the swatch but once blended it is so beautiful! It provides a glossy sheen which is my favourite type of effect. The shimmer isn’t noticeable once applied and little does go a long way with it. It rivals a lot of high-end highlighters that I own.
If you are looking for affordable cream cheek products I would highly recommend this line. They perform very similarly to Nudestix cheek products and have great lasting power. Or even if you just love Line Friends and cute packaging, you won’t be disappointed with these. Let me know if you’ve tried them or if you have any other Line Friends beauty recommendations.
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
When you buy a product you always hope that it works for you and your skin. So when it doesn’t, it is a little sad but at least you tried it out and gave it a good go. Some of these products were pretty hyped up so just like anything, I needed to try them out for myself.
If you enjoy any of the products that I’ll be talking about, that is truly awesome but unfortunately these did not work for me for reasons I will get into.
Blithe – Pressed Serum Tundra Chaga
This serum/moisturiser hybrid is full of tundra chaga mushroom extract which is known for hydration and providing nourishment. I’ve never tried skincare with any type of mushroom before so this intrigued me. It has a pudding texture and is brown in colour so it’s not the most pleasant texture to look at but I gave it a go anyway.
I thought this could be a 2 in one product to use in the morning since I’m always in a mad rush so anything to expedite getting ready is a god send. I used about half of this jar for a few months in fact and I just felt like it didn’t do much to my skin. I have combo skin so this didn’t work well enough as a moisturiser and I felt like it just acted like a heavier weight serum. My biggest gripe however is probably the thing that makes it unique. It’s texture is pudding like and you need a spatula to use the product and to effectively get a decent amount. It ended up being not worth the effort for such little reward.
I like the texture of this moisturiser, it’s nice and light. It also has a pretty peach colour to it. It is easily absorbed into the skin and it gives it a dewy effect which I tend to go for in winter.
What I didn’t like about it was the fragrance. It was just way too perfumy for my liking. I don’t mind scents too much especially in makeup but in a moisturiser, something that is really close to my skin, nope no way. I know that fragrance is right down the bottom but it’s so strong that it could’ve been right up the top of the list. The scent is the fresh kind of perfume but not pleasant to me nonetheless. I’d also hate to think about the effects its having on my skin. I gave it to my husband to use and he actually broke out from it.
Price
$41 AUD from lilacandberries.com (don’t think their store exists anymore)
When everyone was gushing about this moisturiser, about how wonderful it was, I knew I had to try this cutely named product. Whipped cream? You would imagine that to be light and airy and fluffy.
But no, it’s texture isn’t that creamy, a little bit stiffer that the average cream moisturiser in fact. Gothamista was the only one who didn’t much care for it, said that the cream felt matte and drying and I would agree with her 100%. I bought this in a mini set, it came with something else at the time. My skin did not feel moisturised after application, which defeats the purpose of using it. I preferred to use my Marula oil from the brand for moisturisation (would highly recommend it!). There is also a slight scent which reminds me of dusty rooms which I don’t favour as well. Dry skinned influencers swore by this, opinions by which I’m now very skeptical about.
Price
This is a mini and came in a set with something else, it was from Mecca. Can’t remember the price.
This was probably the most hyped up skincare at the time when my interest in k-beauty started. It sounded like a miracle product, a morning mask, makeup primer, full of anti ageing antioxidants.
I was always confused as to what order I would apply this. Before or after sunscreen? If it’s a mask then surely it would be before but if its a primer then it would be after then? The ladies at Glow recipe confirmed that it should be applied before sunscreen. I’ve tried it both ways and I dislike both ways.
The application method is seemingly difficult too. You rub it into your face and then tap/pat to absorb. J.One has a video on how she applies it. I mean it doesn’t sound that hard but it takes a bit longer than your usual primer. The finish is incredibly tacky which would grip makeup very well but if your next layer is sunscreen, well, yeah I don’t know. Also if you try it the other way, with sunscreen first, I feel like its just a bit much and sometimes it makes my foundation pill. I don’t agree with it’s hydrating claims either, I feel like it makes my skin feel tight.
Rice bran is well known for brightening as well as licorice root. I’m a sucker for anything containing licorice which was why this appealed to me. It is light in texture, has good packaging but the fragrance was strong and the finish was too dewy for my liking. I felt like it made my t-zone extra oily which is the last thing I needed. Probably a better one for dry skin peeps who aren’t sensitive to fragrance.
Price
$21 AUD from stylestory.com
The Ordinary – Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%
Ingredients
from theordinary.com
Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin
I haven’t had much luck with vitamin C, in particular Ascorbic acid, it just doesn’t tend to agree with my skin. Since I have some pigmentation which I’m always looking to fade, when I saw that this also had Alpha Arbutin, which is naturally derived from hydroquinone, I was interested.
I used this all over as well as targeted spots but it was a bit too oily and I felt like it made my skin uncomfortable. After continued use, I felt like it was causing small bumps to form on my skin. This may be considered purging but whatever is was, I couldn’t stand it.
