Current Skincare Routine 2017
Hey there
It's been a hot minute since I've last updated this blog. In the past year, I've graduated university and worked two different jobs... I guess life just got busy and thus causing me to shove this blog somewhere in the depths of my mind. Am I back? I can't promise anything but I've been meaning to share my skincare routine for the longest time so I sat down today to do just that.
I think mid-year last year was when I really amped up my whole skincare routine. Kbeauty started getting bigger and I started learning more and more about different skincare ingredients. I'm not a pro at skincare, but I've landed on a mix of asian and western skincare that has been really working for me lately.
So to start off, I've had dry dehydrated skin all my life. Growing up, I only used Johnsons' baby cream as a face moisturizer. I know. I felt that it was enough to keep my skin from having that tight feeling after washing and thought that was good enough. As I grew older and started learning more about my skin, I realized I had to do much more than that.
I like the concept of layering several products on my face and quite enjoying having multiple steps in my routine, which is why I love asian skincare so much. I'd say right now, I have an alright amount of steps, as I don't currently have any essences or serums in my routine- just the "basics". So, I'll take you step by step on what my current skincare routine looks like.
1. Double cleansing
In my opinion, double cleansing is absolutely essential in a skincare routine if you wear makeup like I do. I believe in order to get a proper and complete clean, you need an oil based emulsifier paired with a foam/gel cleanser to really get everything off your face. I do this and use a silicon face scrubbing pad to really get a deep clean.
My current choices are Banila Co. Clean It Zero and The Face Shop Mango Seed Cleansing Foam. I was also using The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil as a backup when I ran out of Clean It Zero.
I'm aware that Clean It Zero has broken some people out, but it works really well for me and leaves my skin feeling soft after. I'm also aware that the Mango Seed cleanser has a super high PH level which most people would highly recommend against, however I've been using it for quite a long time and I don't find it drying or giving me that tight feeling after I wash my face. I've sampled some low PH cleansers which have left my skin feeling super stripped and dry... I'm not against finding a low PH cleanser but I just haven't found one that I like yet.
2. Toner
I alternate between two toners that are quite popular: Hadalabo Gojujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion and Pixi Glow Tonic. My friend recommended me the Hadalabo toner as hyaluronic acid is great for dry skin. I pour one or two drops onto my palms and pat it into my skin. If I'm being honest, I'm still not sure how I feel about this. I've gone without it for some days and haven't noticed much of a difference. I'm almost done this bottle so next I'm hoping to find a toner to balance my PH levels after cleansing.
During the day, I'll use the hyaluronic acid toner, and during the evening I use Pixi's Glow Tonic. I picked this up on a whim just to try because of the hype and was interested in the exfoliation factor. I will say that my skin felt instantly smoother after one use, but I didn't notice my skin "glowing" and I absolutely hate the scent (old grandma perfume, yuck!). It contains 5% glycolic acid which I've heard is actually kinda low so I won't expect super high exfoliation. Would I repurchase? If I'm being honest, the pros are not high enough for me to get over the awful scent so while I'll finish up this bottle, I'm still on the hunt for my HG toner.
3. Exfoliation
If I'm looking to do an actual exfoliation, I'll use my Cure Natural Aqua Gel before I cleanse on no-makeup days/mornings after I wake up. I've heard mix reviews about this product now that the hype has slowly died down- some say it's the best, other say it actually doesn't exfoliate but rather the formula tricks you into thinking the beads are your dead skin when it's actually not. I don't remember the exact explanation but some have said it creates a layer/film on your skin to trick you into thinking it's smooth and exfoliated when in reality, beads start forming even when you test it on metal with rubber gloves. I haven't tried this experiment myself yet so I can't speak on that but in terms of how I like this product, I do like it when I'm experiencing flakiness on my skin (especially my nose).
