BOOK REVIEW: THE CUCKOO'S CALLING BY ROBERT GALBRAITH

I don't know about you guys but I often buy books the way I buy cosmetics: I do my research beforehand, which means that I know exactly what I want to buy when I go to the bookstore. However, once in a while, I'd make an impulse purchase and The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith is one of those. I was wandering around Hong Kong International Airport when I spotted a bookshop and I came in with the intention of buying some magazines to read on the flight. Well, long story short, I saw this, read the summary, liked it and bought it on the spot.

This novel is the first one in the Cormoran Strike series. It's about the investigation into the death of a supermodel. I love detective genre and adore everything fashion-related, so after reading the first 3 paragraphs on the back cover, I bought it without much hesitation. Had I read the 4th one, I may have known instantly that Robert Galbraith was actually J.K. Rowling's pseudonym. To be honest, it wouldn't have made a difference because as long as the book is good, I'm willing to purchase it regardless of who the author is.

The protagonist, Cormoran Strike, is a unique character. He's a veteran who loses a leg during a mission and bears the scars of a painful past. His present situation isn't much better: he's in debt and homeless, not to mention the problems with his estranged girlfriend. Out of all the detective novels I've ever read, he has to be the most... depressing hero. I won't go into details here as I don't want to spoil the fun for you. Throughout the investigation, he's assisted by Robin Ellacot - a newly-engaged temporary assistant. She loves her job but her fiance dislikes the idea of her working in a detective agency with a male boss, and she struggles between wanting to please him and going for her dream.

The tone of this novel is quite dark and the pace is kind of slow, but I enjoyed reading it. It's a really page-turner: I spent hours reading it since I really wanted to know if I guessed the murderer correctly (As it turned out, I was wrong :P). I read lots of detective novels which I know who the culprits are right from the beginning, and it's kind of boring that way, so kudos for the author for managing to misleading me :) If you expect lots of juicy bits about the fashion industry, then don't because it's only the background, not the center of this novel. 

I'd give this novel an 8/10. J.K. Rowling said that a new book would be released in 2014 and I definitely read the sequel to learn about Strike's new case and how the possible romance between him and his assistant develops.

REVIEW: NIVEA ESSENTIAL CARE

My favorite lip balm of all time has to be good old Nivea Essential Care.

Price: SGD$3

Ingredients: Microcrystalline Wax/ Cire microcristalline, Octyldodecanol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetyl Palmitate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Myristyl Myristate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, C20-40 Alkyl Stearate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/ Cire de carnauba, Panthenol, Glyceryl Glucoside, Glycerin, Water/Eau, Beeswax/ Cire d'abeille, Parfum/Fragrance.

My opinion: This is the most moisturizing lip balm I've ever used. It can be a little bit sticky but I don't really care about that because I often use it before going to bed. By the next morning, I can see dead skin cells on my lips (My lips kinda self-exfoliate when I sleep, provided that I apply a lip balm). Once I wash them off, my lips look super glossy and feel soft to the touch. It's cheap and one tube can last for up to 6 months with daily usage. I also love the fact that it's a stick because I don't like the feeling of having to dip my finger in a lip balm pot. It's also odorless and small enough to carry around.

Pros:

- Moisturizing

- Cheap 

- Long-lasting

- Odorless

- Portable

Cons:

- None

Score: 10/10

Repurchase?: Yes. In fact, I've bought several tubes of this.

BEAUTY TIPS: HOW TO GET HEALTHY, GLOSSY LIPS

If you read my previous posts, you may see that they are all products reviews. Starting this year, I'd like to share with you the beauty tips that I gather throughout the years which have worked for me. Today I'll talk about how to have healthy and glossy lips because it's been requested by lots of people. I used to be plagued by chapped lips, but in recent years, my lips have improved significantly and they rarely get dry now. Here are four simple tips on how to moisturize and plump up the lips.