I found the texture of this to be too matte. It made my foundation or primer pill at times or made my skin look super dry and crusty. My chin is the biggest test (its bipolar oily and dry but mostly dry) and it looked horrid whenever I wore this sunscreen. Granted I didn’t pay for it since I received it as a deluxe sample. I had high hopes for this because Mecca is really accessible for me but instead of being elegant in texture like some of my favourite korean sunscreens, it was a flop.
Price
Received in a mecca beauty loop box but retails between $18 and $40 at Mecca Cosmetica
shu uemura – POREraser CC UV under base mousse
I bought this when I was still very new to beauty. The mousse spray can packaging is gimmicky and the product actually sucks. It’s supposed to fill in pores and be a flawless base for foundation. I thought it would be cool since it seemed to be a primer and sunscreen in one. I bought the beige one, it’s supposed to be good for discolouration and redness. The texture of this is fluffy being a mousse when you first dispense it, but on the skin, it’s hard to spread around. You have to use a fair bit to cover the face and it feels drying to me, as if all aspects of hydration has been sucked up. It does not fill in pores at all, it actually does nothing particularly good for my skin or makeup application.
Price
I think it was around $50 AUD from the shu uemura store.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for hanging in there and I hope you enjoyed my rants! In all seriousness, skincare is all about trial and error, it can’t all work out and finding out is part of the fun.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products, always happy to answer any questions you may have too.
Chanel’s Les Beiges Summer 2019 collection recently landed in Australia and while I would have loved to grab the whole lot, there was one product that I had been lusting over for months.
The Water fresh tint is so unique and really stood out from the masses of like-foundation. Chanel’s website suggests that you can use this in three ways, as a primer, alone or as a touch up product. The concept and it’s texture were intriguing so if you want to know my thoughts on this product please keep on reading.
Claims
From chanel.com
The first CHANEL complexion tint featuring pigment micro-droplets that deliver a water-fresh sensation and a radiant, healthy-looking glow.
Created with patented MicroFluidic technology, the lightweight gel texture bursts with ultra-pure ingredients for a bare-skin effect with eight hours of hydration and comfort. Skin feels refreshed and energized.
Texture
The texture of this tint is something else. It has a gel consistency and is transparent so you can really see the pigments suspended in it.
Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – gel texture with micro pigments suspended
How to apply
Chanel recommends to pump some (I use two pumps at a time) on the back of your hand and then to use a brush to break the pigments up to mesh with the gel. Once mixed, you then apply it with the brush. The brush provided is fine but is a bit on the small side. If you have similar flat top brushes then they will be ok too. I generally just swirl it around my face and because it’s so lightweight, it’s so quick and easy to do. I sometimes use another pump or two just to adequately cover my face. The burst of coolness on application is really refreshing and would be amazing in summer (it’s almost Winter here). I’ve also applied it using my fingers and that works nicely too.
Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – texture once the pigments are mixed up.
Coverage
This is a tint so there is little to no coverage. I will describe it as sheer coverage at best. It does a really good job of evening out my skintone and giving me a hydrated and luminous skin effect without any heaviness and cakiness. There is 75% water in this formula as well as tamarind seed extract which helps with hydration, resulting in that natural and healthy glow. I would normally use concealer if I want to cover up any old acne scars or pigmentation as I would do with any other foundation. I would rather let my natural skin show through and spot conceal any troubled areas.
Packaging
It comes in a frosted plastic bottle with a pump which is both elegant and practical. Included is a small buffing brush which probably more useful for touchups but works fine nether less.
Chanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – frosted plastic cylinder with a pumpChanel Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint – buffing brush which is included. It’s bristles are soft but dense enough to distribute the product evenly
Shade
I bought the shade Medium. It might look scary dark in the bottle but when swatched, it looks more normal. I’m an NC30 and this shade suits me fine.
There are 6 shades available from Light to Deep. This doesn’t sound like enough in hindsight but because the formula is so sheer, there is a lot of give around the shades. I recommend that you go in store if possible and swatch it just to be certain since it is pretty pricey.
Lasting power
I only wear this as a standalone base product and powder my t-zone where I get a bit oily during the day. I didn’t have high hopes for longevity but surprisingly it holds up for a whole work day (8-9 hours) and I can still see traces it on my face when I go to remove it which is much later (around 10-12 hrs). It wears very well and fades evenly without patching off like some foundations. All the while my face doesn’t feel dry at all, very much hydrated in fact which I really appreciate especially with the cold winds we’ve been experiencing in Sydney.
Cost
$109 AUD from Myer. Included is a small brush and is 30ml.
Final thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (Love this, will always need it in my beauty arsenal!)
