My Heart is Crushed: LANEIGE

I've been in love with Laneige's Water Sleeping Pack_EX which is the BEST Sleeping Pack/Mask for me, I put it in a pedestal and is now my measurement for a good sleeping mask in case I try new ones (you can check my amazement with the product here).

And so when Laneige released a firming and then an updated version, I got excited! checked my wallet to see how much more should I make tipid to get them and voila! got them last year.

So are they good enough? Well my intro photo is a hint.

Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack
Already in my late 20's (it's inevitable, I'll be out of the calendar soon!) I just new that my skin needed some firming and all the anti-aging sheesh because they say, once you hit the land of 30s, lines, wrinkles and sagging will suddenly knock on your door and barge-in in your life with or without your permission.  And so even though a lot of people couln't guess my real age (yes! baby face lang) a little help of firming from Laneige Firming Sleeping Pack is very much welcome.

I saw an ad about this product that the pudding like pack will restore its form after sometime no matter how many times you jiggle or break it.  Sounds amazing but I thought "what will that do to firm my face, will the product particles once in my face will contact each other and say "Let's Bolt In? what a gimmick!".

Shiseido, Canmake, Etude and Laneige Haul

There are many types of reasons.  There are those reasonable that no matter what argument you throw, the reason is fair and sensible.  And there are those unreasonable which might be a result of an impulse, like my reason for these haul which starts with "Just because".

"Just because" someone from Japan is coming to Manila (thank you my friend), I got the Shiseido Perfect Whip Cleanser and the Canmake Shading Powder.  I don't basically need them but heck these two are waaaaaay cheaper in Japan than in here, so why not.

Aside from the usual sachets of samples (thankfully, I only got two BB creams which is a miracle.  I usually give away sample bb creams because they are too light for my skintone although I'm fair and pale) and face mask, I got some nice deluxe sample products.  I'm actually expecting some Laneige samples but heck these are awesome and will be perfect for travel.  Got these because of the below purchases.

The Best Sleeping Pack is from Laniege

I've been skeptical about this product before because I'm always thinking "how can a very light sleeping mask beats the heavier ones".  Since a sleeping mask should do wonders on the face like nourishing, revitalizing and heavily moisturizing the skin over night, I thought it should be heavy.  Tried some, and my theory seems to be accurate until came Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX.

Texture & Application
The mask is a whip gel cream that is so light it's like a water in a cream form.  I use this at least once a week as recommended.  But when I do not have enough sleep or my skin is very dry than normal, I apply it thrice a week sometimes on consecutive days, sometimes on every other day.  The instruction also said that I can use it whenever my skin feels dry so I don't think there's harm in me applying the mask more than once a week and so far haven't seen any bad effect on my skin.

I apply the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_Ex after my toner and I sleep.  Sometimes when my skin is in a bad shape or needs extra moisture, I apply serum and light moisturizer on top of the sleeping mask.

Effect
It soothes and cools my face and just melts in the skin~it's a refreshing experience every time.  Of course the most important thing is the mask's effect, is it any good?  And the answer is a BIG YES!  The morning I wake up, my skin just feel smoother and supple plus it gives this refreshed look even on days when I only have 5 hours of sleep (sometimes even less).  Although it also gives this impression that it doesn't provide much moisture because of the mask's lightness, I feel that the moisturization happens more after the first layer of skin so if you are in a colder weather or place, I recommend to put your moisturizer after this mask.  For me though who is in a tropical country, the moisturization it gives is enough.

It also didn't experienced any outbreak from this mask and still apply it even when I'm experiencing skin asthma or eczema although I heard from someone that she had bumps on her jaw area when she used this mask so better test it first on other parts of your body to know if it's suited for your skin.

Final Thoughts
Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX is the best and it changed my outlook towards sleeping pack.  It's light and just brings back the liveliness of my skin in it's very dull moment.  It's pricier compared to other Korean masks in its range (considered in mid range) but it's worth it.  Laneige also have a firming version of this sleeping pack and I can't wait to try it.  I still have to test another sleeping mask which is considered high end in Korea but I'm still betting on Laneige's as the best.

Laneige Essences: Water Bank and White Plus Renew

This will be part 1 of the sample "series" because if you read my What Should I Call This? - Another Haul post then you'll know that I went overboard at hoarding sample size products.  First stop, Laneige essences.

