3 Easy Steps To Achieve Glowy Skin

I would like to confidently say that my skin’s overall appearance has tremendously changed for the better in the past 4 years of my skincare journey and a lot of what I did was trial and error and learn more about my skin. The biggest thing I want to share with you is to not follow other people’s routines step by step. If you’re interested in hearing more on my journey definitely check out this blog post I wrote early of last year.

1. Have a structure and elaborate skincare routine. Which means you don’t necessarily need 9 step routine. I personally can get away with a 6-7 step routine and it works for me. I don’t think it’s possible to achieve that skin glow with just 3 products (cleanse, tone, moisturize). I’ve tried this a handful of times and it just didn’t do enough for my skin. What I do is double cleanse, use a hydrating toner, brightening/resurfacing serum, hydrating serum, moisturizer, facial oil/sleeping pack. If your skin is moisturized, it will reflect that. If your skin is dry and dull, that means you’re not doing enough for it and you need to change up your routine. You also need to be consistent in order to see results, stopping/pausing on your skincare routine can potentially change the outcome for your skin.
2. Exfoliate, this is obvious but it also is very tricky. Many people including myself have exfoliated in the past and it can truly compromise your barrier and cause irritating. My skin can only tolerate chemical exfoliators and I can only use them once a week. If I really need it then I’ll exfoliate once more at the end of the week. The exfoliator I’ve been using a ton is the Paula’s Choice BHA Solution.
   
   
3. For makeup users: Choose radiant, illuminating makeup rather than opting for matte. When you use matte products, you’re doing the complete opposite of what you want to achieve. For oily skin babes, you need to be aware that when using illuminating products, you will likely need to touch up and blot more. I prefer using bb creams with dewy finishes, cream blushes, soft highlighters and tinted lip glosses/balms. I’ve been using a lot of illuminating bases lately and the one I’ve been adoring and I find very comparable to the Mac Strobe Cream but for a fraction of the cost has to be the Peach-C Peach Glow Base Cream.

I hope that was straight for you and helped you get a better idea of how to achieve that skin glow. Have yourself a wonderful week and good luck on your skin glow journey!

 

 

KLAIRS MIDNIGHT BLUE YOUTH ACTIVATING SERUM &VITAMIN FRESHLY JUICED DROP SERUM

Good Morning, my friends! I hope you’re all having a fantastic 2020 so far. Laura from Lifestyle Magazine reached out to me and offered me a wonderful product set that Wishtrend has and it’s called the 2 Step Recovery Set. This set includes the freshly juiced vitamin drop serum and the midnight blue youth activating drops.

 

Product Claims

• EGF (sh-Oligopeptide-1) and bFGF (sh-Polypeptide-1)The body itself produced substances called EGF and bFGF. Both ingredients are key factors that keep the outer and inner parts of the skin firm and smooth and are crucial in the skin’s elasticity, gloss, and skin tone.

Ingredients: 

sh-Oligopeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Vaccinium Angustifolium Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Guaiazulene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine

My thoughts

I’ve been using this serum for about a month now and I see a significant difference in my overall skin texture and appearance. When using this serum, I noticed that my skin was a lot smoother to the touch and also my smile lines and the wrinkles on my under eye appeared less prominent. I’m in my mid-20s and although my lines are not easily noticeable, I do see them developing. I do recommend this for those who are in their early 20s because I think early prevention is key. I mean, why wait till it happens when you can take action now to protect your skin. I have a few scars from picking my pimples and I noticed they appeared a lot more light when using this.

• Texture: 4/5 – Is really runny and can be challenging to work with if you’re one of those people who like to apply product straight from the applicator to the face. Ideally, you should mix a couple of drops in your moisturizer then apply throughout the face. This is the easiest way of application.
• Scent: 5/5 – There is no scent to this, which is excellent for those who have sensitive skin.
• Price: 4/5 – This is kind of expensive, it retails for about 38 CAD for 20ml of product. I do however think it is worth it for the price because how gentle it was on my skin and I noticed a huge difference in my overall skin appearance and texture.
• Performance: 5/5 – It did exactly what I expected it to do and works amazingly with other products. One of my biggest fear of serums is that they are not compatible with my other skincare products. I personally found this worked wonderfully with my existing skincare routine.
• Packaging: 5/5 – Great. The dropper is fantastic and works nicely; it’s really easy to control dispensing out the desired amount of product.
• Overall: 5/5 – I like it! I’m going to repurchase this and I would recommend this to anyone whose looking for a mild and gentle anti-aging product.

