Review on the Hado Labo Gokujyun Facial Cream and the Aquamoist Facial Cream!

Hi Everyone!

It's the last month of winter! Can't wait for spring!

But before that, here is probably my last winter skincare product! I am comparing 2 hyaluronic acid facial moisturizers. I bought these when I went back for winter break in California. I'm so sorry but I forgot what the exact prices were. X( They should be around $20 each and can be found in Takashima, Marukai Lifestyle, and Mitsuwa or online. They both contain 1.76 oz or 50 grams of product.

Hado Labo Gokujyun Facial Cream

What do I think about this product?
This product does not irritate or redden my skin, or the skin around my eyes. It is a gel white cream. Because of it's gel-like texture, it spreads and applies very easily and it is very moisturizing. It is lightweight but a little heavier and thicker than my Rohto Hadalabo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion . However, it does not make my skin look or feel greasy/oil after letting it absorb into the skin. A little goes a long way and I don't need to use much for my entire face and neck.
Even though it says it is a facial cream, I think that most people in the US, would not think so, and it feels more like a thicker serum. I would still use this as a day or night serum, and apply a moisturizer on top, especially on windy and dry days. I also don't let it absorb all the way into the skin, I often apply my day moisturizer right on top and because of its smooth consistency, it helps spread out my moisturizer easier.
Overall, love this product, and I have been using it almost everyday this winter! Saved my skin a lot from the freezing windchill! Brr!



Aquamoist Facial Cream

What do I think about this product?
This product also does not irritate or redden my skin, even around my eyes. It is a clear gel cream that is decently thicker and heavier than the Hado Labo Gokujyun Facial Cream
I believe that this is heavy enough to be a moisturizer on its own, however, it does leave the skin looking very shiny and feeling a little sticky. It has amazing moisturizing properties and works very well when I have patches of dry skin, especially when I travel around or in very dry weather. However, I only use this at night, alone. It's so moisturizing, I don't need to add anything else!
I am currently not using this in the East Coast, just because my dad has very very dry skin and has eczema and so I gave it to him to use so it would relieve him of his super dry and itchy patches of skin. I did use it when I was in California, and it worked really well and I would use it as an evening super hydrating gel mask/moisturizer when I sleep, but only for that. Again, this spreads out easily and very well, and I don't need a lot of it for my face and neck.

Which product would I recommend?
This will depend on the environment where you live and your skin type. I believe that if you have extremely dry skin or if you are transitioning from a wet/humid climate to a dry climate, I would recommend the Aquamoist Facial Cream. You could apply less of it, if you think it appears too shiny/sticky, and layer on a moisturizer that has a more matt finish for the day.
If you have dry skin or live in a dry environment, or the weather is cold/hot and dry during certain seasons, I recommend the Hado Labo Gokujyun as a day and night serum. Depending on how you feel about it, you could wear it alone or with a moisturizer on top. I wear a moisturizer on top because I feel I need a little more hydration, but it's up to you. =)
Again, I like both and was very happy using both of them during the winter. I probably wouldn't need them during the summer, hopefully, but I would buy both again for the winter. =D

I hope that this review and comparison was helpful and not too confusing. =P Feel free to comment or ask questions in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! ^_^

Review on L'Occitane Eye Care & Mask Duo Brightening Correction ;P

Hi Everyone!

Happy Belated New Year! Errr, sorry, it's been a while. =P
I'm so sorry for not updating recently, I had an exam and a practical today, it was my first practical and I was very nervous for it. And we had only 2 weeks to study for both exams!
By the way, a practical is an exam based on cadavers and radiology, we are show images of cadavers, x-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs, have to either identify structures or knows what happens if they are damaged, so it can be intense!

Anyway, today I am reviewing the L'Occitane Eye Care & Mask Duo Brightening Correction

This product cost $38 and contains 0.5 oz or 15mL of product. It is said to offer 3 benefits: "a smoother eye area, an even and luminous eye area, and a fresh and rested look" And further describes to reduce wrinkles, firm skin, brighten the eye contour, minimize puffiness and dark circles. And a lot of lovely adjectives describing how wonderful this product is. =P

Directions:
"Apply this melting and fresh gel cream texture each morning and evening. massage the soothing applicator across the eye area and then gently spread a small amount.
To use as mask, apply a thick layer, leave it on for 10 minutes, then wipe off the excess, do not rinse."

What do I think about this product?
So, if you've been with me for a bit, you know that I find most eye creams pretty useless. I personally feel that they don't do much in terms of alleviating dark circles. They may reduce fine lines and puffiness, but not significantly and I'm not old enough to say that they reduce wrinkles, cus...I don't have any yet. =P
However, East Coast winter has been drying my skin out like crazy! Especially with the wind chill! The skin around my eyes get dry, tight, and have dry patches and fine lines start showing up and it feel uncomfortable. =/
I have an eye cream that I use at night, my Sana Nameraka. However, that one has retinol in it, so I only use it at night, because it makes my skin sensitive to the sun during the day.
So I was in L'Occitane and tried the sample and I really liked it! I do not like heavy or sticky eye creams, I don't think I'm at the appropriate age to use them and I don't like their texture. The super expensive eye cream at L'Occitane was to heavy for me and the fragrance was too strong.

This eye cream is more like an eye gel, the texture and appearance is gel-like, it spreads on easily and is buildable and absorbs fast. It does not feel sticky or heavy and does not irritate the skin around my eyes. It keeps the skin around my eyes well moisturized all day long! =D And it helped reduce the fine lines I was getting from my dry skin. As for brightening and reducing dark circles, honestly, I can't really tell. I'm also taking medical school classes, which involves not much sleep and, well, having dark circles all the time, so I can't really tell if this made a difference. However, it does reduce my puffy eyes when I don't get enough sleep, so that's good. =)

This is a squeeze tube container that has an applicator tip like so:

I don't use the applicator tip, just because I put on serum and moisturizer on my face (which includes the skin around my eyes), and I don't like it when products mix together on an applicator. I also find it much easier to just squeeze a bit on my fingers and massage it into my skin. So, I don't really care or have no use for this way of applying the product. =P However, if you like using eye products this way, it's probably very convenient for you.

