REVIEW: THE SAEM ICELAND HYDRATING EYE STICK

Nothing is more satisfying that receiving mail and opening packages with products inside you ordered or that is sent to you. I’ve seen this eye stick around for years before I’ve made the decision that I wanted to try it. Special thanks to Jolse for sending this over to me to review for you, friends! This review has been long over due but last year alone was SUPER hectic for me and even this year so now I’m catching up with reviews to share with you all!

My Thoughts:

The concept of this eye stick is to refresh and re-hydrate the skin under and around the eyes. Personally, I was never a huge fan of The Saem skincare products due to their high usage of fragrances and this product was no exception. I gave it a chance simply because of the adorable packaging and a lot of my skincare peers on Instagram featured this specific product on their routines so I wanted to give it a shot. I found this product poorly executed because it’s not hygienic to constantly reapply product that has previously touched your face from time over to time; I’m sure bacteria will eventually accumulate and grow in the product. I also did not understand why they used fragrance in this because fragrance can be very irritating to the skin and let alone having it anywhere near the eyes, that could possibly irritate the sensitive eye area and cause milia/irritation.

Texture: 4/5 – Super smooth consistency and applies on skin at ease, it also gives a nice little cooling effect under the eyes. Those who do not have sensitive skin and sensitive skin around the eye area, may enjoy this product.
Price: 5/5 – Price is amazing! Super affordable and is currently $8.76 USD on Jolse’s website.
Performance: 1/5 – Didn’t do much for me and I wouldn’t use this in the long run. It’s just not something I would grab even if there were a pile of products in front of me.
Packaging: 3/5 – Amazing for aesthetics! Super cute and iconic. However, the product packaging function and for long term use is not ideal – likely will harvest bacteria, dirt and oil if constantly reapplied on the face. Just not the greatest for function-wise.
Overall: 2/5 – Would not repurchase, I can’t see this being practical for anyone’s skincare routine. Therefore, I cannot recommend it however, if you’re interested of trying this anyway, they do have a sale right now on their website and you can purchase it here.

I’m sure most of us are exhausted and hoping COVID restrictions are lifted so that we can enjoy our normal day lives. Til then, I hope you all take good care of yourselves and stay safe!

[REVIEW] CELIMAX DERMA NATURE FRESH BLACKHEAD CLEANSING OIL

At times, removing makeup can be a hassle but it needs to be done no matter how exhausted we are from a long day. I’ve been seeing the Celimax cleansing oil all over Instagram and I’m definitely intrigued simply because I love cleansing oils. I actually prefer them over any kind of cleansing balm because of the consistency and how it removes off my makeup. I don’t really like how some cleansing balms leave a weird residue behind my skin and I find cleansing oils don’t do that to my skin. Jolse kindly sent this over for me to try and review for you guys so here it is!

What is it?

Light & non-greasy cleansing oil for all skin type
Six nourishing natural plant oil ingredients
Jojoba oil helps to dissolve blackheads & whiteheads
Sebum control
Strong emulsification, zero irritation
No tightness after cleansing

Full List Of Ingredients:

Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Water, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (1500Ppm), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Alcohol,Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol

My Thoughts

I always wear waterproof makeup because of my oily eyelids and I need a cleansing oil that does the job of removing it off. This does the job, it removes the most stubborn, waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and even lip tint!

The first thing I noticed was the citrus scent from the Bergamot oil. No matter how much a brand talks highly about essential oils. Essential oils are essential oils and are a form of fragrance whether artificial or not. Now, I’m not against them completely however, I just find them very unnecessary in products. My skin has once been compromised because of them, I used a brand that specifically only used them and it really took a toll on my skin. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, it does sensitize the skin and not ideal for long-term use. I’m still on the hunt for a cleansing oil with no “natural fragrance”/essential oils and so far, no luck but the search goes on! Most cleansing oils I’ve tried do contain some form of essential oil so this isn’t the first one that has this sort of problem.

