[REVIEW] NARUKO JING CHENG 60 ACTIVES LA CREME EX

NARUKO’s team kindly sent over some of their products for me to try out and share with you all. They carefully curated a package together to fit my skin’s needs and did a wonderful job. I’ve been a fan of their sheet masks from time now so it was amazing when I was given the opportunity to try out their lovely skincare products.

The first product I will be sharing with you all today is from their anti-ageing line, also known as the Jing Cheng line. The story behind this cream is it’s a combination of Chinese medicine and western aromatherapy all in one. This is created with 60 precious herbal essences that can revitalize the skin, reduce the appearance of ageing and reveal skin’s glow.

Claims

• Firms and smoothens out skin texture
• Improves skin elasticity
• Prevents against signs of ageing
• Improves skin’s dullness, age spots and enlarged pores

 

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

The first thing I noticed when I opened this cream was it’s very subtle rosewater scent and how thick the consistency was. Think of really thick buttercream, this texture resembles that.

TIP: Scoop a dime-size amount out of the container and massage the product in between your fingers, you should start noticing it breakdown and turn into more of a creamy consistency that glides into the skin easily.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – I wanted a thick cream and NARUKO definitely gave me one. This one is like no other thick cream and I own. This texture is incredible and may require some time for those to get used to. If you’re not a fan of thick creams, I still do believe you can make this work. Follow my tip on how to breakdown the cream and make it easier to apply and you might just enjoy it.
• Scent: 4/5 – It’s lightly scented and smells like rosewater. Very clean and airy, I really like it and it gives this “spa-like” feel.
• Performance: 5/5 –  I’m blown away, guys. I found this cream surpass my expectations and in fact, it does what it claims. The biggest claim that stood out to me and I was skeptical of was the ability to minimize the appearance of your pores and it truly does while deeply moisturizing and nourishing my skin. I can feel a significant difference between using this and my all-time favourite Cerave moisturizing cream.
• Packaging: 4/5 – This packaging is quite extra, has this luxurious appearance to it and I like it! It obviously isn’t travel-friendly but you can always transfer it into a smaller container to bring with you.
• Overall: 4.5/5 – I love this cream and I would repurchase it, however, the price is hard to get past and kind of makes me grind my teeth when looking at. It’s $109 CAD and will vary where you purchase it from. I’ve seen a couple sources online that are cheaper and around $70 but nonetheless, it is a pricer cream but if you want something effective that can do the job – definitely look into this cream. I would HIGHLY recommend it to those who suffer with dry, combination, dehydration, parched skin issues. This is the ideal cream to seal in all the hydrating products you put on prior to.

Available here: NARUKO  | eBay

 

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind.

 

[COMPARISON] DHC LIP CREAM VS. GLOSSIER BALM DOT COM

I’m sure everyone and their dog knows about Glossier but I’m also sure there’s a lot of you where you’re asking yourselves, “why is this brand so hyped up?” I can only speak for myself from experience but as a consumer, I find Glossier’s package simple but also appealing because of the pastel colours and their iconic, pastel pink. I find all of their products very overpriced for what they are but you’re really paying for the packaging and the marketing. As an Instagram influencer, I have seen my more “basic, simple” photos succeed better than my classic colourful photos. I think a big majority of the beauty community seems to be fascinated and prefer more muted, calm tones and a basic look appearance. I want to be clear that there’s nothing wrong with that, you like what you like and should never question for it. Alrighty, without any further or do, let’s hop in the comparison between these two popular products.

WHO?

DHC

DHC is a very well known and popular brand in Asia and it originated from Japan. DHC is famous for their classic oil cleanser, which you may have seen at Costco or even your local beauty stores; it’s a cult favourite and has been loved by beauty consumers for years. They’re also known for the supplements, which are supposedly fantastic for targetting body concerns. DHC will occasionally collaborate with iconic brands such as Sanrio, Peanuts or Disney to create cuter packaging and I think it’s genius because you get the both of worlds – consumers have the choice between minimalistic, simple packaging or fun and cute packaging within the same price range.

Glossier

Glossier is more of a newer company, they were found in 2014 and they are originated in US. They also claim that their products are hypoallergenic, paraben-free, cruelty-free and vegan. This is likely to attract a big audience because there are a lot of people who are into clean, green beauty. I also find a lot of Glossier’s fans are people who strive for that natural skin appearance. Glossier makes a lot of great, sheer products that create that “my skin but better” kind of look.

Although both of the brands were from different origins, I do see the similarities in them with minimalistic packaging and branding. They don’t have to put so much effort creating flashy, bold packaging to get fans, they already have trusted fans because they’ve proven themselves and they continue to be successful.