1. Use a good lip balm

There are thousands of lip balms out there, and it takes me years to find ones that really suit my lips. My current favorites are: Nivea Essential Care, Maybelline Baby Lips SPF 20 in Cherry Velvet, It's Skin Macaron Lip Balm and Jill Stuart Fruit Lip Balm N 001. I tried putting honey and olive oil on my lips, but they just kinda sat there and didn't do anything for me. My friends used them and they, too, didn't see any benefits.

I always apply a lip balm before going to bed, and thanks to this habit, I wake up the next morning with moisturized and glossy lips. Cold winds and scorching sunlight can seriously dry out the lips, so make sure to moisturize your lips well before and after going out in harsh weather.

2. Always remove your lip makeup

When I first used cosmetics, I didn't pay much attention to lip makeup removal because my lipsticks/lip glosses often faded away completely by the time I got home. However, after a while, my lips started looking duller and darker, so I did a little test. I used a wet tissue to wipe my lips after eating a big meal, and even though I couldn't see any colors on my lips, the tissue was actually stained pink! Since then, I always diligently remove my lip makeup when I get home, even if I only wear a lip gloss. If I put on a regular lipstick/gloss, a simple wipe can do the trick. When I apply lip tints, I use Bifesta Cleansing Gel to remove them. 

3. Drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day

Everybody knows of this, but not all of us do it. In the past, I rarely drink 1.5 liters of water a day, and as a result, not just my lips but my whole face looked lackluster. Ever since I increased my water intake, I could see a big improvement in my lips and my overall complexion. If your body lacks water, it really shows up badly on your skin.

4. Some bad habits to avoid

Many people tend to lick their lips when they are dry, but this is really bad because our saliva contains enzymes that can break down food and these can actually dry the lips out. So, drink water and/or apply a lip balm if your lips are dry, instead of licking them.

Some people have the habit of peeling the flakes off their lips and I have to admit, I used to do that when I was a child. But this is even worse than licking lips, because it can result in lip bleeding. A good way to get rid of flakes is that after brushing your teeth, use your toothbrush and the remaining of your toothpaste to gently scrub your lips for a few seconds. After that, apply a lip balm right away to nourish the lips.

Hope these tips will be helpful to you. If you have any other advice/tips, please share it with me. Have a nice day!

REVIEW: DOLLY WINK CREAM EYE SHADOW 01 GOLD

I rarely wear eye shadows and when I do, I tend to go for sheer silver or gold shades. Dolly Wink eyeshadows seem to receive a lot of love, so I decide to try the Cream Eye Shadow in 01 Gold.

Price: HK$92

My opinion: It's a very sheer and natural-looking gold color which can be worn both day and night. Due to its creamy texture, I find that the best way to apply it is using the finger. It is non-irritating and long-lasting. Once I put it on, it'll stay there until I remove it (It can be removed quite easily, too!). Since it's very sheer, it can hardly be seen in photos, except for close-ups. However, the deal breaker is that it creases so badly on my eyelids, even though I put powder on beforehand. This is how it looks like on my lids:

Pros:

- Pretty and natural color

- Can be used both day and night

- Long-lasting

- Non-irritating

- Easy to remove

Cons:

- Hard to see in photos

- Crease on eyelids 

Repurchase?: No. I wanna try a powder eyeshadow next.

REVIEW: HADA LABO AHA+BHA EXFOLIATING FACE WASH

I really had bad luck with cleansers last year. I went through a series of super harsh cleansers, starting with Tonymoly Clean Dew Tea Tree Seed Foam Cleanser and Tonymoly Clean Dew Olive Seed Foam Cleanser, following up with It's Skin Skin Healthening 5 Cereals Cleansing Foam and It's Skin Skin Moistening 5 Flowers Cleansing Foam. I was determined to find a gentle yet effective cleanser, and after doing some research, I settled on Hada Labo AHA + BHA Exfoliating Face Wash.