Texture: 5/5 – Super lightweight oil and feels like silk on the skin, it breaks down makeup effortlessly and you only need a pump of this for your entire face.
Scent: 2/5 – Why is bergamot oil so high up on the list? I wouldn’t even mind if it was on the lower section but it wasn’t. There’s also alcohol in it which was shocking because it didn’t dry, make skin tight and worse, make my eyes bloodshot red. I have a complication with alcohol as an ingredient and prefer to stray away from it completely. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t have any bad reactions from using this regardless of the 2 questionable ingredients I put in italics.
Price: 5/5 – For what it is and the amount, I think this is a really reasonable price for a cleansing oil and it performs nicely, it’s also pretty accessible online. I’ve seen on it Jolse, yesstyle, amazon and etc.
Packaging: 5/5 – Very nice. It comes with the stopper from spilling the product everywhere and you can travel at ease with it. I also like the design of the bottle and the pump because it’s not thin and small like some pumps are and I find it really sturdy.
Overall: I would recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a good cleansing oil that will remove off basically everything and also waterproof eye makeup. It’s very important to me to find a cleansing oil that will remove off my waterproof makeup off effectively and gently. This does the job and I think it’s worth a shot, just be aware of the ingredients list before purchasing it. Those who do not suffer from sensitive skin are likely to enjoy this cleansing oil.

Available at: Jolse(cheapest) | Yesstyle | eBay

[REVIEW] MISSHA TIME REVOLUTION NIGHT REPAIR PROBIO AMPOULE

We all know how much I love Jolse and how incredible their deals are. I’ve been eying on this specific product since it released but wasn’t sure when I was going to buy it. Jolse kindly sent this product in exchange for a review and let me just say, this product really surprised me in a way where I didn’t expect it to. Sometimes products just don’t meet our expectations, here’s why!

Product Claims

This is an anti-aging ampoule that improves skin’s elasticity and also diminishing the appearance of fine lines while providing deep skin hydration, anti-aging benefits and also promotion skin radiance. This formula is gentle and can be used on sensitive skin.

Ingredients:

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = questionable, irritating ingredients
Bifida Ferment Lysate (>50%), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Betaine, Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactocaccus Ferment Lysate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Squalane, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA

My thoughts/ rant

There are a lot of fantastic ingredients such as niacinamide, fruit&veggie extracts, squalane, panthenol, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, Ceramide and etc. I blindly chose this product to review for you all because I was very curious to know more about this line thus I wanted to see if I could find a dupe for any of the anti-aging high-end products I already own. I clearly did not read the ingredients list prior to choosing this so that was on me but I am curious to know how this would work on my skin.

Luckily, I did not break out or had any negative reactions to using this. That being said, as much as I wanted for this to work for me, it was a very meh kind of product. I don’t care if whether I had it in my routine or not. I saw a lot of positive reviews on this and was so excited to try it out but I’m not sure if these people were are reviewing the products are experiencing placebo effects or not because I too have experienced that with other products in the past. Regardless of the reason, I definitely wouldn’t repurchase this.

Rant: I’m not a fan when companies throw some crazy claims to upsell a product. First of all, that’s great that you have all these incredible claims of what the product can do, however, that being said, don’t say can be used all skin types/sensitive skin user-friendly because there are quite a few questionable ingredients in this product that are potential skin irritants.

Texture: 3/5 – It has a thick consistency to it but it breaks down nicely into the skin. The only thing I wasn’t too crazy about was the sheen in left behind on my skin. This is definitely more of an evening skincare product than morning because you will see a residue left behind on your face when using this. I would say the texture resembles a jelly sheet mask essence in a way, the consistency really reminds me of that.
Scent: 3/5 – I would say the scent is quite pleasant but that’s because there was a sneaky blend of essential oils in it, minus 2 points because of them and why they’re so high in the formulation. Preferably, I would have been okay if it was lower in the ingredients or even better, none. But it is what it is, my friends. I think what bothered me so much was that sensitive skin claim and seeing the ingredients list. Ideally, brands that market to sensitive skin types really needs to consider going fragrance-free all together.
Price: 4/5 – Pricing is okay, there’s a lot of product in here so you have a lot to work with.
Performance: 3/5 – Although this product was able to provide my skin hydration + nutrition, I wasn’t wowed by this and I’m also not convinced that it has effective anti-aging ingredients. Whereas the Klairs Midnight Blue Youth drops were way more effective and gave me faster results than this. Mind you, I’ve been using this for over 3 months now and the Klairs? only a month so the results and time usage speak for themself. Anyway, wasn’t too crazy about it. It’s not a bad product but if you’re curious about it, wait for a sale then get it. Jolse often has amazing sales between 20%-70% off.
Packaging: 3/5 – It’s so pretty! I was convinced that I had to get it because Missha is very well known for their time revolution line, especially for their first treatment essence that a lot of people cannot get enough of. To be quite frank with you, I wasn’t wowed by that product when I first used it but I will revisit it again because I do have a fresh bottle in my stash so stay tuned for a review on that. The dropper is kind of bad, it doesn’t always grab enough or any product so that really sucks.

