Review: Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask Pack

I finally have the motivation to try this line out. In general, I'm a bit lazy to use masks. But I suffered from a huge cold last month and my face was so dry. My nose looked horrible with dry flaky skin from blowing my nose too much. So I decided to use this for some intensive restorative and moisturizing therapy.

Review: The Saem Beaute de Royal Snail and Red Ginseng Intense Gel Mask Sheet

The Saem isn't one of the more popular brands like Skinfood, Missha, Etude House, or Innisfree, but I really fell in love with their EGF + Snail + Syn-Ake mask when I first went to Seoul a few years ago. So this time around I was all planning to haul like 60 pieces of that mask back when I realized that they've updated it to a new version! Into two new versions actually, they split the Snail and the Syn-Ake. They combined the snail with red ginseng as seen here, and the Syn-Ake with 24K Gold. Don't ask me where the EGF went lol. I asked the salesperson and they said, "This one for young people, that [Syn-Ake + 24K Gold mask] one for old people." Alright then. Since this mask was 5000won (5 USD!!!!) even in Seoul, I decided to just buy one and see how this new version compares.

Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Hydro-Gel Mask

I bought this mask during my first trip to Korea at the duty free in Incheon because I wanted to use up all my won. Those who read my blog will know how I rave about Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask, which I use in my Night Skincare Routine, and Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream, which I use in my Morning Skincare Routine. Needless to say I was expecting great things from this mask...

Review: Secret Key Prestige Snail+EGF Repairing Cream

Snail mucin products are a big part of my skincare. I use the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream during my Morning Skincare Routine and the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask for my Night Skincare Routine. These two snail products have helped with my acne scars back when I first started using them. But now I'm mostly using it for its brightening effect. They really brighten my face when I wake up and give me a healthier complexion since my natural face color is a jaundiced, unhealthy tan. I've also tried Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream, which was more effective in minimizing the appearance of my scars but did not brighten my face, which is something I desperately need.

Review: TonyMoly Intense Care Snail Cream

I love snail cream. My skin has always looked jaundiced (an unhealthy yellow looking tan). Before I dived into the world of Korean cosmetics, I've tried tons of whitening products (I emptied my wallet and savings to buy the whole Shiseido white lucent line, I've also tried Clarins and Origins before) to attempt to make my face more bright, more vibrant, more radiant, but nothing really ever worked. Then I tried my first snail cream, Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream, which miraculously brightened my face and I have been using this cream as part of my morning routine for the past 2 years. But I've also heard about TonyMoly's snail cream and have always wanted to try it. I finally got to buying some samples.

Review: Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Whitening Line

After trying out History of Whoo Seol Whitening line (I've separated my review for the CC Sun Cream from the same line here), I switched to try out its biggest competititor, Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Whitening Line. I used it for a month. Reading reviews, I've heard better things from History of Whoo, but personally I've had better success with Sulwhasoo products so I still wanted to give it a try. Last year I experimented with my own made up combination of Hadalabo Shirojyun Whitening Essence and The Saem Chaga White Liposome Biocellulose Sheet, which worked, but I'm always into trying new products, especially whitening products. Give me my white pearly skin!

I actually tried out the Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Whitening Eye Treatment first before I tried the rest of the line so I've posted a separate review of that here.

My Night Skincare Routine

And here is my night skincare routine. For those who are interested in my morning skincare routine, you can check that post out here. Basically, in this post I'll be talking about the skincare products I use at night and summarize how the product is effective for me. If you're interested in getting more details or to look at the product description, I've already written a separate review for each of these products and I will provide their respective links below.

And if you're wondering...the green elephant at the bottom of the photo is to hold the yellow sample up :D

I should mention that this is my skincare routine during fall, winter, and spring. During summer, I need to use a whitening line to try to revert my tanned skin back to its original color so my night routine is totally different.

Before I delve into my routine, let me tell you a little bit about my skin as these products are targeted towards my skin's problems. I have oily/combination skin and large pores. If I ignore my large pores, 2-3 of them like to transform into pimples especially when it is that time of the month. In addition to the pores on my cheek area, I have some dark pigmentation and little bumps from the crazy acne I had 3 years ago. My skin color is very dull and has this jaundiced, unhealthy yellow tan. I also have very dark circles under my eyes and many fine lines under my eyes. As a result, my eyes look much older than the rest of my face.

My Morning Skincare Routine

It's finally here! For those who have commented on my blog and asked me to write a post about my daily skin routine, I apologize for the wait but thank you for your patience! Basically, in this post I'll be talking about the skincare products I use every morning and summarize how the product is effective for me. If you're interested in getting more details or to look at the product description, I've already written a separate review for each of these products and I will provide their respective links below.

I should mention that this is my skincare routine during fall, winter, and spring. During summer, I need to use a whitening line to try to revert my tanned skin back to its original color so my morning routine is totally different.

Before I delve into my routine, let me tell you a little bit about my skin as these products are targeted towards my skin's problems. I have oily/combination skin and large pores. If I ignore my large pores, 2-3 of them like to transform into pimples especially when it is that time of the month. In addition to the pores on my cheek area, I have some dark pigmentation and little bumps from the crazy acne I had 3 years ago. My skin color is very dull and has this jaundiced, unhealthy yellow tan. I also have very dark circles under my eyes and many fine lines under my eyes. As a result, my eyes look much older than the rest of my face.

