REVIEW: THE FACE SHOP LOVELY ME:EX LOVE MARK TINT IN 03 SWEET KISS ORANGE

I first saw this lip tint on Get It Beauty and liked it immediately. I did a little bit of research on the Internet and since the reviews were quite positive, I decided to get it. Since it was so popular, it was always sold-out whenever I visited the store. By the third trip, however, I was able to get it ^^ 

Ingredients and instruction: 

My opinion: The packaging is super cute with the lip-shaped sponge! However, it's kind of useless coz when I use it, the color just doesn't transfer to my lips! The best way to apply this tint is using a lip brush. Although the color looks really vibrant in the pot, it goes on very sheer and I have to apply 3-4 coats to get the color in this photo:

The color payoff is a natural orange color. It fades quite quickly (after about 2 hours without drinking or eating), but I find that this lasts longer (about 3 hours) if I apply a clear lipgloss on top:

This lip tint has a light fruity scent that I like. It's also non-drying on my lips but people with very dry lips may want to apply a lip balm first. Unlike other tints that I've tried, this one can be removed quite easily.

Pros:

- Cute packaging

- Nice color and scent

- Non-drying

- Affordable

- Large amount of product 

- Paraben-free

- Easy to remove

Cons:

- Fade quicky

- Sheer color

Repurchase?: Nope. I wanna try something new.

REVIEW: MAC MINERALIZE RICH LIPSTICK IN STYLE SURGE

I saw a model wearing this lipstick in Vivi magazine and instantly felt in love with it, so when I came across it at Hong Kong International Airport, I decided to buy it right away ^^

Ingredients:

Size: 4.04g. It's bigger than the regular MAC lipstick.

Price: I forgot T-T But it retails at US$22 in USA.

My opinion: MAC describes this as a "neutral coral cream". On my lips, it's a pinkish coral that's suitable for both day and night. One coat will give you a natural look while 2 or 3 coats will turn it into a deeper shade of coral. It lasts longer than the regular MAC lipsticks that I've tried. If I don't eat or drink anything, it will stay on until it's removed. But even after a meal, there's still a hint of color on my lips. This is how I look with just the lipstick on and no other makeup:

Like other MAC lipsticks, this one has a light vanilla scent that I love so much. For some reason, it makes me want to eat the lipstick >.< The packaging is kinda cute, too. It reminds me of a baseball bat ^^ The lipstick is moisturizing enough for me, but those with dry lips may want to apply a lip balm beforehand. 

Pros:

- Beautiful color, suitable for both day and night

- Long-lasting

- Non-drying

- Lovely scent

Cons:

- None that I can think of, maybe the price?

Score: 9/10

Repurchase?: No. I've never purchased the same lipstick twice because I love trying new colors :)

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN PRESTIGE CREME D'ESCARGOT BB

As you may know from my previous blog posts, I used to suffer from a terrible case of dry and damaged skin due to over-exfoliation. The dry patches actually didn't show up when I didn't wear makeup, but they became painfully obvious with base makeup on T-T It was so hard to find a BB cream that didn't accentuate them. I decided to try It's Skin Prestige Creme D'escargot BB because based on the reviews I read, it was a very moisturizing BB cream.

Size: 50ml

Ingredients: (Click on image to see ingredients)

Price: 1,050,000 VND (about 48 USD), but I got this for half the price (525,000 VND) during a promotion, yay! 

My opinion: I used this in conjunction with my beloved Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream, and this combo was the only thing that worked for my super dry skin! It didn't accentuate my dry patches at all, and my face looked moist and smooth (this BB cream has a dewy finish by the way). After washing it off, my skin still felt soft. This also helped heal my acnes thanks to the snail mucin in it. Despite its moisturizing property, it never clogged my pores or broke me out. I've been using this for 6 months and there's still half a tube left, so this BB cream does last for a very long time! It isn't perfect though. It only comes in one color and to be honest, it's a little bit too bright for me. It has light coverage so it can't really conceal my occasional acnes or dark circles. It also doesn't control oil well, which is a real pain in hot weather as it seems to slide off my nose after 2-3 hours even though I apply powder on top of it :( It stays well on my cheeks but not so much on my T-zone. This is how it looks like on my face:

