I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect concealer for a long time. I’ve tried so many different types, from different finishes, different colours and tones to different coverages. I use concealer for two purposes, to cover under eye darkness and to conceal blemishes, especially PIH (Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation) left behind by acne, as well as sun spots.
I’m happy to use two different types to maximum effectiveness for each purpose. I fell hard for Bare Minerals Serum Concealer early on, for under eye brightening, would highly recommend. I also really needed a high coverage concealer to cover my dark acne scars. Many concealers have failed this requirement for me. Till now.
The Saem’s cover perfection tip concealer has over 1500 positive reviews on yesstyle.com and is generally always on sale. It is available in 5 shades, which is pretty good, especially for a Korean brand. It also has SPF28 PA++ which is also rare to see in concealers.
If you haven’t already guessed, I really like this concealer! Please keep on reading if you would like to know exactly what makes it the ONE for me 🙂
Product claims
from yesstyle.com
Cover spots and blemishes on skin with this Cover Perfection Tip Concealer. The lightweight formula adheres lightly but perfectly for a flawless look. Infused with oxygen complex and glacier water to keep skin moisturized, and reflective powder to give skin that natural, healthy glow. SPF 28 PA++ sun protection.
The Saem – Cover Perfection Tip Concealer
Cost
$6 for 6.5g (usually on sale so you can get it for less) from yesstyle.com *.
This list of ingredients represents all options or variants of this product. Actual ingredients in a given product option may vary from this list. Ingredients subject to change at manufacturer’s discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, please refer to product packaging.
Packaging
The concealer has a doe foot applicator which common with many liquid concealers in a tube. The doe foot makes it easy to apply but the wand gets messy very quickly. A lot of product comes out which oozes out after you close the cap so I need to wipe around it each time. I keep my concealers in a tray and it seems like a lot of the ones with this type of packaging has this leakage problem.
Doe foot applicator, you can see that the wand gets pretty messy.
Consistency
It isn’t runny and it isn’t thick, I would best describe it as creamy. Whether you apply it directly onto your face or on your hand, you won’t need to worry about making a mess.
I have two shades. Left is the Contour shade (matches my complexion) and on the right is #02 Rich Beige.
Scent
It smells a bit florally if you really sniff it but it’s not strong or bad at all.
How to use
I use the shade named #Contour Beige for spot concealment and #02 Rich Beige for brightening my under eyes. #Contour Beige, when blended in, matches my skintone (NC30-NC35) very well.
I used to dot the tip directly onto my blemishes. Then I either used my fingertip or a small flat brush to blend it in. I found this technique to look too heavy because I’ll end up using more product than I needed. So I kind of put this concealer aside and forgot about it.
Now, I have a technique which works way better. I apply a small amount onto to the back of my hand. Then using a small flat concealer brush, I take a bit of the concealer the tip of the brush and pat it onto the spot I need concealing. I gradually do this until I am satisfied with the coverage, then, still using the tip of the brush, I soften the edges around the blemish so it looks seamless.
This is the flat concealer brush that I use to spot conceal. Don’t know what brand it is but there’s a tonne of brushes which look like this out there.
For highlighting, I use #02 Rich Beige. I dot it using the wand underneath my eyes, a dot in the centre of my forehead just above my brows and on my cupids bow. I then use a damp blender sponge, I use the small ones from Real Techniques, and gently pat it in.
To ensure maximum wear I always set both methods with powder.
Coverage
I would classify this as a full coverage concealer. This concealer can be used with a light hand to highlight or a heavier hand to conceal. I have tried western brand concealers which claim to be full coverage and they barely cover any of my dark scars. I’ve even attempted colour correct then concealing with these and they all fell short. This, however, is hydrating and provides excellent coverage without any cakiness. This concealer is also long wearing and doesn’t seperate on the skin.
Final thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, holy grail status!)
There are so many pros to this concealer. It’s affordable, has SPF, hydrating, light, long wearing and best of all, it conceals extremely well. The only cons are how messy it gets with the wands and the fact that they need to have more shades so everyone can enjoy this incredible product!
Since this concealer serves both of my requirements very well, I won’t be repurchasing the Bare Minerals Serum Concealer. It costs $30AUD and while I like it, this Saem concealer can do the same job at a fraction of the cost. A little bit goes a long way so even though it may seem like you don’t get much, it does last if you use it sparingly (which is the most effective method for me anyway).
I can’t recommend this concealer enough. I can definitely see why this is such a popular product and would highly, highly recommend it!
Keen to try more products from this popular Korean brand. They source their natural ingredients from around the world. They have a tonne of makeup and skincare in their lines. If you have any recommendations, 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 🙂
Nature Republic is a k-beauty brand and they describe themselves as being a natural brand. This is evident in their line because they use a lot of natural ingredients in their products. I’ve tried a few skincare products from their Aloe Vera line and haven’t yet been disappointed.
I generally like to try a variety of products from a brand, especially if I have had good experiences with past products, so when I found this chamomile cleansing oil in it’s pretty yellow packaging, I picked it up right away.
Anthemis Nobius Flower Water is Chamomile and is halfway in the list after Safflower seed oil and one of my favourites, Jojoba seed oil, which is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.
Claims
from us.memebox.com
This refreshing cleansing oil gently removes makeup without leaving a sticky residue behind. Natural chamomile water protects sensitive skin from various harmful materials and stress while providing moisture to skin.
Packaging
It’s packaging is what got my attention. Nature republic’s packaging is generally aesthetically pleasing, green is commonly used. This cleanser is housed in a sturdy plastic bottle with a pump. I love how chamomile flowers are printed on the front, giving it a nice cute touch.
I like how it has a pump but I don’t like how it doesn’t perform so well. I feel like I need to use more pumps and elbow grease to dispense the oil, more on that later.
It has a light and natural floral scent, which I don’t mind but it’s definitely there. It doesn’t smell artificial at all and I find it quite soothing. Fragrance is the last ingredient in the list so it’s not too bad.
How to use
I would usually use this at night as my first cleanse to remove my makeup.
If you have used any liquid cleansing oils, the application method is the same.
