Tag: KBeauty

[REVIEW] SKINFOOD AVOCADO RICH CREAM

I’m sure we’ve seen a large number of products made with fruit and vegetables based ingredients, they also made a huge entrance into the beauty industry in the past couple of years. SKINFOOD was probably the first well-known K-beauty brand to come up with products like this. I was always intrigued by the concept of these kinds of products; They have their peach, celery, black pomegranate, royal honey/propolis, and etc lines. The one product that really stood out to me as of recently was their avocado line. I absolutely love avocadoes, they taste delicious and they are packed in nutrients that can provide the skin fantastic benefits as well!

SKINFOOD has been repackaging a lot of their products so if you noticed my bottle doesn’t look like yours, don’t be alarmed. They changed the appearance of their packaging just a tad bit.

Key Ingredients

All of these key ingredients are non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores).

Avocado oil is packed with fatty acids that are fantastic for providing skin moisture while being nourishing.

Olive oil is an incredible multi-use ingredient. It can be used as an eye, lip makeup remover, mask, facial oil and moisturizer. It has moisturizing, antibacterial and antioxidants.

Macadamia Seed Oil has anti-aging benefits and can deeply soothe and moisturize the skin. It’s also known for treating against skin irritation and inflammation.

Shea Butter is great for softening and repairing the skin. It can mimic the moisturizer in sebum. Thus, it convinces the skin into believing that it has enough sebum and helps slow down the process of the overproduction of sebum. It also can help out on skin discoloration by evening out the skin’s overall appearance.

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Glucose, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Arginine, 1, 2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

I found this extremely moisturizing and nourishing, it does exactly what I imagined it to do. The only draw back I wanted to mention on here about this product is for those who are irritated or allergic to avocado, please do a patch test prior to application. Avocado Oil is generally fantastic for those who struggle with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and also, acne. I also didn’t like that they added fragrance to this but because it is the last ingredient for this product, I’m not exactly against it. If they went for an unscented option, I think this product would be enjoyed by many. In case you were wondering what this smells like, it has a baby lotion-like scent but it fades really fast upon application.

Overall

  • Texture: 5/5 – Surprisingly enough, this is a thicker toner but it also runny so it’s a cross hybrid between a creamy, milky toner with a slight watery consistency to it. I like this toner for winter because it’s great alone and beautiful when layered with other products.
  • Scent: 4/5 – It’s okay, I don’t mind the scent but it does have a baby lotion smell but nothing too strong and unbareable.
  • Price: 5/5 – Okay, when I got this product – it was only $22 but Yesstyle is currently selling this for an outrageous price. I would suggest to check back when Yesstyle has inventory of this or another retailer because it shouldn’t be $50+. I personally would never spend $30+ on a toner because it’s a toner! Lots of affordable options available in the market. If you’re looking for another option, I would suggest the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner.
  • Performance: 5/5 – Nice! I have zero complaints with this, my skin feels hydrated and moisturized. It’s a great option for the drier and colder seasons.
  • Packaging: 3/5 – Could be better. The stopper is a bit hard to dispense out any product and you’ll find yourself shaking the crap out of this to get any product out. I just wish they added a pump or something rather than a stopper for this kind of product.
  • Overall: 4/5 – I like it! Not sure if I would repurchase it but it’s worth a shot if you’re looking for a new toner to try out. This one would be great for those who have dehydrated/dry, normal and combo skin types. I don’t think oil folks would enjoy this one very much.

Available on:  | Yesstyle | Skinfood US

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.

PRODUCT FLOPS: CHAPTER 3

You win some, you lose some; what can you do right? It’s been a long while since I’ve done these and just so you know, I came across a lot of mediocre, fail products but I just didn’t really care enough to announce them until now. I think I have a good amount of products to share with you that just didn’t work out. Nothing against these brands, some things just don’t out as plan or work the way we want them to.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask

i-038857-watermelon-glow-sleeping-mask-80ml-1-940I’ve tried time overtime to make this sleeping mask work for me, I really wanted to enjoy this. Don’t get me wrong, I love their other products such as their watermelon mist, pineapple-c serum, avocado sleeping mask, and blueberry cleanser but this, this was not a hit for me. No matter how thick or thin I applied this on my face, it would just pill on me. Whether I had skincare underneath or no skincare, I had the same issues. I’ve tried really hard to make this sleeping mask work for me and it just wouldn’t.

Etude House Double Lasting Serum Foundation

51f9km5qell._sx425_I used this foundation a handful of times and every time I was left disappointed. Not only it separated on my skin, but it also made my skin appear extremely oily. Somehow it clung onto dry patches and leaving a layer of grease on my skin, not sure what to think of this. Perhaps I got a dud, perhaps I didn’t shake it hard enough for the serum to mix well with the foundation. I know what dewy looks like and this ain’t it. Luckily, I got this from PR because I would have been annoyed spending 20 bucks on it and just have to throw it away. I ended up giving this to my friend and she said it works for her dry skin so yay.