(Click on images to see description, directions and ingredients)

Price: SGD$12.90

My opinion: Despite all the research I'd done, I was a little bit nervous at first because, come on, how could a self-claimed exfoliating face wash be gentle? Well, I couldn't be more wrong. I used it for the first time when my skin was damaged because of Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush and it didn't dry out my skin or irritate it in any ways! Instead, my skin felt smooth and looked brighter! It was gentle enough to be used twice a day. I didn't see any exfoliating effects, even though it contained alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It did, however, helped my acnes heal faster, possibly thanks to the salicylic acid (aka BHA - beta hydroxy acid) in it. One tube lasted 3 months with daily usage, which was quite good considering the price. If you decide to use this cleanser, make sure to use a sunscreen when you go out because the exfoliating ingredients (AHA and BHA) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. I used Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm as my sun protection and it worked well enough.

Pros:

- Affordable

- Free of fragrances, alcohol, mineral oil, colorant and SLS

- Gentle

- Help heal acnes

Cons:

- Contain paraben

- Make skin more sensitive to the sun

Repurchase?: Yes but not immediately because I think I like Shiseido Perfect Whip Foam more.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY CHANGING U MAGIC MASK SHEET BOX

Last year, I went through a sheet mask-crazed phase, so when Tonymoly released the Changing U Magic Mask Sheet Box, I grabbed one up instantly :)

(Source: tonymolyvn.com.vn)

DESCRIPTION: Steps that can transform an average-looking woman into an attractive lady. Transform to the smooth skin that shines brightly through far distance.

DIRECTIONS: Tear open and apply to face. Leave on for 20-30 minutes and then remove.

VOLUME: 18ml per sheet.

PRICE: 223,000 VND (about US$10.48)

REVIEW: This cute pink box contains 7 masks which cater different skin needs. I love the designs and colors of each one and I think this could be a great gifts for friends who love pampering themselves. They fit my face perfectly and don't irritate my skin in any ways. They all give me the same results: my face is brighter, smoother and more moisturized after using them, but the effects only last for 2 hours. Now I'll go into detailed reviews for each one of them.

- Black Pearl Mask: Brightening mask sheet with black pearl

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pearl Extract, Paeonia Suttrulicosa Root Extract, Chlorela Vulgaris Extract, Sea Cucumber Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosa Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: True to its name, this one is the most brightening mask out of the bunch. However, it pales in comparison with Tonymoly Natural Pulp Essence Sheet Mask Pearl, possibly because the latter contains more essence (21ml). Having said that, I think Black Pearl Mask is probably my favorite in this box.

- Hyaluronic Acid Mask: Moisture mask sheet with hyaluronic acid

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hamamelis Virginia (witch hazel) Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Porutuiaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: Even though it contains hyaluronic acid, it doesn't moisturize my skin any better than the other 6. It's also the stickiest among all the masks. 

 - Red Wine Mask: Firming mask sheet with red wine

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Wine Extract, Citrus Paradsi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Allantoin, Panthnol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosa Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: This one does smell vaguely of wine, but it doesn't bother me. I don't see any firming effects, but then again, I don't have mature skin. It's just a regular moisturizing and brightening mask for me.

- Tea Tree Mask: Skin soothing mask sheet with tea tree

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Mentha Rotundfolia Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Allantonin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosa Carina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glycryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparabel, Phenoxyethanol
• My opinion: This mask has a strong tea tree scent. Although it contains tea tree oil, it has no effects whatsoever on my acnes. There's nothing special about it really.

- Green Apple Mask: Pore mask sheet with green apple

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustlolium (Blueberry) Fruit extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: I generally love apple scent, but this mask smells like sweet apple candies, which doesn't appeal to me at all. It does have a pore tightening effect, but it goes away after 30 minutes.

- Royal Jelly Mask: Nutrition mask sheet with royal jelly

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustlolium (Blueberry) Fruit extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: This mask smells like honey and feels very sticky to the touch, possibly even more than the hyaluronic acid. I didn't actually use this because I gave it to my mom. She said that it itched her face a little bit but didn't actually irritate her skin. When she took it off, I could see that her skin looked brighter, smoother and felt more moisturized. There were no lifting or firming effects though.