The instructions on memebox say to dispense 2-3 pumps into dry hands but because the pump doesn’t seem to dispense properly, I end up using 4-5 pumps sometimes. It’s still quite a lot to to use so luckily the bottle is 200ml.
I would then massage it into my face, gently rubbing it in using circular motions as I normally would. Then I would jump into the shower and apply a small amount of water to my hands and continue to massage my face. Adding water emulsifies it and turns it slightly milky but does not foam. I would continue to massage for about 5 more seconds, focussing on the eyes, then I would rinse my whole face in the shower. My skin would feel soft and smooth afterwards, no sticky residue at all.
I always follow with a gel or foam cleanser. I’m using Drunk Elephant’s Beste Jelly Cleanser at the moment which I’m liking but not as much as the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (review here) .
Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil – when water is added, it turns into a milky consistency
Effectiveness
As a makeup remover and first cleanser, it does a good job. I’ve used other oil cleansers which have been more effective like the Shu uemura Skin Purifier (reviewed) and the Klairs Black Cleansing Oil (reviewed).
I wear Heroine Make mascara and Clio liquid eyeliner (some heavy duty stuff), both which are tough to remove in general. It leaves some residue on my eyes and I generally need to go in with a micellar water and cotton tip to remove the last dregs of it. It removes everything else really well, all the base makeup as well as lipstick, so no complaints there.
Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil vs Clio Kill Cover Liquid Liner.Nature Republic – Forest Garden Chamomile Cleansing Oil vs Clio Kill Cover Liquid Liner, removes most of it.
Final thoughts
Rating: 3/5 (liked it, will use it up)
I like this cleanser and I would repurchase if they fixed up their pump system. Not sure if I received a faulty one but it takes a few extra pumps to dispense the product so it seems like you would go through the bottle quicker. Having said that, I’ve been using this for around 2 months and I still have a quarter left, which isn’t bad. It’s also cheaper than other well known oils and balms so that’s also a plus.
Have you used this cleanser before? Do you have any recommendations for me to try out?
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
Face oils are a new discovery for me and I have Renee (Gothamista) to thank for my new found love with them. She loves applying oils in her routine and I can definitely resonate with her.
It’s been pretty cold here in Sydney since it’s winter so my skin has been drinking up basically anything I have been putting on my face.
I’ve decided that applying oils is my favourite step in my routine and it’s due to some fantastic discoveries which I will be sharing today. I normally apply it after my serum step and before a moisturiser, in the PM. If you’re interested in finding out what they are, please keep on reading.
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil
Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
This oil is one of Renee’s (Gothamista) favourites and I bought it pretty much because of her. I’m slowly trying out Drunk Elephant’s range and buying minis makes it more affordable since the line isn’t cheap. The Nightbright Duo (also includes T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum), which is still available, from mecca seemed like a good starting point.
Claims:
from drunkelephant.com
Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil, high in critical antioxidants tocopherol (vitamin E), tochotrienol, phenolic compounds and flavinoids, and rich in omegas 6 and 9, helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit, our Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form.
Ingredients:
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Why I love it:
Cold pressed is a technique where the oils are obtained by pressing fruit and seeds, which retains its nutrition and efficacy. I love the fact that it is cold pressed and how lovely and pure this oil is. It feels nourishing, moisturising and comforting, like a warm blanket to my face. It doesn’t literally make it feel warm or anything, it just feels pleasant. It does give me an overall glow and best of all it is the most fast absorbing of all the oils I will be talking about. For some reason I thought it might feel heavy and not absorb on my combo skin since it has “luxury” in its name, but it’s quite the opposite. It still takes a minute to absorb but leaves no residue. Light enough to use during the day for people with drier skin. There is no scent.
The packaging is in a pump since I have the mini size and I generally use two pumps into my palm, rub my both my palms together and press it into my face. I use this technique with all the oils, only the amount of oil used varies.
I’ve been using retinol and AHA serums (interchangeably) at night so applying this over the top and sometimes with no moisturiser, really agrees with my skin.
I purchased this in a Nightbright duo which also has the T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Night Serum for $40 AUD from mecca.com.au. Both are 8ml. I recently re-purchased this duo because I love both products so much and adore the practical pump packaging. The full size packaging has the standard pipet applicator.
The oil by itself is available in two sizes:
$58 AUD 15ml and $105 for 30ml from mecca.com.au and from the brand’s website drunkelephant.com.
Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum
I’m going to sound like a broken record but this is yet another oil which Renee recommended. Man this woman’s influence on me is sending me and I’m sure all of her subscribers, broke! As usual, as soon as she had mentioned it the second time, I was trying to find it online. Only ohlolly.com stocked it. Being in Australia, we’re disadvantaged in terms of accessibility of products which are only sold in the US.
Their official and only stockists, ohlolly.com has an absurd shipping fee which I refused to pay and this oil from Urang is already quite expensive. I scoured ebay and found a seller which also sold the mini sized versions so I pounced and here we are.
Claims:
from ohlolly.com
A masterfully blended, all natural face oil serum that brightens, heals and protects skin. Wonderfully lightweight and hydrating, Brightening Blue Oil Serum quickly absorbs into skin to energize and transform dull skin into a radiant complexion.
There are only four ingredients in this product, all of which claim to hydrate, even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyper pigmentation. The latter always catches my eye because I have PIH from pimples as well as sun spots, both of which I am forever trying to find magical serums for. I also love anything with green tea and it’s the first ingredient. Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E and alpha-bisabolol is from the bark of the candeia tree in Brazil. I’ve read that bisabolol is also an active derived from the German Chamomile.
Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum – slight tinge of blue and is runny.
I have used quite a bit of this product already and I do feel like it brightens my skin. My whole PM routine is about brightening anyway so it fitted right in. It’s also hard to tell if this has really helped because I use other brightening products too. My skin does feel plump and healthy after use and I simply enjoy using it which are enough reasons for me. It’s a very pretty oil, I love its beautiful blue colour which is naturally from the chamomilla recutita flower. There is a slight scent but it’s very soothing and light. There are no artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances in this oil which I appreciate. Also important to note is that when Korean products are advertised as “whitening” they mean brightening. There is no “tone-up” effect to this product, thankfully since I despise those kind of products. They’ve actually now renamed it to be “brightening” now probably to avoid any confusion.