Available: eBay | Jolse | Yesstyle

CREMORLAB – LUXURY K-SKINCARE

Who doesn’t love luxurious experiences? Cremorlab is such an underrated luxury Korean Skincare brand. Michelle Phan was actually one of the first few people who mentioned this internationally and I was always so fascinated by their products but was not sure where to purchase them locally and online. Renee from Cremorlab kindly sent over 3 gorgeous products from their T.E.N miracle + o2 Couture line for me to share with you all.

CREMORLAB O2 COUTURE CREAM

This contains 33 kinds of marine plants that can deeply hydrate and moisturize the skin. There’s also marine oxygen plasma that can purify and revitalize the skin. It’s winter here in Canada and my skin needs all the hydration and moisture it can get because it’s really dry out. I find this hydra intense o2 couture cream really is effective and excellent as a day moisturizer. I usually wear makeup 5 days out of 7 days of the week so I do believe this acts as a nice makeup primer as well. It leaves a nice transparent film on the skin, no shine residue and no peeling. Anyone who suffers from skin dehydration issues would definitely enjoy this. Sensitive skin folks should probably opt-out from this cream as it does contain fragrance and it can be irritating for those who are sensitive to it. Nonetheless, this is a lovely cream and deserves more love.

For more information: Cremorlab (Official Website)
Where to buy: eBay

CREMORLAB T.E.N MIRACLE THE ESSENCE

Essences are such an incredible addition to a skincare routine because it allows product absorption and intensively to penetrate active ingredients deep within the skin to become more effective. This T.E.N miracle essence is a best seller in Korea and for a very good reason, it’s rich in antioxidants, strengthening the skin while having skin-soothing properties using deep ocean thermal water and mistletoe. This essence only contains 10 ingredients that provide a moisturizing effect by using red-hot spring water while rapidly soothing the skin from any irritation. This essence is about $50 CAD, which isn’t bad because it’s a lot more affordable than most luxury essences such as SK-II, which is a ridiculous amount of money. I find this essence really effective and allows products to absorb a lot more faster into the skin while being mild enough to use whether in the AM or PM. I would recommend this essence and I am likely to repurchase it in the near future because I genuinely do enjoy it. This essence is compatible with all skin types, including sensitive.

For more information check out: Cremorlab (Official Website)
Where to buy: eBay | Sweet Corea

CREMORLAB O2 COUTURE PEELING MASK

This feels like an expensive peel and simulates a luxurious spa experience, I really think you can enjoy a spa-like experience at the comfort of your home. Also, can we just admire how beautiful the mask looks? It has this brilliant blue hue to it. This mask is formulated with wintergreen leaf, AHA, BHA and PHA. This gives the skin a mild exfoliation without irritating it because there are no exfoliating beads/granules in it. I personally think this mask is ideal for those who have normal and oily skin. If you are sensitive to fragrance, stir away from this because there is a bit of fragrance in it. My skin can be a bit sensitive to AHAs but I personally had no issues when using this product and I will continue to use it to see it’s full results.

How to use: After cleansing the skin, apply 3-5 pumps of this mask evenly throughout the face then leave on for 3 minutes then rinse. How fast is that? You can use this mask once or twice a week.

For more information check out: CREMORLAB (Official Website)
Where to buy: eBay

My First 2020 Beauty Wishlist

Happy 2020, darlings! 2019 was a rocky year but for the most part, a very lifechanging year, I almost want to call it the “turning point” year. I hope you all are having a fantastic start to your 2020, wishing you endless love, luck, positivity and prosperity. May 2020 be an incredible year for us. Now, without a further or do, let’s hop into my wishlist and why I may be interested in these products. I know I’ve released quite a few anti-hauls but how about things I want to try out and purchase.

MILK GLOW OILS

I have a fascination towards MILK products simply because of the vibrant colours and compact sizes make them so attractive and travel-friendly. I’ve already tried a handful of their products and I’ve enjoyed a lot of them from the cannabis mask, eye patches, kush mascara, holographic and highlighter sticks. They have a lot of amazing products. The product I’ve been dying to try but wanting to clear out my existing blush collection is their glow oils. These are antioxidant-rich tinted oils that can be used on your lips and cheeks for that gentle pop of colour and sheen. As much as I adore opaque, bold makeup for parties, I love the minimal, simple everyday look because it’s so easy to achieve and looks effortless! The shades I want are Astro, glimmer and halo.

