REVIEW: THE SAEM ICELAND HYDRATING EYE STICK

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Nothing is more satisfying that receiving mail and opening packages with products inside you ordered or that is sent to you. I’ve seen this eye stick around for years before I’ve made the decision that I wanted to try it. Special thanks to Jolse for sending this over to me to review for you, friends! This review has been long over due but last year alone was SUPER hectic for me and even this year so now I’m catching up with reviews to share with you all!

My Thoughts:

The concept of this eye stick is to refresh and re-hydrate the skin under and around the eyes. Personally, I was never a huge fan of The Saem skincare products due to their high usage of fragrances and this product was no exception. I gave it a chance simply because of the adorable packaging and a lot of my skincare peers on Instagram featured this specific product on their routines so I wanted to give it a shot. I found this product poorly executed because it’s not hygienic to constantly reapply product that has previously touched your face from time over to time; I’m sure bacteria will eventually accumulate and grow in the product. I also did not understand why they used fragrance in this because fragrance can be very irritating to the skin and let alone having it anywhere near the eyes, that could possibly irritate the sensitive eye area and cause milia/irritation.

• Texture: 4/5 – Super smooth consistency and applies on skin at ease, it also gives a nice little cooling effect under the eyes. Those who do not have sensitive skin and sensitive skin around the eye area, may enjoy this product.
• Price: 5/5 – Price is amazing! Super affordable and is currently $8.76 USD on Jolse’s website.
• Performance: 1/5 – Didn’t do much for me and I wouldn’t use this in the long run. It’s just not something I would grab even if there were a pile of products in front of me.
• Packaging: 3/5 – Amazing for aesthetics! Super cute and iconic. However, the product packaging function and for long term use is not ideal – likely will harvest bacteria, dirt and oil if constantly reapplied on the face. Just not the greatest for function-wise.
• Overall: 2/5 – Would not repurchase, I can’t see this being practical for anyone’s skincare routine. Therefore, I cannot recommend it however, if you’re interested of trying this anyway, they do have a sale right now on their website and you can purchase it here.

I’m sure most of us are exhausted and hoping COVID restrictions are lifted so that we can enjoy our normal day lives. Til then, I hope you all take good care of yourselves and stay safe!

[REVIEW] MISSHA TIME REVOLUTION TONE UP TONER

Missha is one of the very few brands that I continue to use. When I was 16, I purchased myself my very first Korean beauty product and it was the Missha Vita BB cream. I really liked how it filled in my pores and made everything so smooth. I do recall using a lot of their foam cleansers a lot when I was younger and I really enjoyed them. Jolse kindly sent this product over to me back in November and I’ve been using it for quite a while now.

Claims

• Clean & Bright Skin
  Provides vitality and energy to dull skin
• Protects Skin from Environmental Factors
  Protects the skin from harmful environmental factors that cause skin to lose its natural glow
• Refreshing Moisture Care
  Cream provides rich and refreshing moisture to help skin maintain a healthy and moist condition

Full List Of Ingredients

Water, Peg/Ppg-18/4 Copolymer, Bellis Perennis (Daisy) Flower Extract, Freesia Alba Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Niacinamide, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Gnaphalium Leontopodium Flower Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Saussurea Involucrata Extract, Peg-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Betaine, Cyclomethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Sea Water, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, Glyceryl Caprylate, Aspergillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate, Saccharomyces/Rice Ferment Filtrate Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide, Benzophenone-4, Tocopheryl Acetate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Copper Sulfate, Glucose, Polyacrylic Acid, Sodium C14-17 Alkyl Sec Sulfonate, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Disodium Edta, Methoxy Peg-45 Thioctate, Phenoxyethanol, Campsis Grandiflora Flower Extract, Cassia Alata Leaf Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Tin Oxide, Squalane, Fullerenes

How to use:

After thoroughly cleansing your face, apply toner with a cotton pad or on hands and apply it evenly throughout the face. You can even make a toner mask out of this product if you want.

My Thoughts:

There were a lot of positive reviews online so I was hoping this was going to be amazing for me but let’s just say I had high expectations for this and really wanted it to work for me but it did quite the opposite. I expected it to have a mild scent as a lot of products do, have a lightweight watery consistency and possibly provided longterm brightening results as the product claims. I was not wowed by this product and I do hope Missha decides to reformulate or possibly create a line that is specifically for sensitive skin types with no fragrance added. I didn’t realize Missha had so many products that contained heavy amounts of fragrance in them until I rediscovered them. I do believe my preference for skincare has definitely changed a lot throughout the years. 

• Texture: 3/5 –The texture surprised me the most because I was expecting almost a watery consistency but instead it was quite thick. It really reminds me of the Whamisa Organic Flowers Rich Toner’s consistency. I wasn’t a big fan of it as I was hoping for something lighter.
• Scent: 2/5 –Sensitive skin friends, stir far away from this product. I was shocked when I smelled this. It has quite a strong floral, clean scent to it and it lingers. Unlike some products scents that do eventually go away, this kind of just stays.
• Price: 4/5 – Missha products are affordable so the price wasn’t an issue.
• Performance: 1/5 –Did absolutely nothing for me. No brightening, wasn’t really moisturizing either and kind of just sat on my skin.
• Packaging: 5/5 – Gorgeous packaging! The bottle is glass and has a beautiful gradient design. It doesn’t spill the product everywhere and is really well made.
• Overall: 2/5 – I must say I am beyond disappointed in this and I was expecting more from Missha. I’m starting to believe they are quite comparable to The Saem. The Saem makes great makeup product products but when it comes to skincare, it’s like they poured a bottle of perfume in their products. I would not recommend this to anyone who has sensitive skin. Maybe those who have dry skin would enjoy this as this does have a thicker consistency to it but I personally didn’t see any amazing results from using it on my dehydrated, combination skin.

