Category Archives: Skincare

Beauty Favourites, Beauty Reviews, Skincare

Review: SANA’s Soy Milk All-In-One Moisture Gel

April 23, 2019 Siree 19 Comments

The Verdict

Application
Skin Benefits and Effects
Packaging and Design
Value for Money

OVERALL SUMMARY

Better-than-Decent Skin Healing

Using the beauty benefits found in fermented soy milk, soy protein and extracts derived from non-GMO soybeans, SANA’s Soy Milk All-In-One Moisture Jelly Gel (Namerakahonpo) is a pudding-like face moisturizer that “melts” when it touches the skin. With its high absorption ability, its formula is made to make dry skin bouncier, firmer and restore hydration without the need for a costly day and night skincare routine by combining six skin care products into one bottle.

I first heard about this cream from online reviews speaking highly about its ability to cure stubborn dry skin but also, there are some who also say they were able to see immediate pumping effects after two days of usage. Could this be the answer for dull crusty looking skin? Let’s dive into this moisture-rich gel formula and pick out what works and what doesn’t.

APPLICATION

Hands down the best thing about this product is its convenience when applying.

Even though I’m someone who invests taking care of my skin seriously, I must admit I can be very lazy at maintaining my own routine too. Seriously, a full-on skincare routine is definitely a time-consuming task to undertake on a nightly basis. Being suitable for day or night application, SANA’s Namerakahonpo All-in-One Moisture Jelly Gel simplifies what would usually be six individual skin care steps into an all-in-one formula meaning less wait time when waiting for formulas to dry between

layers, and not having to balance a facial mask from falling off your face when you want to sit upright. It’s a total time saver!

Another plus is that this face moisturiser is not a cream formula but a kind of watery milky gel that’s great for anyone who isn’t into heavy or oily moisturisers. It’s lightweight and smooth when applied, easy to rub into the skin with no sticky or visible residue. Having said that though, I do suggest to layer your application more than once especially during cold and drier weather since the formula doesn’t last as long as oil-based types.

L: Normal side | R: Side using All-in-One Moisture Jelly Gel

SKIN BENEFITS AND EFFECTS

This All-In-One Moisture Jelly Gel has one mission only: to make the skin hydrated.

Although it’s a shame it doesn’t have any other added skin benefits, the formula in this jelly gel is created to aid winter dry skin by combining the benefits of the moisturising properties found in multiple skin care products into one.

For me, the extra boost of hydration and liquid formula really helps take care of those stubborn crusts and flake-patches that develop around the corner of the nose. This always frustrates me especially when I wear makeup but it seems to appear less since using this cream.

What I don’t think works is the primer. The primer in SANA’s Moisture Jelly Gel doesn’t smooth out your pores giving a “bubble” or “pothole” look if you have bad pores like me currently.

Also, the claims of seeing immediate bouncy and firm skin were not noticeable to me even after using this product for over a month. This is most likely because I do use other products to tackle my skin problems and the results from SANA’s Moisture Jelly Gel are not as recognisable. If you are someone who doesn’t have a specific skin care routine or has mature skin, you might see different results than I have.

Close up of my pores after putting on a light layer of foundation. The primer should have “airbrushed” the lumpy look but it didn’t.

Packaging and Design

The product comes in an easy screw-off tub and though it is a generic white shape with a sticker on it, it’s still nice to hold and not too cheap feeling.

Germaphobes might freak over bacteria as you will need to dip into

the product directly and there is no spatula or spoon which comes with it.

Overall, SANA’s Namerakahonpo All-in-One Moisture Jelly Gel’s design isn’t dynamic or special but decently good for everyday use.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Considering this product combines six other products in one, at roughly $10 it’s a great bang-for-your-buck and it contains enough product to last for a month or so.

Though it might sound like glorified moisturizer, I would definitely place the

Namerakahonpo All-in-One Moisture Jelly Gel as a product you would see under the higher-quality skincare range at your local beauty retailer as it’s definitely more concentrated than normal lotion with better ingredients.

WHERE TO BUY

WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND TO CURE DRY WINTER SKIN?

LET US KNOW BELOW!

