Korea Haul! October 2015

I was recently in Seoul for a trip about two weeks back and came back with...lots and lots of facial and cosmetic products. I didn't show the masks I bought here as they were pretty general - nature republic, skinfood, the faceshop, and innisfree - and they were mostly bought for maintenance purposes.

Here's a list of the products that I had bought! :) I will be updating this post as I write more reviews on these products and with more photos too! Not all the products here will be featured in a post however. If you would like a review on a product, do let me know by commenting below! :)

SkinFood
Egg White Pore Mask
Black Sugar Mask
Salmon Dark Circle Concealer

su:m37
Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick (Review here!)

Banila Co.
Clean It Zero Purity Sherbet Cleanser
Prime Primer in Purity
It Radiant CC Cream
Limited Edition White Wedding Hydrogel Mask
Limited Edition White Wedding Facial Cream
Limited Edition White Wedding CC Cream

Innisfree
Anti-Darkening Fixer
Jeju Sparkling Mineral Powder
Super Volcanic Clay Mousse Mask
No Sebum Mineral Powder (Review Here!)
Deodorant Spray

Laneige
White Plus Renew Bubble Foaming Cleanser
White Plus Renew Original Essence
Water Sleeping Mask
Water Bank Essence_EX (Review Here!)
Basic Essential Skin Refiner (Light)

Cushions!
Laneige Pore Control Cushion (#21 Natural Beige)
Iope Air Cushion XP in Full Coverage (C21 Natural Beige)

Etude House
Aloe Moistful Facial Mist
AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot
Falsies! in #1 & 2 Volume + #1 Lengthening
Double eyelid glue (this was a mistake - I had thought it was eyelash glue -.-)
Love You More Handcream

Faceshop
Floral Deodorant Spray

3CE
Lipstick

MAC
Creamsheen in Fanfare

Shu Umera
Eyelash curler

Mis En Scene
Hair Serum

Nature Republic
Lip Essence in Mint and Chamomile
Armpit Whitening Kit

Thanks for reading this! If you'd like to have a review on any of these products, do comment below! 

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Peeling Gel

Hello readers! I have decided to do a review on my favorite facial care regime brand - Laneige today!

Today's review would be on Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel. This product is a very very gentle exfoliating facial scrub. So I use this about once or twice a week, depending on how rough I think my skin feels. 

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

* Hypo-allergenic peeling gel gently polishes skin for a smooth complexion with mannan and strengthen the skin barrier with the fermented yogurt.* Soft yet powerful exfoliation- Natural Konjac (Mannan) beads gently exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities with short time of massage.- Recoverine from Chestnuts extracts promotes turnovers of horny layers to remove dead cells for vigorous water supply and sleek skin texture.* De-oxidating and calming effect for healtier skin- Sogurty™, a specialized fermented yogurt, has anti-inflammatory effects to soothe skin from skin troubles.- Multi berry complex (various berry extracts from raspberries, blueberries, wolfberries, cranberries, and strawberries) delivers abundant nutrition and antioxidants to eliminate harmful free radicals.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Used on wet skin after face wash.

2. Take an appropriate amount (2cm in diameter is recommended) and gently massage over the face using

gentle circular movements with the fingertips, and then rinse with lukewarm water.

The texture feels like like thick liquid

* Use 1-2 times a week.

* For best results, follow with Laneige Multiberry Yogurt
* Caution: Avoid eye area

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts: The peeling gel has a fragrance skin to strawberry yogurt...and medicine? It reminded me of a pastel pink strawberry flavoured liquid medication I had taken in the past when I was sick. So...the fragrance wasn't very pleasant to me. However, if you had no past experiences with yucky medication, this could actually smell like sweet strawberries! (with yoghurt of course). The gel was very very very gentle, I could hardly SEE the konjac beads without squinting my eyes, and I could NOT FEEL the beads when I was massaging it all over my face either. 

I tried to take a photo of the konjac beads, but it was hard enough to see it as it is. :P

After washing it off, my skin felt smooth and there was absolutely no redness at all either. I'm not sure whether the smoothness of the skin was because I had washed my face or it was really the exfoliating properties of the product. It was THAT GENTLE. 