Available: Here

RMS LIVING LUMINIZER

If you haven’t heard of RMS Beauty before they are a clean beauty option and they’ve been around for quite a long time now. There are a few products I am interested in their range however the one that stands out most to me is their living luminizer. This product is formulated with biuriti, jojoba and coconut oil. It’s specifically to enhance skin’s overall look without being sticky, greasy or glittery, it has this soft reflective quality to it. The only thing that turns me away from this product is the price, this is 50 CDN, which is insane if you ask me. I’ve spent a lot of highlighters but for shimmery ones and brands that I am familiar with. I haven’t tried anything from this brand before which makes me kind of nervous to drop 50 on the spot.

Available: Here

REPLICA FRAGRANCES

I’ve always been curious about these fragrances. Every time I’m at the perfume aisle at Sephora, I’m always ripping through the Marc Jacobs, D&G, Fresh section but I always forget to smell the Replica Fragrances. That, or I’ve smelled far too many fragrances and my nose is stuffed with a bunch of different notes. My local Sephora doesn’t have any coffee beans besides the fragrance shelves. They really should consider adding those because it helps clear your nose palate so you can smell new scents without the previous scents interfering with the new ones. The one I am most curious about from their range is The Fireplace one. It’s ironic that I’m curious about this one as I don’t really like a lot warm scents but this is a warm + spicy scent. The only warm scent I like is the coco cabana fragrance from the Sol De Janeiro. It’s also really popular in the beauty community and pretty much everyone I’ve spoken to about this product really enjoys it. I also believe that fragrance preference is an extremely subjective thing so it’s best for me to go out and actually smell it prior to purchasing it because let’s be real here, perfumes are not cheap so it’s smart to know what you like prior to purchasing it.

Available: Here

GLOW RECIPE BANANA SOUFFLE MOISTURE CREAM

I really like Glow Recipe products especially the Watermelon facial mist, avocado sleeping mask and the watermelon moisturizer. Their prices are kinda steep for what they are but I guess a lot of it has to do with the glass packaging because their packaging is definitely not cheap looking an I appreciate the thought and creativity they put into creating these fruity, ice-cube like products. This cream is formulated with banana and magnesium, these ingredients can promote skin healing, hydration to calm and balance sensitive skin. There’s also a beautiful blend of ingredients such as Centella Asiatica, chia, and turmeric, this lightweight moisturizer resets and replenishes skin for a healthy-looking glow.

Available: Here

Well, that’s it for now, my darlings! I’ll see you in the new post. Have yourself a wonderful day and enjoy the rest of your week!

[REVIEW] LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK

If you haven’t heard about this product or even seen once in your life, you’re most certainly living under a rock; This is an extremely popular item and favored by many for very good reason it is. It comes in a good range of scents and can be used whenever. Notice the name is lip sleeping mask rather than lip treatment or care, that’s because this was formulated to intensively moisturize and aid your lips overnight. I, on the other hand, use this pretty much all day, every day. Don’t be fooled by the size of the tub, this will last you at least a year with continuous use so don’t start hoarding these because they do go bad like any other cosmetic/skincare product.

Claims

Lip Sleeping Mask has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, its Berry Mix Complex™ offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts to indulge the senses. Its exclusive Moisture Wrap™ technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients. A generous layer of this soothing mask at bedtime helps reduce flakiness so you can wake up to lips that feel refreshed, supple, and soft to the touch.
Moisture Wrap™ Technology: Features a mineral network of moisture-rich beta-glucan to form an eight-hour time-release moisturizing layer over the skin; seals in active ingredients and mineral water.
Berry Mix Complex™: Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants from a nutritious blend of raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, goji berries, and blueberries to soothe and soften, revealing smooth, supple lips.

Full List Of Ingredients

Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl / Isostearyl / Cetyl / Stearyl / Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax / Candelilla Cera / Cire de Candelilla, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Butylene / Ethylene / Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene / Propylene / Styrene Copolymer, Mica (CI 77019), Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dimethicone, Fragrance / Parfum, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax / Cera Carnauba / Cire de Carnauba, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 6 (CI 15850), Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Water, Potassium Alginate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside.

How to use:

With a clean disposable spatula/applicator or q-tip, get a dot size amount of product and apply on lips evenly. Apply product in small, thin layers and layer on more as needed.

