TonyMoly Latte Pore Pack

Cute, TonyMoly really gave a big effort on the packaging of this Latte Art Milk-Cacao Pore pack I even don't want to mix the pack at first to retain the brown and white swirl effect.  I have this on right now and I challenged myself that I could finish this post before the pack hardens and ready to be rinse off.

According to the packaging this cacao in cream mask contains Soft Milk Cream that tightens and moisturizes the skin, Cacao Pack from Ghana which has an excellent sebum-absorbing function and can also remove impurities from the pores,  Marshmallow extract (I also can't believe it) that provides excellent moisturizing effects to the skin.  It also has Peppermint and White Willow extracts to remove dead skin cells and to tighten pores.

It even has this spatula that looks like a teaspoon on top, when I first saw this I was like oh my that's so cute but now I think I prefer packaging that are simple unpretentious.  Going back to the review, this pore pack has a heating effect upon application that slowly "cools down" the longer you put it on the skin.  And as it "cools down", I can feel that the pack is hardening and it's as if it's lifting my face and tightening my pores which for me is awesome.

Directions on how to use (which I usually don't follow :P):
"After washing your face, apply our toner to prepare the skin for the next step in skin care.  Mix the cacao pack and milk cream in a 1:1 ratio and apply the mixture to the entire face, avoiding the skin around eyes and mouth.  Leave it on for 10~15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.  After opening the product for the first time, it is more convenient to mix the milk and cacao parts with the spatula contained in the box before use.  (Use 1~2 times a week)."

I leave this pack on sometimes for 30 minutes sometimes less (when I'm in the shower and wanted to have a pore pack but in a hurry mode) then I just usually wash it with tap water and when it's tough to remove it, I usually use washcloth.

What I like about this pack is that it leaves my skin somehow moisturize not like other packs that I tried that right after I pat my face dry it's like a dried sponge gasping for water so I guess the marshmallow extract is effective!  Of course the milk also did a big part in the moisturizing area.  I especially use this whenever I have mini zits or it's the time of the month and pimples are inevitable and it does help in "drying" them out (together with my tea tree oil).
 

And I can't smile now because the pore pack is already hard so I guess I'm done with this post :D

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Holika Holika Pig-nose

Holika Holika Pig-nose Clear Black Head Cleansing Sugar Scrub (why is the name so long???) is something that I hate in the beginning but that hatred turned into love when I accidentally learned how to properly use it.  This is a physical kind of scrub from; the name itself, sugar plus balm (the balm which has been a buzz in the youtube world which is said to be a better cleansing "agent" than other type/form cleansers? not sure, soon I'll find out since I'm going to use one...will try to compare it with oil, foam and other types of cleansers that I already use *cross finger*) and I can't believe that it has pink clay (I just found this out as in this very moment) or is it the balm that I'm looking at right now (I swear it looks like a balm!)).  Moving on, this one also has lemon extracts which explains the citrusy scent of the scrub and aloe vera, both of which is said to provide a brighten complexion and nourish skin.

If you are thinking that this will magically remove the blackheads on your face then you are wrong, this balm didn't promise that (based on the description I found in the net).  Instead it says that the soft white sugar exfoliate the skin removing dead skin cells and allowing for the easier extraction of blackheads and other impurities from pores while the pink clay (which I think is the balm) help absorbs excess sebum.  Seems like your ordinary sugar scrub but the "balm" makes this scrub a bit special as it makes physical exfoliation/scrubbing much enjoyable and easier.

The balm/pink clay keeps the sugar from sticking to the face for better exfoliation and at the same time it already cleanses the skin and it can even remove make-up.  I just hate the sticky feeling it gives though so I either use a mild cleanser after or just lightly scrub my face again with a konjac jelly.  Or as directed, just wash off with lukewarm water (I don't have the luxury of having a hot and cold faucet so I rely with the konjac jelly).

I said in the beginning that I hated this at first just because I thought that the sugar is just too harsh for my skin but it turns out that I'm just exerting too much pressure.  One day I just absent-mindedly put this on my face (I think I'm daydreaming) and after like a minute, the sugar just dissolved and my skin was exfoliated without being hurt-no redness and harshness felt.

Overall, it's a good light scrub (if use properly) that loosens blackheads and sebum and makes extraction much easier.

p.s. I got the description info from holikaholika.ca.  You can purchase this at w2beauty.com and use arya.deguzman@gmail.com to get a $5 voucher upon registration.

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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"

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Etude House Baking Powder

You may deduct from the photo above that a.  it is well love, b.  overly use and c.  has been with the owner for a very long time.  I've been using this Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam Moist for around 6 months (turning 7 this end of May) and finally it's time for me to say something about it (and nope Etude House is not selling baking powder but it would be cute if they are selling one...I imagine it in a cute container and I will tell people "I bought my baking powder in Etude House and look at it's cute packaging!", okay stop the nonsense and on with the details!).