 

[REVIEW] MISSHA TIME REVOLUTION NIGHT REPAIR PROBIO AMPOULE

We all know how much I love Jolse and how incredible their deals are. I’ve been eying on this specific product since it released but wasn’t sure when I was going to buy it. Jolse kindly sent this product in exchange for a review and let me just say, this product really surprised me in a way where I didn’t expect it to. Sometimes products just don’t meet our expectations, here’s why!

Product Claims

• This is an anti-aging ampoule that improves skin’s elasticity and also diminishing the appearance of fine lines while providing deep skin hydration, anti-aging benefits and also promotion skin radiance. This formula is gentle and can be used on sensitive skin.

Ingredients: 

*bold = nice ingredients, italics = questionable, irritating ingredients
Bifida Ferment Lysate (>50%), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propanediol, Betaine, Water, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Capitata (Cabbage) Leaf Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Lactobacillus/Acerola Cherry Ferment, Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, Lactococcus Ferment, Lactocaccus Ferment Lysate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Aspergillus Ferment, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Squalane, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tromethamine, Polyquaternium-51, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA

My thoughts/ rant

There are a lot of fantastic ingredients such as niacinamide, fruit&veggie extracts, squalane, panthenol, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin E, Ceramide and etc. I blindly chose this product to review for you all because I was very curious to know more about this line thus I wanted to see if I could find a dupe for any of the anti-aging high-end products I already own. I clearly did not read the ingredients list prior to choosing this so that was on me but I am curious to know how this would work on my skin.

Luckily, I did not break out or had any negative reactions to using this. That being said, as much as I wanted for this to work for me, it was a very meh kind of product. I don’t care if whether I had it in my routine or not. I saw a lot of positive reviews on this and was so excited to try it out but I’m not sure if these people were are reviewing the products are experiencing placebo effects or not because I too have experienced that with other products in the past. Regardless of the reason, I definitely wouldn’t repurchase this.

Rant: I’m not a fan when companies throw some crazy claims to upsell a product. First of all, that’s great that you have all these incredible claims of what the product can do, however, that being said, don’t say can be used all skin types/sensitive skin user-friendly because there are quite a few questionable ingredients in this product that are potential skin irritants.

• Texture: 3/5 – It has a thick consistency to it but it breaks down nicely into the skin. The only thing I wasn’t too crazy about was the sheen in left behind on my skin. This is definitely more of an evening skincare product than morning because you will see a residue left behind on your face when using this. I would say the texture resembles a jelly sheet mask essence in a way, the consistency really reminds me of that.
• Scent: 3/5 – I would say the scent is quite pleasant but that’s because there was a sneaky blend of essential oils in it, minus 2 points because of them and why they’re so high in the formulation. Preferably, I would have been okay if it was lower in the ingredients or even better, none. But it is what it is, my friends. I think what bothered me so much was that sensitive skin claim and seeing the ingredients list. Ideally, brands that market to sensitive skin types really needs to consider going fragrance-free all together.
• Price: 4/5 – Pricing is okay, there’s a lot of product in here so you have a lot to work with.
• Performance: 3/5 – Although this product was able to provide my skin hydration + nutrition, I wasn’t wowed by this and I’m also not convinced that it has effective anti-aging ingredients. Whereas the Klairs Midnight Blue Youth drops were way more effective and gave me faster results than this. Mind you, I’ve been using this for over 3 months now and the Klairs? only a month so the results and time usage speak for themself. Anyway, wasn’t too crazy about it. It’s not a bad product but if you’re curious about it, wait for a sale then get it. Jolse often has amazing sales between 20%-70% off.
• Packaging: 3/5 – It’s so pretty! I was convinced that I had to get it because Missha is very well known for their time revolution line, especially for their first treatment essence that a lot of people cannot get enough of. To be quite frank with you, I wasn’t wowed by that product when I first used it but I will revisit it again because I do have a fresh bottle in my stash so stay tuned for a review on that. The dropper is kind of bad, it doesn’t always grab enough or any product so that really sucks.

Available: eBay | Jolse | Yesstyle

 

 

3 Easy Steps To Achieve Glowy Skin

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

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

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

 

 

CREMORLAB – LUXURY K-SKINCARE

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

CREMORLAB O2 COUTURE CREAM

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

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

CREMORLAB T.E.N MIRACLE THE ESSENCE

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

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

CREMORLAB O2 COUTURE PEELING MASK

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

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

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

 

[REVIEW] ANGEL LOOKA SOFT WHIPPED CREAM BODY RECIPE

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

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

My thoughts

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

Overall

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

Available here: Strawberry Milk | Blueberry Milk | Grape Milk

USE CODE: SALES-2020 for % off your purchase

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

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

 

[REVIEW] LANEIGE LIP SLEEPING MASK

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

Claims

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

Full List Of Ingredients

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

How to use:

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

My Thoughts & Ramblings

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

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

Overall

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

[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

 

 

 

 

[REVIEW] IUNIK CENTELLA CALMING GEL CREAM

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

Claims

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

Key Ingredients

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

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

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

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

Ingredient List:

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

My Skin Type and concerns:

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

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

My thoughts

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

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

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

Overall

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

Use code DORKIE1 at checkout to save on Yesstyle your purchase

Available here: eBay | Yesstyle