Farmacy Honey Potion

zoom_1_product_33489_20farmacy_20honey_20potion_20renewing_20antioxidant_20hydration_20mask_2050g_76178f15a3283189a2c0f66ca0392012519a5a11_1528796116You may have seen this on my Instagram feed a while ago and I liked it but maybe it was all placebo. Sure, it gave my skin that warming sensation but I didn’t really feel a significant difference when removing it off my skin. I think I just liked how it was warming and it didn’t irritate my skin. It’s quite overpriced if you ask me and I don’t think I should have gotten it in the first place. I should have gotten the smaller size and tried it prior to getting the medium size. I did like the packaging for its magnetic lid and spatula but other than that, there are better honey masks out there, such as the Naisture – honey honey mask and also the “I’m from – honey mask”.

RiRe Liquid Eyeshadow

s-l300This is a small Korean brand and I got one of their liquid shadows from a Joah box and let me tell you, it was the chunkiest glitter shadow I have ever seen in my life. It’s definitely not eye-safe and I don’t even know why these brand develops these glitter products without being mindful of the environment and also user’s health. I swatched a tiny bit of this on my hand and it instantly turned red without me putting any pressure during the application. Could you imagine if I put it on my lids? It would have been over for my eyelids. You want a good liquid shadow, try Peripera – they’re just as good as the Stila liquid shadows but a fraction of the cost.

It’s Skin Tiger Cica Calming Serum

dead35_34d17ec33008487e9a5d396696c8f27emv2It’s funny that I’m mentioning this because I had a huge obsession for It’s Skin products and the more I learned about the ingredients and the more I understood what works for my skin and what doesn’t. I have dehydrated skin issues so gel creams are not ideal for my skin type because they don’t serve that much purpose for me. During summer, I tend to use them the most but other seasons? no. This particular serum is a gel-based serum and it just does absolutely nothing for me. Sure, it might be a TINY bit hydrating but nothing more than that and it kind of just forms a film on top of my skin doing absolutely nothing. I think I’ve “graduated” from using It’s Skin skincare. I still enjoy their power 10 ampoules and hand creams but other than that, I don’t think they really interest me as much as they did when I was a lot younger. You know when you have certain phases in your life and you’re over it to move onto the next big thing? yeah, that’s how I feel about their products.

Colourpop Pretty Fresh Tinted Moisturizer

pretty-fresh-light-5n_aWhy? This isn’t the worst product I’ve tried however that being said, why is so overhyped? I don’t understand why this is so hyped up. It’s a very underwhelming product, you won’t get that glow as promised. Also, it’s not that hydrating nor has tinted moisturizer coverage. It’s pretty full coverage for a tinted moisturizer and just doesn’t really match the name of it. I purchased this myself and I am a fan of Colourpop products but this one was probably not as good as a drugstore foundation and you guys who have followed me from time would know I don’t like drugstore foundations that much. I mean, I have a lot of product left so I’m contemplating to use it up or forward to someone who may like it.

I Dew Care Plush Party Lip Sleeping Mask

41q0n46gsgl._sx355_Their packaging is so stinking cute and I had so many hopes for this little guy. It burned my lips like no other, I was in shock because I was hoping it to be similar to maybe the Laneige lip sleeping mask but for a fraction of the cost. You know when a product burns your skin on the surface you feel it, right? This product penetrated into my lips and burned it on the inside. How is that even possible? Luckily I didn’t have an “allergic reaction” to this where it could have been swollen but I did, however, have that burning sensation and it was ongoing for a good hour before it went away. Concerning and a big nope for me, I’m SuRpRiSeD by the amount of “positive” reviews on Instagram about this specific product. Anyway, I did repurpose the container and I put some vaseline in it instead.

The Saem ICELAND Hydrating Toner

21vdvwkbgblOh man, where do I even start with this? The first thing you’ll notice is it’s the heavy fragrance the moment you open it. Not to mention it was very drying on the skin, it was far from hydrating. It also left an unnecessary strange slight tack to the skin, which I did not appreciate. I’m not sure why The Saem thinks it’s a brilliant idea to pour a bottle of perfume in their products. I said this once, I will say it again. Skincare doesn’t need to smell good, it just needs to work. It’s as easy as that but to some brands, they believe fragrances make a product more attractive. It might attract certain consumers but fragrance is a very irritating to the skin.

Glowhill (In General)

glowhill20aurora20whitehole20glow20maskThey gifted me their products and I was so excited to try their products when I first got the PR package. I want to share that just because a product looks pretty and cute, doesn’t mean it will work on your skin. I should have known these would bad news the moment I opened their peel-off masks. Peel-off masks are extremely harsh on the skin because think about it, it dries on top of your skin and you’re peeling it off and sometimes, it really hurts when you peel it off. Anyway, this was heavily fragranced as well so I don’t know why I thought it was a great idea to apply it all over my face. I left this mask on then peeled it off, my skin was very red afterward. No surprise here because peel-off + fragranced, those are two red flags right there. Another concerning thing, there’s glitter in these masks. Why is there glitter in skincare? At first, I was attracted to the concept but the more I think about it, the more I realize it’s not as great as it seems. Roughly 2 days after, I got a giant pimple on my forehead and I’m 99.9% sure this triggered that because I don’t break out that easily and I’m pretty blessed with clear skin for the most part. It’s usually irritating products and poor diet that triggers my breakouts.

