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! 

TRAVEL SERIES PART 2: MY TRAVEL MAKEUP BAG

Hi everyone! I'm back with part 2 of my travel series. Today I'm gonna talk about what makeup products I bring with me in my upcoming holiday.

This super kawaii bag is a GWP that I got from It's Skin. It's just freakin' adorable >.<

• Base makeup: Skin79 VIP Gold Collection Super+ Beblesh Balm and Skin79 Sun Protect Beblesh Pact SPF30 PA++. Both products have been reviewed on my blog. Just click on their names and you'll be redirected to the posts.   
• Concealer: Skinfood Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream. This doesn't completely cover up my dark circles, but again I haven't found any concealer that does this, so it'll have to do.

• Eye makeup: I don't wear eyeshadow but eyebrow powder and mascara are must-have items for me. KATE Designing Eyebrow N and Kiss Me Heroine Make Long&Curl Mascara fit the bill perfectly. 

• Blusher: I love KATE Cheek Color S in PK-1 (click on the name to see full review). It's a very natural and pretty pink shade. 
• Lipstick: Since I plan on purchasing several lipsticks overseas, I only bring one with me and it's Tonymoly Prestige Crystal Lipstick SPF13 in Muse Coral which I raved about when I first started my blog. The color makes my face look brighter, livelier and the lipstick itself has SPF13! 
• Makeup tools: I love bringing The Body Shop Retractable Blusher Brush when travelling because it's small, compact, light and has a lid! I hate using powder puff because it makes my face look cakey. For eyes, I always curl my lashes before applying mascara. I've used Shiseido Eyelash Curler for about 4 years and it's still going strong ^^ I also have Etude House Eyebrow Razor to trim my eyebrows. I never pluck my brows as I'm afraid it'll make my eyes become droopy.

Well, that's everything I plan to put in my makeup bag. Wish you all a happy holiday :)

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 :)

  

REVIEW: TONYMOLY INTENSE REPAIR LIVE SNAIL LINE (SKIN, LOTION, ESSENCE AND CREAM)

When it comes to acne treatments, people often think of ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. My favorite, however, has to be snail mucus because it's gentle and non-drying. Today I'd like to talk about the skin, lotion, essence and cream of Tonymoly Intense Repair Live Snail line.

• Tonymoly Intense Repair Live Snail Skin: 

(Source: tonymolyvn.com.vn)

I received a tiny sample bottle of this as a GWP. One thing that I dislike about Tonymoly's sample bottles is that it's so hard to get the products out, even when they are in liquid form! This "skin" is actually a toner. I don't like it because it's sticky and does nothing for my skin. Needless to say, I won't purchase this.

• Tonymoly Intense Care Snail Lotion:

I also got this as a GWP. This "lotion" is the equivalent of a light moisturizer. Ii feels sticky at first but quickly absorbs into my skin and provides a little bit of moisture. I don't see any skin improvement though, so I definitely won't buy it.

• Tonymoly Intense Repair Live Snail Essence and Cream: 

(Source: tonymoly.ph)

This was the first and only product from Tonymoly Intense Repair Live Snail line that I purchased. I quite liked it as it helped cure my acnes and moisturized my skin well. However, it felt sticky on my skin and didn't seem to absorb at all. It also failed in preventing future breakouts. I prefer It's Skin Prestige Creme D'escargot to this, so I don't think I'll repurchase. 

A sample tube of the Tonymoly Intense Repair Live Snail Cream was included in the essence box. It felt super sticky and didn't do anything to my skin, so I wouldn never buy it!

Score:

• Skin: 5/10
• Lotion: 6/10
• Essence: 7/10
• Cream: 5/10

If you're looking for a good and acne treatment, definitely try the Tonymoly Intense Repair Snail Essence, but there's no need to buy other products in the line, really.

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: 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!

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!

REVIEW: TONYMOLY CATCHU WINK TONY TINT IN #1

In my opinion, burgundy has to be the hottest lip color this winter. Lots of brands release advertising campaigns for this particular shade, for example:

Innisfree Color Glow lipstick with Yoona (SNSD) as the endorser

Etude House Rosy Tint Lips featuring Sulli f(x) 

and Nature Republic Provence Longlasting Lipstick with Taeyeon (SNSD) as the model >.<

I received a tiny sample bottle of Tonymoly CatChu Wink Tony Tint in #1 ages ago. I tried it once and didn't like it because I thought it was too dark for me. However, I rediscovered it while rummaging through my lipstick/lip tint collection and decided to retried it. And you know what, it's actually a burgundy lip tint! I'm so happy because it means I won't have to shell out for a burgundy lip color anytime soon ^o^

I just adore the packaging of this sample! It's super cute and travel-friendly >.<

This is how it looks like on my lips (and please pardon my bare face, these photos were taken during that time of the month T-T):

The color is very pretty, wearable and long-lasting. I drink water frequently but this lip tint stays on really well and only comes off when I remove it with my beloved Bifesta Cleansing Gel. However, like other red lip tints that I've tried, this tends to fade unevenly, settle in the center of my lips and make my lips slightly dehydrated after 3 hours. When these things happen, I'll top it off with a clear lip gloss and that seems to solve the problems. If you have dry lips, you should apply a lip balm before putting on this lip tint. I personally think that this lip tint will be perfect for a Christmas night out.