COMPARISON

DHC Lip cream

I really enjoy this lip cream for multiple factors, how hydrating it is and it leaves my lips feeling really soft. There’s a beautiful blend of ingredients such as olive oil, ginseng, aloe vera, morus alba, pomegranate and etc. It doesn’t have a greasy, waxy consistency like some lip balms do and it’s comfortable, lightweight on the lips. My lips feel so plumped every time I use it. These can range between $8 to $15, varying where you buy them from. I’ve seen a trio pack at Costco for only $25.  The only drawback I have for this is that it has a pungent scent and I do suspect it’s because of the lanolin oil in it. It has a sour note to it but it doesn’t bother me as much as it originally did. I would repurchase these, whether in regular packaging or in limited edition packaging, I need them in my routine. They are a must for me.

Where to buy: eBay | Yesstyle | Amazon

Rating: 4.5/5 – Great product, reduce or get rid of that lanolin smell if you have to.

Glossier BDC

 

Let’s be honest here, I got these simply because of the packaging and I was curious about the hype on them. They’re very cute and they work nicely on the lip but they can be a bit thick, the consistency reminds me vaseline. How I would describe this is it’s a vaseline mixed with bee’s wax mixed together and a bit stiff until you smooth it out on your lips.  Because I’ve used so many lip care products, I have a very specific preference for how I want to feel and perform on my lips. These are $15 each on the Official Glossier website and they come in a variety of scents. Although I like these, I cannot say I would repurchase them. I may repurchase the Mint BDC because of the minty feeling it gives but I can easily have the same results from a burt’s bee eucalpytus lip balm.

Rating: 3/5 – Eh, cute product and does the job but it’s expensive for it is. You’re not missing out on this one, I can promise you that. I believe their cloud paints are more worth it than these, so if you want to buy from glossier, I would suggest you start with their cloud paints. Check out my blog post and swatches of the Glossier Cloud Paints.

Where to buy: Glossier | Get 10% off your purchase

Verdict

I think it really depends on what you are looking for in a lip product, neither of these products is common to find worldwide and locally. You’re likely going to need to purchase them online. I believe there are a couple of Glossier stores in the states but I think anywhere beyond that, you will likely have to see if the website ships to your country. As for DHC, it’s quite common online to find these. You can pretty much find them anywhere – eBay, Amazon, Yesstyle, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

*Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

[ROUTINE] My Current Evening Routine (Fall)

Hello friends 🙂 I realized I have never shared my routine and breakdown of it with you guys before. I thought this would be a fantastic way to share my current favourites and why I like these products. To keep things consistent and clear, I will be using stock images so you know what exactly it is and how it looks when purchasing the products. Some of my products had the labels rub off.

Cleanse

I always double cleanse every night because I usually wear sunscreen and makeup, so it’s crucial for me to get this step done first before I head on to my skincare routine.   Sometimes, I even triple cleanse and I add a micellar water as my first step to loosen all the pigment and makeup off my face prior to oil cleansing. I know, extreme but it is what it is. I like the bioderma sensibio micellar water. The products I have been enjoying for my double cleanse routine is the Innisfree Olive Cleansing Oil/Kumano Cosme Pharama act deep cleansing oil and also, the Youth to the People Super Food Cleanser. They’re both fantastic and gentle on my skin and I do not have any issues with them. Some cleansing oils can burn my eyes and also can be a bit harsh on my sensitive eye area, I find this really breaks down my waterproof eye makeup and face makeup really easily. I then follow up with my favourite cleanser of all time to clean off any remaining impurities off my face.  The cleanser has a pH level of 6, the overall feel of it resembles a silky, lightweight gel and foams up ever so slightly. It also doesn’t burn my eyes if I accidentally go too close to my eyes.

Tone

Alright, my favourite step all of all steps, toning! I am a big fan of watery, lightweight toners and that are not complicating.                                                                                                                                                                         I like mild and simple ingredients that soften my skin while leaving it feel hydrated. The top 3 toners I have been using alone or layered are the Unpa Cosmetics Bye Bye Cica, Tiam B5 and Keep Cool Soothe. I don’t seem to be as attracted to thicker toners as much as I use to before. On days where my skin needs more hydration and moisture, I like to use the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner. I own both the original and the mist form of it. I like the mist form for easy application but on days where I want to DIY mask, I would make a DIY mask using the Cream Skin Refiner. Check out my previous blog post review on my thoughts on it!

Serum

There are only 2 serums I have been using a lot in the evening and it’s the Skinfood propolis serum and keep cool soothe serum. During the day, I’ve been reaching for the good molecules niacinamide serum a tone but during the evenings, I have always leaned towards these two and because I want to clear my inventory of skincare, so I can start using my unopened products.

Moisturize

Almost near the end… There are 3 moisturizers I am altering around because it really depends and varies what my skin will need that evening. I’ve been using a lot thicker, richer moisturizers because we are transitioning into more colder weather here where I am so I like my to prep my skin prior to the drastic changes. I’ve been enjoying the caudalie sos vinosource, cerave moisturizing cream and finally, the etude house soon jung hydro barrier cream.

