MY SUMMER SKINCARE ROUTINE + MINI PRODUCT REVIEWS (ETUDE HOUSE, IT'S SKIN, BIORE, BIFESTA, DHC, THE BODY SHOP)

I believe skincare routine should not be permanently fixed. Instead, it must be changed according to the weather, environment and skin condition. I previously wrote about my spring skincare routine, but as it's summer now, I want to do an updated regime. Since it's scorching hot now, my skin has changed from normal/dehydrated to combination/oily and acne-proned. As a result, I tend to use light but still hydrating products to keep my skin clear and moisturized. 

A.M. 

• Cleanser: Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam

This is my favorite summer cleanser as it's light, non-stripping, non-drying yet effective in getting rid of dirt and oil on my face. It has a refreshing lemon scent which I absolutely love because I feel like it wakes me up in the morning. It's also free of alcohol, mineral oil, fragrance and paraben. Another bonus point is the super affordable price and its huge size (170ml). 

- Ingredients: glycerin, water, potassium stearate, potassium myristate, PEG-32, stearic acid, micro-crystalline cellulose, myristic acid, potassium laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium bicarbonated (0.1%), citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, lauric acid, glyceryl stearate, disodium EDTA, lauramide DEA, PEG-100 stearate, PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate, sodium benzoate

• Toner: It's Skin Supersize Peeling Softner

Don't be freaked out by the word "peeling" in the name because the product is actually quite gentle. It's claimed to be an exfoliating toner, but I don't think it can replace the regular exfoliators like peeling gel, scrubs, etc. at all. Having said that, it does make my skin feel smooth, cool and refreshed after each usage. The 400ml bottle lasts for a very long time too. However, I am a little bit disappointed in the lid quality. Below is a photo of the lid in its original form:

After about 2 months, the white plastic part came off like this:

I managed to put it back but it still comes off every now and then, which is admittedly quite annoying. When I used this toner in winter, it did make my skin feel a little bit tight, though not dry, so if you have really dry skin, I'm not sure if this product is suitable for you.

• Eye cream: It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream

I used to use It's Skin Brighten System Eye Cream, and while it was good, the price was a little bit steep for me. This Collagen Voluming Eye Cream is half of the price of the former one, and it performs just as brilliantly. It absorbs quickly because of the light texture and moisturizes my eye area really well. The cream also doesn't irritate my eyes or give me milia. It's free of paraben and alcohol. One thing I dislike about it is the heavy scent, which lingers for quite a while after each usage.

• Serum: It's Skin Power 10 Formula VE Effector with Vitamin E derivatives

I wrote a full review about this product before, so please click here to read it. In short, it's a light, moisturizing and radiant-boosting serum. I've used for so long that it lost the anti-blemish effect on me, but it's still doing a great job in brightening and plumping my skin.

• Sunscreen: Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA+++

I don't use sunscreen on my face in the summer because all the ones I've tried so far turn my face into an oil slick after 2 hours. Instead, I use Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA++ and top off with Skin79 Sun Protect Beblesh Pact SPF30 PA++. I know many dermatologists said that sun protection in makeup is not enough, but I think this combo works for me as my skin neither get tanned nor burned when I use these. Besides, I don't have to go out in the sun that much anyway. However, I do use Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF50+ PA+++ on my neck and body. It's a waterproof sunscreen with a super light texture which enables it to sink into the skin right away without leaving any white cast behind. It protects my skin from getting burned, but my skin will still tan if I go into the sun frequently. I don't recommend this to people with dry skin because it does contain quite a lot of alcohol.

- Ingredient (source: ratzillacosme.com): cyclomethicone, dimethicone, alcohol, zinc oxide, water, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, lauryl methcrylate / sodium methacrylate crosspolymer, polymethylsilsesquioxane, glycerin, talc, polysilicone-9, PEG-12 dimethicone, titanium dioxide, methicone, PEG-3 dimethicone, dimethicone/methicone copolymer, cetyl-PG hydroxyethyl palmitamide, alumina, silica, BHT, fragrance

P.M.

