Tag: beauty blogger
[Review] Laneige Lip Glowy Balm – how does it compare to the iconic lip sleeping mask?
When Laneige released these lip balms (within the last year or so), I was curious to see how they would compare with their cult favourite lip sleeping mask. In my opinion this was the product which got a lot of hype and made Laneige a household name worldwide. Launching their line in Sephora also helped. I really like the sleeping mask, everything about it, except for the pot packaging. So when I saw these balms released in tube form, I hoped that they would be just as good as they are convenient.
I picked up 3 of the 4 shades, #Grapefruit, #Pear and #Peach. I couldn’t get a hold of #Berry at the time.
Claims
from laneige.com
The perfect daytime partner in crime to the cult-favorite Lip Sleeping Mask, Glowy Lip Balm is pocket sized for easy, on-the-go application. The formula contains murumuru and shea butters that provide powerful hydration and lock in moisture longer.
Price
$15.95 AUD, 10g, from letsfaceit.net.au
Ingredients
See laneige.com for the ingredients for all 4 flavours. Included ingredients from their website for Peach.
Peach: HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, PHYTOSTERYL/ISOSTEARYL/CETYL/ STEARYL/BEHENYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, HYDROGENATED POLY(C6-14 OLEFIN), DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, POLYBUTENE, PHYTOSTERYL ISOSTEARYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX /CERA MICROCRISTALLINA / CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, SUCROSE TETRASTEARATE TRIACETATE, SYNTHETIC WAX, ETHYLENE/ PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER, MICA, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX / CANDELILLA CERA HYDROCARBONS / CIRE DE CANDELILLA, ASTROCARYUM MURUMURU SEEDBUTTER, BUTYLENE/ ETHYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER, CANDELILLA WAX ESTERS, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, DIMETHICONE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, METHICONE, COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX / COPERNICIA CERIFERA CERA / CIRE DE CARNAUBA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985), POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIISOSTEARATE, RED 6 (CI 15850), PRUNUS PERSICA (PEACH) KERNEL OIL, BHT
Without analysing all the ingredients in each one, which I won’t be doing, the hero ingredients do differ between the lip sleeping mask and the glowy lip balms.
From laneige.com:
Lip Glow Balm
Key Ingredient: Murumuru Butter, Shea Butter
Lip Sleeping Mask
Key Ingredient: Berry Mix Complex™
Comparison summary
Packaging
The packaging is a small and slim plastic squeezy tube, pretty common to other lip balms on the market. It’s easy to squeeze out your desired amount and you can use the applicator to also spread the balm on your lips. Hands free lip application is the most sanitary option, especially in these dark times, so I’m all for simple tubes because they do the job efficiently.
One of my pet peeves for lip products is having to use my fingers for application. I know that Laneige does provide this small spatula thing (which I already lost/threw away on day one) with the lip sleeping mask, but even if I did use that I would still need to keep it sanitised which requires unnecessary effort in my opinion.
Cost
The lip glowy balm only has 10g of product where the lip sleeping mask has 20g. Sephora sells the lip sleeping mask for $28 and the glowy balm for $23. So for an extra $5 you can get double the product of the lip glowy balm with the lip sleeping mask. I’ve used my jar for months (not consistently because of the packaging) and I haven’t made much a dent yet so I can vouch that it’s far better value. It will probably expire before I use it up. The cost of convenience however, is priceless. If I can get the glowy balms on sale (which I did), the difference isn’t that bad.
This is all in AUD by the way and cost varies depending on where you shop. This is more common for k-beauty since it’s sold through many different retailers. I would definitely recommend the Let’s face it online store (I’m not affiliated) if you are in Australia, their prices are competitive and shipping was super quick.
Performance
True to its claims, it does provide a lot of hydration and moisture to my lips, which are pretty dry but not cracked or anything. It makes my lips look very juicy with high shine, which I don’t mind since I’ve only been wearing it at home. It gives the same effect of the lip sleeping mask, glossy, non sticky lips.
