[REVIEW] TATCHA EYE PEARL EYE TREATMENT

Tatcha is one of the most well-known Sephora brands and they’re famous for their luxury Japanese inspired skincare and beauty. I stumbled across this product early of last year and wasn’t initially fond of it but it definitely grew on to me as I was always looking for a new product to try out. Could this be the new big thing? Stay tuned to see what I have to say.

Claims

A tinted treatment that awakens eyes with a pearl-like luster, hydrates, and reduces the look of dark circles and wrinkles — instantly and over time.

This 2-in-1 makeup and treatment formula breaks upon application to deliver both refreshing moisture and natural coverage for a healthy, well-rested look all day.

• Awakens: Light-refracting pearl pigments work with Akoya Pearl extract in an active skincare treatment formula to restore radiance by helping to address the three causes of under eye darkness: thinning skin, blue undertones, and pigmentation. The Pearl works to address dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles by helping minimize glycation and the appearance of hyperpigmentation. It is boosted by niacinamide, known to visibly brighten and firm.
• Smooths and Protects: Silk powder smooths the look of fine lines and imperfections, while a blend of botanical extracts protects from makeup and pollution that can cause signs of aging.
• Anti-Aging Hydration: Lightweight cream powered by Hadasei-3™, a proprietary trio of Japanese anti-aging superfoods, and hyaluronic acid, which nourishes and hydrates for a plump, refreshed appearance.

Full List Of Ingredients

AQUA/WATER/EAU, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPHENYLSILOXY PHENYL
TRIMETHICONE, DIGLYCERIN, GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE,
SILK POWDER, HYDROLYZED SILK, SERICIN, HYDROLYZED CONCHIOLIN PROTEIN,
SACCHAROMYCES/CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF/CLADOSIPHON OKAMURANUS/RICE
FERMENT FILTRATE*, NIACINAMIDE, ROYAL JELLY EXTRACT, LONICERA
JAPONICA (HONEYSUCKLE) LEAF EXTRACT, ROSA CANINA FRUIT OIL, GERANIUM
ROBERTIANUM EXTRACT, CAESALPINIA SPINOSA FRUIT EXTRACT, PERSEA
GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL,
MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, KAPPAPHYCUS ALVAREZII EXTRACT, SODIUM
HYALURONATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, PROPANEDIOL, SODIUM CITRATE,
HYDROGEN DIMETHICONE, PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE,
DIPENTAERYTHRITYL TRI-POLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE/PHENYL
VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE/PEG-10/15
CROSSPOLYMER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE,
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, NATTO GUM, MICA, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE,
PHENOXYETHANOL, ALCOHOL. [+/- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES
(CI 77491, 77492, 77499), SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE]
* HADASEI-3

How to use:

The container looks like it’s a pop open kind of jar however you need to twist the lid for it to come off. With clean fingers and clean face, apply a small rice grain amount of product on each under eye and massage the product to breakdown on skin. Please be gentle with also massage it until you see the product breaking down evenly into almost like a lightweight paste then pat it on like an eye cream.

My Thoughts

I really think this is a very revolutionary product because it’s an under-eye treatment that acts as a concealer that contains brightening and also hydrating benefits to provide the skin long-term and longlasting results. I personally found this so easy to use and the skin on my under eyes instantly looked brighter and smoother. I could actually get away with just using this and some powder for the day. I’ve tested this with makeup and how I prefer to use this is I would apply on my skin first then I go in with foundation to complete the look. I normally do foundation then concealer but because this is an under-eye treatment with hybrid concealer properties, I find it works best when applied directly onto fresh, clean skin.

Initially, I was not convinced by the marketing for this product and what it did but throughout time, I gradually became more intrigued by the concept of it. Christmas came around and I got a Sephora gift card as a gift so I decided to pick this up to try for myself. There was a lot of mixed reviews on this when it first came out, some people were saying it’s lifechanging and it truly brightened the skin under their under eyes significantly and some said it was cakey, crepey. From my experience from using this product, you only need a rice grain amount of on each eye then you must break down the product and blend evenly throughout the skin. I truly do believe some of the negative reviews are due to user errors on using the product because all you need is a rice grain amount for each side. Another part of me believes that those who struggled with dry, cakey issues from using this product are likely not moisturizing that region enough therefore whatever you apply on top of the dried region of skin, it will reflect that way as well.

The reason why I speak so highly of this product is that I watched a lot of demo and review videos to have a better understanding of what exactly this is and how to use it prior to purchasing it. It is a very expensive product so I want to know what exactly I’m doing prior to purchasing it. I wouldn’t speak highly on any product if I didn’t believe in it and this is very likely going to be a repurchase because it’s just fantastic and there’s so much product in it.