Beauty Reviews, Skincare

Review: Kiehl’s ‘Let Us Change Your Skin’ Haul

September 8, 2018 Talyssa 15 Comments

[better-reviews]

Finest Apothecary Skincare

I am all for apothecary and natural skincare. In fact, getting a skincare consultation, switching to natural products and following a personalised skincare routine was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 2 years on, my skin has completely transformed and is relatively acne free. In case you didn’t know, I suffered from some pretty bad acne for quite some time!

If you find yourself struggling to find the perfect products for your skin, I highly recommend going to have a chat to a skincare consultant in any Kiehl’s store during the remainder of September for a free customised skincare service. With every consultation, you’ll also get 5 free personalised samples to take home and try out!

Now onto the reviews! I have oily-combination and acne prone skin so my experiences below are based on how the product reacted to my skin type. If you have a different skin type, you might want to try the products yourself (ask for a sample if you’re not ready to pay without trying!)

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner

This toner is ideal for normal to oily skin types, making it perfect for me! What I love most about this toner is the smell. It’s an amazing almost tea-like smell that’s very natural, I can’t get enough of it! The product itself is also gorgeous to look at, with hand picked calendula petals floating inside.

Being made with whole calendula flowers and pure extracts like great burdock root, this toner aims to gently cleanse skin of remaining dirt, oil and impurities, while calming and healing the complexion. It’s also alcohol free, and did not irritate or contribute to my acne in any way!

The only thing I disliked about this toner is the application. The toner I was using before was a spray application, which I really love. Being an environmentally conscious person, Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner requires the use of a cotton pad upon every application, and I couldn’t help feeling like my facial care waste contribution had now doubled. My second issue with the application is that is goes against the calming properties of the toner. Rubbing the cotton pad over my face, even gently, promotes redness in my skin. With a spray application this does not happen and therefore calms the skin more effectively.

If this toner was a spray application, I would have given this product 5/5 stars and even swapped it into my regular routine!

Price

125mL: $33

250mL: $54

500mL: $87

Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

Suited for all skin types including sensitive skin, this was my favourite Kiehl’s product from the “Let Us Change Your Skin” pack. Out of all products, I noticed the most impact from this one and I really found my eye area looking brighter and younger after using this product for 2 weeks.

Enriched with avocado oil and shea butter, the creamy eye treatment deeply moisturises and hydrates the skin under your eyes to prevent dark circles and keeps the skin looking bright instead of dry and dull – something I really noticed! This product also helps to prevent fine lines from forming.

With the skin around the eye area being extremely delicate, this product just missed out on a 5 star rating because of its application and texture. The texture of this product is not creamy, but more like a paste that turns watery with the heat of your fingertips upon application (at least that is how it appeared to me). The only problem with this was when the weather got a little colder and my face and hands were cold/dry, the product failed to immediately turn watery, causing the paste-like texture to pull at the delicate skin under my eyes. This product would be great if it became watery a little quicker, maybe on direct contact with the skin.

Price:

14mL: $44

28mL: $83

Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate

One of Kiehl’s more expensive products, the Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate claims to visibly reduce wrinkles, signs of ageing, improve skin texture, minimise pores and boost skin radiance after 2 weeks. It is formulated with 12.5% Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, making this a clinical grade serum.

Maybe it’s the fact that I don’t have that many wrinkles yet, but I really only noticed complexion become more radiant. I haven’t really noticed any reduction in wrinkles (again I might not have enough) and I also haven’t noticed a change in the size of my pores. However, to give this product more of a fair test, I’ve given it to my mum to test over the next two weeks and will report back with her results!

I also want to add that this product worked very well when integrated into my current skincare routine and did not cause me to break out.

For me personally, this product didn’t do all that was promised annnndd considering it’s quite pricey, my rating was influenced accordingly. This may change when I report back on my mother’s results!

Price:

50mL: $98

Kiehl’s ultra facial cream

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream provides 24 hour hydration for your skin. Formulated with nature-powered ingredients such as Antarcticine (extracted from microorganisms sourced from sea glaciers) and Imperate Cylindrica, a plant indigenous to the Australian desert with excellent water retention qualities, this cream aims to leave skin comfortable and balanced in even the most harshest weather conditions.

Because of all the natural products and science behind this product, I really wanted to like this cream more than I did. Although formulated for all skin types, I did find this cream caused me to break out in my problem areas, like most hydrating and thick creams when used on oily/acne prone skin. However, considering how thick this cream is, it didn’t feel too heavy or irritating on my skin which I was surprised about! Overall, this was the product I liked least for my skin type, though I can imagine it would work really well for others!

