Review on Natural Republic Aloe Vera Gel

Hi Everyone!

Just finished a block exam today, tired. =P Oh yeah, I also broke in a new pair of heeled shoes and my feet are killing me >.<, also I'm eyeing a pile of dishes that need to be washed because I didn't do them during my crazy study weekend.....*sigh* haha

Today I'm reviewing Nature Republic's Aloe Vera Gel

This product cost about $12 on Amazon and contains 300 mL or 10.56 fluid oz of product.
It is said to relax, refresh, and rehydrate skin, especially dry skin.

What do I think of this product?
So, summer in the East Coast, is hot, like Southern CA, but, it's also very very humid. O_O A new thing, it was like being in Asian during the summer (except Asian is a little hotter and more humid where I stay when I go).
So, it was really hot and humid and people outside get all hot, sweaty, and gross. I actually sometimes took a shower when I came back because I felt that miserable. =P
My moisturizers and lotions I used in dry California was not working well with the climate here so I got this product.
So overall I really like this product for my body but not as much for my face. It is fast absorbing, not sticky (in one layer), and feels very cooling and nice. =) It has an aloe/cucumber scent and I like it. The formula is gel and it is clear. It's great for hot, humid summer days, and your skin won't feel as sticky as with heavier or thicker moisturizers. I also really liked this for minor sunburns and my bug bites. (For some reason, I have terrible reactions to insect and mosquito bites here, in Asian the first one is bad and after that they aren't itchy at all, but HERE, my bites get so swollen and painful that they feel like rocks, and would get white because the tissues were so swollen that the blood couldn't get to them, and then I get really bad scarring....T_T) Because the gel is light and cooling, it feels really comforting and calming on irritated skin.
HOWEVER, I am not a doctor or dermatologist (I have not learned about skin stuff yet, but if you want to know about diabetes, nutrition, metabolism and endocrinology I can help with that =P), if you have a bad or severe burn, or if you have bites that cause the tissue to to get damaged with exposed flesh, please go to a doctor! This is not a medicated product and I would not recommend this for open skin and wounds, it would probably hurt a lot if you tried.
Anyway, for my face, I have combination skin so I do have dry areas around my mouth and cheeks so it's not that moisturizing in those areas. And if I start putting on multiple layers, it's better, but then it starts feeling sticky. However, my sensitive skin is not irritated at all. I think for people who have oily or very oily skin, this might work better for them.
But I really like putting this on my body, very cooling and relaxing. =)

Do I recommend this product?
If you have oily or very oily skin, I highly recommend this product. It is light, fast absorbing, and won't feel sticky as long as you don't put on too many layers. I also highly recommend this for your body if you live in an area that is very hot and humid, so your skin won't feel that sticky and gross when you go out.
However, if you have dry skin, this might not be as hydrating for you and you may need to get something with better moisturizing properties.

I hope that this was helpful to you. =) It's getting cold fast here, but I heard that California is experiencing a heat wave now and other tropical areas are still warm, so you can try this! It is very affordable for such a large amount so I think it's a good investment.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to type in the comment box below. Thank you for reading. See you soon!

Review on First Aid Beauty FAB Faves to Go Kit!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you have been doing well. =)

Today I am reviewing the First Aid Beauty FAB Faves to Go Kit

This set can be bought on Amazon for $28 and prime shipping!

What do I think of this product?
So this year, especially starting with the summer until now, I have been much more stressed than normal with studying for my mCAT exam, and now busy with hospital shifts, school, work, and applications. Therefore, my skin showed it. =P
I started to get redness on my face and also it became more sensitive and easily irritated. This is probably due to stress, lack of sleep, and also poorer eating habits (which are improving).
So I bought this kit! As you know I did buy the "First Aid Beauty" Ultra Repair Oatmeal mask and I loved it. It worked very well in calming my redness down and hydrating my skin. 
However, I did want a skincare product that treated me on a more daily basis, than just doing the occasional mask. I could wear the mask everyday, but most people don't and if I did, I would probably finish that bottle in a week. XP

This kit comes with 3 products:
-Face Cleanser: 56.7g or 2.0 oz
-Facial Radiance Pads: 28 pads
-Ultra Repair Cream: 56.7g or 2.0 oz

I have used these products for almost 1 month. None of these products irritate or redden my skin in any way.

