Skincare I’ve used up (September 2018)

September 30, 2018September 30, 2018 KimLeave a comment

I haven’t written an empties post since March…uh yeah this year has really flown! When I noticed that my pile of empties was becoming increasingly more difficult to store, I thought it was about time I posted so I could get rid of them.

I’m going to be breezing through (well I’ll try my best to) each of them, otherwise this will be very long. I’ve reviewed some of it in the past and will add a link to the review where applicable. Most of these products are minis, which I think is an affordable and smart way to try out new skincare, especially if getting samples beforehand isn’t possible.

All products were purchased by me (except for the last one which was in a members rewards box). There are no affiliate links in this post.

Simplistic Skincare – Essence wonder

Reviewed here.

Cost: $49 AUD, purchased from liliacandberries.com

My thoughts since the review remain unchanged. I didn’t think it did much for my skin, even after using it up, I didn’t miss it or notice any differences in my skin. It is hydrating and absorbs very quickly. Nice packaging but won’t warrant a repurchase.

Goodal – Mild Protect Essence Sun SPF50+/PA+++

Cost: $9.81 USD, purchased from ibbi

After hearing the ladies at Glow Recipe rave about this sunscreen, specifically about it’s gel texture, I knew I had to try it. It’s a chemical sunscreen which is what I usually go for because I can’t stand dry and difficult to blend physical sunscreens. I’m sure there are more elegant formulas out there now but I just haven’t found one I’ve liked yet.

The gel consistency makes it easy to rub into the skin which I liked. There were two things that I didn’t like as much with this sun gel and the first thing is that alcohol is the 7th ingredient in the list (cosdna). I noticed this after I bought it, rookie mistake I know! I do know that alcohol is common in sunscreens since it helps make the texture more spreadable but I would still like to avoid it when I can. It wasn’t drying and didn’t smell like alcohol so that was a plus. The second thing was that it left my face dewy…borderline greasy. This could be a great thing for drier skin types but on my combo skin, I did not need the extra grease in my t-zone. Might be a better one for winter. Because of these two reasons, I won’t be repurchasing.

Fresh – Soy Face Cleanser (mini size)

Reviewed here

Cost: $20 AUD, 50ml, purchased from Sephora

As a second cleanser, it was a good one. Like I said in the review, it doesn’t leave my face stripped. It instead, left it feeling bouncy, hydrated and soft. Would repurchase. Keen to try more products from Fresh 🙂

MAC – Prep and Prime Fix +

Cost: $36 AUD, 100ml, purchased from Myer

This is a classic product which I will always keep repurchasing. I use it after makeup to set my face and to add a natural looking glow to my skin. It also helps melt powder into the skin, to mesh with the other elements. It doesn’t work like a setting spray (like urban decay’s all nighter) so don’t expect it to prolong the wear of your makeup. I just love the way it makes my skin look which is a good enough reason in my books. The mister on the bottle is glorious too, very fine. Good for use all year around but especially in summer because it also feels refreshing 🙂

Belif – The True Tincture Cleansing Stick (Chamomile)

Cost: I can’t access the order details but I think it was around $20-30 AUD purchased from eBay.

This was another purchase inspired by Renee (Gothamista). She compared this to the Su:m37 Rose Cleansing stick which I loved but can’t seem to find anymore. Anyway, this stick was nice, it had little bits of chamomile petals in it so it also gently exfoliated the skin while cleansing. I didn’t really feel it to tell you the truth. It did have a subtle natural smell and it was a nice sensory experience to use it. It also didn’t strip my skin but it wasn’t the most hydrating cleanser I’ve ever used either. I felt like if I didn’t apply toner right away, my skin would feel a bit tight. A stick last a really long time, mine expired before I could finish it. I think I had it for awhile before use and didn’t pay attention to the date.

I probably won’t repurchase this. I prefer the Su:m37 Rose cleansing stick and Neogen Real Fresh Green Tea Cleansing Stick (Green Tea) over this one.

Amore Pacific – The essential creme fluid (mini size)

Cost: $25 USD, travel size purchased from eBay.

After hearing Liah Yoo and Jude (Fiddy Snails) rave about this moisturiser, I too also needed it. Especially when I heard that it contained 150 handpicked baby green tea leaves from AP’s own tea garden and that it’s a rich moisturiser disguised as a lightweight creme. Now Amore Pacific is impossible to get here in Australia. Managed to find a travel size on eBay which I probably overpaid for but oh well. I’m actually glad I only got the travel size because the full size is around $100 USD. I liked the texture, it was light and silky. My skin did feel moisturised but not that comfortable. I think it was the scent that bothered me, it smelt quite strongly of flowers I think, not a natural smell. Wish it smelt like green tea instead. For that reason I will not be repurchasing. Overall it didn’t feel unique enough for me to want to get past the scent. The good news is that Mecca, applicable to AU and NZ (I think), will be stocking AP products soon so it will at last be easily attainable!

Drunk Elephant – Beste Jelly Cleanser (mini size)

Cost: Came in a “Hit it off Duo” with the Lala retro whipped cream – $29 from Mecca

I wasn’t a fan of the Lala Retro but I did enjoy this cleanser. It is hydrating, leaves my skin feeling similar to the Fresh Soy cleanser, which is soft and bouncy. There is no scent and I like how the texture is jelly like, so it doesn’t get messy.

