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Saturday 19 April 2014

[REVIEW] Innisfree NEW Green Tea Line (Some products from the Balancing + Fresh line!)

Hello readers! Double posts today because I had recently went on a hugggggeee Innisfree shopping spree in a span of two days. HAHAHHAS. 

First day: 
[TOP] Innisfree Cotton Pads x3
[BOTTOM LEFT]: Creamy Tint Lip Mousse, Green Tea Seed Serum, Lip Base
[BOTTOM RIGHT, clockwise from top left]: Makeup Sponges, Lip Brush, Diagonal Brush for Blusher, Green Tea Balancing Skin, Lotion, & Cream

Day Two: 
[TOP LEFT]: Green Tea Seed Serum Trial Kit, Green Tea Fresh Cream
[BOTTOM CENTRE]: Shadow Pencil in #1 Snow Crystal & #6 Sour Tangerine,Brush, Daily Brush Cleaner
As you can see, it was a huge haul on their green tea line products, lip-cosmetics, as well as beauty tools. :D For those who are unaware of it yet, Innisfree had recently re-launched their Green Tea Pure Line into THREE different types: 
  1. Fresh (for oily skin type): Skin (i.e. toner/refiner), Essence, Cream
  2. Balancing (for combination skin type): Skin, Lotion, Cream
  3. Moisture (for dry skin type): Skin, Essence, Cream (Moisture Skin was previously Pure Skin)

(Note that only the Balancing Line has Lotion, whereas only Fresh & Moisture has Essence)



So many creams~~!
Fresh - Oily, Balancing - Combination, Moisture - Dry, Seed - Deeply Moisturizing

Product Benefits
[Balancing Line - For Combination Skin Type]
Skin (toner/refiner), Lotion (moisturizer/emulsion), Cream (moisturizer)


[Fresh Line - For Oily Skin Type]
Cream, Skin, Essence

I bought the Green Tea Seed Serum, which I raved over in a past review here, and there was a special promotion ongoing where if you buy a Green Tea Seed Serum (SGD$36), you'll receive a Green Tea Special Kit containing 3 products from the Balancing Line: Skin, Lotion, & Cream. 

This was perfect as I was also looking for a moisturizer to replace the one I was currently using (that one was getting a little too oily for my face, in this humid humid huuuuuuumid weather)
The Green Tea Special Kit aren't exactly the full sized products, but they're definitely generous enough to make it this large too! :D

SUMMARY OF REVIEW
My thoughts:
Green Tea Special Kit: I love the Skin & Lotion! The Skin is sort of like a watery gel, and leaves my skin feeling cool and clean. The Lotion is absolutely perfect, not oily and makes my skin feeling soft afterwards! The Cream was a tad too rich though, it left my skin feeling like I've put too much stuff on my face to absorb (this may very well be true seeing that this was the last thing I applied). Although this slightly gunky feeling disappears after half an hour or so, with mad rushes in the morning, I doubt I'll have the time or the patience to wait for my skin to absorb the Cream before applying my make-up for the day. 

Here's where the Green Tea Fresh Cream comes in to save the day! 



I absolutely loveeee the clear gel! It spreads across my face like cooling water and is very very easily absorbed even after applying the Skin & Lotion. :) 


I replaced the Balancing Cream with this Fresh Cream. :) Perhaps my skin hovers in-between the Oily and Combination skin types. hahhahas. 




[I'll be posting reviews on the eye shadow pencils at a later date!]
Would I buy it again:
Yes! I most definitely think so! And I'd recommend the Green Tea Lines as gift ideas for your girlfriends, wives, friends, etc.! 
Price: 
  • Green Tea Fresh Cream: SGD$25
  • Green Tea Seed Serum: SGD$36 for the serum + free Green Tea Special Kit




Verdict: 10/10!