As a daily night routine, I apply Herbivore Moon Fruit Superfruit Night Treatment and really rub that into my skin. From my understanding, this is basically an AHA cream that works to exfoliate by resurfacing dead skin cells and promotes regeneration. It uses fruit enzymes, butters and hyaluronic acid. Their description of the product is a little vague for me but I've come to understand that it's an AHA product. Their instructions say to apply this after toner but before all your other skincare products (serums, creams, oils) for best results and advises you to use high SPF if you use this product lightly during the daytime. AHAs and BHAs will make your skin sensitive to sunlight so this advice is super important to follow. This is a pricey product but I've come to really love it and seen big results with it. If I ever feel that I have heavy texture going on my skin (I tend to get closed comedones/whiteheads, between my brows), I apply this and it goes away almost instantly over night.
4. Eye cream
I've been using Belif's Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream for over a year now and I really like it. I saw some reviews on this product on Youtube and decided to try it out. I've got to say, it actually does reduce some of my fine lines around my eyes. This is why I've repurchased this once already.
5. Moisturizers
I use not one, but two moisturizers on any given day or night. Currently I am using Belif's Aqua Bomb first, as it's a gel and thinner so it can be absorbed into my skin easily, and then I layer The Face Shop's Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Lotion after. I love the Mango Seed lotion and I've repurchased several times already.
I bought the Aqua Bomb cream due to the hype but I really felt like it doesn't do much for my dehydrated skin. The gel formula is just too light for what I need and I love heavy thick creams, especially for night time. I'm currently using this only to finish it up.
One that I do love is Innisfree's Orchid Intense Cream. While it similar to a thicker gel consistency, it's heavy enough that it provides the intense hydration my skin needs. Typically I'll use this after the Mango Seed lotion as my final step, however I'm all out of this cream and waiting for a new one in the mail.
6. Mask
I'm really lacking in my mask department. I don't do this every night- actually I don't do this enough during the week. I just havent found the time and product that I love deeply enough to do it regularly (aka 2-3 times a week). Currently, I have a jar of L'Oreal Pure Clay mask and while I like putting it on my face, I don't find it does too much for my skin, which is why I'm just trying to use it up and move onto something better. I'm looking into getting back to using sheet masks as those provide a boost of moisture to my face if anything, but I've been slacking in terms of purchasing those. This is one area that I need to improve on.
7. SPF
Not pictured here, but I was using Biore's UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel as my sunscreen. I have a bad habit of not using SPF during the winter months but now that spring and summer is here, I really need to get back into the game. SPF is super, super, SUPER important, especially in the warmer seasons when the sun is at its peak. Having SPF in your makeup is just not enough in the summer time (although I somehow convinced myself it's enough for the winter... it's not). So while I liked the gel version, I think I'm going back to the "milk" version.
So that's pretty much it. I know it's quite a lengthy post but I wanted to include all the details that I felt was important to mention as skincare is a lot more finicky than makeup. I take skincare a lot more serious as it has what treats your base, your skin! While you can cake on as much makeup as you want during the day, it's always important to take care of what's under. Prevention is key and finding the right products and ingredients is a bit of a journey but I quite enjoy it.
Labels: banilaco, belif, cream, cure, hadalabo, herbivore, innisfree, loreal, lotion, mask, pixi, skincare, thefaceshop, toner
January 2015 Favourites
Hi cuties,
I've never done one of these kinds of posts before but I wanted to show you a couple of items I've been loving for the past month. I don't think I'll make this a monthly thing because I don't buy new products too often, but maybe I'll try and showcase an item or two whenever I find ones that I really like! So here's what I've been loving so far.
Skin79 Super Plus BB Cream (purple)
I've used almost all the Skin79 BB Creams; pink, gold, orange, green
(tested), and now purple! I have to say the purple version is by far my favourite one. I use to really love the gold one because it was for dry skin and also has that grey tone (which I actually like because I'm cool toned!) but the purple is like the gold version but on crack; it's so much more moisturizing!
Tangle Teezer
This thing has been around for a while and I remember everyone raving about it. I never use to comb my hair until I started bleaching my hair. Now I get tangles all the time and this literally saved my life. Not only does it get all the tangles out, I can use this on my wet hair which makes drying my hair so much faster without my hair looking poofy after a blow dry.
