Review: Belif First Aid Deep Pore Care Mask

This is my third product review from the Korean brand "Belif." This summer when I went to Korea again a friend of mine recommended this Korean brand called "Belif." I've actually never heard of this brand before but when I went to the Lotte Duty Free floor I found a small booth selling Belif products...and impulsively bought like 5 products from them.

Review: Belif Anti-Dark Circle Eye Serum

The second product that I bought from Belif back when I was first introduced to this brand when I was in Korea this summer. Those who have been following my blog will know that my dark eye circles are the bane of my existence. I am willing to travel far and wide to find an eye cream that will get rid of my dark eye circles. So far, the most effective for me has been Sulwhasoo Essential Rejuvenating Eye Cream, but you can definitely still see my prominent dark circles so I'm always on the lookout for dark circle eye creams.

Review: Belif Nose-Shine Boy Blackhead Remover Oil Balm

This summer when I went to Korea again a friend of mine recommended this Korean brand called "Belif." I've actually never heard of this brand before but when I went to the Lotte Duty Free floor I found a small booth selling Belif products...and impulsively bought like 5 products from them. I was on vacation mode! That's my justification...

Review: Kate Super Sharp Liner vs Etude House Drawing Show & Proof 10 vs L'Oreal Lineur Intense

This is probably the oddest (in terms of the brands I selected) eye-liner comparison of all blogs. But I thought it would be a waste to not review these four eye-liners and I was too lazy to do four different posts so I decided to do a comparison. I'll be comparing a Japanese eye-liner: Kate Super Sharp Liner (far left), two Korean eye-liners: Etude House Drawing Show (second left), Etude House Proof 10 Gelquid liner (third left), and a North American eye-liner: L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense (right).

Review: Etude House Wonder Pore Corrector

I've always used Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence as the last step of my Morning Skincare Routine to control the oil production on my face throughout the day. I've been noticing though that it works well during dry winters, but when I'm putting on high SPF (i.e. oily) sunscreens, the oil control isn't strong enough. But I've always been a fan of Etude House's Wonder Pore line (I'm still using their Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner toner) So this time when I saw this in Seoul I decided to buy a tube to try.

Review: Innisfree Apple Juicy Lip & Eye Remover

I've been using Skinfood Milk Shake Point Make-up Remover to remove my eye make-up when I wear glasses for the past few years. So basically just the concealer to cover my black circles and the black eyeliner. It's inexpensive, doesn't sting my eyes and removes it well. But now I'm on holidays (although it's ending in 2 days...sigh), I tend to put on Freshlook Illuminate Contact Lenses (because they're expiring soon...*grumble*) instead of glasses and put on more make-up on my eyes (basically just the Koji Dolly Wink Mascara). And I've started to notice that it takes a few more wipes to get all the mascara off my eyes, to the point where I have to tug around my eyelashes a bit and my eyelid gets a bit red and swollen the next day. So I did some research and decided to buy this when I got to Seoul.

Review: Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask Green Tea

This was a mask I received as part of a package from buying Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (will do a review on that when I've used it a few more times). Since my plan to buy The Saem EGF + Snail + Syn-Ake mask while I was in Seoul didn't work out because it was replaced by a not so great newer version, I thought I might as well try out these free masks.

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: Etude House Collagen Eye Gel Patch

For those who follow me, if you're wondering why the background looks different, that's because I just came back from Seoul! Hehe. So I'm actually backtracking because I tried this eye mask while I was in Seoul, and this picture was taken in my hotel room. I really love The Face Shop Raspberry Lines & Lift Collagen Eye Patch from my first trip to Seoul. But despite its effectiveness in taking away all my fine lines and eye bags, it is quite pricey and the effect only lasts around a day. I've heard of the Etude House eye patch before so I made it one of my goals to try it out while I was in Seoul.

Review: Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

This is actually a photo of all the free samples that came along with my order. I ordered the whole Benton Snail Bee High Content line from GMarket (the skin toner, essence, lotion, steam cream and mask pack). As you can see, I got two free samples of each product from their line, three masks, and also small jars of each product from the Snail Bee High Content line. Today I'll be reviewing the Aloe BHA Skin Toner.

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: Where to buy Acuvue Define and Freshlook Illuminate contact lenses?

This is a review about the websites that sell Acuvue Define and Freshlook Illuminate contact lenses for those who don't live in Asia. As an Asian not living in Asia, it's often hard to find contact lens that make your eyes appear bigger because those are targeted towards the Asian market, and are therefore only sold in Asia. It took me some digging to find out which websites are good and even then some websites I had to take my chances. Some people have asked me to mention where I buy my contact lenses, so I thought I'd make a review post to help others who are in the same position as me.

Review: Koji Dolly Wink Tsubasa Masuwaka Black Mascara (01 Long)

I just realized I've never reviewed my mascara before! I've actually always been using Dejavu Fiberwig Lash Knockout Extra Long Mascara and quite liked it until it dried out. I needed a replacement ASAP so I had to go to an Asian cosmetics store and buy it instead of ordering it online. But the store had no fiberwig so I decided to go with this!

Review: The Saem Chaga Liposome Biocellulose Sheet

I brought this mask in a 10-pack two years ago in my first trip to Seoul. Back then I didn't know much about Korean cosmetics and for some reason The Saem's masks really appealed to me. So since I was in the impulsive buying mood that many Asian Korean tourists can relate to, I bought this mask along with The Saem Cell Renew Snail Mask and The Saem Chaga White Liposome Biocellulose Sheet (which is basically the whitening version of this) without much research. Two years later...I thought this mask might be all dried up but when I opened my first one it was still dripping with liquid, so yay!

