Review: Kosas Tinted Face Oil

If there is a beauty brand that is on everyone’s radar lately, I would say it is Kosas. Like many brands that are Insta-worthy, it has the minimalist aesthetic similar to coveted brands, like Glossier and Milk Makeup. It also uses “clean’ and “natural” formulas, which seem to be where makeup is heading right now. It is amazing to me, that Sephora even has a whole wall dedicated to clean beauty (well, according to their own terms for the word).

In recent months, their Tinted Face Oil has gotten a lot of good reviews. So many, in fact, that I couldn’t help but jump onto the bandwagon and buy it to try. I also love their lipsticks, so I was hoping for the same quality. Just summarizing off their website, this tinted oil is a mix of skincare and makeup, and is supposed to provide medium coverage. Mineral pigments are mixed in with six botanical oils that evens out your skin, minimizes pores, and hides imperfections. Providing lightweight coverage, it also self-adjusts to your skin tone leaving a velvety finish. So what did I think? The truth is I’m still a bit on the fence, but I’ll break down my thoughts below and you can decide for yourself.

Packaging

This tint comes in a squeeze bottle, which may seem ideal since you can control the number of drops you want. However, the product comes out so quick even with a simple squeeze, I don’t even need to squeeze it. I just let gravity do its work. I think this would be a situation where a dropper would have been more ideal. The product also builds up around the opening, so it can get quite messy. I usually give the opening a wipe every once in a while. You get the gist. I am not fond of the packaging.

Application

If you have read quite a few reviews on this product, you will know that it is “finnicky” to apply. Everyone seems to have their own opinion about what is the best way to apply it. The main problem seems to be that it seems to pill over certain skincare and I did experience that problem as well. Since it is an oil, I find that it seems to go well over my facial oil. My sunscreen is also oil-based too. With regards to primers, I found that it completely pilled over Tatcha The Silk Canvas, but seemed fine over the Fenty Beauty Instant Retouch Primer. I don’t know the science behind this, but I would love to hear which primers have worked for you with this tint. I found the best way to apply this base is to dot it over your skin and then pat it in. If you try to smooth it over with your fingers, it will tend to streak.

Results

I really think the results are what make others love this tint. It does a great job of evening out your skin tone, while leaving a lovely satin finish. I wouldn’t say it was completely pore filling but it does even out your skin texture. Your skin still looks natural, but “better.” I would say the coverage is really on the light side for me, but that is what makes it great for everyday wear.

Now onto the cons. I think the wear time is not that great. It looks the best the first 3 to 4 hours. I have dry skin at this point in my life. At the end of a work day for me, I find that it makes my skin look drier and my fine lines more prominent. I would love to know what your experience with this product is if you have oily skin. I tend to like base productions that wear better over time once it mixes in with your natural oils and this one is the opposite. It does seem to last better with a moisturizing primer though.

VERDICT: I am so undecided about this tint. It has its share of pros and cons. I think you might enjoy it more if you have combo or oily skin.

Summer Essentials

I’ll be the first to admit that I am kind of vain and that I am a little obsessed with anti-aging. Over the years though, I have learned to accept that a completely “made up” face is not always necessary when going out. I mean, I can now go to the grocery store without foundation, CC cream, BB cream, or bases of any kind. However, there is one thing I never skimp on and that is sunscreen. As everyone knows, it is supposedly the most important part of your anti-aging arsenal. Here is the arsenal I am using this summer to defend myself against those harmful sun rays.

Hurraw Sun Lip Balm

Hurraw has got to be one of my favourite lip balm brands. I love the oval shape of the tube and how it fits the shape of my lips perfectly. The formula also glides easily over my lips and is very moisturizing. That is why I was excited to try their SPF lip balm last year. I enjoyed it so much last year I decided to repurchase it this summer as well. Why do I enjoy it so much? Most mineral sunscreens leave a white cast, which is not a pretty look on your lips. This one is virtually clear and it has a lovely citrus scent. Definitely my favourite SPF lip balm!

Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

I personally love kid’s sunscreen. First of all, they smell better than the adults versions to me. Thinksport was a brand that I stumbled upon when I was visiting our local general store. I had never heard of Thinksport before this, but soon learned that they are a brand that focuses on making “safe” consumer products. Like a lot of clean products, it doesn’t contain a myriad chemicals and is also cruelty-free and gluten-free. Most importantly, how does this sunscreen preform though? Since it is a physical sunscreen, it is definitely on the thicker side, but not that bad compared to others I have tried. My favourite thing about this sunscreen is that it dries relatively matte. I hate greasy sunscreen!

Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant Cream in Grapefruit

Yes, I am one of those lucky people that doesn’t really sweat much. So I usually will opt for a deodorant most of the time. If it gets really hot, I might switch to an antiperspirant. I have used a deodorant from Schmidt’s for a long time and thought it was about time I switched things up a bit. What can I say. I always get sucked in by cute packaging and it is no different with this deodorant from Meow Meow Tweet. This is one of those tub deodorants where you have to grab a pea-size amount of the product and rub it into your armpits. Yes, I have tried the stick version of these more “natural” deodorants, but I find they tend to crumble more, so I prefer the tub version.

This is an organic, fair-trade, and cruelty-free brand. Instead of baking soda, the main ingredients of arrowroot powder and dietary magnesium help control moisture and odor. Essential oils also give this deodorant a lovely smell that doesn’t really linger too much. I find that it is great at keeping any odor at bay. You will still sweat, but it does minimize the moisture you feel. It is a great everyday deodorant, but probably not enough if you are super sweaty.

Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream

I had seen this infamous green tube all over Instagram and have always wanted to try it. This cream is made of all plant extracts and is for those that have very dry skin. I had heard a light version of this cream had come out recently, so I did expect it to be thick. Boy, I had no idea how thick though! I wouldn’t recommend this as face cream, and maybe not even a hand cream. Like the script on the packaging says, this is meant for rough patches on hands, feet, and elbows. I love to apply this on my eczema and just dry patches on my skin. It has worked great in that capacity. Plus, it has this amazing citrus scent, which I love.

Review: Make P:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cream

The words “safe” and “natural” seem to be used a lot in skincare lately. Whether an ingredients has be natural to be safe is debatable, but knowing more about the ingredients that get absorbed into your skin I figure is a good thing. With only twelve ingredients, Make P:rem’s Safe Me Relief Moisture Cream sounds appealing as we navigate the endless news about the safety of certain skincare ingredients.

Background

Make P:rem is a Korean brand that aims to create effective products using quality raw materials at reasonable prices. Their brand focuses on using Nordic philosophy in its use of ingredients, technology, and design. The Safe Me Relief Moisture Cream uses 93% natural ingredients and contains 12 ingredients. It is meant for those with sensitive skin and they claim it is a non-irritating formula. Some of the main ingredients include squalene, glycerin, sage essential oil, and bergamot fruit oil. This cream is supposed to provide continuous moisture for 48 hours.

Application

Visually, this looks like quite a thick cream, and even when you pick it up from the tub, it seems thick. However, when you apply it, it actually is which lightweight and spreads out really easily on the face. In fact, you quickly learn that you need less than expected to cover your entire face. It sinks in really quickly and doesn’t feel really tacky or anything. It does a have a bit of a sage scent, but it is quite subtle and disappears quickly. Overall, I found it quite a lovely application process.

Results

This was surprisingly moisturizing considering it felt like a lotion when applied. I didn’t try it during the dry, winter dry months, but it kept all my dry patches around my nose at bay in the spring.

Current Favourites

After a long hiatus, I think it is time for another current favourites. Here are some of favourite things categorized according to the five senses.