That’s it for now, friends. I know there were a lot of products I shared today that may or may not work for you but keep in mind, no two skin types are alike with one another. Be mindful of what you buy and use and also check the ingredients.

[REVIEW] ANGEL LOOKA SOFT WHIPPED CREAM BODY RECIPE

Happy New Year’s Eve, friends! I’ve been off the web for a while and just been posting queued posts on Instagram. I hope you all are doing well and had a wonderful holidays.

Body care is crucial, I don’t think I ever taken it seriously until recently early in 2019. My skin has significantly gotten a lot drier throughout the years so it’s best to care for it. You guys know how much I adore cute themed cosmetics and could never say no to them even if I tried. Elena from My Precious Cosmetics is the store owner for this beautiful K-beauty online boutique, she’s such a sweet person and offers incredible service. For those of you who speak Spanish, there is an option on the website to read everything in Spanish. There’s a nice range of indie K-Beauty brands to choose from Gaston, NOHJ, The Oozoo, Barangsori, Angel Looka, and Fraijour. I did a review on the Gaston Cushion a while back and honestly, it’s still one of my favourite cushion products I use. The Oozoo is another familiar brand I’ve used in the past and I really enjoyed their injection + bear aurora masks.

My thoughts

Can we just take a moment to appreciate how adorable these creams are? The details of the packaging are so fun and colourful. The lid looks like an ice cream shape appearance to it and the tube has a cute illustration of an ice cream cone. I own a lot of cute products but I don’t think I have anything like this. I have products that smell and look like dessert but this is a whole new level of cuteness. I’m really picky with body creams because I don’t like sticky consistencies or too thick because it’s hard to apply and break the product down in the skin so I prefer body products that are more water-like gel/jelly, lightweight feeling on the skin.

Overall

  • Texture: 5/5 – It has a milky whipped gel consistency and it blends so nicely into the skin, it’s almost like you don’t need to put so much effort into it applying the product in. It’s very moisturizing and does not feel sticky on the skin.  If you’re someone who doesn’t like body butter and thick textures, this is the perfect product for you because it’s so lightweight on the skin, you almost feel like it’s not even on your skin. There’s no pilling, residue from these and almost have a “balm-like” finish to them, which is so cool because it starts off a gel then transforms into this moisturizing balm.
  • Scent: 5/5 – The scents are really nice and light smelling, you won’t get a headache from smelling these because they’re lightly fragranced and they all smell like fruity desserts.
  • Price: 4/5 – For 150g of product, $17.66 is pretty affordable because there’s so much product in here! I think it would take me 3 months to finish one tube or maybe even longer. It’s a fun and cute product and I think it would an excellent gift for yourself or your loved ones who enjoy cute skincare products.
  • Performance: 5/5 – It works nicely and it’s definitely an effective product and doesn’t just only look nice.
  • Packaging: 5/5 – How can you say no to this? This is so cute and makes a fantastic gift for you and your loved ones. Christmas may have past, however, there are always birthdays and  Valentine’s day is right by the corner too! Share this with your sweethearts in your life.
  • Overall: 5/5 – I really appreciate the thought and effort they put into this cream. I personally am really attracted to cute packaging and I love how they made skincare fun and exciting to look at and use. Everytime I see these on my desk, I smile because they’re adorable.

Available here: Strawberry Milk | Blueberry Milk | Grape Milk

USE CODE: SALES-2020 for % off your purchase

More info on the brand: Angellooka Official Website | Angelooka KR

I do not make any commissions for any of products you decide to purchase from her website, I just wanted to support her business because I think she has a fantastic thing going on and I really recommend you to check her out and have a look at what her shop has to offer. All opinions stated are my own.

 

[REVIEW] IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM

Centella Asiatica/Cica is taking the whole skincare industry and community by storm because it’s pretty much everywhere now. Whether it’s from abroad or even western beauty. I just bought a l’oreal revitalift cica and retinol cream recently at the drugstore. Iunik has been in the skincare game for about 2 years now and they’ve grown and expanded a lot from they first started as. They’re still one of my favourite brands to use in my skincare regimine because of their affordability and how excellent their products work for my skin. Alright, let’s dive into the review on this cica gel cream.

Claims

  • iUNIK Centella Calming Gel Cream is a refreshing and moisturizing oil-free cream that makes the skin clearer and more vibrant.
  • Enriched with Centella Asiatica Leaf Water 70% and Tea tree Leaf Water 10%, gently lowers skin temperature, effectively soothes and calms sensitive skin with blemishes.
  • Lightweight gel texture containing 6 kinds of sprout extracts fully moisturizes the skin and helps relieve skin stress, creating clear, refreshed skin in a good condition.
  • Whitening & Wrinkle Care Double Functional Cosmetics
  • 6 patented sprout extracts
  • Quick absorbing and acts as an amazing perfect makeup base

Key Ingredients

Centella Asiatica is a plant-based ingredient that has multiple healing properties. The extract is rich with amino acids, fatty acids and etc that can help treat and prevent acne, calming down skin inflammation and promote collagen growth.