Product Claims

• Energize + Rejuvenate Skin with highly concentrated, non-irritating and sustainable Vitamin C
• Excellent for all skin types
• Brightens complexion, hydrates, balances and refines skin
• Free of alcohol, parabens, and eco-friendly + cruelty-free

Ingredients: 

Water, Propylene Glycol, Ascorbic Acid(5%, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Centella Asiatica Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Illicium Verum(Anise) Fruit Extract, Citrus Paradisi(Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Polysorbate 60, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Orange Oil Brazil, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Disodium EDTA, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Camellia Sinensis Callus Culture Extract, Larix Europaea Wood Extract, Chrysanthellum Indicum Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Asarum Sieboldi Root Extract, Quercus Mongolia Leaf Extract, Persicaria Hydropiper Extract, Corydalis Turtschaninovii Root Extract, Coptis Chinensis Root Extract, Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lecithin, Acetyl Glutamine, SH-Olgopeptide-1, SH-Olgopeptide-2, SH-Polypeptide-1, SH-Polypeptide-9, SH-Polypeptide-11, Bacillus/Soybean/Folic Acid Ferment Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol

My thoughts

This has to be one of the most effective Vitamin C products I have ever used and also really gentle on the skin, I personally did not experience any sensitivity from using this. Now that being said, the strange thing is the claim it’s for all skin types but I see a pesky Lavender oil right in the center of the ingredients list. As many of you may know, I’m not against artificial fragrance but I did, however, have some issues with essential oils. Essential oils have irritated my skin in the past so I like to precautions when using products with them. I’m actually quite surprised I didn’t have any irritation when using this because it’s so high up in the ingredients list. Most products I use have a very low dosage of it and usually appear near the bottom of the ingredients list. I cannot say I would recommend this for those who have extremely sensitive skin for both artificial and natural fragrances however I can say those of you who are not sensitive to fragrance and are looking for a fantastic brightening product, definitely check this out. I’ve used this 3 times in the past and I came back to this because I knew it would work for me and it still does!

• Texture: 5/5 – it has a lovely dry oil-like feel and can be applied directly onto the skin or mixed in with other products during application. If you’re scared of it being sensitizing/too strong for your skin, mix this in with a moisturizer to dilute the product then apply.
• Scent: 4/5 – Almost has no scent to it, it has a super faint scent but it quickly goes away. Minus 1 point for the 2 essential oils. Skincare doesn’t need to smell good, it just needs to work.
• Price: 5/5 – Pretty reasonable pricing if you ask me. One of these takes me about several months to finish and you don’t need a lot of the product.
• Performance: 5/5 – Works like a charm, I would recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a nice brightening product because this is really effective and gentle on the skin. You shouldn’t have any burning or warming feel when using this.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s straight forward, the packaging is attractive. The dropper works really nicely and I’m glad they chose a very stable Vitamin C. Initially, when I first tried this years ago, I was kind of nervous that it would oxidize because a lot of my Vitamin C products don’t last beyond 1-2 months. This actually lasts for a while, I personally didn’t see any oxidizing until 8-9 months down the road, which is fantastic. Even though this has stabilized Vitamin C in it, I still would suggest you store this in a cool, dark place to ensure the product does not oxidize.

Thank you Soak Lifestyle & Wishtrend for this wonderful collaboration and amazing set. I hope you guys give these products a try and please share with me how they worked for you.

Available on: Wishtrend
Use Code: 37F5B97C and get 10% off your purchase.

 

 

CREMORLAB – LUXURY K-SKINCARE

Who doesn’t love luxurious experiences? Cremorlab is such an underrated luxury Korean Skincare brand. Michelle Phan was actually one of the first few people who mentioned this internationally and I was always so fascinated by their products but was not sure where to purchase them locally and online. Renee from Cremorlab kindly sent over 3 gorgeous products from their T.E.N miracle + o2 Couture line for me to share with you all.