Facial Cleanser
This cleanser is recommended to be used in the morning when you wake up and before you go to bed. It is said to moisturize and protect the skin.
This is a creamy cleanser with a soft texture. It will lather up into a foam when washing your face. One thing that did bother me was that it smelled like old paint...=/, but at least my skin doesn't smell like that after I wash my face.
I found this cleanser to be a nice cleanser for everyday use. It cleans my face well and keeps it hydrated. However, I don't find this cleanser to be that special or have a significant improvement for my skin. I think it works just as well as my Shiseido Perfect Whip and Shiseido Perfect Milk cleansers, which are much cheaper.
Therefore, while this is a good cleanser, I can find others that work the same and are much more affordable, so I will not be repurchasing this product again.

Facial Radiance Pads
These pads are said to exfoliate, tone and brighten skin. You are supposed to use it after you use the facial cleanser but I don't. I actually use it as a replacement for my cleanser on days that I come home late and I am very tired but I still want to clean my face, I will use these. Probably not the best way to use them, but it didn't hurt my skin, so I think it is okay. They clean my skin very well, I can see the pad change color very clearly from white to gray or brown....which may be gross, but hey! it works!
These pads are very thin and soaked with a lot of cleansing solution. They gently exfoliate and clean my skin. Also, they still keep my face moisturized, they don't dry out  my skin.
I love to use these because they are very portable, container is leak proof, and good to use when I am very tired or in a hurry. I personally don't think they brighten my skin much, but they do clean and exfoliate my skin well. I will definitely consider repurchasing this again, I think it is great when I am busy or when I am traveling!

Ultra Repair Cream
This is my most favorite product of the set. It is said to provide immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin and eczema. FAB Antioxidant Booster is there to defend skin from free radical damage. Ultra Repair Cream can be used all over the body and on the face.
The directions say to apply as needed. This bothered me a bit, because usually medical creams have directions like that, which means that the product is a strong and intensive product. Also, the cream smells medicated which doesn't bother me too much, just makes me concerned on how intensive this product is. Because the general rule for medicated products is that the less you use them the better.
I initially used this all over my face after cleansing everyday, because I had overall redness. The redness decreased rapidly because of this cream and as it says it is very fast acting and moisturizing. I also applied this to a bug bite on my face and saw a clear decrease in redness and swelling.
Once my overall redness decreased, I applied it only the redness around my mouth and my nose. And I am seeing great results with a lot of redness gone and some days with no redness!
This product is moisturizing but not as moisturizing as I would like it to be. Usually I apply it a second time if this is the only moisturizer on my face. But now I apply my Aveeno Baby all over my face and then the Ultra Repair Cream on areas of my face that are irritated and/or red.
This product works very well for me, decreasing irritation and redness quickly and significantly. I would definitely repurchase this product again!

Do I recommend these products?
For the Facial Cleanser, I really think that it is not necessary for you to buy it at that price so for the price I do not recommend it. However, if you really want to try this product or if you have very sensitive skin, then I think it's okay to try.
If you are looking for an on-the-go facial cleansing product, then the Facial Radiance Pads are your friend! I recommend this product because it is great for days when you are super busy, tired, or when you are traveling! I don't recommend for your daily use, but use it when you need it!
If you have sensitive skin, irritated skin, dry skin, red/inflamed skin I definitely recommend the Ultra Repair Cream! It works very well and worth the price! Just make sure to not apply it to any broken skin or open wounds, because they will sting.

So I hope you liked this review and found it helpful! Feel free to ask any questions or write comments in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and I will see you later! =)

Thank You! plus Review on "The Body Shop" Vitamin C Eye Reviver Duo

Hi Everyone!

I know it's been a while, sorry, senior year of university is definitely not giving me senioritis haha XP.

But I would like to thank all of you because I have OVER 20,000 pageviews!!!
Thank you for all of you who liked and read my posts! =) It makes me happy that people read what I write and I am open for critiques, comments, and questions in order to improve my blogging skills! =D

Thank you again!

Now, today I will review "The Body Shop" Vitamin C Eye Reviver Duo

This product can be found online or at the store "The Body Shop". It costs $22 and contains
10mL or 0.16 US fluid oz of producdt total. Each side contains 5mL of product.
It is supposed to brighten, refresh and revive sensitive and delicate skin around the eyes and minimize the appearance of dark circles. 