Niacinamide is ideal for those with acne-prone and oily skin as it works to minimize sebum production for a more balanced complexion.

Adenosine is a yeast-derived ingredient that has soothing properties and skin-restoring agents. It also has anti-wrinkle benefits due to its ability to energize the skin’s surface creating a youthful appearance.

Hyaluronic Acid is a very well-known and popular ingredient that has some great qualities and benefits such as it can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and also speed skin recovery. It also is fantastic for retaining moisture in the skin.

Ingredient List:

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Water, Niacinamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, C12-14 Pareth-12, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Medicago Sativa (Alfalfa) Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Brassica Napus (Canola) Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Allantoin, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

How to use: After using toner, apply a moderate amount to face and gently pat until fully absorbed.

My thoughts

There are a lot of beautiful ingredients in this product that are packed with skin relieving properties. I would be curious to know if whether they decide to release a cream version of this because I think it would be amazing for those who have dry, dehydrated skin. This gel-cream is more ideal for those who have combination, oily skin and for those who live in hot climates. I don’t think this would be enough for anyone who suffers from dehydration issues, however, that being said, it is a great gel-cream used as a topical treatment because it does instantaneously relieve the skin from further inflammation and redness does gradually go away after application.

The one thing that really throws me off about this cream is the essential oils. I have developed a sensitivity towards essential oils so I would prefer to stray away from them as much as possible if I could. I personally did not experience any adverse effects when using this product however, I would rather be safe than sorry with my skin.

Be aware that there is also dimethicone in this product and some people are sensitive towards that. I found this gel-cream not effective as a makeup base simply because it pills on the skin and it even pills when you apply sunscreen on top.

Overall

  • Texture: 4/5 – Comfortable, lightweight gel formula however I just did not like it as a makeup base. As a skincare product, it performed fine.
  • Scent: 4/5 – I personally did not smell anything, maybe a super faint citrus scent from the bergamot oil but I would prefer to stray away from essential oils because they’re quite sensitizing.
  • Price: 5/5 – IUNIK products are always affordable and they have a nice range of choices to choose from so that is always nice.
  • Performance: 4/5 – It worked fine but I cannot say if I would repurchase this. It’s definitely a product I would use specifically for the hotter season but definitely not all year round.
  • Packaging: 3/5 – I like that it’s in a squeeze tube for hygienic reasons but I also do not like how difficult it is to squeeze product near the end. I’m only halfway through my bottle but it’s like pulling out teeth to get out just some product.
  • Overall: 3/5 – Not for me but I know a lot of oily skin folks would really enjoy this gel cream and would appreciate it for it’s fantastic soothing and cooling effects. If you’re interested in trying this out, here are the following links to purchase them on.

Use code DORKIE1 at checkout to save on Yesstyle your purchase

Available here: eBay | Yesstyle

 

 

 

[REVIEW] Purito Unscented Centella Sunscreen

Purito has been one of my most favourite and well-respected brands because they were one of the first brands I worked with and they are a very considerate bunch of individuals that create products from their fans’ suggestions. They’re welcome feedback of all sorts and they’ve expanded their range of products tremendously these past 2 years. I was very intrigued when I heard they released their very first unscented sunscreen and because I enjoyed the original Centella sunscreen, I knew I had to give this a try to see if there were any differences.

Claims

This sunscreen is fragrance-free and formulated with cica extracts that can moisturize the skin while providing effective protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It’s formulated with EWG-verified ingredients and free of parabens, mineral oils, ensuring a non-irritant formula that is safe for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients

Niacinamide is ideal for those with acne-prone and oily skin as it works to minimize sebum production for a more balanced complexion.

Centella Asiatica is a plant-based ingredient that has multiple healing properties. The extract is rich with amino acids, fatty acids and etc that can help treat and prevent acne, calming down skin inflammation and promote collagen growth.

Adenosine is a yeast-derived ingredient that has soothing properties and skin-restoring agents. It also has anti-wrinkle benefits due to its ability to energize the skin’s surface creating a youthful appearance.

Hyaluronic Acid is a very well-known and popular ingredient that has some great qualities and benefits such as it can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and also speed skin recovery. It also is fantastic for retaining moisture in the skin.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) can prevent foreign substances from invading. It also possesses skin softening properties, soothes inflammation, and even shields skin against sun damage.

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate,Centella Asiatica Extract(4315ppm), Madecassoside,Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts & Ramblings

The first thing I look at before I even use a product is the ingredient list, as you can see here there are a lot of fantastic ingredients in bold and whatever I did not bold, I’m not sure of. I’m not a scientist, folks; just a blogger who does reviews and has some knowledge of ingredients. There is a fantastic blend of ingredients that treat skin concerns from treating dullness, soothing, fatty alcohols, hydrating and moisture-retaining. I absolutely love how this sunscreen feels on the skin, it’s not sticky, there’s no residue or pilling when I use this and it kind of dries into a velvet-matte finish so you won’t have that “grease ball” look that some sunscreens give.

