[Review] K-beauty lip balms/treatments (Missha, Laneige, Tony Moly, Nakeup Face)

March 30, 2018March 31, 2018 Kim2 Comments

Lip balms/treatments have always been a staple product for me and I’m sure I’m not alone here. I’ve tried many different types over my lifetime, most of which were from the drug store from brands such as Nivea, Carmex and Burts Bees. So pretty basic stuff which does the trick in terms of soothing my chapped lips.

Ever since discovering k-beauty, I have tried a few more. The packaging is so damn cute and colourful that I haven’t been able to help it. As well as being cute, they are also affordable. If you want to know how effective they are, please just keep on reading.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – Berry

This product has earned cult status big time! And there’s a good reason for it too. It is marketed as a sleeping mask, meaning you put it on your lips before bed, but you can totally use it during the day as well.

I generally use this before bed and I love how it feels on my lips. It feels very moisturising and comforting. The texture is like a thick lip balm and I apply it sparingly with my fingers. A little goes a long way. I have only tried the berry one and I love its (very) subtle scent of strawberry. There are also other flavours to choose from such as grapefruit, vanilla and apple/lime.

Its key differentiator from other lip balms is that when I wake up in the morning, my lips still feel smooth and hydrated, as if it had created a barrier of protection which really does last. I don’t feel the need to apply lip balm in the morning before my usual lipstick whenever I use this the night before.

Effectiveness: 10/10
Packaging: 8/10 (Not a fan of jars)
Tint: Transparent
Price: I purchased the mini set from Yesstyle.com which had the water sleeping mask for around $7. I recently purchased the full size for $19 AUD from bbcosmetics.com. Sephora AU now stocks Laneige and sells it for $26 AUD

Tony Moly Banana Lip Balm

Tony Moly has the cutest packaging in asian beauty. Period. As well as having great aesthetics with their packaging, they are also a massive powerhouse in innovation. Don’t let all the cuteness fool you!

This lip balm is on the thicker side so I tend to use it at night as the last step in my skincare routine. It’s easy to squeeze and is mess free to use. The lid is secure when fastened so no issues with leakage there. The texture is thick but glides on easily and isn’t greasy whatsoever. It’s very moisturising and I love the light banana scent which doesn’t linger. The scent reminds me of banana lollies. My lips also are still hydrated enough the next morning that I don’t have to apply more in the morning before lipstick.

Effectiveness: 9/10
Packaging: 10/10
Tint: Transparent
Price: I purchased it from from bbcosmetics.com for $7 AUD.

Missha Wrinkle Care Stick Lip Balm SPF10

This product’s packaging is more conventional and it’s more similar to lip balms you’d find in the drug store.

This is more of a daytime lip balm because it isn’t thick and sits well under lipstick. You can certainly use this at night as well by all means. It moisturises the lips and it lasts for a few hours (if you don’t eat) before you would need to reapply. The packaging is elegant because it looks like a lipstick with the bullet tip, making it a breeze to apply. Something to note is that it has a fairly strong peach scent which eventually goes away.

Effectiveness: 8/10
Packaging: 10/10
Tint: Transparent
Price: I purchased it from from ebay for around for $8 AUD.

Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar

I couldn’t resist buying a couple of these glosses. The packaging got me again but thankfully the products are pretty good too.

They are more alike to lip glosses where there is a slight tint to them. There is also a shimmer to them which gives your lips a nice healthy sheen.

I tend to wear them alone during the day when I’m makeup free. You could layer it with a lipstick too but you would lose that nice sheen. They do provide moisture the lips but not as intensely as some of the others in the post. If I wanted to really hydrate my lips at night for example, I wouldn’t use this product for that. But decent enough for during the day. The stick form makes it easy to apply and the slim design hardly takes up any room in a purse.

I bought two shades, juicy orange and juicy strawberry. The orange one is more vibrant and you can see an obvious tint on my lips. The strawberry one is very light on me and kind of washes me out. Probably a better option for fairer skin tones. I prefer the orange one. There is a slight fruity scent for both but it doesn’t linger. They also both leave a light stain on your lips which is nice.

Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar - Left is strawberry, right is Orange — Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar – Left is strawberry, right is orange

Effectiveness: 8/10
Packaging: 10/10
Tint: Orange and pink
Price: I purchased them from iherb.com for around for $7 AUD each.

Nakeup Face You Can Eat Lip Balm

I haven’t tried anything from this brand before. These balms seemed popular so I thought I’d give it a go. I wanted to buy the clear one so that I could also use it as a glossy highlighter but that was sold out. I settled for #4 Coral and I’m glad I did.

This ended up being pretty transparent anyway though I am yet to try it on my cheekbones. As a balm for the lips however, it works great! It gives my lips a lovely sheen leaving it smooth and hydrated. This would be another balm for the day since it feels nice and light. Like the Missha, you could also layer this under lipstick too but I like wearing it alone. There is slight scent to it, which reminds me of the Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment, which I really like. This is also way cheaper and in my opinion, works just as well.

Effectiveness: 10/10
Packaging: 10/10
Tint: Transparent (on my lips anyway)
Price: I purchased it from Jolse.com for around 11 AUD.

Let me know if you have tried any of these lip products and if any of them are your HG. Also if you have any recommendations for me to try, I would love to hear it!

Skincare I’ve used up (March 2018)

March 11, 2018March 11, 2018 Kim1 Comment

Since starting my exploration into asian beauty I quickly accumulated a lot of stuff over a short period of time. I wanted to try everything so I kept buying and used parts of each product.

I eventually calmed down and started to focus on really understanding how my skin responded to each product and to do that properly, I started to concentrate on using them up. This also helped my (already crammed) beauty area as well as my wallet.

I like watching and reading other blogger’s empties videos and articles. I find that it’s a good way of seeing if they really liked the product or not. I find them to be way more useful than a haul or first impressions. With skincare, first impressions are pretty unreliable unless it causes an obvious reaction to your skin.

The products which I will be talking about were tolerable to my skin and decent enough for me to use up without any irritation or breakouts (no more than usual). I won’t be going into too much detail because this post will be super long. I will elaborate on some of these products in seperate posts.

Shu uemura Skin Purifier nutri:nectar

I wrote a full post on this a couple of months ago here.

What is it?

Its a cleansing oil which you use to remove makeup and the first step in a double cleanse. It has a soft floral scent and its texture is unique since its in the form of an emulsion. It effectively removed my makeup without leaving a residue.

Ingredients: copied from my post:

ethylhexyl palmitate, acqua, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, propanediol, peg-20 glyceryl triisostearate, sucrose laurate, sucrose palmitate, sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, salicylic acid, tocopherol, sodium hydroxide, linalool, citronellol, geraniol, ganoderma lucidium extract, isopropyl lauroyl, sarcosinate, isopropyl myristate, dicaprylyl ether, dicaprylyl carbonate, euterpe oleracea fruit extract, butylene glycol, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed opuntia ficus-indica flower extract, citric acid, perilla ocymoides leaf extract, magnolia liliflora flower extract, sodium benzoate, phenoxethanol, potassium sorbate, ethylhexyglycerin, parfum.

Would I repurchase?:

No.

I had received this as a gift from my partner and I would not buy this for myself. It is way too expensive for what it is. The product itself is fine, nothing wrong with it, but other less expensive balms and oils do the same job. It does remove makeup really well and with ease if compared to a cleansing balm but not that much more to warrant its price.

Lee Gee Haam Vita Propolis Ampoule

What is it?

It’s an ampoule serum which helps even out skin tone and gives your skin a glow amongst other benefits. It has 50% propolis extract as well as other ingredients which I love such as Centella Asiatica and Niacinamide. I usually apply this after my essence and before moisturiser in my skin care routine.

Ingredients: from glowrecipe.com:

Propolis extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Niacinamide, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/ Twig Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Carbomer, Arginine, Spirodela Polyrrhiza Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate.

Would I repurchase?:

Yes.

A product like this might not seem “necessary” but for me, I liked how my skin felt and looked whenever I used it. Layering it with other skincare was fine and it did not make me breakout. It also gave me a nice subtle glow. My only gripe is that its so small, 15ml. You only need a couple of drops but its still quite tiny for the price. I bought it from ebay and I think it was around $20 AUD.

Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch

What is it?

It’s a clear patch which you apply onto any active pimples. These pimples can either be already open or still closed/almost ready to erupt. I suffer from hormonal breakouts so this has always been my saviour. I put the patch on before I go to bed and in the morning, the pimple is less angry and noticeably flatter. Its a one time use product for each patch and its pretty gross when you peel it away, but cool.

Ingredients: From stylestory.com.au

Cellulose gum, Styrene Isoprene Styrene Block Copolymer, Polysobutylene, Petroleum Resin, Polyurethane Film, Liquid Paraffin, Tetrakis Methane

Would I repurchase?:

Yes.

I have continued to repurchase this over and over, from many different sellers. Its such a great product and for around $6 AUD you get 24 patches in each pack, which I think is totally worth it.

Su:m37 Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick

What is it?

A cleansing stick used as the second step in a double cleanse. It lathers and foams nicely and has a soft rose scent. The stick also contains real rose petals which gently exfoliate your skin. It also has a low ph of 5.5 and leaves my skin feeling moisturised. Even though coconut oil is the third ingredient, it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. I love its packaging, in the stick form, because its great for travel and easy to use without any mess.

Ingredients: From stylestory.com.au

Glycerin, Water, Coconut Oil, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Betaine, Lauryl Betaine, Camellia Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower (0.5%), Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Castor Oil, Green Tea Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Apricot Seed Oil, Ylang Ylang Flower Oil, Lime Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Basil Oil, Origanum Heracleoticum Flower Oil, Saccharomyces/Rosa Damascena Flower Extract Ferment Filtrate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol

Would I repurchase?

Yes.

I was about to repurchase this recently but found that its sold out everywhere! Then I read some posts which indicated that it may have either been discontinued or reformulated. Which is really annoying! Its such a popular product as well. If and when it does come back, I will be buying it again.

Neogen Real Fresh Cleansing Stick – Green Tea

What is it?

This is also a stick cleanser used in the second step in a double cleanse. Green Tea is the hero in this product and I adore anything with green tea in it. It has real green tea leaves scattered in the stick which also provides gentle exfoliation while you cleanse. Sounds really similar to the rose cleansing stick right? The concept anyway. Just like the rose stick, its packaging is the same, handy for travel, messy free etc. With a ph of 5.5-6, its just as gentle as the rose stick. The rose stick felt a hair more moisturising though.

Another similarity is that coconut oil is once again third on the ingredients list and doesn’t irritate my skin.

Ingredients: from sokoglam.com

Glycerin, purified water, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, palmitic acid, stearic acid, lauryl betaine, betaine, camellia sinensis leaf(0.3%), camellia sinensis seed oil(0.1%), camellia japonica seed oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower)seed oil, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, oenothera biennis (eveningprimrose) oil, tocopheryl acetate, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, ocimum basillicum (basil) oil, cananga odorata flower oil, citrus limon (lemon) peel oil, origanum heracleoticum floweroil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange)peel oil, fragrance.

Will I repurchase?

Yes.

Even though I liked the extra moisturisation from the rose cleanser, I would definitely buy this again. It is a good alternative to the su:m37 cleanser if that did get discontinued or became impossible to buy. I just really like stick cleansers 🙂

Pyunkang yul Moisture Cream

What is it?

A face moisturiser which is good for both sensitive and combination-oily skin types. It is fragrance free, lightweight and easily absorbable into the skin. I read somewhere that it also cools down your body temperature so its especially great in summer and humid climates. I applied it as my final step in skincare before sunscreen and makeup. I appreciated how moisturising it was without any stickyness or oilyness. Its star ingredient is Coptis Japonica Root Extract which is known for its nourishing and anti inflammatory properties.

Ingredients: from beautyandseoul.co.uk

Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Isohexadecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polysorbate 80, Glyceryl Caprylate

Will I repurchase?

Yes but not for awhile. There are still loads of moisturisers I want to try out and I don’t like this one enough to repurchase just yet. My biggest gripe is the packaging, I despise jars for creams (yes I know its common for moisturisers). Its also not great for travel because its glass and has some weight to it.

Pyunkang yul mist toner

What is it?