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about these product!
♥ Apple


[REVIEW] Innisfree Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 & Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20

 Hello Readers!
Second post for my hugggggeeee Innisfree shopping spree. In this post, I'll be sharing my review on the latest cosmetic product that's been popping up in my local Innisfree store - Innisfree Creamy Lip Tint Mousse, as well as their old favourite - Innisfree Creamy Tint Lipstick. :) 

Spokesperson for Innisfree Creamy Lip Tint Mousse. :) 
 This lip tint mousse comes in 7 rich colours to complement the Spring seasonal look. :) I also heard from elsewhere that there may be 5 new additional colours coming in during Summer. :D
After trying out the colours for nearly an hour in the store, I was deciding between #1 - a softer pink, #3 - a soft red, and #4 a bright red-pink! I was contemplating between trying something new and daring by getting a red lip colour or sticking to the safe-but-confirm-will-use-everyday pink. hahahs I chickened out and chose the pink (#1 - Small Orchid Flower Pink) in the end. But...I like this product so much so far that I am considering going back to get either the #3 or #4! Any suggestions? :D I went back the next day to get #3 but unfortunately it was SOLD OUT. omg, and it was only less than 24 hours since I was there! But....the saleslady also recommended the Creamy Tint Lipstick and suggested #20 Fragrant Fresh Coral which gave the same shade as #3, just that the lipstick has a slight gloss to it whereas the lip mousse dries completely matte. So, I decided to try that instead of having two of the same products. :D Yay, now I have something vibrant and red to spice up my make-up collection. hahahas. 


Creamy Lip Tint Mousse
Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 Small Orchid Flower Pink

Creamy Tint Lipstick
Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20 Fragrant Fresh Coral
Instructions for use:
Creamy Lip Tint Mousse:

Taken from ibuybeauti.com, these photo instructions shows two ways of applying the mousse like a pro. :) I usually would do the vivid gradiation - sans the lip concealer though, I use the Innisfree Moisture Lip Base instead - which would be shown later in this post!! :D



You can even use it as a blusher! But uh, I prefer to keep my products single-functional. hahahs 

Creamy Tint Lipstick:
I used a lip brush to apply the lipstick! I didn't really try to play around with the gradation, but the intensity of the colour can be built upon layer by layer! :)
SUMMARY OF REVIEW
My thoughts:

While browsing through the lip colours, I was griping to my mother about the lines on my lips and how all the lip colours I've been testing looks so pretty but the lines kinda messes up the application and the overall look - being on Isotretinoin makes my lips really dry and hence, lip lines appeared. :(

My mom found this little tube of amazing hidden at the corner of the display and suggested that I try applying this before testing the lip colours - Innisfree Moisture Lip Base
MY COSMETIC LIFE CHANGED FROM THEN ON.
Amazing product for those with dry lips or lined lips (like mine :'( )
After application, I pursed and rubbed my lips together and...it felt so so smooth. Try rubbing your lips together right now, and assuming you've got nothing on, you may feel some friction while rubbing right? Well, this product made it so so velvety smooth, no friction at all. It's like my lips are encased in a layer of soft soft velvet.
It applies on like a regular lip-balm, but much smoother!

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 Pink: 
Back to the creamy lip tint mousse in #1 Small Orchid Flower Pink, it's like a creamy lip gloss? I'm not sure why they call it a mousse, it's not exactly like airy-light, fluffy. hahahs. The lip applicator is a very simple wand. :)

Lip Wand
Do be careful not to apply too much at one shot! I'd recommend dabbing first in the middle of your lips before gently spreading it out sideways. That way, you can slowly build up on the intensity!
Swatch - note how creamy and vivid the colour is!
I loved how the colour turned out! It starts off with a soft pink upon light application, and you can slowly build up on the product to result in a full-on pink as vibrant as the tube! :) The lip colour lasted for really long, and only disappears when I'm eating. I reapplied the lip mousse after lunch and approximately 4 to 5 hours later, during dinner, I was wiping my lips after taking a bite and I noticed that the napkin carried some traces of my lip colour! So it gains brownie points for its lasting powerUpon application, it looks a teeny tiny bit glossy but that dries to leave a soft matte texture, the colour is still very vibrant though!

After swiping it a few times - the colour stays vibrant and rich!


And now to the Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20 Coral:
The redness of the lipstick was not too vibrant to make me feel uncomfortable sporting those red lips outside. It also appeared to add a touch of healthiness and fun to my overall appearance! In fact, your entire make-up can be nude/pale because the lipstick would brighten up your entire face. :) Yay for easy make-up mornings! In addition, a little goes a long way too! and, using a lip brush, or even your fingertips, you can also control the intensity of the colour by slowly building it up layer by layer. :D

The lipstick tube :)

Note the matte texture of the lip swatch


BEFORE: 
Just bare lips

Creamy Lip Tint Mousse in #1 Small Orchid Flower Pink

Creamy Tint Lipstick in #20 Fragrant Fresh Coral
(It turned out very sheer as I applied only one layer,
this can be intensified quickly by layers if I don't use the lip brush!)