Would I buy it again: Probably not. I was a bit doubtful over whether it really did exfoliate the dead skin, and the price isn't too hot either if I keep this as part of my regime permanently. In addition, the fragrance isn't appealing to me either. However, this product is so gentle, it would probably be good for those who has very sensitive skin. :) 

Price: SGD$42 at local Laneige counters and boutiques, approximately SGD$20 in South Korea, SGD$21.50 at qoo10.sg

Verdict: 7/10

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

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion

Hello Readers!

Today's review is on makeup! I will be sharing my thoughts on the foundation I have been using for over a year now. And it is still one of my favourites! (I figured you would know this is my #1 brand by now, :P)

 
    
Laneige Snow BB Soothing Cushion!

My skin tone is fair with yellow undertones - as such the colour code for the BB cushion was No. 21 Natural Beige.

For those who are not sure whether you are a yellow undertone or a pink undertone, take a look at your veins under fluorescent lighting. If your veins are more green - you have a yellow undertone. If your veins are more blue - you have a pink undertone.

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- A new-concept cushion-type BB with five active ingredients for Whitening + Sunscreen + Sweat-proof + Soothing + Makeup contained in the cushion to maximise the refreshing and soothing sensation. Every time you touch it, the air pump in the cushion contains air bubbles for thin and skin-friendly makeup.
- Also, it is provided in two separate containers to preserve the active ingredients and their functionality.
- The formulas can be used fresh and safely from start to finish.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Apply onto puff and smooth along the texture of skin. Then, pat to increase adherence. Apply another layer to improve coverage.
2. If there is no more content after you press the cushion with your finger, it means that the product is finished. Replace with a refill.

[How to Take Care of Puff]
Keep the puff clean all the time and gently massage it in lukewarm water with neutral detergent or puff cleanser  to wash it (I highly recommend Daiso Sponge & Puff cleanser!).
Rinse thoroughly until the detergent is washed away, release all moisture, and dry completely in a shadowy place. This way, you can use it for an extended period of time.

[Safety Suggestions]
Always recap after use. If it is not stored covered, helpful moisturizers and other ingredients can evaporate to shrink the contents.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts: One of the perks of this product is that it comes with an extra refill! :D So although the price may seem a little steep, but do bear in mind you're paying for two times the product! Make sure you close the compact tightly and store it in a cool place to prevent unnecessary evaporation of the product.

The foundation adheres nicely to my skin and gives off a cooling effect for about half an hour after application. Coverage is pretty good - it's more towards sheer-mild coverage - kind of like spraying BB mist over your face. One thing I wasn't so keen on was how it gave me a dewy look, reason being, in hot humid Singapore, it'd look more like my face is sweating rather than giving off that dewy look. >< But, this problem is easily solved by applying some dusting powder (I'd recommend Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder) very lightly over the nose area. :) No need to dust the entire face.

This product, if used everyday, should last about 2 - 3 months.

Would I buy it again: Yes! I am currently on my 2nd box of BB cushion (3rd cushion) and have 2 more stored away!

Price (15g, 2 each): S$59 @ local Singapore counters, approximately S$35 in South Korea stores
(you can also check out qoo10.sg for offers!)

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX

Hello readers! This is the second post for today - I hope everyone's having a good time this Public Holiday In-lieu! :) I had decided to do two posts on three products today. The first one is on Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner and Balancing Emulsion which you can read here!

Now my second review is on Laneige's all-time favourite, multi-winner, best-selling product - Water Sleeping Pack_EX.