• Eye makeup remover: Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover

This eye makeup remover is light, gentle, non-greasy and non-irritating, yet it manages to take off my waterproof mascara and eyeshadow so quickly and effortlessly. I just pour it onto two cotton pads, place them on my closed eyes for about a minute and voila, everything is off! I see lots of people rubbing their eyes to remove makeup, but please don't do that because it'll damage the sensitive skin around the eyes and create fine lines/wrinkles. 

• Face makeup remover: Bifesta Cleansing Liquid

This stuff is my holy grail, because it's not only an excellent water-based makeup remover but also an exfoliator! I know it sounds weird, but this is the only product I use now to remove my dead skin cells. Whenever my skin feels rough and congested, I'll massage this on my dry face for about 3-4 minutes, and I can actually see the white heads under my skin come out, which is both gross and satisfying at the same time. My skin always feel so smooth and moisturized after using this, possibly because of the hyaluronic acid in it. It's also free of oil, mineral oil, alcohol, fragrance and paraben.

- Ingredients: water, PEG-8 glyceryl isostearate, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, isopropyl myristate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, cetyl ethylhexanoate, glycerin, propylene glycol isostearate, PEG-12 laurate, hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, citric acid, sodium citrade, caprylyl glycol  

• Cleanser: Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam

• Toner: It's Skin Supersize Peeling Softner

• Eye Cream: It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream

• Serum: It's Skin Power 10 Formula VE Effector with Vitamin E derivatives

• Cream: It's Skin Toma Jelly Cream

Despite its name, this cream is actually a gel. I don't use it everyday because I feel like it's a bit too much for my oily skin. However, I use it on top of It's Skin Power 10 VE when my skin is dry or dehydrated. It absorbs quickly and moisturizes my skin quite well. It also doesn't clog my pores or break me out. I have nothing to complain about this, but I think it's been discontinued in Korea already because it's no longer listed on itsskin.com.

• Lip Balm: DHC Lip Cream

First of all, this is not a lip cream, it's a lip balm! It is odorless, moisturizing and the packaging is just so cute. It doesn't feel sticky if I only apply one layer; thus, it's the only lip balm I've tried so far that can be used under lipstick without interfering with the color payoff. Having said that, my lips rarely get dry so I usually just use it at night before bed. I think it'll last for 4 months since I only apply it once a day. 

SPECIAL TREATMENT

Once or twice a week, I use The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask to deep clean my face and eliminate the small bumps under my skin. It's also my go-to acne treatment. Whenever I have blemishes, I'll dot this mask on the spots and leave it there for 1-2 hours, then wash it off. I do it every day until they are all gone, basically. Before this, I was using Origins Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask to clear pores, but even though it's like double the price of The Body Shop mask, it's just not as good. Once again, my skin seems to prefer affordable stuffs over high end ones. 

That's it for my summer skincare routine. I hope this'll be helpful to you. See you next time!

COLLECTIVE EYE CREAM REVIEW: CLINIQUE, ETUDE HOUSE, KOSE, BOBBI BROWN, IT'S SKIN

Today I'd like to talk about all eye creams I've used so far. Some will not be mentioned here because they've been discontinued, and I've already reviewed Skinfood Salmon Brightening Eye Cream on my blog, so please click on the name if you're interested in it. The products will be presented in a chronicle order, from the first one I've ever tried to the one I'm currently using.

1. Clinique All About Eyes

(source: clinique.com)

• Claims: Works for all skin types. This lightweight eye cream diminishes the appearance of puffs, undereye circles. Non-creep, cream/gel formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place. Ophthalmologist Tested. 
• Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Isostearyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Butylene Glycol, Polysilicone-11, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Morus Bombycis (Mulberry) Root Extract, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Triticum Vulgar (Wheat Bran) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Cholesterol, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Pyridoxine Dipalmitate, Sucrose, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glyceryl Laurate, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, Quaternium-18 Bentonite, Petrolatum, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Chloride, PEG-8, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Iron Oxides (source: paulaschoice.com)
• My opinion: This was the first eye cream I used, and I was very disappointed in it. It did absolutely nothing for my dark circles; but to be fair, I was born with them, so no eye cream could get rid of them anyway. However, the ultimate deal breaker for me was the fact that it stung my eyes (and I don't even have sensitive eyes!). Its only redeeming points were its moisturizing property and the cute jar, but for the high price, I expected something more than that. 
• Score: 4/10
• Repurchase?: No!