I have also only used this as a day eye cream, not at night because I use my other one and also to make this product last longer because....it's expensive! I have not used it as an eye mask either, also to save product. So I can't tell you how I think of it as an eye mask, sorry. =/

Overall, I am quite happy with this product. To be honest, I bought it without looking at the price, and if I had saw it, I might not have bought it. =P It is very expensive. However, it worked very well for my skin and the skin around my eyes have not been dry since. =)

Do I recommend this product?
If you are young, 20s-30s, and you are looking for a high-end, light-weight, day and night eye cream for moisturization, fast absorption, and to reduce fine lines and puffiness, I recommend this product. =)
If you are an older person, maybe 40s, 50s, and/or you are  looking to reduce wrinkles and dark circles, I don't think this product is strong enough for you and you might want to try something else.
Also, of course, if you are looking for something more affordable, also, might want to try something else. =P

I hope that this review was helpful to you! Let me know if you have any questions or comments in the comment box below. Thank you so much for reading. =)

I'm sorry for not posting lately, things have been picking up speed and my brain isn't going to memorize all that anatomy by itself, so, I am studying alot! This month and the beginning of next month will be very crazy for me. A 3 hour exam every 2 weeks, so I will probably be studying non-stop! I will try to post when I can! Good luck to those of you in school! Keep on going!

Review on L'Occitane 10% Shea Butter Whipped Body Cream!

Hi Everyone! It is 2015 =D

Today I am reviewing L'Occitane's 10% Shea Butter Whipped Body Cream

This can be bought in stores or online for $24. It contains 125mL or 2.46 oz of product. (I think I got it on sale for $20)

What do I think of this product?
As winter progresses, my skin gets dryer and so I was looking for a good body cream. I don't like thick, or heavy body creams. I want something usually that is easy to apply and spread out and fast absorbing.
In this case I was also looking for one that didn't have a fragrance, or if it did have a fragrance, it would be its natural fragrance, no fragrance added. This cream would be something I would wear to see patients or attend a patient and physician panel. Patients are usually weaker and more sensitive to fragrances and do no like the smell of fragrances. (I'm sure if you were sick in bed, you probably wouldn't want to smell some strong perfume scent either). So this is to just be respectful and mindful towards them. Especially cancer patients, ICU patients, and other critical care patients, it is very important to not irritate their senses when their bodies are so weak.
First, I would like to say how light this container felt to me. When I picked it up, I was like.....O_o, what? Feels like nothing? Are they giving me an empty can? XP haha, jk. But it felt very light, as if it didn't have anything in it.
Inside is a white cream, and it looks whipped. Kind of reminds me of the texture of cottage cheese? Maybe feta cheese? Something like that haha.
The product does not irritate my skin and the scent has not added fragrances, just smells like a plain moisturizer.
The consistency of this body cream is a little thicker than what I would like, but overall I think compared to their original (non-whipped) Shea body cream as well as The Body Shop's Body Butter, this is much lighter and easier to work with. It does a great job of keeping my body skin moisturized all day long and makes my skin smooth and soft. =)
Overall, I think this is a great body cream. It is a little pricey to me and I'm not sure if I'll buy it again. Luckily, I only use this for certain occasions involving patient contact and what not, so I won't be using up this product any time soon.

Do I recommend this product?
So this cream is thicker than a liquid lotion but has a much thinner consistency than other L'Occitane's body creams and The Body Shop's body butters. If you are looking for a body moisturizer with a consistency like this, not too runny but not too thick and heavy and with no added fragrances, I recommend this product. It lasts all day long for me and prevents my skin from getting dry, wrinkly, and itchy from the dryness.

Hope this was a helpful post! Feel free to write any comments or questions in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! =)

Review on "The Body Shop" Vitamin E Moisture Cream

Hi Everyone!

I'm almost done with school! Finished an exam this morning and last day of class is tomorrow! Then I'll be flying back home for the break!

Today I am reviewing "The Body Shop" Vitamin E Moisture Cream

This product cost $17 and contains 50mL or 1.7 fluid oz of product. It is said to be a fast absorbing yet moisturizing day cream to keep skin hydrated.

What do I think of this product?
So, this product did not react well with my skin at all. First, it has a pretty strong rose fragrance. I usually don't like fragrances, especially in creams and moisturizers, and I also am not that fond of rose fragrances.
This product also burned and stung my sensitive skin around my mouth, nose, and eyes. >.<
Especially after I exfoliated, it would irritate my skin a lot more, and the burning sensation would be stronger.
It is true that is it is lightweight for a Vitamin E cream, it absorbs quickly, and kept my skin well moisturized. (Vitamin E is a fat-based vitamin, which means in order to make it dissolve into a product, it needs to be bound to a fat molecule, which can tend to make products, heavy and sticky)

So I stopped using it (after using it for 2 weeks), took a 1 week break, and decided to try it again. Surprisingly, the irritation was less, less stinging and burning sensations. However, it still hurt if I used this after exfoliating my skin. Also, I'm not sure if it's because it is getting colder and dryer, but it doesn't keep all of my face well moisturized. The dryer patches around my mouth began to show halfway through the day =/

The only good think I can say about this, is that it does not irritate the skin on my neck and keeps it well moisturized. So, I guess I will be using this for my neck only. Which is probably not a bad idea, since it's cold and windy now, and I wear a lot of turtle-neck tops and/or scarves, and this prevents my clothes and scarves from getting sticky and heavy creams on them.

Other than that, this was kind of a disappointment, sadly. I usually like a lot of "The Body Shop" products, but I guess this didn't work for me. Even when the product decreased in irritation, I would rather be cautious and not use it. When you feel pain, I think your body is trying to tell you something, that something is damaging it, so I'll listen to my body. =P

Do I recommend this product?
If you do not have sensitive skin and you are looking for a lightweight moisturizer, I think this is a good product to try. I don't recommend it because of my negative experience, however, everyone's skin type is different, so it's up to you. =P
This might be better for those who have non-sensitive oily skin, if they want something to maintain hydration and moisturization, but doesn't want to use creams that are too heavy and sticky, which might make their skin oilier.

So I hope that this review was helpful for you! Let me know if you have any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thanks for reading!
Have a great winter break, stay safe, warm, and healthy =)

Review on Origins Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask =D

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing the ORIGINS Clear Improvement Active charcoal mask

I do not own this image, credits and thank you to "herworldplus"

The full size product costs $25 and contains 3.4 fluid oz or 100mL of product. The travel size product costs $17 and contains 1.7 fluid oz. or 50mL of product.

What do I think of this product?

I first bought the full size product and have been using it for 2 months for about once a week and I love this mask. Hands down, the most effective mask I have ever used!

I was looking for a mask that when it dried would not make my face feel like I dumped it into a bucket of ice, because now it is winter and it is getting cold, highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s, definitely not as warm as California.