Sunscreen has been around for many years but I started noticing that they started to become more “popular” for the past 2 years or so. I’m sure all of us know how important it is to use our SPF so I won’t get into that, you’re more than welcome to look up articles on it. I didn’t start taking sunscreen serious and started to wear it until I was about 22~23 years old. I noticed my skin started to reveal a lot of age spots so that was a rude awakening for me to turn my life around.

Overall

  • Texture: 5/5 – I found the consistency and texture for this sunscreen super lightweight and comfortable to wear. The texture reminds me of a water-based moisturizer, it applies beautifully on the skin and wears nicely with makeup. It does not alter the appearance of makeup. Anyone who is afraid of thick textured sunscreens would love this because it’s so lightweight and it feels like a thin layer of moisturizer on the face. There’s no tacky or stickiness to it either so it’s fantastic!
  • Scent: 5/5 – There is absolutely no scent to this. All skin types would enjoy this, including sensitive skin types who are sensitive to fragrance.
  • Price: 5/5 – I purchased this product myself and it’s worth every penny. I have another backup coming my way and I will continuously use this SPF because it’s my HG. I cannot live without it. I got mine for 18 CAD on eBay but I know YesStyle and other places will have it as well.
  • Performance: 5/5 – Amazing, I cannot speak more highly about this. It’s probably one of the first SPF products that do not irritate my skin nor does it make my skin dry and itchy after removing it.
  • Packaging: 5/5 – Purito isn’t into extra packaging and makes it simple. I find their products are easily identifiable and quite easy to find their products online.
  • Overall: 5/5 – Bravo, Purito! You scored 100% for this sunscreen, there’s absolutely nothing I dislike about this and the fact I’m buying backups of it, says a lot. The price, texture, and wear is right – I think everyone needs to give this a shot. Stop spending 40-50 dollars for sunscreen and start with this one. I promise you, it’s just as good or if not, even better than the ones you’re using right now.

Available on: Yesstyle

Use code DORKIE1 at checkout to save on your purchase

 

 

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.

 

[REVIEW] COSRX HYDROGEL VERY SIMPLE PACK

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Anyone who followed me long enough knows that I have this undying love for Kbeauty. Kbeauty has been a huge part of my skincare and beauty journey. Cosrx was one of the first beauty brands that I’ve tried and enjoyed. I did try a lot of Kbeauty skincare products when I was a teenager however, they were very irritating and inflamed. This has to be one of the first that did not irritate my skin and they’re super budget-friendly. I would say they’re quite accessible – you can purchase them at a lot of physical Walmart locations, Amazon, Yesstyle, eBay and etc.

Alright, onto the exciting part – the review and my experience with this product.

Claims

  • These hydrogel cooling mask patches deliver instant skin relief to overheated, inflamed or irritated skin.
  • These can be applied on cheeks and forehead as they are drenched in essence that contains a gorgeous blend of ingredients that provide moisture, soothing and hydrating results.
  • The three-star ingredients are ceramide NP, Hyaluronic acid, Centella Asiatica.
  • There are 60 patches in each container.

Key Ingredients

Centella Asiatica is a plant-based ingredient that has multiple healing properties. The extract is rich with amino acids, fatty acids and etc that can help treat and prevent acne, calming down skin inflammation and promote collagen growth.

Ceramide NP – This is one of the types of ceramides. This can improve the appearance and texture of dry skin.

Hyaluronic Acid is a very well-known and popular ingredient that has some great qualities and benefits such as it can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and also speed skin recovery. It also is fantastic for retaining moisture in the skin.

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP.

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

What I enjoy about these are they are excellent as a multi-purpose type of product where it can be used for skincare or makeup prep. I like to use these when my skin is feeling a bit inflamed or dry and usually do the try to give it hydration while calming down my skin. The only thing that turns me away from this product is the bergamot oil, I don’t understand why it’s there and it should be swapped out with a better ingredient. Niacinamide would be a nice replacement.

TIP: After cleansing, toning, apply these pads on your cheeks and leave them on for 10 minutes, when removed – pat the excess essence into the skin and carry on with the rest of your skincare routine.

Sunburn or skin irritation? no worries, refrigerate these and apply the pads on your skin, your skin should feel significantly calming and cool the moment the pad touches your skin.