Sight

I started collecting used vinyl a year ago. Most of the records I have collected are from the 70s and 80s and they are mostly classic rock albums. So when I went to watch the movie, Bohemian Rhapsody, I was thrilled to learn more about an iconic band, like Queen. To be honest, I knew Queen’s music mostly through it being played during intermissions in hockey games. After watching this movie, I gained a greater appreciation for the band and the mesmerizing power that Freddie Mercury had over his audiences. Music can truly transcend our differences.

Taste

Lately, I have been obsessed with Southern American food. I visited a Cuban restaurant lately and became obsessed with pinto beans and rice. I realized I really didn’t know too much about food in South America. Moreover, my new coworker is from Columbia, and hearing her talk about Columbian food got me more intrigued. Lately, I have tried their national dish, Baneja Paisa, which consists of red beans, ground beef, rice, plantains, chorizo, and chicharron. To be honest, I am not a big meat eater, but I loved the homemade chorizo and really enjoyed the caramelized plantains. I was an Anthropology major in university. I realized one of my great passions continues to be learning about other cultures.

Smell

There are some beauty products you look forward to using just because you love the smell of them. For me, lately, it has to be the Laniege Lip Sleeping Mask in Grapefruit. After seeing this sleeping mask all over Instagram, I had to give it a try, especially since it reminded me of my favourite Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm. This lip mask provides a lovely sheen on the lips and is not sticky at all. I actually don’t love even enjoy eating grapefruits (they are too sour), but I do love smelling them. So if you love citrusy scents, you will enjoy this. Plus, it really works. In the morning, even though your lips are no longer sheeny, your lips feel softer and less flaky.

Touch

I love the feeling of applying a thick moisturizer on my face. Somehow, it makes me think that a thick barrier keeps my skin more moisturized. One of my favourite moisturizers in the last few months is the COSRX Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream. When I scoop it out with my spatula, it is very thick. However, you only need a small amount because it spreads really easily over the skin. It sinks in quickly, but I feel like there is still a layer of product over your skin (which I don’t mind). Usually I have to resort to using snail mucus products during the dry, winter months to keep my skin moisturized, but this cream kept all my dry patches at bay. This is another solid product from COSRX.

Sounds

My sister is a big fan of Lady Gaga and I love her as well, so it made sense that we went to watch “A Star is Born” together. We both really enjoyed the movie and thought the acting was great. “Shallow” was the song that got the most radio play from the movie, but after my sister talked about how much she loved “I’ll Never Love Again,” I went back to listen to it and it is my favourite now too. It is such a heart-wrenching song and truly authentic to the feelings of the characters in the movie. You need to give it a listen if you haven’t already.

Beauty Binds #4 – I Give Up

If you have been following my blog the last few weeks, I have been doing a series about beauty dilemmas. So far, I have discussed battling forehead wrinkles, under eye circles, and of course, smudging eyeliner. For my final post in the series, I want to discuss those beauty binds I have given up on solving or have not bothered with anymore. Do you have any beauty steps and/or dilemmas that you just have given up on?

#1 – Keeping my eyelashes curled, defined, and separated

Shiseido Eyelash Curler

I have stick-straight short lashes, so it literally takes a village to keep them curled and defined. I don’t know how many tubes of mascara I have tried and how few have actually worked for me. Even those that have worked, usually take too much time and effort to remove for me to consistently use them. I also wear glasses and curled lashes become quite a hassle when they constantly hit the lens. Therefore, I have basically resorted to using mascara only on special occasions.

When I do curl my eyelashes, my favourite is the Shiseido Eyelash Curler. The shape is a bit flatter and is ideal for my more almond-shaped eyes. I find the infamous Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler tends to be rounder and I often find myself pinching my eyelids. I usually will also use the Panasonic Heated Eyelash Curler to lift my eyelashes even more and keep them curled. Even with these steps though, my eyelashes will only stay curled for a few hours. If I had to choose, my favourite mascara is probably from Heroine Make. It has a lot of fibers which help lengthen my lashes and it is very separating.

