Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer

Most Korean actors that I see on dramas have this glowing face.  Surely many of us girls would love to have that effect on our faces and so glad that Etude House introduces a product that can help an ordianry girl next door achieve that glowing look by introducing Nymph Aura Volumer.

Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer No.3 in sample sizes
photo by my sister

Got curious with the volumer because I saw a college student while commuting and she have this natural glowing face with minimal make-up on and all I told myself during that commute is that "She's wearing a bb cream with volumer, I want to try it too".  Well, I have pale fair skin so I'm also dreaming to have a healthy natural glowing skin.

photo from Etude House Philippines official website

There are 3 types of Nymph Aura Volumer that Etude house offer.  I got the No.3 sample because my friend said that it's the most natural looking and non-sticky among the three.

Here are ways on how to use a volumer:

Ways on how to use a Nymph Aura Volumer
photo from Etude House Philippines official website

swatches under leaf setting of GEX500 without flash by the window

First, I used this as a highlighter.  I dispense around 3 dots and applied it on my T-Zone and upper cheek area and it made my face look oily.  I think I put too much and my skin didn't quickly absorbed the volumer: It's like I put oil on my face.

Next I use the volumer with my bb cream.  3 pea size mixed with a pea size of volumer gives a really sheer brightness.  It's so sheer that it's hardly noticeable.

The following day, I put more volumer to the bb cream (3 is to 2) and I still get the same effect..  On the next application, I went all out (3 is to 3) and BOOM my face looks terribly oily.  I have to brush and blot my face and after traveling for 1 and 1/2 hours to the office, the oiliness is gone and so is most of the glow/shine.

3 bb cream + 2 volumer topped with volumer

And so I go back to the 3 is to 2 formula, then I top it with volumer (as a highlighter) and well I somehow achieved what I want though since I'm a person who always wipe my face my hand and a hankerchief, reapplication of the volumer as a higlighter is needed.

Some notes to note (^_^):  when I mix the bb cream with the volumer, the bb cream's texture becomes a little liquidity so it's a bit easier to apply it to the face but the coverage somehow also lighten.  Also the more volumer apply/mixed, the more smoother and softer my skin gets and heavier too (be the weigh-er of the pros and cons).  And even though it makes my face looks oily when over applied, this product doesn't break me out.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

Missing U Hand Cream Season 3

Another cute hand creams by Etude House.  Too bad it's out of stock when I went to one of their boutiques.

phot from Etude House Global

Kakapo has the Sunny Sunny Apple Scent
Eagle Owl has the Berry Berry Cherry Scent
Eastern Grass Owl Peach Peach Peach Scent
Cerulean Warbler has the Sweet Cotton Candy Scent

All the Way Down: October Empties

This month, I emptied lots of big containers.  Ever since my haul ban, I started to notice products that are at the back of my closet.  Here are my empties:

have to let go of these products this month

Etude House Silk Scarf Hair Treatment
I immediately searched for this days after my haircut as my hair statrted to misbehave.  You can find my full review [here].

Human Heart Nature 100% Sunflower Beauty Oil
I finally found a reason to hate this product and that is the smell speciall on my clothes. But this is really a good oil so I seek for some solution to the problem.  Applying baby powder over the oil helped in keeping the oil in sticking to the fabric and soaking my clothes in color-safe bleach solution  before dumping them into the washing machine or simply adding around 2 tablespoons of the bleach to the high level mode.

Snoe Magic Apple
I hate this product.  Find my review [here].

Nature Republic Aloe Vera 90% Body Shower Gel
This body wash is simply refreshing like it's gel counterpart.  Click here for the review.

Nature Republic Aloe 70% Emulsion
Finally!  After almost 6 months, I finally emptied this.  Aside from applying this on my face, I also used this as a body lotion.  Find my review [here].

Human Nature Conditioner 100% Natural Moisturizing Conditioner
Ahhh this conditioner really made my hair bounce and sway.  Full review in this [link].