I heard this had good reviews and tried it out. And wow, it works really well. First, it did not irritate or redden my sensitive skin. A little goes a long way. It comes out with a sort of sticky and glue-like texture, and I just need to spread a thin amount all over my face. (Unlike previous masks that I used that I needed to put a thicker layer on my face, which used a lot more product). The more product you put, the longer it takes to dry, so for me, it takes about 30 minutes for everything to dry. It goes from a shiny black color to a matte dark gray color and then I wash it off. I would like to say, it is a little difficult to wash off, so if you don't like taking a lot of time over the sink, probably do this before you shower, and then wash it off in the shower. It will dry and harden, which probably means you shouldn't be eating, talking, or laughing when wearing this. =P

It is very good at shrinking my pores, amazingly good! My pores look non-existent after use! It is pretty good at clearing my blackheads and white heads. Not as good as I had hoped, but still pretty good. =) I mainly bought this to shrink my pores, and I am very happy with that result!

I recently bought the travel size to take with me when I go back to California for winter break! And then I might leave it there till when I come back or give it to my mom (since I have my full size here).

The price did bother me initially, not that I doubt Origins products, I have used some before and benefited well from them. It's just that I don't like to spend more if I can. =P But, this was definitely worth it for me, and I will continue to use this until I either find something better or that works just as well but cheaper. XP

 I was so impressed, honestly, I usually don't expect much from products that say they shrink pores, because most of the time, the effect is not very significant, or long lasting. But I have found the effects of this product to be decently long lasting!

As for my acne, it helps cool down and shrink inflamed bumps and pimples. I would not advise you to put this on broken skin, scratched skin, or popped pimples. Charcoal is a strong absorptive product and if it takes out all the moisture from the inside (or underneath your skin) when you have damaged skin, I don't think the outcome would be good. Most likely what will happen is that it takes all the water out of your cells, essentially drying them out and killing them, and now you are more likely to get scarring and scarred tissue. So, yeah, I don't advise putting this on broken skin. =P

Do I recommend this product?

If the price is okay with you, I highly recommend this product. Especially if you are looking for something to help clear your blackheads and whiteheads and shrink the size of your pores!

If you are not sure, then try the travel size, especially if you don't use masks that often, perhaps the travel size would work better for you, since you don't need to apply a lot of product,a thin layer on the face is all you need.

I hope that you enjoyed this review and that it was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! ^_^

Review on Sana Nameraka Isoflavone Facial Cream

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing the Sana Nameraka Isoflavone Facial Cream!

This product cost about $16. It is sold on Amazon Prime and probably at Japanese stores such as Marukai Living, Takashima, and Mitsuwa. It contains 50 grams or 1.8 fluid oz of product.

What do I think about this product?
So a little while ago I reviewed another Sana Nameraka product, their eyecream. And I loved it so much that I decided to try another one of their products.
Winter in the eastcoast is here! And it has been getting very cold and dry, especially when it is windy, my skin can dry out easily.
I've used this cream for at least 2 months. There is not added color and no fragrance and not oil-based. My sensitive skin has not been irritated or inflamed in any way. This cream does not clog my pores or cause breakouts or rashes. Also, it is also great to use with Biore Sarasara Sunscreen because it is able to work with the water-based sunscreen and not start solidifying or polymerizing.
This product is interesting in a good way. haha. The cream looks very light and gel like, but actually is quite dense. The jar looks small, but actually has some weight. When I start applying it, it does feel like a heavier, stickier cream, but once it is fully absorbed into the skin, it feels light-weight and not sticky at all! It has kept my skin nice and moisturized without feeling heavy, getting oily or shiny, and lasts all day long! My skin always feels soft and well moisturized whenever I use it.
I would say this is between a light to heavy moisturizer, somewhere in the middle. If you apply more, it starts becoming more heavy and thick and that might work better for those who have very dry skin. Or if you tend to have oilier skin, maybe you should apply less.
I find it best to put on when my face is still damp after washing so that it makes it easier to apply and spread out the cream onto my face.
While it says online to use it at night, I haven't had problems wearing it during the day. When I use it at night, I will just apply more product than I do during the day and it works great!

Do I recommend this product?
In general I recommend this to all skin types, but especially if you have dry skin and/or live in an area with a dryer climate or when it becomes seasonally dry. This is a great moisturizing cream, but if you are looking for more things in your facial creams (like for fine lines, SPF, brightening, etc.), then maybe you want to try something else. This cream just focuses on moisturizing skin and keeping the moisture in there, it is simple and straight forward, and if you are looking for that, I highly recommend this product. =)

So I hope that you liked the review. Feel free to write any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you soon. =D

Review on Biore Sarasara Uv Aqua Rich Waterly Essence Sunscreen 50g Spf 50+ Pa+++ for Face and Body

Hi Everyone!

Long time no see/talk. =P Sorry, I had exams and needed to focus, but I finished them today and so I have a bit of time before my next exam in 3 weeks! yay....haha,...no, not fun actually =P

Today I'm reviewing Biore Sarasara Uv Aqua Rich Waterly Essence Sunscreen 50g Spf 50+ Pa+++ for Face and Body

For anyone who can read Japanese. =P

This is 50 grams of product for about $10. It is a water-based sunscreen.

What do I think of this product?
So I finished my Anessa sunscreen and started using my Chanel sunscreen. I like having 2 sunscreens at all times, just in case I need to bring one out to go, on a short trip, etc.
I like really light-weight, easy to apply sunscreens and I saw this on Amazon (for free shipping!) with great reviews.
I have used this product for over a month and hmm...overall I really like it and I use it everyday, but, there are some limitations. It does have a light scent, I personally don't think it's floral (but, it says it is), and I can't describe it, but it is very very faint. The product also doesn't irritate my skin, or even the skin around my eyes.
So, because it is water-based, this is a very smooth, light-weight product with a water-like texture that makes it very easy to apply and spread onto the skin. You also don't need to use a lot because it can spread out so thinly. It also feels light-weight, non-sticky, and looks much less oily for a longer period of time than waterproof sunscreen. And yes, it is less sticky and oily feeling and looking than the Anessa or Chanel sunscreens. (But overall, they are still very good suncreens).
But the problem is, that because it is water-based, if you get wet or sweat a lot, it's going to come off quickly and easily. So I wouldn't use this if it's raining heavily and I know I'm going to get wet. Also, would not use this at the pool or at the beach if I'm swimming or in hot weather when I'm sweating a lot or in humid weather because the water in the air will just make this melt off my face.
Also, because it is water-based, if you wear an oil-based, or highly-emollient moisturizer, serum, facial cream before putting this on, it won't stay on as well, and sometimes might start solidifying/polymerizing and just sheds off. For instance, if you use the Aveeno Baby moisturizer, and then put this on, as you are spreading the sunscreen on your face, it just starts becoming solid, and becomes these little soft balls, and then you need to wash your face to get rid of the little white stuff on your face.
So if you like using oils or heavy creams, this product probably won't work well with them. I can use my hyaluronic acid serums before applying this sunscreen and my aloe vera gel underneath this as well. This makes a lot of sense because these products are polar, aloe vera is mostly made up of water (which is polar) and hyaluronic acid is highly negatively charged (it has a charge, so it's polar, so it can make weak polar, or dipole, or hydrogen bonds with the water components in the sunscreen. However, heavy creams or oil-based creams are non-polar, and like dissolves like okay, so non-polar doesn't mix well with polar. Sorry, went on a chemistry lesson here. =P
So pro's, very light-weight, a little goes a long way, not greasy or oily in touch and appearance. Con's can't use it if you're going to get wet or will sweat a lot and can't use it with heavy creams or oil serums.