It’s a toner in a mist form which you can use to hydrate your face anytime or as toner after cleansing. I really liked to use this spray for both purposes, especially when I felt too lazy to pat toner onto my face or find a cotton pad. The spray is really fine so it felt pretty relaxing to mist on the face.

Like the moisture cream, the star ingredient is also Coptis Japonica Root Extract.

Ingredients: from beautyandseoul.co.uk

Coptis Japonica Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate

Will I repurchase?

Yes.

I have a few products from this brand and I respect its minimal ingredients list. Will definately buy this again once I’m through with my other ones.

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know if you have and whether you would repurchase any of them.

Korean cushion foundations for light to medium skin tones

January 28, 2018January 28, 2018 Kim11 Comments

Cushion foundations were something I had really wanted to try when I started my k-beauty obsession last year. I was intrigued with the concept of foundation which could actually help your skin since they are usually infused with notable ingredients as well as fairly decent sun protection. There was a slight problem though, the hunt wasn’t as easy as I had thought it would be.

I’m aware that korean foundations are targeted to koreans (who are very fair) so I’m not complaining about that. I just struggled to find a shade which suited me online. For the record, I’m an NC30, light to medium skin tone with yellow/neutral undertones. After a few misses, I have however, managed to find a few which I totally love. Most of these products are in the shades #25 or #27 as I have given up on trying #23. Hopefully this helps anyone out there who are a bit on the “darker” side like me.

I won’t be going into too much detail about each one because this post will be ages long. If you want a more in depth review on any of these cushions, please let me know in the comments.

I will include some swatches on my arm but they aren’t very good since its kinda difficult to get a good swatch from a cushion. Had some issues with my lighting as well so bear with me. Anywho, enough chatter, let’s get on with this review!

Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion

Claims: Source: https://us.sulwhasoo.com/perfecting-cushion

A cushion foundation that creates flawless-looking skin with a healthy, radiating glow

This cushion includes a moisturizing blend of apricot seed and Korean herbs, and creates a flawless radiant glow.

Covers spots and signs of wrinkles using a special watercolor method which disperses color into water instead of oil.

A film-fixing polymer forms a perfectly seamless layer for beautiful makeup that lasts up to 12 hours.

Shade: #25 Deep Beige (matches me perfectly)
Color range: 6 colours, up to #33
Lasting power: 8hrs
Why I love it: Satin or demi-matte finish making my skin look healthy. It never looks greasy on my combo skin. Its long lasting and has medium coverage. I usually set my t-zone with powder. Its a quick cushion to apply since the colour matches so well making it a good everyday cushion.
Cost: $46.06 USD from ibuybeauti.com. Includes 1 refill

YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation/Le Cushion Encre De Peau

Claims: Source: https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/makeup/complexion/foundation/fusion-ink-cushion-foundation/WW-20550YSL.html

For a radiant, smoother looking complexion on the go, use our latest innovation NEW Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation. The medium-coverage foundation can be used alone or as a top-up product for skin that looks luminous all day.

Shade: #50 medium tan, neutral undertone (matches me perfectly)
Color range: 6 colours, up to #60
Staying power: 8hrs
Why I love it: This gives me a nice luminous finish, making my skin look almost pore less and non greasy. You don’t need to apply highlighter on top of this one. Its long lasting and has medium coverage. I usually set it with powder on my t-zone. Lots of reviewers have raved about this one being their HG cushion and I would have to agree with that claim. It is special and I only use it on special occasions since its quite expensive. You may be wondering why I’m including this as a Korean cushion when its YSL, the reason being is that its actually made in Korea.
Cost: $89 AUD from myer.com.au. No refill.

Moonshot Face Perfection Balm Cushion

Claims: Source https://boniik.com/face-perfection-balm-cushion-refill.html

Balm foundation cushion that melts into the skin high coverage cushion foundation provides moisture and healthy glowing skin finish.