I genuinely love this product, it’s the perfect base to throw on quickly without having to worry about it fading or caking off. It’s ideal for people who like a natural and fresh look. Glass skin is all the rage (born from Korean skincare) and I can confidently say that it can be achieved with this product. This is the look I generally like to go for day to day. The cooling effect when it touches your skin is just very unique to me and really wakes me up in the morning which is a great bonus! The only downside is the price and since I need to use at least 3-4 pumps each time, it wouldn’t last as long as regular foundations. If you’ve been curious about it, I would go get a sample or try it at your local Chanel counter.
I would consider myself a blush fanatic. Ok a blush and foundation fanatic. These are the two constants in my makeup routine and definite must haves for me. Since I’m currently riding the cream blush train and had been curious about Glossier’s Cloud Paints, I picked this blusher up from eBay. It is sold in 5 colours and I picked it up in shade #04 Dried Rose.
Cream blush gives cheeks a vivid dash of color while hydrating skin Lightly adheres to skin for vivid and rosy cheeks with a non-sticky satin finish User-friendly brush applicator allows for foolproof and precise application
The packaging looks like a paint tube. I like its aesthetics and it reminds me of the packaging of the Glossier Cloud Paints. The colour on the outside represents the shade and the combination of coral and white feels similar to the cloud paint in Dusk.
The brush tip, although it can get unruly after squeezing the product out, makes applying easy. You’ll still need to use fingers or a brush to blend it into the skin.
Innisfree – Smart Drawing Blusher – #04 Dried Rose – Brush tip can get a bit messy
Performance
This product once squeezed and applied to the cheeks, is easy to blend with a brush or fingers. It’s consistency is thick enough so it stays put after it is painted on. The issue I have with it is that it tends to blend away so I need a couple of layers for it to show up on my skin tone (NC30). Because it’s so subtle on me, it’s hard to judge it’s longevity because it doesn’t look like much in the first place.
Innisfree – Smart Drawing Blusher – #04 Dried Rose Freshly swatched photo. Vibrancy fades once blended and has dried down.
The good news is, that even with the amount that I have to use, the finish isn’t sticky or tacky. I would agree with the claims of it drying down to a satin finish. This product also has an SPF 26 PA ++ which is quite rare for a blush. Since Koreans are generally very serious about sun protection (and we all should be), I’m not too surprised by this.
Final thoughts
I haven’t tried any of the Cloud Paints because we can’t get Glossier here in Australia but judging from reviews, they are quite pigmented and a little goes a long way. This Smart Drawing Blusher is the opposite, subtle and I need a lot for it to even show up.
This blusher does have the potential to be a nice product. I do like its formula and brush tip, but I think I’m too dark to be able to reap its benefits. When I wear blush, I actually want some colour to show, so this disappointed on that front.
If you have a fair to light skin tone, this might work for you. But if you’re any darker than that, I would give this a miss. There’s a red shade in #05 Shy Camellia Flower that could be more vibrant but I won’t be getting it.
Still lusting over the Cloud Paints so if you know of any dupes, please let me know!
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
There were plenty of great skincare finds in 2018 making it hard to be selective. I don’t use all of these products everyday but they were (and still are) my absolute go-to products in the last year.
Cleanser – Muji Oil Cleanser
Muji Oil Cleanser
I’ve only tried two products from their skin care line and would definitely want to try more. I love the simple aesthetics and the effectiveness of their products. One stand out was their Oil Cleanser. There are two types, sensitive and normal. I have the normal one. It’s texture isn’t too runny and because I keep buying the travel size, it comes in a flip cap bottle and is relatively mess free to use. It is rich but emollient enough to easily rub on my face and rinses off completely clean. It even removes mascara and eyeliner really well. I always follow with a second cleanse anyway. It’s pretty affordable and the full size comes in a pump so will definitely buy that when I’ve run out.
Exfoliant – Neogen Dermalogy Bio Peel Gauze Peeling
Neogen Dermalogy Bio Peel Gauze Peeling – Green Tea
I’m currently on my second jar as I can’t get enough of it. I have the green tea version and have also tried the lemon which is a better option for brightening. I like both but prefer the lemon because of it’s fresh scent.
This is a great option for a lazy person like me. Each gauze pad is already soaked in a cocktail of ingredients such as green tea, glycerin, glycolic and lactic acid. It’s a chemical and physical exfoliant in the one little pad. All you need to do to use it is, rub the more textured side all over the face and then repeat with the smoother quilted side to fully sloth of all remnants of dead skin. Then you rinse it all off with warm water and you’re left with smooth, clear skin. Each pad is single use only so remember to toss it out after each use.
Toner – Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Skin Essence
Hanskin – Real Complexion Hyaluron Skin Essence
This toner is filled with sodium hyaluronate and is hydrating without leaving any residue. The absorption rate is phenomenal which is great for a person like me who doesn’t like to wait between layers.
