Skincare Short Reviews

It is always so intriguing to me how all my skincare seems to run out at the same time. I am always left scrambling to buy new items before the last drops disappear. I honestly feel like there is some universal force working to make this happen or I am just to lazy to buy backups. Presently, as I am scrambling to buy some new skincare online, I thought I would take a break to quickly review three of the skincare products that I have emptied or almost emptied in the last month.

Naturaglacé Point Makeup Remover

I am always on the lookout for a makeup remover that not only removes makeup, but also doesn’t make my eyes sting. Naturaglacé is a natural and organic brand from Japan. I love a lot of their base products, so I thought I would give their makeup remover a try. This is one of those dual-phase makeup removers that you have to shake up before using. It contains argan oil to moisturize the eye area. Luckily for me, it didn’t have much of a scent, which can really affect my opinion of a product. It also did not leave much of an oily residue after using it. Unfortunately though, it does irritate my eyes and make them water a little and just feel more irritated in general. I did finish the whole bottle, but won’t be repurchasing.

Melvita Argan + Face Care Oil

I am totally on one of those face oil kicks. I have combination skin, with an oily T-Zone and dry cheeks and have just found that face oil really keeps my dry cheeks moisturized and looking great under makeup. I decided to pick up this one from Melvita because I love the facial oil I bought from them years ago in Asia. This facial oil contains nourishing argan oil and amino acids that help with firming. I love that the scent of this oil is very subtle and sinks in really quickly. There is nothing worse than an oil that leaves your skin feeling super greasy. It is super moisturizing and lasted four months with me using it in the morning and nighttime. With regards to the firming effect, I think it helped, but it wasn’t anything obvious. I would definitely repurchase.

Scinic The Simple Calming Toner

This is a lesson of buying something that has good ratings, but is not that compatible with your skin type. This Scinic toner had really good reviews on a Korean beauty review app, and I bought it without even reading the brand write-up. It is a solid toner for those with sensitive skin, but not enough for who is looking for anti-aging benefits. It has contains water-lily flower extract which is moisturizing, madecassoside which protects your skin barrier, and aloe vera which is soothing. During application, it sinks in quickly and doesn’t contain much a scent. Overall, it does leave my skin moisturized and soothed, but it is not moisturizing enough for someone with dry skin. I think I would prefer a toner with a few more anti-aging ingredients, so I probably will not repurchase.

Loves of the Year

Let’s just get to it. These are my favourite beauty products of the year. This year, I have combined skincare and makeup in this post because I think I actually bought less this year. Ironically, having a blog and a couple of social media accounts has made me want to buy less. I think I realized how wasteful it can be to buy a bunch of products just to review. For this year’s favourites, I pretty much scrolled through my Instagram feed and picked out the products I wanted to repurchase or couldn’t live without anymore.

Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream

If there was an award for products I just loved applying this year, this one would definitely make it on the list. This eye cream has that thick texture which makes you think that it is really moisturizing, but yet it sinks in and is not heavy at all. It creates the perfect cushiony base for concealer and you need so little, it lasts forever. Due to the shape of the jar, I couldn’t tell how much was left in there. I actually had to put my whole finger in to double-check how much product was left.

Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

For the mere fact that it makes my life easier, I would put this in my favourites list. Let’s just be honest, I am not into haircare or hairstyling. Makeup and skincare will always be my first love. However, the best makeup look will be hindered by terrible hair. I have always had issues with oily dandruff and buildup. I only use this once a week but it does such a great job of detoxing my scalp. The word exfoliating often brings up images of gritty particles sloughing away everything off your skin. This shampoo doesn’t do that at all. The vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators clean the scalp gently and leaves it refreshed and balanced. I highly recommend you try this product if you have a problem with oily dandruff.

Hurraw! Sun Lip Balm

I think I have found my favourite lip balm with SPF this year. I have been on a mission for years to find a lip balm with SPF that didn’t leave a white cast or was super thick. I have always loved Hurraw! lip balms. They hold their shape and glide onto your lips effortlessly. I have also always loved the oval shape of the lip balm because it fits the lips nicely. This lip balm is formulated to be a little thicker to stay on your lips longer to provide that sun protection. I don’t find it too thick, but you do feel a layer of product on your lips. It also has nice citrusy scent which I enjoy. However, it must be noted it only has an SPF of 15 (non-nano zinc oxide), so you have to reapply quite often, but I guess that is to be expected from a lip product.

Kosås Weightless Lip Colour

I don’t know where this brand came from, but this year, it seemed to be everywhere. If you wanted to get into more natural and organic makeup, I feel like lipstick is the easily way to switch over. For the longest time, I was in love with Bite Beauty’s creamy lipsticks, but now that I have switched over to Kosås lipsticks, I find that I love these more. Kosås lipsticks have a really lovely cream-oil formula that glides over your lips. It is again one of those products I love to apply. The formula is full of nourishing oils and butters, which keep your lips moisturized. The pigmentation is also pretty full coverage and adds a hint of shine on the lips. Plus, the scent is quite minimal, which I adore. I heard the new packaging also has a magnetic closure, which I can’t wait to try.

Herbivore Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Mask

If there is a mask that will actually get me to mask regularly, it is definitely a favourite, if not a revolutionary product for me. I have never been able to get into sheet masks because the sudden shock of putting a cold sheet mask on my face is too jarring for me. However, with a wash-off mask, you can apply it on gradually and only on certain areas. Let’s face it, I still don’t that much, but since using this Herbivore mask, I will mask at least once a week. I love the gel formula of this mask. It almost feels like putting on a sleeping mask. Most of all, you notice immediate effects, as your skin looks brighter (as per the name) and smoother. It is just a lovely pick-me-upper during the week and is totally worth the 10 minutes of having to wear it.

Recent Roundup

I thought that I would do a little roundup of things I have purchased, loved, and used up. I still enjoy blogging, but I have been really obsessed with Instagram this year, and post more regularly there. If you are interested, my instagram is itsmudges.

Recent Purchases

Herbivore Hydrate + Glow Natural Skincare Mini Collection

Herbivore is a brand that is hard to resist. It has the most beautiful and chic packaging. Their brand focus on safe and effective skincare also feels modern and appealing. I had previously never tried anything from Herbivore before so I thought this set was a perfect overview of some of their bestsellers. This set contains four products: Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Creme, Phoenix Regenerating Facial Oil, Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist, and Brighten Pineapple + Gemstone Glow Mask.

Quick Impressions and Review: I have used up the Creme and love it. It smells lovely (not like roses though) and gives you this dewy glow. I would say it would be a great summer moisturizer. Out of everything I have tried in this kit, the oil is definitely my favourite. It doesn’t smell to strong, sinks in beautifully, and is so moisturizing. My dry cheeks have been loving it. I am still getting used to the mask as it is different from my really moisturizing Korean mist toners. The mask is lovely as well. It is a bit tingly, but gives you the most beautiful after you wash it off.

Melvita Face Care Oil

My love for facial oil continues with this purchase from Melvita. I was introduced to Melvita when I picked it up in Taiwan a few years back. Previously, I noticed it featured in a lot of Japanese magazines I read. Melvita is actually a brand from France that has been around for 30 years. They specialize in organic high-performance formulas in skincare. This particular face oil highlights the anti-aging benefits of argan oil and amino acids. As I was reading their website, I learned that argan oil is full of omegas and sterols which nourish and maintain the youthfulness of your skin. I am excited to use this oil as it says it is a dry oil. I hope it will sink in quickly unlike some other oils that will cause my makeup to shift throughout the day.

Sidmool AC Bye Trouble Skin Handmade Soap

I love facial soap so I am always on the hunt for a new one. Being a longtime lover of Korean skincare, I realized I had never tried any of their facial soap. So I decided to pick this one up by Sidmool. This soap contains olive oil and snail mucus as its top ingredients and is geared towards acne prone skin. I will report back after I have used it for a while. Also, if you want to be environmental, bar soap is usually touted as the better choice than liquid soap.

Conscious Consumerism

To be honest, I don’t even know what the best term for this is. There seems to be an endless amount of terminology to describe this action. There is ethical consumerism, environmentalism, green beauty, and the list goes on. Over the last few years, I have just become more aware of what I buy and how it affects the world. I am not a saint or anything, but if I can do a few things to help the world, I thought why not? Here are a few actions I have taken to become a more ethical shopper.

Just Buy Less

I find that this is harder said than done, but I feel I have just gradually bought less over the years. I guess, having a mortgage kind of jumped started this process. I started having a one-in and one-out policy with most of my beauty products. I mean, it is not perfect or as streamlined as I wish, but I try my best. For example, I usually only own one blush, but then I do spit it into a cream and powder blush.

Refillable Makeup

Nowadays, I tend to pause I think before I buy anything. It allows me to reflect on whether I truly need something, and most importantly, how my purchase will effect the environment. There are more brands that are putting out refillable makeup which I think is such a great idea. Many times, the case is so pretty, you don’t even want to throw it out. Some brands I have been loving with refillable makeup are Kjaer Weis and MiMC.

Green Beauty

Of course, the obvious way to be more ethical is to buy from brands who claim to be more clean, green, and sustainable. I know, a lot of these words have been thrown around without much respect for the original meaning and some brands just use it as a form of marketing. However, I would like to believe that there are some brands that truly want to make a difference. It is important to do your research. On the other hand, I don’t think any brand is perfect, and being conscious about your purchasing decisions doesn’t mean I nitpick every single thing that the brand does. Some of my favourites are Herbivore, Kosas, RMS Beauty, and Kjaer Weis.

If you are interested in reading some in-depth reviews of some products I have tried lately, check out my review of the RMS Beauty Signature Set in Pop Collection and Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream.

Review:RMS Beauty Signature Set in Pop Collection

One of my favourite things about browsing the Sephora website is checking out their beauty sets. I find that it is such a great way to get an overview of a brand. I have actually been loving my Herbivore set from them latey. Today though, I really wanted to talk about the Signature Set I got from RMS Beauty in Pop Collection. If you have read my blog for a while, you will know that I love their cream highlighter and base products. However, there are a few items I still wanted to try from their line, so I decided to get this set.

Overview

This Pop Collection set contains five products. It comes with two of their cream blushers, Lip2Cheek, in shades Demure and Beloved. It also includes a cream highlight in Magic Luminizer and a bronzer in Buriti. The last product is the Simply Vanilla Lip & Skin Balm.

Packaging

Unlike other products in their line which are housed in glass tubs, the packaging for this set is made of plastic. The packaging is chic and minimal being all white with only their brand name printed on the front. There is no indication of what type of plastic is used in the packaging, so I am a little worried about how recyclable it is compared to their glass tubs.

Application

If you have watched RMS Beauty videos or read their website, you would know that they recommend you apply their products with your fingers. They praise the benefits of using your fingers or what they call “skin to skin application.” I personally really enjoy applying their cream formulas with my fingers. I find that the bronzer and highlighter are very creamy and blend out easily. I would say the blushes have a more putty texture and take a little more work to blend out. The balm is also very emollient and blends out easily.

Review

I am going to go through each product individuality and review whether I would purchase the full-size. There were definitely some hits and misses from this set for me.

Bronzer in Buriti

This was one of the surprising hits from this set. Since it only comes in one colour, I really wasn’t sure it would work for me. I am around a MAC NC 25. As claimed on their website, this bronzer is not orangey at all. In fact, it is more of a warm brown. It looks darker than it applies on the skin as it sheers out quite a bit. I am amazed at how well it blends out on me. It really gives me that summery glow from within look.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? Yes!

Magic Lumizier

Many of you might already be familiar with their Living Luminizer. Many celebrities love to wear it. It is also one of my favourites because it gives you a beautiful dewy glow. I must admit that when I started using the Magic Luminizer, I didn’t love it. I think I was so attached to the Living Luminizer that I didn’t see its merits right away. Unlike the Living Luminizer, it has a slight metallic sheen. I feel it takes a little longer to blend, but it is worth it because I was surprised that it had such great longevity for a cream highlighter. I think this highlighter gives a more subtle glow, which is perfect for a work day.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? Yes!