2. Etude House Collagen Moistfull Firming Eye Cream

(source: etude.co.kr)

• Description: Etude House Moistfull Collagen Firming Eye Cream is a gel type eye cream. It’s specially formulated adhesive jelly texture, provides long-lasting contact for better results. Firms surrounding eye area for smoother younger looking skin. Collagen properties increase collagen synthesis, plumping the skin and allowing an increase in elasticity. Baobab seed oil contains abundant amount of nutrients to nurture the dry skin area around the eyes. (source: prettyandcute.com)

• Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycerin, HDI/ Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Adansonia Digitata Fruit Extract, Silicia, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Glyceryl, Sterate, Decyl, Cocoate, Dimethicone, Ceteth-20, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Steareth-20, Ethylhexylgleryin, Octyldodecyl, Myristate, Xannthan Gum, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, PEG-60Glyceryl Isosterate, PEG-75 Stearate, PPG-5-Laureth-5, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (source: prettyandcute.com)
• My opinion: I didn't actually buy this cream but I tried some sample sachets of it. Prior to this, I'd used up a tube of Etude House Collagen Moistfull Eye Cream (which is now discontinued), which I didn't like much because it wasn't moisturizing enough for me in winter. This Firming Eye Cream, however, I really liked because it was so light yet hydrating. It absorbed really fast and didn't irritate my eyes in any ways. It didn't do much for my fine lines though, but since mine are not age- or dehydration-related, I don't think anything can fix them. 
• Score: 7/10
• Purchase?: Probably not. Now that I'm older, I'm not sure if this is still moisturizing enough for me.

3. Kose Sekkisei Supreme Whitening Eye Cream

(source: Kose's facebook)

• Description: A whitening eye cream that evens out and brightens the overall skin tone around the eyes. Helps reduce the appearance of dark spits and leaves the eye area deeply moisturized and visibly luminous.

• Ingredients: water (aqua), butylene glycol, hydrogenated polydecene, petrolatum, cetearyl alcohol, diglycerin, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, PEG-40 stearate, ascorbyl glucoside, behenyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl stearate, dipentaerythrityl hexahydroxystearate/hexastearate/hexarosinate, hydrogenated polyisobutene, acorus calamus root extract, angelica acutiloba root extract, centella asiatica extract, coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed extract, coix lacryma-jobi ma-yuen seed water, melothria heterophylla root extract, polygonum tinctorium leaf/stem extract, alcohol, BHT, dimethicone, disodium EDTA, disodium phosphate, ethyl oleate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, hydrogenated lecithin, sodium hydroxide, sodium phosphate, xanthan gum, methylparaben, fragrance (parfum) 
• My opinion: In my humble opinion, this eye cream doesn't deserve the staggering price I paid for it. First of all, there are a lot of questionable ingredients in it, like petrolatum (a.k.a. mineral oil), alcohol (in an eye cream, really?) and paraben. Now I don't have any problems with mineral oil in cheap/affordable creams (like Nivea Soft and Nivea Creme) or cleansing products (Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover), but in high-end skincare? Mineral oil is a very cheap ingredient, and it's supposed to block other ingredients from penetrating into the skin, so the fact that it's the 4th ingredient on the list means that every other herbs extract has no means to be absorbed. This cream felt heavy and greasy on the skin, and it just kind of sat on my eye area and refused to sink in, even though I only applied a green-bean-sized amount. I didn't experience any brightening effects; in fact, my eyes just looked dull and tired due to the greasiness it gave. I also found the scent overwhelming rather than relaxing. The only good point was that it didn't sting my eyes. 
• Score: 4/10
• Repurchase?: No!
• Update: I've just done a search on kose.co.jp and it seems that this product has been discontinued!

4. Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream

 

(source: bobbibrowncosmetics.com)

• Description: Do your eyes need something extra? Packed with peptides, natural plant oils and humectants that target fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, puffiness and dryness, this rich, concentrated cream visibly revives eyes. Use morning and night - warm between fingers, then pat gently around eye area. Once cream is absorbed, follow with Corrector and Creamy Concealer. Dermatologist tested. Ophthalmologist tested. 
• Ingredients: Water, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Glycerin, Ceresin, Phenyl Trimethicone, Acetyl Glucosamine, Pentylene Glycol, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Lanolin Alcohol, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Bran) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Morus Bombycis (Mulberry) Root Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caffeine, Sucrose, Silica, Cholesterol, Sorbitol, DI-C12-15 Alkyl Fumarate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydroxystearic Acid, Micrococcus Lysate, PEG-8 Distearate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Trehalose, Linoleic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Potassium Stearate, Potassium Palmitate, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Trisodium EDTA, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol (source: paulaschoice.com)
• My opinion: Why do these purse-rippingly expensive eye creams contain petrolatum? This one is even worse as it's the second ingredient! This product is so rich and thick that no matter what I did (i.e. warm the cream between my fingers, apply a tiny amount), it still didn't sink in. While it sat on my skin, it did blur out my fine line, but the effect disappeared right after it was washed off. Similar to Kose eye cream, it didn't brighten my eyes or lighten up my dark circles and I was left with greasy and dull-looking eyes. My Bobbi Brown Corrector and other concealers still creased on my lids and under my eyes. Well, at least the pot was cute and I didn't experience any irritation when using this. 
• Score: 4/10
• Repurchase?: No!

5. It's Skin Brighten System Eye Cream

• Description: Eye cream that is mixed with fruit extract and pearl extract. Creates bright and vivid eyes. (source: en.koreadepart.com)
• Ingredients: No idea as it's all written in Korean.
• My opinion: I'm currently using this one and I really like it. It doesn't give me any brightening effects but it's light, easily absorbed, non-irritating and moisturizing enough for me even in cold weather. It's just a simple and non-fussed eye cream. It's affordable and long-lasting as well (a 30ml tube can last me at least 6 months!). 
• Score: 8/10
• Repurchase?: No because I've already bought It's Skin Collagen Voluming Eye Cream (it's like half the price of the Brighten System Eye Cream). However, I may go back to this one if the other one doesn't work well.

That's the end of my very long rambles about different eye creams I've tried. Hope this will be helpful for you. Have a nice day and I'll see you soon :)

REVIEW: TOP 5 WORST BASE PRODUCTS

If you've been following my blog, you'd know that I mostly write separate reviews for each products, but this time I wanna do something new, which is combine every base products that I've hated over the years into this one post. These are all BB creams and CC creams. I did try some horrible foundations before but they have since been discontinued (well, serve 'em right!), so I won't mention them here. Side note: I have combination skin with oily T-zone and normal/dehydrated cheeks.

1. Tonymoly Luminous Bright Aura CC Cream SPF 30 PA++: 

(source: etonymoly.com)

This product successfully tops the list of the worst base products I've ever tried! I got a sample from Tonymoly and was so excited because I hadn't used any CC creams before it. Tonymoly claimed that it had whitening and moisturizing property, as well as provided natural color change. As it turned out, the result left me speechless. It had zero coverage and oil-control property. It wasn't even moisturizing! It made my skin became incredibly WHITE (just like a sunscreen's white cast), as well as emphasized every single dry patch on my face and made it look extra dry, cakey and flaky. I couldn't find any good things about this product and I was so glad I didn't purchase it.

2. It's Skin Star Cream:

Star Cream is It's Skin own version of CC cream. I love It's Skin skincare, especially their Power 10 line, so it pains me to have to put one of their product into the worst products list. I wouldn't say much about this because I've already written a full review about it, which you can read here. In short, the pros are non-existent and the cons are quite similar to that of Tonymoly CC Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream SPF30 PA++.

3. Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion SPF50+ PA+++:

This product has also been reviewed right here on my blog. It's the opposite of the first two products as it was too dark for my skin tone and made my face super greasy. 