Shade: #301 sand beige (matches me 95%)
Color range: 3 colours, #301 is the darkest.
Staying power: 8hrs
Why I love it: This cushion has the best coverage of this bunch. High coverage and gives you a creamy and glowy finish. The cushion has a netting cover which makes it easy to get a good amount on the puff. This one definitely needs setting with powder especially if you have oily skin. With a light hand, you can pull off natural looking coverage with this. Since the colour match isn’t 100%, I usually go in with some bronzer. I have also tried their black micro cushion which was too light even though it was #301 too. That was a miss for me, this pink one was much better in terms of finish/coverage/colour.
Cost: $37.80 AUD from https://boniik.com (got it on sale). Includes 1 refill.

Pony Effect Everlasting Cushion Foundation

Claims: Source https://www.yesstyle.com/en/memebox-pony-effect-everlasting-cushion-foundation-spf50-pa-with-refill/info.html/pid.1062712815

Cushion foundation provides light buildable coverage to conceal uneven skin tone and light blemishes, culminating in a dewy finish. SPF 50+ PA+++ provides maximum sun protection.

Shade: Sand (matches me 95%)
Color range: 7 colours, Sand is the darkest.
Staying power: 5hrs
Why I love it: I actually don’t love this one. I like that it has medium coverage and its dewy (borderline shiny) finish but my only gripe is that I can feel it on my skin. It feels like a weightier formula which drier skin types might enjoy. I feel like for my combo skin, I would enjoy it more in the cooler months.
Cost: $30.68 USD ebay – roseroseshop. Includes 1 refill.

Hera UV Mist Cushion

Claims: Source https://www.yesstyle.com/en/hera-uv-mist-cushion-nude-with-refill-spf34-pa-25-amber-15g-15g/info.html/pid.1050466779?cpid=1050466778

Light texture completes transparent and bright complexion at the same time and protects against rays.

Shade: #25 Amber (matches me 100%)
Color range: 4 colours, Amber is the darkest.
Staying power: 6hrs
Why I love it: This cushion is a no brainer for me. It has light coverage and the finish is more on the satin/demi-matte side. It gives me a bright and healthy looking glow. Staying power isn’t as long on my skin, I would say 6 hours and I usually set my t-zone with powder. I alternate between this and the Sulwhasoo cushion on the daily.
Cost: $34.75 USD – https://cosmetic-love.com/. Includes 1 refill.

Final thoughts

I love the idea of cushion foundations so I’m really glad that I’ve found some which I really enjoy. Cushion foundations are made to be applied with its puff, using a patting motion, which I find is quick and easy. People who chuck them out aren’t getting the most of their “cushion foundation experience”. The puffs can also be washed (I use my oil cleanser) and reused. They supposedly are anti-microbial so you don’t HAVE to wash them after each use, just regularly will do. I usually buy a pack of puffs and alternate them anyway which is why some of the cushions had Gudetama puffs.

I realise that some of the cushions that I have mentioned are quite pricey but it just seemed like the higher end companies were more accomodating with their shade range. I know western brands such as Wet and Wild, Maybelline and Loreal have produced their own versions too but I haven’t tried them out yet. Laneige also has a good shade range for their cushions but the one I have tried, their Pore Control BB cushion, was a miss for me (too matte and too light #23). Missha and Etude House also have a good shade range for their cushions too. A review on the Missha Magic Cushion will be coming soon!

Let me know if you have tried any of the foundations I have mentioned and your experience, I would love to know!

[Review] Leaders Sheet Masks – Coconut Gel/Himalayan/Daily Wonders range

January 6, 2018January 6, 2018 KimLeave a comment

Sheet masks were one of the first things I tried when I started k-beauty in 2017. I’ve tried a bunch and I have to say that all are definitely NOT the same. Some have been pretty average but most of have been quite good. I have even kept a record of the masks which I have used in a Google Keep so I know not to get the bad ones again.

I’ve tried a few from the brand Leaders who seem to specialise in making sheet masks. People seem to rave about the brand so typically I knew I had to try some! The first one was the MEDIU Amino Clearing Mask. This was just ok, I remember it made my face tingle a little while it was on but it was tolerable and it adhered to my face ok too. After that one I really wasn’t in a great hurry to try anymore from the brand.

Was browsing on iHerb a few months ago and I noticed that they sold Leaders masks. These masks were mainly made of fermented coconut gel so it peaked my interest,. They claimed to be super hydrating and had varies types of effectiveness eg brightening, lifting etc. I bought a few and began to try them out over the next few months. My most recent experience was today’s.

