REVIEW: MAJOLICA MAJORCA LASH ENAMEL GLAMOUR VOLUME ON MASCARA

I don't usually wear much makeup, but mascara is like my must-have item. In my opinion, Japanese mascaras are more superior than other brands in terms of prices and quality. Majolica Majorca - a sub-brand of Shiseido Corp - is famous for their mascaras, and Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On Mascara is the first one I've ever tried from them.

My opinion: The packaging is adorable! I especially love the patterns on the gold lid :) However, I don't like the brush head. I can't use the shorter side because it makes my lashes clump up like crazy. I usually just use the longer side and it does a good job in keeping my curl. It neither lengthens nor volumizes my lashes though, and it does smudge a little bit throughout the day. It's quite waterproof but can be removed easily with Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover. It also doesn't irritate my eyes in any ways. 

Score: 7/10

Repurchase?: No, since it's just an OK mascara.

REVIEW: JUJU AQUAMOIST HYALURONIC ACID MOISTURE LOTION AND ESSENCE

Hyaluronic acid is my favorite moisturizing agent (you can read about its benefits here). I love Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Lotion but I can't use it on a daily basis as it can create bumps under my skin. I really want to find some hyaluronic acid-based products which can be used everyday, and since Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid line receives a lot of glowing reviews, I decide to pick up the lotion and the essence.

• Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Lotion:

- Description: Thick and rich lotion penetrates into the stratum corneum quickly. Rich moisture makes the skin plump and moist. It contains double amount of hyaluronic acid (Compared to JUJU AQUAMOIST collagen lotion and whitening lotion). Mild acidity/no fragrance/no artificial color/no mineral oil/oil free/no animal origin ingredient used.

- Ingredients: water, glycerin, alcohol, sodium hyaluronate, PEG-20 sorbitan isostearate, sodium citrate, carbomer, hydroxyethylcellulose, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben 

- My opinion: This lotion, or toner, is definitely not as hydrating as the Hada Labo one. However, it doesn't dry my skin out like some toners with alcohol do and provides a little bit of moisture to my face. Although it contains hyaluronic acid, it doesn't feel greasy or sticky on the skin at all and absorbs really nicely into the skin. During the first week, I really enjoyed using it, but by the second week, I changed my mind as I started having many clogged pores on my face! I knew it was this lotion because it was the only new thing in my skincare routine and the clogged pores gradually went away after I stopped using it. In order not to waste it, I poured some into a spray bottle to use as a mist, but since the texture was so thick, it just didn't work well that way and instead of a "fine mist", I just got huge water drops all over my face. Such a shame this didn't work out because I really like how it felt on my skin :(

- Score: 5/10

- Repurchase?: No.

• Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Essence:

- Description (ratzillacosme.com): A Japanese beauty serum featuring hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. The beauty serum contains 100% pure hyaluronic acid. Only a drop is needed to deeply hydrate skin.

- Ingredients: water, sodium hyaluronate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben

- My opinion: This essence absorbs so quickly into my skin, leaving my face feeling smooth, plump and moisturized. It neither clog my pores nor break me out. Having said that, it's not really hydrating enough to be used alone (except in summer), so I often have to layer another cream on top. 

- Score: 8/10

- Repurchase?: Yes, probably.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY CATS WINK CLEAR PACT #02 CLEAR BEIGE

Due to my work, I have to get up very early in the morning, so I want my makeup to be as fast as possible. The one I reach for on a daily basis has to be Tonymoly Cats Wink Clear Pact in number 02 Clear Beige. (This product actually appeared in my 2013 Best Beauty Products List as well!)

Description: Endorsed by T-ara, The Tony Moly Cats Wink Clear Pact is a long-lasting powder compact formulated for cleaner, brighter and softer skin. Just one application helps minimize the appearance of pores and controls oil. Free of parabens, minerals, ethanol, tar and benzophenone.

Size: 11g

My opinion: I have to admit that the cute packaging is the main reason I bought this :P It comes in 2 shades: 01 Clear Skin and 02 Clear Beige. I choose 02 - the darker one and I think it matches my fair skin well. This is how it looks like on my face:

This powder has very sheer coverage, so it can't cover acnes/acne scars/dark circles. In the morning, since I'm often in a rush, I apply sunscreen, some concealer for my dark circles and this powder pact, and that's my skincare/base makeup for the day. This compact powder is ideal for my dehydrated skin in autumn/winter since it's quite moisturizing. It neither looks cakey nor powdery on my face. However, it doesn't work well in warm/hot weather as the oil-control property is really weak. Another thing I dislike about the product is the impractical packaging. Sure, it looks cute but I don't like the fact that there's no plastic lid to separate the puff and the powder. If I reapply throughout the day, the dirt and oil on my face can stick to the puff and then transfer to the powder, thus contaminating it. Having said that, I still like this because it saves me lots of time in the morning and doesn't irritate my skin in any ways. 

Pros:

- Free of paraben, minerals, tar, ethanol and benzophenone

- Affordable

- Moisturizing

- Natural-looking

- Cute packaging

- Non-irritating

Cons:

- Weak oil-control property

- Impractical packaging

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes :)