Month: November 2014

BNTGirls Review: isoi Bulgarian Rose Intensive Energizing Cream*

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One of the exciting things that happened to me in Korea was actually seeing the brands being sold in stores like Olive Young or Watsons, or seeing physical single shops like the isoi shop in Ewha. Many of the brands I have tried for BNT Girls aren’t out in the actual Manila market, so it was kind of a fun experience, seeing them in the flesh. The i’m SO intelligent Bulgarian Rose Intensive Energizing Cream* would actually have been so perfect for that cold, windy afternoon we spent at Ewha. My fingers literally felt like they were going to fall off. This cream is an anti-aging product that aims to solve all aging issues. It contains 25 different natural ingredients, all to help lift saggy skin, whiten, and moisturize dry skin. The end goal for this product is to bring back the original vitality of the skin and to aid the skin’s regenerative ability. Since the cream is so thick, it’s meant to be used as the last step of the basic skin care process, …

A Convergence of Purples

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Once upon a time, I convinced myself that I would never look good in purple lipstick, and that I would never, ever want to wear it, ever. Somehow, I got it into my head that all purple lips did to people was make them look witchy. Well. Times have changed. Here are various types of purples, some leaning more pink or red or blue than others, but all are—to me—purple, as far as colors go. (Don’t mind Sad Keanu in that clam shell… it looks gross, but it’s fine.)

BNTGirls Review: Doctorcos Next Generation Blocker*

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You guys, I’m so excited for this. Even though I went through an obsessive Googling period, so I could see more information on the Doctorcos Next Generation Blocker* and came up with nothing but links to the ever-popular Sheet Free Mask, it still couldn’t damper the excitement I have for this product. It’s just sunscreen, sure, but it’s a Korean liquid, spray-on SPF 30 PA++ and I maintain that Korean and Japanese sunscreens are way better than Western counterparts (sorry). At least in blocking out the UV rays. Sidenote I slathered on more sunscreen I had in my life during the six weeks I was in the States in the fall and I still got several shades darker. I used an American brand, and that is the extent of the basis for my opinion. And also according to the blogs of people I like. SCIENCE! Anyway. This “new generation sunblock” does its job of keeping out the UV rays (for a long time), but also contains highly pure proteins for skin activation and protection. All …

3CE Gel Eye Liner

Super Fave: 3CE Gel Eye Liners

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Hey, all! I thought I’d surprise you guys with a post dipping into my Korea shappeeeen disaster haul starting with these beautiful gel liners from Stylenanda’s cosmetics arm, 3CE or 3 Concept Eyes. (Speaking of hauls, is that something you’d be interested in seeing? I’m thinking of filming a video, but I’m not sure if people are into that. Let me know!) I recently called 3CE (or 3 Concept Eyes) my happy place and this is a preview of why that is. I had to tear myself away from Seoul because I wanted to buy all of the 3CE Gel Eye Liners (among other things…), and I’m a little proud of myself for settling on just two.

BNTGirls Review: Hongik Skin Oh! Real Oh Bubble The Hayan GT-Cleanser*

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The Hongik Skin Oh! Real Oh Bubble The Hayan GT-Cleanser* (or Yeoin Yeo Dduianal Woo—which translates to Whiter Admiration Cleanser—Real Oh Bubble The Hayan GT-Cleanser, as the box says in English) is a luxurious cream that foams into a moisture-rich lather to gently clean, calm, and soften skin, to “reveal skin’s youthful angelic glow.” This cleanser has three main functions: pore tightening, deep cleansing, and whitening. The bottle is super cute and clear, showing you just how much product is left. There is a surprising weight to it. The product is dispensed through a pump, as with most foaming products, which is easy to use. I found this bubbly surprise the day after I first used it. It contains mung bean, soybean, coconut, papaya fruit, and other plant extracts. These make it moisturizing, despite being a foaming cleanser. Mung bean is used for exfoliation and to help with acne scarring. Topical application of soy bean extract has been tested to improve the “skin’s mottled pigmentation, blotchiness, dullness, fine lines, overall texture, overall skin tone, and …

Too Cool for School’s Bestselling Lip Products

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I was so thrilled to receive these three bestselling lip products from Too Cool for School to try out. Among the sea of girly, frilly, and soft-looking Korean brands, Too Cool for School definitely stands out because of their strong branding, identity, and packaging. The good thing is: their products are great, too! I received three of their bestselling lip products: Glam Rock Smoky Nudy Lips* (Php 715) — a soft nude lip best used to counter the intensity of a smoky eye. Kiss Time Ice Beam Glass* (Php 435) — a plumping lip gloss with a high-gloss, jelly system that provides moisture and vivid lipstick-like color. Max in Pocket Lip Balm* (Php 605) — it’s a pocket-sized lip balm with a chain, which makes it so great for travel. I was super excited for this as Krysty raved about it a few months ago. OK, let’s go by chronological order because I have no imagination. The Glam Rock Smoky Nudy Lip Color* is a great nude lipstick, housed in an edgy (as far as …

BNTGirls Review: Faith in Face Cherry Scoop Hand Butter*

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One of my desk essentials right now is a good ol’ hand cream, especially after colder weather has ravaged my hands. I usually go for clean and fresh scents, but the Faith in Face Hand Butter in Cherry Scoop* has a black cherry scent that has a sweetness I can get behind. The FIF Hand Butter boasts of a whopping 20% shea butter in their mixture and is available in four scents: Cherry Scoop, Peach Crush, Sweet Spell, and Fresh Garden. The packaging is a flexible metal type of tube, typical of ointments, which I gravitate towards. The tube says, “Butterlicious: Melt smooth rich shea butter over your hands to give you an intensive nourishment and a touch of cherry and nuts.” Aside from shea butter, this contains chamomile flower water and herbal extracts from the Swiss Alps. It also contains cherry extract which, aside from the lovely scent, provides antioxidant effects, cell activation, and anti-aging properties, as well as brazil nut oil extract to effectively promote cell regeneration and provide moisturization. The cream is …