CREMORLAB O2 COUTURE CREAM

This contains 33 kinds of marine plants that can deeply hydrate and moisturize the skin. There’s also marine oxygen plasma that can purify and revitalize the skin. It’s winter here in Canada and my skin needs all the hydration and moisture it can get because it’s really dry out. I find this hydra intense o2 couture cream really is effective and excellent as a day moisturizer. I usually wear makeup 5 days out of 7 days of the week so I do believe this acts as a nice makeup primer as well. It leaves a nice transparent film on the skin, no shine residue and no peeling. Anyone who suffers from skin dehydration issues would definitely enjoy this. Sensitive skin folks should probably opt-out from this cream as it does contain fragrance and it can be irritating for those who are sensitive to it. Nonetheless, this is a lovely cream and deserves more love.

For more information: Cremorlab (Official Website)
Where to buy: eBay

CREMORLAB T.E.N MIRACLE THE ESSENCE

Essences are such an incredible addition to a skincare routine because it allows product absorption and intensively to penetrate active ingredients deep within the skin to become more effective. This T.E.N miracle essence is a best seller in Korea and for a very good reason, it’s rich in antioxidants, strengthening the skin while having skin-soothing properties using deep ocean thermal water and mistletoe. This essence only contains 10 ingredients that provide a moisturizing effect by using red-hot spring water while rapidly soothing the skin from any irritation. This essence is about $50 CAD, which isn’t bad because it’s a lot more affordable than most luxury essences such as SK-II, which is a ridiculous amount of money. I find this essence really effective and allows products to absorb a lot more faster into the skin while being mild enough to use whether in the AM or PM. I would recommend this essence and I am likely to repurchase it in the near future because I genuinely do enjoy it. This essence is compatible with all skin types, including sensitive.

For more information check out: Cremorlab (Official Website)
Where to buy: eBay | Sweet Corea

CREMORLAB O2 COUTURE PEELING MASK

This feels like an expensive peel and simulates a luxurious spa experience, I really think you can enjoy a spa-like experience at the comfort of your home. Also, can we just admire how beautiful the mask looks? It has this brilliant blue hue to it. This mask is formulated with wintergreen leaf, AHA, BHA and PHA. This gives the skin a mild exfoliation without irritating it because there are no exfoliating beads/granules in it. I personally think this mask is ideal for those who have normal and oily skin. If you are sensitive to fragrance, stir away from this because there is a bit of fragrance in it. My skin can be a bit sensitive to AHAs but I personally had no issues when using this product and I will continue to use it to see it’s full results.

How to use: After cleansing the skin, apply 3-5 pumps of this mask evenly throughout the face then leave on for 3 minutes then rinse. How fast is that?  You can use this mask once or twice a week.

For more information check out: CREMORLAB (Official Website)
Where to buy: eBay

 

[REVIEW] ANGEL LOOKA SOFT WHIPPED CREAM BODY RECIPE

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

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

My thoughts

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

Overall

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

Available here: Strawberry Milk | Blueberry Milk | Grape Milk

USE CODE: SALES-2020 for % off your purchase

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

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

 

[REVIEW] LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK

If you haven’t heard about this product or even seen once in your life, you’re most certainly living under a rock; This is an extremely popular item and favored by many for very good reason it is. It comes in a good range of scents and can be used whenever. Notice the name is lip sleeping mask rather than lip treatment or care, that’s because this was formulated to intensively moisturize and aid your lips overnight. I, on the other hand, use this pretty much all day, every day. Don’t be fooled by the size of the tub, this will last you at least a year with continuous use so don’t start hoarding these because they do go bad like any other cosmetic/skincare product.

Claims

• Lip Sleeping Mask has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips for quick absorption. Enriched with vitamin C and antioxidants, its Berry Mix Complex™ offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend of raspberry, strawberry, cranberry, and blueberry extracts to indulge the senses. Its exclusive Moisture Wrap™ technology boasts hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture and active ingredients. A generous layer of this soothing mask at bedtime helps reduce flakiness so you can wake up to lips that feel refreshed, supple, and soft to the touch.
• Moisture Wrap™ Technology: Features a mineral network of moisture-rich beta-glucan to form an eight-hour time-release moisturizing layer over the skin; seals in active ingredients and mineral water.
• Berry Mix Complex™: Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants from a nutritious blend of raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, goji berries, and blueberries to soothe and soften, revealing smooth, supple lips.

Full List Of Ingredients

Diisostearyl Malate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Phytosteryl / Isostearyl / Cetyl / Stearyl / Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Polybutene, Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Synthetic Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax / Candelilla Cera / Cire de Candelilla, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Butylene / Ethylene / Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene / Propylene / Styrene Copolymer, Mica (CI 77019), Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dimethicone, Fragrance / Parfum, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Methicone, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax / Cera Carnauba / Cire de Carnauba, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 6 (CI 15850), Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Water, Potassium Alginate, Propanediol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Sapindus Mukorossi Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Ascorbyl Glucoside.