Lip2Cheek in Demure and Beloved

Their cream blushers seem to have a lot going for them. Are they pigmented? Yes! Are they long-lasting? Yes. However, since they have a more putty texture they are a bit harder to blend. They also can appear a little bit patchy on the cheeks. I do enjoy both colours. Even though the shade Beloved looks really intense in the pan, it does give you a very healthy glow. I just take a tiny dab and it is enough for one cheek. Demure is a lovely pink shade which is great for everyday wear. It can be easy to overdo either shade so I usually start off with less and add more if I want to build more intensity. Overall, the blushes wear really well throughout the day. I just wish they were less patchy.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? No.

Simply Vanilla Lip & Skin Balm

Unfortunately, I am not try able to give a fair review of this product because the vanilla scent just got too strong for me. I am quite sensitive to scents and you smell it for a while after you apply it. It applies on smoothly and dries down on the matte side. It is one of those lip balms where you feel a layer of product on your lips as it doesn’t really sink in. I did try to keep it on for a few hours and it does feel moisturizing. I would just not purchase full-size because I disliked the scent.

Would I Buy the Full-Size? No.

Do you have any favourite RMS Beauty products?

Review: Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream

You have probably seen photos of Belif on Instagram with their distinctive black and white packaging and a bunch of ingredients and percentages printed right on the bottle. This is a brand from Korea that is inspired by 19th century apothecary techniques. They claim to use the power of herbs and modern technology to create safe and non-irritating formulas. The packaging is also designed to maintain the efficacy of the products. When I needed a new daytime eye cream, I decided that this Belif Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream had to be my next choice.

Packaging

I really like the simplicity of the packaging. The brand has a very clean and minimalistic aesthetic. However, the packaging for this eye cream is quite deceiving. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of product, but it doesn’t fill out the whole container. The cream is just housed in the very centre portion of this jar, so I find the amount of plastic used in the jar quite excessive. Since the jar is opaque, you also really didn’t know how much product is in the jar. I literally stuck my finger down the middle of the product to gauge how much I had left.

Claims

Belif claims this eye cream will give long-lasting moisture and firmness to the eye area. The formula is not heavy and contains many natural oils, like cupuacu seed butter and macadamia nut oil. As the brand is inspired by 19th century apothecary from a Scottish herbalist named Duncan Napier, this cream also includes their Napiers AA, Moisture and Original formula, which contains their specific combination of herbs. Belif does not contain any synthetic preservatives, dyes, fragrances, mineral oil and animal origin ingredients.

Application

Even though Belif claims this formula is not heavy, I would consider this a thicker cream. However, it blends in easily, but I would say it still feels a bit tacky afterwards. To me, it almost feels like it creates a barrier to keep the eye area moisturized. This product does contain fragrance if you are sensitive to that. To me, it smells fresh and a bit citrusy. It is not that strong and since you put such a tiny bit near your eyes, you really don’t notice it. I would say I could use a pea size for both eyes so I have finally finished mine in one year applying in the morning only.

Results

I think my favourite thing about this eye cream is that it works amazing under concealer. Right after you apply it, your under eye area looks smoother and plumper and most concealers apply over it without looking patchy or dry. I would agree with their claim that it provides long-lasting moisture. I find that my under eye area looks good most of the day, without any dryness or patchiness.

VERDICT: A lovely eye cream which is wonderful to apply and works amazing under concealer.

Review: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix

I don’t know where I conjured up this idea that the more expensive an eye cream is, the better it is. Let’s just say I used to be spend hundreds of dollars on eye creams. It seemed that the older I got, the more expensive the eye cream became. I have basically been using an extortionately expensive eye cream for the last few years because I feared that if I stopped, those crows feet would start coming back. However, I decided enough was enough, it was time to branch out and so I picked up this Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix on a whim, which is not cheap, but half the price of my usual eye cream. Guess what? Nothing bad happened.