Do I recommend this product?
This kind of depends on your preferences and what you need. If you tend to have more oily skin, you might like this because it is so lightweight and non-greasy and I highly recommend this product overall. Just be aware of the drawbacks and maybe having to compromise with a more water-based moisturizer or something.
Note: If you are wondering why this will stay on people with oily skin, my hypothesis is that you not only produce oil from your skin but will produce other substances that are polar. Also, this product isn't 100% water based, it still has some oil components in it, so it will work with other products of varying levels of non-polar structures/bonds. If you put this in a cup of water, you can't see that it won't dissolve completely. You just need to find out which combination works the best. So if you use light moiturizers, well, they are going work better with this sunscreen than heavy moisturizers that have a great ratio of non-polar to polar molecules.
Also, let's learn so more science and explain why it would slip off more easily when your face gets wet. (This is just my hypothesis okay, not proven) Let's say you use a moisturizer that works with this sunscreen and it's going to have a good enough intermolecular strength to bind to the moisturizer and not solidify. But, it's not going to be that strong of binding strength just because all moisturizers have a good amount of nonpolar molecules. And when water comes into contact with your skin, it's going to very easily pull away the polar bonds of the sunscreen that are bound to the moisturizer because water is much more polar than the moisturizer and will have a stronger attractive force. Hence, it slides off your face.
If that just made you really confused, then don't worry about it, and just refer to what I said previously. =P Sorry for the confusion.

So I hope that you found this review helpful and not too overly informative. Feel free to comment or ask questions in the comment box below! Thanks for reading and I will see you later!

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 SANA Nameraka Wrinkle Eye Cream ;)

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the beginning of the week! I have an exam on Monday next week, so personally, I want the days to go by slower =P

Today I am reviewing the SANA Nameraka Wrinkle Eye Cream!

Yes, I know the title of the label says "facial cream" that is a mistake, just continue reading and you will see "eye cream"

This product costs $13-16 and contains 25 grams of product. I bought this at Mitsuwa but you can buy this on Amazon for free shipping here. It is said to moisturize the eye area and prevent and combat fine lines and wrinkles. (Or that's what the sign on the shelf said in English, I don't know how to read Japanese =P)

What do I think of this product?
So, I stopped using eye creams a while back, probably half a year to a year ago, because I did not feel that they were very useful or produced significant results. Significant results meaning, enough improvement in hydration, fine lines (and future wrinkles I guess, I'm not old enough) for it to be my money's worth. Eye creams/serums/lotions are expensive O_O. They must be one of the most expensive specialty skincare products I have ever seen. So, if I didn't think it was worth it, I would use my money for other things, as a better investment.
However, starting this summer. I started to get dryness around my eyes. I'm not sure why. My home is in California and it was a particularly hot and dry summer this year (having a lovely drought at the moment), and perhaps that contributed to it. It not only felt dry, it looked dry too. My mom asked me if my eyes were okay, because apparently she could see more fine lines and dry skin. Or maybe she was just being a mom. =P
Either way, I don't like feeling dryness around my eyes, the tightness of the skin and irritation from dryness are not comfortable and not pretty looking.
I was looking around Marukai and picked this up because this was a store recommendation and I tried the sample and it was very smooth and hydrating. (This is the great thing about Asian stores, they have a sample product that anyone can go and try, even foundations and primers). So, I tried it out over the summer, and I love it. =)
If you read the ingredients list you can find a form of retinol in it as well as glycerin. Retinol helps with fine lines and wrinkles and glycerin locks moisture in. I usually dislike products with retinol in them, because I have sensitive skin and it always gets red and feels irritated when I use retinol. But this product had a low concentration/amount of retinol (rules of ingredients, if you didn't know, the first on the list, is in the greatest amount, and then it goes down as the list continues) so I did not have a negative reaction to the product at all! Also, it is fragrance free.
The product is a squeeze tube with a very very fine tip/nozzle. It allows you to control and distribute the amount of product you want very well, and easily. As seen in pictures below:

This product did a great job of moisturizing the area around my eye. I used to use it everyday over the summer, and now I use it every other day. I'm trying to make the product last longer. XP It has also decreased my fine lines to a certain extent. That doesn't matter as much to me as hydrating my skin, because keeping the skin properly moisturized (with sunscreen everyday) is the best way to prevent and soften fine lines and wrinkles in my opinion.

Do I recommend this product?
If you have sensitive skin, I recommend this product. =) Also, to anyone who is looking for something to give you good hydration and help with fine lines! I recommend applying this only at night before going to bed though, because retinol makes skin sensitive to sunlight. You can put sunscreen on over it, but I would not risk that, especially since I've had sunscreens that worked for my face, but irritated the skin around my eyes. T_T

Sorry for rambling in the beginning =P. I hope it wasn't too time wasting or distracting.
I hope that you found this review helpful. =) Feel free to comment or ask questions in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later!

Review on Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream ^o^

Hi Everyone!

I received this product as a free sample from my Sephora rewards points. I got the 10mL or 0.3 fluid oz size sample and the full size is the 33g or 1.25oz and the jar size is 2.2 oz.

You can buy this on Amazon or Sephora in stores and online.

What do I think of this product?

I first used this for my lips and I found this product to be phenomenal! It did not irritate or redden my lips. It does contain glycerin so can feel a little slippery during application, but it does not look or feel oily. The color is a pale yellow. It does have a camphor scent, but it is not strong, sharp, or irritating to my nose, and it fades quickly. I actually kind of like smell, so, definitely doesn't bother me. =P

It was so good at moisturizing my dry and chapped lips, locks in the moisturizer and lasts for a good while. Even when my lips were peeling, after applying they felt and looked so smooth and hydrated! After that I can apply or reapply any lip color without it looking ugly and dry.

When they say "A little goes a long way" they were not kidding. I barely use a smidgen of product and it is enough for my lips! It's great! I got this a month ago and it barely looks used!

And then I got my sinus infection, and used a lot of tissue to blow my nose, which made the skin around my nose very dry, irritated, and sensitive. I started to use this product for my nose and nose area and my skin feels amazing! O_O It is no longer irritated, stays hydrated, and again, long lasting. I can still keep on blowing my nose, and the product protects my skin and locks in the moisture very well. =)

I would definitely repurchase this product after finishing my sample. Though I don't know how long that is going to take haha, since I need so little of it.