My Thoughts & Ramblings

I’m sure most of us know how important lip care is, there were a time and place where I didn’t believe in it. In fact, I hated the feeling of lip products coming in contact on my lips; Lipsticks, lipgloss, lip stains, treatments, you name it. Roughly 4 winters ago, that was when things took a big turn and it really opened my eyes to care for my lips a lot more. I had a really bad case of dried, cracked lips and it was to the point where I was pretty much bleeding. Lip care is crucial, my friends and we have to care for them as we do for our skin, hair and etc.

I discovered this product by watching a lot of youtube videos and I purchased my first one at Sephora. Please don’t buy k-beauty products from Sephora unless you have no access to purchasing things online because they have very marked-up prices and you can find Laneige products elsewhere online for a fraction of their price. I’ll be listing the places where you can purchase this at the bottom of this post. Anyway, back onto how this helped me. I had one of the worst cases of bleeding lips and you can physically see the skin of lips peeling, no product I put ontop could conceal this. I used this sleeping mask continuously for 2 whole days and let me tell you, how much of a huge difference it made for my lips. Firstly, my lips started to recover and gradually look better than before and I love how lightweight this formula is on the lips. You don’t need to slather a thick layer of this for it to work, you can apply thin layers and it glides on the lips effortlessly.

Overall

Texture: 5/5 – Comfortable to wear and during the application, it feels like the product melts right into the lips. The texture is a really smooth, buttery, rich balm consistency.
Scent: 5/5 – I’ve only tried the berry, green apple + lime, and mint chocolate(limited edition) and I must say, my favourite scent has to be the apple+lime one. I enjoyed all the scents I own however, I find myself reaching for the apple+lime one a ton.
Price: 5/5 – The price is so affordable on Yesstyle and eBay, I don’t understand why Sephora’s pricing is ridiculously high. Nonetheless, there is a lot of product inside so you do get the bang for your buck.
Performance: 5/5 – Amazing! I have zero complaints about this. It’s super effective and recovered my damaged lips. It’s actually my holy grail lip product that I cannot live without; I bring this everywhere with me – to work, going out, sleepovers and etc. It’s a staple product of mine.
Packaging: 5/5 – It’s really cute, I love the frosted plastic packaging – it gives the product that expensive appearance to it and it’s super easy to use. Each of these, do come with an applicator, however, I keep misplacing mine for whatever reason so I use a fresh q-tip every time I use this.
Overall: 5/5 – What are you waiting for? If you don’t own this already, hop on it. This is a lip savior and works amazing. I’ve never tried a lip balm or treatment that is anything like this. I’m very pleased with this product and happy to see many enjoy it as much as I do. I’ll help you out by sharing some affordable and reliable websites you can buy this from. I repeat, do not buy this at Sephora unless you want to pay double the price for this because it’s $24 CAD at Sephora while you can get this at Yesstyle for only $16.74 CAD and you can get % off your purchase if you use my code DORKIE1.

Available on: eBay (Cheapest) |Jolse | StyleKorean | Amazon

STYLEVANA |Affordable K-Beauty Shop

The holidays are right by the corner and I know how stressful it is finding the perfect gift for your loved one. Fear not, I’m always here to lend a helping hand during a stressful time. StyleVana teamed up with me in perfect timing before the holidays and were kind enough to send over 3 beautiful skincare products to share with you all and you just might be interested in picking these up for yourself or loved ones. Let’s hop into it!

Who is StyleVana?

There are so many online shops and it can get really overwhelming finding the perfect shop that provides timely shipping, quality customer service and also affordable prices; StyleVana is guaranteed to provide you excellent service every time. They are based in Hong Kong and ship all parcels through DHL. StyleVana sells a wide range of beauty and skincare products from Taiwanese, Japanese and even Korean beauty. Their deals are incredible and probably one of the cheapest I’ve seen so far. Did you know they also sell clothes and accessories as well?

Shipping details – How fast is shipping, customs and etc.

I can only speak from my experience and my package got to me within a week, which is amazing because if anyone who lives in Canada, knows how difficult and slow Canadian customs can be with packages but they got to be quite fast. I was charged by Canadian customs for shipping and handling fees and StyleVana stepped in to reimburse my fees, which was very kind of them to do so. Also, I want to put it out there that they reimburse all orders that have custom fees however, you must send them a copy of your invoice as proof in order for you to get reimbursed so don’t throw away the invoice! Most companies won’t honor this so it’s fantastic to see that StyleVana truly cares about their customers and continues to provide excellent customer service.