The Face Shop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Facial Butter
Anyone with dry skin will love this product. It's a heavy duty facial butter that seriously keeps your skin moisturized for hours and hours. It's recommended to be used as a night cream but if you're like me with extremely dry skin, a thin layer of this under your foundation will keep your skin from drying out throughout the day.
Z.One Concept Milk_Shake Leave In Conditioner
My hairstylist friend Mike introduced me to this product. He always uses it in my hair after he washes it and it makes my hair much more manageable especially after all I've done to my hair. I use it daily and douse my hair with it. I even bought a second bottle! The best part is that it smells like cupcakes!
Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist
I've had this product for a long time now and I recently rediscovered it. I love spraying this on my face before applying bb cream and it gives me such a dewy finish. It's good to spray on top of your makeup to set it and throughout the day to freshen your face when it's feeling dry.
Carmex Original Moisturizing Lip Balm (tube)
This stuff is heaven sent. I have extremely dry and flaky lips and this stuff has healed my lips up really good. I especially like the tubed version. I think it's extra strength because the instructions on the back says not to use it more than 3-4 times a day. I use this in the morning right before applying makeup and at night right after I shower/before bed.
Innisfree Water Glow Cushion
I just did a review on this product so you guys all know how much I love this thing. I've been using it every day since I got it and it has kept my skin moisturized without looking cakey and gives my skin a brightening glow. Big plus for being super convenient for travel and fast application.
So there are all my favourites for the month of January. I've recently bought some new products that I love but that will have to be saved for another post for a later time! Tried any of these products? Love something else? Let me know!
Labels: cosmetics, favourites, innisfree, makeup, skin79, tangle teezer, thefaceshop, tonymoly, z.one
Innisfree Water Glow Cushion Review
Hey cuties,
I'm super excited to be doing this review right now! A little back story: my friend introduced me to her IOPE/Amore Pacific
(I can't remember which one she has) cushion and raved about how cushion foundations are really great and handy. I've heard about them from Youtube and Korean beauty blogs but never really paid too much attention to them until now. This is my first cushion foundation and I wasn't too sure how I'd like it so I went with a cheaper alternative to the higher end Hera/IOPE/Amore Pacific route and got Innisfree!
This is also my first Innisfree product and spoiler alert: I'm impressed!
I believe Innisfree's most famous cushion is their Long Wear Cushion (matte), however I went with the Water Glow (dewy) version because I have dry skin!
I haven't seen many reviews for this product so I hope you enjoy :)
Front
Back
Side 1
Side 2
Top
It comes in a paper packaging which feels like it's made from recycled paper. On a design standpoint, I really like how they added icons on the side for some quick indications of some of the benefits of the product. The only thing I found funny is that they printed their front cover sideways of everything else.
I got the colour #23 True Beige which is the darkest of the three available shades. One thing I noticed when I was researching this product was the colour swatches Innisfree gives you of each shade is totally misleading. It looked like #23 would be really dark, tan, and yellow toned which was a huge worry for me since I wouldn't consider my skin to be all that dark, and I'm definitely more cool toned (yellow undertone but with a cool tone). My friend who is much paler than I am, reassured me that the other two colors would be way too pale for me and to just go with the darkest shade and so I did. More on that to come!
The compact itself it very sleek and simple. It fits nicely in the palm of my hand and isn't too thick or heavy to travel with. This will be perfect on the days I'm over at my boyfriend's house and do not want to bring a whole bottle of foundation + brushes.
The back has all the specifications: name, colour, manufacture date, and product amount. You get 15g of product per cushion and they are also refillable so you don't have to keep buying new compacts. It has a 12 month expiry life but I'm pretty sure you'll need to buy a new refill after 2-3 months if you use it daily.
The Water Glow cushion has SPF 50+ and PA+++ which I've found pretty standard for Korean BB/CC/foundation.
When you first open the compact, you'll find that it has a mirror and a sponge. This might seem random but the first thing I noticed was how clear this mirror is. I've never seen a mirror inside a makeup product so clear and sharp. Even the mirror in my Naked 2 palette doesn't compare to this mirror and I find it super useful to use on the go.