Pros:

- Moisturizing

- Help heal acnes

- Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

- A tube lasts for a very long time

Cons:

- Light coverage (but this can be fixed with a good concealer)

- Pricy

- Weak oil control property

- Available in one shade only

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: No, because my skin isn't dry now (thank God!) and apart from the full-size product, I still have a small sample tube from It's Skin ^^ But this one will always be my go-to BB cream whenever my skin is dry :)

  

REVIEW: NIVEA SOFT MOISTURISING CREAM

My cheeks are prone to dryness, and they can look a little bit flaky under BB cream / foundation if I don't use a heavy-duty moisturizer beforehand. My favorite product to use under makeup is Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream.

Size: 200ml

Ingredients:

My opinion: This cream doesn't have the best ingredients in the world; in fact, it even contains paraffinum liquidum (a.k.a mineral oil). However, for some mysterious reason, it's the best moisturizer I've ever used! It makes my skin smooth and hydrated. Even after I remove my makeup, my skin is still soft! It has never broken me out, clogged my pores or irritated my skin in anyway! It can make my T-zone oilier in the summer, but I just reduce the amount and skip my nose, and that solves the problem ^^ I only use this when I wear makeup because its only function is to moisturize the skin. For my daily skincare routine, I prefer products with both moisturizing and brightening properties. This works well as a body moisturizer too, but I tend to apply it only on my face as I use Nivea Creme for my body. If your only skin concern is dryness, then I highly recommend this product is very affordable and long-lasting. This huge tub can last me for a whole year!

Update: I stopped using this on my face after discovering It's Skin 2PM Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++ because the latter works well with all kinds of BB creams, while Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream is only effective when used in conjunction with It's Skin Prestige Creme D'escargot BB. Besides, now that my skin has completely recovered after the whole debacle with Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush, this cream tends to make my skin oil up quicker than usual (after about 1 hour). I apply it on my body now. It's good as a body cream in warm weather but not moisturizing enough in winter.

Pros:

- Moisturizing without clogging pores or breaking me out

- Last for a very long time

- Cheap

- Can be used on face and body

Cons:

- Can be a little bit heavy for oily skin
- Not moisturizing enough for dry skin, especially in winter

- Contain mineral oil (which is not a problem for me, but others might wish to avoid this)

Score: 7/10

Repurchase?: Yes, because it's cheap and good for the body in warm weather.

REVIEW: SKINFOOD SALMON BRIGHTENING EYE CREAM

I've tried some eye creams, from affordable to high-end ones, and my most favorite so far has to be Skinfood Salmon Brightening Eye Cream.

Description: An eye cream with arbutin that helps brighten skin around the eyes. Norwegian salmon roe extract nourishes skin.

How to use: Use on toned skin. Apply an adequate amount around the eyes and then gently pat using fingertips for faster absorption.

Ingredients: N/A

Size: 30g

My opinion: This eye cream is supposed to lighten dark circles, but it didn't work in that aspect for me. I have permanent dark circles under my eyes since I was little and I've always tried to find an eye cream that can get rid of them. Now I finally accept the fact that nothing can get rid of my genetic dark circles T-T. I also have some fine lines under my eyes, but this doesn't do anything for them. OK, so I guess you're wondering why I consider this as the best eye cream I've ever tried. Well, it's because of its brightening and moisturizing properties. My eyelids have always been darker than the rest of my face, and after 4 months of using this eye cream, I feel that they are slightly brighter. This eye cream is  moisturizing without being too greasy or heavy. No matter how much I apply, this sinks in within seconds and leaves no residue. Yet it still manages to moisturize my eyes really well! It also doesn't sting my eyes. A bonus is that this cream smells really good. It has a floral scent (it reminds me of jasmine but I don't think this flower is on the ingredient list) and despite the fact that it's made from salmon, it doesn't smell fishy at all ^^ It's not cheap but I only need a tiny amount for each application. I've been using this for 4 months and there's still 2/3 left!

Price: I bought this in Malaysia and forgot the price :( But it's ₩17,000 in Korea.