What do I think of this product?
So my previous eye cream review was on the Vitamin E eye cream also from "The Body Shop". I felt that product did not work the best for me so I decided to try another.
My friend recommended that I buy something with Vitamin C because it helps with dark circles.
So I saw this at the store and decided to get it. The price was expensive to me, but if it worked for me, it was well worth it! My dark circles were getting worse from staying up late at  night studying for my finals Q_Q.
So I have been using this product for about 3 months. And overall, I do not think it does much for me.
It has two ends. A roller ball with a serum of Vitamin C is first applied around and under the eyes after a cleanly washed face. Then a stick applicator with the eye cream is applied around and under the eyes.
I like to apply the eye cream after the refreshing serum is almost dry. I feel that more serum is absorbed first that way.
Neither the serum nor the eye cream irritate or harm my skin in any way. The skin around my eyes are thin and sensitive but they were not hurt by any product.
So the serum feels nice and cool on my skin and it does help reduce eye puffiness a little when I wake up in the morning. However, I feel that the rollerball is a little too small and I would prefer it in a larger size. It can cover more surface area in one stroke that way and with a smaller ball, it tends to not move as well.
The eye cream does moisturize my skin, but it is just as moisturizing as the Vitamin E eye cream and sometimes I still feel a little dry around my eyes and need to apply more. Over time, I did not really see a change in my dark circles or skin. My dark circles did not look less dark or reduced and my skin did not look brighter.
What I disliked most about this product was the packaging or applicator stick of the eye cream. Using this applicator I know I will never ever be able to get out and use all of the product in the little bottle. Which is a waste of money. And now that I am near the end of its use, the applicator does not have much product so I have to reinsert it more than a few times to get the amount of product I need.
A recap of my thoughts: this product did not work for me and I probably should not have bought it because I will never be able to use up all of the product which is a waste of my money.

Do I recommend this product?
I do not recommend this product. Mainly because it is quite expensive and the applicator eye stick does not allow maximum use of all of the eye cream in the little bottle. About the properties and benefits of this product, I am doubtful because it did not work for me. Perhaps if you have less severe dark circles or different skin, it may work for you, but I cannot guarantee anything.
The only good thing is that it does not irritate or harm the sensitive skin around my eyes. However, there are other "The Body Shop" eye creams and other eye creams out there that will provide the same benefit.
The only thing I can see this product for is an expensive travel dual eye serum and eye cream because it does save the space of one extra product. But even that is not worth it alone. =P

So a bit of a sad review, because this product didn't work well for me. But I hope it is informative for those of you looking for eye creams to buy! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment in the comment box below. Thank you so much for reading and I will talk to you later! ^_^

Review on "The Body Shop" Aloe Eye Defense gel-creme

Hi Everyone!

Today I will be reviewing "The Body Shop" Aloe Eye Defense

The product cost about $18 online or in The Body Shop store.
It contains 15mL or 0.5 fluid oz of product of eye-gel cream.
This product is said to moisturize and sooth the skin around the eyes and made for people with sensitive skin.
It is ophthalmologically tested and is fragrance free, color free, and alcohol free. There are not added preservatives and it is fine for contact-lens wearers.

What do I think about this product?
So I have been using this eye gel-cream for about 4 months and even though I initially loved it (as I said my Aloe Skincare Line Sample Review) there are a couple problems I am having with it.
The pros are that it does not irritate my sensitive skin. It decreases swelling, redness, and irritation. It feels light and smooth and I don't need a lot for my eyes and I use it twice a day after I wash my face. I love the container. It comes in a cute pump form and you can easily pump out whatever amount you want depending on the pressure that you apply to the pump. It is hygienic and this pump will let you use up all of the product! None will be wasted! You can see as the bottom layer rises to the top as you use it and it will really hit the top when there is no cream left.
However, I have noticed that every time I put it on, my eyes actually feel dryer than more moisturized. I first thought I didn't put enough on or maybe most of it was evaporating, so I put on more, but it didn't change. I would feel a cooling effect after application (which is the evaporation part), but then my eyes would feel a bit stretched and dry and I don't know why. It feels dry before I put on eye cream and after I put on eye cream. So it is as if it does nothing when it comes to moisturization. I was really confused and I still feel really confused. I even got a 2nd one just in case it was because my skin had to adjust to it or something, but nope, I still felt dry after using this.
It is possible that it is just not moisturizing enough for me, which is sad, because I really like the product and it is relatively more affordable than other eye brands that are good. Also, because I feel dry after using the eye cream, my fine lines become even more apparent and get more wrinkly during the day because they are not properly moisturized. =_=.....T_T
And initially I felt it was moisturizing too, but maybe I was just too excited or something XP.
Another thing is that, sometimes when I put on more eye cream than usual (to try to compensate the dryness), I will rub my eye and these little rolls/balls of cream will form as I apply friction to my skin. (Just like when you rub your hands together and dirt stuff comes off.) This is annoying because then I have to spend time wiping all the cream residues away and if I wipe too hard, more will form. This is annoying and weird....I don't know what else to say =P. It is possible that the cream settles into my fine lines and when I rub my eyes, it comes out. But if this is true, then this eye cream doesn't do its job of moisturization and getting rid of fine lines....=(
So, I am not saying this is a bad product, I actually think it is a good product, but maybe it doesn't work well with my skin.