This wonderful jar of amazing product is a wash-off mask - but here's the thing, you don't wash it away until the next morning! (hence the name - "sleeping" mask). This is really convenient especially for those who might feel a little too tired or too lazy to go through the entire nightly facial regime when it has just been one of those really long and tiring days. Or even for those who are trying to fall into a habit of having a regular face care regime. :)

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

Night time skin transmission (permeability) shows higher rate than the one in the day time.
Applying it right before sleep time, the best state for the skin transmission according to the skin circadian rhythm, maximizes the efficiency of overnight water supply.
The function of skin remarkably declines in the night time. Enriched with Beta-glucan, Water Sleeping Pack_EX deeply hydrates fatigue and dry skin while Ceramide SLN formula strengthens the skin barrier.
Containing the Snow Water, it helps to keep your skin look more crystal clear and vitalized.
- Antioxidant effect of Hunza Apricot Extracts helps brighten skin tone evenly by removing harmful oxygen and purifying skin.
- Recoverine from Chestnuts promotes turnovers of horny layers to remove dead cells away for vigorous water supply and sleek skin texture.
- An aromatic essence compound exclusively developed by AMOREPACIFIC, Sleepscent™, helps to relax your mind and body and derive for a good sleep. A good sleep effect allowing sufficient relaxation eventually reinforces skin restoration for healthier skin condition. Essential oils from Orange Flower, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Sandal Wood etc. are contained in the Sleepscent™.

Light gel-type texture without stickiness but moisture leaves you a comfortable sleep.

 Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. In the evening, follow the face relaxing massage after applying skin refiner and emulsion after face wash.
2. After taking appropriate amount(2.5cm in diameter recommended - a little goes a long way!), mark on nose tip ,cheeks, forehead, and chin areas, and feel the scent for about 3 seconds.

(The product comes with a spatula for you to scoop out the amount you need!)

3. Gently spread over the face from inner part to outer part along the skin texture.

4. Go to sleep after absorption without rinsing off. (Wash face in the next morning)

* Use once or twice a week.
* Apply more than recommended amount when your skin is particularly dry.

* Relax your body and mind through the Sleepscent™.
* Open the cap and breathe in the scent of Water Sleeping Pac_EX about 5 seconds before use when you feel a heavy stress.
* Apply to neck area for neck care

Beauty Tips (from Laneige Website)!

      Try to release the muscle tension of head, forehead, eyes, cheeks, mouth, chin and neck.    Try to centralize all the muscle of the face to the nose tip and pause for 3 seconds

     Open your eyes as wide as you can and try to lift up the eye brows. Open your mouth and try to pull down your nose tip. Pause for 3 seconds and relax the face muscle.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: The smell of this mask is very very relaxing and pleasant. :) Upon application to the skin, it feels like a layer of cool, pleasant smelling gel.

(Gel-like layer on my skin)

This product absorbs in my skin within half an hour. In the morning, my skin looks plumped up and soft, no oily residue or secretions. ^^

Would I buy it again: Yes, definitely! I have one that is currently opened, and one more stored away.

Price (80ml): S$23 - Duty Free Stores; S$45 - local Laneige boutiques and counters (Singapore only)

Verdict: 10/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner & Balancing Emulsion

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you're all enjoying this Deepavali-in lieu off-day!

Today, I will be reviewing three products! Two of the products will be reviewed here in this post, and the third one would be done on a separate post here!

The two products for review here today are the second and third step of my morning daily facial care regime - Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Refiner and Laneige Power Essential Sensitive Skin Emulsion.

I guess you would have figured out by now, my entire facial regime is based on Laneige products - that's because I believe that they really do work well for my skin. I had noticed (after many years of suffering while trying to search for products that suit my skin, that I seem to be a lot more sensitive to american-based facial care - which has lead me to suffer from severe acne and hypersensitive itchy skin ><)

For those who are first time readers, Laneige is a popular facial care and cosmetics brand located in Korea. Under the company of Amore Pacific, Laneige prides itself in using the science of water to produce their best-selling products. Laneige means "snow" in French and is the result of intense research into hydration technology.

(I apologize, but I only have one photo of the products. I had thrown the boxes away. :P)

[REVIEW FOR SENSITIVE SKIN REFINER]

The words on the clear bottle says: “Soothing skin refiner with detoxifying and anti-stress effect for healthy skin.”