- Bird Nest Mask: Skin purifying mask sheet with royal jelly

• Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Xanthan gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Paeonia Sulfruitcosa Fruit Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Allantoin, Panthenol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rose Canina Flower Oil, Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Onsen-Sui, Glyceryl Caprylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
• My opinion: I can't see any special benefits after using this mask apart from the regular brightening and moisturizing effects. 

PROS: 

- Affordable

- Cute packaging

- Relaxing and fun to use

- Moisturizing and brightening

- Non-irritating

CONS:

- Temporary effects

- Contain paraben

REPURCHASE?: No. I rarely use sheet masks nowadays because their effects aren't long-lasting and I prefer to invest in serums that can give me long-term effects. Besides, I have loads of freebie masks as GWP.  

REVIEW: THE FACE SHOP ARSAINTE ECO-THERAPY CRYSTAL WATER SUPER GEL

As you may know from my previous posts, last summer my skin was severely dried out because of Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush. During that horrible time, I tried out various moisturizers in hopes of helping my skin recover, and The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-therapy Crystal Water Super Gel was one of them.

Description: Containing 1,000mg of Iceberg Water from Newfoundland, Canada and 1,000mg of Phyto-Hyaluronic acid water. 

• 7-free formula (free of paraben, benzophenone, artificial coloring, sulfate, mineral oil, animal-sourced ingredients, and thiethanolamine)
• Dermatologist-tested
• No animal ingredients
• Respect the environment

Directions: After using toner and emulsion, dispense an adequate amount and apply evenly to the skin in an outward direction. (For better cooling and soothing effect, recommend to keep it in the fridge)

Ingredients: water, SD alcohol 40-B, dimethicone, PEG/PPG-17/6 copolymer, betane, trehalose, glycerin, dipropylene glycol, bis-PEG-18 methyl ether dimethyl slane, PEG-32, 12-hexanediol, sodium hyaluronate (10mg), panthenol, ammonium acryloldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, citrus paradisi (grapefruit) fruit extract, fragrance, benzyl benzoate, citronellol, geranol, limonene, linaldol, potassium hyrdoxide, xanthan gum, synthetic fluorphlogorite, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), xylitol, tin oxide (CI 77891) 

Size: 100ml

Price: 729,000 VND (about US$34.55), but I got a 10% discount on my birthday.

My opinion: I love the packaging, especially the snow pattern on the lid ^^ I still keep the jar even though I've used it all up. The first time I used this, it absorbed quickly, leaving my skin feeling smooth and moisturized. However, the effects were gone as soon as I washed my face the next morning. Things started going downhill from there as this gel somehow made my skin dehydrated every single time I applied it! I stopped using it after a few days and waited until my skin recovered completely to try it again, and it still dried my skin out! I tried putting it in the fridge, but it only made the gel cooler and didn't improve the moisturizing property one bit. I also didn't notice any improvements in terms of skin tone and skin texture. It didn't clog my pores or break me out though. I finally gave up and used it as a body lotion. It worked quite well that way, but who wants to spend over US$30 for a body moisturizer? In my opinion, the reason why this gel is so drying even though it contains hyaluronic acid is that it has denatured alcohol as the 2nd ingredient. 

Pros:

- Beautiful packaging

- 7-free formula

- Absorb quickly 

- Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

- Cooling effect

Cons:

- Drying

- Zero skin improvement 

- Pricy

- Contain denatured alcohol

Repurchase?: Never again!

REVIEW: JUJU AQUAMOIST C WHITENING LOTION AND WHITENING ESSENCE

I've always been curious about Juju Aquamoist because of the positive reviews all over the Internet, so last summer, I decided to purchase Juju Aquamoist C Whitening Lotion and Juju Aquamoist C Whitening Essence.

(Source: juju.co.jp/eng)

Juju Aquamoist Whitening C Lotion: This product is a brightening toner, so you're supposed to pour it onto a cotton pad and wipe it all over your face. The alcohol smell is quite obvious, so if you have dry skin, this may not be for you. As for my oily combination skin, it doesn't dry out or irritate my skin. However, after using up a whole bottle, I can't see any brightening effects whatsoever, even in conjunction with Juju Aquamoist Whitening C Essence. It doesn't improve my skin in any ways and I'm quite disappointed with this toner. I think it has been reformulated but I'm no longer interested in trying out the new version.