Do I recommend this product?

If you have dry patches of skin, tend to have dry, chapped lips, or blow your nose a lot because of allergies or sickness, I highly recommend this product. I think, despite it's price, it is a great investment and because you only need to use a tiny amount of product, it will last you a very long time. =)

Review on Tend Skin Care Solution =D

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing the Tend Skin Care Solution

This can be found on Amazon (for prime shipping) in 4oz, 8oz, 16oz and 472mL.
I bought the 4 oz bottle for $12.
This product is said to eliminate razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and redness from shaving, waxing, and electrolysis. It is ideal for men and women.
Directions: After cleansing and rinsing off newly shaved skin with water, make sure that your skin is dry and use a cotton pad to apply this onto the skin. You must make sure you skin is clean and dry before application, if there is some residual water on your skin, the product will not have the proper skin contact and not be effective.

What do I think of this product?
I have used this product for almost 2 months and have nearly finished the bottle. I think it is a great product and works very well.
I use this on my arms to reduce ingrown hairs from keratosis pilaris and I use this on my legs after I shave for at least 3 days straight. (Keep in mind, I probably used this product up very quickly because I use it for my arms too, but if you just use it for your legs or face, it will last much longer)
During summer, it's hot and sunny, and of course we want to wear dresses, shorts, swimwear, etc. and because of this, most of us prefer to shave. I shave much more often during the summer and tend to get more ingrown hairs and irritation as a result.
This product has significantly reduced the amount of ingrown hairs and razor bumps I get from shaving and keratosis pilaries and helps reduce the redness and irritation. I don't need a lot, don't need to soak a cotton pad with the product, just dab some product onto the cotton pad and wipe it on my legs. After application, I will applying my body lotion. This product does contain alcohol which tends to dry out the skin, and will sting if there are any cuts on your skin, but I have had no negative side effects from this product. It does not make my skin irritated, more sensitive, or red.
I have heard that some people say it has a strong bad smell, to me it just smells like rubbing alcohol, and it's not that strong and fades quickly.
I have also heard that there are fakes sold on Amazon. I don't think the one I got from Amazon is a fake since mine does apparently work for me and it has an expiration date and lot number on the back.
During use, I will get probably one or two deep ingrown hairs that this product cannot work with, but if you read the instructions carefully, they tell you that if the ingrown hair is too deep, this product will be less effective. That makes sense, since this product works topically and I don't expect it to go that deep into my skin.
The only thing I'd really like to know is how this product works, like the biochemical mechanism. Does it soften the skin or have a kind of chemical exfoliant that makes skin thinner so it is easier for the hairs to grow out instead of in? Or does it do something to the hair follicles that changes the structure or direction it grows. I have no idea, and my research online has lead me no clear answers. This is not because I am suspicious of the product and if it will damage my skin, I am just curious and would like to know how it works. But Tend Skin probably keeps it as a trade secret or something. =P
Overall, I think this product is worth the money, and I will definitely repurchase this again! =)

Do I recommend this product?
If you tend to get a lot of ingrown hairs and razor bumps from shaving I highly recommend this product! However, if you have sensitive skin, make sure to talk to a dermatologist before use, or try it on a small area of skin to see if there are any side effects.

I hope you found this review helpful! Let me know if you have any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and talk to you later! =)

Review on Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector (work still in progress)

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing the Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector

This product can be found online or in the Kiehl's store for $35. It contains 1.0 fluid oz or 30mL of product.
This product can be used as a primer before foundation and/or concealer or as skincare product at the last step of the skincare routine.
It is said to be lightweight, non-greasy, oil-free, paraben free, and non-comedogenic. It is supposed to minimize the appearance of pores and improve the skin by "Instantly, skin appears perfected as the number, size, and depth of pores are visibly minimized. In just 4 weeks, even bare skin appears transformed and virtually flawless. pores appear significantly diminished for a fresh, healthier-looking complexion."

Note: I have italicized certain words for a reason that will be explained below. Thank you.

What do I think of this product?
I bought this product to reduce the appearance of my pores and it was raved by Gossmakeupartist on Youtube (I believe, hope I got that right, bought this a looong time ago). I got it for $30 because I had a discount.
My first impression was that this was a slightly expensive purchase. Kiehl's is known for it's high quality but expensive skincare so I wasn't that surprised by the brand. But you know, this still cost quite a bit. =P
This product did not irritate or redden my skin. It has a skin-color color, but it does not tint or change my skin color when I put it on. It blends into my skin. It does smell like paint, that sort of chemical smell which is kind of annoying. I don't like that. =/ And it is a little sharp smelling so if I inhale too much of it, I'll start to get a headache. Luckily the smell fades really fast and ends up having a very faint smell of plastic, or maybe rubber, something like that.
I started to use this as the last step in my daily skincare routine (following the instructions). Instantly I could tell by the texture that it was silicon based. It has that very slick/smooth texture that some people may not like because it feels greasy to them. For me it does feel greasy well, obviously, because it is silicon based. It does not look greasy, and when I wearing it, it does not feel sticky or heavy. However, when I touch my face, it does feel greasy and I don't really like that thought in my head, even when I know it doesn't look greasy. I used it as a skincare item for about a week until I couldn't stand it, and just stopped using it for that purpose. =P
During that one week, after I applied it as my last step in my skincare routine, I honestly could not really see the difference before and after I put it on. It blurred and softened the appearance of my pores somewhat, but not to a significant degree and not to the point where it is noticed clearly by other people.

Going back to my Note that I wrote above. I italicized all those words, because I feel that this is not a skincare treatment for literally minimizing pore size. I feel that it's just something that affects the appearance of the pores. Granted I did not use this everyday for 4 weeks, but if you read it carefully (as I have quoted for you above), look how many times they used the word "appear". The definition of appear is to "look like something" or "seem like something". So that just tells me, after using this product for 4 weeks my pores will look like they are smaller, but in reality they are not....so, this does not seem like a treatment to me. Seems like I have to wear this product in order to reduce the appearance of pores. If this was a real skincare treatment product, I don't think it would use the word "appear". Perhaps if it was a real skincare treatment product it would say something like "Instantly, skin becomes perfected as the number, size, and depth of pores are visibly minimized. In just 4 weeks, even bare skin is transformed and virtually flawless. Pores are significantly diminished for a fresh, and healthier complexion.". Get what I mean? But, I digress =P, sorry it became a little rant.

