[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. 

[Reviews on the Creamy Lip Tint Mousse & Creamy Tint Lipstick Here!]

[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 power. Upon 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

[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

[REVIEW] Etude House Oh My God! Dry Shampoo (Updated!)

I'm pretty sure most of us have came across articles which advise us against shampooing our hair every day, this is because it may strip our scalp of the necessary oils required to smoothen and condition the hair strands. This causes our hair to dry out and it's a also a cause of fading hair colour. There have been recommendations on the frequency of wet hair washing, ranging from every alternate day to 2 to 3 times a week. However, they don't always provide alternatives to the days when we don't shampoo. 

In hot and humid Singapore, this can be a problem as our scalp would tend to get oily or at least have a slightly funny smell (I suppose it's from walking through or eating in places where there's a lot of smoke from the grease?) at the end of the day. Especially for those with oilier scalps, our hair may look soft and nice when we first wake up in the morning, but lo-and-behold, after a few hours out of bed, the soft-looking hair starts to look more like deflated and...lifeless. 

So...I've recently came across a product that serves as an alternative to wet shampoos...dry shampoos! 

Dry shampoos have been available since the 1970s and the starch, silica or talcum-based products were sold as either powder to sprinkle into the hair or in the form of aerosol cans. Unlike wet shampoos, rather than washing away, the function of dry shampoo is to absorb the residue in the hair. 

So today, I will be doing a review on a dry shampoo I had picked up recently - the Etude House Oh My God! Dry Shampoo.

quirky name and quirky comic

Product Benefits:

It is a quick and convenient solution to mornings when you wake up late with no time to wash your hair. Formulated with Anti-sebum complex, your scalp will be left fresh and clean. It is also a great quick fix for oily hair when you're on the go. 

Instructions for use:

• Shake well before use 
• Aim the nozzle about 15-20 cm away from head (to ensure even distribution and prevent buildup) and spray over scalp and hair 
• Massage into scalp with fingers for about a minute to allow the product to absorb
• Brush your hair to restyle

SUMMARY OF REVIEW

My thoughts: It definitely provided a boost to my hair and scalp after application. The effectiveness of the product lasted about 4 to 6 hours before my hair started to feel a little limp again. I have to admit though, for the price I paid for this product, I have my doubts as to how many times I can spray before it runs out of product (I'm guessing maybe only 6 to 8 times? update: unfortunately, the product was emptied after 3-4 times ...)

The flowerly smell was pretty strong, so for those who don't really like those sort of flowerly toilet deodorant sprays, you may want to shy away from this. 

Would I buy it again: Maybe, I'd like to try other dry shampoos, mainly because of the cost of the product. 

Price: SGD$13 at qoo10.sg, SGD$16.90 at local Etude House stores. 

Verdict: 6/10 update: I think I'd give this about 4/10 - mainly because of how fast the product was emptied despite being pretty careful with spraying it

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

♥ Apple

[REVIEW] Innisfree Mineral Sun Waterproof BB Cream

Hello readers! Today I will be posting a review on another one of Innisfree's BB creams - Innisfree Mineral Sun Waterproof BB cream!

This BB was one of the two BB creams (the other being the no-sebum cream) which I was recommended by the salesperson at a Innisfree store when I was on my summer exchange in Seoul. I absolutely adore the make-up collection from Innisfree for having natural and pure ingredients, a very pleasant herbal fragrance, and being very effective for all their products I've used so far!

Product Benefits:

Formulated with natural mineral powder and natural green tea water from the islands of Jeju, this perfect-proof BB cream is strongly resistant to water, sebum and UV rays and lasts for up to 12 hours, providing a long lasting and luminous complexion without darkening your skin. 

• 12 hours long-wearing makeup 
• Maintains fresh makeup without darkening
• Water-proof, sweat-proof, and strong UV protection (SPF 50+++)

5-free system: no parabens, no phthalate, no acryl amide, no dioxin, no alcohol

Instructions for use:
Squeeze about a 20 cent-sized amount onto your palm. Use the tip of your finger to dab the product on five points of your face (forehead, both cheeks, tip of the nose, and chin). Spread evenly and blend by patting gently.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW:

My thoughts:

This BB cream provides light to mid-coverage. I really like it because I like my foundation to feel light on my skin. Coverage is good because I usually just apply BB cream and lip balm, so a mild coverage is good without looking too plain or like I've left the house with heavy foundation but forgot to apply the rest of my makeup. :)

Lasting power isn't really for 12 hours - probably because I live in humid Singapore. But it does last for about 6 or more hours, depending on where I am when I'm outside (i.e. library vs hospital wards). As for it being water-proof, I'd agree that it is! Sweat-proof...not so much. If you're sweating a little - the kind where there aren't droplets dripping down, but more like it would only dampen your tissue by a tiny bit, then yes, it's sweat-proof. Doesn't hold against actual sweating droplets though.

The cream does feel a little thicker in texture in comparison to other BB creams I've used, but blending is not a problem and it could probably be attributed to the high SPF (50+++). 

Before

After - using NO. 2 NATURAL BEIGE.
(the greenish veins are much more faded!)

Would I buy it again: Yes! One tube (40ml) can last for a longgggg time even with daily application. 

Price: 18000 won (S$21) in S. Korea, S$30 at the local Innisfree store

Verdict: 9/10

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

♥ Apple