The sponge is really the star of the show. This is the key to getting the perfect application of foundation on your skin. The texture of the sponge isn't like any other sponge I've ever felt and although I've never felt the Beauty Blender before, I have a feeling they are made of the same material. It's soft, airy, and the pores on it are super tiny so it doesn't absorb too much product.
There's a plastic cover that keeps the cushion air tight and separates the sponge from the product to reduce bacteria. If you're concerned about the sanitary factor of using a sponge, don't worry; you can wash these sponges. There are a couple of helpful videos on Youtube showing you how to get them super clean and the best way I've found is using a bar soap.
When you first open the compact, there's a film that seals the product which you remove before using. I guess this is to show that it hasn't been tampered with.
To get the product, you have to press down into the cushion. As you can see, the product itself is much lighter than the cushion itself which is very misleading when people are trying to choose shades! Always keep in mind that Korean girls have super pale skin so all their foundations are in the lighter side of the spectrum.
When swatched on my hand, you can see the difference between my cool skin tone versus the warmer tone of the foundation. It also has a light texture. It's not quite watery but it's not too thick like say Skin79's purple BB cream which has a gel-like texture.
After I tapped/blended it out with the sponge, it blended into my skin quite nicely. I was surprised to find that it was a good colour match for my face. Although it is slightly warm toned, it neutralized my skin tone well and gave a brightening affect.
The coverage for this foundation is light to medium. It's definitely build-able and gets better the more layers you apply. I usually do an overall application and go back with a second layer on areas that need higher covers like around the nose and on my dark circles.
Overall I am very impressed by this product and I've been using it every day since I got it. I got mine on eBay for around $26 CAD while the cheapest refill I've seen goes for $17-18. This has been a very pleasant introduction of cushion foundations and I'm eagered to try other brands!
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
xoxo.
Labels: cosmetics, cushion, foundation, innisfree, korean, makeup, review
Current Skincare Routine 2017
Hey there
It's been a hot minute since I've last updated this blog. In the past year, I've graduated university and worked two different jobs... I guess life just got busy and thus causing me to shove this blog somewhere in the depths of my mind. Am I back? I can't promise anything but I've been meaning to share my skincare routine for the longest time so I sat down today to do just that.
I think mid-year last year was when I really amped up my whole skincare routine. Kbeauty started getting bigger and I started learning more and more about different skincare ingredients. I'm not a pro at skincare, but I've landed on a mix of asian and western skincare that has been really working for me lately.
So to start off, I've had dry dehydrated skin all my life. Growing up, I only used Johnsons' baby cream as a face moisturizer. I know. I felt that it was enough to keep my skin from having that tight feeling after washing and thought that was good enough. As I grew older and started learning more about my skin, I realized I had to do much more than that.
I like the concept of layering several products on my face and quite enjoying having multiple steps in my routine, which is why I love asian skincare so much. I'd say right now, I have an alright amount of steps, as I don't currently have any essences or serums in my routine- just the "basics". So, I'll take you step by step on what my current skincare routine looks like.
1. Double cleansing
In my opinion, double cleansing is absolutely essential in a skincare routine if you wear makeup like I do. I believe in order to get a proper and complete clean, you need an oil based emulsifier paired with a foam/gel cleanser to really get everything off your face. I do this and use a silicon face scrubbing pad to really get a deep clean.
My current choices are Banila Co. Clean It Zero and The Face Shop Mango Seed Cleansing Foam. I was also using The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Rich Cleansing Oil as a backup when I ran out of Clean It Zero.
I'm aware that Clean It Zero has broken some people out, but it works really well for me and leaves my skin feeling soft after. I'm also aware that the Mango Seed cleanser has a super high PH level which most people would highly recommend against, however I've been using it for quite a long time and I don't find it drying or giving me that tight feeling after I wash my face. I've sampled some low PH cleansers which have left my skin feeling super stripped and dry... I'm not against finding a low PH cleanser but I just haven't found one that I like yet.