#2 – Sheet Masks

To be honest, I have pretty much given up on masking of any kind. I am aware that many skincare fanatics use sheet masks on a regular basis. I mean, I want to be that person, but it has never quite happened for me. For some reason, I don’t mind doing a 10-step Korean skincare routine or even the 7-Skin Method, but masking is just not my thing for some reason. With the sheet masks, I hate the feeling of putting something so cold on my face. I find it too jolting to me. Then, with the wash-off masks, I literally have no excuse really. I think doing mask just takes an extra 10 to 20 minutes that I don’t want to waste and having to go back into the bathroom to remove it requires an extra step I don’t want to do possibly. Who knows really? Right now, I have few mask samples hanging around in my drawers, including a deluxe sample of Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask and L’Occitane’s masks. Maybe, I should try masking once a month to start off and see if I can do that. How often do you mask?

#3 – Body Care

I live in a city where it is only warm maybe 3 months of the year, so most of the time I am covered up in coats, scarves, and toques. At least, that is the explanation I give for not keeping up with body care. For the most, I only fully moisturize my body in the summer because there are just more limbs on display. Plus, it is just so much more convenient to moisturize when you are in shorts and a t-shirt. During the cooler months, I tend to only moisturize when my skin is dry and itchy and small patches of eczema start emerging, which is probably not that the best thing to do. However, if you are looking for some great moisturizers for eczema, I would recommend the Spectro Face & Body Moisturizer and Guérisson 9 Complex Cream. If you have any recommendations of body creams that work without being sticky, I would love to know.

What are beauty dilemmas that you have given up on?

Japan Beauty Haul – Drugstore Edition

So there is more. Several posts ago, I talked about the high-end beauty products I purchased from my Tokyo. Of course, I didn’t just raid the luxury beauty stands because Japan has some of the best drugstore makeup I have ever tried. I think that if you only purchased makeup from a Japanese drugstore, you would be very happy with the quality. Before I went to Tokyo, I had already made of list of drugstore makeup products I wanted to try using a Japanese makeup review site, called Cosme. To be surprise, they actually had a Cosme store, where they sold all the best ranked beauty products. Don’t even ask how much I spent there!

Visée Lip & Cheek

Like many beauty brands in Japan, they are usually part of one of the bigger companies in the Japan beauty market. After some research on their website, I found that Visée is a part of Kosé, which also owns other renowned Japanese brands, like Jill Stuart and Decorté. Visée’s target market is actually young adults, which at the drugstore price point, I can see that. However, I have really enjoyed everything I have tried, so I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a teen line. I guess, since the brand concept is to create trendy makeup for a more mature, and glamorous look, the more wearable colours can suit anybody. I chose to get this Lip & Cheek because I see that it often places in the Top 10 of Japan’s cosmetic ranking site, Cosme. Unlike Jill Stuart, the packaging is black and almost has a gothic feel.

Calypso Magic Concealer

One of the most exciting aspects of travelling is discovering new places and experiences. When it comes to beauty shopping, the most exciting thing is discovering a new beauty item with endless potential. For me, that would be this Calypso Magic Concealer. In the Cosme Store, it was rated in the Top 3 for best concealer. I had to get it, not only because it was such value, but I was hoping that this concealer would be the one! The concealer that will truly hide those dark circles and not emphasize those fine lines. As I did more research, I am guessing this product might be from a smaller brand as I can’t even locate their website. From their packaging, I know that it has won a lot of beauty awards. There are literally 5 stickers indicating the awards they have won. This concealer is supposed to address uneven skincare texture due to acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It also helps to even out dark under eye circles. It comes in two colours: salmon beige and pink beige.