Price:

28mL: $24

50mL: $40

125mL: $74

Get your Kiehl’s Goodies here

Beauty Reviews, Skincare

Review: Berrisom OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask

May 15, 2018 Siree 3 Comments

The Verdict

Application
Product Design
Brightening
Skin Benefits
Value for Money

3.4

OVERALL SUMMARY

A great mask to add to your cleansing routine

Summer is almost here and it’s time to change up your skincare routine to better care for our skin during the hot sweltering days.

While you might grab your favourite soda to quench your thirst, how about a refreshing soda but just for your face? I try the newest bubble mask trend to see what beauty magic will happen…

APPLICATION

nlike most facial masks, the OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask is a two-step application process to get the full benefits of the mask’s formula.

First, after normal cleansing like with all masks, you will need to apply the sheet to the lower half of your face and wait. After 10 – 20 minutes, the second stage is to massage the bubble foam formula into your face before rinsing off. This acts as a “double cleansing” effect for your skin so it can really “eat” all the nutrients since it requires you to wash off the product unlike leaving it on overnight.

As this “Brighten Fruit” mask version is for a brighter complexion, the double action works great to increase its effects and to get rid of any remaining residue from the day’s activities that can block pores and cause breakouts.

Something I noticed while waiting was the mask is kind of slippery so you will need to apply it a little higher or occasionally adjust the sheet to not let it slide off too much.

PRODUCT DESIGN

f course, being its major selling point, the OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask has a unique formula design that magically transforms watery serum into a bubbly foam without touching.

The bubbles immediately form when taken out of the pouch and over time becomes foamier and builds height. It reminded me of a Santa Claus beard! The foaming action is really incredible, too! It felt like it was continuously making bubbles and didn’t deflate even after 10 minutes. While on your face, the bubble action creates a

soft fizzing type sound making it sound like you’re in some kind of Coke Cola ad. The half-size mask also works to problem shoot the gimmicky flaws of these bubble mask products. By restricting the bubble foam area, it prevents the suds going into your eyes or hairline while the foam created was enough to massage the product into your upper face in the second application stage so it doesn’t get left out.

The sheet has a freckle design on the cheek area which is purely for aesthetic but is a nice design touch.

Brightening

he main extract ingredients in this product are acidic based plants that naturally brighten skin tone including blueberry, tomato, lemon, lime, grapefruit, acerola cherry, and centella asiatica which is said to produce healthy cells for brighter skin.

For the last few weeks, I haven’t been diligently doing my skincare routine so my skin

texture is quite rough and darken at points around my chin due to acne. Although I think using this product more will show better concrete results to its brightening power, after using the mask once I did feel my skin complexion looked a little better than before.

SKIN BENEFITS

esides from natural brightening plant extracts, the OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask also contains carbonated sparkling water. This carbonation has detoxifying effects which are said to rejuvenate the skin and improve circulation. The sensation is a light tingly

sensation and you can feel your skin tighten slightly after the 8-minute point. After washing my skin it felt slippery and smooth, very clean and refreshed which is perfect for the summertime.

Value for Money

he Berrisom: OOPS! Soda Bubble Mask retail roughly at $3 per sheet which is a little more expensive than your usual daily face masks but would be perfect to include for a spa day or in your once-every-so-often skincare routine. It is truly a one-time use only kind of product

as you cannot reuse the product’s serum like other masks as it needs the sheet to activate the bubble effect. However, you can reuse the extra serum at the bottom for another day without the suds effect. All-in-all, it’s an affordable trend product that won’t break the bank and does work as advertised.

WHERE TO BUY

HAVE YOU TRIED THE BERRISOM OOPS! SODA BUBBLE MASK?

Miracle Youth: A TL;DR Guide to Japanese Collagen Products

October 24, 2017 Siree Leave a comment

Stop the hands of time and drink this wine!

You might be familiar with my gushing of the magic that is Japanese collagen products, promising longer lasting beauty by regenerating the appearance of youthful-looking skin. In Japan, many shops have dedicated shelves like shrines to this beauty supplement and are even available at

convenience stores.

With the popularity of collagen beauty supplements making its way to the West, here’s a rundown of what this stuff is and my rumble opinion of the best Japanese collagen products to get.