Before     &      After

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – The consistency appears to be a lightweight cream with a skin tone pigment and as you massage it in your skin, you will notice that it’s breaking down the product and pigment so it spreads more easily into your skin. It also has this hydrating factor to it because of the Koya pearl extract in it.
• Scent: 5/5 – Doesn’t really smell like anything to me, maybe like a really, really faint floral scent.
• Price: 4/5 – Arguably this could very much be expensive for many people and to be quite frank with you, it was expensive at the first glance for me as well but when I used the product and understood what it did for my skin, I was so impressed and honestly, I think this is definitely an item worth splurging on because it’s such a delicate and effective formula, I’m absolutely blown away how it’s brightened and also smoothened the skin under my eyes.
• Performance: 5/5 – Amazing, this product definitely wowed me and I really like what they did with the formula and I found my skin looking so much brighter and smoother right after applying it on. It’s almost like silk! No concealer, no eye cream has looked this nice on my skin. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve tried a lot of products and liked them but this has such an incredibly finely and well-developed formula where it almost looks like your skin! It doesn’t look like you’re wearing makeup or have some concealer on.
• Packaging: 5/5 – It’s Tatcha, are you kidding me? They have the best looking packaging and very aesthetically pleasing.
• Overall: 5/5 – Love it, would buy more of it, would repurchase it the moment I finish this. I have no complaints with this products and hope to see more awesome products from Tatcha.

Available on: QVC |Tatcha | Sephora

 

JAPAN IN THE BOX

Japan in the box is a carefully curated Japanese themed subscription box that consists of a wide variety of self-care items from skincare, bath, and even Japanese treats. You’re likely to find some popular, familiar products and some new ones. I personally only have seen two things before in this box and it was their kit kat and also the lululun mask set. This box did take a while to get to me however I eventually got it because if you’re not familiar with Canadian customs, they often take a while to clear packages because they want to ensure they check package contents prior to releasing them.

They offer free shipping worldwide, which is amazing because most subscription boxes do charge for shipping so it’s nice to know you’re paying a fixed price without worrying paying additional fees. I personally did not have any issues with custom and duties fees with this package and it got to me in tip-top shape, everything was also beautifully wrapped securely.

Kit Kats are classic and popular snacks in Japan and they often come in a large range of flavors and when I mean large range, I mean all sorts of flavors from citrus, milky, fruity even. There are all sorts of flavors so this is always exciting to see and you can even write the recipient’s name at the back if it’s a gift.

Lululun masks are very well-known universally and it’s likely because of how affordable they are and they’re marketed towards sensitive folks. If sensitive skin people can use them, so can everyone else. I like the concept of having 1 package and multiple masks inside because it limits out producing so much waste and because I sheet mask every single day, these kinds of masks will come in handy for sure.

 

Bath salts, anything bath care is very popular in Japan because you’ll often get these with as a gift with purchase from a beauty shop online or instore. They’re a great way to detox and unwind for the day. Some have heating/warming features to them making your bath experience more luxurious and relaxing.

If there any specific products you’re curious to know more about, Japan in the box created a unique QR code where you can scan with your phone and find further information about the box. How innovative and exciting is that? Ditching long, lengthy info cards and using your phone to read on more information about the products. I’ve been using Japanese skincare for as long as I remember and they always have one of the best quality products.

Lastly, can we just appreciate the detail of the box? it’s absolutely beautiful and I love the art and design for this. For a new subscription box company, I am very impressed with what I see and look forward to seeing what else they have to offer in the near future. Please be sure to check out their website for more information + follow them on Instagram.

 

 

 

[COMPARISON] GLOSSIER CLOUD PAINT & CANMAKE CREAM BLUSH

As much as I love powder blushes, I really like that dewy skin appearance and I definitely can achieve that with cream blushes because they create that fresh, glowy appearance to the skin; which I absolutely adore!

Could these be dupes? Keep reading to find out!

CANMAKE

CANMAKE is a very well known Japanese brand and it originated from Japan. CANMAKE is well-known for its classic cream blushes. They also do offer other products such as pressed powder, lip care products and foundation, however, they’re not as popular as their blushes. They offer powder blushes that have a few highlight pieces in them to create that illuminating effect to the cheeks.

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.

CANMAKE CREAM BLUSHES

I personally find these blushes one of the best user-friendly blushes in the market. I’m not crazy about the cheap-looking packaging however, I really do love the product inside and also, you can see the colour on the outside of the packaging where you don’t have to flip over the product to see its name/open it to see what shade it is because you will come across that issue with MAC blush compact packaging. The only drawback I really see for some users is that it isn’t very hygienic because you’re dipping your fingers back and forth to apply on the product to your cheeks. These are pretty easily accessible online from eBay, Amazon, YesStyle and etc.