The texture is viscose without being too thick. It’s a good one for layering because it has a little body to it. After cleansing I pour a few drops into my palm and press it onto my skin. I have dehydrated skin so it’s like I’m giving my skin a big drink of water each time. It is marketed as an essence but you can use it in whatever step feels right for you. I rarely use essence every morning so if it’s a two in one, then it’s a nice bonus 🙂
This was the first product I tried from the brand, based on recommendations from Renee (Gothamista) on Youtube. Being a total novice, I wanted to start slow and this turned out to be perfect. I apply it in the evening after toner or essence. It has a milky viscosity and I only use 3-4 drops each time. It absorbs really quickly and best of all, it never irritated my skin. I don’t have obvious signs of ageing so I can’t tell you if it helped with wrinkles. It did, however, smooth out my skin’s texture and helped normalize my cheek area because I tend to get unevenness there. It’s also supposed to help with acne and pigmentation but I didn’t really see much of a difference in the 6 months I used it for.
It’s now been re-labelled as Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion with the same ingredients. I haven’t tried this yet but hopefully it is exactly the same because I will be definitely buying this again. I’m using their Retinol 0.2% in Squalene at the moment and I find that it’s too oily in texture so not enjoying it.
Face oil – Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil
Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Oil
I’ve used up a travel size of this oil, bought it from eBay before my local Sephora ended up stocking it (finally!). It feels lightweight, has a nice subtle scent and hydrates the skin with just enough dew. It’s moisturising too so most days during the warmer months, I will skip moisturiser. It doesn’t leave an oily residue which I love and sits well under makeup. Gives the skin a nice subtle hydrated glow. It has surpassed my love for Drunk Elephant’s Marula Oil (reviewed here), something I thought couldn’t possibly happen.
Purchased travel size from eBay * and full size from Sephora.
Eye cream – Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream
Belif Peat Miracle Revital Eye Cream
This eye cream has the characteristics of being perfection. It is easily absorbable, rich yet lightweight, doesn’t leave a residue and doesn’t give me milia. I don’t have obvious lines around my eyes but the skin in that area definitely isn’t as taut as they used to be. This cream hydrated and moisturises without causing any sensitivity to my eyes. The small jar is only 25ml but has lasted me a year and still going strong.
I didn’t know what Peat was and I’m always skeptical when “miracle” is used in a product’s name. It’s a big reason why I don’t try La Mer because their “miracle broth” sounds like a load of crock. Peat is basically dead, decomposed plant residue (sounds gross) but because it originates from moors, bogs and old glaciers, it is rich in minerals and antioxidants, hence it is considered a powerhouse ingredient for anti ageing. Whatever it is, it’s effective and I like it.
This sunscreen is fairly new to me but I have used it long enough to fall deeply in love with it. It’s a chemical sunscreen loaded with hydrating, moisturising and brightening ingredients such as Niacinamide, Adenosine, Panthenol , Beta-Glucan and Sea Buckthorn Oil.
It has zero white cast and has the texture of a light moisturiser, hence it’s name “soft and airy”. I have combo skin so I substitute my morning moisturiser with this and it is enough for my skin. It sits well under makeup too which is a plus.
This super popular product needs no introduction. I wrote a full review here. They are hydrocolloid patches and when applied to active breakouts, either dramatically flatten the pimple or bring it to a head so it can heal quicker. I used so many of these little bad boys last year especially during the bout of acne I suddenly got around my jawline. The worst thing to do is touch active pimples so with these patches on them, it prevented me from contaminating them with my fingers. I think they make a huge difference so will probably keep buying them for as long as I keep getting acne.
Well that’s it! You may have noticed that I didn’t include a moisturiser, essence or masks in my favourites. I’ve used some decent products but nothing that has really stood out.
What skincare product(s) could you not live without in 2018? Do let me know as I’m always looking for recommendations.
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
I’ve tried and reviewed quite a few cushion foundations in the past year or so and always still keen to try more. More lines are releasing more shades, which is really good to see, so they are more accessible for different skin tones.
I really liked Sulwhasoo’s Perfecting Cushion (reviewed here), so when people started talking about the Intense version, I was intrigued. It took me awhile to pick this up since it was very expensive and I was procrastinating for the most part.
I’ve used my first cushion (it comes with a refill) until the point where I’ve had to flip it over (if you’re an avid cushion user, you can relate I’m sure), so if you’re interested in hearing my thoughts on this cushion, please keep on reading 🙂
An anti-aging cushion that helps your skin look firmer and younger with a healthy glow.
The precious Red Pine extract in Sulwhasoo’s Timetreasure line delivers powerful anti-aging benefits for firmer-looking skin.
This cushion features anti-oxidizing properties of plum blossom extract and help your skin look healthy and youthful.
Created with Sulwhasoo’s unique technology, Radiance Pearl Powder Complex helps provide your skin a bright and radiant glow.
As I’m in my mid thirties, anything with anti ageing and firming claims would peak my interest. I didn’t know the benefits of red pine at first, there’s a heap of information on their website on how it’s sourced and it’s anti-aging properties.
Red Pine, a symbol of longevity, is known to live a thousand years. Sulwhasoo discovered Red Pine’s anti-aging component De-aging Active (DAA), which is found in a minuscule amount deep inside Red Pine leaves.