How to use:

With a clean disposable spatula/applicator or q-tip, get a dot size amount of product and apply on lips evenly. Apply product in small, thin layers and layer on more as needed.

My Thoughts & Ramblings

I’m sure most of us know how important lip care is, there were a time and place where I didn’t believe in it. In fact, I hated the feeling of lip products coming in contact on my lips; Lipsticks, lipgloss, lip stains, treatments, you name it. Roughly 4 winters ago, that was when things took a big turn and it really opened my eyes to care for my lips a lot more. I had a really bad case of dried, cracked lips and it was to the point where I was pretty much bleeding. Lip care is crucial, my friends and we have to care for them as we do for our skin, hair and etc.

I discovered this product by watching a lot of youtube videos and I purchased my first one at Sephora. Please don’t buy k-beauty products from Sephora unless you have no access to purchasing things online because they have very marked-up prices and you can find Laneige products elsewhere online for a fraction of their price. I’ll be listing the places where you can purchase this at the bottom of this post. Anyway, back onto how this helped me. I had one of the worst cases of bleeding lips and you can physically see the skin of lips peeling, no product I put ontop could conceal this. I used this sleeping mask continuously for 2 whole days and let me tell you, how much of a huge difference it made for my lips. Firstly, my lips started to recover and gradually look better than before and I love how lightweight this formula is on the lips. You don’t need to slather a thick layer of this for it to work, you can apply thin layers and it glides on the lips effortlessly.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – Comfortable to wear and during the application, it feels like the product melts right into the lips. The texture is a really smooth, buttery, rich balm consistency.
• Scent: 5/5 – I’ve only tried the berry, green apple + lime, and mint chocolate(limited edition) and I must say, my favourite scent has to be the apple+lime one. I enjoyed all the scents I own however, I find myself reaching for the apple+lime one a ton.
• Price: 5/5 – The price is so affordable on Yesstyle and eBay, I don’t understand why Sephora’s pricing is ridiculously high. Nonetheless, there is a lot of product inside so you do get the bang for your buck.
• Performance: 5/5 – Amazing! I have zero complaints about this. It’s super effective and recovered my damaged lips. It’s actually my holy grail lip product that I cannot live without; I bring this everywhere with me – to work, going out, sleepovers and etc. It’s a staple product of mine.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s really cute, I love the frosted plastic packaging – it gives the product that expensive appearance to it and it’s super easy to use. Each of these, do come with an applicator, however, I keep misplacing mine for whatever reason so I use a fresh q-tip every time I use this.
• Overall: 5/5 – What are you waiting for? If you don’t own this already, hop on it. This is a lip savior and works amazing. I’ve never tried a lip balm or treatment that is anything like this. I’m very pleased with this product and happy to see many enjoy it as much as I do. I’ll help you out by sharing some affordable and reliable websites you can buy this from. I repeat, do not buy this at Sephora unless you want to pay double the price for this because it’s $24 CAD at Sephora while you can get this at Yesstyle for only $16.74 CAD and you can get % off your purchase if you use my code DORKIE1.

Available on: eBay (Cheapest) |Jolse | StyleKorean | Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

STYLEVANA |Affordable K-Beauty Shop

The holidays are right by the corner and I know how stressful it is finding the perfect gift for your loved one. Fear not, I’m always here to lend a helping hand during a stressful time. StyleVana teamed up with me in perfect timing before the holidays and were kind enough to send over 3 beautiful skincare products to share with you all and you just might be interested in picking these up for yourself or loved ones. Let’s hop into it!

Who is StyleVana?

There are so many online shops and it can get really overwhelming finding the perfect shop that provides timely shipping, quality customer service and also affordable prices; StyleVana is guaranteed to provide you excellent service every time. They are based in Hong Kong and ship all parcels through DHL. StyleVana sells a wide range of beauty and skincare products from Taiwanese, Japanese and even Korean beauty. Their deals are incredible and probably one of the cheapest I’ve seen so far. Did you know they also sell clothes and accessories as well?

Shipping details – How fast is shipping, customs and etc.