Excel Powder & Pencil Eyebrow

Ever discover a new beauty product and wonder how someone didn’t come up with this before. For me, that would be the New Born W Brow EX. I bought this product on a whim and I have loved it since. It is a 3-in-1 product that includes a brow pencil, brow powder, and spoolie brush. The brow pencil gives you definition while the powder is great for filling in the front end of your brow and filling in gaps in your brows. Plus, it is pigmented and stays put for most of the day. So when I spotted a similar pencil made by Excel, I had to purchase it to perhaps do a comparison later on. I mean that packaging is exactly the same except for the colour. Later on, I did find out both companies belong to a beauty brand called SANA so I guess they are just using the same packaging. However, I did manage to swatch the Excel one in-store and I feel like it is more on the waxier side, which is bit more similar to the cult-classic Shu Uemura Hard 9 formula. Stay tuned for my comparison!

I have a lot more to share, so I have been slowly documented my haul on my Instagram. You can check it out if you are interested.

Beauty Binds #3 – Forehead Wrinkles

This is the last of a series I have written about beauty dilemmas that continue to haunt me. In my first post of this series, I talk about how I deal with concealer that creases and in my second post, I go through tips and tricks I have tried to stop my eyeliner from smudging. In my final post in this series, I want to tackle the issue of forehead wrinkles. More than crow’s feet or laugh lines, I feel that forehead wrinkles bother me the most because they simply just cover more surface area. I don’t aim to look wrinkle-free, but I just want to look a little younger than my real age. I guess, this is my version of aging gracefully. So what have I tried so far?

Method #1 – Exfoliation

I used to be the laziest person when it came to exfoliation. After applying layers of skincare, the thought of doing another step just didn’t seem appealing to me. However, over the years, I have read many articles about the benefits of exfoliation. It helps promote cell turnover to reveal newer cells underneath. Thus, it can help create a brighter complexion. When it comes to beauty, you can’t be lazy, so I decided to start exfoliating once to twice a week. I find that it helps the skin look smoother and brighter which also helps diminish the look of fine lines. I didn’t have much luck with physical exfoliators as they tended to cause my skin to breakout. However, I have been loving Sunday Riley’s Good Genes, which smells awful, but is not irritating and really makes my skin smoother and “glowier.” It is a chemical exfoliator (AHA), which uses lactic acid to get rid of that top layer of dead skin. Do you have any favourite chemical exfoliators?

Method #2 – Vitamin C

I honestly don’t think I would have gotten into Vitamin C skincare if it weren’t for Instagram. After scrolling through endless photos of skincare routines, Vitamin C skincare products were everywhere. So I finally amped up my research game, and started to learn about why I needed it in my skincare routine. Vitamin C is an antioxidant with amazing anti-aging benefits, including evening out and brightening the skin. I found that exfoliation showed more immediate results, but Vitamin C might take a bit longer. At first, I didn’t think my Vitamin C serum was doing anything till I noticed how smooth my forehead looked after I put on foundation. So you might not want to give up right away if you don’t results immediately. My favourites Vitamin C Serums so far are Wishtrend’s Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum and Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum.

Method #3 – Pack on the Moisturizers

If you have started to notice wrinkles, you will know that the drier the skin is, the more pronounced those wrinkles look. That is why I think moisturizing your skin is a very important step. I used to go crazy packing on tons of moisturizers hoping that it would fix the problem. Sometimes it did, but sometimes I would also start to breakout in certain areas, probably due to the moisturizers clogging my pores. Lately, I have been loving layering toners using the Korean 7 Skin Method. Korean toners are usually more vicious and full of great skincare ingredients. You pat in the toner and then wait a few minutes before patting on the next layer. Basically, it is a less heavy way of infusing a ton of moisture into your skin. Afterwards, my skin looks glowy and more “bouncy” to the touch. My favourite toners for this method include Whamisa’s Organic Flowers Toner and I also love ID.AZ’s Dermastic Essential Toner.

With regards to a more traditional moisturizer, I have had a lot of luck with moisturizers that have snail secretion filtrate. They keep my skin moisturized even in the dry winter months. My favourites include COSRX Snail 92 All In One Cream and Tony Moly’s Ferment Snail Essence. If you find snail-infused beauty products too slimy, I find adding a facial oil is also a good idea because it really boosts hydration. I am currently using Fresh’s Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil.