I haven’t used any skincare from their Timetreasure line, because it’s crazy expensive, so it’s a great to see that Sulwhasoo have added their premium ingredients into this cushion. It makes buying it a little more justifiable.
Korean cushions are renowned to have a glowy finish and this is no different. It does make my skin look glowy and healthy, true to it’s claims.
There is a slight scent, smells a bit “foundationy”, but it’s not strong and not the least bit offensive. The smell dissipates once it’s applied anyway.
Packaging:
The sponge cushion is housed in a typical cushion case but the packaging is what differentiates, making it pretty special. The gold edging and the shell-like cover with dark brown hues, gives it a premium feel. The base of the case is matte black. It feels sturdy and expensive.
#25 Deep Beige (matches me perfectly). This shade leans yellow/warm so perfect for my skin tone.
Color range:
7 colours, up to #33.
Seven shades designed to give you a more natural and healthy-looking skin tone, with both pink undertones for a youthful glow or yellow undertones to help neutralize dullness.
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion Intense – Shade #25 Deep Beige
Lasting power:
Around 8hrs with powder. If you have dry skin, you probably won’t need to powder.
Coverage:
Light to medium, buildable. I always use an airpuff for application.
As mentioned, the finish of this cushion is glowy, the coverage is buildable to a solid medium and I really like that it (like most korean cushions) is infused with skincare, specifically in the anti ageing category.
If you have any imperfections that you want to cover, you will need to use concealer and powder over those spots as well, just like with any other medium coverage foundation. Speaking of powdering, with my combo skin, I generally just powder the t-zone. I haven’t worn this in the Aussie summer yet so not sure how well it would last in sweltering temps but it lasted well during autumn and winter for me.
So did this live up to my expectations and should you rush out and buy it? It’s a really good cushion and I really like it for all the reasons I’ve mentioned. Even though it does come with a refill, it is still quite expensive and this is where I don’t know if it’s really worth it. I already have a comprehensive skin care routine so having skin care in makeup is a nice plus but it isn’t a must for me. This would be very comparable to the YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation (reviewed here) in terms of finish, price and wear time. But the YSL cushion is even more expensive because you don’t even get a refill. I would buy this again over the YSL.
I would say, that if you are a fan of cushion foundations, and you want to try a Sulwhasoo cushion and you like a glowy finish to your base, I would say that you wouldn’t be disappointed with this one. The Perfecting cushion has more of a satin finish and has slightly better coverage and is a bit cheaper so it’s just a matter of preference.
Have you tried this cushion yet? Let me know if you have any questions, more than happy to help 🙂
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
It was only until a year or so ago that I started to wear sunscreen on my face daily. That was also exactly the same time that I discovered k-beauty. Sunscreen is the number one anti ageing secret for Koreans so they use it religiously, as do I (now).
I’ve learnt that a lot of Korean sunscreens have chemical filters, also known as organic sunscreens. This works by absorbing uv rays before they can penetrate the skin and cause damage. PA means Protection Grade of UVA rays, so the more “+” the better.
I was first introduced to the brand when I bought the (now famous) All Clean Balm. It was my first (first) cleanser so I remember it well. Because it was such an awesome product, I wanted to try more from Heimish. I couldn’t find too much (only a short blurb below) about the company itself but judging from the aesthetics, they feel to be more a modern and polished brand. You can tell this from their packaging alone. Their use of pastel pink, white and rose gold accents is very well done. They have a range (not massive) of skincare and cosmetics.
I’ve been using this for awhile and since it’s almost out, I thought I’d share my thoughts on it. Please keep on reading if you’re interested in my thoughts on this sunscreen.
About Heimish
from stylekorean.com
Heimish expresses a modern and chic style. with common and natural makeup to realize “No More Normal”. It is a common makeup that anyone can use. It effortlessly draws attention and can win one’s heart even if applied lightly. It should not be “your makeup”, but “you, wearing the makeup” that grabs attention. include dailism, all clean balm to help you achieve this season’s hottest looks.
Product claims
from stylekorean.com
A tone up base that brightens your complexion
Highly moisturising sun care
Herb extracts to protect your skin
I would definitely agree with the first two points. It does bring life back into my face, even after a sleepless night. It also is very moisturising, so for oilier skin types, you probably won’t need a moisturiser beforehand.
This sunscreen also has titanium dioxide which is found in physical sunscreens. Physical filters deflect uv rays, creating a barrier on top of your skin, rather than absorbing like chemical. Plant extracts (help fight free radicals) mentioned in the claims are at the bottom of the list whereas Niacinamide is in the top ten.
Packaging
The sunscreen is housed in a sleek squeezy tube with a twist rose gold cap. As mentioned earlier, the packaging is sleek and modern. For people who like taking “shelfies”, this would be a pretty one to have.
Pretty rose gold lid with a sleek tube.