Out of all the 3 creams, the cerave has the thickest consistency which I absolutely adore because it acts as a seal, protective layer as it keeps my skin moisturized. This is a classic and although it may not be aesthetically pleasing, it’s simple and does the job. Plus, you get a ton of product in this. I had my jar for about 1 year and a half and I used it pretty much every day, whether on my face or body. It contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid to restore the skin’s barrier as it locks in moisture and keeps skin protected. A delightful and affordable choice for those who are looking for a good moisturizer. This is 100% going to be a repurchase.

The Caudalie sos vinosource is a beautiful product and created specifically for those who have normal and dry skin. I have combination, dehydrated skin and I find it works just as well on me. It has grape water, grape seed, and squalane! This is packed with moisturizing, soothing and antioxidant properties in one cream. It is a tad more expensive than I expect it to be however, I do enjoy it. In case you were curious, the product is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and comes in recyclable packaging. I’m not sure I would repurchase because there are a lot of affordable options out there I can explore and try out.

I got this Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier cream as a gift and I must say, this took me by complete surprise as I had no expectations for it. The cream appears to be this light gel texture so I assumed it wouldn’t provide my skin enough moisturizing and hydrating benefits but to my surprise, it did and I find this is more ideal for weather that is in between summer to fall, perhaps even spring. This is a hypoallergenic gel cream and it has a pH level of 5.5, it is enriched with 92.2% hydrating, soothing and moisture-retaining ingredients panthenol and madecassoside. I don’t expect much from Etude House simply because they are well-known for their makeup. I don’t recall really enjoying any of their skincare products but this was probably the first.

Sleeping Mask *optional

There are days where I like to be extra with my skincare and there will days where I could careless and will do the bare minimum for my skin. Whatever works for you, right?

So there seems to be a lot of misconception in the Instagram beauty community where they see a sleeping mask as a moisturizer. Sure, a sleeping mask can potentially have moisturizing, soothing and hydrating properties, however, from what I learned, a sleeping mask is a final step to your skincare routine; which means this comes after your moisturizer to seal the skin and lock in all those previous steps in.

I’ve been loving the Laneige cica sleeping mask. This is a skin barrier strengthening mask that can help improve skin’s strength. It also is hypoallergenic and free of 9 harmful ingredients. I purchased this off Jolse and have been hooked, I use it every single day and I think I have about 30% left.

 

*Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

LIFE CODE BOUTIQUE THANKSGIVING SET

Thanksgiving just past for us Canadians however, who said we couldn’t still celebrate our thanks and purchase wonderful gift sets for our loved ones or us. Treat them/yourself to new and exciting new beauty and skincare products! Life Code Boutique curated a beautiful travel set of 9 products at a value of $170 for ONLY $120. Let’s see what inside this incredible gift set! Special thanks to Vivian & Alice for coordinating this collaboration with me.

Website’s Features

• Free local pickup (no minimum purchase), they’re based in Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Fast shipping in Canada (maximum 1-week wait)
• Free shipping with any purchase of $50 CAD
• 10% off your first order as a welcome gift
• Every month, there are new products listed and monthly promotional discounts on different brands
• Become a member and subscribe for the monthly newsletter
• Free gift for members subscription

Current Deals

• Spend $80 or more – Get the C-Roland Day &Night Moisturizing mask (40 pcs) as a gift with purchase
• Spend $50 or more – Get the Cosmos Facial Wash Brush as a gift with purchase
• Spend $30 or more – Get the Etude House Eyebrow Pencil as a gift with purchase
• ANY Purchase – Get the SKINFOOD Bird’s Nest Mask

I have a promotional code if you wanted to shop for regular products on their website.

Use Code: Amy15 and get 15% off your entire purchase * not applicable for promo deals. (valid till 11/30/2019)

The code was originally valid till Halloween but extended for you guys!

 

 

C-Roland Purta Pu ~ Placenta Essence Collagen Mask

There is so much buzz about placenta based products for skincare for many decades and it supposedly is excellent for providing the skin fantastic anti-ageing results. I personally have not tried anything with the placenta in it however am very open to doing so. Japanese cosmetics always have such appealing looking packaging and I absolutely love how there are 40 sheet masks in here soaked in a generous amount of essence. You also can use this daily, which is fantastic.

 

Loshi Horse Oil Cream, C-Roland Horse Classic Oil and Cosmos Facial Brush

Horse oil is also another famous and well-known ingredient used in skincare for many decades. Although it may sound odd to some, it’s a very popular ingredient used in Korea and Japan – it’s specifically used to treat inflamed skin, eczema, burns, and cuts. How cool is that? I think these would be a fantastic addition and new discovery for those who have not tried products like these. The cosmos facial brush is so soft, it feels like you’re brushed a really soft rabbit’s fur. You can use this for a gentle and luxurious cleansing experience. I personally already own one but I’m going to save this one to bring traveling with me. One for home, one for travel!