Urang stands for (Ultimate Radiant + Natural Glow) and the creator Jina Lee is an holistic aromatherapist and wanted to create a brand which would have natural, organic products and for them to safe for the whole family, since she is a mother herself. I haven’t come across any Korean brands with this type of notion and it’s really great that Urang has. The brand is also vegan and cruelty free. Urang sounds like the Korean version of RMS Beauty! I am definitely keen to buy the full size version (the packaging is so beautiful!) and try other products in her line. If only they were more accessible internationally!!
Urang Whitening Blue Oil Serum – Rubbed in, is fast absorbing
Price:
I bough the travel size 15ml from ebay *, $28.12 USD.
Available from ohlolly.com:
$35 USD for 15ml and $59 USD for 30ml.
Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil
Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil
Claims:
from blossomjeju.com
This legendary, 100 percent pure Camellia Oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids to deeply hydrate and nourish skin.
Grown organically in Jeju island in Korea, the multitasking formula contains astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to create a youthful-looking complexion.
Ingredients:
Camellia Seed Oil
Why I love it:
I first tried the Camellia Soombi Essence Oil from this brand which I really loved. It was another one recommended by Renee. Since that oil is expensive I decided to try this version which is marketed as being a dry oil. I think it’s actually better than the Soombi because there is no fragrance and is also half the price. It is fast absorbing and can be used during the AM. I only use two drops if I layer makeup over the top. Otherwise at night, I can use three drops.
Camellia seed oil is known to be light but hydrating and full of antioxidants. All products in the Blossum Jeju line are sourced from Jeju island, which is also known as Korea’s “Hawaii”. It’s common for many k-beauty brands to source ingredients from this island. Definitely an island I would want to visit if I ever visited South Korea.
Blossom Jeju 100% Pure Camellia Dry Oil – also fast absorbing, I put a bit too much here but it leaves a slight dewy look.
Price:
$36 AUD, 20ml from ebay
Whamisa Organic Flowers Face Oil
Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil
When I was first discovering k-beauty, I read and watched lots of Glow Recipe articles and videos. Sarah and Christine really know their stuff and one of the major brands that they curate is Whamisa. They are well known for fermenting ingredients in their formulations so of course I had to try for myself. This product has fermented flower filtrates as well as a nice blend of oils. I bought a few products from ebay since Glow Recipe’s shipping is pricey to Australia. This oil is probably my favourite product that I have tried so far from the brand. Whamisa also now has an Aussie website so products are much easier to attain, yay! 🙂
I’ve seen this oil in different packaging too, a frosted clear bottle instead of the brown bottle which I have. Not sure which is newer but I’m fairly certain the products are the same.
Claims
from whamisa.co.uk
Organic argan and camellia seed oil star in this miracle blend of natural and organic oils which also includes olive fruit, jojoba seed, carrot seed, evening primrose and flower ferment filtrates. Improves skin’s immunity, elasticity and protects from environmental damage. Creates a natural barrier locking in nutrients and hydration.
This oil has significantly more ingredients than the other three oils. And because of this, the fragrance is also more apparent. It isn’t offensive or synthetic, it smells natural. It does disappear once you apply it to your skin so it doesn’t bother me. Companies adding artificial fragrances bother me. There’s a great mix of organic oils in the ingredients list, Argan and Camellia Seed both at the top, it’s a good way to get a cocktail of them in the one go.
This is probably the least absorbing of the four, on my skin anyway. I generally use this in the PM and only use one or two drops because it is a heavier formula. For my combo skin, I am at the risk of looking greasy if I use anymore than this. With the right amount, my skin feels moisturised and I don’t even need a moisturiser when I use this.
Whamisa Organic Flowers Facial Oil – rubbed in. Skin does look a bit shiny and takes a few minutes to absorb.
Have you tried any of these oils? If so let me know your thoughts 🙂 If you have any recommendations for me, I would love to hear about them 🙂
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 🙂
Cleansers are something that you will know pretty quickly whether it’s effective or not or even if you like it. It’s also a skincare product that can be used up fast so even if it’s just meh, you can still use it up and not buy it again.
I haven’t liked a cleanser enough to repurchase since I enjoy trying new stuff (and reviewing them). During the Sephora Black sale (equivalent to VIB) a couple of months ago, I bought the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser in a mini size (the checkout isle of temptation got me once again!) and I have thoughts so if you’re interested to hear whether this much hyped product is REALLY worth it, please keep on reading.
About Fresh
Fresh was founded by Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg in 1991 where they first opened a store in Boston. Their oval soap was their iconic product and this was wrapped in pretty paper and was popular as a gift. The creation of their Soy Skincare line, which included the Soy Face Cleanser, was their first foray into skin care in 1999. More about the company here.
Cost
$20 AUD, 50ml, purchased from Sephora.
Also sold in a 150ml size for $54 AUD.
DISCLAIMER: FRESH PRODUCT INGREDIENT LISTINGS ARE UPDATED PERIODICALLY. BEFORE USING A FRESH PRODUCT, PLEASE READ THE INGREDIENT LIST ON THE PACKAGING OF YOUR PRODUCT TO BE SURE THAT THE INGREDIENTS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE.
Soybean extract GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL is 7th on their ingredient list even though this is supposed to be the heart and hero ingredient of their soy line. There are a two more types of soy listed here as well, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) STEROLS and HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN. There are some really nice plant extracts and oils as well such as PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, ROSA DAMASCENA FLOWER OIL, MALVA SYLVESTRIS (MALLOW) FLOWER EXTRACT, ROSA DAMASCENA EXTRACT, just to name a few.
The disclaimer is a bit odd but good that they did include it especially if they do tend to change up their ingredients.
Claims
from fresh.com
Soy Face Cleanser for all skin types is an extra-gentle gel cleanser that instantly whisks away everyday impurities and makeup-even mascara-without stripping the skin of essential moisture. The multi-tasking formula also works to tone, soothe, and soften the skin for a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.