The Body Shop Olive Body Butter
This started my love for body butters and this in particular provided the right moisture for my body.  You can find my review [here].

Etude House Happy Teatime Cleansing Cream

So I've been to Divisoria (a place with a shopping bazaar, wet market, flea market mall, grocery store and the like all in one place) two weeks ago and since it's ~ber months, the place is already pack with shoppers and the place is a bit wetter.  So when I got home, I'm a complete mess because of the pollution and wanted to immediately wash my face.  But I kind of practice what my mom always remind me: that is to rest first before hitting the bathroom or I might get a disease called "pasma" sorry but I don't know its english counterpart.  Anyway, here's the cleansing cream that momentarily save my not so comfortable face.

Etude House Happy Teatime Cleansing Cream In Aloe Tea

simple yet classy to me

look how cute and classy the cover is, sweet!

I actually bought this out of curiosity.  I just wanted to try and know the effect of a cleansing cream.  Anyway, in the events like the above scenario or when I'm using BB cream, I use this the normal way.

Cleansing Cream's creamy texture contains Aloe extract to remove dirt and makeup while keeping skin moisturized with the pleasant fragrance of tea.
Directions:  Apply cream to all areas of the face.  Massage thoroughly and wipe clean with cleansing tissues or rinse with warm water to remove excess.

and here's the nasty dirt from my face

But on my ordinary days, I'm using this as a wash off facial mask and massage.  I apply, spread all over my face then let the product settle for about 20 seconds.  Then with the help of facial scrub pad, I massage my face in a circular motion.  Then after about a minute of scrubbing and massaging, I wash my face with foam cleanser then rinse.  Sometimes I wash with cleansing foam first followed by this cleansing cream if I'm lazy to put moisturizer or I'm already dead tired and just wanted to immediately hit the bed because this cleansing cream is really moisturizing.

and here's the cream

The smell reminds me of the jasmine shrubs that I cut back in the province when I'm still a kid, a little flowery yet refreshing.  I can't really distinguish the aloe from the tea but the smell is pleasant and not irritating to the nose.

As much as possible don't let this product get close to your eyes because it can make your eyesight a little blurry but don't panic if it happens.  Just wash with water, wait for a minute and your vision should go back to normal.

Overall, I can live without this but I really like the instant freshness it gives so I'll enjoy this cleansing cream's company while it's still in the market (I think soon, this will be discontinued like it's foam cleanser counterpart).

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

DIY Cotton Mask

Last week while reading and watching Etude House Philippines website and Michelle Phan's vblog, I decided to recreate their DIY masks.

Mask 1: 2 ingredients

a freshner + at least 6 cotton pads

peel and place the soaked cottons pads all over the face

Soak the cotton pads in freshner (a kind of toner that is a little thick than normal).  Here, I used my Etude House' Skin Mal:gum in Deep Moist.

Mask 2: 3 ingredients

toner + emulsion + at least 6 cotton pads

combined the toner and emulsion

Unfortunately I don't have a skin conditioner so I improvised.  I mixed 1 part of toner and 1 part emulsion.  Mixed well then soak the cotton pads then stretch, peel and apply all over the face.  Here, I'm using my Etude House's Skin Mal:gum in Smooth and Nature Republic's Aloe Emulsion.

The result is lovable as it made my skin soft, smooth, bright and refresh.  If you have been given with different kinds of toner and emulsion samples from your purchases, then I think it's the perfect time to use them with this DIY masks.  I'm going to use The FaceShop freebies next time.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

My Return to the Pink House with a Success

Well not quite successful as the things that I want are not available, amp!  Together with what I bagged home, I wanted to buy a Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub (because I don't have a facial scrub) and a Missing U Hand Cream Panda (because it's cute, duh? ahahaha) unfortunately they are out of stock.

Also it's not the full size Pink House of Etude House that I visited but a kiosk in one of the department stores of SM but anyway I'm still happy leaving it with a modest cleansing cream that didn't made my pocket light.