(Source: yesstyle.com)

Juju Aquamoist Whitening C Essence: 

- Description (source: yesstyle.com): 

• Provides whitening effect and fresh hydration.
• It can soften stratum corneum and allow the whitening ingredient of ascorbyl glucoside to sink into skin quickly.
• It gives you plump and luminous skin and prevents dark spots and freckles caused by exposure to the sun.
• Continuous use will promote the restoration of skin, making dull skin to have a luster and become elastic again.
• Skin will be left luminous.

- My opinion: This essence is light and it absorbs quickly into my skin, leaving my face feel smooth and moisturized without clogging my pores or breaking me out. However, those with dry skin may have to follow up with a moisturizer. It doesn't brighten up my face or fade my acne scars. Despite its moisturizing property, it somehow makes my skin look ashen and lackluster. The biggest con is that it balls up under makeup! I literally have rubbery pieces all over my face! I think this product has been discontinued as I can't find it on Juju Aquamoist website. 

Pros:

- Lotion:

• Free of fragrance, artificial color, mineral oil, and animal origin ingredients
• Non-irritating

- Essence:

• Fragrance free
• Non-irritating
• Moisturize and smooth out skin

Cons:

- Lotion:

• May not be suitable for dry skin
• No brightening effects / skin improvement

- Essence:

• Make skin look dull
• May not be moisturizing enough for dry skin
• Ball up under makeup

Repurchase?: Sadly, no :(

REVIEW: KATE BB GEL CREAM + KATE MINERAL LOOSE FOUNDATION IN OC-C SET

I purchased this set way back in 2012 because it was so much cheaper than buying each product separately. The set cost 430,000VND (about US$20), while the BB Gel Cream alone cost 405,000VND (approximately US$19) and the Mineral Loose Foundation was 459,000VND (about US$21.5).

(Source: ebay.com)

Description (source: http://www.kate-global.net/en/all_products/face.html)

(Click on images to see description)

Ingredients (source: ratzillacosme.com):

- BB Gel Cream: 

- Mineral Loose Foundation:

(Click on images to see ingredients)

My Opinion: After purchasing the set, I checked the expiration dates on checkcosmetic.net and found out that these products were produced in 2010, which meant I had less than one year to finish them up! No wonder they were significantly cheaper!

- BB Gel Cream: When my skin was super oily, I didn't need to apply any moisturizers prior to this BB cream. However, I had to apply a moisturizer beforehand if my skin was a little bit dry, otherwise it'd accentuate my dry patches. The shade OC-C was a little bit too bright and yellow for me (I find that Korean BB creams often have pink/beige undertones while Japanese ones are more yellow-based.) It also felt sticky on my face, but this could be solved by applying the Mineral Loose Foundation on top. My T-zone started getting oily after 1.5 hours without powder and 2 hours with powder. It had light coverage, and I had to use a separate concealer for my dark circles. It didn't clog my pores or break me out despite its moisturizing effect. I didn't use any sunscreens underneath but it did a good job protecting my skin from the sun. It's also free of alcohol, mineral oil, fragrance and paraben.

- Mineral Loose Foundation: Despite its name, this powder was way too sheer to act like a foundation (except for people with perfect/good skin). In terms of application, I prefer a powder brush to the included puff as the latter could make my face look cakey. The shade OC-C was too yellow for me. When used on top of the BB Gel Cream, it only kept my face matte for 2 hours in winter. It also ran out too quickly: it lasted for 3 months. Having said that, this powder did have some good points. It didn't clog my pores, break me out or dry out my skin. Together with the BB Gel Cream, it protected my skin against the sun. It didn't contain any paraben, mineral oil, alcohol and fragrance.