I can only speak from my experience and my package got to me within a week, which is amazing because if anyone who lives in Canada, knows how difficult and slow Canadian customs can be with packages but they got to be quite fast. I was charged by Canadian customs for shipping and handling fees and StyleVana stepped in to reimburse my fees, which was very kind of them to do so. Also, I want to put it out there that they reimburse all orders that have custom fees however, you must send them a copy of your invoice as proof in order for you to get reimbursed so don’t throw away the invoice! Most companies won’t honor this so it’s fantastic to see that StyleVana truly cares about their customers and continues to provide excellent customer service.

In a hurry? They do offer express shipping via DHL for $10, this offer is only for the US only and is only available until December 19th.

Products I chose…

Cosrx Centella Cream 

This product is small but mighty, starting off the product showcase is the classic Cosrx Centella cream; this is a cult favourite product and for a very good reason. This cream is hydrating and creates a protective barrier to the skin while delivering active ingredients to promote and repair skin from irritation and blemishes. This formulated with Centella Asiatic Leaf Water for maximum hydration while calming down the skin. This product is suitable for all skin types and even, sensitive skin types because of how mild and gentle it is.  I specifically use this as a spot treatment throughout the face and I would use this continuously for a week and I will start to see results within the first 2 days of continuous use. This cream is an excellent product for those who have stubborn, inflamed breakouts that pimple patches cannot clear up on its own. The price may vary where you purchase this cream but StyleVana has by far the cheapest price I’ve seen so far. It’s currently only $14.69.
Available here

Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream

So there are several variations to this cream – there’s this one which is formulated for normal-combination skin types, the intense cream (dry) and gel cream (oily). This cream is formulated with pure fermented green tea extract, which is rich in antioxidants, it also provides intense hydration without being sticky or too heavy on the skin. There is over 63% of fermented green tea extract which allows the skin to retain moisture for long periods of time by forming a thin hydrating layer on dry skin. This moisturizer contains a fermented Korean green tea called ‘ChungTaeJeon’. This green tea has fermented through sunlight for over a year. This cream is made with quality ingredients to ensure maximized hydration to the skin. It’s currently only $10.59 on StyleVana.
Available here

Annie’s Way Hyaluronic Acid

Want to know the secret to a brighter complexion and having a spa-like experience? Boy, wouldn’t you like to know! Aside from using vitamin C based products to brighten the skin because it can be too strong for the skin, a great and effective alternative to that is treating your skin to a jelly mask! This mask is from the Taiwanese brand called “Annie’s Way” and has been around for over a decade now. It’s a very popular item in Asia for a good reason because of it’s lightweight, cooling gel mask texture and how relaxing it is to have on. Unlike some wash off masks that can be messy, this is mess and hassle-free. You only need a small amount of this slathered on the face and it works wonderfully. This mask is able to moisturize, firm skin while improving the appearance of the skin’s overall appearance and cleanses pores.
Available here

Buy More, Save More

If you buy 2+ more items, you will get an additional 2% off of your purchase.
If you buy 4+ more items, you will get an addition 4% off of your purchase.
If you buy 10+ more items, you will get an addition 12% off of your purchase.

Pretty much you buy more, you save more and they’re really generous with their discounts too.

If you’re shopping at StyleVana, please use my code DORK20 for a discount on your purchase. It will help you out to scoring a fantastic deal+save and also support me. Once again, thank you StyleVana for collaborating with me.

This post is an AD and I make a small commission every sale if you use my code on their website. All proceeds will help me out for my blog & Instagram to keep it running for me to continue to create content for you. I appreciate all of your support and cheers to Holiday Season! May 2020 be a wonderful and productive year for us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[REVIEW] PAPA RECIPE BOMBEE HONEY PUDDING CREAM

Honey, anyone? Papa recipe has one of my favourite sheet masks and I thought it would be nice to try out their skincare products to see how well it will perform on my skin. If you have used the Klairs Vitamin E Mask before, this texture will somewhat remind you of that. The differences I would say between the two are, this one is a lot denser, richer gelatinous texture whereas the Klairs is a lot lighter. I got this product at a whim because I was curious about it for a long time but never wanted to splurge on it so I got it with a coupon. In case you were interested in where I purchased this, I purchased this on Goryeo’s Cosmetic website. I would highly recommend you to check them out, they offer a nice variety of skincare and beauty products for a reasonable price, customer service is excellent and shipping was quite fast.