As for being a foundation/concealer primer, I honestly have not tried this yet (thus as the title depicts "work still in progress"). I rarely ever wear foundation, much less concealer, and it is summer now and very hot and I don't feel like wearing anything on my face for now. =P So, perhaps later, when I have more events to go to and when the weather cools down, I will use this as a primer and let you guys know how it is. =)

As for now, I kind of feel like I wasted my money. Hmm...probably should have done more research on this before buying. =/ But if it works at least as a decent primer, I'll just use it until it's done and not repurchase it. =P and if it surprises me and is a fantastic primer, i'll let you know as well. XP

Do I recommend this product?
Currently, I do not recommend this as a skincare treatment for minimizing pores. If you want something to just make your pores look more blurred or smaller, you can try this. It didn't work that well for me and I don't really see the point of making your pores "look" smaller vs trying a product that literally makes them smaller. But, each to his/her own. =P

I hope this review was helpful to you. I am sorry for giving you a half review instead of a full one but I wanted to talk about this product before I forgot about it. XP I bought this product more than 4 months ago and really felt the need to get this over with. Besides, when this is on my blog, I can see it and remember to update you guys!
Feel free to write any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later. =)

Quick Review on "Clean & Clear" Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

Hi everybody!

I have mentioned this product before and this will be a quick review just because the product has not changed but the name has.

I am reviewing the "Clean & Clear" Advantage Acne Spot Treatment gel

This product costs $6-10 and contains 22mL or 0.75 fluid oz of product.

A while ago I reviewed the Clean and Clear Advantage Mark Treatment, as in 2 years ago. They have renamed this product as the Acne Spot Treatment.

Because it is basically the same thing, all I want to say that it contains 2% salicylic acid which helps treats and prevents acne. It also helps reduce the inflammation, redness, and swelling that comes with acne and has antiseptic properties that help kill bacteria.

I now use the Advantage Acne Spot Treatment, obviously, since Mark Treatment is no longer continuously produced on the market. It may still be around, but I use the new name.

And it works great! =)

For more information, click on the link for the Mark Treatment above.

Thanks!

Review on Facial Hair Spring Bend Remover =D

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing an item that I will call the Facial Hair Spring Bend Remover

This product can be found online, I bought mine in Tokyo Lifestyle for about $3.

What do I think of this product?

So a while ago, as in 1-2 years ago, I saw Bubzbeauty on Youtube talk about this product. She raved about this product as a fast and efficient way to remove tiny hairs from the face, especially around the mouth area. At the time, I just used tweezers to pull out the hairs individually and I felt that it was not necessary to buy something like this. Because, tweezers do the same thing and still work.

I was very bored this summer, and saw this for a very low price and was like, well, why not? And I love this! One of the best investments I have ever had!

This product uses a similar concept to hair threading, a common Vietnamese practice of removing facial hair and shaping eyebrows. As shown in the diagram above, as you roll the wires along your face, the twisting spring will catch, pinch, and pull out the hairs as you roll.

I found this to be a very fast and efficient way to remove hair. I do not need to spend the time and energy looking at a mirror and straining my eyes to find and pluck individual hairs. I can just roll this on my face without really the need to look into a mirror and in less than 30 seconds have nearly all the facial hair removed. It is faster and less stressful than plucking individual hairs and once you get into practice and do it quickly, it doesn't hurt. More a prickling sensation.

I usually like to use this around the mustache area under my nose and around my mouth. It helps clear up the fuzz that creates a shadow that can give the appearance of a mustache or beard.

Small, light weight and portable, I have no problems carrying this around when traveling. I like to use this in the evenings, after I cleanse my face and before I go to bed. Then I'll apply salicylic acid gel to the area, to prevent bacteria from going into and clogging up the open pores (which are produced when I pull out the hairs).

Do I recommend this product?

I highly recommend this product for those with normal and/or non-sensitive skin. If your skin is extremely sensitive, it might be more painful when using this product, or your skin may react to it more and cause some redness and swelling. You could try using this item less often, maybe once a week, which helps reduce irritation. If you do have a skin condition, you may talk to your dermatologist about using this product.

I do have sensitive skin, so in the beginning I did have some redness and swelling. Salicylic acid does help calm my skin down and by the next day I am fine. After long term use, my skin is already use to this, and so does not react as violently as it used to.

So I hope that you found this review useful! This product is quite well known throughout Asian but not really in the States. Feel free to ask me any questions or comments in the comment box below! 

See you very soon! =)

Review on Biore Black Pore Strips!

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing Biore's Black Pore Strips

These strips can be bought at Marukai Living, Mitsuwa, Tokyo Lifestyle, and Takashima and also online.
It is a pack of 10 nose pore strips for about $12-$15.

What do I think of this product?
This is my go-to pore strip. I have tried a variety of pore strips within and outside this brand and I always come back to this one! I think that the adhesive properties of the strip are stronger and tend to leave less sticky residue behind when I take them off.
During the summer, my pores get bigger and tend to get clogged more easily so I get more whiteheads and blackheads. But I do tend to get white heads a lot more frequently than blackheads, especially on my nose. Once a while when I feel that I just have too many large whiteheads on my nose, I use this pore strip. It is very effective for me. It pulls out the majority of the white heads except for the hard to reach areas such as the inner corners of my nose. My pores become significantly smaller after use and it is great!
I do not use pore strips often since they are a relatively forceful way of cleaning pores and can be damaging and drying to the skin with often use. So I use this occasionally, maybe once a month, especially a few days before an event or date.
I will also use pore strips at night, after I cleanse my face and before I go to bed.
I only use them at night, because remember, pore strips can be a little damaging to the skin, they may take off a little bit of skin, exposing it to the environment. Also, once all those whiteheads and blackheads are pulled out, the pores are now open holes, also exposed to the environment. After taking off the strip, I rinse my face with water, apply toner, serum (sometimes) and moisturizer. And after that, I will use my Clean and Clear advantage acne spot treatment gel (formerly called the mark treatment) over my nose. This product has salicylic acid which prevents acne, and acts as a natural antiseptic. This way it will help prevent bacteria from going into my open mores and prevent acne from reforming!
I cleans my face before using the pore strip because the pore strips stick best to the face when there is no oil and dirt in the way. Pore strips rely on using the warm wet water on your nose to active an adhesive mechanism that literally sucks out the water and blackheads/whiteheads from your skin and pores. Water is polar and oil and dirt are non-polar. Like goes with like. So, if you have oil and dirt between the pore strip and the skin, it's not going to be as effect.
I guess my only issue with these is that I find them a little expensive. =P But at least they work well for me!

Do I recommend this product?
I recommend this product for those who do have sensitive skin on their nose and who tend to get more white heads than black heads. Not that this pore strip takes out whiteheads better than blackheads, the strip is black so you can see all the whiteheads that were pulled out, so visually it is better to see them.
If you do have sensitive skin, I recommend abstaining from pore strips all together and go for something more gentle such as the rubber-like peel off masks or clay masks.