 

Skinfood Avocado Rich Cream

I already own the avocado rich toner and currently am testing it out. It’ll be interesting to incorporate this into my routine. Since it’s getting a lot colder and drier outside, I naturally gravitate towards more rich, thicker and denser formulas because my skin really needs it. I know they have repackaged their products a few times now, I do believe this is their older packaging and I must say, it looks a lot better than the current packaging style they’re going for. This cream is formulated with 35% avocado extract and avocado oil and it’s to provide skin nutrition, moisture, and hydration. Long term use, it can provide the skin brighter and a healthier appearance.

 

 

 

COSRX Honey Ceramide Eye Cream

I was extremely excited to see this because I absolutely adore eye creams and am always wanting to out more. COSRX is a very well-known Korean brand for their famous pimple patches, the good morning low pH cleanser, and their Centella blemish cream. This eye cream contains both ceramides and honey extract which help to supplement the skin’s barrier. It also can provide long-lasting suppleness and day protection against moisture loss.

 

Kose – Kokutousei Hakkou Lotion

I love how Life Code Boutique always includes such unique, hidden gems into their sets and their store has a lot of great hidden gems as well. This is lotion created with fermented black sugar extracts. Black sugar extract provides vitamin B to the skin, which can help for cell reproduction. Not only formulated with black sugar extract, but it also is formulated with double HA, lipidure, and tree peony extract to provide long-lasting moisture and care. The texture is described as a pliable and gooey that easily melts into the skin.

 

Look how precious this looks? The packaging itself is fit for a princess. This is one of many of Japan’s popular items and I can understand why because I’ve been using this powder every single day to set my makeup and it really controls my excess oil from producing and keeps me matte without looking dry. I recall reading somewhere that you can wear this powder to sleep and it acts as a skincare powder, where it can minimize excess oil production throughout the night. I would recommend this to those who have normal and combination skin. If you’re sensitive to scents or have sensitive skin, maybe skip on this one because this does contain fragrance in it. It has a very soft floral scent to it, which I absolutely enjoy!

The Etude House Eyebrow pencil has been a favourite of many for many years. Not only it’s so affordable, but it’s also fantastic and quite comparable to high-end eyebrow pencils, they’re not too waxy like some western brand eyebrow pencils but is just perfect. It glides on nicely and provides the brows of the perfect shape. You can do light strokes with this and it’s very forgiving and you can build your way to your desired brow shape. You get this for free if you spend $30 or more!

Get your travel gift set here

That’s it for now, friends. Please check out Life Code Boutique to find incredible finds for a reasonable price. Take advantage of deals while they last because they don’t last forever and be sure to stay tuned every week to find new weekly deals!

 

Disclaimer: I do not make any commission off these links and that this discount code is specifically created for you to use and get a discount for your order. 

 

 

 

[REVIEW] LANEIGE CREAM SKIN REFINER MIST

 

Laneige has been in the beauty industry for about 2 decades now and has been really upping their game for their latest releases. They’ve always had fantastic products such as their classic lip sleeping mask, which is a cult favourite of many and their original sleeping mask. When they came out with their cream skin refiner, I was not sure what to make of the product. There was a lot of mixed information I was getting off social media, some people were saying it was a toner, others were saying it’s an emulsion. The way how I saw this was a cross hybrid product between a toner to a moisturizer. Yes, they really did it – this is a liquid moisturizer. This product can be used for multiple ways, as a toner, moisturizer and a hydrating pack.

Claims

• This does not have any harsh ingredients that could potentially cause short term or long term irritation.
• Free of synthetic color dyes and fragrance
• This product combines the functions of toner and cream to promote long-lasting hydration with the patent technology “Cream Blending Technology”
• Formulated with White Leaf Tea Water with rich amino acid to soothe fatigued skin while fortifying skin barrier.

Key Ingredients

Meadowfoam Seed Oil: this is a plant derived ingredient and skin conditioning benefits. It naturally assists the skin to effectively form a barrier to lock in moisture while delivering nutrients to penetrate into your skin.

Green tea leaf extract(Camellia Sinensis leaf extract): contains powerful antioxidants that can protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation and free radicals from the environment.

Vitamin E (tocopherol):  is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight against free radical damage, promotes cell regrowth and heals the signs of aging by providing moisture and skin strengthening properties to protect barrier and moisture loss.

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = to be aware of. 