Claims

• Enriched with organic propolis and honey extract, making it intensively hydrates, replenishes and nourishes the skin.
• It builds up a barrier against possible irritants for stronger, healthier skin, and also locks in moisture.
• Its pudding texture enhances the moisturizing effect without generating heaviness or stickiness.
• You can immediately see a healthy radiance and feels plump and silky smooth after application.
• Moisturizing, nourishing, reduce wrinkles and tighten pores, enhance skin elasticity, protecting the skin, and use as a sleeping mask.

Key Ingredients

Honey Extract has a lot of moisturizing and antibacterial properties.

Propolis Extract is known for its healing, antiseptic and restorative capabilities. Propolis can also heal and calm skin. It also promotes cell growth, decongests pores, protects against bacteria and functions as a great anti-inflammatory agent.

Urea is often used as a medicated topical cream and is applied to the skin to treat against dryness and itching symptoms ex: psoriasis, dermatitis, or ichthyosis.

Lactic acid is specifically used to treat hyperpigmentation, age spots, and other factors that contribute to a dull and uneven complexion.

Papaya Extract makes an effective, nonabrasive exfoliant. An enzyme in the fruit, papain, helps to remove impurities and slough away dead skin cells.

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

 

List of ingredients:

Water, glycereth-26, butylene glycol, peg-240/hdi copolymer bis-decyltetradeceth-20 ether, 1,2-hexanediol honey extract (10,000 ppm), phellinus linteus extract, caria papaya (papaya) fruit extract, propolis extract, hydrolyzed collagen, hydroxyethyl urea, polysorbate 80, arginine, ammonium lactate, usnea barbata (lichen) extract, urea, zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, carbomer, pulsatilla koreana extract, sodium hyaluronate, fragrance.

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts & Ramblings:

There’s a really interesting blend of ingredients here, the ones that really stood out to me were honey extract, propolis extract, papaya extract, ammonium lactate (lactic acid) and urea. Honey & Propolis that heal the skin and are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. We also have AHAs that help exfoliates, improve overall skin tone and resurface the skin such as Papaya and Lactic Acid.

When I first applied this on my skin, the gelatinous texture broke down into a comfortable, cool gel-cream texture and I could physically feel my skin feeling a lot more hydrated when using this cream. I also noticed from using this cream continuously for 2 and half weeks, my skin significantly looks a lot brighter and even out.

I enjoyed this cream, I’m not quite sure if I would repurchase it because I have a lot of products to go through and this isn’t something I would label as my holy grail because I can live without this. It is a nice addition to your skincare routine if you suffer from dehydration, dry skin issues that you really want to fix, this will definitely help out with that and you’ll notice your skin is a lot more hydrated and even brightened from using this.

How to use:

They instruct to use this after cleansing and toning, however, I have an extensive skincare routine because my skin needs it and as much as I love the concept of a 3 step skincare routine, I can’t do it. I use this after I apply my serums then I sleep with it on. You can use this a day moisturizer and also a sleeping mask.

When scooping out product from the container, take a pea size amount and apply on the back of your hand and massage the product until it transforms into a gel-cream texture, do not apply this directly to your face, you will find yourself dropping the product everywhere.

Overall

• Texture: 4/5 – It’s oddly satisfying to look at but for me, the application process can be tricky for some so be sure to apply to on your hand and break down the product prior to applying directly on the face. Please reference the photos/gif to have a better understanding of why the texture was a bit strange for me. It leaves a protective coat/film behind the skin when trying to rinse off. I found my skin feeling a lot softer and hydrated. My skin is dehydrated and even more dry during winter so I would often have dry patches if I’m using a moisturizer that is not compatible or not giving me enough moisture but I didn’t have any issues with this and my skin looked really nice every time I used it.
• Scent: 3/5 – I’m not crazy about honey scents because it smells “natural” and the smell does linger for a while before it goes away. I also do not like the fact they added fragrance because it’s so unnecessary and if I can have my skincare without any sort of fragrance, I would prefer that. Papa recipe, please consider making unscented products – it would be more ideal for “all skin types” because sensitive skin folks can use it too.
• Price: 3.5/5 – Kind of pricey for what it is however it does work and if you like papa recipe, honey-based products, you definitely should give this a try.
• Performance: 5/5 – Worked like a charm, my skin felt renewed, refreshed and a lot brighter which is always the goal for me. I love to brighten my skin and reduce the appearance of dullness.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s cute. It functions fine and I like how they included a spatula to scoop out the product. It may look like honey but don’t fooled, it’s just a moisturizer. 🙂
• Overall: 4/5 – Although it didn’t break me out and worked nicely – I like it but not enough for me to repurchase it because although texture may be important to some people, I just like a simple creamy moisturizer with no added fragrance to it. In case you’re interested in trying this, feel free to use code DORKIE1 when checking out on Yesstyle.

