All posts filed under: Reviews

Ellis Faas Hot Lips*

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I was sent three shades from the Ellis Faas Hot Lips* range, which is their “latest revolutionary texture for the lips.” Ellis Faas, a Dutch photographer and makeup artist cited by Vogue Paris as “one of the most influential make-up artists of her time,” began her own line of makeup in 2009. Ellis Faas, as a makeup line, focuses on Human Colours—her line is based on the colors that the body naturally produces, making it easier (in theory) to strike a balance between your own skin tone and the shades of makeup you choose. “From the tawny peach of a freckle to the pure, vivid red that pulses through our veins, the ELLIS FAAS Human Colours collection looks to the human palette for inspiration. The colours that exist naturally in our bodies are complex and rich, but they’re also universal, shared by each and every one of us. Based on this universal spectrum, ELLIS FAAS Human Colours complement all skin tones, and when it comes to looking one’s best, what better way to highlight a …

Korean Skin Care Routine in 7 Steps feat. Beyond True Eco Line*

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Trying to get into Korean skincare is a bit daunting because of their fabled multi-step routine, which usually involves products like “emulsions,” “boosters,” and “essences,” and I had no idea what to do with them or what the order of application was. The general rule is to go from light to heavy, so water-based products first before moving on to the lotions. Charlotte Cho shared her 10-step skin care routine adopted from her stay in Korea on both Elle and Into the Gloss. Sheryll from The Wanderlust Project shared her version, using different types of products from all kinds of brands and ranges. This is allowed, by the way. Whatever works for you. The most extensive guide I’ve found, however, is from Hope in a Blog, where the general purpose of each step is explained, as well as day- and night- routines. I received three boxes containing products from Beyond’s True Eco Line* so I thought I’d get into the multi-step Korean skin care routine using these. Please take note that though I have 7 …

REVIEW: Bello-Vita Cell Optimizer S-Essence*

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The Korean skincare routine differs from our usual steps of cleanse-tone-moisturize, going up to as much as 10 steps per routine. It sounds crazy, but there is some logic behind all of it. Korean skincare systems are a bit intimidating to try for the first time because they’re so extensive, but I’ll save the meat of everything for a later post this week. For now, I’ll write a bit about the Bello-Vita Cell Optimizer S-Essence* which I got in my latest BNT box. This serum is “formulated with Biocell System Originated in Fermentation Science.” Because most of the information is in Hangul, it’s hard to decipher what this serum/essence is for. Going from my understanding of the many-stepped Korean skin care process, I’ve gathered that “essence” is usually a pre-moisturizer step, to prep the cleansed skin that’s stripped of moisture for the bigger molecules of heavier moisturizer. These usually come in a light, more liquid-y form that’s easily absorbed by the skin, and allow for easier absorption of the follow-up moisturizers.

Dermal Bee Venom Relaxing Cream*

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The Dermal Bee Venom Relaxing Cream* is a hypoallergenic soothing cream with royal jelly and bee venom. It also has plant extracts like portulaca and aloe that are both soothing, and it has hyaluronic acid for moisture. The Bee Venom Relaxing Cream is part of their special cream series, that includes pearl, snail, and syn-ake (a peptide similar to snake venom). The bee venom variant is supposed to be an alternative to botox, as it is supposed to make facial muscles firmer, and decreases the fine lines. It is also meant to be anti-wrinkle and to improve acne-prone skin. I am quite a big fan of the Dermal Sheet Masks (reviewed here), so I was excited to try this product. This helps “promote the natural healing process, enhances skin ability to recover, dissolves dying cells, triggers skin regeneration and repair.”

REVIEW: isoi Bulgarian Rose Pore Tightening Tonic Essence*

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The isoi Bulgarian Rose Pore Tightening Tonic Essence* “make[s] your pore skinny.” It’s a multi-functional toner and essence that reduces enlarged pores, controls sebum, and removes dead skin cells. It also restores radiance, hydrates, and helps increase skin elasticity. After cleansing the face, you wet a cotton pad with a generous amount of the tonic essence and rub all over the face. This is designed for oily skin (not me) so its full effect is a bit lost on me. However, I do like their direction as a company, promoting safe beauty. isoi uses natural ingredients, instead of the potentially harmful chemical ingredients found in most luxury cosmetics. Since it is a toner/essence, I find that it doesn’t “refresh” my skin quite as much as a usual toner would. There is a very, very slightly sticky feeling on the skin left after use, presumably to act as a moisturizer/essence. I think it might be best to follow this up with your normal moisturizer, as I found the feeling to be slightly unpleasant. The essence itself …

REVIEW: Migabee Honey Pureberry Oilsoap*

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One of the products I was most excited to have received was the Migabee Honey Pureberry Oilsoap.* It removes makeup, dirt, and oily ingredients, and can be used on the face, hair, and body. This product reminds me of castile soap like Dr. Bronner’s, which is used for several uses and is made of olive oil, because it is also multipurpose. Since most of the writing on the bottle and site itself is in Korean (or Hangul), I went to a lot of websites for more information that I could understand. This “oilsoap” has lauric acid as the second ingredient, which is found in coconut oil, laurel oil, and in palm kernel oil (not palm oil). I’ve been using organic honey as a light cleanser for the face in the morning, so I’m pleased I got this variant because I know that it works for my skin type. It also contains cranberry, blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry fruit extracts.

Hallelujah! The Leaders AC-Free Spot Patch* Came at the Right Time

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I’ve been breaking out lately and I know it’s because I sleep so late. Aside from germs and food intake, emotional stress and fatigue can cause your skin to break out into cystic horrors. My worst ones always happen around my nose area. I literally have nothing to blame except my 4a.m. bedtime, and I have been looking for a more advanced treatment for my breakouts, instead of my usual tea tree oil fare. Inside the BNT Box is the Leaders AC-Free Spot Patch*, which are spot treatment stickers that contain salicylic acid and tea tree oil to target blemishes. Inside the pack are 50 individual patches in two different sizes, divided into 5 foil packets with 10 patches a sheet. You need to leave the patch on the affected area for 8-12 hours after cleansing. This is great to keep treatment on the skin while sleeping or working. The patches are transparent, so it’s not very conspicuous.