So I hope that this review was helpful. Feel free to write any comments or questions in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you soon! =D

Review on "My Beauty Diary" Cooling Mask ^o^

Hi Everyone!

Kind of funny that I said I would slow down on product buying and reviews because I was moving to the east coast and I said I didn't want to bring extra stuff....but....I guess I'm still buying =P.

Anyway, today I am reviewing the "My Beauty Diary" Cooling Mask!!

This product is a box of 10 masks that costs from $12 -$17. It can be found online on Amazon, or in the "My Beauty Diary" store in Los Angeles, CA, or in Takashima, and sometimes in 99 Ranch.
They are paper masks soaked in tons of serum.
It is said to: Cool, sooth and nourish skin for use on normal skin. And it contains: witch hazel, amica - soothes skin Menthol, peepermint - lowers skin temperature Calendula, scotch broom - softens skin Compound extracts of yeast - nourishes and moisturizes skin

Directions
Cleanse and tones face thoroughly before applying mask. Put the mask on and leave it for 20 - 30 minutes, then peel off. Gently massage the excess essence on the face and neck to assist absorption. No rinsing is necessary. Follow with your daily moisturizer. Use 2 - 3 times weekly for maximum effect.

What do I think of this product?
I love this product! This is my go to summer mask!!!
It does not irritate or redden my sensitive skin. Like all other "My Beauty Diary" masks, the paper mask is decently sturdy and soaked with a lot of serum.
It does a wonderful job of hydrating and softening my skin! I love the texture of my skin after using it. Feels so smooth and soft ~<3
And best of all, is its cooling effects! All masks feel cool on the face to some degree (except the ones that are exothermic and supposed to warm up), because they contain some moisture which evaporates as it is on your face, making you feel cool. BUT! This mask actually is endothermic, it becomes colder than just the cooling feeling of water evaporation from the skin. This feels so great and relaxing~ Especially on hot summer days, when you feel so tired and uncomfortable because of the heat. I love to use this on hot summer nights as well, to help me relax and cool down before I go to sleep. ^_^

Do I recommend this product?
Yes, I highly recommend this product for all skin types! This is great if you are looking for a mask that will really help you cool down whenever the weather is unbearably hot! Keep in mind that this mask's benefits are mostly cooling, hydration, and skin softening. If you want other or added benefits, maybe you can try a different "My Beauty Diary" mask. I have many reviews on my blog that you can check out!

So I hope that this review was helpful to you! Let me know if you have any questions or comments in the comment box below! Thanks for reading and I will talk to you later! =)

P.S.
F.Y.I. guys, heat is a form of energy. Exothermic processes release energy (or heat) and Endothermic processes absorb energy (or heat). Releasing energy usually assumes releasing it into the environment (sometimes to another object, but that goes into radiation and conduction) and absorbing energy is taking energy away from the environment or object. So things that feel cold are not releasing "coldness", there's no such thing as that. What actually happens is when something feels cold, energy (or heat) is being taken away from it.
Super important if you want to go into chemistry or biology or biochemistry as a career. Don't forget! lol XP

Review on BCL Tsururi Ghassoul Face Wash Paste Black Head Remover =D

Hi Everyone!

Today I am reviewing BCL's Tsururi Ghassoul Face Wash Paste Black Head Remover!

This product costs $14 and contains 120 grams or 4.2 oz of product.

It is said to:

• Removes pore clogger, grease, from pores, leaving skin smooth, bright, and beautiful
• Ghassoul (Moroccan lava clay) and Andean rock salt, and charcoal absorbs dirt and grease from pores effectively and naturally
• Also conatins 6 kinds of natural essential oils to create refreshing herbal florest scent
• Rich lather leaves skin refresh after wash
• 100% botanical soap ingredients. Contains scrubs.

You can find this on Amazon for free shipping. =)

What do I think of this product?

I have previously reviewed a Tsururi cleansing scrub here. And I was not impressed.

However, I was looking around online and I saw that this particular one had very good reviews, so I decided to try this out. I have been using this for a little over a month.

This is my most favorite current face scrub!!! (My all time favorite one is Poretol's Pore Care Face Massage Pack). This exfoliating cleanser does not irritate or redden my skin. It has a sort of herbal-medicinal scent. The scent is not strong or sharp and does not irritate my eyes or nose. It's a smell I don't mind, kind of like the scent of Tiger Balm actually.

It does have tiny exfoliating beads which are very small and do not scratch my face. They are not as small as Etude House's Baking Powder Foam Cleanser, but they are still very small. The tiny exfoliating beads do a wonderful job of gently exfoliating my skin and making it feel nice and smooth after washing!

This cleanser also foams up while massage the product into your face! I love foaming cleanser, they feel great! This one does not foam up as much as the image shows, but it still foams up well.

I love this cleanser. It is great at exfoliating away dead skin cells, making my skin smooth and soft, and cleansing my skin very well. As for my pores, they have not gotten bigger, darker, or more clogged after using this. However, my pores have not gotten smaller with this either. This product may be a good way for preventing and cleaning clogged pores and black heads, and so keeps the status quo, but does little for further pore improvement (such as shrinking pore size). I would definitely repurchase this product and I plan to do so once I move to the East Coast.

Do I recommend this product?

If you are looking for an exfoliating cleanser, I highly recommend this product! It does a wonderful job of exfoliating and cleansing my skin and helps prevent clogged pores and break outs. If you are looking for a cleanser to help shrink your pores, this may help but will not work as directly and significantly as you may like. Perhaps you could use this in combination with a more specialized product for reducing pore size or try something else.

So, I hope you guys found this review helpful! Please let me know if you have any comments or questions in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you next time! ^_^

Review on "Etude House" Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam! =)

Hi Everyone!

Long time no see! I have been busying packing and prepping for moving! For more info on that, check it out here.

Today I am reviewing the Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam

This product cost $10 and contains 170mL or 5.74 fluid oz.
This product is said to be formulated with baking powder and to gently exfoliate skin and thoroughly clean pores.

What do I think of this product?
I was so happy with Etude House's Toner, that I decided to try one of their facial cleansers! I have used this cleanser every morning for at least 1 month.
This product does not irritate or redden my skin. As you massage the product while cleansing, it lathers up into a very thick and fluffy foam! This feels so nice and comfortable! It does have exfoliating beads, but there are not a lot of beads and the beads are very very small. They are probably the smallest beads I have ever tried and they work great! They gently exfoliate my skin without scratching me or taking off too much skin.
This cleanser does have a fragrance. A sort of clean lemon scent.
I think this does a wonderful job cleaning my skin. I feels so refreshed and clean after use! ^_^
As for cleaning my pores, I think this does help clean my pores and get rid and prevent black heads quite well. However, this does not make my pores any smaller. But it is advertised to clean pores, not shrink them or get rid of them, so I'm not holding this against them, haha.
Overall, great gentle cleanser and affordable! If I don't feel  like trying something new, I will probably repurchase this product. If I want to try something else, I am definitely keeping this product in mind for future use!