4. Tonymoly BB Fit Perfect 24 SPF30 PA++:

This is the 2nd Tonymoly base product to appear in this list (well done, Tonymoly!) The color fit me better than the Luminous Pure Aura CC Cream, but somehow, it still managed to accentuate all the dry patches in my face (even those I didn't even know I had!). The staying power wasn't great either (about 2 hours), so much for the Perfect 24 claim! Another minor complaint is the amount of product inside the sample tube. It looked big, but I was only able to get 2 usages out of it :(

5. The Body Shop Vitamin E Cool BB Cream:

Recently, The Body Shop Vietnam has become more generous with their samples so I was able to get one sachet of the Vitamin E Cool BB Cream. Let's dissect it claim by claim :P

• Hydrates to protect: It was hydrating, but to the point of feeling super greasy on the skin! Right after applying it, my face felt so tacky and the feeling remained until it was taken off. Even powdering didn't make the greasiness go away :( 
• Evens tone: This BB cream had super sheer and non-buildable coverage. It did manage to cover up the uneven skin tone around my nose and on my chin, but not my dark circles or my acnes.
• Fresh-looking skin: Unlike other BB creams which gave a subtle glow to my face, this one just made me look dull. Because of its greasiness, my skin just looked oily instead of glowing :(
• One cool shade: I was quite lucky because this shade fit my skin really well. 

However, to me, the ultimate deal breaker was the staying power. The BB cream started to fade (unevenly, I may add) after one hour and my face just looked HORRIBLE, like I had nothing on (but not in a good way). I looked sad, dull, oily and greasy.  

That's the end of my top 5 worst base products. I think I'm quite lucky because most of them are just samples that I received as GWPs (except the Laneige one). I hope this post will be helpful to you when you consider buying a new base product. Have a nice day guys, and I'll see you soon with a (hopefully) more positive post! 

HUGE JAPAN AND KOREA BEAUTY HAUL!

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

The very last thing I bought from Japan was Bourjois Cream Blush in 03 Rose Tender. I'd wanted to try this for a long long time, so when I saw this in a Matsumoto Kiyoshi store, I instantly snatched it up.

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 :)

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN POWER 10 FORMULA YE EFFECTOR WITH YEAST EXTRACT

As you may know from reading my blog, I'm a big fan of It's Skin Power 10 Line. While Power VC used to be the most popular one, it seems that recently Power YE has taken its place as it's the only product out of the entire line to actually have a 60ml version. I received some free samples from It's Skin and quite liked them, so I decided to buy a full-size bottle.

Description (http://en.koreadepart.com): 
- Formulated with yeast extract
- Provides vitality and elasticity for skin

Size: 30ml

Ingredients: water, butylene glycol, glycerin, polyglutamic acid, pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, saccharomyces polypeptides, triethanolamine, carbomer, methylparaben, chlorphenesin, fragrance, disodium EDTA

My opinion: It's Skin Power 10 YE was previously compared to Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (ANR) and Lancome Genefique on a Korean beauty show and it came out as a winner. I've never tried Lancome Genefique before, so I can't comment on that. I did, however, use one bottle of Estee Lauder ANR (old version) and I was not impressed. It did nothing to my skin: my face didn't get worse but it didn't become better either. It honestly felt like applying some kind of sticky (and expensive) water. 

I first used Power 10 YE in the summer, and it felt a little bit tacky on my skin (it didn't clog my pores or break me out though). However, it was perfect for my dehydrated skin in the autumn/winter. It sank in so quickly and left no sticky trace behind. It brightened and moisturized my skin really well. It wasn't hydrating enough for extremely cold days though, but I just applied a gel moisturizer on top and the combo was moisturizing enough for me. While Power 10 VE is perfect for the summer, Power 10 YE is definitely my stable in the colder months.

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes :)

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN UV AWAY 3PLUS SUN BLOCK SPF50+ PA+++

As you may know from my previous blog posts, I've used a lot of It's Skin products. It's Skin UV Away 3Plus Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++ is the latest one I've tried and it's also my new favorite. Seriously, It's Skin rarely disappoints me when it comes to skincare.