I would usually go into how to use, consistency and scent but I’ll roll it all up in my final thoughts below.
My final thoughts
Rating: 4 out of 5 (I really like it!)
I do really like this cleanser. It has some nice ingredients and is pleasant to use. I like its scent of cucumber. It makes my face feel soft and bouncy and its low ph of 5.5 is a big plus.
Fresh Soy Cleanser – Gel consistency
It’s important to note that I like to use this as a second cleanser, so after my first oil cleanser. I keep this in the shower so right after I’m done with my first cleanse, I hop into the shower and do my second cleanse with this product. After both steps I generally don’t see remnants of makeup on my face but it doesn’t feel squeaky clean either (which I actually prefer).
I would however argue its claims of being an effective makeup remover. If you wear really light makeup or just skincare, this might work as a first cleanser for you, but if you’re like me and wear a moderate (reasonable) amount (layers of skincare followed by sunscreen/primer/foundation/powder/bronzer/blush/mascara/mascara/eyeliner), this will not suffice to remove all of this.
I have tried to use this as a first cleanser, followed their instructions: from fresh.com
“Wet the skin, and massage over the face and eyes, then rinse.”
And when I used a tissue to pat my face dry like I usually do, low and behold I can see foundation on the tissue…. There is also traces of eyeliner and mascara (I don’t even use waterproof) left on my eyes. I’ve had to use a makeup wipe to remove the rest of it.
I would take that claim with a grain of salt and advise you to be wary of any residue it may leave behind. It has a gel consistency which doesn’t really foam so that MIGHT be why it can’t get everything off in the first instance.
Fresh Soy Cleanser – even when water is added, it doesn’t really change consistency, definitely doesn’t foam.
If this hadn’t been marketed to it being a makeup remover, then I guess you’d assume that it wasn’t and just use it as a second cleanser to clean the skin. But the fact that it does… I also find the price a bit steep, especially compared to some of my k-beauty favs. It also claims to work as a multi-tasker, to also “tone” the skin, but I always still follow up with my toner as per usual.
Aside from these factors, it was worth a try and in my opinion, worth the hype.
Let me know if you’ve tried this cleanser and what you thought of it.
I’ve always had a soft spot for blush. It is the one makeup product (in my opinion) that can turn you from looking half asleep and zombie-like to fresh, healthy and awake. Just a bit of colour on the cheeks can make a world of difference to how you look and feel.
I’ve always used powder blush because it’s quick and I’m lazy. Since watching (way too) many Lisa Eldridge videos I have been recently dabbling in cream and liquid blushes. She’s an MUA, Creative Director of Lancome AND still finds time to posts educational makeup videos on Youtube. She’s all about natural makeup looks and letting natural beauty shine through over caking and masking the face. So she knows her stuff. When she said that cream and liquid blush looks more natural because it looks one with the skin, I knew I needed to grab some! I do have a few from different brands but today I will talking about the Cheektone cream blushes from Tony Moly. I picked up two colours, Pinky Coral and Mood Rose.
If you are interested in knowing more about this product and what I thought of it, please keep on reading 🙂
It’s a cream blush which is long lasting and can also be used as cream shadow or lip colour.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher #Pinky Coral
Packaging
Tony Moly are known for their cute packaging. The packaging is what actually caught my eye with this product. It’s actually more modern and clean looking than cute, with its almost Pantone type of vibe. The case is made of plastic.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher #Mood Rose
How to use
I have only used this on my cheeks but it sounds like a multitasker, just like the RMS Lip2Cheek products (reviewed here), where it can also be used on the eyes and lips.
I’ve experimented with a couple of ways to apply this and I’ve found that using a small duo fibre brush is the best way. I dab my brush into the pan a couple of times then I dab it onto my cheeks, just to where I normally apply powder blush. The more you work the product into the skin, the more blended and natural looking it will be. Build up the level of intensity until it is right for you. I’ve found that cream blush takes a bit more time to apply than powder since you can’t just slap it on but it’s worth the effort.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher Left to Right – Mood Rose and Pinky Coral. They are heavy swatches, once blended it will look more natural
Performance
The product claims to be long lasting and I would agree. I have dry cheeks so I don’t set my cheeks, just spritz it with Fix + usually. This also helps to further melt the blush into my skin so it looks like one. It lasts on my skin for around 8 hours.
Even when I was doing swatches for this post, I found that it was still visible on my wrist after using an oil cleanser. It never stains my cheeks after double cleansing so don’t worry about that! Just keep in mind that it would be more difficult to remove compared to powder blushes.
Tony Moly – Cheektone Single Blusher – it leaves a slight stain even after I used an oil cleanser.
Consistency
The texture is creamy and emollient. I thought it would be harder because they don’t appear to be shiny like the Lip2Cheek. It’s easy to pick up the blush on a brush or fingers and is easy to spread around to blend onto the face.
Scent
There is a slight scent that smells like makeup. I know it’s a poor description but its not bad or anything, just that there is a scent.
Final thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really liked it!)
I really like the aesthetics of the packaging and best of all the product itself is great and performs well. I like both colours but if I had to pick, Mood Rose would be my recommendation. Both colours are creamy, easy to apply, doesn’t have an obnoxious smell and gives great payoff. I’ve tried a couple of korean powder blushes and they seemed to lack in the payoff department so I’m pleasantly surprised that these are so pigmented.
They are affordable and comparable to western cream blushes from brands such as Stila and Bobbi Brown. If you’ve been curious about trying cream blushes, I would highly recommend you to give these a go.
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 🙂
I wouldn’t consider myself to be much of an avid perfume wearer but it is nice to have something on hand when you are in the mood or in my case, whenever I remember to 🙂
I have dabbled in various types of scents since my teenage years. It’s interesting to discover how much my preferences have changed over the years. I used to love Harajuku Lovers Fragrances by Gwen Stefani, my favourite was Little Angel which had top notes of pineapple and berries. I remember it being a very fresh and fun fragrance.