As well as the MEDIU Amino Clearing Mask, I have also tried out:

Coconut Gel Moisturizing Recovery Mask
Coconut Gel Brightening Recovery Mask
Coconut Gel Lifting Recovery Mask
Himalayan Camellia Pore Minimizing Mask
Daily Wonders, Pore Gone for Good, Pore Refining Mask

I don’t have packet images for all of them since I have thrown some away in frustration.

Leaders Himalayan Camellia Pore Minimising Mask and Lifting Recovery Mask

My issues

Adherence

My biggest gripe with sheet masks is that they don’t fit on my face properly and aren’t flexible enough to bend and smooth down. These coconut gel masks do not adhere to my face. Now, I don’t have a tiny face or anything, standard size I guess, so it was strange that I couldn’t line up the masks so that could at least fit well enough. It just seemed to be too large for my face. The mouth area wouldn’t line up properly once I aligned my eyes, parts hanging off etc. I wouldn’t be able to smooth the lines out that this adjusting created, you get the picture. Of course I have used masks which haven’t fit my face perfectly too but they had been workable.

Material

I think the lack of adherence is due to the material of the masks. Its thicker and stiffer than regular cotton sheet masks, making it stubborn to adjust

On the back of one of the packets, this is the description of the material:

Premium Coconut Gel is the next generation of mask material.

This coconut mask is made from all natural fermented coconut juice, which contains Vitamins B and C. This gel material adheres perfectly to the skin and has natural soothing and hydrating properties.

I find this description to be very ironic. It emphasises that the material is made to fit better on the face but on me it’s the total opposite.

It is also described as:

a biocellulose coconut gel mask which is 10x more hydrating than a cotton mask

The ‘biocellulose’ aspect had caught my interest, the fact that it could hold way more product than a regular sheet mask and doesn’t lose much moisture while it is on your face. I recently tried a biocellulose mask from IOPE and that came out in a soggy, unusable blob, making me even more skeptical to its benefits especially when you are paying a premium for it. I have no idea if its 10x more hydrating since I haven’t been able to keep it on my face long enough to compare. Since I don’t want the ill fitting masks to create lines on my face and I don’t want to be uncomfortable for 20 minutes, I have in all instances, ripped it off and patted in the leftover essence. This essence was nothing to write home about either, was pretty thick and sticky for the most part. In my frustration I didn’t even bother to check whether it did anything for my skin.

Price

These Coconut Gel/Himalayan/Daily Wonders range masks weren’t cheap either, they range from $5 to $10 AUD. I purchased them from iHerb. I would rather stick to Tony Moly sheet masks for around $2-$3 a pop. At least THEY fit on my damn face. These aren’t worth your money.

Final thoughts

I’ve had the same experience with all the masks I had listed earlier in the post. No one can accuse me of not giving it a good go. Sheet masks should be easy to apply and be a relaxing 20 minute treat for you and your skin.

Leaders has so far NOT lived up to the hype and I will not be purchasing any further masks from this brand.

Have you tried any of these masks and if so what has your experience been with them? I’m curious since mine was so bad!

[Review] Worst face mist ever! Innisfree Green Tea Mineral mist

November 11, 2017November 11, 2017 Kim4 Comments

There’s something about setting sprays and face mists that always draws me in. There are some good ones but far many more bad ones. This is one of them. This might be the worst one which I have ever tried. So of course I need to share my reasons why you need to steer clear of it! I’m not even going to bother providing an ingredients list because its not worth it!

My experience with Innisfree…

Innisfree is a major k-beauty brand and is known for their products containing ingredients from Jeju island, which has been described as Korea’s Hawaii.

Before purchasing this, I had only ever tried one other product from them which was a primer, their No Sebum Blur Primer. It was awful. It was pretty dry and pilled on my skin. Possibly the worst primer I have ever used. I chucked it out after the first go. I didn’t have this blog back then, otherwise I would have shared my experience.