Happy Teatime Aloe Tea Cleansing Cream

Yes, this cleansing cream just cost me P198 and already has 180 ml of creamy aloe cleansing goodness.  I never tried using cleansing creams because I don't usually wear make-up.  But I'm really curious as to how these kinds of product works (ahhhh, it's the curiosity's fault again!).

And with this super mini haul from Etude House and the masks that I ordered online (still in transit); unless a sale occurs in between, my haul ban starts!

Happy Essential Foam Cleanser in Hyaluronic Acid

(Okay this one is for real; a new product from Etude House, not like the Milk Talk that I posted some days ago which is already familiar to others but not to me.  And since I love this product, I have to start it with a definition of the key ingredient.)

Hyaluronic Acid

The presence of hyaluronic acid in epithelial tissue has been shown to promote keratinocyte proliferation and increase the presence of retinoic acid, causing skin hydration. Hyaluronic acid's interaction with CD44 (receptor of HA) drives collagen synthesis and normal skin function.  hyaluronic acid is critical to the structural integrity of the dermal collagen matrix that makes it a very effective topical humectant.  At young age the human body is very rich with hyaluronic acid, the reason young people have firm well hydrated skin and prompted healing process, however its quantity deteriorate dramatically with age which make skin susceptible to wrinkles, dehydration and infection. Due to this fact a lot of cosmeceutical companies have considered the important role of this molecule in fighting aging process and introduced it into their technology.  ~source:wikipedia

In short, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is good for skin hydration and in fighting wrinkles and infection (whewwww).

"Formulated with 40% moisturizers, this creamy cleansing foam gently removes impurities with rich lather, while Hyaluronic acid promotes hydration.  Skin is happy again, feeling clean, smooth and soft."

~contains 40% moisturizing content~

Just by washing my face will help me fight wrinkles and infection?  Now that's a breeze and convenient, very convenient indeed.

~creaaamy~

The foam is in pearly white color and has fresh, clean scent (it's my first time to smell something like it so I really don't know how to describe the scent).  The 150ml tube; I think, can last to 3 to 4 months as just a little amount can already produce a lot of foam to cleanse the face and the neck (a pea size is enough).

~yehey for english translation!~

The effect of the hyaluronic variant on me is fantastic.  It doesn't leave my skin tight after every wash.  I tried one time to not to put any moisturizer or emulsion or whatsoever hydrating thing after washing with this and my face still feels hydrated for hours: no itchy whatsover feeling that a person with dry skin usually feels (I have dry skin).  It also removed some of my whiteheads. 

Happy Essential Foam Cleanser is the predecessor of Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam.  I never had the chance to try the Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam (I read a lot about it and everyone adores and loves it) but if Happy Essential Foam Cleanser is the improved version of the former then...whose stopping you to try this :).

Happy Essential Foam Cleanser really keeps my skin happy all day with rich foam cleansing.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Cream

Collagen has great tensile strength, and is the main component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and skin.  Along with soft keratin, it is responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging. ~source: wikipedia

Baobab-containing products are often marketed as a rich source of antioxidants. Some proponents claim that, due to their antioxidant content, products made with baobab fruit can help slow the aging process and protect against major illnesses and is also said to protect against inflammation-related conditions. Additionally, baobab fruit is sometimes used as an ingredient in skin-care, hair-care and body-care products. Some personal-care products contain baobab oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the baobab tree. Research shows that baobab seeds are rich in essential fatty acids (such as linoleic acid) that may help improve the skin. ~source: altmedicine.about.com

Seems like I start a post with a definition whenever I like a product.  And Moistfull Collagen Cream is a total love.

"Fight for the dryness!!  Moisturizing and tightening cream improves complexion look and feel with concentrated Baobab Tree extract and Collagen formula."

This is a special product for me and I only use it once or twice a week (aside from the cost I still have an emulsion to finish so I don't use it on a daily basis).  The instant effect of this on me is amazing!: (imagine) from zombie to human again (hehehe, exaggerating me).  Just a pea or two of this cream makes my skin soft and smooth, leaving me a sheen that makes my face glowing with life (specially when I smile; everyboody become a year younger with just a simple smile :D).  And the effect last long (2 to 3 days) so even if I don't use this often, I still have a healthy looking face (though I still consider my skin dull but compared before, I can say that there's around 30 to 50% improvement).

Of course, creaminess is all over the cream but it doesn't feel sticky or heavy upon application.  I am actually surprised to it's lightness the first time I used it.  It's just like an emulsion but in a cream.  Color is (as shown in the picture) light milky orange/tangerine.  The smell is on the citrusy side (maybe because of baobab) with something herbal on it (same with the Massage and First Essence).  I like the scent although sometimesit's overpowering but don't worry, it will subside in just a matter of seconds.

I totally love this product and would definitely save every penny in my pocket (and would even sacrifice my almost daily ice cream break) just to have another glass tub of Moistfull Collagen Cream.  Yep, it's on a glass tub so it's kinda heavy.  I will also try the Moistfull Collagen Emulsion so I could splatter a lot of the collagen goodness on my face (hahaha).

Thanks for reading.  Happy Rainy Season Filipinos while Happy Summer to the rest of the World.  Till then.  Bye!

Collagen Addiction

The Moistfull Collagen Essential Massage and First Essence are included in a set that i brought home one find Saturday afternoon from Etude House.

"Formulated with Baobab Tree and Marine Collagen to moisturize and tighten complexion and promote youthful glow."

"Massage application and rinse off hydration mask pack supplies moisture and collagen to bolster dermal integrity."

It's a 2 in 1 product (I guess) suited for those who like daily massage and mask pack that can be use daily (I guess again sinceit doesn't give an adverse effect on me when I used it 3 days straight).  Have you tried mixing dissolved sugar in oil and honey then sprinkled with some Jell-O powder? If yes, then that's the texture of the product: oily and jellyish yet it doesn't feel oily and heavy upon application although my face is shining like oil when I apply this.  If not, then here's a pic.

It's milky orange in color and has a citrusy with a splash of something herbal (like ginger) smell.  After rinsing my face with water (should be lukewarm water).  It's leaves a thin layer of moisture in my skin. PERIOD.

Directions from label:  Dispense onto hands and apply to facial surface by gently massaging onto skin. Gently massage skin for several minutes then wipe off with facial tissue and wash with lukewarm water.

Moistfull Collagen First Essence

"Hydrating moisture essence's 90% collagen composition lifts and tightens complexion to promote radiant glow."

"Highly enriched essence that provided moisture and firmness at any environment.  It's soooo~moist!"

Moist indeed and Sticky too.  And so I'll just use this whenever my face feels extra dry (I also use this 3 days stright)  It has the same scent with the collagen massage and is transparent in color.

Directions for use:  Dispense onto hands and apply to facial surface by gently massaging onto skin.

Overall, these two are good extras for a skincare routine but if you're lazy like me then....nahhhh you (I mean we) don't need them.  What we need is this:

click here for the review :)

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

Etude House Milk Talk in Apple!

I started this week with something new (well for me) like the Milk Talk Body Wash from Etude House.

"Moisturizing body wash supplies rich foam, texture and fragrant scent for soft, cleansed skin."

~Wow!~

The scent is "Wow" for me.  I got the Apple Milk because its has the most appealing scent to me, fruity but not in an irritating way (guess this explains the wow in the product's label).  It really smell like a real apple; the right sweetness and crisp scent, plus all the goodness of milk (I guess?).  The container is cute and...well small for 200ml (just the size of my palm).  If I put this in the refrigerator, my family might think this as a real apple flavored milk.  The wash is in translucent milk green and is a little watery but produces ample amount of bubbles.