Description:  Formulated with Baking Powder to penetrate and cleanse deep within pores to remove makeup and residues.  Maintains rich, smooth lather for moist sensation.

How to use:  Wet face and dispense small amount onto hands.  Lather and apply foam to face, gently massaging entire area.  Wash and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

I mainly got attracted with the "cleanse deep within pores" because my pores on the cheeks area look big although I have dry skin meaning my pores attracted lots of dirt and oil.  The rich, smooth lather is a bonus:  it's so foamy and dense it reminds me of a shaving cream (so if you suddenly ran out of shaving cream, you can just use this as a quick substitute).

This foam cleanser is refreshing not only because of its lemony scent but also because it feels like it removes all the gunk in my face every after use especially this summer where all my skin do the whole day is sweat.  On cold weather days though, I feel that everyday usage of this cleanser just strips all the oils of my skin leaving it dry, tight and sensitive so I only use this every other day for the first two months of the year.

If you're a foam lover (like me), use this with a cleansing brush or a konjac sponge to create an abundant amount of foam:  just a pea size of this cleanser is enough to cover not just your face but your neck as well (and sometimes my pits too hehehe, it seems like it also removes deodorant and helps in removing b.o.).  Although, my pores are still visible they have improved and is less noticeable than before.  It will also help if you use warm/lukewarm water in cleansing the face as it will loosen the unnecessary oils clogging the pores.

Now if you're going to ask me, "can this remove make-up" - I'll just state my usual answer:  I don't know, I always double cleanse whenever I put makeup and this cleanser is just an assurance that everything has been removed and that my face looks and feel fresh and clean.

That's all for this cleanser and share your favorite cleanser or your favorite Etude House product with me :) (I love EH 's collagen cream).

Till then, Arya

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Pure Beauty Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel

Exfoliating gel has been popular lately because of...well Cure.  I haven't tried the awesomeness of Cure (my budget won't allow me) so for now I settled myself with Pure Beauty's Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel.

Pure Beauty Pomegranate Antioxidant Exfoliating Gel

While strolling Watsons, just saw these glimmering red boxes that seems to be really luxurious and since there's no SA around, my sister and I checked them out ( hehehe, I'm guilty of checking products when there's no salesperson around) and Pure Beauty somehow rings a bell because I think I read from one of Erika of ErikaJjang.tumblr.com post (I think it's where she introduces the different korean brands here in the Philippines) about it.  I even got more curious of the brand because despite it's nice aesthetics, it's actually quite affordable.  I already have toner, essence and cream that time so the exfoliating gel got me curios because I'm running out of Appletox from TonyMoly (again, that time) and that's where an SA suddenly pop-up at the back of the scene and let us try the gel.

So as you can see the exfoliating gel is in a simple yet elegant tube with shiny red (representing pomegranate) cap.  It says that it protects collagen reserves, promotes healthier skin and helps skin rejuvenation and is dermatologically tested which is one factor that I'm looking for a product because I somewhat have a sensitive skin.

contains Ecocert ingredients

It says that the product contains Korean Pomegranate Fruit extract, Swiss RADICARE, French ECOCERT validated fruit and herbal extracts and Bulgarian Rose water that works together to promote healthy, radiant and youthful skin, promoting nutrition, hydration and invigoration, while simultaneously fighting free radicals and providing anti-aging and antioxidant benefits.  I hope Pure Beauty could care to explain more about the Swiss RADICARE and French ECOCERT part because I don't know what they are and couldn't find anything about them.

the ingredients and all about the product

It's great that even if this one is made in Korea, everything is in English and there's no need for me to crinch.

With an appropriate amount, massage gently the gel to the dry face (yes, it's important that the skin is dry) and within seconds you'll see white sometimes brown or gray particles forming on the surface of the skin.  Then rinse with supposedly with warm water but I always use tepid water.

I couldn't say that the particles are pure dead skin cells and dirt, of course the product is also included in the particles because I experimented a little and put another layer of gel after a minute and the "particles" are still forming though they are more on a whitish form and a lot lesser.