In terms of its lasting power, I would say that it’s just as effective as the lip sleeping mask. You will need to reapply it after eating (depending on how heavy your meal was) but it does last if you’re just drinking and going about your day. I have applied it before bed as well and my lips have felt soft in the morning. The same result as using the lip sleeping mask. It’s marketed as use for daytime, but it also kept my lips moisturised throughout the night too. Either might not be enough if you have extremely dry or cracked lips, you might need to re apply during the night.
Shades
The tint is barely noticeable too so the difference colour wise across the different flavours is very minimal especially once on the lips. I would say they are pretty much transparent. Each flavour has its own scent of course, which is most detectable when freshly applied and isn’t offensive whatsoever. It doesn’t smell artificial which I appreciate. I’ve only used the Berry flavour of the lip sleeping mask so I don’t know if the other flavours have a stronger scent but the Berry one has a subtle yummy scent, as do these glowy balms. My favourite of the bunch being Peach. Grapefruit is a tad bitter which I don’t like as much but it’s also pretty subtle.
Final thoughts
Rating: 5 out of 5 (Love this, will always need it in my beauty arsenal!)
I really like these Lip Glowy Balms from Laneige. I enjoy its fuss free packaging and don’t mind paying a bit extra for this convenience. I would actually get use out of them for this reason which is worth it. I would say it’s incredibly similar to the lip sleeping mask in terms of how it feels and performs on my lips. Would definitely prefer these over the cult classic lip sleeping mask. If you don’t mind using a spatula or fingers, the latter is better value.
Have you tried these out yet? If you already own the lip sleeping mask, how do you think it compares? Would love to hear your thoughts.
[Review] Laneige Stained Glow Lip Balm #Rich Red
I went on a big trip to Japan and South Korea last Christmas and came back with wayy too much skincare and makeup (keep on eye for many more reviews from me!).
I was looking for things I hadn’t seen before and things I couldn’t get over here. I also got to see/buy the latest releases which was exciting. Living in Australia, we don’t always get the new stuff as soon as they release, more like weeks/months after.
One makeup item that is new that I will be reviewing today is a lip product from Laneige called the Stained Glow Lip Balm. What initially drew me to the range was it’s packaging which is similar to Diors’ Glow Color Reviver Balm which I already love so I’ll highlight the similarities between the two.
Cost
About $20 USD from a Laneige store in Myeongdong, Seoul (Dec 2019)
Ingredients
From laneige.com
* LANEIGE Stained Glow Lip Balm No.2 (Rich Red)
PHYTOSTERYL ISOSTEARYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2, PHYTOSTERYL/OCTYLDODECYL LAUROYL GLUTAMATE, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, DIISOPROPYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, BEESWAX / CERA ALBA / CIRE D’ABEILLE, OCTYLDODECANOL, POLYETHYLENE, OZOKERITE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX / CERA MICROCRISTALLINA / CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE, SQUALANE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 TRIISOSTEARATE, TRIBEHENIN, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, YELLOW 6 LAKE (CI 15985), SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, RED 22 LAKE (CI 45380), BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, ASTROCARYUM MURUMURU SEED BUTTER, RED 27 (CI 45410), LACTIC ACID, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), RED 7 (CI 15850), POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIISOSTEARATE, WATER / AQUA / EAU, PALMITOYL TRIPEPTIDE-1, TOCOPHEROL, POTASSIUM ALGINATE, GLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, BHT, ALCOHOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, LYCIUM CHINENSE FRUIT EXTRACT, RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, VACCINIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM (BLUEBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, COFFEA ARABICA (COFFEE) SEED EXTRACT, SAPINDUS MUKOROSSI FRUIT EXTRACT, VACCINIUM MACROCARPON (CRANBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, FRAGARIA CHILOENSIS (STRAWBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, RUBUS CHAMAEMORUS SEED EXTRACT, CHENOPODIUM QUINOA SEED EXTRACT, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, CALCIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, BETA-GLUCAN, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, MANGANESE SULFATE, ZINC SULFATE, DISODIUM EDTA, ASCORBYL GLUCOSIDE
There are three shades available and the ingredients vary due to its colours. It contains the same Berry Complex and Moisture wrap technology used in their popular and now cult favourite sleeping masks.