Consistency
It is a little on the thick side but easy to work with once you rub it into the skin. It has a slight pink tinge to it (was hard to capture), for the tone up effect I guess. The texture is emollient, similar to a rich cream moisturiser. It absorbs completely on my skin (NC30), leaving it dewy and glowy, without any sign of a white cast. I did notice however, that if you apply too much you may get a slight white cast, so best to work in sections on the face and keep rubbing until fully absorbed.
Scent
It smells a bit like the sunscreen that we all know (and hate) but it isn’t bad. I think the plant extracts help with making it more pleasant. You can’t smell it once it’s absorbed on the face.
How to use
Pea sized amount
I’ve been using this for the best part of autumn/winter so I would apply it after moisturiser. I squeeze around a pea sized amount and rub it onto my face, working in sections because it is thicker and needs a bit more attention.
I usually use sunscreen as my primer, a) to save time and b) it usually works well under makeup. This one sits under makeup fine and gives me the look of a glowy primer. This just means that my many primers are sitting idle. Sometimes I would apply a pore filling primer on top (in the t-zone) but not on week days. Typically, you’re supposed to wait a few minutes before applying foundation or whatever your base is, but I don’t have time for that! Works well when I slather everything else on top so that’s all that matters.
Leaves behind a nice glow.
Final thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, holy grail status!)
This is a great sunscreen. It delivers on its claims, protects my face from the sun and also works nicely as primer. The “tone up” just describes the glow and brightness it gives you so don’t be deterred by that. Because it can be used in place of a primer (any sunscreen could if it doesn’t pill or make your makeup weird), it doesn’t feel like a chore to apply it.
The added bonus of glow and dew is great too, it gives you a nice radiance, not a disco ball bam like tin man or anything. Would highly recommend this Artless Glow Base.
All of the sunscreens I have used have been chemical as they are known for being easier to apply, without giving you a white cast. This glow base has not broken me out or irritated my skin whatsoever. Sensitive skin types, please do a patch test before slathering it on. Also please take note of the ingredients list before buying any sunscreen because alcohol (the bad ones) are sometimes high up on the list. I tend to avoid those ones.
If I was at the beach however, I would opt for physical with SPF, for all over UVB and UVA protection. I couldn’t care less if I had a white cast on the beach and they’re not so apparent these days anyway. But for daily use on my face, chemical works fine and now I can’t go out without it. I use chemical exfoliants and retinol which all causes skin sensitivity to the sun. So wearing sun protection for me is a no brainer. My only regret is not wearing it sooner!!
Have you tried this glow base? What is your favourite sunscreen?
I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect concealer for a long time. I’ve tried so many different types, from different finishes, different colours and tones to different coverages. I use concealer for two purposes, to cover under eye darkness and to conceal blemishes, especially PIH (Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation) left behind by acne, as well as sun spots.
I’m happy to use two different types to maximum effectiveness for each purpose. I fell hard for Bare Minerals Serum Concealer early on, for under eye brightening, would highly recommend. I also really needed a high coverage concealer to cover my dark acne scars. Many concealers have failed this requirement for me. Till now.
The Saem’s cover perfection tip concealer has over 1500 positive reviews on yesstyle.com and is generally always on sale. It is available in 5 shades, which is pretty good, especially for a Korean brand. It also has SPF28 PA++ which is also rare to see in concealers.
If you haven’t already guessed, I really like this concealer! Please keep on reading if you would like to know exactly what makes it the ONE for me 🙂
Product claims
from yesstyle.com
Cover spots and blemishes on skin with this Cover Perfection Tip Concealer. The lightweight formula adheres lightly but perfectly for a flawless look. Infused with oxygen complex and glacier water to keep skin moisturized, and reflective powder to give skin that natural, healthy glow. SPF 28 PA++ sun protection.
The Saem – Cover Perfection Tip Concealer
Cost
$6 for 6.5g (usually on sale so you can get it for less) from yesstyle.com *.
This list of ingredients represents all options or variants of this product. Actual ingredients in a given product option may vary from this list. Ingredients subject to change at manufacturer’s discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, please refer to product packaging.
Packaging
The concealer has a doe foot applicator which common with many liquid concealers in a tube. The doe foot makes it easy to apply but the wand gets messy very quickly. A lot of product comes out which oozes out after you close the cap so I need to wipe around it each time. I keep my concealers in a tray and it seems like a lot of the ones with this type of packaging has this leakage problem.
Doe foot applicator, you can see that the wand gets pretty messy.
Consistency
It isn’t runny and it isn’t thick, I would best describe it as creamy. Whether you apply it directly onto your face or on your hand, you won’t need to worry about making a mess.
I have two shades. Left is the Contour shade (matches my complexion) and on the right is #02 Rich Beige.
Scent
It smells a bit florally if you really sniff it but it’s not strong or bad at all.
How to use
I use the shade named #Contour Beige for spot concealment and #02 Rich Beige for brightening my under eyes. #Contour Beige, when blended in, matches my skintone (NC30-NC35) very well.