Claims

As with many skincare products, this product is all about innovation. In this case, this products contains a 360° Matrix Technology which helps to plump the eye area and give you a “wide-open” look. Its three main claims are that it will help repair, fortify, and hydrate your eye area.  It will reduce fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles. The 360° Matrix Technology will strengthen the area around your eyes and lastly, it will hydrate the eye area for 24 hours and with its two times concentration of hyaluronic acid.

Application

Unlike other eye creams I have tried, you use the glass wand applicator to massage the product around your eye area. Then, you can pat in the rest of the product till it is fully absorbed. The concentrate has a lovely lightweight lotion texture and glides on easily. As it is meant to be used with the massaging wand, it does take a little bit longer to absorb into the skin.

Review

I am happy to report that my eye area did not get worst after switching to this eye cream. It has kept my fine lines and puffiness at bay. With regards to dark circles, I didn’t see much of a difference. Although, I can’t say anything really has really helped with dark circles over the years. Did it help me completely obliterate my fines? Probably not, but it certainly did not make it worst. I did find the formula really hydrating and when I woke up in the morning, my under eye area looked plump and refreshed.

Overall, I was quite happy with the formula of this eye cream. If I had a criticism, it would be the packaging. Initially, it seems such a bonus that you can use the wand to give your eye area a massage. However, I found the applicator finicky. It was difficult to get just the right amount of product to apply on your eye area. You can only grab a little each time, so you do have to dip it in more than once and each time you pick up an inconsistent amount of product.

Initially, I thought you had to apply a lot of product so that the wand will glide over your eye area without tugging. Trying not to use up the bottle to quickly, I would dot the product around my eye and then blend it in with the massaging wand, which worked just fine.  Did I find the massaging a wand gimmick? I don’t think it is because it does give the eye area an amazing massage and helps to promote circulation and de-puff the area. However, I must say I don’t always have the time to do a massage everyday. Sometimes,  I just want to slap it on so I found the applicator more time-consuming than expected.

VERDICT: This is a solid eye cream. However, the issues I had with the massaging wand might keep me from repurchasing it.

Review: Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

So I am a face oil newbie. I thought I would just get that out of the way, so you get an idea of what place this review is coming from. I never have been particularly drawn to oils in my skincare routine. Maybe partly due to its slippery texture and strong scent. However, since I have been seeing beautiful facial oils popping up everywhere the last few years, I was curious to try them out myself.

Claims

Packed full of amazing oils, like seaberry, cranberry seed, camellia seed, grapeseed, and sweet almond, this facial oil will help maintain a youthful appearance. Seaberry, cranberry seed, and camellia seed oils contain omegas that protect the skin from free radicals, moisturize, and help your skin feel smooth and maintain its elasticity. To see the full breakdown of their ingredients, you can check out their website.

Ingredients

One reason I was so attracted to facial oils was their shorter ingredients list. Indeed, most of the ingredients in this product are oils. It is interesting to note that even though this products is named the Seaberry Moisturizing oil, which is another name for sea buckthorn oil, it is only the fourth ingredient in their ingredients list. If you are into green/clean beauty, there are a few ingredients, like BHT, that rate in the moderate hazard realm. There are also a few sensitizing ingredients, like fragrance, Linalool and Limonene.

Application

One of the great benefits of using facial oils, either than the ingredients, is that you can also use them for a great facial massage. Fresh claims that this oil absorbs quickly, but I found it took a minute or two to completely absorb. As this is my first face oil, I’m not sure if that is quick. However, those few minutes of absorption time do allow me to complete my facial massage. It does feel a bit tacky even after it has absorbed though.

The directions say to use 1 to 2 drops. I feel I need 3-4 drops to cover my whole face and neck. I must admit, it took a while to get used to the texture, but I really enjoy it now. My one con with this product is the smell. I prefer scentless products, but I can tolerate it if the product is good. However, I would say that the scent of this oil is strong! It really bothered me at first, but now I have gotten used to it.