I was browsing around in-store in Cosmo Cosmetics in Sydney when I spotted this mist. Green tea is one of my favourite ingredients and it claimed to hydrate and moisturise the skin. It was only small, 50ml, so I thought what they hey, let’s give Innisfree another go. What’s the worst that could happen? Famous last words…

Why its so bad

Its an aerosol can and like any aerosol can, it needs to be shook before use. I shook it a couple of times and sprayed in on my hand. The spray was spluttering and it outputted bits of foam and blobs of white dots. I shook it a few more times and it sprayed with less spluttering but still outputted visible white dots with its stream. What kinda scared me about this was the pressure of the spray. Yes the force was strong with this one 😛 Even the cockroach spray I used today was less intense than this…

innisfree-1 — Innisfree Green Tea Mineral Mist – Foamy mess!

I thought ok, let’s see how it feels on the face. I held it far away from my face as possible and it forcefully sprayed my face with white foam and droplets. It also kept leaking on the sides too making a horrible mess in my bedroom. Once it was on the face, I had to pat it in for absorption. I guess it did make my face feel hydrated but the mess and effort wasn’t worth it.

I have tried it a couple more times, to be fair, but nope the application doesn’t get any better. I’ve tried shaking it more, squeezing the nozzle with different push pressure, to no avail. I think I’ve actually almost used it all up after three uses too. I want my $11 back! It is also two years from its expiry date so that wasn’t the issue.

I don’t know if its just mine that was doing this, whether it was faulty. I would be surprised that a product behaving like this could be released into the market as is. Be warned that if you do try this, try it on a bare face and not over makeup like the directions also suggest.

Let me know if you have tried this and what your experience was with it. If you use any HG Innisfree products, let me know because my experience with the brand so far has been a flop.

[Review] Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream

October 29, 2017October 29, 2017 KimLeave a comment

I have been using this cream for about 6 months now and now that its almost empty, I thought it was about time that I shared my experience with using it.

This cream isn’t a new release. But it was new to me and was the first korean cream I purchased and used as a sleeping pack. This cream can be used a couple of ways and is a packed full of great ingredients. The fact that traditional korean herbs (described as Hanbang) were used also spiked my curiosity. Who wouldn’t want to slather something on their face containing herbaceous ingredients used in ancient times. Also a big fan of Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid which are two of their starred ingredients. Gothamista recommended it in one of her videos so I gave into the hype and purchased it.

Cost

$36.95 AUD, purchased from stylestory.com.au

Ingredients (from StyleStory)

Water, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Dipentaerythrityl Hexa C5-9 Acid Esters, Hyaluronic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Hydrogenated Lecithin C14-28 Alkyl Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Adenosine, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, EGF 2-Nano, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ceramide 3, Trehalose, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Cucurbitaceae (Gourd) Extract, Orchid Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phytosphingosine, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate, Fragrance, Honey

Claims

This product claims to reduce the visible signs of ageing, plump, brighten and soothe the skin.

Packaging

The packaging on this cream is as divine as the cream. The traditional look of it with the pink paper on top and string makes it look really appealing and different. You can see it here at stylestory. The jar is glass and is so elegant and simplistic. You get 50ml of product.

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream — Pretty glass packaging. The cream itself is light and silky.

How to use

I read that you can use the product in three ways, as a sleeping pack, moisturiser or massage cream (on your face).

I used this as a sleeping pack as my last step in my skincare routine, after my treatments. I don’t use an emulsion because I don’t need one.

I have combo skin and found that I had to apply the thinnest layer for it to work as a day cream. It also needs a minute to absorb which is why I chose to pack it on at night instead 🙂 Usually in a great rush in the mornings :(.

A little does go a long way. I normally scoop one spatula amount onto the back of my hand. Then I dot around my cheeks, forehead and chin and massage it in. I then pat it gently into my face to help with absorption. It needs a minute to completely absorb and dries down completely so don’t worry about waking up with a sticky pillow (eww). Its a little high maintenance to apply in my opinion, its not a slap on then go kind of product.

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream - texture — Stringy texture, like honey

Consistency

Its consistency is quite weird, looks a bit like honey (but is white), so when you touch it, it drags up with your touch. Once patted in, your face feels incredibly soft and smooth. Kinda similar application method to the J-one Jelly Pack (which I think is also a little high maintenance to apply). When I woke up the next morning, you can feel it on your skin acting as a barrier when you go to wash it off. My skin feels nice, smooth and bouncy.

