Skincare declutter – June 2019 – Drunk Elephant, J.One, Blithe, Thankyou Farmer, Sorocci + more!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 KimLeave a comment

When you buy a product you always hope that it works for you and your skin. So when it doesn’t, it is a little sad but at least you tried it out and gave it a good go. Some of these products were pretty hyped up so just like anything, I needed to try them out for myself.

If you enjoy any of the products that I’ll be talking about, that is truly awesome but unfortunately these did not work for me for reasons I will get into.

Blithe – Pressed Serum Tundra Chaga

This serum/moisturiser hybrid is full of tundra chaga mushroom extract which is known for hydration and providing nourishment. I’ve never tried skincare with any type of mushroom before so this intrigued me. It has a pudding texture and is brown in colour so it’s not the most pleasant texture to look at but I gave it a go anyway.

Ingredients

From sephora.com.au

* Chaga Mushroom Extract minimises the look of fine lines and the appearance of rough skin. * Fermented Olive Oil locks in hydration without heaviness. * Fermented Argan Oil softens and hydrates * Meadowfoam Seed Oil nurtures and energises skin. Inonotus Obliquus (Mushroom) Extract 60%, Water, Glycerin, Diglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Triethylhexanoin, Polyurethane-39, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Candida Bombicola/Glucose/Methyl Rapeseedate Ferment, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Alteromonas Ferment Extract, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Polyacrylate-13, C12-16 Alcohols, Caramel, Palmitic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Adenosine, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Methyldihydrojasmonate.

I thought this could be a 2 in one product to use in the morning since I’m always in a mad rush so anything to expedite getting ready is a god send. I used about half of this jar for a few months in fact and I just felt like it didn’t do much to my skin. I have combo skin so this didn’t work well enough as a moisturiser and I felt like it just acted like a heavier weight serum. My biggest gripe however is probably the thing that makes it unique. It’s texture is pudding like and you need a spatula to use the product and to effectively get a decent amount. It ended up being not worth the effort for such little reward.

Price

$67 AUD for 50ml from Sephora

Thank You Farmer – True Water Light Gel Cream

Ingredients

From iherb.com

Water, glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, niacinamide, betaine, squalane, pentylene glycol, piper methysticum leaf/root/stem extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, portulaca oleracea extract, pueraria thunbergiana root extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, paeonia lactiflora root extract, cnidium officinale root extract, ulmus davidiana root extract, amaranthus caudatus seed extract, soluble collagen, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium hyaluronate, hydrogenated lecithin, 1,2-hexanediol, trehalose, panthenol, polyacrylamide, butylene glycol, inositol, c13-14 isoparaffin, ethylhexylglycerin, disodium edta, laureth-7, xanthan gum, fragrance, ci 15985, ci 17200.

I like the texture of this moisturiser, it’s nice and light. It also has a pretty peach colour to it. It is easily absorbed into the skin and it gives it a dewy effect which I tend to go for in winter.

What I didn’t like about it was the fragrance. It was just way too perfumy for my liking. I don’t mind scents too much especially in makeup but in a moisturiser, something that is really close to my skin, nope no way. I know that fragrance is right down the bottom but it’s so strong that it could’ve been right up the top of the list. The scent is the fresh kind of perfume but not pleasant to me nonetheless. I’d also hate to think about the effects its having on my skin. I gave it to my husband to use and he actually broke out from it.

Price

$41 AUD from lilacandberries.com (don’t think their store exists anymore)

Drunk Elephant – Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream

Ingredients

From mecca.com

Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Laureth-23, Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil, Ferulic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Algae Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Ferment Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopherol, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Tetrahydro Curcuminoids, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Glycine, Sucrose, Maltodextrin, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60.

When everyone was gushing about this moisturiser, about how wonderful it was, I knew I had to try this cutely named product. Whipped cream? You would imagine that to be light and airy and fluffy.

But no, it’s texture isn’t that creamy, a little bit stiffer that the average cream moisturiser in fact. Gothamista was the only one who didn’t much care for it, said that the cream felt matte and drying and I would agree with her 100%. I bought this in a mini set, it came with something else at the time. My skin did not feel moisturised after application, which defeats the purpose of using it. I preferred to use my Marula oil from the brand for moisturisation (would highly recommend it!). There is also a slight scent which reminds me of dusty rooms which I don’t favour as well. Dry skinned influencers swore by this, opinions by which I’m now very skeptical about.