Results

Overall, I really enjoyed my first facial oil experience. It is on the pricier side at $52 USD. However, it lasted me a good six months using it in my morning and nighttime routines. I found that it did make my skin softer and smoother. It did moisturize my skin and give it a beautiful glow during application. However, I did found that it didn’t provide enough moisture on its own during the dry, winter months for me. I still needed to apply moisturizer after it to stop my skin from getting dry and flaky in certain areas. It did really help with fine lines though in the sense that I got more motivated to do facial massage twice a day.

VERDICT: A solid facial oil. Might need to top off with another moisturizer if you have really dry skin.

The Last Few Drops (a.k.a Empties)

I wanted to title this as an empties post, but I always forget details of a product when I use it up completely. Like how did smell? What was the texture? So for the products I talk about below, I am really at the last few drops or the last few uses of it. All three products are more skincare-related as it just takes a lot longer to finish makeup products.

Make P:rem Black Cleansing Water

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. Their Black Cleansing Water is especially striking because of the black colour that comes from peat moss, which is found in many Northern European countries. It is supposed to absorb impurities and be moisturizing at the same time. Their unique Micro-Trans Moisture technology is supposed to help the product absorb more deeply into the skin. This cleansing water is also infused with many other fermented ingredients and oils which help to moisturize and brighten the skin. You can check out the ingredients on the bottom of the product page on their website here. It is also sold with an extra bottle of the product which is great (if you like it that is).

Review: I really enjoyed this cleansing water. It does what it says and does a great job cleaning your makeup off and leaving your skin plump, moisturized, and even a little tacky. Like many cleansing waters, it is not the greatest at removing waterproof makeup, and will sting your eyes a little bit. I prefer using dual-phase makeup removers for eye makeup anyway so this wasn’t a problem for me. The packaging is very minimal, sleek, and ergonomic. My only gripe would be that the pump is quite strong, so sometimes I end up getting the product everywhere. I also wasn’t a big fan of the scent. It smells earthy, but they also added some fragrance to it which didn’t make for a very enjoyable for me.

Repurchase: Maybe. I feel the scent is a deal-breaker for me because I really didn’t enjoy it. However, if you are not bothered by most scented problems, you will really enjoy this cleansing water.

Aritaum Lip & Eye Remover

I’ve been through my fair share of eye makeup removers. I use quite a bit of waterproof makeup so I tend to like dual-phase makeup removers because they usually can get most of my makeup off. This remover from Aritaum contains fermented beans which helps to moisturize the eyelids. It is also not supposed to irritate sensitive eyes.

Review: This is a very good eye makeup remover. It removes everything from eyeshadow to hardcore Japanese waterproof mascaras. I was impressed. Usually, these type of dual-phased removers can leave your eyelids super oily, but I would say this one is definitely on the less oily side. I also a person who has eyes which will get irritated even using the sensitive version of Bioderma and this formula didn’t irritate me at all. Once again, the scent is quite a big con for me. I can’t read the Korean ingredients, but I suspect fragrance is on the list because it definitely doesn’t smell like beans.

Repurchase: Maybe. The scent again is a deterrent for me. However, it does such a good job of removing makeup and the price is more on the drugstore side, so I would probably pick this on a whim if I needed an eye makeup remover.

Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm

You probably have seen the brand Lanolips all over Instagram. It has a lot going for it, including their super cute packaging, being 100% natural, being against animal testing, and not containing artificial colours, fragrances, parabens, petrolatum, PEG’s, mineral oils, and sulfates. Basically, it sounds like a product that is good for you. The key ingredient in this balm is lanolin, which is derived from Australian sheep. It is supposed to mimic human oils, which makes the product compatible for human use. This superbalm has multiple uses, including moisturizing chapped lips and dry nasal passages, and even helping with insect bites.