In a hurry? They do offer express shipping via DHL for $10, this offer is only for the US only and is only available until December 19th.

Products I chose…

Cosrx Centella Cream

This product is small but mighty, starting off the product showcase is the classic Cosrx Centella cream; this is a cult favourite product and for a very good reason. This cream is hydrating and creates a protective barrier to the skin while delivering active ingredients to promote and repair skin from irritation and blemishes. This formulated with Centella Asiatic Leaf Water for maximum hydration while calming down the skin. This product is suitable for all skin types and even, sensitive skin types because of how mild and gentle it is. I specifically use this as a spot treatment throughout the face and I would use this continuously for a week and I will start to see results within the first 2 days of continuous use. This cream is an excellent product for those who have stubborn, inflamed breakouts that pimple patches cannot clear up on its own. The price may vary where you purchase this cream but StyleVana has by far the cheapest price I’ve seen so far. It’s currently only $14.69.
Available here

Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream

So there are several variations to this cream – there’s this one which is formulated for normal-combination skin types, the intense cream (dry) and gel cream (oily). This cream is formulated with pure fermented green tea extract, which is rich in antioxidants, it also provides intense hydration without being sticky or too heavy on the skin. There is over 63% of fermented green tea extract which allows the skin to retain moisture for long periods of time by forming a thin hydrating layer on dry skin. This moisturizer contains a fermented Korean green tea called ‘ChungTaeJeon’. This green tea has fermented through sunlight for over a year. This cream is made with quality ingredients to ensure maximized hydration to the skin. It’s currently only $10.59 on StyleVana.
Available here

Annie’s Way Hyaluronic Acid

Want to know the secret to a brighter complexion and having a spa-like experience? Boy, wouldn’t you like to know! Aside from using vitamin C based products to brighten the skin because it can be too strong for the skin, a great and effective alternative to that is treating your skin to a jelly mask! This mask is from the Taiwanese brand called “Annie’s Way” and has been around for over a decade now. It’s a very popular item in Asia for a good reason because of it’s lightweight, cooling gel mask texture and how relaxing it is to have on. Unlike some wash off masks that can be messy, this is mess and hassle-free. You only need a small amount of this slathered on the face and it works wonderfully. This mask is able to moisturize, firm skin while improving the appearance of the skin’s overall appearance and cleanses pores.
Available here

Buy More, Save More

If you buy 2+ more items, you will get an additional 2% off of your purchase.
If you buy 4+ more items, you will get an addition 4% off of your purchase.
If you buy 10+ more items, you will get an addition 12% off of your purchase.

Pretty much you buy more, you save more and they’re really generous with their discounts too.

If you’re shopping at StyleVana, please use my code DORK20 for a discount on your purchase. It will help you out to scoring a fantastic deal+save and also support me. Once again, thank you StyleVana for collaborating with me.

This post is an AD and I make a small commission every sale if you use my code on their website. All proceeds will help me out for my blog & Instagram to keep it running for me to continue to create content for you. I appreciate all of your support and cheers to Holiday Season! May 2020 be a wonderful and productive year for us!

[REVIEW] LANEIGE CREAM SKIN REFINER MIST

Laneige has been in the beauty industry for about 2 decades now and has been really upping their game for their latest releases. They’ve always had fantastic products such as their classic lip sleeping mask, which is a cult favourite of many and their original sleeping mask. When they came out with their cream skin refiner, I was not sure what to make of the product. There was a lot of mixed information I was getting off social media, some people were saying it was a toner, others were saying it’s an emulsion. The way how I saw this was a cross hybrid product between a toner to a moisturizer. Yes, they really did it – this is a liquid moisturizer. This product can be used for multiple ways, as a toner, moisturizer and a hydrating pack.

Claims

This does not have any harsh ingredients that could potentially cause short term or long term irritation.
Free of synthetic color dyes and fragrance
This product combines the functions of toner and cream to promote long-lasting hydration with the patent technology “Cream Blending Technology”
Formulated with White Leaf Tea Water with rich amino acid to soothe fatigued skin while fortifying skin barrier.

Key Ingredients

Meadowfoam Seed Oil: this is a plant derived ingredient and skin conditioning benefits. It naturally assists the skin to effectively form a barrier to lock in moisture while delivering nutrients to penetrate into your skin.

Green tea leaf extract(Camellia Sinensis leaf extract): contains powerful antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation and free radicals from the environment.