I used to dot the tip directly onto my blemishes. Then I either used my fingertip or a small flat brush to blend it in. I found this technique to look too heavy because I’ll end up using more product than I needed. So I kind of put this concealer aside and forgot about it.
Now, I have a technique which works way better. I apply a small amount onto to the back of my hand. Then using a small flat concealer brush, I take a bit of the concealer the tip of the brush and pat it onto the spot I need concealing. I gradually do this until I am satisfied with the coverage, then, still using the tip of the brush, I soften the edges around the blemish so it looks seamless.
This is the flat concealer brush that I use to spot conceal. Don’t know what brand it is but there’s a tonne of brushes which look like this out there.
For highlighting, I use #02 Rich Beige. I dot it using the wand underneath my eyes, a dot in the centre of my forehead just above my brows and on my cupids bow. I then use a damp blender sponge, I use the small ones from Real Techniques, and gently pat it in.
To ensure maximum wear I always set both methods with powder.
Coverage
I would classify this as a full coverage concealer. This concealer can be used with a light hand to highlight or a heavier hand to conceal. I have tried western brand concealers which claim to be full coverage and they barely cover any of my dark scars. I’ve even attempted colour correct then concealing with these and they all fell short. This, however, is hydrating and provides excellent coverage without any cakiness. This concealer is also long wearing and doesn’t seperate on the skin.
Final thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, holy grail status!)
There are so many pros to this concealer. It’s affordable, has SPF, hydrating, light, long wearing and best of all, it conceals extremely well. The only cons are how messy it gets with the wands and the fact that they need to have more shades so everyone can enjoy this incredible product!
Since this concealer serves both of my requirements very well, I won’t be repurchasing the Bare Minerals Serum Concealer. It costs $30AUD and while I like it, this Saem concealer can do the same job at a fraction of the cost. A little bit goes a long way so even though it may seem like you don’t get much, it does last if you use it sparingly (which is the most effective method for me anyway).
I can’t recommend this concealer enough. I can definitely see why this is such a popular product and would highly, highly recommend it!
Keen to try more products from this popular Korean brand. They source their natural ingredients from around the world. They have a tonne of makeup and skincare in their lines. If you have any recommendations, please let me know 🙂
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
Nature Republic is a k-beauty brand and they describe themselves as being a natural brand. This is evident in their line because they use a lot of natural ingredients in their products. I’ve tried a few skincare products from their Aloe Vera line and haven’t yet been disappointed.
I generally like to try a variety of products from a brand, especially if I have had good experiences with past products, so when I found this chamomile cleansing oil in it’s pretty yellow packaging, I picked it up right away.
Anthemis Nobius Flower Water is Chamomile and is halfway in the list after Safflower seed oil and one of my favourites, Jojoba seed oil, which is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
Claims
from us.memebox.com
This refreshing cleansing oil gently removes makeup without leaving a sticky residue behind. Natural chamomile water protects sensitive skin from various harmful materials and stress while providing moisture to skin.
Packaging
It’s packaging is what got my attention. Nature republic’s packaging is generally aesthetically pleasing, green is commonly used. This cleanser is housed in a sturdy plastic bottle with a pump. I love how chamomile flowers are printed on the front, giving it a nice cute touch.
I like how it has a pump but I don’t like how it doesn’t perform so well. I feel like I need to use more pumps and elbow grease to dispense the oil, more on that later.
It has a light and natural floral scent, which I don’t mind but it’s definitely there. It doesn’t smell artificial at all and I find it quite soothing. Fragrance is the last ingredient in the list so it’s not too bad.
How to use
I would usually use this at night as my first cleanse to remove my makeup.
If you have used any liquid cleansing oils, the application method is the same.
The instructions on memebox say to dispense 2-3 pumps into dry hands but because the pump doesn’t seem to dispense properly, I end up using 4-5 pumps sometimes. It’s still quite a lot to to use so luckily the bottle is 200ml.
I would then massage it into my face, gently rubbing it in using circular motions as I normally would. Then I would jump into the shower and apply a small amount of water to my hands and continue to massage my face. Adding water emulsifies it and turns it slightly milky but does not foam. I would continue to massage for about 5 more seconds, focussing on the eyes, then I would rinse my whole face in the shower. My skin would feel soft and smooth afterwards, no sticky residue at all.
I always follow with a gel or foam cleanser. I’m using Drunk Elephant’s Beste Jelly Cleanser at the moment which I’m liking but not as much as the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (review here) .
Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil – when water is added, it turns into a milky consistency
Effectiveness
As a makeup remover and first cleanser, it does a good job. I’ve used other oil cleansers which have been more effective like the Shu uemura Skin Purifier (reviewed) and the Klairs Black Cleansing Oil (reviewed).