Pros:

- Brightening and moisturizing

- Last for a very long time

- Non-irritating

Cons:

- Not effective on dark circles and fine lines

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes, but not immediately because there're other eye creams that I wanna try :) 

REVIEW: JILL STUART FRUIT LIP BALM N 001 (PEACH-TINTED TYPE)

It was love at first sight for me and Jill Stuart Fruit Lip Balm. The price was quite stiff (HK$140), but since I loved the packaging so much and the online reviews for this seemed to be positive, I caved in and bought it on my trip to Hong Kong last summer.

This is hands down the prettiest cosmetics product I've ever had >.< I just adore the little pink gem on the top of the lid ^^ The box looked beautiful too, but it was ruined beyond repair during my flight home T-T This lip balm comes in two types: 000 Clear type and 001 Peach-tinted type. Since pink is my favorite color, I decided to buy number 001. Although it is described as peach-tinted, it goes on clear on my lips and I can't see any hints of color. It has a light strawberry scent.

The balm is moisturizing enough for me. I apply it once a day before I go to bed and when I wake up, I can see the dead skin cells on my lips (This is kind of weird, but I've never had to scrub my lips. I just use lip balms before bed and my lips will exfoliate themselves). After washing them off, my lips feel so soft and glossy. My lips are not usually dry though (cross fingers), and for me, lip balms are for prevention rather than cure, so I'm not sure how this will work for people with dry and chapped lips. It does contain some moisturizing agents like shea butter, honey and cocoa seed butter, so if your lips react well to these ingredients, this lip balm may suit you. 

Size: 7g

Ingredients: diisostearyl malate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum), dextrin palmitate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), fragaria chiloensis (strawberry) fruit juice, honey (mel), prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, tocopherol, glycerin, simethicone, butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, fragrance (parfum). May contain: (+/-) iron oxides (CI 77492), titanium dioxide (CI 77891) 

(I really don't understand the "may contain" part on the ingredients list :| Why aren't they sure about what ingredients are present in the product?)

Pros:

- Moisturizing

- Gorgeous packaging
- Last for a long time (I think it will last for at least 6 months)

Cons:

- Expensive

- Contain paraben and mineral oil (which don't bother me, really)

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: No. I bought this mainly because of the packaging. Nivea Essential Care gives me the same effect and it's way cheaper than Jill Stuart Fruit Lip Balm N.

REVIEW: FAIRYDROPS VOLUME BURST MASCARA WATERPROOF

Mascara is my must-have makeup item because it makes my eyes look bigger, brighter and less tired. After an embarrassing incident with Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care, which smudged all the time and gave me raccoon eyes after a drizzle, I was determined to find a good waterproof mascara. Out of all the brands I've tried so far, I think Japanese ones are the best. My holy grail is Kose Esprique Full Impression Waterproof Mascara, which held my curl and lengthened my lashes really well without any smudging. However, that one was a bit pricy (590,000 VND, or about US$27) so I tried to find a cheaper Japanese alternative. The one I'm using right now is Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara Waterproof.

I bought this from a Sasa store in Hong Kong. I forgot the price but it's currently on sale on sasa.com for US$13. Before this one, I tried Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara Film Type and I hated it as it made my lashes look clumpy and droopy! The Waterproof version is much better in my opinion. Both versions have the US and Japan patented Fairydrops Brush:

Honestly, I don't think this unique brush is effective at all. It does help hold my curl but it doesn't do a good job in lengthening and volumizing. Granted, I have naturally long and thick eyelashes, but the Kose Esprique Mascara made my lashes look so much longer and thicker and this one from Fairydrops pales in comparison with that. This is how it looks like on my lashes:

This Fairydrops mascara is easier to remove than the Kose one, but it smudges a little under my eyes after about 2-3 hours. It doesn't budge under the rain though.

Ingredients: N/A

Verdict: 7/10

Repurchase?: No!