Overall

  • Texture: 5/5 – Great texture,  the hydrogel pads are not too thick nor are they too juicy where essence spills everywhere on the ground. They also don’t rip easily so that’s always nice. They also don’t slide off that easily like some hydrogel masks do.
  • Scent: 4/5 – I don’t smell anything when using these but I will remove a mark simply because there is an unnecessary essential oil in this that is just for cosmetic reasons for the product. I think they should really reconsider reformulating this to unscented so that even sensitive skin folks can use this as well at ease.
  • Performance: 4/5 – It does what it claims, I don’t have any complaints with it. I like how it leaves my skin feeling so soft and supple. It’s definitely something great to have.
  • Packaging: 3.5/5 – I think the packaging is alright! It comes with a small set of tongs that can clip and great a grip of the pads for you without you digging your fingers in the container. I don’t have any issues with the packaging and how it functions. I think it would be safe to travel with these because I’ve traveled with these a few times and I had no issues with spilling in my bag.
  • Overall: 3.5/5 – I wouldn’t say you need this in your collection, however, if you wanted this for a while or need something like this then buy it. For me, I can live without these and they’re likely not repurchase but that being said, they are a nice addition if you’re looking for some fun and soothing facial pads that are made of hydrogel.

Available here: Yesstyle | StyleKorean | Jolse

 

 

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.

 

[ROUTINE] My Current Evening Routine (Fall)

Hello friends 🙂 I realized I have never shared my routine and breakdown of it with you guys before. I thought this would be a fantastic way to share my current favourites and why I like these products. To keep things consistent and clear, I will be using stock images so you know what exactly it is and how it looks when purchasing the products. Some of my products had the labels rub off.

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Cleanse

I always double cleanse every night because I usually wear sunscreen and makeup, so it’s crucial for me to get this step done first before I head on to my skincare routine.   Sometimes, I even triple cleanse and I add a micellar water as my first step to loosen all the pigment and makeup off my face prior to oil cleansing. I know, extreme but it is what it is. I like the bioderma sensibio micellar water. The products I have been enjoying for my double cleanse routine is the Innisfree Olive Cleansing Oil/Kumano Cosme Pharama act deep cleansing oil and also, the Youth to the People Super Food Cleanser. They’re both fantastic and gentle on my skin and I do not have any issues with them. Some cleansing oils can burn my eyes and also can be a bit harsh on my sensitive eye area, I find this really breaks down my waterproof eye makeup and face makeup really easily. I then follow up with my favourite cleanser of all time to clean off any remaining impurities off my face.  The cleanser has a pH level of 6, the overall feel of it resembles a silky, lightweight gel and foams up ever so slightly. It also doesn’t burn my eyes if I accidentally go too close to my eyes.

Tone

unpa-bye-bye-cica-toner-500mll_p0101680578l_p0095254004Alright, my favourite step all of all steps, toning! I am a big fan of watery, lightweight toners and that are not complicating.                                                                                                                                                                         I like mild and simple ingredients that soften my skin while leaving it feel hydrated. The top 3 toners I have been using alone or layered are the Unpa Cosmetics Bye Bye Cica, Tiam B5 and Keep Cool Soothe. I don’t seem to be as attracted to thicker toners as much as I use to before. On days where my skin needs more hydration and moisture, I like to use the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner. I own both the original and the mist form of it. I like the mist form for easy application but on days where I want to DIY mask, I would make a DIY mask using the Cream Skin Refiner. Check out my previous blog post review on my thoughts on it!

Serum

3363_royal_honey_propolis_enrich_essence_1_largeThere are only 2 serums I have been using a lot in the evening and it’s the Skinfood propolis serum and keep cool soothe serum. During the day, I’ve been reaching for the good molecules niacinamide serum a tone but during the evenings, I have always leaned towards these two and because I want to clear my inventory of skincare, so I can start using my unopened products. thumb-keepcoolsoothebambooserum50ml_280x280

Moisturize

img119765Almost near the end… There are 3 moisturizers I am altering around because it really depends and varies what my skin will need that evening. I’ve been using a lot thicker, richer moisturizers because we are transitioning into more colder weather here where I am so I like my to prep my skin prior to the drastic changes. I’ve been enjoying the caudalie sos vinosource, cerave moisturizing cream and finally, the etude house soon jung hydro barrier cream.

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Out of all the 3 creams, the cerave has the thickest consistency which I absolutely adore because it acts as a seal, protective layer as it keeps my skin moisturized. This is a classic and although it may not be aesthetically pleasing, it’s simple and does the job. Plus, you get a ton of product in this. I had my jar for about 1 year and a half and I used it pretty much every day, whether on my face or body. It contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to restore the skin’s barrier as it locks in moisture and keeps skin protected. A delightful and affordable choice for those who are looking for a good moisturizer. This is 100% going to be a repurchase.

The Caudalie sos vinosource is a beautiful product and created specifically for those who have normal and dry skin. I have combination, dehydrated skin and I find it works just as well on me. It has grape water, grape seed, and squalane! This is packed with moisturizing, soothing and antioxidant properties in one cream. It is a tad more expensive than I expect it to be however, I do enjoy it. In case you were curious, the product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and comes in recyclable packaging. I’m not sure I would repurchase because there are a lot of affordable options out there I can explore and try out.

etudehouse_sp_035_light-766x1000I got this Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier cream as a gift and I must say, this took me by complete surprise as I had no expectations for it. The cream appears to be this light gel texture so I assumed it wouldn’t provide my skin enough moisturizing and hydrating benefits but to my surprise, it did and I find this is more ideal for weather that is in between summer to fall, perhaps even spring. This is a hypoallergenic gel cream and it has a pH level of 5.5, it is enriched with 92.2% hydrating, soothing and moisture-retaining ingredients panthenol and madecassoside. I don’t expect much from Etude House simply because they are well-known for their makeup. I don’t recall really enjoying any of their skincare products but this was probably the first.