Now doesn't that sound absolutely clarifying? :D

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- Soothes sensitive and stressed skin and gently exfoliates excess keratin without irritation for healthy skin with fragrance-free, alcohol-free and color-free system
- Bio Dusali, extracted from fermented seaweed with strong energy of life, supplies energy to the skin and promotes keratin turnover, while the Hyacinth extracts purify the skin from heavy metal, smog, and other harmful materials to leave the skin moist and transparent.
- Rice bran extracts with outstanding skin soothing and moisturizing effects along with a highly skin-friendly high-molecular moisture barrier provides sufficient moisturization and healthier skin condition.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Dispense appropriate amount onto a cotton pad after cleansing every morning and evening.
(one tip: if your cotton pad appears brown - dirt/makeup, if your cotton pad appears gray - dead skin cells)
2. Gently apply as lightly wiping out from inside to outside

(Alternatively, you can shake a few drops in the palms of your hands and pat the liquid on your face - Korean refiners work for a different purpose from European/American toners)

[REVIEW FOR SENSITIVE SKIN EMULSION]

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

-Enhances weak skin barrier to protect the skin, and its mild texture soothes sensitive skin with fragrance-free, alcohol-free and color-free system.
- Bio Dusali, extracted from fermented seaweed with strong energy of life, supplies energy to the skin and promotes keratin turnover, while the Hyacinth extracts purify the skin from heavy metal, smog, and other harmful materials to leave the skin moist and transparent.
- Rice bran extracts with strong soothing and moisturizing effects and rye extracts that fortify skin resistance against external aggressions improve stressed and weak skin for healthier skin condition.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Dispense appropriate amount after skin refiner every morning and evening.
2. Gently apply as lightly wiping out from inside to outside

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: Prior to using the Sensitive series, I was using their Light series which I still found to be a lot better in terms of absorption and oil control. :) But this could be considered for those who have more concerns over sensitivity than oily skin! I use these products at least once daily (at night) and twice (once in the morning, once at night) if I'm heading to school/heading out that day. Taking my previous usage of Laneige Light series as a gauge (they're the same sizes for the refiners and emulsions respectively), both of them lasted about 6 to 9 months. :) So it's rather a good value for money!

Would I buy it again: Not really, I was previously using their LIGHT skin refiner and I preferred that to the Sensitive type. Mainly because I felt that my skin was more hydrated using the Light version and it has a nicer smell.

Price: I bought the Laneige refiner and emulsion at either:
- the duty-free store located in the airport:
- or at Lotte Duty Free when I was in Korea over the summer: Approximately S$23/US$18 (Refiner) & S$25/US$20 (Emulsion)
They are relatively cheaper compared to buying from the Laneige stores in Singapore (Approximately S$45 - Refiner & Emulsion separately).

Verdict: 7/10

Thanks for reading this! And do share your thoughts about this product below!

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Water Bank Essence

Hello readers! Today I'll be doing a review on an essential item in my daily face care regime - Laneige Water Bank Essence. 

This is one of Laneige's all-time best sellers. It comes in a sleek 60ml cerulean blue glass bottle (be careful if you have butterfingers!).

The product is dispensed through a pump to ensure hygiene - one pump is all you need!

The essence is a watery-like gel. The texture hovers on the fence between watery and gel-like.

I like to dot the product on five points of my face: the forehead, tip of my nose, on both sides of my cheeks, and my chin, before spreading them in a circular motion.

The essence would feel greasy at first, but not to worry, this will be absorbed into the skin in a minute or two. I suppose the greasy-feeling may be due to the fact that an essence is a highly concentrated form of moisturiser which works to hydrate the deeper layers of your skin. (a moisturiser would hydrate the outer layers of skin - so both are needed for your face care routine!)