Laneige is considered as a mid-range brand though for me, its price is already on the high end category.  Price is justifiable though, basing on the Power Essential Skin Refiner and Water Sleeping Pack that I tried.

One of the known range from Laneige is the Water Bank and I got 3 15ml + 1 10ml essence, that's already like a full size amount of product.  Water Bank Essence says that it's a long lasting hydration essence that provides clear and moist skin.

It's light, it makes the skin hydrated, smooth and moist and it has a nice refreshing smell so it hit all the things that is in the description (good job Laneige).  This is also a friendly product to those with oily skin type because it's moisturizing without being too heavy, it's even lighter than emulsion.

Full size of this Water Bank Essence cost around $30 to $40, in this Amazon link it's $37.04 free shipping but if you wanted a cheaper alternative then go for Missha's Super Aqua Essence which is around $20 I got mine before at a discounted price.

And here's how the essence looks like, it seems that it melts when applied on skin.  Next essence is a much more liquidy one, more like a very moisturizing lotion/toner and it's the Original Essence White Plus Renew which promises to mildly renew skin to be radiant and clear.

"in just 2 weeks, find solutions to 6 whitening concerns with gentle whitening that excludes 4 mild ingredients for a complexion 2 tones brighter." I don't want to have a lighter skin tone, I just wanted my blemishes like freckles and pimple scar to lighten.  The brightening part is a bonus and this essence didn't deliver.  Sorry Laneige but this essence didn't do any action that it promises and the only good thing that I can think about it is it's texture/consistency because its liquidy and can easily be spread to the skin so it is perfect for all skin types.

No brigtening, no lightening...just a mild kind of moisturization...boring... :)

The Water Bank Essence is really great in terms of moisturizing without being greasy and I'm glad that I bought sample sizes rather than a full size for the White Plus Renew Essence which is perfectly not for me.

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Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner Moisture

Remember my flowery back-drop from my blushers series? Well here it goes again, for this post only (hoping that when I visit my sister, I'll have a product photo session again because they look lovely...they look lovely right? please agree!).  Let's get back to the main element of the above photo though and I must say it's the priciest toner skincare product I ever bought but still worth it!

I thought that Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner Moisture is an essence (which explains why I bought it because by the time I ordered this I told myself that I would "amplify" my skincare and I'll start with an essence but, toink I didn't research much and rely on the "refiner" word...it's as if the beauty world is saying "your okay with your cleansers, now on with the toner...don't skip upgrading it, lady it's an important product").  "Skin Refiner" who wouldn't want a product that can refine the skin especially when your pores are awkwardly big?  Fact by the way, pores don't open and close and two of the main reasons why they appear to look "open" is one, it's clog with hardened sebum and dirt and two, it's not "toned" you know when you wash your face it requires some hours before it can get back to it's normal condition before you can apply other stuff like skincare and makeup and that's why Toner was born: it tones/conditions and prep the skin for the next step!

Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner Moisture is perfect for boys and girls that have dry skin like me because it really has some moisturizing thing to it...I actually lost the paper that list the ingredients so I don't know what specific stuff does it.  Also, it has a bit of an alcohol smell maybe from some low concentrated acid which I found out to be okay to be present in toners because it acts like a mild daily peel/exfoliant for the skin...just remember though that it should be mild, ditch those strong astringent your skin may not handle it!  If I go over that mild alcohol scent, this toner smells nice and clean.

For the effect, this toner is one of the reason why my skin is soft and looking smooth as if my before big pores we're blurred so they look smaller now so I can say that it does it's job in toning/conditioning the skin.  It says in the description that it's "Moisturizing skin refiner with purifying and softening effect for clear skin" -not 100% sure about the purifying part because I still have blackheads and whiteheads but my skin is clearer than before.

It's a very nice toner with very pretty packaging (I had a hard time throwing the box because it's well put together and I think I'll also have a hard time letting go of the container, I wish I can find a way to recycle it) and it also has a really really "nice" price, I know there are a lot of girls there that really invest on products and will think that this has a cheap price but for me, it's already pricey but considering how well it perform, it's still a good buy!

I think that's all I have to say for this toner.  I'll just leave you with this more colorful photo (than the first photo which is more on the dreamy side).