Sleeping Mask *optional

cica-sleeping-mask-01There are days where I like to be extra with my skincare and there will days where I could careless and will do the bare minimum for my skin. Whatever works for you, right?

So there seems to be a lot of misconception in the Instagram beauty community where they see a sleeping mask as a moisturizer. Sure, a sleeping mask can potentially have moisturizing, soothing and hydrating properties, however, from what I learned, a sleeping mask is a final step to your skincare routine; which means this comes after your moisturizer to seal the skin and lock in all those previous steps in.

I’ve been loving the Laneige cica sleeping mask. This is a skin barrier strengthening mask that can help improve skin’s strength. It also is hypoallergenic and free of 9 harmful ingredients. I purchased this off Jolse and have been hooked, I use it every single day and I think I have about 30% left.

 

*Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

[REVIEW] SKINFOOD AVOCADO RICH TONER

I’m sure we’ve seen a large number of products made with fruit and vegetables based ingredients, they also made huge entrance into to the beauty industry in the past couple of years. SKINFOOD was probably the first well-known K-beauty brand to come up with products like this. I was always intrigued by the concept of these kinds of products; They have their peach, celery, black pomegranate, royal honey/propolis, and etc lines. The one product that really stood out to me as of recently was their avocado line. I love avocadoes, they taste delicious and I would assume there are packed in nutrients that can provide the skin fantastic benefits as well!

As many of you may know, I have been working with Life Code Boutique and on the very first collaboration, they were so generous to send me some products to try out and I had the opportunity to pick out some as well. This is one of the products I chose out to try and today I will be sharing with you all my experience with it.

SKINFOOD has been repackaging a lot of their products so if you noticed my bottle doesn’t look like yours, don’t be alarmed. They changed the appearance of their packaging just a tad bit.

 

Claims

  • This contains 15% avocado extract, avocado oil and essential oils.
  • It’s able to hydrate the skin while providing maximum nutrition and locking in the moisture to protect the skin.
  • Provides a brighter, healthier complexion

Key Ingredients

All of these key ingredients are non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores).

Avocado oil is packed with fatty acids that are fantastic for providing skin moisture while being nourishing.

Olive oil is an incredible multi-use ingredient. It can be used as an eye, lip makeup remover, mask, facial oil and moisturizer. It has moisturizing, antibacterial and antioxidants.

Macadamia Seed Oil has anti-aging benefits and can deeply soothe and moisturize the skin. It’s also known for treating against skin irritation and inflammation.

Shea Butter is great for softening and repairing the skin. It can mimic the moisturizer in sebum. Thus, it convinces the skin into believing that it has enough sebum and helps slow down the process of the overproduction of sebum. It also can help out on skin discoloration by evening out the skin’s overall appearance.

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Arginine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Fragrance

 

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

I had very little to no expectations for this product, for two factors – SKINFOOD makes very hit or miss products and also, at this price – I never expect much when it’s affordable because sometimes, you get what you pay for. Luckily, I did not have that issue with this and I think this is very well worth the money because there’s a lot of fantastic ingredients here that provide the skin healing, soothing, softening and moisturizing benefits. I would say the only questionable ingredient was the added fragrance in this. I personally prefer if my skincare did not have added fragrance in it whether essential oils or artificial but I’m not against it. If it’s there, it’s there – I’ll just deal with it. I was glad to see there was Cetearyl alcohol in this, it’s fantastic fatty alcohol that has amazing emollient properties to it. Behenyl Alcohol is also another fatty alcohol that provides the same properties as Cetearyl and is specifically used in skincare as a thickener. These are friendly alcohols and should not be feared of.

 

Overall

  • Texture: 5/5 – rich, milky consistency – this is not thick but leans towards on the runny side of textures. As you massage it in your skin, it feels almost like an emulsion. I would say this is a good hybrid product between a toner and emulsion because it’s a unique consistency.
  • Scent: 2/5 – Ok, the scent isn’t unbearable but it’s not my cup of tea. It smells like baby lotion, I kid you not. The scent does eventually go away but I cannot help but think this is baby lotion every time I smell it.
  • Price: 5/5 – SKINFOOD is always reasonable with their prices. For something made with “premium” ingredients and is their fancier line, I would like to say it’s quite affordable and the ingredients are pretty awesome.
  • Performance: 5/5 – Fantastic, works like a charm. It’s very moisturizing for what it is and I would say this is ideal for fall and winter. During the colder seasons, our skin usually needs thicker layers.
  • Packaging: 4/5 – eh. It’s alright. The stopper does a good job controlling the amount of product coming out and limiting it from spilling everywhere but sometimes I have difficulty getting the product out. The label is this cheap watercolor-like paper and is likely to fall off if this product comes in contact with water. I’m not crazy about the packaging but I don’t hate it. The newer one looks much worse so I’m alright with this one.
  • Overall: 4/5 – I think it’s an awesome toner! This would be excellent for those who have dry, normal, combination and for those who suffer with dehydration issues.

