[Review] dear, Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 Kim1 Comment

Klairs is a popular korean beauty line who are known for having effective products containing simple and natural ingredients at an affordable price point. Their slogan “Simple But Enough” is evident in their product line. Their products are cruelty free, colorant free, alcohol free, paraben free and artificial fragrances/fragrance free. A fairly young company, since 2009, was acquired by Wish Company in 2012. Wish’s CEO Ryan Soungho Park, has sensitive skin and after trying out their products, that pretty much sealed the deal. Their philosophy of bringing skin care back to basics really resonated with him. He personally curates the products and also owns Wishtrend, where you can find the whole line of Klairs. The story behind Park and the acquisition is quite interesting, if you’re interested to read more about it, you can find some info here.

Now for the actual product review! I’ve been using this cleanser for around three months and it’s nearly becoming an empty. Which is why I thought it was about time to share my thoughts on it.

Cost:

$28 AUD for 150ml, from cyhouse.com.au.

Ingredients:

from www.klairscosmetics.com

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate , Isopropyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil , Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate , PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate , Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil

The inclusion of “Black” in its name is from the presence of black soybean, blackberry and black sesame ingredients in the oil.

Claims:

from www.klairscosmetics.com

The Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is composed of various vegetable oils helpful for skin care. It’s easily washable texture allows mild yet effective cleansing of dirt and makeup without causing irritation and is the best cleanser to maintain the skin’s moisture even after cleansing.

The Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is formulated with natural oils extracted from black bean to control sebum production and soothe skin. Black sesame oil provides antioxidants and black currant seed oil provides minerals and vitamins. It’s the best hypo-allergenic formula for sensitive skin

Packaging:

It is a plastic bottle with a pump nozzle which is my favourite type of packaging. It’s simple yet elegant, looks more expensive than it actually is.

Consistency:

It is clear and watery. It is also quite runny so once you pump out some product, I use about two or three pumps, you need to act fast with the application, which I will get into a bit later.

dear, Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

Scent:

Fragrance is present in the ingredients list which is puzzling since Klairs prides themselves on not adding artificial fragrance to their products. There is a light scent which smells natural to me, kinda hard to describe. It’s barely detectable to be honest.

How to use:

I use this cleansing oil as my first step cleanser in the evening or whenever I need to remove a full face of makeup. The steps are the same as any old oil cleanser or balm but if you are new to the double cleanse method, please keep on reading.

As mentioned earlier, I dispense 2-3 pumps into the palm of my hand and apply to my dry face. The texture is so smooth and slippery that you can easily spread it around. I usually massage it around my face for around 10 seconds. You will see the makeup dissolving which is pretty cool. I then hop into the shower where I slowly emulsify it by adding water bit by bit to my hands and using circular motions to massage it around once again. It will begin to turn milky. I do this for another ten or so seconds then I wash it off with warm water.

I usually follow with either my foam or gel cleanser as my second cleanse.

Final thoughts

Rating: 5/5 (loved it!)

Besides this cleansing oil, the only other product that I’ve tried from Klairs was their Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum. I thought it was just ok but memorable since it was my first taste into topical vitamin c.

What differentiates this cleansing oil to other balms and oils I have tried is how easy it is to use. It is super quick to dispense the product and the application is seamless. The oil isn’t greasy or oily at all (despite being an oil) and doesn’t leave a film on my face once I wash it off. The claims around “washable texture” is definitely true here. My skin feels fresh and smooth and most importantly, clean without feeling stripped. Because I usually follow with a second cleanser anyway, I guess it shouldn’t matter but it just makes cleansing a nicer experience 🙂 It also, most importantly, removes makeup extremely well.

Even though Shu Uemura’s oil cleanser, Skin Purifier (which I have tried), is hugely popular, I think this oil really compares to it in terms of effectiveness. In the price department however, Klairs wins hands down. It’s half the price.

I’m a bit over it (and lazy) to use cleansing balms now because you have to open the lid and either need to use a spatula or dig your nails into the balm to get the product. Yes I know it’s better for travel but I would much prefer being convenient at home. You can always transfer some into a smaller travel friendly bottle so its a non issue for me.

So yes, I love it and would definitely repurchase!

Have you tried or interested in trying this cleansing oil? What are your thoughts on it? Let me know 🙂

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.

[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] Shu uemura Skin Purifier – nutri:nectar gentle cleansing oil in emulsion

December 2, 2017December 2, 2017 Kim4 Comments

Shu uemura are a Japanese beauty line well known for their cleansing oils so I was excited to try this one. This product is a celebration of their 50th Anniversary of making cleansing oils so not sure if this is limited edition or not.