Ingredient List:

WATER / AQUA / EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, POLYGLYCERYL-10 STEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, INULIN LAURYL CARBAMATE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PROPANEDIOL, DISODIUM EDTA, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

I had no expectations for this product, I was more curious if whether it would be able to assist with my dehydration issues and because it was in a mist format, which is why I had nothing to expect from. The moment I applied this on my face and allowing it to “dry down”, it felt like I applied a moisturizer on my face. I was so shocked by how different and innovative this product compared to all the products I have tried in the past. This is nothing like anything I’ve tried and I’m so excited to see the long term benefits of using this for the long term. I do see myself repurchasing this over and over again because it really works with my skin.

I’ve heard a handful of people claim that this was their final step and “moisturizer” but for me, I still need a moisturizer as my final step because of my dehydration issues. Sure, this was fantastic alone but for night time skincare, I lean towards more of a rich, dense kind of cream to act as a protective layer to my skin. If I skip out on that step, I could potentially wake up to dry, parched skin. This is moisturizing alone but I like to take my precautions and go in with my actual moisturizer to ensure I do not have dry skin issues in the following morning.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – It appears to be a milky, watery fluid at first sight but once applied on the skin, it almost melts and emulsifies into a creamy consistency. Do be careful when applying too many layers of this, I remember I got so excited at one point and did several layers of this on my face and it got somewhat tacky. I personally am past the fear/dislike of “tacky/sticky” consistencies but I just wanted to put that out there in case you don’t like that feeling. One layer usually does the job for me but you can go ahead with a second or third layer if needed.
• Scent: 5/5 – No scent, this is a product that is sensitive skin type friendly 🙂
• Price: 5/5 – This is quite reasonable for what you are getting. Whether you decide to get the original cream skin refiner or the mist from – They’re both just as excellent. The original one, I like to use my hands to apply it on my face and sometimes cotton squares. I just do a DIY mask with them and leave it on for 20 mins then I have soft, glowy skin. If you don’t have time for a DIY mask, then just get the mist. one.
• Performance: 5/5 – This surpassed my expectations and I am blown away by what Laneige was able to create. I do look forward to any future releases of this or perhaps seeing them expand this line even more.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s simple yet beautiful, Laneige products have been known for their frosted glass/plastic packaging and it makes it look expensive.
• Overall: 5/5 – I believe this product would be enjoyed by many and will become the next cult favourite. This is definitely a product for all skin types and is sensitive skin-friendly.

Available on:  eBay | Yesstyle

When checking out on Yesstyle, use code DORKIE1 to save 5% on your first order and an additional 2% in future orders.

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[REVIEW] JayJun Roselle Tea Eye Patches

 

I’m a big fan of eye patches and I love what they have to offer. Life code boutique sent over an amazing package for me to share with you all and also, I wanted to share my experience with the Jayjun Rosellete Tea Eye Patches. I have seen these around for about a year now and have been dying to try them. Special thanks to Alice and the Life Code Boutique team for sending these over for me to share with you all!

Available on: Life Code Boutique | eBay

What are they?

These are hydrogel patches that provide conditioning benefits and brightens dark, dull skin for a fresh, awake appearance.

How to use:

• After cleansing the skin thoroughly, ensure your skin is clean to apply these on. When taking the product out of the container, use the spatula to pick up the patches and gently apply them on the skin under your eyes.
• Leave the patches on 20-30 minutes and gently massage + pat the excess essence into your skin.

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = to be aware of.
Ingredient List: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Potassium Chloride, Tripropylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Betaine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Extract, Plumeria Rubra Flower Extract, Magnolia Liliflora Flower Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract(0.2%), Saururus Chinensis Extract, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Sucrose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Calcium Chloride, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Cellulose Gum, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Allantoin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Lactate, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Fragrance, Chlorphenesin

TIPS & TRICKS: You can apply these on your cheeks and forehead for a full detoxifying and cooling experience. Who said eye patches are strictly for eyes? I find these are really nice on the cheeks especially if you’re having dry skin and puffy skin kind of day.

Put these on before applying on your makeup and then remove them off after 15-20 minutes, your skin should be depuffed and bright!

My thoughts

I found these so comfortable to wear, I almost forgot I had them on the handful of times I’ve worn them. There are these little flower petals on them that sometimes get of your skin but you can just wipe them off. I find these super detoxifying and they feel amazing under the eyes. If you have puffy eyes and need a little pick-me-up, just wear these! They make a huge difference in my skin’s overall feel and appearance. I look more alert, refreshed and hydrated! If you’re guilty of staying up late, eating too much sodium and etc, these definitely will do the trick and give you that refreshed look and you’ll less puffy.

I know there is alcohol in this product but a lot of eye patches do have alcohol in them for the formulation purposes, a lot of the time alcohol is used to create a lightweight feel to the product’s consistency, it also can help ingredients to penetrate more easily into the skin and used as a preservative to prolong the shelf’s life of the product. I mean, the last thing we want is dry eye patches and we cannot use them, right?

