[REVIEW] LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK

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

Claims

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

Full List Of Ingredients

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

How to use:

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

My Thoughts & Ramblings

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

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

Overall

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

STYLEVANA |Affordable K-Beauty Shop

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

Who is StyleVana?

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

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

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

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

Products I chose…

Cosrx Centella Cream 

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

Tonymoly The Chok Chok Green Tea Watery Cream

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

Annie’s Way Hyaluronic Acid

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

Buy More, Save More

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[REVIEW] PAPA RECIPE BOMBEE HONEY PUDDING CREAM

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

Claims

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

Key Ingredients

Honey Extract has a lot of moisturizing and antibacterial properties.

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

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

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

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

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

 

List of ingredients:

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

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts & Ramblings:

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

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

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

How to use:

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

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

Overall

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

Available on: Goryeo | eBay | Amazon | Yesstyle

 

 

 

 

[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.

 

 

 

 

[REVIEW] Purito Unscented Centella Sunscreen

Purito has been one of my most favourite and well-respected brands because they were one of the first brands I worked with and they are a very considerate bunch of individuals that create products from their fans’ suggestions. They’re welcome feedback of all sorts and they’ve expanded their range of products tremendously these past 2 years. I was very intrigued when I heard they released their very first unscented sunscreen and because I enjoyed the original Centella sunscreen, I knew I had to give this a try to see if there were any differences.

Claims

This sunscreen is fragrance-free and formulated with cica extracts that can moisturize the skin while providing effective protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It’s formulated with EWG-verified ingredients and free of parabens, mineral oils, ensuring a non-irritant formula that is safe for sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients

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

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

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

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

Tocopherol (Vitamin E) can prevent foreign substances from invading. It also possesses skin softening properties, soothes inflammation, and even shields skin against sun damage.

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Butylene Glycol, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Glycerin, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Dibutyl Adipate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate,Centella Asiatica Extract(4315ppm), Madecassoside,Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts & Ramblings

The first thing I look at before I even use a product is the ingredient list, as you can see here there are a lot of fantastic ingredients in bold and whatever I did not bold, I’m not sure of. I’m not a scientist, folks; just a blogger who does reviews and has some knowledge of ingredients. There is a fantastic blend of ingredients that treat skin concerns from treating dullness, soothing, fatty alcohols, hydrating and moisture-retaining. I absolutely love how this sunscreen feels on the skin, it’s not sticky, there’s no residue or pilling when I use this and it kind of dries into a velvet-matte finish so you won’t have that “grease ball” look that some sunscreens give.

Sunscreen has been around for many years but I started noticing that they started to become more “popular” for the past 2 years or so. I’m sure all of us know how important it is to use our SPF so I won’t get into that, you’re more than welcome to look up articles on it. I didn’t start taking sunscreen serious and started to wear it until I was about 22~23 years old. I noticed my skin started to reveal a lot of age spots so that was a rude awakening for me to turn my life around.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – I found the consistency and texture for this sunscreen super lightweight and comfortable to wear. The texture reminds me of a water-based moisturizer, it applies beautifully on the skin and wears nicely with makeup. It does not alter the appearance of makeup. Anyone who is afraid of thick textured sunscreens would love this because it’s so lightweight and it feels like a thin layer of moisturizer on the face. There’s no tacky or stickiness to it either so it’s fantastic!
• Scent: 5/5 – There is absolutely no scent to this. All skin types would enjoy this, including sensitive skin types who are sensitive to fragrance.
• Price: 5/5 – I purchased this product myself and it’s worth every penny. I have another backup coming my way and I will continuously use this SPF because it’s my HG. I cannot live without it. I got mine for 18 CAD on eBay but I know YesStyle and other places will have it as well.
• Performance: 5/5 – Amazing, I cannot speak more highly about this. It’s probably one of the first SPF products that do not irritate my skin nor does it make my skin dry and itchy after removing it.
• Packaging: 5/5 – Purito isn’t into extra packaging and makes it simple. I find their products are easily identifiable and quite easy to find their products online.
• Overall: 5/5 – Bravo, Purito! You scored 100% for this sunscreen, there’s absolutely nothing I dislike about this and the fact I’m buying backups of it, says a lot. The price, texture, and wear is right – I think everyone needs to give this a shot. Stop spending 40-50 dollars for sunscreen and start with this one. I promise you, it’s just as good or if not, even better than the ones you’re using right now.