Scent

There is a slight fragrance, which I can’t put my finger on. It smells pleasant and doesn’t bother me which is saying something since I’m a bit fussy with scents in skincare and makeup. You can’t smell it once its absorbed into your skin.

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

I am almost to the end of the jar and am a bit sad. You can probably already tell that I really like it! I loved how lightweight it felt on my skin and enjoyed checking out my face in the morning once I woke up. I felt like the claims rang true. It did brighten and hydrate my face but not sure about the anti ageing part. I probably have to buy it again to prove whether that part is true. I am currently testing out other sleeping packs but I do like this one enough to repurchase. Its quite a special product and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a not-so-average moisturiser.

Have you tried this interesting cream? Would love to hear your experience with it.

[Review] Liquid eyeliner: Korean vs American

October 8, 2017October 9, 2017 Kim2 Comments

Today I will be reviewing two liquid eyeliners which I think are good dupes. The American eyeliner is the Tattoo Liner from Kat Von D and the Korean eyeliner is Waterproof Pen Liner from Macqueen New York.

Macqueen New York products are made in Korea so I don’t know what “New York” represents in their name. There isn’t a whole lot of information or background on the company online.

Kat Von D is an American tattoo artist who created her own makeup line. Her products are exclusively sold at Sephora.

Ease of application and longevity is what I generally look for in liners. Since I have hooded eyes, eyeliners and mascaras tend to smudge on me. I think I have found my HG liner! Keep reading to find out which one it is.

The claims

Both liners claim to be waterproof and budge proof, lasting all day.

Tattoo liner – From sephora.com.au

Achieve eye perfection with this high-pigment, waterproof liner that stays put all day for a fade-, melt-, crack-, and run-resistant finish. The superfine and flexible brush tip glides across the lashline for incredibly fluid application, allowing you to create a variety of looks with ease. Unlike traditional felt tip liners, this brush tip will not fray.

Waterproof Pen Liner – From Yesstyle.com

Keeps a long-lasting vivid line without smearing for a whole day.
Create a line from beginning to end along the lash line. Fine-tipped eyeliner makes it easy to contour and control eye definition. The waterproof liquid formula creates thin, smooth strokes that can be layered for more emphasis.

Costs

Macqueen liner – $6.19 AUD from yesstyle.com
Tattoo liner – $28 AUD from sephora.com.au

Similarities

Both liners have the same brush tip which is awesome for precision lining around the lid. Great for creating wings.

They look exactly the same here.

Both are black and the colour and pigmentation looks exactly the same. The left is Macqueen and on the right is Kat Von D. Please excuse the wobbly Macqueen swatch.

Application on the lids is exactly the same. You need to shake them both a couple of times before applying.

Really easy to draw a line with no bleeding and opaque in just one go.
I don’t line my waterline so I can’t tell you how easy or difficult it would be.

Both are waterproof and smudge proof.

Both have matte finishes.

Differences

With all the similarities you might be wondering what differs between the two. And its the staying power.

The Macqueen liner lasts all day on me. By the end of the day I can still see it on my eyes.

However, the Tattoo liner does not last all day. It fades throughout and by the end of the day, it’s completely gone!

I had swatched both liners on my hand for one of the photos. Its only been a couple of hours and I can already see the Tattoo liner fading slightly. I have slightly oily lids so the fading is more apparent when I have it on my eyes.

Final thoughts

Since they are similar in many ways I would consider them to be good dupes for one another. But like all dupes, not everything is exactly the same.

I love the Macqueen liner. Its so budget friendly and fulfils all the requirements I have from a liquid liner. It’s opaque, easy to use and budge proof. Though it still is easily removed using my oil cleanser.

Rating: 5/5 (holy grail!)

I tried out the Tattoo liner maybe a year before I dabbled in k-beauty so that was my first love. I even repurchased it once more (a full size) since I had liked the travel size one so much. The issue with it fading on my lids is minor in my opinion as you can easily touch up but I prefer not to. It’s also more than 4x the price of the Macqueen.

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

What’s your favourite budge proof liquid liner? Have you tried these out yet?