I have very sensitive eyes and I have this a handful of times in the past where my eyes are very reactive, they will turn bloodshot red if it’s irritated by the ingredients I put on my face. I’m quite surprised and pleased to say that my eyes did not turn bloodshot red when using these eye patches and that they were just fine. The skin around my eyes

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – Perfection, they’re not too thick where they don’t allow circulation on your skin, they’re also not too thin where they tear easily. The fit and adherence for these are spots on, I don’t have the issue of where they slide off because there’s too much essence or because of the fit. They fit very well and I’m pleased with these.
• Scent: 5/5 – I don’t really notice a scent from these, maybe something faint but I don’t really pick up any specific notes from smelling it.
• Performance: 5/5 – They’re excellent and I have no complaints about these. Well worth the hype, they’re affordable and are available at a lot of places online.
• Packaging: 5/5 – The packaging for this is gorgeous! There’s a gorgeous floral design on the lid and also the print is in gold font. It has this luxurious felt and appearance to it.
• Overall: 5/5 – No complaints here! I love it and it deserves more love for what they are. I use these in the morning to depuff my eyes and also in the evening before I apply my eye cream and eye sleeping mask on. They’re really easy on my sensitive eyes and I am very likely to repurchase these.

*Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

[REVIEW] BLIV MILK JOY CLEANSER

 

Behold, the long-awaited review because I clearly take forever to clear out products but here it is. I’ve been using this cleanser for about 2 months now and the cleanser I have right by my shower which explains why you never really see it on my Instagram feed. I finally have remembered to set it aside by my desk to share a review with you all and my experience with this cleanser.

B.LIV MILK JOY CLEANSER
5.3 fl. oz. / 150 ml | MADE IN TAIWAN – $13

Available: B.liv Official Website

Claims

• Cleanses the skin while being moisturizing at the same time
• It has a creamy consistency and non-greasy texture with a slight milky fragrance; it provides a comforting feeling after cleansing and maintains a healthy skin moisture level.
• Mild yet effective cleanser to remove all impurities and protect skin against pollutants without irritation.
• Light and hydrating formulation to cleanse skin gently without stripping the skin’s natural oils or cause a tightening sensation.

Key Ingredients

aloe barbadensis leaf extract is one of the most well-known, popular ingredients in skincare that treats damaged, wounded, irritated and sensitive skin. It contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, humectant and soothing properties that can prevent the skin from further irritation.

glycine soja seed extract is a soybean seed extract that is rich in protein, minerals and vitamin e. It also can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and damaging effects of uvb rays on skin cells. It also acts as an effective moisturizer that can protect and shields the skin from excessive dryness.

chondrus crispus (carrageenan) is loaded with vitamin e and humectants that draw in moisture from the environment to boost skin’s hydration level. It can also protect against uv rays and helps treat inflamed tissues. The natural minerals namely, omega, zinc and magnesium, create a barrier to protect skin from harsh weather while helping to heal acne, rosacea and sensitive skin problems.

chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract can relieve inflamed skin conditions and calms sensitized skin. It also provides antioxidant protection – aids in soothing, moisturizing and inhibits the growth of bacteria while improves the appearance of dehydrated or damaged skin by restoring suppleness and lessen flaking.

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = to be aware of. 

Ingredient List:

aqua (water), lauramidopropyl betaine, tea-lauroyl glutamate, glycerin, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, butylene glycol, glycine soja seed extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, chondruscrispus (carrageenan), glycol distearate, peg-7 glyceryl cocoate, sodium carbomer, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyquaternium-10, citric acid, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

I must say, I was quite skeptical of this cleanser at first not because how it appeared but more rather if whether it was stripping. As you can see, the ingredients list is surprisingly not too lengthy and has a lot of fantastic ingredients that are both hydrating and moisturizing. The first thing I noticed when I tried this cleanser was how it smelled, it smells like a sweet milky dessert, nothing overpowering or bad. In fact, it smells quite delicious. My skin can be quite sensitive and reactive to things I use but I found myself not having any issues when using this. Although there is a fragrance in it, it isn’t potent and as you can see, it’s at the very bottom of the list. I personally am not bothered by that. It also lathers quite well and does not leave my skin feeling tight and gross after using it so I do appreciate that it is accurate with its claims. If you flip the bottle around, you will notice a 14-day money-back guarantee offer if you are unpleased with the product. All you need to do is present the product with the receipt and leftover product. I really appreciate how confident they present themselves and how understanding their company is for honouring this for their shoppers.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – This has a milky, creamy gel texture to it lathers into a soft foam. I find it really pleasant.
• Scent: 5/5 – This smells delicious, I honestly thought I had a piece of dessert nearby when I opened the bottom up. If you like milky dessert scents, definitely check this gem out. However, if you are sensitive to scents, I would avoid this just because there is a bit of fragrance in it.
• Price: 5/5 – This is very reasonable and affordable. I really think this is budget-friendly and for the amount of product you get for this? It’s a great bargain.
• Performance: 4/5 – Did the job, I wouldn’t say it clears up makeup and debris but I find it’s a gentle and mild enough to be used as an AM kind of cleanser.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s cute! Aesthetically pleasing, in a squeeze tube and has a smooth feel to the bottle. I think it’s a really nice looking cleanser!
• Overall: 4.5/5 – This cleanser is exceptional for those who want a simple cleanser and for those who have normal, combination, oily skin.