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SUMMER Faves

Here are some random products that I'm loving this summer (aside from my sunglasses and a tumbler that keeps my drink colder longer than when a usual glass).

Blushes:  Ellana Lip & Cheeck Cream Icon and Nature Republic Shine Blossom Rose Blusher in 02 Coral Rose

I'm not going near the beach so I'll just fake a sun kissed skin with these blushes.  The Ellana Icon just makes my cheeks pinkish and reddish at the same time (as if I pinched myself) while the one from Nature Republic is like an old rose with a bit of a tan in color.  Most of the time, I layer these two for a reddish tan color (and for longevity too!).

Nichido Lip Blush in Forever Love

I heard about this lip blushes from a fellow blogger last year (but it seems like she's not blogging anymore) and got myself and orangey with a touch of pink one because it just brighten up my lips and it's moisturizing (and cheap too). It's not very pigmented like lipsticks which oddly, is what I'm looking for in a lip product.

IOPE Mild Sun Cream SPF 35 PA++ (link is just the for a similar product)

Finally found the sun cream that I really like.  It's liquidy which spread nicely on my skin, it has a nice smell, doesn't make my skin looking white, it's moisturizing and kinda already primes and it also gives my face a nice glow (a 15ml of this sun cream is included in my current giveaway).

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack

THIS IS THE LIGHTEST SLEEPING PACK THAT I TRIED, EVER!!!!  And it just makes my face glowing and of course moisturize that I wish I could use it every single night.  Now I know why this is a beauty favorite.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom and to all mothers out there, mwahs and hugs :D

What Should I call This?- Another Haul

Should I start calling this kind of haul Faux GMarket haul since everything I order from Bae Lu is from GMarket???

This probably is my largest online haul that my big Forever21 bag is hall full.  What can I do, retail therapy is addicting and I had lots of stress last year (when I ordered all these stuff).  Most of the items might already be familiar to you if you have read Just Sharing my Excitement post, I'll just put the links from GMarket if in case you're interested to order them too plus I also ordered some make-up stuff (can you believe that?).

nice boxed sets

First is from this shop that sells samples from Amore Pacific (I hope I'm not mistaken).  Here's the GMarket link to the shop.  By the way, recheck the links...the seller constantly change the items in his shop's links.

I got the IOPE Moisture Intense Miniature Set which includes a softener a.k.a. toner, an emulsion, a cream, a cleanser and a sun cream.  Each order includes 2 boxed sets and a freebie (mine is a 3W hand lotion) for 7,500won (I paid around P500 to Bae Lu).  You can check the set here or here.  I got two orders so that I won't have to pay extra local shipping fee.

I also ordered the IOPE Bio Activator samples (40 sachets plus 2 mask sheets as a freebie) which I will use as a serum.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find the item anymore in the shop...too bad there's a lot of good reviews with this product.

3 orders in total from IOPE

Next is from Laneige.  I am supposed to get samples of eye creams but the link that I gave to Bae Lu changed and got the Moisture Care miniature set instead which includes a softener, an emulsion, gel cream and the very famous water sleeping pack plus 2 sheet masks as a freebie (link can be found here).  I also got the Water Bank Essence (4 with 15 ml product content, link can be found here) and the Original Essence White Plus Renew (4 with 10 ml product content, link can be found here).  The price before for each order is 7500won (got them from Bae Lu around P500) but they are now priced at 9900won per order.

3 orders in total from Laneige

Sulwhasoo

Next is from this shop that sells high-end korean cosmetic product samples.  Here's the link to the GMarket shop.  Oh by the way most sample shop from GMarket has this mandatory freebie rule.

all from Sulwhasoo, well except for the pore strips

There's no way that I can afford a full size Sulwhasoo products so gorabels na me with samples.  From the Renewing Ginseng Line I got the face cream (3 pieces per order), the sleeping pack (3 pieces per order) and the eye cream (33 sachets) for 7500won each order (paid Bae Lu around P500 too per order) and got pore strips as mandatory freebies.  I also got the "basic" emulsion (6 pieces per order).

Unexpectedly, one of my Missha order was already included in the December shipment.  I got this Misa Essence when Missha was having a 50% off on certian products.  Originally it cost 13800won but got it for only P380 (which I think is already cheap for an essence).  GMarket link here.