Would I buy it again: Perhaps, the colours in #3 and #4 are still enticing me. :P I bought, hahahs, but #3 was OOS, but I bought the alternative - Creamy Tint Lipstick - equally good and just slightly different because of the sheer gloss. :)
Price: 
Creamy Lip Tint Mousse: SGD$17 at my local Innisfree store (Takashimaya)
Creamy Tint Lipstick: SGD$20

For a limited time - get a mini Apple Juicy Lip & Eye Remover with every purchase of the Creamy Lip Tint Mousse! (I use this to remove my point make-up, and it's pretty good!) 


Verdict: 10/10
Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about these products!

♥ Apple

Saturday 5 April 2014

[REVIEW] Etude House Silk Scarf Damage 2X Hair Pack & Serum (Jojoba Seed & Avocado Seed)

Hello readers!
I do apologize for the long over-due post. I have been absolutely overwhelmed with my thesis deadline, which is only 17 days away! It's been crazy for the past few weeks, juggling between my thesis, my sociology elective (why I even took an elective during the last semester of honours still befuddles me to this day), and other events outside of school. 

Okay, here's my review for the start of April! I'll be sharing my views on one of Etude House's new (okay, by now, not really new anymore) product - Silk Scarf Damage 2x Hair Pack & Serum Series

Due to its affordability, I picked up these two types out of the 4 they had on offer: Level 2 Jojoba, and Level 4 Avocado (the rest are: Level 1 Camellia, and Level 3 Argan). 

My hair has been a little unkempt lately, mostly due to utter neglect. >< So I hoped that I could give my hair a nice treat and hopefully (and miraculously) become thick and shiny tresses. (hahahs, just kidding, no really)

Product Benefits:
[Floral Fruity] 
Top: Floral Freesia Orange Jasmine
Middle: Rose Magnolia White Peach
Bottom White Musk Amber Cedar Wood 
Jojoba Seed extract intensely nourishes hair by treating the scalp and revitalising hair for intense nourishment. The extract softens hair and prevents dehydration by forming a moisturising barrier.

[Citrus Floral Musky]
Top: Bergamot Apple
Middle: Jasmine White Rose
Bottom: Musk Cedarwood Amber

Avocado Seed extract intensely nourishes hair with its lecithin ingredient that has excellent revitalising and natural growth stimulating properties for damaged hair. Avocado Seed extract softens hair by forming a powerful barrier and providing protein to protect hair. 

Instructions for use:

  1. After shampooing, squeeze out excess water and apply treatment. Try to avoid the roots as these would often become clogged from high density creams. I usually bring a rubber scrunchie or hair clip to hold my hair up for about 5 minutes to allow the treatment to penetrate thoroughly into the hair strands. :) 
  2. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. (I like to add a dash of cold water at the end - makes hair less frizzy) 
  3. Apply essence to wet or dry hair. :) (I like to put it on towel-dried hair before blow drying it for a short while - don't want to further damage the hair!) 

SUMMARY OF REVIEW
My thoughts:

I really like the Jojoba Seed Mask Pack and Serum. The scent of the product smelled light and fresh. :) Unfortunately, the effects of the mask and hair serum only lasted for on the day of usage. By the next morning, my hair was back to its pre-mask&serum form. Perhaps it would be good to try using the mask pack on a regular basis (say 2 to 3 times a week) for better results. :)

The Avocado Seed Mask Pack and Serum left my hair feeling a little more weighty compared to the Jojoba Seed. This can be attributed to the higher level of intensity that is recommended on this (Avocado = Lvl 4, Jojoba = Lvl 2). In fact, the mask pack left my hair so smooth and soft that I skipped on the serum and saved it for another day.

I have thin and frizzy hair, so perhaps the Avocado Seed had been a tad too heavy for me. Perhaps I should try the Argan Seed pack to see if it would be better for my hair too. :) 
Would I buy it again: Yes! I just bought another Jojoba Seed pack when I walked past an Etude House outlet yesterday! 
Price: $1.90 for 1 hair pack + 1 hair serum
Verdict: 8/10
Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product!
♥ Apple