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

 

[SHOP] Life Code Boutique Goodies

Welcome back, friends! I’m back again to share more goodies I received from Life Code Boutique, here is my previous blog post on them in case you missed out on it. They were generous enough to send over additional goodies for me to add to my existing skincare stash and hopefully share reviews for them in the near future. I normally take about 1~2 months to try out products, however, when I’m rotating products around my routine or want to try something new – I like to keep my routine the same as my current one and only introduce one new product at a time so I do not overwhelm my skin out.

Alrighty, let’s recap on what their website has to offer.

Website’s Features

• Free local pickup (no minimum purchase), they’re based in Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Fast shipping in Canada (maximum 1-week wait)
• Free shipping with any purchase of $50 CAD
• 10% off your first order as a welcome gift
• Every month, there are new products listed and monthly promotional discounts on different brands
• Become a member and subscribe for the month newsletter
• Free gift for members subscription

I have a promotional code if you wanted to shop on their website,
Use Code: Amy15 (valid till 10/31/2019). 

There were a lot of products to choose from but I managed to narrow down my list and chose these beauties.

The first product I chose was the Skinfood Avocado Rich Toner, this consists of 15% avocado extract and marketed as a lightweight toner that has skin nourishing benefits. It contains a beautiful blend of ingredients from fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants and is quick-absorbing. It’s formulated with coconut extract and honey extract that supply nourishment and moisture to the skin. Say goodbye to dry, dehydrated skin!

Following up, I chose the Jayhun Anti-Dust Intensive Cream because I was intrigued by the claims it had for the product. It soothes exhausted skin and prevents against moisture loss by forming a protective moisture barrier while strengthening skin barrier for a healthier-looking complexion. Since fall and winter are approaching, this definitely sounds like a cream I would enjoy using for the day time. I tend to lean towards more richer textures for the evening but this has a very primer-like consistency while being thick enough to protect my skin from drying up from the cold weather. I’m excited to see how well this will perform on my skin.

I clearly have a fascination with Jayjun products. I do recall loving their sheet masks a lot so I decided to get these simply because I’ve seen them all over the gram for over a year now and felt like I was missing out on these beauties. I really adore eye patches – I find them very soothing and therapeutic. The main ingredients for these are roselle extract (also known as hibiscus) – this is known to correct uneven skin tone while calming and firming it out. In addition, white flower complex that can strengthen the skin. It also claims to have perfect adherence because of the jelly-like sheet.

I’m so excited to try these out and share with you all my thoughts on these! They all look interesting and fantastic. I personally have not heard many reviews/feedback on the skin food avocado line so the moment I saw the toner, I was intrigued to try it out for myself.

Please feel free to request if you would like to see a review on these. 🙂 I’d be more than happy to share you my experience with you. Toodles for now, friends!

 

Disclaimer: I was given this product in exchange for an honest review. All views and thoughts of this product are my own. What may work for me, may not work for you so please keep that in mind. Some links on this post are affiliate links. This means that I will earn a small commission if you purchase from these links.

 

 

[SHOP] LIFECODE BOUTIQUE

Today I will be sharing and introducing you all a fantastic a Canadian owned Asian beauty and lifestyle store. For your Canadian friends, you are in luck because this is a pretty awesome shop. Life Code Boutique strives to provide customers the best online shipping experience, superior customer service and a variety of affordable, high-quality beauty and lifestyle products. With just a few clicks, shopper’s purchase would be delivered straight to their mailbox! I would like to thank Alice for coordinating this collaboration with me and giving me the opportunity to try out new and some familiar brands.

Website’s Features

• Free local pickup (no minimum purchase), they’re based in Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Fast shipping in Canada (maximum 1-week wait)
• Free shipping with any purchase of $50 CAD
• 10% off your first order as a welcome gift
• Every month, there are new products listed and monthly promotional discounts on different brands
• Become a member and subscribe for the month newsletter
• Free gift for members subscription

I have a promotional code if you wanted to shop on their website,
Use Code: Amy15 (valid till 10/31/2019). 

Alrighty, let’s get into the unboxing and product descriptions now!