I would repurchase, but lo and behold, my husband overheard about how much I liked it and gifted me with the full sized product for my birthday, yay!

Drunk Elephant – Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil (mini size)

Reviewed here

Cost: Came in a “Night Brights Duo” with the TLC Framboose Glycolic Night Serum, $40 AUD, from Mecca

I’ve already repurchased another Night Brights Duo before I finished it. I almost bought the full size but since I’m between a few oils, I thought I’d just buy it later because it’s quite expensive. I love this oil, it’s lightweight, easily absorbable, feels nourishing as well as moisturising. I like to apply it at night after my actives or retinoid. I don’t feel like to I need to apply moisturiser either. There’s just something about it sensory wise, it feels very comforting.

Acwell – Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner (mini size)

Cost: $9.50 USD for two mini sizes from eBay

Charlotte from Soko Glam sold me on this when she curated it into their store. It all sounded pretty good, low ph, licorice and peony for brightening and green tea. Honey skin also sounded pretty damn good too and her skin is flawless! I actually really liked this toner, it felt gentle and my skin felt balanced and calm after using it. I don’t know if it alone gave me honey skin, which I still don’t have anyway. I still have another bottle left but it’s something that I liked enough to repurchase.

Too Faced – Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray (mini size)

Cost: Free with my beauty loop box from Mecca (member rewards thing)

I’ve wanted to try this for awhile because I’m obsessed with anything coconut and this has coconut water in it. Too Faced says you can use it three ways, as a primer/setting spray/refresher, but I used it only as a setting spray (because it was so tiny). It’s more of a hydrating setting spray than something that would cement your look to last all day. I feel like it gives the same effect as MAC Fix + and now that they also have a coconut version (which I’m currently using), I haven’t made up my mind as to which I prefer. I can’t remember if this Too Faced one smelt like coconuts but I remember it being pleasant enough. Because of its teeny tiny size, I only got to use it twice or thrice so it’s hard to remember exactly. I’ll most likely purchase the full size once my current setting sprays are used up.

Ok if you’ve made it this far, you’ve done well! Phew that was a looong post, a lot of words. Let me know if you’ve used any of these products mentioned and if you have any questions, please post them below. Until next time 🙂

[Review] Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50/PA+++

September 9, 2018September 9, 2018 KimLeave a comment

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.

Cost

$20 AUD from ebay, roseroseshop. 40ml

Ingredients

from ohlolly.com

Water, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Octocrylene, Niacinamide, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 77891(titanium dioxide), CI 77019 (mica), PEG-100 Stearate , Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Beeswax, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Adenosine, Disodium Edta, Tin Oxide, Carmine, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Fragrance

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.

Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF50/PA+++ — 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

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.

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?

[Review] Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil

August 11, 2018August 11, 2018 KimLeave a comment

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.

Cost

$17 AUD for 200ml, purchased from ebay *

Ingredients

from us.memebox.com

Mineral Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Peg-10 Isostearate, Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Anthemis Nobius Flower Water, Cicapfnlyl Carbonate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Isohexadecane Tocopheryl Acetate, Bht, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum)

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.

Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil

Consistency

Its consistency is thin and runny. But not too runny that it is impossible to use, you just need to work fast. It is transparent in colour.

Scent

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) .

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. — Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil vs Clio Kill Cover Liquid Liner.

Nature Republic - Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil vs Clio Kill Cover Liquid Liner, removes most of it. — 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 🙂

My favourite face oils

July 29, 2018July 29, 2018 Kim3 Comments

Face oils are a new discovery for me and I have Renee (Gothamista) to thank for my new found love with them. She loves applying oils in her routine and I can definitely resonate with her.

It’s been pretty cold here in Sydney since it’s winter so my skin has been drinking up basically anything I have been putting on my face.

I’ve decided that applying oils is my favourite step in my routine and it’s due to some fantastic discoveries which I will be sharing today. I normally apply it after my serum step and before a moisturiser, in the PM. If you’re interested in finding out what they are, please keep on reading.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

This oil is one of Renee’s (Gothamista) favourites and I bought it pretty much because of her. I’m slowly trying out Drunk Elephant’s range and buying minis makes it more affordable since the line isn’t cheap. The Nightbright Duo (also includes T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum), which is still available, from mecca seemed like a good starting point.

Claims:

from drunkelephant.com

Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil, high in critical antioxidants tocopherol (vitamin E), tochotrienol, phenolic compounds and flavinoids, and rich in omegas 6 and 9, helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit, our Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form.

Ingredients:

Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil

Why I love it:

Cold pressed is a technique where the oils are obtained by pressing fruit and seeds, which retains its nutrition and efficacy. I love the fact that it is cold pressed and how lovely and pure this oil is. It feels nourishing, moisturising and comforting, like a warm blanket to my face. It doesn’t literally make it feel warm or anything, it just feels pleasant. It does give me an overall glow and best of all it is the most fast absorbing of all the oils I will be talking about. For some reason I thought it might feel heavy and not absorb on my combo skin since it has “luxury” in its name, but it’s quite the opposite. It still takes a minute to absorb but leaves no residue. Light enough to use during the day for people with drier skin. There is no scent.