Claims
from laneige.com
Tinted lip balm offers hydrating moisture and fresh tinting color for lovely lips.
Shades
The stained lip balm comes in three beautiful shades.
I picked up only the shade No.2 Rich Red.
True to its name, since it is a balm, it is very sheer but contains enough pigment to brighten up the lips. I’ve never been able to get to that level of payoff in the picture due to its sheerness. Maybe if you wore a lip liner underneath or something. I love the subtle colour it leaves and being sheer, it’s also so easy to apply without a mirror.
Alike to Dior’s balm, it has its own smart tinting technology where the colour adapts to the ph of your lips, so the colour can look different on everyone which is pretty cool.
Scent
There is a light fruity scent but it’s very subtle and pleasant. I’m very sensitive to fragrance in makeup, but I enjoy this.
My final thoughts
Rating: 5 out of 5 (Love this, will always need it in my beauty arsenal!)
Firstly as you can already tell from my rating, love this product. As much as I like a full coverage matte/satin lipstick at the best of times, for my more casual days (like in self isolation at the moment) where I wear lighter makeup or none at all, I like to go for easier options. Which this balm definitely is.
Secondly it is much like Diors’ Glow Color Reviver Balm (such a mouthful!), heck even their names are similar. They are both easy to apply, provide a nice tint of colour using their own ph adapting tech and they both leave a nice shine to the lips which never feels sticky or uncomfortable. They both contain moisturising ingredients, providing lasting suppleness, juiciness and hydration to the lips. I hate it when I swipe on a lip balm and my lips get dry again just 10 mins later. As mentioned earlier, there is a subtle fruity scent to this lip stain where Diors’ balm has a light vanilla smell.
The price is probably the biggest difference, Dior’s balm is $52 AUD and the Laniege’s version is going for $37 AUD at Yesstyle.com at the moment. The shade range differs too actually, only 3 shades for this lip stain vs Diors’ which has 7 shades.
If you love Diors’ version, or if you tend to gravitate towards lip balms, I would definitely recommend giving this a try. I think it’s only released in Asia so far but it’s currently available from Yesstyle.com.
[Review] Laneige Moist Cream Cleanser
I’ve been really into cream cleansers of late and after having success with a couple of Laneige skincare products, I wanted to try more from the brand. I have to admit that the pretty pink packaging caught my eye in the first instance but it was its moisturising properties that sealed the deal.
If you’re interested in hearing about my experience in using this cleanser, please keep on reading.
Cost
$17.74 USD from jolse.com
Ingredients
From laneige.com
WATER / AQUA / EAU, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, MYRISTIC ACID, LAURYL HYDROXYSULTAINE, LAURIC ACID, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM CHLORIDE, STEARIC ACID, ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, FRAGRANCE / PARFUM, POLYQUATERNIUM-7, PEG-14M, DISODIUM EDTA, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, SODIUM BENZOATE, TOCOPHEROL, SILICA, BHT
Its hero ingredient Meadowfoam seed oil is the second ingredient and the second oil, Sunflower oil is towards the bottom of the list. Laniege claims that the cleanser contains 14.9% of plant derived oils.
Claims
from Laneige.com
The highly moisturizing cleansing foam containing plant-derived oil helps the skin absorb skincare products by filling the skin with skincare moisture starting from the cleansing step.
How to use
I use it as my second cleanser in the evening like I normally would any other foam or cream cleanser. I squeeze out a pea size amount on fingers and apply it onto my damp skin and spread it around, gently massaging around my face. I then rinse it off with warm water.