Today I will be talking about a new fragrance that I recently discovered. It’s from Dolce and Gabbana and it’s their new fragrance called Dolce Garden. Their promo ad made me smile and I really liked how down to earth and “normal” it is. It’s of people just enjoying themselves and dancing in a beautiful garden amongst its sprinklers to a fun song. Many fragrance ads are just over the top with airbrushed and beautiful people flying through the air and being all dramatic with their hair, you know the ones I’m talking about ;).
If you’re interested in hearing more about this new fragrance and my thoughts on it, just keep on reading.
Top: In the sun-kissed top notes, juicy mandarin, bright neroli and airy magnolia express its radiance.
Heart: The coconut essence, a unique natural extract of the fruit’s white flesh, accents the creamy freshness of the frangipani blossoming petals.
Base: A silky almond milk accord evokes the traditional sweets of Sicily. Enriched with vanilla absolute and sandalwood, it extends the exquisite sensuality of the frangipani note into the dry down.
Price:
50ml $112.00 AUD from myer.com.au.
Also available in 30ml ($84 AUD) and 75ml ($146 AUD) also from myer.com.au.
My thoughts:
The two things I look for in a perfume are whether I can see myself wearing the scent on a daily basis and if it will last all day on my body. I’m happy to say that this scent really does fulfil both requirements. The lovely packaging is also a nice bonus and I am in love!
I was looking for something that smelt like coconuts and summer, I’ve been on a coconut fix lately for some reason, and this smells like exactly both those things. It smells like a pina colada to be exact. There are hints of floral to it, with the neroli and magnolia but the awesome thing is that the coconut essence shines through giving it a fresh but creamy scent of a pina colada (probably contributed from the almond milk base too). It smells feminine and sweet and makes me feel just… great.
The promo video really does resonate because the people look like they’re feeling great and are having a fab time. I know it’s an odd thing to say, that something like a perfume can evoke such feelings, but they can and this one definitely does this for me.
Best of all, it lasts on my skin all day which is remarkable, unlike Chloe which lasted 1 hour :(.
The SA mentioned that this was a fragrance I could wear all year round and it was only then that I learnt that fragrances can also be seasonal with wear. To show me the difference, she gave me a whiff of a “summer” scent which was citrusy and almost bitey which almost made me sneeze. But yes after that I did understand the difference. Even though Dolce Garden does smell like coconuts, its very understated and when mixed in with all other lovely ingredients, just smells creamy, fresh, feminine, elegant and just perfect.
Let me know if you have tried this delightful fragrance and whether you love it as much as I do!
RMS beauty was founded by Rose Marie Swift. She is a renowned makeup artist who after having health problems due to toxic ingredients in makeup wanted to find to find a healthier approach to beauty.
Her line is organic and the primary ingredient she likes to use is coconut oil. In an interview with Wendy Rowe (also a makeup artist) in the Beauty Truth, Rose Marie Swift describes the benefits of coconut oil:
This natural antioxidant is 100% organic, raw and unrefined, aiding in its protective powers against free radical damage—otherwise known as premature ageing. Coconut oil contains high levels of lauric acid, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, making it suitable for even the most blemish-prone skin.
Please note that not just any store-bought oil is equal to ours. RMS Beauty is superior over most coconut oils.
Since being first intrigued by the famous Living Luminizer, I have since added some more RMS products to my little collection. The aesthetics of the brand is clean, modern and minimalistic which resonates with the brand’s purpose of simple beauty.
If you’ve been interested in trying out products from this brand, please keep on reading.
Living Luminizer
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This formula is the ultimate illuminator for creating a sensuous, sheer, luminous glow. An ultra sheer, glowing, luminizer with a translucent, satin-pearl finish. This highlighter works great on all skin tones, making this a must have beauty product.
Ingredients (from mecca.com.au)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI77891, Mica CI 77019] * CERTIFIED ORGANIC
Application
Best to apply with clean fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot to get the product out, then I lightly pat it onto my cheekbones or wherever I normally apply highlighter. If you have oily skin, you may want to set it lightly with translucent powder. This is also a multi-use product, you can also use it on your eyelids as well as lips.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer
Packaging and size
The balm is housed in a frosted glass pot with a white lid. It feels weighty and sturdy. There is 4.82g/.17oz of product which doesn’t seem like much but it will last you a very long time since you only need a small amount.
RMS Beauty – Living Luminizer – It’s hard to see the swatch but I can assure you that it looks much better on the face!
Price:
$55.00 AUD (from Mecca)
My thoughts
Rating: 5/5 (love it, HG status!)
This is one of my favourite highlighters in my collection. It was the very first product I had bought from the brand and I love the effect it gives me. It can be built up, from subtle lit-from-within look to a strong glossy glow which still looks natural. Since it’s a cream product, it’s usually criminal to apply cream over powder but you can with this product. It doesn’t mess with the foundation or powder underneath if you use the soft patting technique with your finger. I don’t normally set it with powder because I have combo skin with dry U zone. I usually just set my face with a setting spray like Fix+. This helps to melt the highlighter into all the other layers on the face. It generally lasts around 6 hours and because it looks like one with the skin, the fading isn’t noticeable.
Would highly recommend if you are looking for a natural looking highlight. If you’re like me and you hate chunky glitters or frost in your highlight, you’ll like this! On the RMS beauty website it says this can be used by all skin tones. I don’t think it’s a universal shade (but I also could be wrong) but I think that this highlighter is best suited to fair-to-light-medium skin tones because it has a slightly pale pearly sheen to it. If you are medium-deep, you may want to try out the Magic Luminizer which has a more of a champagne tone to it. On rmsbeauty.com there are also two more variations, Peach and Champagne Rose Luminizers.
Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
What is it?
From mecca.com:
Fusing a blend of nourishing oils and pure mineral pigments, this creamy emollient can be used on the lips and cheeks for a subtle tint of colour.
I apply this the same way as with the Luminizer, with my fingers. I swirl my index finger in the pot and use this and my middle finger to pat it onto my cheeks, slowly building it up to the desired level of opacity. When applying it onto my lips or eyelids, I use my index finger. It’s also buildable and dries down nicely. You could use a small duo fibre brush as well.