Price

This is a mini and came in a set with something else, it was from Mecca. Can’t remember the price.

J.One – Jelly Pack

Ingredients

from Sephora.com

Water, Polysorbate 80, PEG-150 Disterate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Rosemary Leaf Water, Chamomile Flower Water, Yeast/Fermented black tea extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Nuphar Luteum Flower Extract, Sea Daffodil Flower Extract, Glycerin, Adenosine, Hydrolyzed Hylauronic Acid, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose Distearate, Cyclopentasilxane, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, PEG-8, Hydroxyethylcelluclose, Potassium Sorbate Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, PVP, Fullerene, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Sodum Benzoate, Citric Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid.

This was probably the most hyped up skincare at the time when my interest in k-beauty started. It sounded like a miracle product, a morning mask, makeup primer, full of anti ageing antioxidants.

I was always confused as to what order I would apply this. Before or after sunscreen? If it’s a mask then surely it would be before but if its a primer then it would be after then? The ladies at Glow recipe confirmed that it should be applied before sunscreen. I’ve tried it both ways and I dislike both ways.

The application method is seemingly difficult too. You rub it into your face and then tap/pat to absorb. J.One has a video on how she applies it. I mean it doesn’t sound that hard but it takes a bit longer than your usual primer. The finish is incredibly tacky which would grip makeup very well but if your next layer is sunscreen, well, yeah I don’t know. Also if you try it the other way, with sunscreen first, I feel like its just a bit much and sometimes it makes my foundation pill. I don’t agree with it’s hydrating claims either, I feel like it makes my skin feel tight.

Price

$30 from ebay.com

Soroci – Rice Embryo Moisturising Acqua Cream

Ingredients

From Amazon.com

Purified Water, Betaine, Adenosine, Y-Oryzanol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Algae Extract, Apricot Kernel Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Elm Bark Extract, Propolis Extract, Fragrance

Rice bran is well known for brightening as well as licorice root. I’m a sucker for anything containing licorice which was why this appealed to me. It is light in texture, has good packaging but the fragrance was strong and the finish was too dewy for my liking. I felt like it made my t-zone extra oily which is the last thing I needed. Probably a better one for dry skin peeps who aren’t sensitive to fragrance.

Price

$21 AUD from stylestory.com

The Ordinary – Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%

Ingredients

from theordinary.com

Propanediol, Ascorbic Acid, Alpha-Arbutin

I haven’t had much luck with vitamin C, in particular Ascorbic acid, it just doesn’t tend to agree with my skin. Since I have some pigmentation which I’m always looking to fade, when I saw that this also had Alpha Arbutin, which is naturally derived from hydroquinone, I was interested.

I used this all over as well as targeted spots but it was a bit too oily and I felt like it made my skin uncomfortable. After continued use, I felt like it was causing small bumps to form on my skin. This may be considered purging but whatever is was, I couldn’t stand it.

Price

9.17 GBP from cultbeauty.com

Mecca Cosmetica – To save face superscreen SPF50

Ingredients

from mecca.com.au

7% W/W OCTOCRYLENE, 3% W/W OXYBENZONE, 2.5% W/W BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE, 2% W/W PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONIC ACID. PRESERVATIVES: PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL.

I found the texture of this to be too matte. It made my foundation or primer pill at times or made my skin look super dry and crusty. My chin is the biggest test (its bipolar oily and dry but mostly dry) and it looked horrid whenever I wore this sunscreen. Granted I didn’t pay for it since I received it as a deluxe sample. I had high hopes for this because Mecca is really accessible for me but instead of being elegant in texture like some of my favourite korean sunscreens, it was a flop.

Price

Received in a mecca beauty loop box but retails between $18 and $40 at Mecca Cosmetica

shu uemura – POREraser CC UV under base mousse

I bought this when I was still very new to beauty. The mousse spray can packaging is gimmicky and the product actually sucks. It’s supposed to fill in pores and be a flawless base for foundation. I thought it would be cool since it seemed to be a primer and sunscreen in one. I bought the beige one, it’s supposed to be good for discolouration and redness. The texture of this is fluffy being a mousse when you first dispense it, but on the skin, it’s hard to spread around. You have to use a fair bit to cover the face and it feels drying to me, as if all aspects of hydration has been sucked up. It does not fill in pores at all, it actually does nothing particularly good for my skin or makeup application.