I wear Heroine Make mascara and Clio liquid eyeliner (some heavy duty stuff), both which are tough to remove in general. It leaves some residue on my eyes and I generally need to go in with a micellar water and cotton tip to remove the last dregs of it. It removes everything else really well, all the base makeup as well as lipstick, so no complaints there.
Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil vs Clio Kill Cover Liquid Liner, removes most of it.
Final thoughts
Rating: 3/5 (liked it, will use it up)
I like this cleanser and I would repurchase if they fixed up their pump system. Not sure if I received a faulty one but it takes a few extra pumps to dispense the product so it seems like you would go through the bottle quicker. Having said that, I’ve been using this for around 2 months and I still have a quarter left, which isn’t bad. It’s also cheaper than other well known oils and balms so that’s also a plus.
Have you used this cleanser before? Do you have any recommendations for me to try out?
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
Cleansers are something that you will know pretty quickly whether it’s effective or not or even if you like it. It’s also a skincare product that can be used up fast so even if it’s just meh, you can still use it up and not buy it again.
I haven’t liked a cleanser enough to repurchase since I enjoy trying new stuff (and reviewing them). During the Sephora Black sale (equivalent to VIB) a couple of months ago, I bought the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser in a mini size (the checkout isle of temptation got me once again!) and I have thoughts so if you’re interested to hear whether this much hyped product is REALLY worth it, please keep on reading.
About Fresh
Fresh was founded by Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg in 1991 where they first opened a store in Boston. Their oval soap was their iconic product and this was wrapped in pretty paper and was popular as a gift. The creation of their Soy Skincare line, which included the Soy Face Cleanser, was their first foray into skin care in 1999. More about the company here.
Cost
$20 AUD, 50ml, purchased from Sephora.
Also sold in a 150ml size for $54 AUD.
DISCLAIMER: FRESH PRODUCT INGREDIENT LISTINGS ARE UPDATED PERIODICALLY. BEFORE USING A FRESH PRODUCT, PLEASE READ THE INGREDIENT LIST ON THE PACKAGING OF YOUR PRODUCT TO BE SURE THAT THE INGREDIENTS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE.
Soybean extract GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL is 7th on their ingredient list even though this is supposed to be the heart and hero ingredient of their soy line. There are a two more types of soy listed here as well, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) STEROLS and HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN. There are some really nice plant extracts and oils as well such as PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER OIL, MALVA SYLVESTRIS (MALLOW) FLOWER EXTRACT, ROSA DAMASCENA EXTRACT, just to name a few.
The disclaimer is a bit odd but good that they did include it especially if they do tend to change up their ingredients.
Claims
from fresh.com
Soy Face Cleanser for all skin types is an extra-gentle gel cleanser that instantly whisks away everyday impurities and makeup-even mascara-without stripping the skin of essential moisture. The multi-tasking formula also works to tone, soothe, and soften the skin for a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.
I would usually go into how to use, consistency and scent but I’ll roll it all up in my final thoughts below.
My final thoughts
Rating: 4 out of 5 (I really like it!)
I do really like this cleanser. It has some nice ingredients and is pleasant to use. I like its scent of cucumber. It makes my face feel soft and bouncy and its low ph of 5.5 is a big plus.
Fresh Soy Cleanser – Gel consistency
It’s important to note that I like to use this as a second cleanser, so after my first oil cleanser. I keep this in the shower so right after I’m done with my first cleanse, I hop into the shower and do my second cleanse with this product. After both steps I generally don’t see remnants of makeup on my face but it doesn’t feel squeaky clean either (which I actually prefer).
I would however argue its claims of being an effective makeup remover. If you wear really light makeup or just skincare, this might work as a first cleanser for you, but if you’re like me and wear a moderate (reasonable) amount (layers of skincare followed by sunscreen/primer/foundation/powder/bronzer/blush/mascara/mascara/eyeliner), this will not suffice to remove all of this.
I have tried to use this as a first cleanser, followed their instructions: from fresh.com
“Wet the skin, and massage over the face and eyes, then rinse.”
And when I used a tissue to pat my face dry like I usually do, low and behold I can see foundation on the tissue…. There is also traces of eyeliner and mascara (I don’t even use waterproof) left on my eyes. I’ve had to use a makeup wipe to remove the rest of it.
I would take that claim with a grain of salt and advise you to be wary of any residue it may leave behind. It has a gel consistency which doesn’t really foam so that MIGHT be why it can’t get everything off in the first instance.
Fresh Soy Cleanser – even when water is added, it doesn’t really change consistency, definitely doesn’t foam.
If this hadn’t been marketed to it being a makeup remover, then I guess you’d assume that it wasn’t and just use it as a second cleanser to clean the skin. But the fact that it does… I also find the price a bit steep, especially compared to some of my k-beauty favs. It also claims to work as a multi-tasker, to also “tone” the skin, but I always still follow up with my toner as per usual.
Aside from these factors, it was worth a try and in my opinion, worth the hype.
Let me know if you’ve tried this cleanser and what you thought of it.
me and my mirror 