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive
Packaging and size
Same size and packaging as the Luminizer, 4.82g/0.17oz of product. I really like the frosted look of the weighted pot.
Price:
$52.00 AUD (from Mecca)
RMS Beauty – Lip2Cheek – Shade #Illusive – this was swatched quite strongly, once blended in, the colour looks much less intense.
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
I love anything that I can use for more than one purpose, largely because I’m lazy. I really like the texture of it and how I have some play time before it dries down. Since I have light-medium skin, the shade Illusive works nicely on the cheeks, eyes and lips. Because of its nourishing ingredients, it leaves my cheeks looking fresh and hydrated. It isn’t long lasting on the lips (nothing ever is on my lips!), bit longer on the eyes (3-4 hours) and the longest (6 hours) on the cheeks. Even though it’s not that long lasting, it tends to fade evenly which is a plus.
With any cream product, it always takes a bit more time in application, but the payoff is always more natural and worth it. Since I don’t always have too much time in the mornings, I generally opt for powders and use this on the weekends.
Definitely recommend this, it’s great for touchups and to just throw in the handbag. I’ll be looking to add more shades of Lip2Cheek to my collection since I’m hooked 🙂 Promise and Paradise look divine!
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3
What is it?
From mecca.com:
This tinted powder contains light reflective particles that work to minimise the look of pores, soften the skin and absorb excess oil. Providing subtle coverage to the skin, the powder can be used to set liquid foundation or be worn with ‘Un Cover-Up’.
Talc, silicone, perfume and paraben free.
Ingredients (from mecca.com)
T2-3: Silica, Iron Oxides: CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77500
Application
Like with all loose powders, I tip some into the cap then swirl a powder brush into it. I then tap off the excess on the side of the cap and lightly press it onto my face. I stupidly threw the puff it came with away so using a brush works best for me.
Tinted Un Powder – Shade #2-3 – the powder is very finely milled, there’s some on the cap.
Packaging and size
Clear plastic tub with white lid and has 9g/0.32oz of product. Smaller more compact than other loose powders I own such as the famed Laura Mercier Translucent Powder.
Price
$49.00 AUD from Mecca
My thoughts
Rating: 4/5 (really like it!)
This powder does what it says it does. It sets my foundation nicely and the 2-3 shade matches my skin tone perfectly. The powder is so finely milled which makes application a breeze. It never looks cakey and just melts into the skin, leaving my face with a healthy glow. It does minimise the pores around my nose and controls oil in my t-zone for around 8 hours.
It’s not something I reach for everyday since it’s a loose powder and takes a bit more time to apply then a pressed powder. As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m quite time poor in the mornings but I do like to use this whenever I remember to.
Would definitely recommend this powder because it doesn’t have talc like most powders and performs just as well or even better than most powders I have tried.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
What is it?
From rmsbeauty.com:
This luxurious natural satin-finish lipstick is enriched with the signature rms beauty oil. Rich and powerful in anti-oxidants, this lipstick offers ultimate hydration and maximum color pay-off.
Ingredients (from rmsbeauty.com)
*Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Cera Alba (Beeswax)(Cire d’abeille), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Kaolin, *Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax) (Cire de candelilla), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, *Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax) (Cire de carnauba), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Tocopherol, Isostearyl Palmitate, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetyl Alcohol, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Hypericum Perforatum Extract, *Equisetum Arvense Extract, *Calendula Officinalis Extract, *Hemidesmus Indicus Root Extract, *Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Leaf Extract, *Withania Somnifera Root Powder, *Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Propanediol, Pentylene glycol, *Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Propylene Carbonate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, **Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil. May Contain [-/+]: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 28 (CI 45410), Mica, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985).
* CERTIFIED ORGANIC ** WILDCRAFTED
Application
I apply it directly from the bullet onto my lips. Because it’s formula is a bit stiff, I tend to dab it onto my lips rather than using a swiping motion.
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser
Packaging and size
The lipstick is housed in a sleek, silver tube. There is a slight weight to it and like her other products, has a clean and modern aesthetic to it. It contains 4.5g/0.15oz of product. The cap is very secure and gives a satisfying click when you close it.
Price:
$41.00 AUD (from Mecca)
Wild With Desire Lipstick – Shade #Brain teaser – swatch is using only one (wonky) swipe!
My thoughts
I love the formula of this lipstick. It’s a satin formula which is comfortable to wear and I love the shade Brainteaser. It is a soft peachy pink brown (more peach than pink on me), which is generally the type of colour that I’m usually drawn to. I can’t speak for its lasting power because not many lipsticks last on me after my morning coffee. I like how it contains nourishing ingredients such as shea butter and oils as well as antioxidants like turmeric and liquorice root. Quite rare to even get antioxidants in a lip product, let alone in an actual opaque lipstick.
I would highly recommend this for people who are looking for a lipstick which has nourishing ingredients as well as great colour payoff. Definitely will be purchasing more shades, the shade “Rapture” is calling my name!
Where can I buy it?
If you’re in Australia, you can purchase RMS Beauty from Mecca Cosmetica (mecca.com.au), Beautylish (beautylish.com) as well as from the brand’s website (rmsbeauty.com).
I purchased these products myself from Mecca Cosmetica and Beautylish.
Final thoughts
Nothing from this range has disappointed me so far and I’m excited to try more from the brand. Taking care of your skin shouldn’t just stop at skincare. If there are cleaner options which perform just well or better, I will definitely take it! The products might seem expensive for their quantity but because a little does go a long way, especially with the potted products, you won’t be hitting pan for a long while.
Since coconut oil is a key ingredient in a lot of the cream products, I was a bit wary since I’ve heard that it is or can be comedogenic to certain skin types. I actually had nothing to worry about because I never broke out from it. For reference I have combo skin/oily t-zone/prone to hormonal acne. There is also no scent in any of the products which is a plus because I hate most scents in makeup. The products are also a joy to use, both in application and aesthetics. The un-cover up concealer, eye polish and raw coconut cream cleanser are definitely on my wishlist!