Since getting into k-beauty, I am a total advocate of the double cleanse method. I do it every night to take off my makeup + cleanse. I’ve used a few cleansing oils, some good and and some not so great. Keep reading to find out which category this nutri:nectar falls into.

Cost

$58 AUD for 150ml

My husband gifted it to me on my birthday in September. He purchased it from shu uemura concept store in QVB Sydney

Ingredients

The shu uemura website states that it contains Essential oils, Acai, Magnolia and Reishi Mushroom. No ingredients list found on their site.

The list below I painstakingly typed from the packaging: Please reference my site if you use this.

It is non-comedogenic and has been opthalmologically and dermatologically tested.

Claims (from their website)

This extravagantly nourishing fusion is carefully composed to reboot skin barrier function while resisting the environmental stress. This cleansing oil in emulsion created with the power of nature help even dry delicate skin feels conditioned & strengthened.

Packaging

Like their other cleansing oils, the bottle is plastic and has a good pump. It is housed in a sturdy, slim and pretty pink bottle, though the product is semi-transparent.

Consistency

Its consistency is thicker than any liquid oil cleanser I have used. It is semi transparent in colour and looks a bit like gel. Because its an emulsion, it doesn’t run down my palm when I pump it out.

Emulsions can be described as a lightweight moisturiser/lotion which 
koreans apply before their more heavier moisturiser for dry skin 
types or used alone for oilier skin types.

Anyway, so the texture is alike and I quite liked that because there is no wasted product and its relatively mess free.

Scent

Their website describes the scent to be healing and comforting, as if taking a deep breath in the forest.

I would agree that it is comforting but not as refreshing as taking a deep breath in the forest as such. It is a complex smell, smells a bit florally (magnolia) but also with a hint of maybe lavender or derived from the mix of essential oils. Its not an obnoxious smell, I find it be quite pleasant and soothing.

How to use

I would usually use this at night as my first cleanse to remove my makeup. The instructions on the bottle say to pump 3-4 pumps into dry hands, then apply it in circular motions to a dry face. I only need 2 pumps, 3-4 is a bit excessive, especially for such a pricey product.

I would then massage it into my face, gently rubbing it in using circular motions as instructed. If you have used any liquid cleansing oils, the application method is the same. 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. I would continue to massage for about 5-10 more seconds then I would rinse my whole face in the shower. My skin would feel soft, moisturised and smooth afterwards, no sticky residue at all.

To finish off the double cleanse, I would follow with a foaming cleanser. Loving the su:m37 Rose Cleansing Stick at the moment.

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

I’ve only used about a quarter of the bottle (been using other oils as well in fear of this running out too soon!) and I already know that I really like it. The mess free application is great and you don’t need a lot of the product.

As mentioned earlier, it makes my face feel hydrated and soft afterwards without leaving any residue. I could probably do without a second cleanse when I use this but I always follow with a second cleanser anyway. I enjoy the fragrance, but if you don’t like fragrance in skincare you might not like this one.

I docked one star off due to its price. $58 is a bit too much for something that is just basically a makeup remover. I have used cleansing oils and balms at maybe half that price point which do the job just as well. I know that the shu uemura website (us) has regular sales which is great for people in the US. For us Aussies, shu uemura products are hardly ever on sale unless Sephora (the range is limited) or David Jones are having sales.

If you like the brand and you’re interested in trying out this cleansing oil in emulsion, I would highly recommend you to do so. It is also sold in a larger bottle (450ml) but if you are just curious I would recommend buying this size first.

Happy cleansing!

[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.

Pores – can you really minimise them with skincare?

September 24, 2017October 9, 2017 KimLeave a comment

Pores has been a skin concern for me for a long time. I had teenage acne which enlarged the pores around my nose. I’ve been more concerned about them of late probably because they look a bit saggy (this occurs with age unfortunately) and are a bit more obvious.

Rather that opting to minimise/blur them using makeup which is what I do anyway, I wanted to see if I could use skin care to minimise them. I’ve tried a few skincare products claiming to be “pore reducing”, “pore minimising”, “pore diminishing” etc. I’m sure those of you out there experiencing the same problem has heard all the claims as well so I won’t get into that. I used these products for at least a month to give them a fair chance.

Disclaimer – I know that pores cannot be erased once they sprout, I don’t live in a fantasy world. I know its a lifetime thing which you just need to accept. But it doesn’t stop me from seeking products to minimise them nonetheless.