Do I recommend this product?
The answer is I don't know...I recommend this product as a good product to try for all skin types because I know it won't irritate anyone's skin. However, if you have very very dry skin, then this may not be for you. A good way to know is to try a sample of it at The Body Shop or ask for a sample of it to take home and use. I did that too, and it took a while before I got more negative effects.
I actually have oily eye lids which is weird because then I wouldn't need much moisturization. The fact that my eyelids feel drier after using the cream, means that maybe the cream is taking moisture away from my eyelids....I don't know...
Now, there are tons of reviews on this eye cream and they are like 98% positive with great feedback. Which means that it works for the majority of the population. As a gamble, this is worth it to try and if it works for you then great! I'm jealous haha because now I have to find a replacement. I recently got a sample from The Body Shop for their Vitamin E eyecream and I am liking that so far, so maybe I'll buy that one next!

So I hope this review was helpful to you! If you have any questions or comments (to please tell me that I'm not weird, because I feel like the only person having problems with this eye cream XO), then feel free to write in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! =)

Review on "The Body Shop" Aloe Soothing Night Cream

Hi Everyone! =)

Today I will be reviewing The Body Shop's Aloe Soothing Night Cream!

This product can be found online or at The Body Shop store. It is $20 and contains 1.7 oz or 50mL or 48 grams of product.
It is said to calm and moisturize the skin when you are asleep. It is dermatological approved (whatever that means =P) and is clinically proven for sensitive skin.
You use this after you wash your face before you go to bed.

What do I think about this product?
So, back in April I was given sample sizes of The Body Shop's entire Aloe skincare line and did a review on the samples. One of my favorite products was this soothing night cream! However, at the time I felt it was too pricy for me and did not buy it immediately afterwards.
But, thanks to my bf =D, he found a coupon of $10 off any purchase $20 or more, so I bought it! I have been using this night cream for more than 2 months and I love it!!! It is extremely moisturizing and does not irritate or redden my sensitive skin. A little goes a long way, and 1-2 pea size amounts is enough for my face and neck. This has really helped with my dry sensitive skin areas around my mouth and nose and they stay moisturized all night long! It also does not bother the oily areas on my forehead and nose. It does not cause me to break out and it does not clog my pores. =D
The only problem I have with this product, is the price! =/ It is an amazing product! But $20 still makes me bite my tongue a bit! =P Luckily, I don't need to use a lot of this product and I am about halfway done, so this night cream will last for the summer and beginning of the fall. I will probably buy another one if I get another good coupon or discount though. =)

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! Especially if you have sensitive and dry skin, I definitely recommend this night cream! It is very moisturizing, soothing, and feels great on the skin! If you are still unsure you can go to The Body Shop store and try a sample there, or ask for a take home sample. The price may be a bit much, that's why I do recommend trying or getting samples, but if you like it, you should definitely buy it and try it! There are usually good sales and discounts going around, so it's not hard to buy this at a lower price! ^_^

UPDATE!
Hi Everyone! I have recently ordered and got another one from "The Body Shop" Online store. I'm not sure if it is because they changed the formula of the cream or maybe it is kind of old and dried out because it is not fresh like the ones in the store. The second one that I have got online has a lot thicker and stickier consistency. It is is not as smooth and is more heavy. It takes more effort to work into my skin but it still works. I am just a bit confused?/sad? that the one from "The Body Shop" online store, isn't as good as when I got it in store. So maybe, it is better to go to the store and buy it.

So I hope you enjoyed this review =) Thank you for reading and I will see you soon!

Review on The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner!! =D

Hi Everyone! So Today I will be reviewing an amazing skincare product!

So, after cleansing the face, some people like to use a toner on the clean skin. The toner will remove any cleanser, or makeup that did not wash off and it helps clean the skin and prepare it for moisturizer.

This is the The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner:

This can be bought online or at The Body Shop. It contains 200mL or 6.75 US fluid oz. of product. It costs $12. It is a toner w/ it's main ingredient being Aloe and it is made for sensitive skin. It is fragrance free.