Club Airy Suppin Makeup-free Pressed Powder – Bouquet (Green edition)

 

Can we just appreciate how adorable this packaging is? It has a beautiful stripe design with a delicate illustration along with a powder puff that has a bow! This is one of many of Japan’s popular items and I can understand why because I’ve been using this powder every single day to set my makeup and it really controls my excess oil from producing and keeps me matte without looking dry. I recall reading somewhere that you can wear this powder to sleep and it acts as a skincare powder, where it can minimize excess oil production throughout the night. I would recommend this to those who have normal and combination skin. If you’re sensitive to scents or have sensitive skin, maybe skip on this one because this does contain fragrance in it. It has a very soft floral scent to it, which I absolutely enjoy!

Kiss Me Sharp Gel Liner Super Waterproof 1.5mm

 

Link: Available Here

I absolutely adore their mascara line and the lengthening one is my holy grail. When I first saw this eyeliner in my package, I was so excited simply because I find Japanese eyeliners very heavy-duty and long-lasting. I specifically use this eyeliner to tight line my eyes and it lasts throughout the day – no smudging, bits on my face. The colour is a rich black and really emphasizes and makes the eyes bigger and brighter looking.
If you have been following me for a while, you would know that my signature look is my cat winged eyeliner. I only use waterproof eyeliners because I cannot afford to have my eyeliner smudging everywhere throughout the day.

LABO LABO Super Keana Lotion 200 ml

 

Link: Available Here

This is a Japanese brand and also is new to me, I’ve never seen this brand before so it was refreshing to see unique brands. The claims are it is a refreshing lotion that clears pore congestion, refines pores and also hydrates the skin. Sounds like the dream lotion, right? There also has no added fragrance, colour dyes, mineral oils, parabens, petroleum, alcohol and surfactant agents. This is super mild and gentle and suitable for all skin types! I’m all for simple skincare that is mild, non-abrasive and non-stripping so this right off the bat surprised me and made me very excited to incorporate it in my skincare routine.

JM Solution Water Luminous SOS Ringer Mask (35 ml x 10 sheet masks)

 

Link: Available here

I am a sheet mask addict, I treat my skin to a sheet mask every single day. My existing sheet mask stash is gradually dropping down because I have not been purchasing any new ones. The moment I saw this in the box, I was excited simply because I’m still exploring the JM Solution brand and have only tried one of their sheet masks in the past. I also am very big in barrier care, it’s crucial to me to focus on hydrating, moisturizing and also nourishing my skin. This mask offers a highly concentrated treatment that is combined with water that deeply moisturizes and hydrates the skin to improve skin’s overall appearance, elasticity, and texture. This is a cellulose sheet mask and the material offers comfort to the skin and delivers active ingredients effectively with high-adhesion. It contains beautiful ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, peptides, and aquaxyl with enhanced moisturizing ingredients. There is also panthenol and allantoin ingredients that are fantastic for calming, soothing and hydrating the skin, leaving it feeling like silk.

COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pads (70 pads)

 

Link: Available here

If you don’t know or have heard of COSRX, you are living under a rock. COSRX has been around for quite a few years now and has a fantastic reputation for creating quality products at an affordable price. The One-step pimple pads contain BHA and White willow bark tree extract, they work together to correct and combat against uneven skin tone. Each pad is soaked in a generous amount of solution that can deeply penetrate and remove sebum and skin waste. There are 70 pads in here so it’ll last you a while. I’ve been using this and have been enjoying them, they’re not stripping or drying – they also do not leave a residue on the skin. I find this is very effective for my skin and also I find my skin appears to be more balanced.

Etude House Silk Scarf Double Care Hair Mask Pack

 

Link: Available here

I didn’t even know Etude House made hair masks but first time for everything, right? My hair has been overprocessed in the past and really needs some TLC. Alice was kind enough to send me 2 of these to try out. So the star ingredients appear to be hohobassi oil and ceramide (nano-ceramide). These two ingredients work together as a powerhouse to restore hair’s texture and overall appearance.

C-ROLAND Loshi Horse Oil Moisturizing Skin Cream (220g)

 

Link: Available here

Some of you may be raising your eyebrows and asking yourselves, “horse oil?” Horse oil has been used in skin care for many, many years; it’s packed with fatty acids and antibacterial properties to protect and maintain the skin’s barrier. It is used to treat burns, cuts, and eczema. This is formulated with 100% pure horse oil and has no irritating chemicals. It’s suitable for all skin types and can be used all season round.

If you’re interested in getting any of these or would like to shop at Lifecode Boutique, please feel free to use the code: AMY15 to get 15% off your purchase (code is only valid until 10/31/2019).

Thank you, Alice, for putting such a wonderful and beautiful package together. Everything was very thoughtful and fantastic quality. Although I don’t always share sensitive skincare products, I do prefer them over products that are complicating. The skincare products are very straight to the point, clear and just absolutely fantastic.

Please feel free to drop a comment or DM me on Instagram if you would like me to review any of these. That’s it for now, folks! Stay tuned for my next post!