REVIEW: SKIN79 VIP GOLD COLLECTION SUPER+ BEBLESH BALM (a.k.a Skin79 VIP Gold BB Cream)

I had so many bad experiences with foundation, such as the odd color (Lancome Teint Idole Ultra was too pink for me and it turned orange after oxidization T-T) and the staying power (Laneige Skin Veil Oil Free Foundation, which lasted for about 2-3 hours on my oily T-zone). That's why I was so glad to  discover BB cream because they don't oxidize much and they tend to last longer on my face. Out of all the BB cream I've tried, I'm most impressed with Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm (a.k.a Skin79 VIP Gold BB Cream).

Claims: (taken from Skin79 website)

- Protects the skin with wrinkle improvement and whitening. 

- Presents rich moisturized skin. Whole new level of moisturizing.

- Reliable UV protection.

Size: 5g

Ingredients: water, propylene glycol, cyclomethicone, demethicone, titanium dioxide, isopropyl palmitate, talc, butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, ethylhexylmethoxycinnamate, dipentaerythrityl hexadydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate, cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, arbutin, ethylhexyl salicylate, zinc oxide, magnesium sulfate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, silica, vinyl dimethicone/ methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, portulaca oleracea extract, piper mthysticum leaf/root/stem extract, glycosyl trehalose, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, tocopheryl acetate, adenosine, ubiquinone, hydrogenated lecithin, citrus unshiu fruit oil, ceramide 3, cholesterol, camellia sinensis leaf extract, madecassoside, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, nelumbo nucifera flower water, caviar extract, lycium chinense fruit extract, helianthus annus (sunflower) extract, cornus officinalis fruit extract, hedera helix (ivy) extract, schizandra chinensis fruit extract, disteardimonium hectorite, trihydroxystearin, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum stearate, methicone, glycerin, caprylic/ capric triglyceride, gold, triclosan, BHT, phytic acid, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, iron oxides  

Price: 113,000 VND (approximately 5 USD)

Shade: There's only one shade and luckily, it matches my skin quite well. This is how it looks like on my face:

Coverage: Light to medium. It can cover my acne scars but I still need concealer for my dark circles.

Finish: This BB cream has a dewy finish.

Oil-control property: My nose gets oily after 2 hours.

Moisturizing property: When my skin was at its driest period because of the Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush, this wasn't moisturizing enough for me. However, now that my skin is back to normal, it works okay for me even in autumn/winter dry weather. 

Whitening property: With continuous usage, it does help fade my acne scars. It doesn't have any effect on the discoloration around my nose and on my chin though. 

Anti-aging property: I can't comment on this as I don't have any wrinkles.

Sun-protection ability: I used this BB cream without any sunscreen underneath when I travelled to Malaysia and Singapore last summer, and I didn't burn once or even tan! And it was about 35-36°C for a whole week!

Bonus: This tiny tube has lasted me for 3 months and I still have some left, so it's good value for money :) I have oily-combination skin but this doesn't break me out or clog my pores.

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes, I've actually purchased the full-size product :)

REVIEW: ETUDE HOUSE BAKING POWDER BUBBLE CLEANSING MOIST

After the whole debacle with Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush and It's Skin cleansers, I am extra careful when it comes to facial cleansers and exfoliators. I always have a soft spot for Etude House Baking Powder line, so when I came to Hong Kong last summer, I bought 3 different cleansing foam from this line. Today I'm gonna do a review on Etude House Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Moist.

Size: 150 ml

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, potassium cocoyl glycinate, glycerin, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium bicarbonate, xanthan gum, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, disodium EDTA, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, fragrance

Price: I can't for the life of me remember the price in Hong Kong, but it retails for 370,000 VND in Vietnam (approximately 17 USD)

My opinion: Etude House Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Moist cleanses my skin really well without drying it out, so it's no wonder that I absolutely LOVE it! It also has a lemony scent which I find so refreshing and relaxing, especially in the morning ^^ This cleanser is also SLS-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free and mineral oil-free! As the name suggests, this cleanser is in bubble form. Basically, you just press the pump and the foam will come out. I use this to clean my face in the morning to get rid of the oil and dirt accumulating over night and in the evening if I don't wear makeup. Sometimes I use this as my second cleanse after removing makeup with Bifesta Cleansing Gel. I find that one pump (like the photo below) is enough to cleanse my face. When I feel like my skin is oiler and more congested than usual or when I use it as my second cleanser, I'll use 2 pumps. Since the bottle is quite big, this will last me for a very long time ^^

Update: After using this for several months, I realize that if I use this as my sole daily cleanser, my skin becomes congested (even though I exfoliate regularly) because this cleansing foam is too gentle to penetrate deep inside the pores. Now I use it in the morning or when I feel like my skin is a little bit dry, and I use Hada Labo AHA+BHA Exfoliating Face Wash in the evening. 