Available on: Goryeo | eBay | Amazon | Yesstyle

 

 

 

 

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Shopping Guide

So Christmas is right by the corner, have you already done your holiday shopping or not yet? No worries! I’m here to help with that and today, I will sharing with some awesome beauty products and gadgets you can give to your loved ones. Ready? Let’s get into it! I have a lot of Amazon recommendations and you’ll be able to snag these goodies using prime delivery. When it comes to gifts, I always like to find thoughtful and cool gifts where I know that a person does not have but interested in trying/owning it. Remember, it’s not the value you put into the gift but more of the thought and love.

Cool Gadgets

Facial Steamer

Alright, so this first item is more of a “luxury” item but you can gift this to yourself this or a loved one. It’s not expensive nor necessary but it is a nice addition to your beauty routine. A facial steamer can unclog and clean pores, enhances blood circulation, assists to remove skin toxins and has therapeutic qualities. No need to go out of your way to get the brand name facial steamers, those ones range from 200 to 300 bucks and they’re definitely not an item you should use every single day. Facial steaming can only be used once or twice a week, if you steam your face too often you will likely breakout from it because you’re opening your pores every time you steam your face so keep that in mind. The one I shared on amazon is available for prime delivery and also an affordable option compared to the Panasonic ones.

This one I shared has a good rating, comes in two different colours and it also comes with a FREE pimple extraction kit. I would use this carefully because you could potentially irritate and also damage your skin if these tools are used incorrectly. Please use the pimple extraction tool kit with caution and be gentle to your skin.

Available on: Amazon (Prime)

Smart LED Bulb compatible with WiFi, Google Home & Phone 

Technology is the future, my friends. If you have a smartphone and WiFi, you are set and you can pretty much customize your home for your liking and convenience. These light bulbs make incredible gifts because they are multi-colour, powerful and bright while you have the ability to control them using your phone or even google home. If you don’t know what google home is, you’re living under a rock. Pretty much everyone I know has one and they come in handy because with the command “hey google or OK, google” she is able to search up whatever you’re looking for, set an alarm/reminder, play music and you can even ask what’s the weather like for the week.

Available on: Amazon (Prime)

Stocking Stuffers (Budget-Friendly, Affordable Options)

Key chain covers

I’m sure all of us own our own pair of keys and we all know how annoying it can be when it comes to finding the right key to open our door, mailbox and etc. These key covers are so helpful because you’ll be able to differentiate from them. I’ve used these for years now and they’re so handy because you’ll know exactly which key is for what. They have these in cute designs and also plain coloured ones.

Available on: Amazon (Cute one) | Amazon (Plain)

 

Anything from Colourpop

I think they’re a really good makeup brand to start at if whether you’re a makeup noobie, someone on a budget or just appreciates makeup because their prices are quite unbeatable and super affordable. I think foundation and concealer can be tricky to buy for a family or friend because getting that accurate match is not always achievable so instead, I would recommend you to get their pan eyeshadow palettes, super shock single eyeshadows, coloured mascaras/eyeliners and even the fourth ray skincare line. They have a TON of affordable options for you try from so don’t feel so limited to only getting these that I listed.

Available on: Colourpop

Mini sets – beauty or skincare

These are fantastic gifts because you don’t have to commit to the full size and there’s usually a big variety to try out. Pretty much every beauty company makes mini size products for trial/travel reasons so you’re bound to find an amazing set for a reasonable price. Check out your local drugstore or even check your favourite beauty store websites to see if whether they have any or fantastic holiday discount deals.

I hope these options helped you out, I thought these were some fantastic choices for you, your friends or even your family. Please let me know if you’re interested in seeing more of these gift guides because this was really fun to put together. 🙂

[REVIEW] IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM

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

Claims

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

Key Ingredients

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

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

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

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

Ingredient List:

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

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

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

My thoughts

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

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

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

Overall

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

Use code DORKIE1 at checkout to save on Yesstyle your purchase

Available here: eBay | Yesstyle