Review: I really enjoyed the experience of using this product, but it wasn’t super effective for me. The tube is very convenient to use and is great for on-the-go use. The texture is similar to Vaseline, and other similar petroleum-based balms. When you apply it on the lips, it feels very emollient and as if it will seal your lips from moisture-loss. However, the main reason I didn’t find this product that effective for me was because my lips felt great when I applied it. Yet, hours layer when the product wore off, I felt my lips were just as dry. For super dry winter where I live, this just wasn’t enough to keep my lips from getting chapping and peeling. I really wanted to love it though.

Repurchase: No. However, if you don’t live in a cold and dry environment, it might just be moisturizing enough for you.

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.

Japan Beauty Haul – High End

I just came home from Tokyo and I am so excited to talk about the beauty products that I purchased. With most vacations, I am often worried about whether my suitcase might be overweight. However, since I spent the bulk of my budget on beauty products, my suitcase was pretty light compared to usual. I am a big fan of Japan beauty products because of their quality, effectiveness, and of course, their beautiful packaging. Like other aspects of their culture, their attention to detail and constant search for innovation are also seen in their beauty products. I feel they are some of the best in the world. I will split the haul into two posts with this blogpost focusing on higher-end products.

Naturaglacé Emollient Cream Foundation, Point Make-Up Remover, and UV Protection Base

As you can tell by the number of products I bought, I am big fan of this brand. Naturaglacé is one of the first natural brands from Japan. Flipping through Japanese magazines the last few years, I have noticed that green beauty has become more popular. During this trip, I even found dedicated sections in department stores for green beauty. I wish we saw more of that in North America. This brand’s concept is to create products that are 100% natural. The second part of their name “glacé” loosely translates to “glossy” ( I used Google Translate), which I assume means that their products will give you a healthy glow.

Naturaglacé has rebranded over the last couple of years and I love the new pastel paint smudges on their packaging. After the rebranding, they have actually introduced a few more base products. After discussing with the salesperson using broken Japanese, I decided to get the cream foundation because it has a dewy finish and has anti-aging properties. It also comes in a tube which I love! I’m also always up for trying a new dual-phase makeup remover. I am still on the hunt for one that is pretty much scentless and will not leave the eyelid too oily after cleansing. Lastly, I got their sunscreen because I still haven’t found a natural sunscreen that I love. Wish me the luck that this might be the one.

RMK Liquid Foundation

From one end of the spectrum to another, this foundation is not natural or organic, but RMK’s base products are some of my favourites. I tend to buy green beauty but I haven’t found the green replacement for this brand’s base products yet. Have you ever dreamed about repurchasing a certain foundation for years? For me, this is that product because I finished their Gel Creamy Foundation a few years ago. I had bought it online and guessed my shade correctly only to forget to write it down. Fast-forward to today, it has been so amazing to go to the counter and find my shade again. This time I got their Liquid Foundation which has a natural skin finish and is supposed to be waterproof and long-wearing. So far, I have found this foundation to be really natural-looking allowing your skin to show through. It might not be for those that love a heavier base though.

THREE Shimmering Glow Duo and Triple Three Treat

If you are looking for a luxury beauty brand with beautiful packaging and a natural approach to beauty, then THREE is your best bet. All the packaging is super sleek and minimal. The matte grey packaging doesn’t get super dirty like the Nars packaging. The brand has a natural and organic lean, but none their products are 100% natural. For example, their skincare is has at least 85% naturally-derived ingredients. Like many green brands, their ingredient lists include many essential oils, so if you are sensitive, this might not be the brand for you.

Since I had tried out their foundations before, I decided to pick up their Shimmering Glow Duo. I have always been more fond of a glossy-type highlighter over those that are too metallic. My favourite glossy highlighter is still RMS Beauty’s Living Luminizer. This cream highlighter is supposed to give you a more natural glow and will blend into the skin seamlessly changing into a powder form. When I purchased it, I didn’t know that the formula changed to a powder form, so  hopefully that won’t take down the glow of the product. I also picked up this awesome set called the Triple Three Treat which included deluxe samples of three of their products. They include their the Whisper Gloss for Eye in Cement Serenade, Lyrical Lip Bloom in Movement Feel, and the Epic Mini Dash (cheek colour) in Post Pink. I can’t wait to try these out and report back.