Available on:  eBay | Life Code Boutique | Yesstyle |Jolse |

If you’re shopping on Life Code, please feel free to use code AMY15 to save % off your order and for Yesstyle, please free to use code DORKIE1 for % off your order.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

LIFE CODE BOUTIQUE THANKSGIVING SET

Thanksgiving just past for us Canadians however, who said we couldn’t still celebrate our thanks and purchase wonderful gift sets for our loved ones or us. Treat them/yourself to new and exciting new beauty and skincare products! Life Code Boutique curated a beautiful travel set of 9 products at a value of $170 for ONLY $120. Let’s see what inside this incredible gift set! Special thanks to Vivian & Alice for coordinating this collaboration with me.

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 monthly newsletter
  • Free gift for members subscription

Current Deals

  • Spend $80 or more – Get the C-Roland Day &Night Moisturizing mask (40 pcs) as a gift with purchase
  • Spend $50 or more – Get the Cosmos Facial Wash Brush as a gift with purchase
  • Spend $30 or more – Get the Etude House Eyebrow Pencil as a gift with purchase
  • ANY Purchase – Get the SKINFOOD Bird’s Nest Mask
I have a promotional code if you wanted to shop for regular products on their website.

Use Code: Amy15 and get 15% off your entire purchase * not applicable for promo deals. (valid till 11/30/2019)

The code was originally valid till Halloween but extended for you guys!

 

 

C-Roland Purta Pu ~ Placenta Essence Collagen Mask

There is so much buzz about placenta based products for skincare for many decades and it supposedly is excellent for providing the skin fantastic anti-ageing results. I personally have not tried anything with the placenta in it however am very open to doing so. Japanese cosmetics always have such appealing looking packaging and I absolutely love how there are 40 sheet masks in here soaked in a generous amount of essence. You also can use this daily, which is fantastic.

 

Loshi Horse Oil Cream, C-Roland Horse Classic Oil and Cosmos Facial Brush

Horse oil is also another famous and well-known ingredient used in skincare for many decades. Although it may sound odd to some, it’s a very popular ingredient used in Korea and Japan – it’s specifically used to treat inflamed skin, eczema, burns, and cuts. How cool is that? I think these would be a fantastic addition and new discovery for those who have not tried products like these. The cosmos facial brush is so soft, it feels like you’re brushed a really soft rabbit’s fur. You can use this for a gentle and luxurious cleansing experience. I personally already own one but I’m going to save this one to bring traveling with me. One for home, one for travel!

 

Skinfood Avocado Rich Cream

I already own the avocado rich toner and currently am testing it out. It’ll be interesting to incorporate this into my routine. Since it’s getting a lot colder and drier outside, I naturally gravitate towards more rich, thicker and denser formulas because my skin really needs it. I know they have repackaged their products a few times now, I do believe this is their older packaging and I must say, it looks a lot better than the current packaging style they’re going for. This cream is formulated with 35% avocado extract and avocado oil and it’s to provide skin nutrition, moisture, and hydration. Long term use, it can provide the skin brighter and a healthier appearance.

 

 

 

COSRX Honey Ceramide Eye Cream

I was extremely excited to see this because I absolutely adore eye creams and am always wanting to out more. COSRX is a very well-known Korean brand for their famous pimple patches, the good morning low pH cleanser, and their Centella blemish cream. This eye cream contains both ceramides and honey extract which help to supplement the skin’s barrier. It also can provide long-lasting suppleness and day protection against moisture loss.

 

Kose – Kokutousei Hakkou Lotion

I love how Life Code Boutique always includes such unique, hidden gems into their sets and their store has a lot of great hidden gems as well. This is lotion created with fermented black sugar extracts. Black sugar extract provides vitamin B to the skin, which can help for cell reproduction. Not only formulated with black sugar extract, but it also is formulated with double HA, lipidure, and tree peony extract to provide long-lasting moisture and care. The texture is described as a pliable and gooey that easily melts into the skin.

 

Look how precious this looks? The packaging itself is fit for a princess. 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!

The Etude House Eyebrow pencil has been a favourite of many for many years. Not only it’s so affordable, but it’s also fantastic and quite comparable to high-end eyebrow pencils, they’re not too waxy like some western brand eyebrow pencils but is just perfect. It glides on nicely and provides the brows of the perfect shape. You can do light strokes with this and it’s very forgiving and you can build your way to your desired brow shape. You get this for free if you spend $30 or more!

Get your travel gift set here

That’s it for now, friends. Please check out Life Code Boutique to find incredible finds for a reasonable price. Take advantage of deals while they last because they don’t last forever and be sure to stay tuned every week to find new weekly deals!

 

Disclaimer: I do not make any commission off these links and that this discount code is specifically created for you to use and get a discount for your order.