The packaging is in a pump since I have the mini size and I generally use two pumps into my palm, rub my both my palms together and press it into my face. I use this technique with all the oils, only the amount of oil used varies.

I’ve been using retinol and AHA serums (interchangeably) at night so applying this over the top and sometimes with no moisturiser, really agrees with my skin.

Price:

I purchased this in a Nightbright duo which also has the T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum for $40 AUD from mecca.com.au. Both are 8ml. I recently re-purchased this duo because I love both products so much and adore the practical pump packaging. The full size packaging has the standard pipet applicator.

The oil by itself is available in two sizes:
$58 AUD 15ml and $105 for 30ml from mecca.com.au and from the brand’s website drunkelephant.com.

Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum

I’m going to sound like a broken record but this is yet another oil which Renee recommended. Man this woman’s influence on me is sending me and I’m sure all of her subscribers, broke! As usual, as soon as she had mentioned it the second time, I was trying to find it online. Only ohlolly.com stocked it. Being in Australia, we’re disadvantaged in terms of accessibility of products which are only sold in the US.

Their official and only stockists, ohlolly.com has an absurd shipping fee which I refused to pay and this oil from Urang is already quite expensive. I scoured ebay and found a seller which also sold the mini sized versions so I pounced and here we are.

Claims:

from ohlolly.com

A masterfully blended, all natural face oil serum that brightens, heals and protects skin. Wonderfully lightweight and hydrating, Brightening Blue Oil Serum quickly absorbs into skin to energize and transform dull skin into a radiant complexion.

Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Tocopherol, (-)-alpha-bisabolol, *Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil (*Organic ingredient)

Why I love it:

There are only four ingredients in this product, all of which claim to hydrate, even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyper pigmentation. The latter always catches my eye because I have PIH from pimples as well as sun spots, both of which I am forever trying to find magical serums for. I also love anything with green tea and it’s the first ingredient. Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E and alpha-bisabolol is from the bark of the candeia tree in Brazil. I’ve read that bisabolol is also an active derived from the German Chamomile.

Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum – slight tinge of blue and is runny.

I have used quite a bit of this product already and I do feel like it brightens my skin. My whole PM routine is about brightening anyway so it fitted right in. It’s also hard to tell if this has really helped because I use other brightening products too. My skin does feel plump and healthy after use and I simply enjoy using it which are enough reasons for me. It’s a very pretty oil, I love its beautiful blue colour which is naturally from the chamomilla recutita flower. There is a slight scent but it’s very soothing and light. There are no artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances in this oil which I appreciate. Also important to note is that when Korean products are advertised as “whitening” they mean brightening. There is no “tone-up” effect to this product, thankfully since I despise those kind of products. They’ve actually now renamed it to be “brightening” now probably to avoid any confusion.

Urang stands for (Ultimate Radiant + Natural Glow) and the creator Jina Lee is an holistic aromatherapist and wanted to create a brand which would have natural, organic products and for them to safe for the whole family, since she is a mother herself. I haven’t come across any Korean brands with this type of notion and it’s really great that Urang has. The brand is also vegan and cruelty free. Urang sounds like the Korean version of RMS Beauty! I am definitely keen to buy the full size version (the packaging is so beautiful!) and try other products in her line. If only they were more accessible internationally!!

Price:

I bough the travel size 15ml from ebay *, $28.12 USD.

Available from ohlolly.com:
$35 USD for 15ml and $59 USD for 30ml.

Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil

Claims:

from blossomjeju.com

This legendary, 100 percent pure Camellia Oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids to deeply hydrate and nourish skin.

Grown organically in Jeju island in Korea, the multitasking formula contains astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to create a youthful-looking complexion.

Ingredients:

Camellia Seed Oil

Why I love it:

I first tried the Camellia Soombi Essence Oil from this brand which I really loved. It was another one recommended by Renee. Since that oil is expensive I decided to try this version which is marketed as being a dry oil. I think it’s actually better than the Soombi because there is no fragrance and is also half the price. It is fast absorbing and can be used during the AM. I only use two drops if I layer makeup over the top. Otherwise at night, I can use three drops.

Camellia seed oil is known to be light but hydrating and full of antioxidants. All products in the Blossum Jeju line are sourced from Jeju island, which is also known as Korea’s “Hawaii”. It’s common for many k-beauty brands to source ingredients from this island. Definitely an island I would want to visit if I ever visited South Korea.

Price:

$36 AUD, 20ml from ebay

Whamisa Organic Flowers Face Oil

When I was first discovering k-beauty, I read and watched lots of Glow Recipe articles and videos. Sarah and Christine really know their stuff and one of the major brands that they curate is Whamisa. They are well known for fermenting ingredients in their formulations so of course I had to try for myself. This product has fermented flower filtrates as well as a nice blend of oils. I bought a few products from ebay since Glow Recipe’s shipping is pricey to Australia. This oil is probably my favourite product that I have tried so far from the brand. Whamisa also now has an Aussie website so products are much easier to attain, yay! 🙂

I’ve seen this oil in different packaging too, a frosted clear bottle instead of the brown bottle which I have. Not sure which is newer but I’m fairly certain the products are the same.