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: HERA Sun Mate Leports Sunscreen SPF50 PA+++

Since it's summer (for those of us in the northern hemisphere anyway), I think it's a good time to be using my sunscreen samples in case anyone is thinking of buying these products. I don't even remember where this is from. I've only tried two products from HERA, the HERA White Program Biogenic Effector and Biogenic Cream. I was extremely impressed with their White Program Biogenic line because I was results with just one sample. So I was pretty happy when I dug my sample pile and saw another HERA sample lying around.

Review: Etude House Face Conditioning Cream Light SPF25 PA++

It's been awhile since I've posted this many reviews in 2 days. This is what happens after you disappear from civilization for one month to study for exams. But it's all good, now I've got summer holidays to catch up on everything. This is the third and last free sample that I got from my order of Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence.

Review: Freshlook Illuminate Contact Lens (Rich Brown)

This is my first time trying a contact lens brand other than Acuvue, but it's cheaper so I've always been tempted to try it. Doing some digging, it looks like Ciba Vision is associated with Alcon, which is a company of Novaritis Pharmaceuticals. I've heard of Novaritis before from prescription medication, so that's good enough for me!

Review: Mizon Collagen Power Firming Enriched Cream

This is the second free sample that I got from my order of Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence. I've only tried one product before from Mizon, the Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream when it was on sale for $1 on Gmarket. It left me with a good impression of Mizon. Long story short, it was more effective in minimizing the appearance of my scars back then than the Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream, which I use during my Morning Skincare Routine. Unfortunately, the Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream did not brighten my face which is something I desperately need so I didn't continue using it after the first jar.

Review: Etude House Play Therapy Soft Clay Pack (Pore & Sebum Care)

Ordered another tube of my Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Pore Primer Essence and got this as a sample. I love clay masks for pore cleansing and refining and overall skin brightening. So far the Origins Active Charcoal Mask has been my go-to clay mask, but because it's quite steep in price I'm always interested in trying out other ones. I've tried Skinfood Egg White Pore Mask, which helped in refining my pores only after I've cleaned out most of the stuff with Origins. Etude House Wonder Pore Clay Clear Pack/Mask didn't do much for me. Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask is probably the most popular of clay masks in Korean skincare and I would say is the runner up to the Origins Active Charcol Mask.

Review: History of Whoo Bichup Ja Saeng Essence and History of Whoo Secret Court Cream

I'm back! Exams were a brutal two months.. brutal.. but summer holidays are finally here for me! Good luck to those who still have exams in June :D

For those who follow my blog, you will know that ever since I started using Korean skincare products, my face has improved a lot. In fact, I went for months without one pimple (even when it was that time of the month)! So when I bought the History of Whoo Secret Court Cream samples, which is for troubled skin, I actually wondered when I would ever find a need to use it. Well, karma is a b!tch and this exam season has been particularly brutal. Ever since February, I've been having 2-3 pimples on the right side of my face that will just NEVER go away. They're not big ones, 2-3mm in diameter, but they never ripened and even after two MONTHS did not go away. I even tried antibiotic gel! In addition, products that are in my usual morning routine like Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream and night routine like Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask, suddenly seemed to make my face react.

Review: Kao Biore Cleansing Strips Nose Pore Pack

I used to use Biore nose strips (the white ones you buy in North America) before but gave up because they cost quite a bit and did practically nothing to my blackheads, and I had a lot back then--both in number and size. I've been using Kose Softymo Nose Clean Pack for the past 2 years whenever I see a lot of black heads, but I've been eyeing whenever I go to my local store. I've hesitated to buy it because it's more expensive than Kose, and I didn't have a good experience with Biore. But this is Japan's Biore branch and it's charcoal (I actually didn't look into it at the time; I just associated black nose strips with charcoal)! So I told myself I won't be satisfied until I try it anyways, so I bought it.

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: OHUI The First Cell Revolution Eye Cream

This is my third product from OHUI, the first one being OHUI White Extreme Cellshine Essence which had great effects and the second being OHUI Age Recovery Cell-lab Cream which gave me two pimples that I'm still dealing with now...so I'm in a neutral position for this brand. I actually didn't plan on trying this eye cream yet but my mom, who has tried many eye cream samples that I bought from Sulwhasoo, History of Whoo etc. already, said this one worked really well for her and only told me to buy this one again. So I decided to see why she thought so highly of this.

Review: OHUI Age Recovery Cell-lab Cream

This is my second product from OHUI, the first one being OHUI White Extreme Cellshine Essence.  Since that one had really impressive whitening effects, I looked forward to trying this cream. I'm always looking for better night creams, because I know that my current night cream, Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask, won't be effective for me forever as I age and have drier, more wrinkly skin. In fact, I already think it's not the best for my forehead, which is showing signs of lines when I frown.

Review: SUM37 (Su:m37˚ 1102) Extreme Time Control Cream

Finally getting around to trying these complimentary samples. I got this complimentary sample when I repurchased Sulwhasoo Essential Rejuvenating Eye Cream. I'm always looking for better night creams, because I know that my current night cream, Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Sleeping Mask, won't be effective for me forever as I age and have drier, more wrinkly skin. In fact, I already think it's not the best for my forehead, which is showing signs of lines when I frown.

Review: Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam

I'm back! I've been trying out this cleansing ever since finishing my trial of History of Whoo Gongjinhyang Foam Cleanser. After trying out a variety of cleansers, I realized that my original Morning Routine cleanser, Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam, was not as great as I thought it took awhile to wash all of the cleanser off. I've been more interested in trying out other cleansers and this is my first cleanser from Sulwhasoo.