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: THE BODY SHOP TEA TREE FACE MASK SACHET REVIEW

As I mentioned previously, I bought 4 sachets from The Body Shop. While I absolutely love the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask, the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion and Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask are just... meh. The Tea Tree Face Mask is the final one of the bunch, and if you want to know whether I like it or not, please read on :)  

Description (thebodyshop.co.uk): This instantly cooling face mask cleanses, soothes and refreshes the skin.

• Helps remove impurities
• Absorbs excess oil
• Soothes skin

Ingredients (thebodyshop.co.uk): Aqua (Solvent/Diluent), Kaolin (Absorbent), Cetearyl Alcohol (Emulsifier), Glycerin (Humectant), Myristyl Myristate (Emollient), Glyceryl Stearate (Emulsifier), PEG-100 Stearate (Surfactant), Ethylhexyl Palmitate (Skin Conditioning Agent), Propanediol (Viscosity Modifier), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Caprylyl Glycol (Skin Conditioning Agent), Cyclopentasiloxane (Skin-Conditioning Agent/Emollient), Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent), Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Cyclohexasiloxane (Chelating Agent), Xanthan Gum (Viscosity Modifier), Disodium EDTA (Chelating Agent), Menthol (Cooling Agent), Limonene (Natural Additive), Leptospermum Petersonii Oil (Natural Additive), t-Butyl Alcohol (Denaturant), Denatonium Benzoate (Denaturant), Tocopherol (Antioxidant), CI 77289 (Colour), CI 77492 (Colour).

How to use (thebodyshop.co.uk): Use once or twice weekly after cleansing. Smooth a thick layer onto the face and neck avoiding the lip and eye area, using fingertips. Leave for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with clean water. Mask does not dry.

My opinion: This mask has a very strong green tea scent, which takes some time to get used to. Similar to The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask, this one also burns my philtrum a little bit T-T The feeling goes away after about one minute though. When I wash it off, my skin looks brighter and feels baby-smooth. However, it doesn't have any exfoliating, deep-cleansing or acne-curing effects whatsoever. One sachet is enough for 2 usages.  

Score: 7/10

Repurchase?: No, it's good but not impressive or effective enough for me.

REVIEW: MAC CREMESHEEN LIPSTICK IN RAVISHING

I saw beautifymeeh wearing MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Ravishing in one of her videos, and since it looked so good on her, I decided to buy it.

Size: 3g

Price: I forgot the price, but it's US$16 on www.mac.com

My opinion: MAC describes Ravishing as a "clean light peachy coral" and I think the description matches the actual color pretty well. I like the color since it's quite natural and suitable for everyday look. It has that signature vanilla scent of MAC lipsticks, which I simply adore. It's quite glossy and non-drying. However, due to its creamy consistency, it has a tendency to accentuate the lines or dry patches on the lips, so if yours are dry, make sure to exfoliate/moisturize properly before applying this. The staying power is so so. If I don't drink or eat anything (which rarely happens BTW, I drink water every hour or so), it'll stay until I remove it. With occasional water drinking, it can only stay for about 2 hours. This is how it looks like on me:

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Probably not. I like it but it doesn't really blow me away.

REVIEW: MAJOLICA MAJORCA LASH ENAMEL GLAMOUR VOLUME ON MASCARA

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

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

Score: 7/10

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

REVIEW: JUJU AQUAMOIST HYALURONIC ACID MOISTURE LOTION AND ESSENCE

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

• Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Lotion:

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

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

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

- Score: 5/10

- Repurchase?: No.

• Juju Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Essence:

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

- Ingredients: water, sodium hyaluronate, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben

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

- Score: 8/10

- Repurchase?: Yes, probably.

REVIEW: TONYMOLY CATS WINK CLEAR PACT #02 CLEAR BEIGE

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

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

Size: 11g

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

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

Pros:

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

- Affordable

- Moisturizing

- Natural-looking

- Cute packaging

- Non-irritating

Cons:

- Weak oil-control property

- Impractical packaging

Score: 8/10

Repurchase?: Yes :)

  

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 :)