Vitamin E (tocopherol): is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight against free radical damage, promotes cell regrowth and heals the signs of aging by providing moisture and skin strengthening properties to protect barrier and moisture loss.

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = to be aware of.

Ingredient List:

WATER / AQUA / EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, POLYGLYCERYL-10 STEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, DISODIUM EDTA, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL

My Skin Type and concerns:

Combination | PIE | Congested | Dehydrated | (Occasionally) Sensitive

My thoughts

I had no expectations for this product, I was more curious if whether it would be able to assist with my dehydration issues and because it was in a mist format, which is why I had nothing to expect from. The moment I applied this on my face and allowing it to “dry down”, it felt like I applied a moisturizer on my face. I was so shocked by how different and innovative this product compared to all the products I have tried in the past. This is nothing like anything I’ve tried and I’m so excited to see the long term benefits of using this for the long term. I do see myself repurchasing this over and over again because it really works with my skin.

I’ve heard a handful of people claim that this was their final step and “moisturizer” but for me, I still need a moisturizer as my final step because of my dehydration issues. Sure, this was fantastic alone but for night time skincare, I lean towards more of a rich, dense kind of cream to act as a protective layer to my skin. If I skip out on that step, I could potentially wake up to dry, parched skin. This is moisturizing alone but I like to take my precautions and go in with my actual moisturizer to ensure I do not have dry skin issues in the following morning.

Overall

Texture: 5/5 – It appears to be a milky, watery fluid at first sight but once applied on the skin, it almost melts and emulsifies into a creamy consistency. Do be careful when applying too many layers of this, I remember I got so excited at one point and did several layers of this on my face and it got somewhat tacky. I personally am past the fear/dislike of “tacky/sticky” consistencies but I just wanted to put that out there in case you don’t like that feeling. One layer usually does the job for me but you can go ahead with a second or third layer if needed.
Scent: 5/5 – No scent, this is a product that is sensitive skin type friendly 🙂
Price: 5/5 – This is quite reasonable for what you are getting. Whether you decide to get the original cream skin refiner or the mist from – They’re both just as excellent. The original one, I like to use my hands to apply it on my face and sometimes cotton squares. I just do a DIY mask with them and leave it on for 20 mins then I have soft, glowy skin. If you don’t have time for a DIY mask, then just get the mist. one.
Performance: 5/5 – This surpassed my expectations and I am blown away by what Laneige was able to create. I do look forward to any future releases of this or perhaps seeing them expand this line even more.
Packaging: 5/5 – It’s simple yet beautiful, Laneige products have been known for their frosted glass/plastic packaging and it makes it look expensive.
Overall: 5/5 – I believe this product would be enjoyed by many and will become the next cult favourite. This is definitely a product for all skin types and is sensitive skin-friendly.

Available on: eBay | Yesstyle

When checking out on Yesstyle, use code DORKIE1 to save 5% on your first order and an additional 2% in future orders.

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind.

[SHOP] LIFECODE BOUTIQUE

Today I will be sharing and introducing you all a fantastic a Canadian owned Asian beauty and lifestyle store. For your Canadian friends, you are in luck because this is a pretty awesome shop. Life Code Boutique strives to provide customers the best online shipping experience, superior customer service and a variety of affordable, high-quality beauty and lifestyle products. With just a few clicks, shopper’s purchase would be delivered straight to their mailbox! I would like to thank Alice for coordinating this collaboration with me and giving me the opportunity to try out new and some familiar brands.

Website’s Features

Free local pickup (no minimum purchase), they’re based in Vancouver, BC, Canada
Fast shipping in Canada (maximum 1-week wait)
Free shipping with any purchase of $50 CAD
10% off your first order as a welcome gift
Every month, there are new products listed and monthly promotional discounts on different brands
Become a member and subscribe for the month newsletter
Free gift for members subscription

I have a promotional code if you wanted to shop on their website,
Use Code: Amy15 (valid till 10/31/2019).

Alrighty, let’s get into the unboxing and product descriptions now!

Club Airy Suppin Makeup-free Pressed Powder – Bouquet (Green edition)

Can we just appreciate how adorable this packaging is? It has a beautiful stripe design with a delicate illustration along with a powder puff that has a bow! This is one of many of Japan’s popular items and I can understand why because I’ve been using this powder every single day to set my makeup and it really controls my excess oil from producing and keeps me matte without looking dry. I recall reading somewhere that you can wear this powder to sleep and it acts as a skincare powder, where it can minimize excess oil production throughout the night. I would recommend this to those who have normal and combination skin. If you’re sensitive to scents or have sensitive skin, maybe skip on this one because this does contain fragrance in it. It has a very soft floral scent to it, which I absolutely enjoy!