2. Toner
I alternate between two toners that are quite popular: Hadalabo Gojujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion and Pixi Glow Tonic. My friend recommended me the Hadalabo toner as hyaluronic acid is great for dry skin. I pour one or two drops onto my palms and pat it into my skin. If I'm being honest, I'm still not sure how I feel about this. I've gone without it for some days and haven't noticed much of a difference. I'm almost done this bottle so next I'm hoping to find a toner to balance my PH levels after cleansing.
During the day, I'll use the hyaluronic acid toner, and during the evening I use Pixi's Glow Tonic. I picked this up on a whim just to try because of the hype and was interested in the exfoliation factor. I will say that my skin felt instantly smoother after one use, but I didn't notice my skin "glowing" and I absolutely hate the scent (old grandma perfume, yuck!). It contains 5% glycolic acid which I've heard is actually kinda low so I won't expect super high exfoliation. Would I repurchase? If I'm being honest, the pros are not high enough for me to get over the awful scent so while I'll finish up this bottle, I'm still on the hunt for my HG toner.
3. Exfoliation
If I'm looking to do an actual exfoliation, I'll use my Cure Natural Aqua Gel before I cleanse on no-makeup days/mornings after I wake up. I've heard mix reviews about this product now that the hype has slowly died down- some say it's the best, other say it actually doesn't exfoliate but rather the formula tricks you into thinking the beads are your dead skin when it's actually not. I don't remember the exact explanation but some have said it creates a layer/film on your skin to trick you into thinking it's smooth and exfoliated when in reality, beads start forming even when you test it on metal with rubber gloves. I haven't tried this experiment myself yet so I can't speak on that but in terms of how I like this product, I do like it when I'm experiencing flakiness on my skin (especially my nose).
As a daily night routine, I apply Herbivore Moon Fruit Superfruit Night Treatment and really rub that into my skin. From my understanding, this is basically an AHA cream that works to exfoliate by resurfacing dead skin cells and promotes regeneration. It uses fruit enzymes, butters and hyaluronic acid. Their description of the product is a little vague for me but I've come to understand that it's an AHA product. Their instructions say to apply this after toner but before all your other skincare products (serums, creams, oils) for best results and advises you to use high SPF if you use this product lightly during the daytime. AHAs and BHAs will make your skin sensitive to sunlight so this advice is super important to follow. This is a pricey product but I've come to really love it and seen big results with it. If I ever feel that I have heavy texture going on my skin (I tend to get closed comedones/whiteheads, between my brows), I apply this and it goes away almost instantly over night.
4. Eye cream
I've been using Belif's Moisturizing and Firming Eye Cream for over a year now and I really like it. I saw some reviews on this product on Youtube and decided to try it out. I've got to say, it actually does reduce some of my fine lines around my eyes. This is why I've repurchased this once already.
5. Moisturizers
I use not one, but two moisturizers on any given day or night. Currently I am using Belif's Aqua Bomb first, as it's a gel and thinner so it can be absorbed into my skin easily, and then I layer The Face Shop's Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Lotion after. I love the Mango Seed lotion and I've repurchased several times already.
I bought the Aqua Bomb cream due to the hype but I really felt like it doesn't do much for my dehydrated skin. The gel formula is just too light for what I need and I love heavy thick creams, especially for night time. I'm currently using this only to finish it up.
One that I do love is Innisfree's Orchid Intense Cream. While it similar to a thicker gel consistency, it's heavy enough that it provides the intense hydration my skin needs. Typically I'll use this after the Mango Seed lotion as my final step, however I'm all out of this cream and waiting for a new one in the mail.
6. Mask
I'm really lacking in my mask department. I don't do this every night- actually I don't do this enough during the week. I just havent found the time and product that I love deeply enough to do it regularly (aka 2-3 times a week). Currently, I have a jar of L'Oreal Pure Clay mask and while I like putting it on my face, I don't find it does too much for my skin, which is why I'm just trying to use it up and move onto something better. I'm looking into getting back to using sheet masks as those provide a boost of moisture to my face if anything, but I've been slacking in terms of purchasing those. This is one area that I need to improve on.