This is how the BB Gel Cream and the Mineral Loose Foundation look on my face:

Pros:

- BB Gel Cream:

• Moisturizing
• Non-irritating
• Protect skin against the sun
• Free of paraben, alcohol, fragrance and mineral oil

- Mineral Loose Powder:

• Non-drying
• Non-irritating
• Protect skin against the sun
• Free of paraben, alcohol, fragrance and mineral oil

Cons:

- BB Gel Cream:

• Not moisturizing enough for dry skin
• Unsuitable shade
• Sticky
• Weak oil control ability
• Light coverage

- Mineral Loose Powder:

• Sheer coverage
• Unsuitable shade
• Weak oil control property
• Run out quickly

Repurchase?: No. I prefer something with better oil-control property like Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm and Skin79 Sun Protect Beblesh Pact SPF30 PA++.

REVIEW: THE BODY SHOP GRAPESEED GLOSSING SERUM

I have to admit that I don't use too many products for  my hair. I often shampoo, apply The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum and that's it! This is the first hair serum I've tried and I love it so much that it actually appears in my 2013 list of Best Beauty Products.

Description (thebodyshop.co.uk): This serum smoothes hair and gives it natural-looking shine. A little goes a long way. 

- Smoothes
- Adds gloss
- Easily washed out

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Dimethiconol (Skin/Hair Conditioning Agent), Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil (Skin Conditioner), Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil (Skin-Conditioning Agent), Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Hair & Skin Conditioning Agent), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Parfum (Fragrance), Linalool (Fragrance Ingredient), Citral (Fragrance Ingredient), Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Fragrance) 

How to use (source: thebodyshop.co.uk): Using fingertips, apply a small amount through towel-dried or dry hair and style as usual.

Size: 75ml

Price: 330,000 VND (about US$15.51)

My opinion: The reason why I love this product is because it does exactly what it claims to do: my hair is always smoother, silkier, shinier and less frizzy after using it. The effects last for a whole day, which is quite impressive. It has a pleasant grape scent which disappears within minutes. It can be washed out pretty easily by a regular shampoo. One bottle can last for a very long time since I only need one or two pumps each time. I've had this for about 10 months and it's still going strong. However, if you're looking for a product that actually strengthens your hair, skip this because it only does what it promises without any extra benefits. 

Repurchase?: Yes but not immediately because I really want to try Essential Hair Serums.

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN POWER 10 FORMULA SYN-AKE EFFECTOR

One thing I really love about It's Skin is that they are super generous with their samples, even when the customers don't buy anything! Thanks to their generosity, I've been able to tried about 15 samples of Power 10 Syn-ake. This one and Power 10 Propolis are called the "Upgrade versions", so their prices are higher than the regular ones.

Description (source: itsskin.com/eng): Highly concentrated ampoule containing peptides with properties similar to snake venom will hinder movement, improving even the facial expression wrinkles that are difficult to smooth out.

Ingredients (source: http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1306395531/its-skin-power-10-formulasynake): syn-ake, adenosine, baobab extract, indian fig extract, malt extract, lactobacillus fermentation, yeast fermented filtered ingredient (This list includes only the key ingredients. I used Google Translate to translate the ingredients list on itsskin.com, and although there're a lot of errors in the translation, I can see that Power 10 Syn-ake contains paraben.)  

Price: 563,000 VND (about US$26.5)

My opinion: This serum is quite watery and it absorbs quickly into my skin, even in summer. It's moisturizing and brightening without clogging my pores or breaking me out, but the effects are average. This is supposed to be an anti-aging product but it doesn't provide as much hydration as Power YE, Power VC or Power CO. I have oily combination skin and Power Syn-ake isn't hydrating enough for me in winter. It also fails to plump up and brighten my skin like Power 10 VE. I don't notice any anti-aging benefits either. This is an okay serum and I quite like it, but not enough to purchase a full-size bottle. In my opinion, it's not worth the extra money and I'd rather buy the regular Power 10. 

Pros:
- Moisturizing and brightening
- Non-irritating

Cons:
- Not moisturizing enough for dry skin or oily combination skin in winter
- Unimpressive effects in comparison with regular Power 10 
- Contain paraben

Purchase?: No.

