Showing posts with label asian cosmetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asian cosmetics. Show all posts

July 3, 2016

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!".

June 13, 2014

Nature Republic Shine Blossom Rose Blusher


Here's a short makeup story in my life:  There's a time wherein I'm afraid to wear blush because of those girls who reapply blush every now and then or they just apply too much that it seems like they've been slapped a couple of times and I was like "do I have to put blush like that?" with a very worried face.  Sorry if this seem to be a bit mean to others but I just want my cheeks to have a natural flush for me to have some glow and color and so I've been a bit careful in choosing colors and I make sure to just put enough and blend well when I'm using the two blushers that I have that are quite pigmented.

One of the blushers that I have that just do the right thing even when I apply to much is the Nature Republic's Shine Blossom Rose Blusher in 02 Coral Rose.  Wondering why there's a sun in front of the packaging?  My explanation is that it gives a nice sun-kissed effect on the cheeks.


Nature Republic Shine Blossom Rose Blusher 02 Coral Rose (No 3711)
"Shine Blossom Rose Blusher makes your skin look more feminine with romantic rose color and perfume."

The coral rose perfectly describes the color of this blush:  it's like an old rose combined with the brightness of coral.  Like I said, it gives this natural sun-kissed effect that just brightens the face and can be used on a daily basis whether your at school or office or just doing some errands.  Let's just say that the color is pretty safe, simple, natural and laid back and even if I apply this thrice on my cheeks and forgot to blend it, I won't worry that I'll look like a clown.

Just look at the swatches below:  I applied the blusher thrice on the bottom swatch while the upper one is just lightly tapped and it just blends well with the color of my skin.


I also love the tin can packaging of this blusher with its metallic bronze/gold rose color and the size is just perfect for us girls who do not have a large makeup space.  The puff that comes with it also looks cute and perfectly fits the shape of my cheeks.  And even if this is in powder form, it can last the whole day that is IF I won't be sweating and wiping my face too much.

If you wanted to read my intro with my blushers then you can check out my A Touch of Blush post and might as well look into my ELF Color Stick and Studio Blush entry (just click on the names and it will directly lead you to the post).  Thanks!

June 3, 2014

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule


Let's take a moment to admire the purple bottle of Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule.  This is just the sample size in 10ml but the packaging looks so good even it's golden box and the leaflet that came with it (together with the Time Revolution First Essence, I posted a photo in my instagram and you can visit this post to know how they look like) is so beautiful.  I've been using this ampoule for more than a month now and I still have 1/3 product left so paying $8 is so worth it specially because it works so well on me.  By the way, this is said to be a dupe for Estee Lauder Night Repair but the ingredients of Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule looks more "juicier" to me (for the list, you can check Missha US site).

Description:  Highly concentrated essential ampoule to help make flawless and sleek skin through promoting skin's original and natural power to improve skin condition every day.  Triplex-Activating System providing 3 benefits at a time:

1st:  Bio-Tech Activator:  Various lactic acid fermented ingredients help vitalize skin and improve skin damage from external harmful situations.  2nd:  Skin Power Activator:  Scientific damage recovering system considering skin condition helps active ingredients being absorbed effectively to the skin.  3rd:  Essential Activator:  Pro-vitamins increase skin's own adaptability and provide synergy benefit with following skincare.

Dual functional cosmetic of Wrinkle Repairing & Whitening.  Dermatologist tested.  Clinically tested.  Mild formula for your precious skin.  Paraben-free, Artificial colorant-free, Artificial fragrance-free, Ethanol-free formula.

Directions:  Before applying serum, apply appropriate amount over the face following skin texture.  Pat lightly until fully absorbed.


A mouthful of description but they are so true!  My face looks glowing, flawless and sleek.  With continuous usage, my face looks healthy and less sensitive.  My pores looks smaller and my freckles and sun spots are less visible. I never had a major breakout with this ampoule and my skin is soft yet firmer than before.

I skip using essence and serum with this plus: because it's summer, I sometimes skip cream or emulsion and this still moisturizes my skin:  just a toner, eye cream and this is enough for my dry and sensitive skin.  The brown ampoule is a bit sticky but lightly massaging it all over the face and neck (don't forget the neck) helps the skin in absorbing it faster.  I'm already use to different kinds of smell of skincare products so the scent of this one is mild for me and I'm happy that it's free of artificial fragrance although I read some reviews that despises its smell  (I'd rather put something on my face that smell like this ampoule than with something that smells like flowers yet full of artificial scent).