7. SPF
Not pictured here, but I was using Biore's UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel as my sunscreen. I have a bad habit of not using SPF during the winter months but now that spring and summer is here, I really need to get back into the game. SPF is super, super, SUPER important, especially in the warmer seasons when the sun is at its peak. Having SPF in your makeup is just not enough in the summer time (although I somehow convinced myself it's enough for the winter... it's not). So while I liked the gel version, I think I'm going back to the "milk" version.
So that's pretty much it. I know it's quite a lengthy post but I wanted to include all the details that I felt was important to mention as skincare is a lot more finicky than makeup. I take skincare a lot more serious as it has what treats your base, your skin! While you can cake on as much makeup as you want during the day, it's always important to take care of what's under. Prevention is key and finding the right products and ingredients is a bit of a journey but I quite enjoy it.
Labels: banilaco, belif, cream, cure, hadalabo, herbivore, innisfree, loreal, lotion, mask, pixi, skincare, thefaceshop, toner
January 2015 Favourites
Hi cuties,
I've never done one of these kinds of posts before but I wanted to show you a couple of items I've been loving for the past month. I don't think I'll make this a monthly thing because I don't buy new products too often, but maybe I'll try and showcase an item or two whenever I find ones that I really like! So here's what I've been loving so far.
Skin79 Super Plus BB Cream (purple)
I've used almost all the Skin79 BB Creams; pink, gold, orange, green
(tested), and now purple! I have to say the purple version is by far my favourite one. I use to really love the gold one because it was for dry skin and also has that grey tone (which I actually like because I'm cool toned!) but the purple is like the gold version but on crack; it's so much more moisturizing!
Tangle Teezer
This thing has been around for a while and I remember everyone raving about it. I never use to comb my hair until I started bleaching my hair. Now I get tangles all the time and this literally saved my life. Not only does it get all the tangles out, I can use this on my wet hair which makes drying my hair so much faster without my hair looking poofy after a blow dry.
The Face Shop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Facial Butter
Anyone with dry skin will love this product. It's a heavy duty facial butter that seriously keeps your skin moisturized for hours and hours. It's recommended to be used as a night cream but if you're like me with extremely dry skin, a thin layer of this under your foundation will keep your skin from drying out throughout the day.
Z.One Concept Milk_Shake Leave In Conditioner
My hairstylist friend Mike introduced me to this product. He always uses it in my hair after he washes it and it makes my hair much more manageable especially after all I've done to my hair. I use it daily and douse my hair with it. I even bought a second bottle! The best part is that it smells like cupcakes!
Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Moist Mist
I've had this product for a long time now and I recently rediscovered it. I love spraying this on my face before applying bb cream and it gives me such a dewy finish. It's good to spray on top of your makeup to set it and throughout the day to freshen your face when it's feeling dry.
Carmex Original Moisturizing Lip Balm (tube)
This stuff is heaven sent. I have extremely dry and flaky lips and this stuff has healed my lips up really good. I especially like the tubed version. I think it's extra strength because the instructions on the back says not to use it more than 3-4 times a day. I use this in the morning right before applying makeup and at night right after I shower/before bed.
Innisfree Water Glow Cushion
I just did a review on this product so you guys all know how much I love this thing. I've been using it every day since I got it and it has kept my skin moisturized without looking cakey and gives my skin a brightening glow. Big plus for being super convenient for travel and fast application.
So there are all my favourites for the month of January. I've recently bought some new products that I love but that will have to be saved for another post for a later time! Tried any of these products? Love something else? Let me know!
Labels: cosmetics, favourites, innisfree, makeup, skin79, tangle teezer, thefaceshop, tonymoly, z.one
Innisfree Water Glow Cushion Review
Hey cuties,
I'm super excited to be doing this review right now! A little back story: my friend introduced me to her IOPE/Amore Pacific
(I can't remember which one she has) cushion and raved about how cushion foundations are really great and handy. I've heard about them from Youtube and Korean beauty blogs but never really paid too much attention to them until now. This is my first cushion foundation and I wasn't too sure how I'd like it so I went with a cheaper alternative to the higher end Hera/IOPE/Amore Pacific route and got Innisfree!