REVIEW: SKIN79 SUN PROTECT BEBLESH PACT SPF30 PA++

My holy-grail BB cream has to be Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm, and the powder pact that goes best with it, in my opinion, is Skin79 Sun Protect Beblesh Pact SPF30 PA+. Both products appear in my 2013 Best Beauty Products List, so you can get an idea of how much I love them.

(Click on images to see description, instruction and ingredients)

Price: 515,000 VND (about US$24)

Packaging: I just ADORE the color and the design of this powder! It's pink and as you may know from my previous posts, pink is my favorite color :) The compact also reminds me of Sailor Moon's brooch for some reason. I love the face that there's a plastic lid to separate the puff and the powder because if I reapply throughout the day, the dirt and oil on my face will transfer onto the puff, and the powder may be contaminated when coming into direct contact with the puff. (However, as it turns out, I don't actually use the puff at all!)

Shade: The product comes in only one shade, and luckily, it looks quite natural on me. 

Coverage: It has a medium coverage. It doesn't cover my dark circles or big spots completely, but works well enough with minor flaws like discoloration or faint acne scars.

Oil-control ability: In summer, my skin will oil up after 2 hours with this on. However, in winter, it keeps my face matte for up to 5 hours.

Application: I tried applying this with the puff, but it just looked powdery and cakey. The best way, in my opinion, is to use a brush to lightly apply all over the face (I said "lightly" because if I over-apply it, I end up with a caked-up face).

Sun-protection property: Last summer, I travelled to Malaysia and Singapore for one week, and I didn't apply sunscreen on my face because I hadn't found any suitable sunscreen for my face. I used Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm and top it off with this powder, and my face didn't burn or even tan at all (and the weather was super sunny and scorching hot). 

Bonus: This compact powder doesn't clog my pores or break me out.

Drawbacks: It contains mineral oil and paraben. It also accentuates dry patches, so I don't recommend this to those with dry skin.

Repurchase?: I'd love to, but I really want to try Innisfree No-sebum Mineral Powder next.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY HUG ME HAIR REMOVAL CREAM

Hug Me Hair Removal Cream has to be one of Tonymoly's best-sellers! For a while, it was sold out at every single store! So, when it was finally available, I grabbed two, just in case.

(Click on image to see description, directions and ingredients)

Price: 277,000 VND (about US$13)

My opinion: First of all, this product stinks, literally and figuratively! It smells like... sewage water! I mostly use it on my underarms, and I need a HUGE amount of cream each time to remove all the hairs. Basically, I have to keep applying until I can no longer see the hairs underneath the cream. Less than that and this product won't work! However, the thing that annoys me the most is that my hairs still grow back really fast. I have to apply this every 2 days, the same as when I use my razor. What with the horrible smell and all the hassle of applying and waiting for the cream to dry, I'd rather go back to my shaver since it's fast and easy to use! I've finished one tube and given the second one to my friend. She doesn't like it either but still uses it.

Pros:

- Non-irritating

- Can remove the hairs

Cons:

- Horrible smell

- Need to apply a huge amount each time

- Hairs grow back fast

Repurchase?: Hell no!

REVIEW: SKINFOOD OMJIA WHITENING LINE

Apart from the Salmon Brightening Eye Cream, I've never used any skincare products from Skinfood, so I was quite excited to try this Omjia Whitening line. However, I was sorely disappointed, not because of the products themselves, but rather the quality of the sample packagings :( 

For some reasons, most of the products have evaporated/disappeared by the time I opened my samples. For the toner, I was able to get 2 drops out, which, frankly speaking, wasn't enough to wet my cotton pad. As for the serum, ALL of the serum had gone and the inside looked like this:

Although it seemed there was loads of product, it was just the mark of the used-to-be-there serum. This sample was completely empty so I couldn't try out the serum T-T

The  emulsion wasn't much better as I was able to get only a green bean-sized amount out. I applied it on my philtrum and... that was it!