Pros:

- Clean my skin well

- Not drying

- Refreshing scent

- Free of paraben, alcohol, SLS, and mineral oil

Cons: 
- Can't deep-clean my skin 

Verdict: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes. Despite its weakness, I still like it as a morning cleanser in the winter.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY PORE CLEANSING BRUSH

Have you ever had a love-hate relationship with a beauty product? Well, I've had one, with Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush T-T.

Basically, this is a brush that you use with your cleanser to wash your face everyday. I used this once a day in the evening (after I removed makeup if I wore any). As for cleansers, I alternated between It's Skin Skin Healthening 5 Cereals Cleansing Foam and It's Skin Real Real Orange Powder Wash. During the first month or so, the result was amazing! My skin was very dry due to taking antibiotics, and this brush got rid of all the flakes on my face. My skin felt extremely smooth and soft. The small bumps lurking under my skin also disappeared. Despite using this everyday, I still had some dead skin cells on my face and had to use an exfoliator once a week (I did not use the brush on the day I exfoliated).

After the first month, my skin gradually got worse. My skin became red and so, so dry. The worst thing was that everything I applied just sat on my skin and "refused" to be absorbed T-T I was miserable whenever I wore makeup because my face was so cakey and every dry patch was emphasized :(( I tried to change to a heavier moisturizer to no avail. Finally, I realized that was the effect of over-exfoliation. I stopped using this as well as It's Skin Skin Healthening 5 Cereals Cleansing Foam (which was quite drying for me) and my skin was better, though not completely recovered. Then I discovered Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Lotion and used it with my beloved It's Skin Power 10 Li, and thankfully, they healed my skin!

A while ago, I tried using this brush again because my skin was back to its normal state. However, after using it with Skin79 Smart Clear Refresh Cleansing Foam (a wonderful cleanser which I used when my skin was so dry), my cheeks felt a little bit tight and slightly dehydrated. I was so scared that I stopped using this completely. I think I may either throw it away or pass it on to someone who's interested. This horrible incident has stopped me from using any other kinds of brushes on my face. It seems I'm not the only one though. I read some comments from people saying that using Clarisonic (an electric facial brush) everyday irritates their skin and gives them broken capillaries. If you want to use a facial brush, please use it twice or thrice a week only, don't reach for it everyday. Otherwise it will seriously thin out your skin.

Price: 445,000 VND (about 20 USD)

Pros:
- Deep cleanse your face
- Get rid of bumps under your skin

Cons:
- Can dry out and damage your skin when used everyday

Score: 5/10

Repurchase?: No, never again >< 

REVIEW: HADA LABO SHA HYDRATING LOTION

Hyaluronic acid is a popular ingredient in cosmetics nowadays. It is present in a lot of famous products, from high-end ones such as Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair and SK-II Advanced Eye Treatment Film to more affordable options like Indeed Labs Hydraluron and It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid line. So what is hyaluronic acid? It's basically a substance that we have a lot when we're young, but as we get older, it naturally decreases. One of its functions is to keep skin moisturized and plump, and that's the reason why many beauty brands use hyaluronic acid in their moisturizers and anti-aging treatments. I've tried a few of hyaluronic acid-contained products, and the one I'm impressed with the most has to be Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Lotion.

This is Hada Labo's most well-known product. They claim that one bottle is sold every 2 seconds in Japan! On a side note, Hada Labo is currently being endorsed by Maeda Atsuko, AKB48's former member ^^ My bottle was manufactured in 2012, that's why it looks different from the one in this CF.