Caution! if you have sensitive skin please do not do what I just did because it can irritate your skin,  I got mini red spots.  Also, do not use this on a daily basis.  I did another experiment of exfoliating with this gel on 2 consecutive days and there's a slight irritation on my skin.  It says so too on the instructions that this can be use 1-2 times per week so I can't imagine what the SA is feeling because she said that she and her friends are using this on a daily basis to remove their make-up (my face was actually shocked when she said this because exfoliating on a daily basis is not good for the skin as the natural oils will be stripped off and will damaged the first layer of the skin and I hope that she is listening when I'm explaining this part to my sister).

how it looks like and how it performs it's magic

Since this exfoliating gel removes the dead skin cells of the skin, I'm not surprised that my skin somehow looks brighter and smoother.  Amazingly, it also doesn't dry my skin just don't know about the rest of what this product claims but just seeing those dead skin cells lifting of my face makes me satisfied with this product.

Of course let's not forget about the smell, it citrusy sometimes like a candied or juice pomelo.  The gel has this cool feel when applied to the face (which I like because it's refreshing.)

I have some issue with the price of this product though.  I got mine for P299 but a week after that the price went down to P189 (this made me cry).  Then when the Cure got released here in the Philippines, the price went up to P400+ (not sure with the exact amount).  Then they have this promotion again that you can buy the gel and the cream from this line for P299 each but when we (with my sister) checked it out in the nearest Watsons, it seems like no one knows about it and waited for like 30 minutes for the SA to clear it out with her supervisor then there's a problem again with the cashier saying that the bar-code is not valid and made us wait for like 10 minutes and still they keep on  battling about it ahahaha and my sister got pissed off because the SAs should know about this and we left empty handed because the SA and the cashier can't settle on what to do *sigh* what a waste.  Anyway I hope Pure Beauty would settle a definite price for their products.

Oh I also use this exfoliating gel on other parts of my body like my elbows.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

CC Cream and a Little Sample

Before I start, let me send my prayers to those who got affected by the super typhoon Yolanda.  It's the least I can do and maybe donate something like food and clothes, it's not much but I hope it can still somehow help.

Okay, so about 3 weeks ago I finally snatched a sample of a CC Cream.  I know I'm kinda already late in trying out this kind of product but I'm not really a believer of CC Cream until I watched videos from Get It Beauty and Son Dam Bi's Beautiful Days.

First of all CC Cream aka Color Control  or Color Correct is considered as a primer so it will and will never replaced BB cream or foundation.  CC cream I think has been popular because it promises to adopt to the color of skin tone plus it is also advertise to provide enough moisture without doing all the usual skincare routine (like in Son Dam Bi's Beautiful Days video, just a toner and CC Cream already made-up the moisture needed).  Another point for CC Cream is that it brightens the overall appearance of skin.

In short, CC Cream makes me believe that it's a product perfect for those who are always on the go as it provides enough moisture and evens out and brightens the skin without undergoing all the fuss of putting maybe 5 products on the face.  Just remember that CC Cream is not after skin coverage.

Since it sounds like a "perfect match" for my skin (because remember, I have dry and dull skin and sleep is my priority so I don't have time to prepare when going to work) so I asked my sister to buy a sample for me because there's a seller of samples in their building to where she works and bought me the CC Cream from The Face Shop.

TheFaceShop Face it Aura Color Control Cream
Color Control CC Cream

Just look how cute the sample is!

much smaller version of the real thing

There are two variant of the Face it Aura Color Control Cream:  the 01 Radiant Beige and 02 Natural beige and I believe I have the 02.

grrr I can't understand the texts

Since almost everything at the back of the package is in Korean, I have to rely on what I found on ebay about the product.  So Face it Aura Color Control Cream (what a mouthful) is a color control cream that creates a radiant and clear make-up appearance as if the skin is being spotlighted.

And here's a pic of the full size one.  It's in a unique compact wherein you have to push the front button in order for the product to come out.

photo from http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1361424305/
I'm not affiliated with koresdepart but just click the link for more details

And here are the swatches.  I just cropped the photos and did no significant editing for a raw feel.

the CC Cream itself

I thought at first the the color is too beige for me and will turn dark on my skin but it turns out it's too light for my skin and instead of brightening I actually got a whitening effect (as evidence by the with and without picture below) and so I have to allot a little time to blend the CC Cream into my skin.

with and without cc cream

It does make my face glow but there are some parts in my face that the glow looks just so awkward and at the same time it accentuates the not so good side of areas in my face like it makes my dark circles more obvious.  It seems to appear too when I'm wearing this that I have an oily skin type rather than a dry one, I don't know I just don't like the "glow" effect of this one and I've already tried a product that also offers the "glow" effect and I'm okay with it.

when blended

I like it though that it's light and doesn't feel heavy on the face and also I don't need much to "cover-up" my entire face, I mean I have a sample size and I've been using it 8 times now and still have enough for 2 applications.  It already has SPF30 so no need for me to put an additional product on my face when I have this and it makes my skin looking more even but remember the coverage of this one is very light.