Texture
The texture is unique because it’s quite thick and solid for a cleanser but is still smooth and easy to spread around. Almost feels like a cream moisturiser with its rich consistency
Scent
This cleanser has added fragrance but the smell is subtle. It just smells clean and has a moisturiser type fragrance. I’m usually sensitive to added fragrance but this was fine.
My final thoughts
Rating: 3 out of 5 (it's ok but will not repurchase)
I had high hopes for this cleanser since it had a lot of claims to be very moisturising. The texture felt nice and it was different because it was quite rich, though can still easily form a lather. The good thing about this is that the tube is quite large and it’s filled to the brim with product. Because you only need a small amount, it will be able to last at least a couple of months with everyday use.
The downside is that my face felt tight after use. I would use it in the shower and by the time I reached my bedroom my face was feeling dry and a bit stripped. Not sure what the ph is on this but with all the oils I didn’t expect to feel this way. I’ve also tried using it in the morning but because it can form a substantial lather, its not always the cleanest thing to do at a sink. My face still felt dry and tight anyway which contradicts its claims.
I will keep using it until empty because it’s not bad and hasn’t had any negative effects on my skin but I wouldn’t buy it again. I’ve used way better second cleansers at a cheaper price point. Laniege is priced in and around the midrange bracket in k-beauty.
Let me know your thoughts if you have tried it.
[Review] Innisfree – Smart Drawing Blusher
I would consider myself a blush fanatic. Ok a blush and foundation fanatic. These are the two constants in my makeup routine and definite must haves for me. Since I’m currently riding the cream blush train and had been curious about Glossier’s Cloud Paints, I picked this blusher up from eBay. It is sold in 5 colours and I picked it up in shade #04 Dried Rose.
Claims
from yesstyle.com
Cream blush gives cheeks a vivid dash of color while hydrating skin
Lightly adheres to skin for vivid and rosy cheeks with a non-sticky satin finish
User-friendly brush applicator allows for foolproof and precise application
Price
$12.23 AUD from eBay (roseroseshop)*
Packaging
The packaging looks like a paint tube. I like its aesthetics and it reminds me of the packaging of the Glossier Cloud Paints. The colour on the outside represents the shade and the combination of coral and white feels similar to the cloud paint in Dusk.
The brush tip, although it can get unruly after squeezing the product out, makes applying easy. You’ll still need to use fingers or a brush to blend it into the skin.
Performance
This product once squeezed and applied to the cheeks, is easy to blend with a brush or fingers. It’s consistency is thick enough so it stays put after it is painted on. The issue I have with it is that it tends to blend away so I need a couple of layers for it to show up on my skin tone (NC30). Because it’s so subtle on me, it’s hard to judge it’s longevity because it doesn’t look like much in the first place.
Freshly swatched photo. Vibrancy fades once blended and has dried down.
The good news is, that even with the amount that I have to use, the finish isn’t sticky or tacky. I would agree with the claims of it drying down to a satin finish. This product also has an SPF 26 PA ++ which is quite rare for a blush. Since Koreans are generally very serious about sun protection (and we all should be), I’m not too surprised by this.
Final thoughts
I haven’t tried any of the Cloud Paints because we can’t get Glossier here in Australia but judging from reviews, they are quite pigmented and a little goes a long way. This Smart Drawing Blusher is the opposite, subtle and I need a lot for it to even show up.
This blusher does have the potential to be a nice product. I do like its formula and brush tip, but I think I’m too dark to be able to reap its benefits. When I wear blush, I actually want some colour to show, so this disappointed on that front.
If you have a fair to light skin tone, this might work for you. But if you’re any darker than that, I would give this a miss. There’s a red shade in #05 Shy Camellia Flower that could be more vibrant but I won’t be getting it.
Still lusting over the Cloud Paints so if you know of any dupes, please let me know!
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
me and my mirror 