Description:

Ingredients:

Price: 318,000 VND (I bought it during the 50% off sale)

My opinion: This sun block is as good as my HG product - It's Skin 2PM Sun Block, and it's cheaper! I really like this one because it's moisturizing, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. I can put just this on without needing to apply any serum or moisturizer beforehand, so it saves lots of time for me in the morning! It leaves no white cast and acts as a great makeup base. When I'm in a rush, I use this, apply powder on top, and I'm ready to go. Since it's a sun block with SPF50+ PA+++, it not only protects my skin from UVA and UVB but also prevents my face from getting tanned. The only con is that it does feel a little bit sticky on the face, but it doesn't make my skin oil up quicker and the feeling goes away once I put some powder on. It doesn't control oil but I don't count this as a weakness because 1) I can easily blot my face with powder or oil remover film, and 2) Sunscreens with oil-control property often contain alcohol and end up drying my skin out. If you're looking for a moisturizing sun block with an affordable price, give this a go! But remember to double cleanse your face at the end of the day.

Pros:

- Alcohol-free, mineral oil-free and paraben free

- Moisturizing

- Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

- No white cast

- Great makeup base

- UVA and UVB protection

- Can keep skin from getting tanned

Cons:

- A little bit sticky

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes :)

MY SPRING SKINCARE ROUTINE

Our skin constantly changes because of the environment, the weather, our diet, stress, hormones and many other factors. So, in order to get the best out of our skincare products, it's important to adjust and change your skincare routine according to your skin needs. As for myself, I often have different routines for each season, and I try to provide options for when my skin is drier or oilier. Since it's spring right now, I'd like to talk about my current routine. Currently, I have combination with normal but easily dehydrated forehead and cheeks, and oily nose, philtrum and chin. Some of the products here have been reviewed on my blog, so if you want to read my detailed opinions on them, just click on their names. Other products will be updated on my blog as soon as possible. Without further ado, here are my morning and evening routines.

A.M.

• Cleanser: In the morning, my skin isn't too oily, so I just cleanse my face with Etude House Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Moist - a super gentle yet effective cleanser. 
• Toner: I'm using SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. This one is super expensive but it's the best toner I've ever used: it's non-drying and non-irritating, and my skin feels smooth and moisturized after applying it. However, I haven't seen any actual long-term benefits on my skin. I update later once I finish this bottle. 
• Eye cream: My current eye cream is It's Skin Brighten System Eye Cream. It absorbs quickly yet still moisturizes my eye area really well. I haven't noticed any brightening effects though. 
• Moisturizer: If I stay at home, I'll just apply Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Essence. This essence is ok, nothing to write home about. Sometimes, when my skin is drier than usual, it isn't moisturizing enough and I have to layer It's Skin Toma Jelly Cream on top (You can see its photo in the p.m. section). If I go out, I always wear a sun block, and the one I'm using right now is It's Skin 2PM Sun Block SPF50+ PA+++. It acts as a moisturizer, sun protector and makeup-base, and I don't need to apply anything underneath or over it! It prevents my skin from getting tanned, too! Reminder: Always double cleanse when you wear sunscreen/sunblock. Otherwise, you'll get blocked pores, blackheads and even breakouts!

P.M.

• Makeup-removers: I first remove my eye makeup with Bifesta Cleansing Sheet Moist. It's able to take off most of my Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Glamour Volume On Mascara. I then use Bifesta Cleansing Gel to take off my sun block and/or my base makeup.
• Cleanser: If I don't have any makeup or sunscreen on, I just use Etude House Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Moist. On days that I do wear sunscreen and/or makeup, I reach for Hada Labo AHA+BHA Exfoliating Face Wash Foam. It completely removes every makeup and sunscreen residue on my face. However, don't use it if you have dry or sensitive skin because it's quite strong.
• Toner: SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion.
• Eye cream: It's Skin Brighten System Eye Cream.
• Moisturizers: First, I aplly Juju Aquamoist  Hyaluronic Acid Essence, then layer It's Skin Toma Jelly Cream over. I really like this cream as it's lightweight and moisturizing. They are not moisturizing enough on their own, but perfect when combined together.
• Lip Balm: Finally, I moisturize my lips with Nivea Essential Care. I love it: cheap and cheerful :) You can read more about my beauty tips for lips here.