Everything is good.  As the label says; supplies rich foam, texture and fragrant scent.  Oh wait, the moisturizing part is missing.  Yep, it leaves my skin cleansed but doesn't deliver the moisturizing effect it promises.

Anyway, the cuteness, scent and the bubbles are the winning factors for this product.  And if you like chocolate, strawberry, banana and steam milk in your body wash for a change then you might get intrigued and give this line a try.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

Etude House Happy Essential Foam

Happy Friday!  For those of you who is still undecided as to what to get from Etude House's new product release this July (Philippine market), these descriptions from the brand's official page (EH page) and a little of my research on the main ingredients might help you.

HAPPY ESSENTIAL FOAM

"Keep your skin happy all day with rich foam cleansing!" 

~ HAPPY ESSENTIAL CLEANSING FOAM HYALURONIC ACID ~

"Formulated with 40% moisturizers, this creamy cleansing foam gently removes impurities with rich lather, while Hyaluronic acid promotes hydration.  Skin is happy again, feeling clean, smooth and soft."

*I have this one so I just retype what's at the back of the tube.

*Hyaluronic Acid based on what I have read helps in holding skin's moisture and has an anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effect.

~ HAPPY ESSENTIAL CLEANSING FOAM WITCH HAZEL~

"Features a moisturizing cleansing foam that uses Witch Hazel (Pore Astringent and 10% Sebum Absorption) and rich lather to remove oil and residues for smooth, soft sensation."

*With Hazel has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effect.  It has tannins that helps in  promoting skin healing.

~ HAPPY ESSENTIAL CLEANSING FOAM VITAMIN C ~

"Features a moisturizing cleansing foam that uses Vitamin C (Antioxidant Brightening Care) and rich lather to remove oil and residues for smooth, soft sensation."

*Vitamin C has an antioxidant effect and aides in the production of collagen.  It also cleanses, exfoliates, and softens  making the skin bright.

~ HAPPY ESSENTIAL CLEANSING FOAM WHITE CLAY~

"Features a moisturizing cleansing foam that uses White Clay (Oil Control and 10% Sebum Absorption) and rich lather and Menthol to remove oil and residues for cool, clean sensation."

*White Clay is mildest among all clays and it absorbs excess oils and harmful toxins from the skin.

~ HAPPY ESSENTIAL CLEANSING FOAM COLLAGEN ~

"Features a moisturizing cleansing foam that uses Collagen and rich lather to remove oil and residues for smooth, soft sensation."

*Collagen is a protein that gives the skin support to keep its elasticity.  It also makes the skin firm and smooth.

Goodluck and Happy Shopping!

*sources

Wikipedia, Livestrong, Webraydian

To the North: Food Trip + EH and TonyMoly

I intended to treat "the kids" (niece and nephew) to a movie but they chose food over Spiderman (hahaha).  And so after an hour of traveling, we headed to Taco Bell in Trinoma; it's already been a year since the last time that I eat there and it's the first time for "the kids".  God I'm so hungry I thought churros was the tastiest food in the world.  After eating tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadilla and floss bread (from Bread Talk), we headed to the next mall, SM North/the Block to buy my stuff (hehehe).  I got so so disappointed with EH and TM that I give in to "the kids" food trip idea.  I want macaroons so we dropped by Tous Les Jours and bwala, walang macaroons (no macaroons for me).  Tired of walking,  we stop to the nearest sweet shop that we saw:  Crepes and Creme; and ordered big crepes for each one of us and to my surprise it's "the kids" treat.  Across and beside the crepe shop is Cinnabon and ChaTime and so while waiting for our crepes, we bought cinnamon roll and milk teas... Oh I'm so full I want to puke already but my niece still want to eat sylvanas.

Now for the real reason why I dragged "the kids" and traveled an hour just to go to these malls:

Etude House's newest product, Happy essential foam.  I got the hyaluronic acid for P228 (150 ml)
TonyMoly's Clear Hair Removal Cream (no english description and instruction grrr) for P378 (80 g) and Collagen and Pearl Mask for P58 each.  I didn't get any freebie since my purchases are P6 short (I wanted to buy more but they don't have stocks of the products that I like).