Kiss Me Sharp Gel Liner Super Waterproof 1.5mm

Link: Available Here

I absolutely adore their mascara line and the lengthening one is my holy grail. When I first saw this eyeliner in my package, I was so excited simply because I find Japanese eyeliners very heavy-duty and long-lasting. I specifically use this eyeliner to tight line my eyes and it lasts throughout the day – no smudging, bits on my face. The colour is a rich black and really emphasizes and makes the eyes bigger and brighter looking.
If you have been following me for a while, you would know that my signature look is my cat winged eyeliner. I only use waterproof eyeliners because I cannot afford to have my eyeliner smudging everywhere throughout the day.

LABO LABO Super Keana Lotion 200 ml

Link: Available Here

This is a Japanese brand and also is new to me, I’ve never seen this brand before so it was refreshing to see unique brands. The claims are it is a refreshing lotion that clears pore congestion, refines pores and also hydrates the skin. Sounds like the dream lotion, right? There also has no added fragrance, colour dyes, mineral oils, parabens, petroleum, alcohol and surfactant agents. This is super mild and gentle and suitable for all skin types! I’m all for simple skincare that is mild, non-abrasive and non-stripping so this right off the bat surprised me and made me very excited to incorporate it in my skincare routine.

JM Solution Water Luminous SOS Ringer Mask (35 ml x 10 sheet masks)

Link: Available here

I am a sheet mask addict, I treat my skin to a sheet mask every single day. My existing sheet mask stash is gradually dropping down because I have not been purchasing any new ones. The moment I saw this in the box, I was excited simply because I’m still exploring the JM Solution brand and have only tried one of their sheet masks in the past. I also am very big in barrier care, it’s crucial to me to focus on hydrating, moisturizing and also nourishing my skin. This mask offers a highly concentrated treatment that is combined with water that deeply moisturizes and hydrates the skin to improve skin’s overall appearance, elasticity, and texture. This is a cellulose sheet mask and the material offers comfort to the skin and delivers active ingredients effectively with high-adhesion. It contains beautiful ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, and aquaxyl with enhanced moisturizing ingredients. There is also panthenol and allantoin ingredients that are fantastic for calming, soothing and hydrating the skin, leaving it feeling like silk.

COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pads (70 pads)

Link: Available here

If you don’t know or have heard of COSRX, you are living under a rock. COSRX has been around for quite a few years now and has a fantastic reputation for creating quality products at an affordable price. The One-step pimple pads contain BHA and White willow bark tree extract, they work together to correct and combat against uneven skin tone. Each pad is soaked in a generous amount of solution that can deeply penetrate and remove sebum and skin waste. There are 70 pads in here so it’ll last you a while. I’ve been using this and have been enjoying them, they’re not stripping or drying – they also do not leave a residue on the skin. I find this is very effective for my skin and also I find my skin appears to be more balanced.

Etude House Silk Scarf Double Care Hair Mask Pack

Link: Available here

I didn’t even know Etude House made hair masks but first time for everything, right? My hair has been overprocessed in the past and really needs some TLC. Alice was kind enough to send me 2 of these to try out. So the star ingredients appear to be hohobassi oil and ceramide (nano-ceramide). These two ingredients work together as a powerhouse to restore hair’s texture and overall appearance.

C-ROLAND Loshi Horse Oil Moisturizing Skin Cream (220g)

Link: Available here

Some of you may be raising your eyebrows and asking yourselves, “horse oil?” Horse oil has been used in skin care for many, many years; it’s packed with fatty acids and antibacterial properties to protect and maintain the skin’s barrier. It is used to treat burns, cuts, and eczema. This is formulated with 100% pure horse oil and has no irritating chemicals. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used all season round.

If you’re interested in getting any of these or would like to shop at Lifecode Boutique, please feel free to use the code: AMY15 to get 15% off your purchase (code is only valid until 10/31/2019).

Thank you, Alice, for putting such a wonderful and beautiful package together. Everything was very thoughtful and fantastic quality. Although I don’t always share sensitive skincare products, I do prefer them over products that are complicating. The skincare products are very straight to the point, clear and just absolutely fantastic.

Please feel free to drop a comment or DM me on Instagram if you would like me to review any of these. That’s it for now, folks! Stay tuned for my next post!