Available on: Yesstyle

Use code DORKIE1 at checkout to save on your purchase

 

 

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] COSRX HYDROGEL VERY SIMPLE PACK

Anyone who followed me long enough knows that I have this undying love for Kbeauty. Kbeauty has been a huge part of my skincare and beauty journey. Cosrx was one of the first beauty brands that I’ve tried and enjoyed. I did try a lot of Kbeauty skincare products when I was a teenager however, they were very irritating and inflamed. This has to be one of the first that did not irritate my skin and they’re super budget-friendly. I would say they’re quite accessible – you can purchase them at a lot of physical Walmart locations, Amazon, Yesstyle, eBay and etc.

Alright, onto the exciting part – the review and my experience with this product.

Claims

• These hydrogel cooling mask patches deliver instant skin relief to overheated, inflamed or irritated skin.
• These can be applied on cheeks and forehead as they are drenched in essence that contains a gorgeous blend of ingredients that provide moisture, soothing and hydrating results.
• The three-star ingredients are ceramide NP, Hyaluronic acid, Centella Asiatica.
• There are 60 patches in each container.

Key Ingredients

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

Ceramide NP – This is one of the types of ceramides. This can improve the appearance and texture of dry skin.

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

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Glycerin, Calcium Chloride, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP.

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

What I enjoy about these are they are excellent as a multi-purpose type of product where it can be used for skincare or makeup prep. I like to use these when my skin is feeling a bit inflamed or dry and usually do the try to give it hydration while calming down my skin. The only thing that turns me away from this product is the bergamot oil, I don’t understand why it’s there and it should be swapped out with a better ingredient. Niacinamide would be a nice replacement.

TIP: After cleansing, toning, apply these pads on your cheeks and leave them on for 10 minutes, when removed – pat the excess essence into the skin and carry on with the rest of your skincare routine.

Sunburn or skin irritation? no worries, refrigerate these and apply the pads on your skin, your skin should feel significantly calming and cool the moment the pad touches your skin.

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – Great texture,  the hydrogel pads are not too thick nor are they too juicy where essence spills everywhere on the ground. They also don’t rip easily so that’s always nice. They also don’t slide off that easily like some hydrogel masks do.
• Scent: 4/5 – I don’t smell anything when using these but I will remove a mark simply because there is an unnecessary essential oil in this that is just for cosmetic reasons for the product. I think they should really reconsider reformulating this to unscented so that even sensitive skin folks can use this as well at ease.
• Performance: 4/5 – It does what it claims, I don’t have any complaints with it. I like how it leaves my skin feeling so soft and supple. It’s definitely something great to have.
• Packaging: 3.5/5 – I think the packaging is alright! It comes with a small set of tongs that can clip and great a grip of the pads for you without you digging your fingers in the container. I don’t have any issues with the packaging and how it functions. I think it would be safe to travel with these because I’ve traveled with these a few times and I had no issues with spilling in my bag.
• Overall: 3.5/5 – I wouldn’t say you need this in your collection, however, if you wanted this for a while or need something like this then buy it. For me, I can live without these and they’re likely not repurchase but that being said, they are a nice addition if you’re looking for some fun and soothing facial pads that are made of hydrogel.

Available here: Yesstyle | StyleKorean | Jolse

 

 

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.

 

 

[REVIEW] SKINFOOD AVOCADO RICH TONER

I’m sure we’ve seen a large number of products made with fruit and vegetables based ingredients, they also made huge entrance into to the beauty industry in the past couple of years. SKINFOOD was probably the first well-known K-beauty brand to come up with products like this. I was always intrigued by the concept of these kinds of products; They have their peach, celery, black pomegranate, royal honey/propolis, and etc lines. The one product that really stood out to me as of recently was their avocado line. I love avocadoes, they taste delicious and I would assume there are packed in nutrients that can provide the skin fantastic benefits as well!