What do I think of this product?
So, I got a free sample of the entire aloe skincare line. And this was one of the products I tried, and I loved it! After finishing my sample, I immediately went to the shop and bought one! I have used this product for about a month and I think it is fantastic! =D I have very sensitive skin and combination of oily, normal, and very dry skin and it works for my entire face! My skin does not feel irritated, dry, or tight after use. It do not get any redness, stinging, or swelling.
It works very well! I just pour a little on a cotton sheet and evenly wipe my face. All of the dirt and oil from my face that my cleanser can't reach (such at the hairline) or wasn't able to clean properly, it took it all off! I can tell because the cotton changes into a kind of light gray/tan color. Which is gross I know, but shows how well it works! It really cleans my face!
After using my toner, I either put on a moisturizer or a hydrating serum mask, which is much more easily absorbed into the skin with this toner. When I am in a hurry or I am too tired to do my daily skin care regimen, I use this to cleanse my face and then put on my moisturizer.
For me, this is a must have in my skin care! I will always have this! ^_^

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I recommend this product for all skin types. If you have sensitive and/or dry skin, I especially recommend this toner! =) I know that there are many toners that are too harsh on the skin, with too much alcohol that irritates and tightens the skin. However, this can even be moisturizing to the skin for some and it will definitely not dry your skin out!
I think the price is okay, it's a little up there, but it's worth it! If the price doesn't bother you, then get it! XD

So, I hope you liked this review! The Body Shop is my new skincare place to shop! There are many products that I have not tried yet, and I will be trying more things to tell you how they are =)
To the West coast of the US, The Body Shop is kind of new, so for those of you interested in it, you can read more about my review on the Aloe Skincare Line for sensitive skin. or go to their website.
Thank you for reading and have a nice day!

Review on Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion =)

Hi Everyone!

So a bit back I talked about changing from Cetaphil to a new moisturizer. I bought 3 and recently I have been given one.

This is the 3rd moisturizer: Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion

While it does not say it can be used on the face, I contacted the company and yes, they told me that this moisturizer can be used on the face.
The particular bottle I bought contains 8 oz of product or 227 grams and costs about $6. Which is such a bargain! It is fragrance free with natural colloidal oatmeal and dimethicone skin protectant. It is said to help heal and protect delicate skin for 24 hours. It contains 1.2% dimethicone.

Now I actually could not find this at CVS, the drugstore I live nearby so I had to order it online. I think I ordered it from Walgreens or the Aveeno website. It is easily available in many drugstores, Aveeno is a popular brand, it just wasn't there that day I guess or my CVS doesn't carry it.

First Impression
So, like my other moisturizers I tried it for at least a week before switching off to try a new one.
And, omg, this moisturizer felt like the one for me!
It has a very smooth creamy consistency which does not feel sticky or heavy. This also means you don't have to use a lot, a little goes a long way!
The one thing I noticed which did bother me initially was the smell. It's true, it is fragrance free, but it smells like oatmeal XD, haha, maybe they decided to not cancel out the natural oatmeal smell with another chemical, but it is not too bad.
I saw an almost immediate reduction in redness and inflammation around my mouth. It is that good!
It works fine after cleansing and after exfoliating. It doesn't feel stinging or burning or itchy after application.
I was very impressed by this product and actually didn't want to continue trying the others that I bought to stick with this one.

What do I think of it now?
This is a fantastic moisturizer. I really like it, it's great for my very dry and sensitive skin. It reduces redness and irritation. I don't get breakouts from it.
It is very affordable, and I can use it on my body and face.
The one thing you might want to be careful with is not to apply too much. You don't need much in the first place, but start off light, because if you apply too much, it gets kind of sticky.
I don't really get an oily shine from this moisturizer, which is good. I would probably get a "shiny face" if I applied too much on.
Does it last for 24hrs? yes, on an average day. But if it's very dry and windy, I would reapply at least once in the middle of the day, especially since lecture halls either always have the heater on or air conditioning on.
This is my number 1 favorite moisturizer right now! I used it for about a month and I am currently trying out the 4th one given to me, but I might stick with this one! =D

Do I recommend this product?
YES! This is a great product for all skin types, especially for those with dry and sensitive skin. =)
It will reduce redness and inflammation which makes your skin a whole lot healthier and better looking. Also, it is a skin protectant from dirt and dust, etc.
It does make a visible difference in less than a week's use. My skin looks a lot better now and I'm sure your's will too! ^_^

I don't know what else to say, this moisturizer does everything I want, everything I need!
I hope this has helped you, especially if you have skin problems associated with redness, dryness, sensitivity, inflammation, and irritation.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to post them in the comment section below!
Thank you for reading and I will see you all later!!! =D