This is also my first Innisfree product and spoiler alert: I'm impressed!
I believe Innisfree's most famous cushion is their Long Wear Cushion (matte), however I went with the Water Glow (dewy) version because I have dry skin!
I haven't seen many reviews for this product so I hope you enjoy :)
Front
Back
Side 1
Side 2
Top
It comes in a paper packaging which feels like it's made from recycled paper. On a design standpoint, I really like how they added icons on the side for some quick indications of some of the benefits of the product. The only thing I found funny is that they printed their front cover sideways of everything else.
I got the colour #23 True Beige which is the darkest of the three available shades. One thing I noticed when I was researching this product was the colour swatches Innisfree gives you of each shade is totally misleading. It looked like #23 would be really dark, tan, and yellow toned which was a huge worry for me since I wouldn't consider my skin to be all that dark, and I'm definitely more cool toned (yellow undertone but with a cool tone). My friend who is much paler than I am, reassured me that the other two colors would be way too pale for me and to just go with the darkest shade and so I did. More on that to come!
The compact itself it very sleek and simple. It fits nicely in the palm of my hand and isn't too thick or heavy to travel with. This will be perfect on the days I'm over at my boyfriend's house and do not want to bring a whole bottle of foundation + brushes.
The back has all the specifications: name, colour, manufacture date, and product amount. You get 15g of product per cushion and they are also refillable so you don't have to keep buying new compacts. It has a 12 month expiry life but I'm pretty sure you'll need to buy a new refill after 2-3 months if you use it daily.
The Water Glow cushion has SPF 50+ and PA+++ which I've found pretty standard for Korean BB/CC/foundation.
When you first open the compact, you'll find that it has a mirror and a sponge. This might seem random but the first thing I noticed was how clear this mirror is. I've never seen a mirror inside a makeup product so clear and sharp. Even the mirror in my Naked 2 palette doesn't compare to this mirror and I find it super useful to use on the go.
The sponge is really the star of the show. This is the key to getting the perfect application of foundation on your skin. The texture of the sponge isn't like any other sponge I've ever felt and although I've never felt the Beauty Blender before, I have a feeling they are made of the same material. It's soft, airy, and the pores on it are super tiny so it doesn't absorb too much product.
There's a plastic cover that keeps the cushion air tight and separates the sponge from the product to reduce bacteria. If you're concerned about the sanitary factor of using a sponge, don't worry; you can wash these sponges. There are a couple of helpful videos on Youtube showing you how to get them super clean and the best way I've found is using a bar soap.
When you first open the compact, there's a film that seals the product which you remove before using. I guess this is to show that it hasn't been tampered with.
To get the product, you have to press down into the cushion. As you can see, the product itself is much lighter than the cushion itself which is very misleading when people are trying to choose shades! Always keep in mind that Korean girls have super pale skin so all their foundations are in the lighter side of the spectrum.
When swatched on my hand, you can see the difference between my cool skin tone versus the warmer tone of the foundation. It also has a light texture. It's not quite watery but it's not too thick like say Skin79's purple BB cream which has a gel-like texture.
After I tapped/blended it out with the sponge, it blended into my skin quite nicely. I was surprised to find that it was a good colour match for my face. Although it is slightly warm toned, it neutralized my skin tone well and gave a brightening affect.
The coverage for this foundation is light to medium. It's definitely build-able and gets better the more layers you apply. I usually do an overall application and go back with a second layer on areas that need higher covers like around the nose and on my dark circles.
Overall I am very impressed by this product and I've been using it every day since I got it. I got mine on eBay for around $26 CAD while the cheapest refill I've seen goes for $17-18. This has been a very pleasant introduction of cushion foundations and I'm eagered to try other brands!
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
xoxo.
Labels: cosmetics, cushion, foundation, innisfree, korean, makeup, review
Profile
stupid princess
UserName: Hyokii
Age: 23
Birthday: January 22
Location: Toronto, Canada.
Sign: Aquarius Sun, Gemini Moon, Aries Rising
Who are you?