Price

I think it was around $50 AUD from the shu uemura store.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for hanging in there and I hope you enjoyed my rants! In all seriousness, skincare is all about trial and error, it can’t all work out and finding out is part of the fun.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products, always happy to answer any questions you may have too.

Top 4 mascaras which I can always rely on!

November 25, 2018 Kim1 Comment

Mascara is one of those makeup items which I’ve constantly switched up and tested. They can be affordable enough to do so and with their shorter than usual life span, repurchasing or trying out a new one is typically a normal thing to do.

I’ve used my fair share of mascaras, from drug store to luxury and I can tell you that I have had more flops than good discoveries. When you wear makeup, you want it to last, you don’t want to keep checking your face just in case something has gone out of whack. I find that eyeliners and mascaras are the biggest culprits of disrupting your look and it’s a real hassle to have to keep on wiping smudges above or under your eyes or picking off flecks of mascara off your face. I adore pandas but I do not want my eyes to look like theirs!

For these reasons and more, I wanted to share four mascaras which are tried and tested and which I can always rely on, even through sweat, exercise and humidity. I also look for length, volume and lift (yes I want it all!) with mascaras so you will notice that some of these brushes have a similar shape. If you’re interested in hearing about which ones they are, please keep on reading!

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 🙂

Milk Makeup Kush Mascara

Price:

$11.44 USD from ebay* (4ml travel size). Milk makeup isn’t available for direct purchase in Australia but it’s sold in Sephora in the US and their website.

Claims:

It claims to nourish the lashes with the addition of cannabis oil and create a strong curl and intense volume with it’s heart shaped fibres.

Why I like it:

Doesn’t smudge
Doesn’t flake
Adds significant volume and curl
Lasts through moderate exercise and sweat

The brush is a bit large for my eye and the since the wand is shorter on this mini size, it requires a bit more care in application. Other than that, I really like it and would consider purchasing the full size if I had direct access to it. With the conversion and ebay, it would get pretty pricey. Something else to note is that the packaging is sleek but is also quite weighty.

ISEHAN – Kiss Me Heroine Make Volume & Curl Mascara – Super Waterproof

Price:

$14.66 AUD from yesstyle.com*

Claims:

from yesstyle.com

Waterproof mascara coats eyelashes thoroughly for a volumizing effect that truly mesmerizes. Curl lasts all day and without smudging.

Why I like it:

Doesn’t smudge
Doesn’t flake
Adds significant volume and curl + some lengthening
Totally bulletproof – Lasts through intense exercise and sweat
Waterproof

The cone shape of the brush makes it quick and easy to coat the lashes. It never clumps up, making it easy to apply a second coat. This is the most bulletproof mascara out of the four and is also the cheapest. I’ve tried the line’s Long & Curl Mascara (reviewed here), which I enjoyed for lengthening, but I think I like this one more because of the volume. Overall been very impressed with the brand’s mascaras. Even though it claims to be super waterproof, it still comes off with an oil cleanser with no dramas.

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash

Price:

$35 from Mac Cosmetics (Myer)

Claims:

from maccosmetics.com.au

Sweat- and humidity-resistant
Ophthalmologist tested
Safe for contact lens wearers
Safe for sensitive eyes
Features a lightweight formula
Lifting
Defining
Flake-proof and smudge-proof
Long-wearing, 16 hours
Features a carbon black formula

Why I like it:

Doesn’t smudge
Doesn’t flake
Separates and defines lashes, the effect is more natural but still makes an impact
Totally bulletproof – Lasts through intense exercise and sweat

The slim brush is just right for my short lashes, it coats every lash evenly quickly and easily. I wear contact lenses on a daily basis and true to its claims, it never irritates my eyes. It truly is a reliable mascara if I wanted a more natural but still “put together” look.

Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara

Price:

This was free in my Mecca Beauty Loop 3 box but the travel size can be purchased from Mecca Maxima and Mecca Cosmetica for $20 AUD or the full size for $42 AUD.