 

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- A 24-hour long-lasting moisture essence that contains mineral water for skin regeneration and Water Pump System for moisture circulation to safeguard skin moisture and hold it in to leave the skin moisturised and smooth.
- Instantly dampens the skin with ample moisture and forms a natural moisture barrier on skin surface to protect the moisture that is in the skin.
- Contains chestnut extracts and seaweed extracts to enhance keratin turnover to fight roughness and energises the skin for a smooth and healthy texture.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. After using the emulsion, release about a hazelnut-sized amount.
2. Gently spread from the center of the face towards the contours.
3. Cover the entire face with both hands to enhance penetration.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

Would I buy it again: YES! I am already on my second bottle, and I have another two more from when I was in Korea over the summer. This product is truly watery heaven. I would recommend this for people of all skin types. :)

Price: I bought nearly all my Laneige products either from qoo10.sg, duty-free stores at the airport, or when I was in Korea over the summer as they are relatively cheaper compared to buying from the Laneige stores in Singapore.

1. Qoo10.sg is selling this for approximately S$35 for the full-sized product. There is also an alternative where you can get 4 sample-sized of the essence which is equivalent to the full bottle (60ml) at about S$25.

2. As for duty-free stores, I got it in a traveller's edition where it was selling 2 for S$60.

3. Lotte Duty Free Seoul was selling one bottle for approximately US$29 (S$35).

Verdict: 10/10

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

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Laneige Multi Cleanser

Hello readers! This is my first post on this blog so I'm feeling a little excited about it. Do let me know under the comments section if there is anything else you'd like me to include in the reviews or if there is anything to improve on okay? Please & thank youuuu. :)

Now, I'll be doing a review on my #1 facial care brand today - Laneige.

Laneige is a popular facial care and cosmetics brand located in Korea. Under the company of Amore Pacific, Laneige prides itself in using the science of water to produce their best-selling products. Laneige means "snow" in French and is the result of intense research into hydration technology.

They have a series of Skin Care Lines to suit people of all ages and skin types such as:

1. Basic Care - 3 types for Dry/Normal Skin, Combination/Oily Skin, and Sensitive Skin.
2. White Plus Renew - for whitening
3. Pore Care - for pore troubles
4. Perfect Renew - for firming
5. Time Freeze (new in 2013!) - for anti-aging

Check out their Laneige SG website here for more details!

We have probably come across numerous reviews raving and praising their Water Sleep Pack_Ex (which by the way, is a product I will be reviewing next time too).

Today's review is going to be about one of their facial cleansers - Laneige Multi Cleanser

I have been using this cleanser for more than a year now, and it has now become a staple in my facial care regime. It has four functions:

- cleanser
- removes makeup
- removes sunscreen
- exfoliator (gentle enough for everyday use!)

This is perfect for those who wear light make up (such as BB cream) or sunscreen everyday!

Product Benefits (taken from the Laneige website):

- A new 4-in-1 cleanser removes makeup, removes sunscreen, exfoliates and cleanses at once.
- Micro-sized dense foam removes makeup completely leaving fresh feeling
- Mild plant-based cleansing ingredients and Papain enzymes, the exfoliating enzymes extracted from papaya fruit, remove makeup completely and exfoliate for smoother skin.

Instructions for use (taken from the Laneige website):

1. Wet face and then release about a coin-sized amount of cleanser to massage onto face and melt makeup.
2. Use every day to purify pores for brighter skin.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts: One bottle of this can last you for a long time, even when you use it twice daily. All you need is a 10-cent sized amount.

 

After adding it with a little bit of water, the foam that formulates is dense and doesn't result in a lot of bubbles. You can use this to remove light make-up or sunscreen too! I have tried this previously and it does remove BB Cream / Sunscreen very easily, leaving your skin clean and great-smelling. :)

*there are other reviews which may mention that the cleanser often leaves their face feeling "too clean" and tight. But that wasn't a problem for me. For those who do experience the tightness (or are worried about it), I would suggest using a light moisturiser such as Hado Labo hydrating lotion afterwards. 

Would I buy it again: Yes. This has been a staple facial wash of mine for a little over a year now. I am currently on my second one, and had bought two more when I was in Seoul. :)

Price: 17000 won (S$20) @ Lotte Duty Free (Seoul), S$24.90 @ qoo10.sg, S$35 @ local Laneige stores (SG)

Verdict: 10/10

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

♥ Apple