Method #4 – Facial Massage

This is a step I only recently added to my skincare routine, but I think it really does help. I have been mostly focusing on my forehead and I try to do it morning and night when I do my skincare routine. I usually do it when I apply my facial oil because it makes the massage smoother. If you find doing a whole face facial massage too time consuming, I recommend just targeting the area that you are most concerned about first. Here is a great video from Wishtrend about facial massage:

Method #5 – Apply a Primer Before Foundation

There are many primers out there that promise to fill in your pores and fine lines. However, I have not had much luck with this method. There is one primer though that I find to be somewhat effective. It is the J. One Jelly Pack which is more of a firming primer. It is quite different from any other products I have tried before as it is very sticky and thick. When you apply this clear gel onto your skin, you really have to push it in. It is worth it though because you do feel it tighten your skin and increase the longevity of your foundation. My only qualm is that it seems to be more effective with certain foundations and moisturizers. To be honest, I still haven’t gotten this product completely figured out.

Have I missed anything? Thank you for reading.

Current Favourites

If you are new to my blog, I usually do a favourites blogpost every few months. Even though I mainly blog about beauty, I like to include favourites from different categories so you can get to know me a little better. Like previous favourites blogposts, I am going to categorize my favourites according to the five senses inspired by Youtuber Ingrid Nilsen’s series called Sense of Self.

Sight

I was a huge fan of the TV show, House, a few years back. In each episode, I loved how House would save a patient’s life with his genius diagnostic skills. When I heard that David Shore, House’s creator, was producing another medical drama, I was super excited to see if it would be just as good. His new show is called, The Good Doctor, based on a drama from Korea with the same name. The main character is a medical resident named Shaun who has autism and savant syndrome. We follow his story as he is first met with skepticism at the hospital till eventually his medical prowess respected. Along the way, we see him learn to deal with new changes, like working alongside new coworkers and living independently. Like House, this show has a brilliant doctor who faces many struggles in his life and as viewers, we watch alongside celebrating in their successes and connecting to their struggles.

Smell

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that the only scents I really enjoy are usually quite citrusy. I’ve talked previously about how much I enjoy the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum. Other than the effectiveness of this product, a big part of why I love it is due to the user experience. It smells so refreshing, like sweet oranges. I must admit it is a tiny bit artificial, but I don’t mind it. For me, the smell of product can be a dealbreaker, so I’m glad that that I enjoy this scent. On the flip side, I can’t say that for the Fresh facial oil I’ve been using lately though. I don’t think I will repurchase it again purely due to its scent.

Taste

I was racking my brain for a taste favourite and I couldn’t really come up with anything. Then, it suddenly hit me. Chocolate. All I have been doing is it eating chocolate lately. I mean, I couldn’t help it because it was everywhere during Christmas time. I tried to share and give some away, but for the most part, I selfishly saved them for myself. Lately, I don’t really discriminate anymore. I used to mostly eat dark chocolate, but I’ve been loving milk chocolate and even white chocolate lately. So what are some of my faves? Probably, my favourite are the Lindt truffles. I have had way too many of those. I also love Ferraro Rocher, just the original ones in the gold foil packaging. Oh, but my all-time fave that no one talks about much, are the Ferraro Rocher eggs! It is like eating the same flavours but with a smooth chocolate exterior.