Description: Despite the word "lotion" in the name, this is basically a toner that you use after washing your face. However, in stead of using a cotton pad to apply it on your face, you have to pour one or two drops onto your palms and press them on your face until the lotion is fully absorbed. This lotion contains 3 types of hyaluronic acid: nano hyaluronic acid, super hyaluronic acid (this is what SHA stands for) and hyaluronic acid. They work together to hydrate your skin and lock in moisture, thus making your skin smooth and soft.

Ingredients: Water, butylene glycol, glycerin, PPG-10 methyl glucose ether, methylparaben, disodium succinate, sodium hyaluronate, hydroxyethylcellulose, succinic acid, hydrolized hyaluronic acid, sodium acetylated hyaluronate

As you can see, it does contain paraben. However, it is completely free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant.

Size: 170ml

Price: SGD 22.90 (I bought this in Singapore)

My opinion: Last spring and summer, my skin was so dry due to taking antibiotics and over-exfoliating (I used Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush everyday, stupid me T-T). My skin didn't absorb anything and it remained dehydrated and red for several months. Wearing makeup was a pain because it emphasized every dry patch on my face! Using this in conjunction with It's Skin Power 10 Li was what saved my skin! I just poured one drop onto my palm, rubbed my palms together and lightly pressed them onto my face until the stickiness went away, which took about 1 minute. After a week or so, my skin came back to its normal state. However, after that I had to stop using it as it makes my skin oilier as well as creates some little bumps under my skin and blackheads around my nose. It's perfect for autumn and winter though, and I find myself reaching for this whenever my skin feels a little bit dry. Currently I'm using it with It's Skin Power 10 VE and I love this combo as it makes my skin feel super smooth and plump ^^ If you use this, please keep in mind that this is NOT a moisturizer and you need to follow up with another serum/essence/cream/gel to hydrate your skin.

Longevity: I've been using it on and off since July and I still have more than half the bottle left, so this should last for about a year.

Pros:
- Hydrating, smoothing and plumping
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
- Free of alcohol, mineral oil, fragrances and colorant

Cons:
- Unsuitable for oily skin in hot weather
- Contain paraben (which isn't a problem for me)

Verdict: 9/10

Repurchase?: Yes, yes, yes ^^

REVIEW: TONYMOLY PRESTIGE CRYSTAL LIPSTICK SPF13 IN 04 - MUSE CORAL

If I had to choose just one makeup item, it would be lipstick because just a swipe can brighten my face and lighten up the day ^^ One of my favorites is Tonymoly Prestige Crystal Lipstick SPF13 in 04 - Muse Coral.

Ingredients:

Packaging: The lipstick is housed in a clear plastic case, which reminds me of the packaging of Shu Uemura lipsticks.

I love the packaging of Tonymoly Pretige Crystal Lipstick as it looks so chic and I can see how much product is left.

Size: 3.5g

Color: If you want to go with a more natural look, just dab this on and press your lips together and you'll have a soft pink color. When you wish to achieve a bolder look, a full swipe of this (or two if you want) will give a vibrant fuchsia. This is how it looks on my lips after one full swipe:

Lasting power: This lipstick, like others from Tonymoly, is pretty long lasting. If I don't drink or eat anything, it will stay until I remove it. But even after I eat something, it still leaves a faint pink tint on my lips.

Scent: This has a fruity scent that I simple ADORE.

Price: 333,000 VND (about 15 USD)

Pros:
- Contain SPF13
- Versatile color, suitable for all seasons
- Long-lasting
- Smell so good ><

Cons:
- May be a little bit drying for people with chapped lips. If your lips are dry, I suggest you apply a lip balm before this.

Verdict: 9/10

Repurchase?: Maybe not since this will last for a very long time and I want to try out new colors. I'm very fickle when it comes to lipsticks :3

REVIEW: SKIN79 LEMON BRIGHTENING MASK

Skin79 is mostly known for their BB creams, but their skincare lines are actually really good, too. One of my favorites is the Lemon Brightening Mask.