Available here: Amazon | Yesstyle | eBay

GLOSSIER CLOUD PAINT

These are awesome but I don’t find they’re very user-friendly simply because it may be hard to control getting the perfect amount product out. I find myself accidentally squeezing out more product out than I really need to. There is a colour for everyone in their range, which is fantastic and I am excited to see any upcoming shades they release in the near future because these are well-known, popular products and it would definitely spark interest to a lot of people. The packaging for this is a lot more hygienic because you can squeeze out the product without directly touching it every time. These aren’t easily accessible and not available for some countries in the world. The only place I know where you can buy these is from their official website.

Available here: Glossier

Verdict

Glossier cloud paints are a gel creamy consistency while the Canmake cream blushes are a gel, lightweight balm consistency. They’re comparable in a sense of finish, similar textures and how they layer on the skin. The longevity for these two is about the same and they’re long-wearing as well on the skin. I find these kinds of consistencies are best for those who have dry, normal and combo skin. As for the oilier babes, I would definitely set this if you want it to be long-wearing on the skin. The colours that Canmake offers are reds, corals and some rosy tones. As for Glossier, there is a nice range of colours to choose from however some would disagree and say it’s limited. I do believe Glossier cloud paints are not very forgiving for application and require you to apply little amounts at a time.

I would say their price points are quite similar, however, you get a lot more product in the CANMAKE cream blushes and you have easier control because for how forgiving they are and they apply in very light watercolor-like layers to the skin.

I think it really depends on what you’re looking for in a cream blush and if whether you would like to want something in a pot container or squeeze tube. I would recommend you to look up swatches and the colours they offer to get a better idea which is more fitting for your tastes and skin tone. I have a post for glossier cloud paint swatches so click here to see how the colours looked blended out. For me, if I had to really choose – I would probably go for the CANMAKE one simply because how easy it is to find online and they come in a lot of colours to experiment with and I like how easy it is to work with them.

 

 

 

 

[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] Heroine x Kiss Me Eyeliner

 

Eyeliner users, I’m sure we all know how fussy and annoying some pencil liners can be. Some eyeliners transfer so easily and give your eyes that panda-like experience and some transfer on your lids if your lids produce too much oil. Look no further, I have a fantastic eyeliner recommendation for you all. *This is not the liquid liner version, this is pencil version. Special thanks to Alice from Life Code Boutique for sending me this beauty to try and review for you all! Canadian friends, be sure to use code AMY15 to get 15% off your order.

Life Code Boutique Website 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

I have a promotional code if you wanted to shop on their website,
Use Code: AMY15 (valid till 10/31/2019). 

Available on:
Life Code Boutique (CANADA) | eBay  | Amazon (CANADA+US) | Yesstyle (WORLDWIDE)

MADE IN JAPAN – 04.ml
Waterproof, sweatproof 

 

My eyelids product a moderate amount of oil but I have really watery eyes and sometimes my eye makeup on my lower lid wears off or smudges because of that. I’ve tried pretty much all the drugstore, k-beauty and even high end from Stila to marc jacobs – nothing is long-lasting enough until I came across this beauty. This is a pencil eyeliner that is very popular in Japan for various reasons – It’s marketed as a waterproof gel liner pencil, with a 0.1mm tip and glides on easily.

TIP for the perfect wing liner: Practice line weights on the back of your hand, see what kind of line and thickness you want. Start at the mid half of your lid and gently apply soft strokes to see how far you want your wing to me and where it should end. Then once you get your desired length, draw a line from your tear duct to connect the line at the middle. Remember, practice makes perfect; I’ve been doing cat, winged liner since I was 15.

 

 

My thoughts:

I have very minimal to no issues using this. The application is simple and easy to use. The tip is very fine and small, allowing you to have perfect precision for application. It was really dark pigmented black, which really makes my eyes appear to be bigger and brighter. My lids can be oilier on certain days but I do like how this does not transfer all over my lids and seems to be long-lasting. This dries in more of a matte finish than the liquid eyeliner does. The liquid liner dries down into a vinyl-like finish. I find this issue with all lines I use on my waterline but it either disappears or smudges off. For this liner, I found it disappear a bit on my waterline. I would say after 7 hours of wear, it starts to wear off on my waterline but for my top lids, everything still looks awesome! I would recommend this eyeliner for everyone who likes an eyeliner that allows you to have precise + fine application and also something that is long-wearing that can withstand through facial mists and water activities.  I also really love how dark black. Overall, I really enjoy it and I see myself repurchasing this because it’s nice and quite affordable for the quality you are getting. Who said long-wearing makeup had to break the bank? See videos below of the water and smudge test!

Smudge test:

Water test:

 

 

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!