Feel free to jump directly to a specific product using the links below:

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum
Skinmiso Pore Corset Serum
Caolion Pore Original Pack
Final word

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum

The claims (from clinique.com.au):

Lightweight, oil-free serum clears out pore-clogging debris and oil. In 2 weeks, you’re looking at 58% smaller pores. You’ll see a tighter, smoother look-guaranteed.

Some of the reviewers on the clinique site said that they saw improvement within a week which is what sparked my curiosity. I bought this when I was very new to skin care and taking note of ingredients was not something I initially did.

Even on the first application, I knew I didn’t like it. It felt globby and thick and didn’t seem to absorb into my skin. It made the area look slightly oily and since I already have combo skin (oily t-zone), it was not a nice thing to see. I applied it in the evenings and each morning after I noticed the area being a bit inflamed and my pores were still as large as ever. My skin does get a bit sensitive but very rarely. It might be the Alcohol Denat which has a skin irritant level of 5 (from cosdna.com). The globbiness is from the Dimethicone and since its the first ingredient there must be lots of it. There’s actually two types of it in this product. I’m used to seeing pore minimising primers contain Dimethicone but when in a serum it doesn’t feel right. Also the “pore filling” primers, for the most part, actually does an ok job to minimise pores.

My verdict:

Rating:  1/5 (Hated it!)

This serum, did nada/nothing to improve the look of my pores. It just made my skin a bit inflamed.

Ever since this last experience, I have not purchased anything else from Clinique. The sales ladies are not skin experts but they wear lab coats as if they are. The lady who helped me at Myer pretty much just took my money since I already knew what I wanted, but also gave me zero advice. The cost of this product was $60 AUD, not worth it.

Skinmiso Pore Corset Serum

The claims (from wishtrend.com)

+ 20 minutes of thorough pore tightening therapy.
+ Optimal hydration balance to regulate sebum.
+ Perfect for people who have
enlarged pores or oily looking skin.

Just like the Clinique serum, this product also had rave reviews. I bought this from a reputable seller on Ebay for $32.55 AUD. I had high hopes.

The texture of this serum is watery but has a bit of viscosity. I applied a couple of drops to the base of my thumb first then used my finger to pat it into my pore areas. It absorbed fine into my skin and at times I would feel a tingly sensation. I guess this is the time when the pores get “tightened”. My skin sure felt a bit tight but I didn’t see any difference in the size of my pores. The sensation dissipates after a few minutes and my skin is left feeling kind of tight.

My verdict

Rating:  2/5 (Disliked it)

After using this for over a month, there were no visible signs of my pores being minimised. Since it does not irritate my skin, I will continue to use it a couple of times a week and will update if I see any differences. However, I am not holding my breath.

Caolion Pore Original Pack

The claims (from sephora.com.au):

The original formula contains glacial clay to draw out impurities and to tighten enlarged pores. It’s enriched with 100 percent Alaskan glacial water to maintain skin moisture, while menthol provides a cooling effect to soothe and calm troubled skin. The appearance of reduced pores makes skin look smoother and revitalized.

I read that clay masks can help clean out the pores which in turn will help reduce its size.

Since I was just starting to establish a skin care routine I thought I may was well give this a go since I had never used clay masks before. This was the first k-beauty product I have purchased so I remember it fondly. I got it from Sephora for $31 AUD.

The mask is thick and can be applied with either fingers or a beauty spatula. I started off using my fingers and it spread nicely considering its texture. There was an immediate cooling sensation which felt quite nice. Would be awesome especially in Summer.

I focused the application on the pore affected areas (around my nose) and spread it outwards to my cheeks and the rest of my face. I usually leave it on for 15 minutes, until its completely dry, then I rinse it off with warm water. My skin is left feeling clean and refreshed. I use the mask for at least once a week.

My verdict

Rating:  3/5 (Liked it)

I have almost used up the whole container (50g). A little goes a long way with this mask. I felt that even though my pores looked a bit smaller immediately after rinsing my face, this did not last. By the time I had finished my skin care routine, they looked their normal saggy size again. I have kept using it because I like how clean my face feels afterwards and it does feel like it is deep cleaning out crap from my skin. Once I’ve used it up, I will be looking to try other clay masks. The Neogen Canadian Clay Mask is hyped up so might try that next.

Final word

None of these products minimised my pores, only the clay mask did temporarily. There is no quick fix to pore minimising if any exists at all. I realise that many companies claim to do it (to rope you in) but after testing these products, I am a believer of just adopting a good skin care routine. I’ve only just started to incorporate aha/bha exfoliants into my k-beauty routine so might see how this has any affect on my pores. Will update if it does.

Has any of these products worked for you? Let me know in the comments 🙂