Claims:

from mecca.com.au

This unique and gentle formula delivers length, volume and sky-high lift for extreme lashes in an instant
The innovative 4DAmplifier™ brush features two sides: a dense bristled side to give volume, and a shorter bristled side to coat bottom lashes without smudging
The ultra black formula is smooth and buildable, delivering 400% more volume in 1 stroke

Why I like it:

Doesn’t smudge
Doesn’t flake
Adds volume, lifts and lengthens lashes. Nothing intense but the result is fluttery and defined lashes.
Bulletproof – Lasts through intense exercise and sweat

This is another fuss free mascara (I’m sounding like a broken record I know!) which I can quickly apply and know that it will last and not give me any issues. There was lots of hype when this launched so I was skeptical but proven wrong. The effect I would say is similar to the Mac Extended Play but a little more lifting. Spending $42 is a bit much for something you would throw out in 3-4 months so if you are looking to try it, I recommend buying the travel size first.

Have you tried any of these mascaras? What are your go-to’s when it comes to reliable/bulletproof mascaras? I’m always looking to try more 🙂

The tale of two mascaras: Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara & Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

May 26, 2018May 26, 2018 Kim2 Comments

This is the first product I have tried from either brand. Dejavu and Isehan Kiss Me are both Japanese brands. After hearing Gothamista rave about the Fiberwig mascara in a video last year, I knew I had to try it. I stumbled across the Heroine Make mascara while reading some blog posts. The brand has loads of different types of mascaras in their range, I bought a couple and this Long and Curl mascara was one of them.

I’m very particular about mascara and there certain things I look for whenever I try them out. For reference I have combo skin, oily t-zone with dry cheeks so I especially need for it to NOT smudge or migrate. I also have straight and short asian lashes which need a lot of help.

If you’re interested in my experience with both these products, please keep on reading.

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 🙂

Dejavu Fiberwig Ultra Long Mascara

Price:

$20.95 AUD from cosmeticsnow.com.au

Claims:

from cosmeticsnow.com.au

A newly improved intensely lengthening mascara.

Developed with Eyelash Film Technology that coats individual lashes in a smooth film.

Features a smudge-free clump-free formula that incredibly lengthens lashes.

Boasts an ultra-long brush that reaches at the roots of lashes for thorough application.

Extends lashes to a long natural & separated “false lash” finish.

Keeps any sebum & sweat away from lashes for a clean perfect result.

Can be easily removed by lukewarm water with no damage to lashes.

My criteria:

I got very excited when I read the claims. It promises a lot and who doesn’t want super long lashes without having to actually wear falsies (which I hate).

Below are qualities which I usually look for in mascara and how this mascara stacks up to them:

Smudge-proof – Yes
Lengthening – Yes
Volumising – No
Curling- No
Waterproof – Yes
Flaking – No

Would I recommend?

No, I wouldn’t recommend this mascara 😦 It was quite dry when I opened it which is uncommon for a brand new mascara. It had some wetness to it but not all that much. The brush was a bit large so it wasn’t the easiest to coat my little lashes. I didn’t see any significant lengthening, even after two coats. I always curl my lashes beforehand so while it did lift my lashes and did lengthen them a bit, it wasn’t enough for me. I know that it didn’t promise to provide any volume but that’s what I look for as well. I bought it in black and for some reason, it didn’t seem very pigmented.

Overall it was an ordinary mascara, nothing special about it. If you are looking for something that will give you subtle lengthening which is smudge-proof and waterproof, maybe you will like this.

Isehan Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

Price:

$14.40 from ebay.com *

Claims:

from yesstyle.com

Waterproof mascara coats eyelashes thoroughly for a volumizing effect that truly mesmerizes.

Curl lasts all day and does not smudge. Use lash curler before applying, and apply an extra coat for maximum effect.

My criteria:

The claims boast significant volumizing, curling as well as lasting all day. No mention of lengthening although it’s called “Long and Curl”. Below is how it fared against my requirements:

Smudge-proof – Yes
Lengthening – Yes
Volumising – Yes
Waterproof – Yes
Flaking – No

Would I recommend?

Yes I highly recommend this mascara 😀

The result is quite amazing. It does it all, provides volume, curl and really lengthens my lashes. Best of all, it last all day without smudging or flaking. I get a wide eyed look after just one application. It’s also easy to remove with an oil cleanser even though it claims to be super waterproof. It’s also affordable which is a great bonus. I bought it in black and the colour really translated onto my lashes which I really liked. I look forward to trying out the other one I bought, which was the Curl and Volume version.