SPECIAL TREATMENT

- For extra hydration: When I feel like my skin is drier than usual, I'll add Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Lotion into my routine. I apply it after my toner and before the essence. It helps lock the moisture into my skin and when I wake up the next morning, my skin is no longer dry.

- For deep-cleansing/exfoliating: When my skin is congested and bumpy, I apply The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask. It gets rids of my blackheads and the bumps under my skin, as well as deflates my acnes and unclog my pores. However, I have to moisturize my skin well afterwards, otherwise, I'll wake up with dry skin the next morning. If you have dry skin, I don't think it's a good idea to use it.

That's all for my skincare routine. It may seem long but it only takes less than 5 minutes. And please remember to drink 1.5-2 litres of water per day as well as maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, because what you eat/drink and how you live will really show up on your skin, and skincare products can't solve all the problems if you don't take care of your body first. 

REVIEW: IT'S SKIN ACEROLA WHITENING CREAM

A few months ago, I won a 100,000 VND voucher for It's Skin Acerola Whitening Cream, so I decided to buy one as I'm always on the hunt for good brightening products.

Description (source: http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1341997713/it%E2%80%99s-skin-acerola-whitening-cream): Moisturizing cream without stickiness. Vitamin B, C, E derivative complex makes skin moist and smooth. Makes skin bright and white. Acerola extract includes 65 times more vitamin than orange and 34 times more vitamin than lemon. 

Size: 52ml

Price: 650,000 VND (about US$30.55), but I got it for 550,000 VND.

Ingredients (source: http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1341997713/it%E2%80%99s-skin-acerola-whitening-cream): acerola 520 mg, vitamin C derivative, hyaluronic acid, niacin amide

My opinion: I just ADORE the packaging (Actually, the cute jar is what prompted me to buy the product)! It has a very light and pleasant scent, which, I guess, is the acerola's. Despite its name, it's actually a gel, and I don't know why but I just love touching and looking at it :"> It turns watery as soon as I put it on my face and sinks in so quickly, making my skin feel smooth and moisturized. It neither clogs my pores or breaks me out (I have oily combination skin). However, I find that it's not hydrating enough for winter time and I have to layer it over It's Skin Power 10 Formula YE Effector. After using up the whole pot, I can't see any brightening effects whatsoever :( I'd recommend this product for people with oily or oily-combination skin who're looking for a light moisturizer, but not for those who want to find an effective brightening cream. 

Pros:

- Cute packaging

- Attractive scent

- Quick penetration

- Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

- Moisturizing enough for oily skin

Cons:

- Not moisturizing enough for dry skin

- No brightening effect

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: No. I like it, but not enough to guarantee a repurchase.   

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: 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: 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!

2013 BEST AND WORST BEAUTY PRODUCTS

As today is the last day of 2013, I wanna tell you what I think are the best and worst beauty products of the past year. Many categories will be absent because 1) I rarely use these kinds of products (e.g. eyeshadow and eyeliner) or 2) I haven't found anything good enough to put on the list (e.g. moisturizing cream and shower gel). Since my skin has been both oily and dry in 2013, some categories will contain products for these two skin types. Most of the items have been reviewed on this blog, so if you want to read my detailed reviews, just click on their names. Some haven't been mentioned before, but I'll work on their reviews as soon as possible. Without further ado, let's see what's on my list this year.

BEST OF BEAUTY

SKINCARE

1. Best makeup remover:
- For eyes: Biore Cleansing Oil - In Cotton Wipes (review coming soon)
- For face and lips: Bifesta Cleansing Gel

2. Best cleanser:
- For dry skin: Etude House Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Moist
- For oily skin: Shiseido Perfect Whip foam 

3. Best lotion/toner:
- For dry skin: Hada Labo SHA Hydrating Lotion
- For oily skin: It's Skin Supersize Peeling Softner (review coming soon)

4. Best eye cream: 
- Skinfood Salmon Brightening Eye Cream

5. Best serum:
- It's Skin Power 10 Formula VE Effector with Vitamin E Derivatives

6. Best acne treatment:
- It's Skin Prestige Creme D'escargot

7. Best lip balm:
- Nivea Essential Care (review coming soon)

8. Best mask:
- For hydrating and brightening: Mandom Beauty Barrier Repair Mask HA
- For deep-cleansing/exfoliating: The Body Shop Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask

9. Best sunscreen/sunblock:
- For face: It's Skin 2PM Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++ (review coming soon)

- For body: Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Water Base SPF50+ PA+++ (review coming soon) (This product isn't in the photo because I've used it up and haven't repurchased yet)

MAKEUP

1. Best makeup base:

- It's Skin 2PM Sunblock SPF50+ PA+++ (yup, this sunblock is an AMAZING makeup base!) (review coming soon)

2. Best BB cream:

- For dry skin: It's Skin Prestige Creme D'escargot BB

- For oily skin: Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm

3. Best compact powder:

- For dry skin: Tonymoly Cats Wink Clear Pact (review coming soon)

- For oily skin: Skin79 Sun Protect Beblesh Pact SPF30 PA++ 

4. Best blusher:

- KATE Cheek Color S in PK-1

5. Best eyebrow powder:

- KATE Designing Eyebrow N in EX-5 (review coming soon)

6. Best lipstick:

- Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 040 Rendezvous

7. Best mascara:

- Kose Esprique Full Impression Waterproof Mascara (This product isn't in the photo because I've used it up and haven't repurchased yet) (I briefly mentioned this in my Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara  Waterproof review)

BEAUTY ACCESSORIES

1. Best eyelash curler:

- Shiseido Eyelash Curler: This baby curls my lashes like a dream without pinching my eyelids. It also lasts forever. I've been using it for 3 years and it's still going strong :)

2. Best powder brush:

- The Body Shop Retractable Blusher Brush: I use this one to apply my face powder. It's soft and gentle on my skin. It also doesn't shed. I love that it's compact and retractable because I can toss it into my bag and bring it with me easily.

3. Best eyebrow shaver:

- Etude House Eyebrow Razor: I think this one has been discontinued, but it will probably last forever. It feels gentle on my skin and shaves my eyebrows well. The design and color are cute too.

BODY CARE

1. Best body scrub:

- It's Skin Fairy Jasmine Body Scrub (review coming soon)

- The Body Shop Bath Gloves (review coming soon)

2. Best hand gel:

- The Body Shop Absinthe Purifying Hand Gel (review coming soon)

3. Best hand cream:

- It's Skin Mini Bebe Hand Cream (review coming soon)

4. Best deodorant:

- Nivea Anti-perspirant Whitening Deodorant

HAIRCARE

1. Best shampoo:

- Essential Damage-care Rich Premiere Shampoo (review coming soon)

2. Hair serum:

- The Body Shop Grapeseed Glossing Serum 

BEST PACKAGING

- Jill Stuart Fruit Lip Balm N 001

             BEST SCENTED-PRODUCT

- Skin79 Lemon Brightening Mask

WORST OF BEAUTY

SKINCARE

1. Worst cleanser:

- Tonymoly Clean Dew Tea Tree Seed Foam Cleanser

2. Worst cream:

- The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-therapy Crystal Water Super Gel (review coming soon)

3. Worst sunscreen:
- Banana Boat Natural Reflect Lotion Sunscreen SPF50+ (review coming soon)

4. Worst lip balm:
- The Body Shop Cocoa Butter Lipcare Stick (review coming soon)

MAKEUP

1. Worst BB cream:

- Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion SPF50+ PA+++

2. Worst mascara:

- Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care (I mentioned this in my Fairydrops Volume Burst Mascara Waterproof review)

BEAUTY ACCESSORIES

1. Worst facial brush:

- Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush

2. Worst powder brush:

- It's Skin Powder Brush: This brush sheds CONSTANTLY. The hair feels harsh on my face and falls off when I wash or use it. Whenever I apply powder with this, it leaves strands of hair all over my face.  

HAIRCARE

- Worst shampoo: The Body Shop Rainforest Shine Shampoo (review coming soon)

That's the end of my ranking list. Thank you so much for reading my blog in the past 2 months. I hope to continue receiving your support in the year to come. Happy new year!