For those who read the title of this post, yes, I'm gonna split my morning and night routine into two posts because they are quite different and putting them together would be too messy. I'll probably do my night skincare routine next week.

Review: Mizon Multi Function Formula All In One Snail Repair Cream

I've used tons of snails products, but most of them are masks. This is actually only my second snail cream. Mainly because the first one was so great already. My first snail cream was Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream, which worked wonders for me. In essence, it evens out my skin tone, calms the redness under my cheeks where I had a lot of acne scars, and brightens my whole face making it look like I got 12 hours of sleep. I can put it even over a pimple when I get one or two during that time of the month and it won't break out.

Paradoxically, however, one of the two problems that I have with Missha's snail cream is that it makes my face way too oily. When I put this cream on during the day, if I'm not careful and I keep touching my face, the oiliness WILL turn into a pimple. So to keep using this cream and not break out into pimples, I've been using Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence for sebum control during the day.

My second problem was with the price. It's $39.99 on Missha's Canadian website for 47g of cream. $33 on eBay. Not exactly cheap. Mizon's snail cream is $20 for 75g on eBay! Half the price for 28g more cream!

Review: Nature Republic Snail Therapy Mask Sheet

When I was in Korea, cosmetics stores like to lure people in with samples. Nature Republic lured me in with this snail mask. I actually forgot what I ended up buying once I went inside the store...maybe their eye masks? Well whatever it is I'm sure it's in my room so I'll find out eventually

When I use a sheet mask I look for several things. First is, of course, effectiveness. Second is whether or not it can stick on my face and feel comfortable (or even better, I don't feel it being on my face after awhile). This is because I don't have the patience nor the time to sit there for 25-30 minutes. I need to be doing something while I put on this mask and if I need to fix it every minute because it's falling off my face then that's an instant fail. Third is whether or not it absorbs. If I don't feel a difference in the wetness of the sheet mask after 30 minutes.. then there is a problem with the compatibility of the mask with my face. 

Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Skin Treatment (toner)

I got two of these from my Missha purchases in Korea and another one from my recently purchases from Missha.ca summer sale. They were coupled with a sample of Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Essential Moisturizer which sadly I can't use because I'm allergic to it. I was actually a bit afraid of using this snail skin treatment in the beginning but fortunately I didn't get an allergic reaction.

Review: Etude House Snail Darling Sheet Mask

I also bought this mask while I was in Korea and tried it in Korea so I don't have a photo of it myself (picture taken from etude house official website). When I was there, what I would do is buy one mask and use it that same night. If it gave me a good feeling or even better, if I could see the results immediately, I'll go and buy a pack of 10 the next day.

When I use a sheet mask I look for several things. First is, of course, effectiveness. Second is whether or not it can stick on my face and feel comfortable (or even better, I don't feel it being on my face after awhile). This is because I don't have the patience nor the time to sit there for 25-30 minutes. I need to be doing something while I put on this mask and if I need to fix it every minute because it's falling off my face then that's an instant fail. Third is whether or not it absorbs. If I don't feel a difference in the wetness of the sheet mask after 30 minutes.. then there is a problem with the compatibility of the mask with my face.

Review: The Saem Cell ReNew Anti-Wrinkle Mask E.G.F + Snail Complex + Syn-Ake

This mask was the reason why I started getting interested in snail mucin products. Before going to Korea, I've never heard of The Saem before. The only brands I've heard of were the ones with popular BB cream lines like Skinfood, Missha, TonyMoly, Etude House, Baviphat. But after trying this mask out I decided to try out more The Saem products and even bought some of their other masks to try out, like The Saem Chaga White Liposome Biocellulose Sheet (Whitening Mask).

When I use a sheet mask I look for several things. First is, of course, effectiveness. Second is whether or not it can stick on my face and feel comfortable (or even better, I don't feel it being on my face after awhile). This is because I don't have the patience nor the time to sit there for 25-30 minutes. I need to be doing something while I put on this mask and if I need to fix it every minute because it's falling off my face then that's an instant fail. Third is whether or not it absorbs. If I don't feel a difference in the wetness of the sheet mask after 30 minutes.. then there is a problem with the compatibility of the mask with my face.

Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Essential Moisturizer

I bought this when I went to Korea and didn't try it until I got back. I also bought the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask that I am still using with good results.

Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask

I bought this along with Missha's Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Essential Moisturizer in Korea. I had an allergic reaction to the moisturizer but luckily this one was fine. The sleeping mask only has 15% of the snail extract though, compared to 40% for the moisturizer and 70% for the cream. I've also reviewed Missha's Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream and you can find that post here.

Review: Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream

Snail mucin has already been the rage in Asian skincare for a few years, but I didn't know about it until this summer when I went to Korea. Jumping on the bandwagon, I decided to buy some snail cream for myself. Since I have combination skin, I thought buying the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Essential Moisturizer would be less oily than the cream even though the moisturizer only contains 40% of the snail mucin while the cream contains 70%. I tried the Essential Moisturizer when I returned home and got an allergic reaction =\. My chin area and right lower cheek broke out in red bumps every time I used the moisturizer...so after 4-5 tries to be sure it really was the moisturizer, I have since given it to my mom to use. Luckily, I was given a few samples of the cream (6 to be exact) so I could try it out.