The cream fared the best out of the four. I got a pea-sized amount which was enough for my T-zone.

OK, so here's my first impressions of 3 products: toner, emulsion and cream.

- Toner: It was OK, nothing to write home about. It was gentle, non-drying and non-sticky.

- Emulsion: Honestly, it's hard to write a review based on a green-bean sized amount, but at least it didn't break me out and made me philtrum feel smooth and moisturized.

- Cream: I like this product because it absorbed into my skin quickly and didn't make my face become oily or greasy. It made my skin baby-smooth and moisturized without clogging my pores or breaking me out. When I woke up in the morning, my face looked bright and healthy. However, I have a feeling that it'd be quite heavy for my oily-combination skin in summer.

Purchase?: No. To be honest, the quality of the samples kinda puts me off :( 

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN STAR CREAM

I received several samples of It's Skin Star Cream and I'm so glad I did because it saves me from buying such a horrible product.

Description: This Star Cream for your skin with SPF25, PA++ protection provides natural shining skin and helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and enhance the brightness of complexion by Adenosine and Niacinamide. Containing Starfish collagen extract, it improves skin firmness, elasticity and vital hydration.

(It's Skin's English translations are always weird and awkward o-0) 

Direction: At the last step of basic skin care, apply an adequate amount of product over your face with light circular motions until thoroughly absorb.   

Ingredients: water, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, butylene glycol, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), glycerin, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), niacinamide, PEG-10 dimethicone, polymethyl methacrylate, synthetic fluorphlogopite, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearateSE, hydrolized collagen, polysorbate 60, ethyl hexanediol, sodium polyacrylate, fragrance, ethylhexyl stearate, inulin lauryl carbamate, glyceril caprylate, azolla imbricata extract, bertholletia excelsa seed oil, pollen extract, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, methicone, adenosine, trideceth-6, disodium EDTA, iron oxides (CI 77491)

My opinion: I've tried various ways of applying this: with and without moisturizer, apply BB cream on top, change moisturizers/serums/sunscreens and nothing worked with this cream! Every single time I apply this, my face looks unnaturally WHITE (not bright, but white!), cakey, and flaky! This is supposed to be a moisturizing cream but it's drying as hell! If my skin is slightly dry, it'll emphasize all the dry patches. But even when my skin is perfectly normal, it still manages to make my skin look dry, possibly because of the alcohol content in it. Furthermore, I have large pores on my cheeks and it sinks into these, thus creating weird-looking white dots on my face T-T It has ZERO coverage, oil-control property and staying power. It can be wiped off with a single tissue, even though I've already applied powder on top! This also sucks as a makeup base as it neither helps my BB cream glide on better nor increases the lasting power of it. If anything, it even makes my face oil up quicker (within 1 hour in warm weather and 2 in cold weather!). Everytime I use this, somehow I look older (well, so much for the improving elasticity-claim!) and more tired! This is how it looks like on my face:   

   

The only positive thing I can think of is that it doesn't clog my pores or break me out, but it "compensates" for that by drying my skin T-T

Pros:

- non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

- Free of paraben and mineral oil

Cons:

- Look unnaturally white, caky and flaky on my face

- Drying

- Accentuate dry patches

- No coverage, oil-control property and staying power

- Ineffective as a makeup base

Purchase?: NEVER!

QUICK REVIEW: YVES ROCHER MOISTURIZING CREAM LIPSTICK IN 31 ROUGE GRENADINE

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I still have to say how lucky I am to have extremely nice colleagues! Thanks to one of them, today I got to try a new lipstick, which is Yves Rocher Moisturizing Cream Lipstick in 31 Rouge Grenadine.

Although it looks like a deep red in the tube, it turns into a pinkish red on my lips. It's non-drying and long-lasting. I drank water frequently and it lasted for 5 hours! It did fade a little bit but I could still see the color on my lips.  

(Please pardon my horrible base make-up! It's because of a really bad product which I'll review tomorrow T-T )

Purchase?: I'm not sure yet. I want to try other red lipsticks first before I decide :)