Claims

from whamisa.co.uk

Organic argan and camellia seed oil star in this miracle blend of natural and organic oils which also includes olive fruit, jojoba seed, carrot seed, evening primrose and flower ferment filtrates. Improves skin’s immunity, elasticity and protects from environmental damage. Creates a natural barrier locking in nutrients and hydration.

Ingredients

from whamisa.co.uk

*Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, *Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, *Lactobacillus/Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Rhizome/Root Ferment Filtrate, ***Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, ***Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, ***Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Anibae Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, d-Limonene, Linalol

Why I love it:

This oil has significantly more ingredients than the other three oils. And because of this, the fragrance is also more apparent. It isn’t offensive or synthetic, it smells natural. It does disappear once you apply it to your skin so it doesn’t bother me. Companies adding artificial fragrances bother me. There’s a great mix of organic oils in the ingredients list, Argan and Camellia Seed both at the top, it’s a good way to get a cocktail of them in the one go.

This is probably the least absorbing of the four, on my skin anyway. I generally use this in the PM and only use one or two drops because it is a heavier formula. For my combo skin, I am at the risk of looking greasy if I use anymore than this. With the right amount, my skin feels moisturised and I don’t even need a moisturiser when I use this.

Price:

$25.99 USD, 30ml from ebay *

Have you tried any of these oils? If so let me know your thoughts 🙂 If you have any recommendations for me, I would love to hear about them 🙂

[Review] Fresh Soy Face Cleanser – is it really worth all the hype?!

July 8, 2018July 8, 2018 Kim3 Comments

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.

Ingredients:

from fresh.com

AQUA (WATER), COCO-GLUCOSIDE, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-7 GLYCERYL COCOATE, XANTHAN GUM, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, BORAGO OFFICINALIS SEED OIL, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, ROSA DAMASCENA EXTRACT, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER WATER, CENTAUREA CYANUS FLOWER EXTRACT, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) STEROLS, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER OIL, MALVA SYLVESTRIS (MALLOW) FLOWER EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, POLYSORBATE 20, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, SILICA, BENZOIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, BEHENYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, LECITHIN, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN, CARAMEL, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, PHENOXYETHANOL

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 - 50ml — 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. — 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.

What’s that smell?! Skincare and makeup which smell bad (to me)

June 11, 2018June 11, 2018 Kim2 Comments

During my journey of trying new products, I have come to know what I like and what I don’t like in products. One of the things I despise is if a product has an overpowering and unpleasant scent, whether it be by added fragrance or naturally derived. I wouldn’t say that I’m super sensitive to scents but if something smells bad, I’m not going to keep using it, regardless of how effective it is.

The following products I have ceased to use because of this. Just because I don’t like the smell of these things, doesn’t mean that the product is awful. If you like any of the products I am listing, please don’t take it personally as in the end it’s all just skincare and makeup! I also won’t be going into too much detail about the product since I don’t like them. Ok let’s go!

I’m Pro Ampoule Pad – Wish Formula

What is it?

It’s a cotton pad soaked in ampoule containing ascorbic acid as well as other antioxidants which help with brightening. The texture of the pad is supposed to provide a gentle exfoliation as well.

Ingredients – (cosdna analysis)

It smells like…

Soy sauce. I mean I love eating soy sauce but I don’t want it in my pores. I don’t know if I got a bad batch or what. After some quick googling, it looks like some people have experienced a funky smell as well but they haven’t described it to be specifically like soy sauce. I don’t understand the expiry since it’s in Korean and both dates have passed already. If it is indeed expired, I am thoroughly annoyed since this is from an actual k-beauty store. I really didn’t pay any attention to how it performed since I couldn’t get past the smell. My husband has also used it and the smell lingered even after he had applied moisturiser.

Price: $4.90 AUD each from boniik.com

Pop Blush – The Face Shop

What is it?

A powder blush which I bought in the shade Neutral Pop.

It smells like…

Chemicals. Straight up chemicals which doesn’t dissipate after application. It isn’t very pigmented and feels dusty when I apply it to my cheeks. A big dud on performance and smell. Cute packaging though, the flower imprint and packaging is similar to Clinique’s Cheek Pop blushes.

Price: $8.99 AUD from eBay *

Ultra Moisturising Sun Cream – Kicho

What is it?

A chemical and physical sunscreen which contains lots of plant extracts in a moisturising formula.

Ingredients – (cosdna analysis)

It smells like…

Apples and something else in a brand I will be be speaking about next. The scent has been described as “delicate” and “fresh” but I don’t find it to be either. Fragrance is the third last ingredient but it might have been in the top three because I found it to be strong. The sunscreen itself applied nicely. It was moisturising and sunk in quite well. But you could still smell it after application. I also didn’t like this sunscreen because it made my face itch a bit whenever I sweated. It gets pretty humid in Sydney so it’s normal for me to sweat and I didn’t enjoy feeling further discomfort ,and I knew it was from this because I tested it a few times just to be sure.

Price: $42 AUD from lilacandberries.com

Huxley essence and oil trio – Secret of the Sahara Light and More, Essence like oil and Essence grab water

What is it?

Serums, each with their own characteristics. The Light and More is an oil, Essence like oil is a thick essence and the Essence Grab water is a hydrating serum.