Let me know if you’ve tried any products from RMS beauty and which has been your favourite 🙂
During my journey of trying new products, I have come to know what I like and what I don’t like in products. One of the things I despise is if a product has an overpowering and unpleasant scent, whether it be by added fragrance or naturally derived. I wouldn’t say that I’m super sensitive to scents but if something smells bad, I’m not going to keep using it, regardless of how effective it is.
The following products I have ceased to use because of this. Just because I don’t like the smell of these things, doesn’t mean that the product is awful. If you like any of the products I am listing, please don’t take it personally as in the end it’s all just skincare and makeup! I also won’t be going into too much detail about the product since I don’t like them. Ok let’s go!
I’m Pro Ampoule Pad – Wish Formula
What is it?
It’s a cotton pad soaked in ampoule containing ascorbic acid as well as other antioxidants which help with brightening. The texture of the pad is supposed to provide a gentle exfoliation as well.
Soy sauce. I mean I love eating soy sauce but I don’t want it in my pores. I don’t know if I got a bad batch or what. After some quick googling, it looks like some people have experienced a funky smell as well but they haven’t described it to be specifically like soy sauce. I don’t understand the expiry since it’s in Korean and both dates have passed already. If it is indeed expired, I am thoroughly annoyed since this is from an actual k-beauty store. I really didn’t pay any attention to how it performed since I couldn’t get past the smell. My husband has also used it and the smell lingered even after he had applied moisturiser.
A powder blush which I bought in the shade Neutral Pop.
It smells like…
Chemicals. Straight up chemicals which doesn’t dissipate after application. It isn’t very pigmented and feels dusty when I apply it to my cheeks. A big dud on performance and smell. Cute packaging though, the flower imprint and packaging is similar to Clinique’s Cheek Pop blushes.
Apples and something else in a brand I will be be speaking about next. The scent has been described as “delicate” and “fresh” but I don’t find it to be either. Fragrance is the third last ingredient but it might have been in the top three because I found it to be strong. The sunscreen itself applied nicely. It was moisturising and sunk in quite well. But you could still smell it after application. I also didn’t like this sunscreen because it made my face itch a bit whenever I sweated. It gets pretty humid in Sydney so it’s normal for me to sweat and I didn’t enjoy feeling further discomfort ,and I knew it was from this because I tested it a few times just to be sure.
Huxley essence and oil trio – Secret of the Sahara Light and More, Essence like oil and Essence grab water
What is it?
Serums, each with their own characteristics. The Light and More is an oil, Essence like oil is a thick essence and the Essence Grab water is a hydrating serum.
The scent of Huxley products has been described as a “fresh rose bush” but I have never smelt a rose bush quite like this one. The star ingredient in their products is the prickly pear which is a cactus. I have no idea what this smells like. The scent is very strong and perfumed, gives me a headache. The products I have in the trial sizes were duds in performance. The dropper is useless, doesn’t dispense the serums properly. My skin doesn’t feel any different after application. But my opinion around this is probably masked by the smell. I actually didn’t even bother using the oil. I also just noticed that alcohol is pretty high on the list for all three products. Alcohol in an oil is a bit odd.
Huxley is atheistically pleasing, there is no denying that but that’s where it ends for me. Pretty glad that I bought these mini sizes as a taster, I would’ve been pretty annoyed if I was stuck with a full sized bottle of any of these.
Price: $35 AUD from nudieglow.com (they have updated the pack since with a fourth serum)
Black Soybean Milk Pudding Sleeping Pack – Botanic Farm
What is it?
A sleeping pack which contains fermented black soybeans as well as milk protein and cacao extract. This pack is supposed to help brighten, hydrate and help with signs of ageing.
It has been described as smelling like chocolates, delicious enough to eat…well I beg to differ. It smells like a biscuit or something, but not in a good way. It’s hard to describe it, all I know is that I don’t like it. It’s not as unpleasant as some of the other things I’ve spoken about but still not great. The product itself actually stings my face upon application and makes my face feel like it’s suffocating. The stinging does subside but by this time, I’m already stressed and my face is left smelling like a weird biscuit. Stressing out before bed is not something I enjoy doing. I have used and currently use acids in my routine and none of these have compared to the stinging and distress I experienced with this sleeping pack.
A hydrating lipstick in a creamy formula. It contains amazonian butters.
It smells like…
Mint. Very minty and I hate minty lip products. It contains heaps of ingredients, one of which is peppermint oil. I bought the shade Park Ave Princess and it’s way too light for my lips. The packaging is pretty and I like the idea of it but the smell is a big no no. I can’t even tell you how it performs since I’ve only tried it twice and have removed it momentarily each time. I’ve tried other lipsticks from Tarte including their Color splash hydrating type and I really love that one!
A comfortable lipgloss which is supposed to plump and hydrate the lips.
It smells like…
Mint. Here we go again. Peppermint oil strikes again. I received this mini size in a Mecca Beauty Loop box and while I like the colour, I hate the smell. It makes my lips tingle, I guess that’s when the plumping effect is happening. But I can’t stand the minty smell. Can’t get past it and don’t particularly want bigger lips anyway. I’m all about comfort and this does not feel comfortable at all. It’s probably a big reason why I haven’t found a favourite lip gloss yet.
Price: Free – Part of beauty box (Mecca member benefits)
Final thoughts
As mentioned at the start, if you enjoy any of these products and don’t mind their scents, then that’s awesome. I enjoy other stuff from the brands I mentioned (except for the Face Shop and Botanic Farm since it’s the first product I’ve tried from the brand), so I’m not dismissing the brand at all, just these particular products 😦 They didn’t work for me and I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
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 🙂
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.
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.
I use Vitamin C for two main purposes, to lighten post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) and Post Inflammatory Erythema (PIE), in layman’s terms are sunspots/freckles and dark acne scarring. Ascorbic acid or L-ascorbic acid, in its pure form is generally a great antioxidant for this purpose since its a major skin brightener.
I used Wishtrend’s Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum for about 4 months and I’m ready to share my thoughts on it.