And like what I said in my intro,  I've been using this ampoule for more than a month and in my estimate, 10 ml can last for 2 months because just a little really goes a long way.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair New Science Activator Ampoule is so good to me that I'm putting it on my list that I will surely repurchase after I'm done with all the ampoules and serum that I have.

p.s. as of 6/4/2014:  Missha is so nice to us guys...just received a message from Missha Philippines saying that they're giving a special promo for the trial set for only Php980 (instead of Php1100) and it's free of shipping plus of course samples as freebies so if you wanted to get the trial set of The Time Revolution Night Repair 10ml and The First Treatment Essence 30ml then better text or call Noemi Ronquillo of Missha Philippines at 09178302763.  Here's the message:
"Hi Arya! I read the messages to you of your followers and I would like to offer a special promo to you and your followers. We have the special trial set of the first treatment essence, 30 ml and the night repair ampoule like the one in your blog, 10 ml. The SRP in our stores is php 1100 but I am giving them to you for php 980 with free shipping. We will also include some sachets of BB Crean and CC Cream for your fans to try. They can call or text me, Noemi Ronquillo of Missha Philippines 09178302763"



May 30, 2014

May 2014: Updated Skincare Products

Since it's summer season, I wanted my face to feel light so I trimmed the products that I use on a nightly and morningly(?) basis and if you wanted to know what I'm using before plus the extras please go to My Current Skincare Products post.




Let's start with the morning skincare products:

Laneige Moisture Power Essential Skin Refiner
I thought that this is like an essence and I blame the refiner in the name for buying this.  This is a really good toner:  it's not drying, with minimal tingling sensation, it does soften the skin and removes residue from my cleanser if I don't rinse my face properly, but at the same time expensive as a toner.

Laneige Water Bank Essence
I got four 15ml of this essence and it's light enough for summer yet moisturizing enough for me to sometimes skip an emulsion or cream.  This is a bit similar to the Missha Super Aqua Essence that I tried before but this one is more moisturizing while the Missha one is more refreshing to the skin.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
I got this eye cream in sample sachets because it's so darn expensive!!!  My undereyes is still the same as before but I like it in the sense that it just moisturizes without being heavy even if this cream is thick.

Missha Super Aqua Hydrating Emulsion
I ditched moisturizer during day time and replace it with emulsion.  Although it takes a bit time for my skin to absorb emulsion, it's not as heavy as a cream yet it moisturizes almost like a cream during summertime.

IOPE Mild Sun Cream
(link from a similar product)
I use this instead of the Missha emulsion when I'll be out under the sun for hours.  I like how it gives my skin a nice glow and it doesn't make my face look flat and white.




For my nightime skincare routine, I usually use these products:

Laneige Moisture Power Essential Skin Refiner
Same as above but I make sure that during nighttime, I use cotton pad to apply this product to really just make sure that my face is free of make-up and other gunky stuff.  I sometimes just put this toner at the palm of hands and apply it on my face on my morning routine.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule
The bottle is gorgeous and so is the content (mine is just the 10ml size).  This oil-and-serum-in-one (well to me) ampoule just brightens my face, my skin is glowing in the morning when I wake up.

Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream
Same as in my morning routine.  Sometimes, I use this after my moisturizer.

Olay Regenerist Wrinkle Relaxing Cream
Not my favorite cream but I got this for free when I bought the serum from the Regenerist line.  It's thick that turns into somewhat powdery after some time but that's not what I'm not into it...there's a weird grits that I'm feeling when I'm applying this but it seems smooth in my eyes (unless the grade of my eyes went up again, uh oh).

Do you change your skincare products in every season of the year?
p.s. for the prices and other details of the products, just click the name and it will lead you either on amazon or to the online shops of the brand or to someone else blog where I heard the product

May 26, 2014

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream


I'll just go straight to the point:  Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream is more of a preventive kind rather than the "recovering the prime state of your skin" gel cream.  If you have wrinkles and wanted to get rid of them, then this is not the product for you.

Since the explosion of snail, bee, snake and whatever based products,I've been curious as to why they became so popular and gave in when I found out  that this snail gel cream from Mizon is cheap.  The one in the photo above is already my third tube (they are on promo when I bought them from Bae Lu) not because I'm so much in love with it but because I wanted to consume the trio before they expire.  It's not a bad cream, I'm actually impressed when I first use it since it made my skin and my wrinkled hands so soft and smooth and plump but like the other Mizon products that I tried (like Mizon Pore Tightening Lotion), this also works up to a certain extent only...let's say 30% and with continuous use the 30% will remain in your face! (and hands too if you'll use it there).

By the way, this is recommended for use after your moisturizer, I tried it and it's like I'm already wearing a thick mask so I just replace my moisturizer with this. Then when I'm done with the first tube I went back to my usual moisturizer and go back to this when I'm halfway done with the former and that's when I observed what I hate the most about this product:  mini breakouts for the first week of usage and then breakout again when I stop using it and half of the softness and smoothness effect also goes away.



Like I told you, this is not really a bad moisturizer but it will not give a long lasting effect and will definitely not help with wrinkles (or it will help by making your skin plump, but still my wrinkles/lines that are a bit deep already never said bye bye to me).  Well, I'm already in my late twenties and should already be using anti-aging products rather than these kinds of creams that are more on the preventive side.  Right now, I use this gel cream as a wash off mask since I like it's semi cooling effect.