In the end, I'm still 50/50 towards CC Cream and maybe if I ran out of this sample I'll just make a DIY of it by mixing Etude House Moistfull collagen cream or the Mizon Snail Gel with a BB Cream.

That's it and hope this post didn't confused you.

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

ZA Total Hydration Dewy Moisturizer

"Malas mo, ikaw ang natipuhan ko"- just singing this part of Oo by Up Dharma Down over and over again and wonder if I'll ever say this to a person.  Nah, I can't but maybe to a product yes!  (if ever you wanted to know the lyrics in filipino and english of Oo you can check it here, although the translation is not perfect).

Za Total Hydration Dewy Moisturizer with Vitamin B
P395/ around $9.50

And this my friends is one of the products that I randomly picked from the crazy sale in SM Makati and should have sing the "Malas mo, ikaw ang natipuhan ko" after I pulled it from the neatly arranged shelves of pink bottles in Za [pronounce as zi:ei].  I am looking for an emulsion during the sale and while everything around me is in chaos, I lazily walk and wanted to actually whistle to savor the moment of me in a relax mode while others are panicking and Za just got my attention for being so neat.

Za Total Hydration Dewy Moisturizer with Vitamin B is not an emulsion; obviously, but a moisturizer: a liquidy/gel type one.  The saleslady put a little on my hand and my skin quickly absorbs it so I immediately bought it.

light and refreshing texture and for skin that tends to feel sticky

And yes, it's light and refreshing and it doesn't leave the skin sticky because of it's water-like consistency and I also believe that it's non-clogging, perfect for those who have normal to oily skin type that wanted to moisturize their skin without the heavy feeling because; really, it's just like a water or toner.

For those with dry skin though like me, this one is not moisturizing enough...I still put a cream on top of it to relieve the dryness of my skin so I really use it as an emulsion for my face but I love that it's perfect as a body moisturizer during day time plus it's also perfect to bring this on travel because it's almost like an all in one product:  a toner plus a moisturizer for my face (I just have to layer it every now and then for my face not to dry) and a light non-sticky moisturizer for my body.

see the look?

See?  It's just so liquidy that spreading this product is not a problem and again and again, it's not sticky even if I put layers and layers of it on my skin.  The scent has a combination of something citrusy and almost toner like smell that is refreshing for me.

Once applied, my skin actually look matted but I noticed that after a couple of seconds (sometimes a minute), my skin will actually look a little dewy especially when I'm under a light.

For those who have oily/combi/normal skin type that wanted a light moisturizer, I think Za Total Hydration Dewy Moisturizer is worth a try.  I think I'll be using this more often over the summer.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

It's Skin Phyto Therapy Nature in Emulsion

It took me months before I can finally have the strength to post this.  I'm being lazy again and I'm running out of words.  Anyway, Its Skin Phyto Therapy Nature in Emulsion is one of the item that is included in my first GMarket haul.

It's Skin Phyto Theraphy Nature in Emulsion
14800 won but got it for 7400 won

Yup, I got it on sale in Gmarket.  It's Skin is one of the stores in GMarket that never fails to offer sales on a monthly basis, too bad though that the shipping rate got up so it's a good thing that there's already a physical store of the brand here in the Philippines located in SM North (wanted to visit soon to get some hyaluronic stuff).

Aside moisturizing, the factors that attracted me are the words phyto which means organic, clinical, tested and safety.  I'm born with sensitive skin (I have no choice) and grew up going to clinics for my allergies and other skin diseases and I dreaded using soaps or other products that are too harsh as it irritates and my skin wounds (the doctor once recommended to use Perla, specifically the white variant as my laundry soap).  Good thing as I grow up, my skin became stronger but that strong enough yet.

I also love the packaging of the product.  Although it looks mature, I think it's pretty even the box (in person because my photo sucks) looks really good. The emulsion is white in color (no pic because I already run out of this product).

Edelweiss

Edelweiss or Snow Flower according to www.botanical-online.com, has protection against ultraviolent radiation, anti-aging effect and anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties.  It's not hazardous but should not be taken as a food.  The product also has Mineral Water that according to the description above, provides health and vitality.  Combing the two and the product will offer a perfect response of well-being to the skin.

Setting the words and the claims above aside, this emulsion actually did great on my skin:  no irritation and breakouts, moisturizes my skin really well without the stickiness or heavy feeling and I can put or leave out the cream stage of skincare process and it also gives a nice glow and moist effect.  The smell is also pleasant, it's on an oriental/medicinal side but it's so mild it helps me relax.

Just take note though that when I first used this my skin isn't very problematic and during and after using it, I don't remember having a problem with my skin.

the ingredients

This product seems like a great Geisha to me, pretty and lovable but works really hard.

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!