So where does collagen come from?

nfortunately, collagen products are not vegan/vegetarian friendly.

The four main sources of hydrolyzed collagen found in supplements are bovine (cow), porcine (pig), chicken, and marine (fish) collagen.

Most collagen products are either pig or fish collagen-based. I personally like the collagen derived from fish for its taste and also since it is derived from the parts of the animal (fish skin, scales, and bones) which would be disposed of rather than consumed normally.

Types of Collagen Products

he current line up of collagen beauty supplements comes in the form of tablet capsules, powder, jelly, and drinks.

As I’m not a big fan of swallowing unnecessary pills, I chose to focus on the latter:

Powder Form

his form is a powdery white grain collagen that has no smell and is tasteless for maximum enjoyment.

Since my first encounter drinking this type of collagen, I have been seriously impressed at the advancements in production as I feel companies are really trying to improve their formulas to help customers enjoy consuming their products more. These powder forms can be either fish or pork collagen-based.

Personally, this is my favourite type because you can joy it mixed in a variety of drinks and the size of the bag is enough to last a month. As it is in dry form, it also lasts longer should you only choose to drink it every so often making this type very cost-effective.

Currently, I am enjoying the Orihiro brand’s Collagen with Hyaluronic Acid. Meiji’s Premium Amino Collagen range is also great too.

Jelly

ollagen jellies come in a week supply packaging and eating one a day is sufficient enough to get your daily dose for beauty.

This one is particularly interesting because it uses man-made pork placenta extract hence the tasty name “Placenta C Jelly.” Though the name isn’t very pleasant, never fear! It is fruit flavoured to mask any potential unpleasant smell

or taste.

It’s nice to know my sweet tooth treat now has an extra benefit other than a sugar rush but I feel it’s not the greatest option if you want the long term benefits of collagen as part of your beauty routine.

Drinks

upplement drinks are concentrated mixtures for on-the-go people and comes in calorie-free sweetened flavours.

As you will need to drink one per day these bottles are so popular they come in larger quantity packs for daily use. Although I do like drinking these, they are a little bit expensive to drink regularly than the powder form. However, as a

fun drink suggestion, I have seen mocktail drinks using these as a mixer if you want to try something a bit fancy and creative.

My favourite is the Shiseido’s The Collagen and Chocola BB range (another skincare supplement drink but uses vitamins rather than collagen ingredients.)

DO YOU USE ANY COLLAGEN PRODUCTS?

LET US KNOW WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BELOW!

Beauty Reviews, Skincare

Review: Innisfree Eco Ice Cotton Toner

June 5, 2017 Siree 6 Comments

The Verdict

Application
Skin Benefits and Effects
Packaging and Design
Value for Money

3.4

OVERALL SUMMARY

Cool, but not *that* cool

“It delivers an instant cooling effect for tired skin in hot summer to lower the temperature of your skin as well as our earth.”

Summer is well in effect here in Tokyo and to escape the heat, I thought I would road test one of the most interesting beauty products I’ve seen so far: the Innisfree Eco Ice Cotton Toner.

With a tagline that promises not only to cool you down in summer but also being environmentally friendly, I ask, what magic does putting on this toner aid in lowering the temperature of our earth exactly?

Innisfree, priding itself as a natural environmentally-friendly brand hopes the introduction of these products will help reduce the use of air conditioners during the simmering summer months. While I am a bit pessimistic at the bold claim to stay cool on a searing 40 degree, high humidity day without a need for a fan or air-con for sweet relief, I can relate to the satisfying feeling of getting rid of the day’s grime with a cooling toner. Let’s find out how effective this product really is…

Application

hen dispensing the product, I was surprised at what came out!

The product inside was a spongy, silly string like foam that was soaked in a bubbly water-based toner for easy direct use.

After shaking the can well, you spray a small amount into your hand to create a cotton ball shape and massage it into your skin. True to word, it was very cool to the

touch and really moist, I was seriously impressed!

The design of this silly string formula is also very smart as it replaces the need for cotton pads when using. The sponge-like foam can be stretched and pulled without breakage and a good squirt of this foam goes a long way as it holds quite a lot of toner product. As an added plus, it’s a hell lot of fun to play with when molding it with your fingertips!