Ingredients: cosdna analysis below

Light and More
Essence like oil
Essence Grab Water

It smells like…

The scent of Huxley products has been described as a “fresh rose bush” but I have never smelt a rose bush quite like this one. The star ingredient in their products is the prickly pear which is a cactus. I have no idea what this smells like. The scent is very strong and perfumed, gives me a headache. The products I have in the trial sizes were duds in performance. The dropper is useless, doesn’t dispense the serums properly. My skin doesn’t feel any different after application. But my opinion around this is probably masked by the smell. I actually didn’t even bother using the oil. I also just noticed that alcohol is pretty high on the list for all three products. Alcohol in an oil is a bit odd.

Huxley is atheistically pleasing, there is no denying that but that’s where it ends for me. Pretty glad that I bought these mini sizes as a taster, I would’ve been pretty annoyed if I was stuck with a full sized bottle of any of these.

Price: $35 AUD from nudieglow.com (they have updated the pack since with a fourth serum)

Black Soybean Milk Pudding Sleeping Pack – Botanic Farm

What is it?

A sleeping pack which contains fermented black soybeans as well as milk protein and cacao extract. This pack is supposed to help brighten, hydrate and help with signs of ageing.

Ingredients – from sokoglam.com

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Betaine, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrolyzed collagen, Lactobacillus/ soybean Ferment Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Monascus Extract, Milk Protein, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Glycerin, Urea, PEG-240/ HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Polysorbate 20, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/ Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Dimethiconol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Adenosine, Aminomethyl propanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, PVM/ma copolymer, Maltodextrin, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol

It smells like…

It has been described as smelling like chocolates, delicious enough to eat…well I beg to differ. It smells like a biscuit or something, but not in a good way. It’s hard to describe it, all I know is that I don’t like it. It’s not as unpleasant as some of the other things I’ve spoken about but still not great. The product itself actually stings my face upon application and makes my face feel like it’s suffocating. The stinging does subside but by this time, I’m already stressed and my face is left smelling like a weird biscuit. Stressing out before bed is not something I enjoy doing. I have used and currently use acids in my routine and none of these have compared to the stinging and distress I experienced with this sleeping pack.

Price: $30 AUD from eBay *

Amazonian butter lipstick – Tarte

What is it?

A hydrating lipstick in a creamy formula. It contains amazonian butters.

It smells like…

Mint. Very minty and I hate minty lip products. It contains heaps of ingredients, one of which is peppermint oil. I bought the shade Park Ave Princess and it’s way too light for my lips. The packaging is pretty and I like the idea of it but the smell is a big no no. I can’t even tell you how it performs since I’ve only tried it twice and have removed it momentarily each time. I’ve tried other lipsticks from Tarte including their Color splash hydrating type and I really love that one!

Price: $24 AUD from tartecosmetics.com

Hi fi shine ultra cushion lipgloss – Urban Decay

What is it?

A comfortable lipgloss which is supposed to plump and hydrate the lips.

It smells like…

Mint. Here we go again. Peppermint oil strikes again. I received this mini size in a Mecca Beauty Loop box and while I like the colour, I hate the smell. It makes my lips tingle, I guess that’s when the plumping effect is happening. But I can’t stand the minty smell. Can’t get past it and don’t particularly want bigger lips anyway. I’m all about comfort and this does not feel comfortable at all. It’s probably a big reason why I haven’t found a favourite lip gloss yet.

Price: Free – Part of beauty box (Mecca member benefits)

Final thoughts

As mentioned at the start, if you enjoy any of these products and don’t mind their scents, then that’s awesome. I enjoy other stuff from the brands I mentioned (except for the Face Shop and Botanic Farm since it’s the first product I’ve tried from the brand), so I’m not dismissing the brand at all, just these particular products 😦 They didn’t work for me and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

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 🙂

[Review] Wishtrend – Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum

May 14, 2018June 30, 2018 Kim1 Comment

I use Vitamin C for two main purposes, to lighten post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) and Post Inflammatory Erythema (PIE), in layman’s terms are sunspots/freckles and dark acne scarring. Ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid, in its pure form is generally a great antioxidant for this purpose since its a major skin brightener.

I used Wishtrend’s Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum for about 4 months and I’m ready to share my thoughts on it.

About Wishtrend

Wishtrend is a online k-beauty store who are under the same Wish Company umbrella as Klairs. They sell products under their own brand as well as curate other well known k-beauty brands such as Mizon, Skinmiso and more.

Cost

$26.35 AUD, purchased from Wishtrend’s eBay Store *

Ingredients (from wishtrend.com)

Hippophae Rhamnoides Water (70%), Ascorbic Acid (21.5%), Sodium Lactate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol

Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum – ingredients list and instructions

The short ingredient list was appealing and is what captured my attention. A past Vitamin C serum I had used also sold by Wishtrend, the TIAM My Signature C-Source, had a much larger ingredient list which freaked out my skin and gave me cystic acne 😮

Claims

The product seems to have undergone a reformulation though I can’t compare it to the original since I never used it.

With an upgraded formula with more of the effects but less the ingredients,
the Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum has been transformed to have even greater hydration and absorption without the stickiness. It conditions and restores balance to replenish and retain moisture in the skin with the optimal 21.5% of pure vitamin C.