If you’re looking for all these qualities in a mascara, I would recommend trying this out. Definitely one which I will be repurchasing in the future.

If you have any mascara recommendations, please let me know in the comments.

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] 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] Shu Uemura The Lightbulb Essence Foundation SPF 45 PA+++

October 2, 2017October 9, 2017 KimLeave a comment

Today I will be reviewing a foundation from Shu Uemura. It is the Lightbulb Essence foundation. Its also referred to as the “essential-oil-foundation”.
It’s a new release from the Japanese cosmetics line. This foundation launched in Australia in August 2017.

I’m a sucker for anything with the word “essence” in it and always on the look out for makeup which contains skin care benefits. The infusion of essential oils, lavender oil, geranium oil, ginger oil, camellia seed oil (my fave!) and rice nuka oil, drew me in. These oils both contribute to hydration as well as in creating a healthy (not greasy) glow.
Its supposed to be feel like skin care so its good for sensitive skin. It also contains SPF 45+++ which is also handy but I still layer sunscreen underneath it.

Cost

I bought this for $85 AUD at Shu Umera in QVB Sydney.

Colour

I bought shade #564 medium light sand. I was tossing between this and #764 medium light beige (their most popular shade I was told). Both shades look fairly similar on my skin, but opted for the #564 because the undertone leaned more neutral (only ever so slightly). For reference I am a NC30 in MAC and #23 or #25 (depending on the brand) in Korean foundation. My undertone is neutral.

Consistency

It’s very liquidity, has a watery consistency. If you let it sit on your hand long enough, it will run right down! It reminds me of Koh Gen Do’s Maifanshi Acqua foundation which I have in the shade #123 (half a shade too light for me).

Scent

It smells pleasant, like lavender aromatherapy and moisturiser. The smell isn’t offensive (to me) and dissipates on application.

Application

A con on this product is the dropper applicator. I guess since its supposed to mimic skincare that’s why they did it like this. It can get messy very quickly.

Shake the bottle a few times to mix the oil back into the foundation as it tends to float to the top. To disperse the product, you press on the button on the top. It has a pretty nifty seal, the button only pops up when you open the bottle, which is cool so you know when its completely shut properly.

I normally drop a couple of drops on the back of my hand and use a classic beauty blender, as well as reputable dupes, to apply it to my face. A little goes a long way because its watery. It spreads easily and since I don’t enjoy caking on makeup, one layer is enough. I have tried it with a buffing brush but felt like it just moved the product around. The sales assistant applied the littlest amount and pat it in with a dry disposable sponge. It looked good then too, hence why I bought it. But using a damp beauty blender is quicker and I prefer it. Oh and I also tried it with the Lightbulb sponge (mine did not come with it) and I hated the sponge because its so stiff even when dampened.

Coverage

Light coverage, buildable to medium.

Finish

It is in between satin and dewy, natural would be the best descriptor. I have combo/dehydrated skin with a slightly oily t-zone and it doesn’t look greasy on me. I agree with the claims that it does create a nice healthy glow. I wouldn’t recommend this to super oily skinned people because of its glowiness. For anyone who generally layers a facial oil during your morning skincare routine, you probably won’t need to do that when you wear this foundation. Unless you have super dry skin and really need to.

Wear time

I have worn this foundation on and off since I purchased it and I can safely say that it lasts all day (around 8 hours) if I powder. It doesn’t seem to set entirely and due to this I would recommend applying a light dusting of powder over it if you want it to last. I will test it out without powder and update this post. I also tested this in winter so will also report back on wear time in summer.

Final thoughts

Rating: 4/5 (really liked it)

Would definitely repurchase. Deducting one star because of the crappy dropper applicator.

It felt light and comfortable on my skin. It brightened up my complexion and gave it a healthy glow. It looked natural and would be ideal for those light makeup days which is generally the norm for me. The fact that it contains essential oils sped up my skincare routine in the morning which is always a plus!

The fact that you need to use so little of it also compensates (in my mind) for the luxury price tag.

Highly recommend that you try it in store as the colours are very similar and since its pretty pricey its probably a good idea to.

Have you tried this foundation? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!