About Wishtrend
Wishtrend is a online k-beauty store who are under the same Wish Company umbrella as Klairs. They sell products under their own brand as well as curate other well known k-beauty brands such as Mizon, Skinmiso and more.
Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum – ingredients list and instructions
The short ingredient list was appealing and is what captured my attention. A past Vitamin C serum I had used also sold by Wishtrend, the TIAM My Signature C-Source, had a much larger ingredient list which freaked out my skin and gave me cystic acne 😮
Claims
The product seems to have undergone a reformulation though I can’t compare it to the original since I never used it.
With an upgraded formula with more of the effects but less the ingredients, the Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum has been transformed to have even greater hydration and absorption without the stickiness. It conditions and restores balance to replenish and retain moisture in the skin with the optimal 21.5% of pure vitamin C.
Packaging
The serum is housed in a dark glass bottle with a red label. You get 30 ml of product and a dropper as the applicator. It seems like this type of packaging is common amongst Vitamin C serums. I guess its more cost effective than using (innovative) packaging like Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Day Serum. With this type of packaging, its easy to let air into the product, and since ascorbic acid is naturally unstable and can easily oxidise, you need to make sure you keep this serum in the fridge (instructed on the box) and seal it up as soon as you’re done.
How to use
Since I keep the serum in my fridge I need to remember to walk over there and grab it. This was a pain and something I never got used to doing. I have a full time job and not a lot of time to get ready in the morning (because I prefer to sleep) so having to go grab it was always a nuisance.
There are some in instructions in English on the back on how to use but this is how I use it. After cleansing and drying my face, I would dispense two or three drops into the palm of my hand. I would then frantically close the bottle to prevent air from entering the bottle. Then using my index finger, I would start to spot treat areas where I have pigmentation spots caused either from the sun or acne.
Once I’ve spot treated the affected areas, I would rub my palms together and pat the leftover product onto the rest of my face. This stuff absorbs fast so you need to work quickly. I would then promptly return the serum and its box to the fridge in fear of oxidation. I would then continue with the rest of my routine. There is an area of debate whether niacinamide and vitamin c would lose efficacy if used in the same routine, so I just tend to not use essence (mine contains niacinamide) in the mornings when I’m using vitamin c, just as a precautionary.
Something to note which is quite important is that ascorbic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Especially in such a large dose as this one. If you are using this during the day, you HAVE to wear sunscreen. Its a non negotiable. This is also the case when using any type of acid which chemically exfoliates the skin. Update: Acids increases sensitivity because you are basically shedding skin. Vitamin C actually boosts the effectiveness of your sunscreen so it’s still important to wear it.
Consistency
Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum – watery consistency
It is runny with no viscosity which I see as good and bad. Good because it’s easily absorbable and bad because it can get tricky with application (the whole trying to screw the cap back with one hand thing). The good outweighs the bad in this case. True to the claims, it does not leave any sticky residue.
Pure Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum – patted in, no residue or stickiness, true to the claims.
In its freshest form and by keeping in the fridge, the colour should remain clear. If this changes to anything else, it means the serum has oxidised and is no longer effective. As mentioned, I had mine for 4 months and it still maintained its translucency.
Scent
Smells very slightly of chemicals which dissipates on contact with the skin.
The TIAM My Signature C-Source, smelt like oranges which I didn’t mind either, the product just didn’t work for me. I’ve also used the Klairs Freshly Juiced, and while the name sounds like something that would smell pleasant, it smelt like iron which was unpleasant. The Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum also smelt like this (why?!).
Final thoughts
Rating: 3/5 (it's ok but will not repurchase)
I was afraid that this serum would break me out like the Tiam one did but luckily it didn’t. It also didn’t cause any irritation.
In terms of effectiveness, I didn’t see any significant changes over the 4 months I used it. I applied it every other morning because it had such a high percentage of ascorbic acid. I liked its elegant consistency because it felt like nothing once applied and also appreciated that it had little to no scent. Perhaps my overall skin did appear brighter but I needed more than that, especially at 21.5%. With humectants such as sodium hyaluronate and panthenol within the ingredients list I would’ve expected to also feel some hydration but I didn’t.
Not seeing any significant lightening of my spots wasn’t the main issue I had with it, and its probably not all this serum’s fault. As I mentioned, using vitamin c during the day can cause sensitivity to the sun. I ALWAYS wear sunscreen but I felt like with such a high dose of ascorbic acid, one application of sunscreen in the morning just wasn’t enough. I work in an office and only pop out a couple of times before the sun goes down. I know these are lame reasons but I just don’t reapply sunscreen. I felt like I was getting more sensitive to the sun (we are closer to the ozone hole here in oz) and I’m pretty certain that this vitamin c serum is what was causing it. I saw a couple more sun spots appear and my PIE and PIH just weren’t getting any lighter even though I adequately slather sunscreen on my face. Don’t get me wrong, when I do get regular sun exposure I do reapply, but on work days when I have a face full of makeup, I just don’t.
I guess I could still use it at night but I already have serums which like to use and have proven to be more effective (for different purposes). I have also read that using vitamin c serums during the day can also have other benefits like helping fight free radicals and protection against environmental pollutants.
I think that this has been my final experiment with vitamin c serums for awhile. The fact that it’s also so (so!) high maintenance deters me from using it. Keeping it in the fridge and limiting its exposure to air is a pain because I’m simply lazy. They usually have a life span of 3 months (less if you don’t refrigerate) anyway so having to repurchase would also get expensive and annoying. Again if I did see results I could possibly continue to overlook the inconveniences and repurchase but the cons really outweighed the pros.
I’m perfectly ok to use skincare where ascorbic acid (or its derivates) isn’t the main ingredient like in moisturisers and serums/ampoules so I’m not dissing it completely. I’ve just concluded that my skin is too sensitive for it when it’s in its purest form which is sad 😦
Have you tried any vitamin c serums and how did they work out for you? Would love to hear about your experiences in the comments 🙂
Please note: links in this post marked with an * are affiliate links. They provide me with a small commission, if you should choose to use them for a purchase, without any extra cost to you 🙂
me and my mirror 