Do I recommend this product?
I highly recommend this for all skin types. This is great if you like foaming cleanser and if you want to gently and lightly exfoliate your face. This is a very gentle exfoliant and I use it everyday without any problems! I also think this is quite affordable and you can get it on Amazon online as well!

I hope this review was helpful to you! Feel free to ask my any questions or comment in the comment box below! Etude House is becoming one of the most popular skincare and makeup brands in Korea and lately their skincare products have been having positive reviews and good improvements. I look forward to trying more of their products!

Thank you for reading! I will see you later! =D

Review on "Etude House" Skin Toner Wonder Pore Freshner! =D

Hi Everyone!

And yes, I am back with another review!

Today I am reviewing the "Etude House" Skin Toner Wonder Pore Freshner!

This product costs about $16 and contains 250mL. It is sold online and in Etude House stores.
It is said to:
-deep cleanse pores
-maintain skin pH 4.5 +/- 1
-control a large amount of sebum
-minimize appearance of pores
-refine skin tones
-keep elasticity of pores
-moisturize inside and outside of skin

What do I think of this product?
I got this on Amazon because I have Amazon Prime and I have been using it twice a day after cleansing my face for a little over 2 months. And I think this toner is amazing! It doesn't do everything that it says, but it does what is important!
I bought this toner because as the days get warmer and sunnier my skin gets oilier and my pores become bigger and well, easily clogged with oil and dirt.
I believe that this works quite well for my pores, I have seen a good decrease in the size of my pores and they not only appear smaller but also not as dark and clogged.
I have also noticed that I have less acne after using this product. Granted, I do not have much acne in the first place, but I still get more pimples when my hormones level fluctuate because of the monthly menstrual cycle. However, even during those days, the amount of acne has decreased! This may be because of the "controlling large amount of sebum" benefit of the toner.
I don't know what they mean about "keep elasticity of pores" and about "moisturize inside and outside of the skin". Do pores need to be elastic? Is it easier to de-clog pores that way? And for those of you who are not in the medical field, inside the skin is going to where the blood vessels are and the flesh of the skin. I don't think that makes much sense. =P
However, I do find this toner works well with my sensitive skin. My skin does not get irritated or red from it and this toner does not dry my skin out. It does moisturize my skin a little but I will still use a moisturizer anyway.
As for knowing that it maintains my skin at a certain pH, that does not seem to be make any scientific sense and I can't measure the pH of my skin, much less in my skin than on top of the skin. So I'll just ignore that. =P
Besides, the few unusual claims that don't make sense. I love this toner. It worked well for what I wanted and what I wanted was to minimize the size of my pores and it does a great job doing that! It is is also a great plus that it helped reduce my acne! =)
It also still has the same benefits as other toners; to clean off any residual facial cleanser or makeup still left on the face and prepping the skin for moisturizer.
A little goes a long way! You don't need much of this product. It has been a little over 2 months of use from me and I still have 2/3 of the bottle left!
I would probably repurchase this again. My "Body Shop" Aloe toner works very well, but it does not have the added benefits for my pores that this one does.

Do I recommend this product?
If you are looking for a toner to help minimize your pores and help your acne, I recommend this product. Granted everyone's skin is different so it will work in different degrees. But it did work pretty well for me and I think it is great for all skin types!

I hope this review was helpful to you! Feel free to ask me any questions or comment in the comment box below! Thanks for reading and I will see you later! =)

Review of "My Beauty Diary" 2-Step Spring Mask Pack!

Hi Everyone!

It has been a while! I apologize for posting so infrequently now, but as I have mentioned in this post why I have been and will be (until I move to the east coast) for the time being.
But if you have stuck with me, thank you so much for your patience! I have quite a lot of products to review, and I am excited to share them with you!

Today I am reviewing the "My Beauty Diary" 2-Step Spring Mask Pack!

I apologize but I do not remember the cost of this mask pack. But it is probably between $10-15. The box contains 8 sets of masks each with a complementary moisturizer.
It contains the Mountain Cherry Blossom Mask and the April Cherry Blossom Creamy Gel moisturizer.
It is said to be suitable for all skin types, especially for dry and sensitive skin, helps to firm, nourish and regenerates skin. Especially focusing on whitening, softening, soothing, firming, and refreshing the skin.

What do I think of this product?
As you know, I have done many previous "My Beauty Diary Mask" reviews. Most of the masks are very good for softening, whitening, and hydrating the skin. Whether they brighten, tighten, or reduce fine lines and wrinkles can be debatable. (I personally feel that it is very difficult to find skin care products to treat lines, wrinkles, and tighten the face in a permanent manner.)
This mask did not irritate or redden my sensitive skin. It had a very light sort of herbal or tea-like fragrance. I'm not sure. But it was definitely not a strong and sharp smell and it faded quickly after putting the mask on. The mask is made of paper but as long as you are not handling it roughly, it will not tear and contains a lot of serum. So much so that you can empty the pouch and spread the rest on your neck and chest area if you wish.
The lotion is semi-clear with little pink beads for added skincare benefits and a mini skin massage while you apply and massage the product onto your face. It has a gel-like texture on the thicker side. It does feel a bit sticky, especially when drying, but it will end up drying not sticky. It is very hydrating and they give you enough moisturizer for your neck as well.
I think this is a great mask. Here in southern California, the spring was unusually warmer and dryer than normal and this mask really helped to re-hydrate my skin. It definitely made my skin feel softer and also whitened my skin.

Do I recommend this product?
I definitely recommend this product for almost all skin types. If your skin happens to be extremely sensitive to skincare or makeup products or you tend to have allergic reactions, please consult your dermatologist before use. Everyone's skin is different and I am not guaranteeing this is perfect for everyone. You can do a test beforehand by applying some serum and moisturizer onto your hands or arms and seeing if there is a reaction if you are concerned.
I think this is an amazing product if you are looking for a mask to rehydrate your skin. It comes with its own complementary moisturizer which suites the serum the best as well!
If you are looking for a mask to reduce wrinkles and fine lines or tighten the skin, this did not do much for me, but you are free to try!

Here is some extra information regarding the "My Beauty Diary" masks and their skincare properties and benefits (sorry it's a bit big, but if I didn't expand it, it would be hard to read the tiny words):




















I hope that you liked this review and that it was helpful to you! Feel free to write any questions or comments below! Thank you for reading! I will see you very soon! =D