Skin Benefits and Effects

he Innisfree Eco Ice Cotton Toner is said to hydrate, smooth, and tighten pores while improving the appearance of tired-looking skin caused by excessive heat with its formula’s cooling effect.

Much like the sensation from touching an ice cube, the coolness is mild and does last for a brief minute or so. Unfortunately, don’t expect a long-lasting cooling effect with this stuff! It disappears quite fast after applying.

After some research, I believe the logic behind this “chilling” element is the same as opening your pores using warm water and using cold water to close the pores quickly during cleansing to seal the skin from bacteria. As this product also has pore tightening properties, the cooling effect would work to increase its effectiveness and would be a great product for people with large pores problems.

Packaging and Design

mall and portable the Innisfree Eco Ice Cotton Toner fits nice and snug in your hand and is also the perfect size to put in your bag.

The spray can design is very effective and the nozzle dispensed the

product with no problem at all.

Overall, it was very easy to use and dispensing the product was not messy at all.

VALUE FOR MONEY

t roughly $15 the Innisfree Eco Ice Cotton Toner is a fun and practical product that is well worth the price.

Unfortunately, these cooling effect products are only available during the summertime so don’t expect to see these little guys being available all year

round.

If you happen to be in South Korea during the season or see them online I would definitely recommend trying these out.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE “COOLING” SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

LET US KNOW BELOW!

Beauty Reviews, Skincare

Review: Jurlique Haul

June 14, 2016 Talyssa Leave a comment

Jurlique started with a dream; to connect people back to nature.

Unfortunately my first encounter wasn’t as profound as a sudden realisation to be connected back to nature. I received a sample of Jurlique’s Moisture Plus Moisturising Lotion with a makeup purchase I made. Because I have bad skin in general, usually moisturisers always feel thick and irritating on my skin, so I was surprised at how lightweight and hydrating the moisturiser felt! Impressed, it was only natural that I had to go back for more!

Jurlique is all about creating a pure and natural skin care range by combining the arts of alchemy, herbal medicine and homeopathy. Quite fittingly, in order to achieve such a dream, the creators sought the world for a place that was both pure and natural to grow their iconic ingredients and they found no better than Adelaide Hills in South Australia!

I set the store clerk a task to find me 3 products that would suit my horrible combination skin and here’s how it turned out!

Herbal Recovery Antioxidant Mask

I have combination skin in probably the worst way possible – it’s like from one extreme to another. My skin can range from super oily to extremely dry all at the same time. Jurlique’s herbal recovery antioxidant mask keeps my skin feeling hydrated and the antioxidant beads (which are quite fun to pop against your skin I might add) really helps to target the first signs of ageing.

Benefits:

+ Skin feels hydrated and looks radiant
+ Helps minimise effects of dehydration and dullness
+ Gently exfoliates for smoother and brighter skin

The Verdict:

★★★.5

My skin always feels and looks rejuvenated after using this mask. It also feels bouncy and my pores look smaller. Unfortunately, the effects don’t last for more than a day, so you need to use it approximately 3 times a week for upkeep.

Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Lotion

Jurlique’s Rose Moisture Plus Moisturising Lotion is extremely lightweight, hydrating and protective. As a result skin is kept soft, soothed and balanced.

The Benefits:

+ Helps protect skin from environmental damage
+ Helps soften, soothe and rebalance dryness
+ Leaves skin hydrated and moisturised

The Verdict

★★★★

A sample of this product alone made me want to buy Jurlique products. This product provides hydration for my skin without irritation. Jurlique’s natural and lightweight feel on my inflamed skin is testament to the natural goodness of the products. It’s soothing, feels incredibly light on my skin and it smells really nice too! Waking up after using this product, my skin has a rejuvenated glow and doesn’t feel so inflamed. A word of caution though, if you have acne prone skin like me, use this product every second day or only at night.

Citrus Purifying Mist

The Citrus Purifying Mist is especially designed for those with oily skin (aka perfect for me!). To be used daily, this mist clarifies and purifies an oily complexion.

The Benefits

+ Energises and purifies skin
+ Leaves oily skin feeling refined and refreshed
+ Possesses antioxidant properties

The verdict

★★★

Out of the three products I bought from Jurlique, I liked this one the least. This product is designed for oily skin and while initially the product does provide relief, leaves your skin feeling fresh and has a great citrus scent, I felt that overall it made my skin more oily.

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