As many of you may know, I have been working with Life Code Boutique and on the very first collaboration, they were so generous to send me some products to try out and I had the opportunity to pick out some as well. This is one of the products I chose out to try and today I will be sharing with you all my experience with it.

SKINFOOD has been repackaging a lot of their products so if you noticed my bottle doesn’t look like yours, don’t be alarmed. They changed the appearance of their packaging just a tad bit.

 

Claims

• This contains 15% avocado extract, avocado oil and essential oils.
• It’s able to hydrate the skin while providing maximum nutrition and locking in the moisture to protect the skin.
• Provides a brighter, healthier complexion

Key Ingredients

All of these key ingredients are non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores).

Avocado oil is packed with fatty acids that are fantastic for providing skin moisture while being nourishing.

Olive oil is an incredible multi-use ingredient. It can be used as an eye, lip makeup remover, mask, facial oil and moisturizer. It has moisturizing, antibacterial and antioxidants.

Macadamia Seed Oil has anti-aging benefits and can deeply soothe and moisturize the skin. It’s also known for treating against skin irritation and inflammation.

Shea Butter is great for softening and repairing the skin. It can mimic the moisturizer in sebum. Thus, it convinces the skin into believing that it has enough sebum and helps slow down the process of the overproduction of sebum. It also can help out on skin discoloration by evening out the skin’s overall appearance.

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

Ingredient List:

Water, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Arginine, Cetearyl Glucoside, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Xanthan Gum, Glucose, Fragrance

 

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

My thoughts

I had very little to no expectations for this product, for two factors – SKINFOOD makes very hit or miss products and also, at this price – I never expect much when it’s affordable because sometimes, you get what you pay for. Luckily, I did not have that issue with this and I think this is very well worth the money because there’s a lot of fantastic ingredients here that provide the skin healing, soothing, softening and moisturizing benefits. I would say the only questionable ingredient was the added fragrance in this. I personally prefer if my skincare did not have added fragrance in it whether essential oils or artificial but I’m not against it. If it’s there, it’s there – I’ll just deal with it. I was glad to see there was Cetearyl alcohol in this, it’s fantastic fatty alcohol that has amazing emollient properties to it. Behenyl Alcohol is also another fatty alcohol that provides the same properties as Cetearyl and is specifically used in skincare as a thickener. These are friendly alcohols and should not be feared of.

 

Overall

• Texture: 5/5 – rich, milky consistency – this is not thick but leans towards on the runny side of textures. As you massage it in your skin, it feels almost like an emulsion. I would say this is a good hybrid product between a toner and emulsion because it’s a unique consistency.
• Scent: 2/5 – Ok, the scent isn’t unbearable but it’s not my cup of tea. It smells like baby lotion, I kid you not. The scent does eventually go away but I cannot help but think this is baby lotion every time I smell it.
• Price: 5/5 – SKINFOOD is always reasonable with their prices. For something made with “premium” ingredients and is their fancier line, I would like to say it’s quite affordable and the ingredients are pretty awesome.
• Performance: 5/5 – Fantastic, works like a charm. It’s very moisturizing for what it is and I would say this is ideal for fall and winter. During the colder seasons, our skin usually needs thicker layers.
• Packaging: 4/5 – eh. It’s alright. The stopper does a good job controlling the amount of product coming out and limiting it from spilling everywhere but sometimes I have difficulty getting the product out. The label is this cheap watercolor-like paper and is likely to fall off if this product comes in contact with water. I’m not crazy about the packaging but I don’t hate it. The newer one looks much worse so I’m alright with this one.
• Overall: 4/5 – I think it’s an awesome toner! This would be excellent for those who have dry, normal, combination and for those who suffer with dehydration issues.

Available on:  eBay | Life Code Boutique | Yesstyle |Jolse |

If you’re shopping on Life Code, please feel free to use code AMY15 to save % off your order and for Yesstyle, please free to use code DORKIE1 for % off your order.

 

 

 

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.