I just wish these stores have enough stocks for their products!  I mean don't they have reorder point?

Etude House Silk Scarf Hair Treatment

Included in Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring is a small sachet of conditioner-like product which is applied to the hair after rinsing the coloring solution.  It makes the hair smooth, shiny and manageable again after the hardening and tangleling effect the bubble hair coloring gives.  Impressed with its performance, I bought the full size of Etude House's Silk Scarf Hair Treatment.

200ml

P378

Here's the description and instruction from the back of the tube:

"Specially formulated with oil complex and floral scent, this highly concentrated treatment restores and reinforces brittle damaged hair, preventing future breakage and leaving your hair extraordinarily strong, soft, silky, and manageable."

Directions:  Use once or twice a week.  Massage into hair and comb through evenly with fingers.  Let treatment work for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

The hair treatment is light lilac in color and has a mild sweet flowery scent.  Texture is a bit watery than most conditioners that are available in the market so be a little careful in squeezing out the product from the tube.

~watery~

I tried many ways before I achieved the result that  I want.  How do I use it?  Here are the first 4 attempts that I made (sticking to the fourth):

1. As instructed.

• After towel drying, I applied a handful amount of hair treatment into my hair and let it stay for 5 minutes.Result: Hair became soft but not shiny and manageable.

2. Time Extended.

• Same with method 1 but this time I let the hair treatment stay for 20 minutes.  Result:  Hair was soft and shiny but not manageable.

3. Shower Cap

• It seems that the longer I put the hair treatment on my hair the better the results it gives and so I extended the time to 40 minutes and instead of leaving my hair into thin air, I used shower cap.  The result?  I overdid it.  My hair became oily. But after shampooing, my hair became soft, shiny and a little manageable (some parts are still “fly away”).

4. Time is of the essence

• Same with method 3 except for the time.  I guess 30 minutes is enough for my hair.  And voila!  Soft, silky, shiny, manageable hair at last!

*Note:  May hair is rebonded (2011) and is now colored with Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring and I think it's normal that the ends of my hair are a bit brittle even after using the Silky Scarf Hair Treatment.

Thanks for reading and feel free to type in your comments.  Till then.  Bye!

I Want These etude House!!!

Collagen or Hyaluronic Acid?

Carrot for Brighthening or Sweet Pumpkin for Elasticity?

*photos from Etude House Philippines

Etude House's Petit Bijou Body Wash

I am in a hurry to make this post as I feel that this product will be or already phased out (not 100% sure though)

Petit Bijou Cotton Snow Soft Body Wash is included in my Etude House Haul (My EH Haul) and it was love at first try.

This delicate body cleanser is formulated with Aloe Vera, Chamomile and the Petit Bijou fragrance to soften and relieve stressed skin.  This product is free of sulfates, paraben, soap, dyes and ethanol to cleanse even sensitive skin.

Vol. 300ml (10.14 fl. oz.)

Petit Bijou Cotton Snow Soft Body Wash is milky white (a little translucent) in color.  Just one pump on my wet bath puff can already produced lots of bubbles, leaving my skin squeaky clean with a light touch of moisture.  The scent is that of a baby powder (the pleasant one) with a hint of something citrusy that lingers on the body (makes me feel like a cute baby).

Too bad if this is really going or already phased out.  I asked the SA who assisted me about the Petit Bijou Cotton Snow Soft Body Lotion but she said that it's already phased out and was replaced by the Dress Room Lotion.

Good thing I found almost something similar to this product (it's for babies by the way hehehe) but would be glad if Etude House will continue to manufacture it.

Thanks for reading.  Till Then.  Bye!

Skin Mal:gem Part 2: Smoother and Deep Moist

So for my first toners, I decided to try the Skin Mal:gem's Smoother (makes me think that it will make my face smooth) and Deep Moist (yep, my face really need some moisture).

