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.

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: SKIN79 SMART CLEAR REFRESH CLEANSING FOAM

Last summer, my skin was damaged by Tonymoly Pore Cleansing Brush: it was dry but kind of congested at the same time because I couldn't use any deep cleansers to cleanse it. A lot of cleansing foams actually made my skin peel, so I decided to give Skin79 Smart Clear Refresh Cleansing Foam a go. I honestly didn't expect much from it, but it turned out to be one of the best cleansers I've ever used.

(Source: skin79.us.com)

Description: Eco Mild Clean effect to regulate the ideal balance for skin that remains healthy skin. The special cleansing line completely purifies unnecessary wastes and harmful environmental factors with a formula containing an natural ingredients keeping skin balance.

• Natural cleansing
• Make-up remover
• Deep clean
• Refreshing
• Skin purifying

Size: 100ml

Price: 271,000 VND (about US$12.74)

Main ingredients (source: http://en.koreadepart.com/item/1306376938/skin79-smart-clear-refresh-cleansing-foam): Formulated with berry cianine (acai berry, aronia berry, raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, elderberry), eco mild complex (witch hazel, aloe vera, acerola, chamomile), camellia extract, phyto soap complex (rice bran, yucca, soapwort), levan extract

My opinion: At first, I was a little bit skeptical since this cleanser was for normal/oily skin, and I was afraid it'd dry my skin out. As it turned out, I couldn't be more wrong. This cleansing foam got rid of makeup, dirt and oil without drying or irritating my skin one bit! It didn't help with acnes but it also didn't break me out or clog my pores. A 100ml tube lasted me for 3 months, because I only needed about a pea-sized amount for each usage. Another plus is the cute packaging: I just love the blue color of the tube. I highly recommend this product for anyone who has congested but dry/dehydrated skin. In fact, I think that this cleanser can suit any skin types. 

Pros:

- Affordable

- Remove makeup, dirt and oil really well

- Non-drying

- Non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic

- Long-lasting

- Cute packaging

Cons:

- No effects on acnes

Score: 9/10

Repurchase: Yes, but not immediately coz I have so many unopen cleansers to try out :)

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.   

BOOK REVIEW: THE CUCKOO'S CALLING BY ROBERT GALBRAITH

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

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

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

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

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

REVIEW: NIVEA ESSENTIAL CARE

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

Price: SGD$3

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

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

Pros:

- Moisturizing

- Cheap 

- Long-lasting

- Odorless

- Portable

Cons:

- None

Score: 10/10

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

BEAUTY TIPS: HOW TO GET HEALTHY, GLOSSY LIPS

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

1. Use a good lip balm

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

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

2. Always remove your lip makeup

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

3. Drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day

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

4. Some bad habits to avoid

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

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

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