Hello everyone! Long time no update but I was so exhausted after my Japan - Korea trip to actually write anything. It was only the day before yesterday that I mustered enough strength and... yes, courage, to sort through all of my purchases. Side note: This haul may seem humungous to you but these products are for one-year usage as I don't think I could afford another overseas trip this year T-T.
JAPAN HAUL
In my opinion, Japanese sunscreens are DA BOMB. They sink in so quickly without leaving any sticky and oily residue behind, as well as protect my super pale skin from getting burn in the sun. One down side: they're tiny. That's why I stocked up lots of them when I had the chance to visit Japan.
From left to right: Anessa Whitening UV Protector SPF32 PA+++, Nivea Sun Protect Water Gel Super SPF50 PA+++, Skin Aqua UV Moisture Milk SPF50+ PA+++, Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Water Base SPF50+ PA+++, Sunplay Super Block SPF50+ PA++++
I've never tried any facial oils before, but they are well-loved among beauty gurus' community, so I have to try one. I want to start with an affordable one in case my skin doesn't agree with oils. I only intended to buy one bottle of Bioil (aka Bio-Oil), but as I went through my bag, I realized I accidentally bought two T-T My shopping basket was so full at the time that the first one I bought was buried underneath my other purchases. Oh well, let's hope that it's good. I also picked up two Nivea lip balms, Mentholatum Medicated Stick SPF19, Nivea Creme and DHC Lip Cream (which I'm currently using, that's why it's out of the packaging).
Apart from sunscreens, a must-buy for me in Japan is mascara! I just adore Kiss Me Long & Curl Mascara that I actually bought 3 of them, and I also purchased Kiss Me Volume & Curl Mascara to try out.
In my opinion, Japanese make the best makeup remover, especially ones targeted for waterproof makeup. I picked three bottles of my HG makeup remover/ cleanser: Bifesta Cleansing Liquid, as well as three Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover, which removes my waterproof mascaras like a dream! I also bought a brand new product called Bifesta Cleansing Wash Moist.
I just love Japanese shampoos coz they're so gentle yet effective. I got four of them: Ichikami Smoothing Shampoo (which is currently sitting in my bathroom), Ichikami Moisturizing Shampoo, Essential Nuance Airy Shampoo, and Essential Rich Premier Shampoo. Since I loved Ichikami so much, I felt like I had to try out their Hair Treatment Serum.
OK, aren't these shower gels just the cutest things ever? >.< I've never even heard of the brands before but what sealed the deal were: 1. the packaging, 2. the cheap price (¥864), and 3. they were endorsed by Matsumoto Jun! I'm not his fan but since he's a famous actor, these shower gels must not be too bad :3
And here's Matsumoto's ad for Savon de Bouquet Body Wash :3
KOREA HAUL
Most of my purchases in Korea were done in duty-free stores. As you may know from reading my blog, I ADORE It's Skin Power 10 line, so of course I had to bulk-buy them. They were like, USD8 per bottle, about 2.5 times cheaper than in Vietnam, so I bought 12 of them (yes, I go through one bottle per month when using twice daily). Since my eye cream was about to run out, I also picked up It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream. I'd always wanted to try out It's Skin Lemon Sunshine Oil Toner and It's Skin Lemon Full Watery Oil, but sadly, they're unavailable in Vietnam. So imagine my happiness when I finally saw them in the store! Since It's Skin is ridiculously cheap in Korea, I bought 4 of my favorite facial sunscreen - 2PM Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++. My only non-duty-free purchase was Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner.
Of course what's a haul without my favorite makeup items - lipsticks? I purchased loads of bright lip colors, which I much prefer over the pale ones as the latter tend to wash me out. My favorites are Clio Lipnicure in #4 Cynical Orange, #6 Rumor Coral, and #7 Tension Red. The two MAC lipsticks - Vegas Volt and Morange were kinda a let-down for me, but again, I've never found any MAC lip products that I truly love. I got two base makeup products from Korea: Innisfree No-sebum Mineral Pact and Hera CC Cream SPF35 PA++.
My last-minute buy in Korea was Origins Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask to clear pores. I'm using it now and so far so good :)
Phew, that's the end of my Japan and Korea beauty haul. I'll see you soon with many new reviews :)