Smoother

 

"Fruit acids in green grape, exfoliate keratin on a skin clearly for keeping smooth and soft skin."

• For Normal Skin Type
• 250 ml

The scent is on a citrusy side with a faint smell of alcohol (I guess it's the alcohol that i smell).  It has a clear and runny (like water) consistency just like any other regular toners.  My face feel and look refresh with a clear, a little matted finish with Smoother.  I use this toner at night after cleansing my face.

I used to apply this toner with the free cotton pads that i got; those in circles specifically made for skin mal:gem toners (or malgeum or malgum).  The circle cotton pads have wavy lines on the other side that helps in the exfoliation process of the skin.  After a week, I have to buy a regular cotton pad (the rectangle one in the grocery stores) as using the circles everyday kind of irritates my dry, sensitive face.  Right now, I'm using the circle and rectangle pads alternately.

Deep Moist

• For Very Dry Skin Type
• 250 ml

The tag of Deep Moist is a little funny for me: "Highly nutrient skin to provide the skin with nutrients".  I think Etude House should clarify this.

For the first week, I used the Smoother and Deep Moist side by side at night.  But (for goodness sake), I realized that the two are just basically toners. And since the Deep Moist gives a little moisture on the skin when used, I decided to use this during daytime which saves me from putting another layer emulsion (I commute so it's irritating to put something heavy on my skin).

Same with the Smoother, it has a faint chemical smell to it but it's barely noticeable unless you closely sniff the product but overall, it has a powder-like smell.  Its color is milky white and is thicker than essence but runnier than emulsion.  2 to 4 drops of the product can already cover the face and the neck area.  I don't use cotton pads with this toner, instead I spread then tap the Deep Moist for around 15 seconds or until fully absorbed by the skin.  I like the dewy and the shiny effect (the healthy a little matted kind of shine) it gives me.

I'm on my third week now on using the two toners and they somehow minimizes the appearance of the pores on my cheeks (where the big pores are).  Not dramatically but at least they lessen the visibility (take note that I also use other products like moisturizers, peeling creams and face masks/packs).

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!
p.s. Skin Mal:gem Part 1

Big Pores? Skin Mal:gem might be the Answer Part 1

In cosmetics, skin toner or simply toner refers to a lotion or wash designed to cleanse the skin and shrink the appearance of pores, usually used on the face. Toners can be applied to the skin in different ways:

• On damp cotton wool. (most frequently used method)
• Spraying onto the face.
• By applying a tonic gauze facial mask - a piece of gauze is covered with toner and left on the face for a few minutes.

-from Wikipedia

Why did i put the definition?  Because after living in this world for more than twenty years, it's my first time to have a toner and my oh my, I couldn't believe that it's the answer to one of my face problem: Big Pores.  (all this time, i thought it's just a water with harmful chemicals).

For my toners, i brought 2 types at home and they are from:

*photo from The Etude House

You probably heard or read this but just to complete my review, here's the meaning of mal:gem:

"The Korean word for cleanliness, clarity and pureness.  Skin Malgeum hypoallergenic toners promote clean, clear and pure complexion with moisturizing with and pore cleansing formulas."

There are 5 toners in this line: Fresh, Smoother, Moist, Deep Moist and Essential.  Also included in the line is the Emulsion.

*photo from Etude House Philippines facebook

What caught my attention?
It claims to be:

• Hypoallergenic
• Paraben free
• Void of Animal Ingredients, Benzophenone, Artificial Dyes and Mineral Oils

So i think it's safe for a beginner like me.

*photo from The Etude House

The containers are intriguing.  They look like an expensive water bottles (so sosyal and pretty) but don't be fooled, they are just made of plastic.

So from Etude House Philippines official website, here are the ways to use the toners:

This entry is getting to long, I'll just post another with my thoughts on the Smoother and Deep Moist.

Thanks for reading.  Fighting!

p.s. Part 2 Skin Mal:gem