Pros:

- Pretty color

- Long-lasting 

- Cute packaging

Cons:

- Fade unevenly and tend to settle in the center of my lips

- May be a little bit dehydrated or even drying for some people

Purchase?: No, because of the same old reason I've mentioned in every lipstick/lip tint post: I get bored of a color very quickly :)

Well, that's all for today's post. Merry Christmas everyone ^^ May you all have a lovely holiday with your family and friends :)

REVIEW: TONYMOLY INTENSE CARE DUAL EFFECT SLEEPING PACK

I received a sample of Tonymoly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack several months ago, but I hesitated to use it because some people complained that it broke them out. As I rarely get acnes in winter (except for those hormonal ones) and I've found a great mask to treat acnes, I decided to try my luck and use it yesterday.

This is the first time I've ever tried a sleeping mask and I have to say, I'm quite impressed with it! It's in a form of a thick gel, but it sinks in right away and feels smooth to the touch. I even apply it around my eyes and this mask doesn't irritate them at all. It has a faint floral scent, which is hardly noticeable. Although it's very moisturizing, it doesn't make my face become oilier. My skin looks moisturized, bright and healthy, and the effects still last even after washing my face. I apply this right after my toner because I have an oily T-zone and hate layering lots of products on my face. But if your skin is dry, you can totally apply a serum and/or moisturizer first and follow up with this. And remember to use this once or twice a week only. Overall, I really like Tonymoly Intense Care Dual Effect Sleeping Pack because of its moisturizing and brightening property. It also doesn't clog my pores or break me out. However, I wouldn't use this in summer as it might be too heavy for me by then.

Pros:

- Moisturizing and brightening

- Non-irritating

Cons:

- None that I can think of, apart from the fact that it may be too heavy for oily skin in summer, but that's just my assumption.

Purchase?: No. As much as I like it, I don't want to shell out for a product that I'll only use once or twice a week in the winter.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY CLEAN DEW TEA TREE SEED FOAM CLEANSER

I bought this cleanser a long time ago when my skin was oily and spotty, hoping that it'd cure my problems. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong.

(Source: tonymolyvn.com.vn)

Price: 132,000 VND (about US$6)

Size: 150ml

My opinion: Let's start with the good points first. This cleanser has amazing cleansing power and it can even remove makeup! It lathers up really well and creates a lot of bubbles. If you like that "squeaky-clean" feeling after washing your face, then by all means go for this one. It's also very cheap and long-lasting. However, the biggest downfall of this cleansing foam is that it dries my skin out like nobody's business! I had to give it up after 2 weeks because it made my skin peel so bad :( Since I didn't want to waste it, I used this as my brush cleanser. Although it cleaned my brushes really well, it dried out the hair of my brushes and left a weird scent on them. I gave it two months and finally, I threw it away because I couldn't bear to give this to someone else and end up wrecking their skin. 

Pros:

- Cheap

- Last for a very long time

- Clean well

- Can remove makeup

Cons:

- Super drying (this is hands down the most drying cleanser I've ever used!)
- Contain SLS and paraben

Repurchase?: Hell no!

QUICK REVIEW: TONYMOLY KISS LOVER LIP MASTER IN 04 ALLURE ORANGE

Thanks to my lovely colleague, I've got a chance to try out this amazing orange lipstick. I tried lots of so-called orange lipstick before, but this is the only one that truly appears as an orange shade on my lips.

This is supposed to be a dupe for YSL Glossy Stain. I haven't tried out the YSL version yet, so I can't compare between the two. Tonymoly advertised this as an all-in-one lipstick + gloss + tint, and I think this lipstick lives up to its claim. The color is as vibrant as a lipstick, it looks glossy on my lips (but honestly, all lipsticks look glossy on me, so... yeah) and it has the amazing staying power of a lip tint! After 4 hours of drinking and light eating, it still stays on my lips! As the color fades, the color turns into a reddish orange shade like the following photo:

Pros:

- Nice orange shade

- Non-drying

- Long-lasting

- Affordable 

Cons:

- None that I can think of

Purchase?: Yes. I'll get this as soon as possible and I may get shade 03 as well :)

REVIEW: TONYMOLY GOLD BLACK SUGAR MASK

It's good to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to get rid of the dead skin cells. One of my favorite exfoliator is Tonymoly Gold Black Sugar Mask. This is also one of the few beauty products that I've actually repurchased (I've just finished my 2nd tub!).

Size: 100ml

Price: 223,000 VND

My opinion: Although this is a mask, it has a grainy texture that resembles a scrub. I tried using it as a scrub but it was a little bit too abrasive and didn't really take off my dead skin cells. The best way to use this, in my opinion, is to apply it all over my dry face and neck, let it sit there for 15-20 minutes, then wash it off. At first, I can feel the mask heat up on my skin, which is quite nice and relaxing actually. The feeling goes away after about 5 minutes. After removing it, my skin feels soft and looks radiant. It helps deflate my acnes, too! It can get rid of blackheads and clogged pores, but only to a certain extent. If you have extremely dry or sensitive skin, don't use this coz it may dry out or irritate your skin. I tried this when my skin was dry, and trust me, it wasn't a nice feeling! But if you have dull, oily and congested skin, I highly recommend this product coz it's cheap, easy to use and effective. One tub can last up to a year since you only need to use it once or twice a week.

Pros:

- Cheap

- Last for a very long time

- Effective in removing dead skin cells and deflating acnes 

- Relaxing feeling 

Cons:

- May not be suitable for people with dry or sensitive skin

- Not really effective in removing blackheads and clogged pores

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: No. It's good and I like it, but after using it for 2 years straight, I wanna try something new. Besides, I feel that peeling gels are gentler and more effective in terms of exfoliating.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY PORE CLEANSING BRUSH

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

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

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

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

Price: 445,000 VND (about 20 USD)

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

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

Score: 5/10

Repurchase?: No, never again >< 

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

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

Ingredients:

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

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

Size: 3.5g

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

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

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

Price: 333,000 VND (about 15 USD)

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

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

Verdict: 9/10

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