Packaging

The serum is housed in a dark glass bottle with a red label. You get 30 ml of product and a dropper as the applicator. It seems like this type of packaging is common amongst Vitamin C serums. I guess its more cost effective than using (innovative) packaging like Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Day Serum. With this type of packaging, its easy to let air into the product, and since ascorbic acid is naturally unstable and can easily oxidise, you need to make sure you keep this serum in the fridge (instructed on the box) and seal it up as soon as you’re done.

How to use

Since I keep the serum in my fridge I need to remember to walk over there and grab it. This was a pain and something I never got used to doing. I have a full time job and not a lot of time to get ready in the morning (because I prefer to sleep) so having to go grab it was always a nuisance.

There are some in instructions in English on the back on how to use but this is how I use it. After cleansing and drying my face, I would dispense two or three drops into the palm of my hand. I would then frantically close the bottle to prevent air from entering the bottle. Then using my index finger, I would start to spot treat areas where I have pigmentation spots caused either from the sun or acne.

Once I’ve spot treated the affected areas, I would rub my palms together and pat the leftover product onto the rest of my face. This stuff absorbs fast so you need to work quickly. I would then promptly return the serum and its box to the fridge in fear of oxidation. I would then continue with the rest of my routine. There is an area of debate whether niacinamide and vitamin c would lose efficacy if used in the same routine, so I just tend to not use essence (mine contains niacinamide) in the mornings when I’m using vitamin c, just as a precautionary.

~~Something to note which is quite important is that ascorbic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Especially in such a large dose as this one.~~ If you are using this during the day, you HAVE to wear sunscreen. Its a non negotiable. This is also the case when using any type of acid which chemically exfoliates the skin. Update: Acids increases sensitivity because you are basically shedding skin. Vitamin C actually boosts the effectiveness of your sunscreen so it’s still important to wear it.

Consistency

Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum - ingredients list and instructions — Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum – watery consistency

It is runny with no viscosity which I see as good and bad. Good because it’s easily absorbable and bad because it can get tricky with application (the whole trying to screw the cap back with one hand thing). The good outweighs the bad in this case. True to the claims, it does not leave any sticky residue.

In its freshest form and by keeping in the fridge, the colour should remain clear. If this changes to anything else, it means the serum has oxidised and is no longer effective. As mentioned, I had mine for 4 months and it still maintained its translucency.

Scent

Smells very slightly of chemicals which dissipates on contact with the skin.

The TIAM My Signature C-Source, smelt like oranges which I didn’t mind either, the product just didn’t work for me. I’ve also used the Klairs Freshly Juiced, and while the name sounds like something that would smell pleasant, it smelt like iron which was unpleasant. The Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum also smelt like this (why?!).

Final thoughts

Rating: 3/5 (it's ok but will not repurchase)

I was afraid that this serum would break me out like the Tiam one did but luckily it didn’t. It also didn’t cause any irritation.

In terms of effectiveness, I didn’t see any significant changes over the 4 months I used it. I applied it every other morning because it had such a high percentage of ascorbic acid. I liked its elegant consistency because it felt like nothing once applied and also appreciated that it had little to no scent. Perhaps my overall skin did appear brighter but I needed more than that, especially at 21.5%. With humectants such as sodium hyaluronate and panthenol within the ingredients list I would’ve expected to also feel some hydration but I didn’t.

Not seeing any significant lightening of my spots wasn’t the main issue I had with it, and its probably not all this serum’s fault. As I mentioned, using vitamin c during the day can cause sensitivity to the sun. I ALWAYS wear sunscreen but I felt like with such a high dose of ascorbic acid, one application of sunscreen in the morning just wasn’t enough. I work in an office and only pop out a couple of times before the sun goes down. I know these are lame reasons but I just don’t reapply sunscreen. I felt like I was getting more sensitive to the sun (we are closer to the ozone hole here in oz) and I’m pretty certain that this vitamin c serum is what was causing it. I saw a couple more sun spots appear and my PIE and PIH just weren’t getting any lighter even though I adequately slather sunscreen on my face. Don’t get me wrong, when I do get regular sun exposure I do reapply, but on work days when I have a face full of makeup, I just don’t.

I guess I could still use it at night but I already have serums which like to use and have proven to be more effective (for different purposes). I have also read that using vitamin c serums during the day can also have other benefits like helping fight free radicals and protection against environmental pollutants.

I think that this has been my final experiment with vitamin c serums for awhile. The fact that it’s also so (so!) high maintenance deters me from using it. Keeping it in the fridge and limiting its exposure to air is a pain because I’m simply lazy. They usually have a life span of 3 months (less if you don’t refrigerate) anyway so having to repurchase would also get expensive and annoying. Again if I did see results I could possibly continue to overlook the inconveniences and repurchase but the cons really outweighed the pros.

I’m perfectly ok to use skincare where ascorbic acid (or its derivates) isn’t the main ingredient like in moisturisers and serums/ampoules so I’m not dissing it completely. I’ve just concluded that my skin is too sensitive for it when it’s in its purest form which is sad 😦

Have you tried any vitamin c serums and how did they work out for you? Would love to hear about your experiences in the comments 🙂

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 🙂

[Review] Essence Wonder by Simplistic Skin Care

May 6, 2018May 6, 2018 Kim1 Comment

I have been using this essence for about 6 months now and since I’m fast approaching its end, its probably a good opportunity to share my thoughts on it.