Description and direction:

OK, Asian cosmetics usually have pretty awkward and weird English translation, and this one is no exception :P

Size: 75ml

Ingredients:

Price: 379,000 VND (about 17 USD)

My opinion:

This mask is a yellow cream. Once you apply it onto your face, it turns white and leaves a cooling effect on your skin, which is really great in hot weather. It has an AMAZING lemony scent! I often find myself sniffing the tub for like, a minute or so >< After leaving it on for 15 minutes, I wash it off. My face does look brighter afterwards, but it's nothing special coz I can achieve the same effect by washing my face with a foaming cleanser. I much prefer this as a deep cleansing mask as it contains kaolin (clay), which absorbs oil and draws out impurities from my skin. My skin is clearer and smoother. However, DO NOT use this when your skin is dry. The first time I applied this was when my skin was at its driest period. I stupidly thought that since it contained hyaluronic acid, it could be moisturizing. Boy was I wrong!!! It dried out my skin even more T-T Now that my skin is back to normal, I'm totally fine with using this once or twice a week.

Pros:

- Brightening (though only temporary)

- Deep cleansing

- Great scent

- Cooling and relaxing

- Affordable 

Cons:

- Can be drying for people with dry skin

- Temporary effect, not long-lasting

- Contain paraben (which doesn't bother me, but maybe a concern for other people)

Verdict: 8/10 (mostly because of the relaxing effect and the scent) 

Repurchase?: Maybe not, because I'm not really into masks. They're great for a quick fix or a pampering treat, but I much prefer an essence/serum that can give me long-term effect. The deep cleansing effect can also be achieved by using an exfoliator. 

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN POWER 10 FORMULA VE EFFECTOR WITH VITAMIN EDERIVATIVES

I have quite bizarre skin: it's oily on the T-zone and dry on the cheeks. In the past, I always had troubles finding a perfect moisturizer. Gel moisturizers are not hydrating enough, sometimes even drying (The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-therapy Crystal Water Super Gel, I'm looking at you!), and cream ones are too greasy and oily to the point of giving me clogged pores and blackheads (giving It's Skin Biyunjin Gold Cream the evil look). Recently, I've found out that my skin reacts much better to essence/serum. My favorite line is It's Skin Power 10 Formula because of their effectiveness and affordability. So far, I have used Power 10 VB, VC (reviewed here), PO, Li, Syn-ake (reviewed here), Propolis, YE (reviewed here), GF, CO (reviewed here) and VE. My most favorite, and also the one I'm currently using, is Power10 VE.

Description from It's Skin website: Essence containing vitamin E (tocopherol) capsules that directly provides nutrients to the skin to make it look lustrous and smooth.

Size: 30ml

Ingredients (taken from ratzillacosme.com): water, rosa centifolia flower water, butylene glycol, polyglutamic acid, boswellia serrata resin extract, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, propylene glycol dipelargonate, candelilla wax, phenoxyethanol, triethanolamine, carbomer, tocopherol acetate, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben, disodium EDTA  

Longevity: One bottle can last me for about 2 months if I use it once a day.

Price: 467,000 VND (about 21 USD) 

My opinion:

This essence has a watery consistency with tiny white capsules in it. Once I apply it onto my face, it sinks in right away, leaving my skin feel smooth and hydrated without the oily or greasy feeling. The effect is even more noticeable when I use it in conjunction with Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Lotion: my skin feels so much plumper, dewier and healthier ^^ This essence seems to sooth my acnes as well because they tend to become smaller and less red the day after. I often have cystic acnes around that time of the month, but ever since using this (it's been a month already), they stop coming! The only downside to me is that when I wake up in the morning, my T-zone is quite oily. However, that always happens to me, even when I don't apply anything the night before, so it really doesn't bother me that much. After washing my face though, my skin just GLOWS and feels extremely plump and smooth ^^ I don't use this under makeup though because it's not hydrating enough and my cheeks feel a little bit tight when I apply BB Cream on top of this.

Pros: 

- Suitable for oily skin

- Hydrating without being oily and greasy

- Make skin feel plumper and smooth
- Have a brightening effect

- Deflate and prevent acnes
- Fade acne scars

Cons: 

- May not be moisturizing enough for dry skin. If your skin is dry, I recommend you use another moisturizer on top of this.

- No oil-control property.

- Contain paraben (which doesn't bother me, but if you want to avoid paraben, then skip this). 

Verdict: 9/10

Repurchase?: Yes, in fact, I've already bought 3 new bottles :)