Misa Essence, everything is in korean

Now for makeup.  I got the 3W Clinic Professional Natural Make-Up Powder (formerly known as Palgantong) in Transparent Pearl (number 10) for only P230, the cheapest I can find online (thanks Bae Lu for finally offering this in your online shop).

Palgantong

Last is from Clio which is my disappointment from this haul.  I guess, I didn't understand the promo and the translation is not correct so I got the wrong shade plus I didn't get what I expected.  I'm supposed to get two eyeliner: one black and one brown plus a lipnicure as a freebie instead I got one eyeliner in "Bloody Red" if I'm not mistaken and a pot of lip balm for P580...for me it's not worth it so, sorry Clio but I will not order from you unless it is super duper clearly indicated in your site the things that I will be getting.  Anyway, here's the link of their GMarket shop.

bloody wrong order

Oh my, Bae already knows that I'm a huge mask addict so it's not a surprise that she sent mask in sheet and in spreadable form as freebies and I'm very happy that I got the cream from the soybean line of Innisfree (I wanted to order the essence before but it's so darn expensive).  I wonder what kind of drink/tea though are those pack in pink?

love them!

Wow it took me two hours to edit everything.  Hope you enjoyed this haul.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Just Sharing my Excitement!

I got excited when my seller friend Bae Lu sent me a message that my orders arrived last weekend and got stoked when I saw the pics of my order.  She even said she got happy while checking my orders.  Well, who will not get  happy with these stuff:

the mandatory freebies

No, the masks and hand creams are not my main orders but they are the mandatory freebies from the seller in GMarket.  It's "free" so why not?

fresh from the box with bubble wraps

From Laneige, I got the Water Bank and White Plus Renew Essence samples for me to try and a miniature/travel skincare set for an I don't know reason ahahaha...maybe I got overwhelmed with the shop in GMarket.

Laneige samples

Next is from Iope.  Not familiar with the brand?  Well if you are a subscriber of Michelle Phan's then you might have heard the Iope Air Cushion Sunblock Ex-Cover in her summer favorites video (you can watch the vid here).  I heard about the brand from Hope in a Blog but only learned from Michelle how to pronounce it :)

Iope is under Amore Pacific who is also behind Etude House and Innisfree.  You can check Amore Pacific's site here.

Iope samples

Next are from Sulwhasoo.

Sulwhasoo Samples

Sulwhasoo is a high end brand in Korea under Amore Pacific and there's no freakin way that I can afford their full sizes skincare products so I went for the samples.  By the time that I'm making my order, I have no emulsion that's why I ordered a lot but then I couldn't help but buy one when Etude House went on 20% sale so I guess I have two quarters supply of emulsion now?  Hehehe, I don't mind.

And as you can see there's a Missha bags in the photo.  I wish they are mine but they are for Bae Lu's other customer.  Dang, I should have ordered when there's a 1+1 event, now all I do is look at the photo (I hope the customer wouldn't mind ^^).

Missha

All photos are from Bae Lu's fb page from here https://www.facebook.com/bae.lu.fashion/media_set?set=a.682243881788928.1073741854.100000099676763&type=3.  You can like her facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/baeluBFCuisine to know what's the current promo from Korea.

I still don't have my orders as I asked her to wait for my Clio and maybe my 3W Clinic Natural Make-Up Powder before shipping all of these to me.  I'm excited for November, I smell Christmas!

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Queen Water Bamboo

Queen Helen.  Laneige Water Sleeping Pack.  Ecotools Bamboo Brush Set.  So, does the title now make sense?

after 2 or 3 months this are the only items that I got (patting my back for control )

Not counting the Gmarket Haul 2 since I ordered it in April and was stock in customs for more than a month and this one from here, it's already been 2 or 3 months since I bought anything.

I ordered the Laneige Water Sleeping Pack around  April I guess? and bought the Queen Helene Mud Pack when I went to Healthy Options in SM Mega (a first) first week of July then also got the Ecotools brush set last week (I don't know why I ordered a brush set since I only use my hands to apply some make-up but anyway it's so fluffy!!!).

Oh now I know, I was influenced by my sister who is starting to collect Real Techniques brushes (she ordered her brushes in US so I ordered too...nee-chan let's stop please???).

And yes, I finally changed the face of this blog.  Let me know if there's any hoopla that you will encounter if your browsing it.

Thanks, from sleepy Arya