This is the first product I’ve tried from Simplistic Skin Care. I was browsing around lilacandberries.com, a k-beauty online store based in Sydney. I couldn’t find much information about Simplistic but from what I can gather from the website, they are a company which focusses on using natural ingredients (vegan) and without harmful substances in their products. They only make products which they feel can be used in the daily lives of people, so no gimmicky products here.

Please keep on reading if you are interested in hearing more about this essence.

Cost

$49 AUD, purchased from liliacandberries.com

Ingredients (from lilacandberries.com)

Amaranthus Hypochondriacus Seed Extract, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glutathione, Pinus Radiata Bark Extract, Beta-Glucan, Allantoin, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Polyglutamic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Soy Isoflavones, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA

Claims

This essence claims to:

– speeds up wound healing, soothes and calms skin
– locking in natural moisture and helps repair your moisture barrier\
– helps to moisturize and exfoliate old skin cells by penetrating to the deepest layers of your skin
– maintains your skin’s water balance which makes your skin appear healthy, moist, radiant and supple.
– evens out your skin’s texture
– soothes and anti inflammations
– improves skin’s elasticity
– reduces pigmentation and scars
– promotes collagen for a more radiant and flawless complexion
– soothes and calms your skin’s redness

Packaging

This is what attracted me to the product. The flask like yet medicinal look of it with the wooden cap was unique. Normally essences are commonly housed in cylindrical shaped glass bottles. I thought this would be frosted glass but its actually sturdy plastic. The cap is faux wood and gives it a natural effect. The label is minimal and modern, reflecting what the company stands for. I’m actually glad it’s plastic because it can be knocked about in a suitcase. I took it with me on holidays over Christmas and it was fuss free.

How to use

On the back there are three illustrated steps in korean which I can’t understand. However, the illustrations are pretty self explanatory and if you are an experienced essence user, then it’s the same principles.

I always use it the same way as I would use any essence. I would pour two or three drops into my palm, rub my hands together and gently pat my face for absorption. Sometimes I would follow with another layer but generally it would only be one because I have a few more steps to do in my routine. You could use a cotton pad if you were in a hurry but I wouldn’t recommend it since you waste some of the product.

Consistency

Its consistency is runny. It has an intended amber tinge to it which doesn’t translate once applied. Because it’s so runny I would recommend only using a few drops (2-3) at a time and layering if you want to add more.

Scent

Zero fragrance so great for sensitive skin.

Final thoughts

Rating: 3/5 (it's ok but will not repurchase)

As mentioned at the start of this post, I’m almost at the end of the bottle and I’m not sad about it. Which is a bit of shame since there are some really nice ingredients in this product.

I like the packaging and the fact that it’s fragrance free and didn’t break me out. However I didn’t really see much of an effect on my skin over time. 6 months is fair amount of time to test something too and I did use this twice a day consistently. The claims seem quite extensive which is what sparked my curiosity in the first place. If anything, I did feel that my face felt and looked slightly more hydrated but that’s about it. I didn’t see any real brightening of dark spots or my skin texture being more even etc.

The first essence I used is the cult favourite Missha FTE (intensive moist) and with that one I could see immediate brightening and skin evening results. If I were to choose which one to repurchase, it would be the Missha one. They are also similarly priced and are both 150ml.

Have you tried anything from this line? Let me know what you think 🙂 Also if you have any essence recommendations for me, please let me know in the comments.

Mecca Beauty Loop Box – Level 3 – April 2018

April 28, 2018April 28, 2018 KimLeave a comment

If you live outside of Australia or New Zealand, you may not know about Mecca. Mecca is a beauty store based in various locations around Australia and New Zealand. I would best describe them to be equivalent to Sephora. As well as selling their own house brands, Mecca Max and Mecca Cosmetica, the range of brands (both makeup and skincare) housed within Mecca is HUGE. High end brands like Urban Decay, Hourglass, Too Faced, Tatcha, Nars, Smashbox, just to name a few. There are more Mecca stores around Sydney compared to Sephora. It’s always easy to get good service at Mecca too which is a key differentiator, not only compared to Sephora, but to other brand counters in department stores like Myer and David Jones. Sometimes you are really hard pressed to get any service at all which is a bit of a letdown 😦

Anyway, Mecca has a loyalty program called the Beauty Loop and depending on how much you spend a year, you are placed in a particular level. It’s free to join and points are earned with every purchase. Along with a great host of other member benefits (free makeovers, sneak peak with brand new releases etc), the main treat I look forward to the most, is the release of Mecca Beauty Loop boxes each quarter.

This box is complimentary and is available for a short window. I picked mine up yesterday (Friday) after getting the email on Thursday. Since I’m a Level 3 member, this quarters box contains four items and the curation theme is “a luminous complexion”. Very excited to share the contents of this box with you. Something to note is that all the items in this box are in travel sizes.

This isn’t going to be a review on each product since I just got them. I will just be showing you what is in the L3 beauty loop box in this quarter. Also, this post is not sponsored whatsoever.