Touch

I had bought a cashmere sweater over 5 years ago which I still wear often today. I had heard so much about how great cashmere wears and bought this particular sweater on sale. Since then, I haven’t had the budget or justification to get another one since they are usually priced at a few hundred dollars. So why do so many people love cashmere? I think it is because it doesn’t pill much, keeps you so warm, and feels so soft. Plus, it just wears so well over time. I have had mine for over 5 years and it looks almost like it did the day I bought it. I do take very good care of it and only dry clean so I don’t know if that has made a difference. So fast forward to today, I spot some cashmere sweaters on sale at Uniquo and I just had to buy one because it was sale for $50. So how does this new breed of “economical” cashmere compare to the previous more high-end versions? So far, I think the Uniquo cashmere sweater wears really good. It might be slightly more pilling than my higher-end version, but it feels just as soft. I’ll have to report back after several more washings to see if it keeps it shape and retains its soft texture.

Hearing

If you have read my last favourites post, you would know that I have been super into buying vinyl records. For me, this has been such an amazing musical journey because I am not familiar with most of the music before the 90s. It has been so fun to learn about why these artists have been so impactful in the history of music. I found Elton John’s Greatest Hits at a local records lately, and I am amazed at the breath and depth of his music. I am embarrassed to say that most of the knowledge of I have his music has been through his score of Lion King. I’ve been loving “Yellow Brick Road,” and “Don’t Let Sun Go Down On Me.” He has just announced his retirement from touring. Hopefully, I will have the chance to catch one of his last shows. Do you have any favourite Elton John songs?

I also have to mention to BTS. I do listen to Kpop on and off, but after seeing BTS on the American Music Awards, I had to seek out some of their music. “DNA” and “Mic Drop” have been repeat the last few months. For me, it has been so amazing to see Asian faces on American TV singing in their own language. Growing up, I never saw a lot of Asian representation in Western media, and it has been wonderful to see BTS perform on so many American media outlets. I so excited to see what they will do next and what other Asian artists will also enter the Western music arena.

Year End Favourites: Top 5 in Skincare

My post for year end favourites in makeup came out pretty late, and this Top 5 in skincare is even later. I am sorry about that, but I hope you will still enjoy it. Over the last year, I have mainly focused on using Korean skincare. I enjoy their focus on natural ingredients and the effectiveness of their formulas. Some of my favourite Korean skincare brands include Whamisa, Innisfree, and ID.AZ. Through a gift from my sister, I have also really enjoyed Ole Henriksen. I tend to judge whether I love a skincare item based on the experience of application, its ingredients, and how effective it was on improving my skin’s appearance.

ID.AZ Dermastic Foaming Cleanser

I don’t know when I started to assume that cleansers that foam up right from the bottle are automatically drying. Well, this one proved me wrong. If you love cleansers that are rich and really foam up, then you will enjoy this cleanser from one of the top skin clinics in Korea, ID.AZ. Overall, I find the experience of using this cleanser really enjoyable. It has really refreshing scent, which I find quite relaxing. The formula is not stripping, containing aloe vera extract, centella asiatica extract, and panthenol to soothe skin. This is definitely one of my surprise favourites of year.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Toner Deep Rich

This year, I have been super into vicious Korean toners, which are packed full of great ingredients. They are thicker in texture, and are meant to be patted into the skin. I’ve have tried quite a few over the year, but I still think this one from the Korean brand, Whamisa is my favourite. If you are big Kbeauty fan, you would have seen this brand plastered all over Instagram and for good reason. Their focus is on using organic ingredients, primarily fermented ingredients, which are more potent and easily absorbed. This toner is my favourite this year because after you apply it on your skin, it looks plumper and glowy almost instantly. It is also great for the 7 step method. My one con is that it is a bit sticky after application but I feel it is less stickier than a few others I have tried.

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum

2017 was the year that I discovered Vitamin C in skincare and wondered why I didn’t start earlier. I think the reason that I hesitated to try Vitamin C was that I was afraid that I would react to it negatively. However, I realized that when you are trying any skincare, you should always patch test because everyone responds to certain ingredients differently. I tried a few Vitamin C serums this year (e.g. Wishtrend and Drunk Elephant), but I think my favourite has to be the one from Ole Henriksen for several reasons. First of all, it did not irritate my skin, which I was surprised about. Secondly, it had a lovely citrus scent and absorbed so quickly into the skin. Lastly, it provides results. It doesn’t happen right away, but with long-term use, I was surprised how smoother my skin looked under makeup. Overall, my skin looked firmer and brighter as they claimed would do. It was so good that I actually bought the full size after my sister gifted me a deluxe sample.

Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream

The first time I saw Belif products, I was attracted to the minimalist blue, black, and white packaging. Then, as I learned more about the brand, I learned their brand philosophy focused on using natural herbal ingredients with modern technology to create effective skincare line. It was then I was sold. I was having problems with concealer not applying well over my eye cream so I decided to switch to this eye cream and I have been loving it every since. This is a thicker formula but it blends it easily. It leaves a nice canvas for concealer application. It contains natural oils, like cupuacu seed butter and macadamia nut oil, which help to keep the under eye area moisturized. I also love that it is pretty much unscented as well.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Olive Leaf Mist

2017 was also the year I got into facial mist. Well, to be honest, I just tried this one. I alway thought that facial mist could only be used to freshen up or set your makeup. I didn’t know that it could also have another use as a toner, especially with this Whamisa Olive Leaf Mist. It is so vicious that you can pat it in as a quick toner. I love how efficient this made my skincare routine as I could quickly spritz this on after cleansing and be done with the toner step. The mist is not super fine as the texture of the formula is a bit thicker, but it is packed full of great ingredients that are good for the skin. Furthermore, it actually lasts quick a longtime even though the bottle is quite small. Now that I am no longer a mist newbie, I can’t wait to branch out and try more facial mist this year.

Have you tried any of my favourites and what it is one skincare product that you think I must try?

Review: Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer

I know that getting older is supposed to have its virtues. However, it also means having to deal with crows feet, and sagging skin. I am slowly trying to come to terms with this, but in the mean time, I still want to age gracefully. This brings me to my review of Smashbox’s Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer. I was still having trouble with concealer creasing in the fine lines in my under eye area. I found that most concealers looked great the first few hours, but getting it to stay that way all day was difficult. I saw this primer at Sephora one day and picked up because it seemed made for this problem.

Claims

Containing caffeine, peptides, and optical diffusers, this under eye primer diminishes puffy eyes and dark circles. It also enhances the longevity of concealers and prevents them from creasing. Furthermore, it also targets anti-aging concerns in the under eye area, like wrinkles and age spots.

Packaging

I personally really loved the packaging. The squeeze tube kept the product sanitary and it was easy to control how you much you wanted to squeeze out. The slanted plastic tip is a bit flexible, which allowed you to use it directly under your eyes.

Application

I found that the slanted applicator worked well to dispense and dab the product onto the skin. However, I found it even quicker just to dispense the product onto my fingers and then dab it on the under eye area. I think it really just comes to preference. The texture is lightweight and blends easily into the skin. It only comes in one shade, which is a pearly light pink colour. When blended it, it was basically transparent, leaving behind a subtle glow.

Results

This is one of those products which I really wanted to work for me, but it didn’t except for providing a little extra moisture in the under eye area. However, I could see it working for someone else who might have issues with puffy under eyes and maybe still in their 20s. I really gave it a good try. I used it everyday for a month and even created a spreadsheet examining how it worked on top of foundation and without eye cream etc. I was that keen on making it work.

I think the main reason it didn’t work for me was because it just didn’t make my concealer last longer. I still found that the concealer would crease about the same amount whether I used this primer or not. I couldn’t really test out whether it helped with puffiness under the eyes as I don’t really have that issue. However, I can attest that it did do much for my dark circles (as there aren’t many products that actually do). What about brightening the under eye? I think it might be more apparent on a lighter skin tone. I have a more olive complexion and I don’t feel like it made much of a difference.

VERDICT: This under eye primer might be more useful for those with puffy eyes and who are looking for a bit more moisture in the under eye area. Sadly, I won’t repurchase it again.