Products in the box

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (7.5ml)

Description: (from mecca.com.au)

Clarify and polish skin to reveal a glowing, fresh-from-the-Clinic complexion. Microbeads and Fruit Enzymes are intended to clean pores, while salicylic acid is formulated to balance hydration, without over-drying.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Fusion – (7.5 ml)

Description: (from mecca.com.au)

The first of its kind, SkinLongevity combines the weightlessness and absorption of an essence with the efficacy and potency of a serum for the ultimate hybrid formulation. Fine lines and wrinkles are softened, moisture is restored and skin is adorned with a youthful radiance.

Bare Minerals Skinlongevity Vital Power Fusion
Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick – Champagne Flash (1.4g)

Description: (from mecca.com.au)

Create an instant flash of glow with these cream highlighter sticks in a smooth, weightless texture designed to give you an instant seamless highlight.

Hourglass Vanish Flash Highlighting Stick – Champagne Flash
Urban Decay HI-FI Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss – Naked (1.0ml)

Description: (from mecca.com.au)

Prepare your pout for high shine without the sticky finish. These ultra-shiny plumping glosses glide over the lips with precise ease, delivering long-lasting, bold shine.

Urban Decay HI-FI Shine Ultra Cushion Lipgloss – Naked

If you are eligible for a beauty box this quarter, I would encourage you to get to your nearest Mecca asap before they run out!!! These boxes are such a great way to try different beauty products without breaking the bank 🙂 Well technically I have already broken the bank in order to be eligible but meh, details

I’ll be reviewing the products once I’ve used them for awhile so stay tuned!

[Review] COSRX Pimple Patches: What’s the difference between their Acne Pimple Master Patch and Clear Fit Master Patch?

April 15, 2018 Kim3 Comments

COSRX are a k-beauty company who are well known for their broad range of skin care products which contain simple yet effective ingredients. Their ingredients lists are generally short and sweet too. Their products target practically every skin type and the type that these patches fall into are acne prone skin.

I’ve used a few products from their line but nothing has impressed me the way these patches have. I have spoken briefly about them previously in my empties post but I will go into a bit more detail in this one. I will also be comparing both patches and letting you know what the differences are.

What are they?

It’s a circular sticker 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. It’s a one time use product for each patch and its pretty gross when you peel it away, but pretty cool. It in no way performs miracles so depending on how big or angry the pimple is, it might take more than one patch to really settle it down.

How to use?

You open the main packaging and gently peel away one of the stickers from its sealed pack. You then carefully apply it to the pimple. Make sure that the head of the pimple is centre to the middle of the sticker. This ensures a good stick and won’t peel itself away.

An important thing to note is that the patch should be applied to a dry surface area. I try to avoid applying any skin care to the wound because if you apply something emollient (like a sticky serum or moisturiser) over it, it will not stick down properly. Once applied, try not to fiddle with it because you’ll disturb its grip.

As mentioned, I usually apply it before bed and remove it in the morning. Remove it carefully and dispose of the patch into the bin.

The differences

Ok so this is what you came here for so here it is.
Differences are in red.

Clear Fit Master Patch

Price: $6.50 AUD (from eBay)
Amount: 18 Patches (10mm x 18ea)
Claims (from the packaging):
1. Natural and invisible cover
2. Absorbs impurities
3. During the daytime
Effectiveness: Settles and flattens active pimples and draws grossness out
Ingredients: (from packet:) Cellulose Gum, Styrene Isoprene Styrene Block Copolymer, Polyisobutylene, Petroleum Resin, Polyurethane Film, Liquid Paraffin, Tetrakis Methane.

Acne Pimple Master Patch

Price: $5.70 AUD (from eBay)
Amount: 24 patches (7mm x 10ea + 10mm x 5ea + 12mm x 9ea)
Claims (from the packaging):
1. Acts as protective cover
2. Non Drying
3. Absorbs impurities and oil
Effectiveness: Settles and flattens active pimples and draws grossness out
Ingredients: (from packet:) Cellulose Gum, Styrene Isoprene Styrene Block Copolymer, Polyisobutylene, Petroleum Resin, Polyurethane Film, Liquid Paraffin, Tetrakis Methane.

Final thoughts

The main difference are aesthetics, amount per pack and usability.

The Clear Fit Patch is transparent, making it less obvious for use during the day though I personally don’t if I need to leave the house. It also contains 6 less patches than the Acne Pimple Patch and only comes in one size. Slight advantage in usability where the backing is split so its easier to peel back to retrieve a patch.

The Acne Pimple Patch isn’t transparent, it has a slight yellow tinge to it. It contains 24 patches of various sizes. This could be a pro or con depending on who you ask but for me, its a pro. I don’t always get the same sized pimple (lucky me, boo), so its good to have options. The solid backing can be tricky to not stuff up but as long as you’re careful with it, it should be fine.

Which one would I repurchase I hear you ask? It would be the red one, Acne Pimple Master Patch. And have already repurchased, many times over! You get more for your money and effectiveness is equal since the ingredients are exactly the same. I don’t wear these out in public anyway so having a clear one would be of no advantage to me. You can generally buy these in bulk which equals to around $4.70 AUD per pack. Yesstyle and Jolse usually have sales on them so keep an eye out for those deals.

Have you tried any of these patches yet? If not, I hope this has helped you in your decision making 😀