I'm just an average girl studying graphic design in my hometown Toronto. I'm nothing special but I like to blog and document my findings :) I'm really into astrology so come and tell me your sign!
What do you blog about?
Mostly just about my life and occasional beauty hauls and product reviews.
What does 'babo gongju' mean?
It's Korean for 'stupid princess'.
Boyfriend?
Yes! He does Muay Thai and he's a Virgo.
Tell me about your skin type!
I have extremely dry dehydrated skin and really dry/flaky lips. Light; yellow with neutral leaning cool undertone. Currently wearing NARS Sheer Glow in Gobi.
Up Coming
A List of posts that are coming soon
Reviews:
Tonymoly Cats Wink Smooth Primer
Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer
Skin Food Choco Smoky Eye Palette
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Shine Deep Treatment
Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set
Etude House Golden Ratio Contour Maker
Skin Food Coffee Creamy Sheer Lipstick (PP701 Plum Wine)
Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil (Moisture)
Skin Food Bath Salt (Peppermint)
Etude House Miss Tangerine Cream Choux Blusher
Skin Food Red Orange Makeup Finish (Matte Type)
Tonymoly Cat Chu Wink Tony Tint (Cherry Pink)
Etude House Etoinette Crystal Shine Lip Lipstick (PPK001 & PPK003)
Etude House Etoinette Brush Collection
The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Special Set
The Face Shop Cotton Pads
The Face Shop Face It 07 Quick Top Coat
The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Design My Eyebrow (01 Gray Brown)
The Face Shop Lovely ME:EX Style My Eyebrow (01 Gray Brown)
The Face Shop Face It Designing Cake Eyebrow (01 Khaki Grey)
Etude House Dear My Blooming Eyes (OR203 Mesmerizing Orange)
Nicole by O.P.I. Nail Polish (Iceberg Lotus)
The Face Shop Real Nature Mask Aloe Vera
The Face Shop Face It Styling Auto Gel Liner (01 Edgy Black)
The Face Shop Floral Water Mist
The Face Shop Mild Papaya Peeling Gel
Kat Von D Spellbinding Eyeshadow Book
Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick By Kate Moss (111 Kiss Of Life)
Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick By Kate Moss (102)
Sally Hansen Big Matte Top Coat
Witchcraft Mini+Cures Set
Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Smoky Eyes Mascara
Nicole by O.P.I. Quick Dry Top Coat
Essence Kalinka Beauty 01 Babushka Me Lip Brush
Maybelline Volum’Express The Rocket Waterproof Mascara
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Drama Eyeliner in Midnight Master
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 10 Light
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Ivory
Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer (sample)
Etude House Mal;Gem All In One Emulsion (sample)
Etude House Mal;Gem Smoother Toner (sample)
Etude House Sun Prise Super Aqua SPF45/PA+++ (sample)
Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream SPF30/PA++ (sample)
Etude House Moistfull Collagen Firming Eye Cream (sample)
Skin Food Platinum Grape Cell Essential BB Cream SPF45/PA+++ (sample)
Skin Food Agave Cactus Emulsion (sample)
The Face Shop Chia Seed Moisture-Holding Seed Cream(sample)
The Face Shop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Toner(sample)
The Face Shop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Lotion(sample)
Updated The Face Shop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Toner & Lotion (full size)
The Face Shop Mango Seed Silk Moisturizing Facial Butter(sample fullsize)
The Face Shop Volcanic Clay Black Head Aloe Nose Strip(sample)
The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam Acerola (sample)
The Face Shop White Secret Whitening Body Essence (sample)
Tutorials & Tips:
How I Contour My Face
Tips On How To Drink More Water
2013 Summer/Fall Wish List
My Current Everyday Makeup Tutorial
Friends
Love'em, Hate'em
Jin
Bucket List
before the end
. Put a lock on Seoul’s Namsan Tower's fence
.
Visit the beach; any beach (063011)
. Party hard
.
Starbucks date (072310)
. Learn to drive
.
Star gaze (062812)
.
Road trip (Summer`09)
.
Be loved
. Visit South Korea
.
Wedding; anyone's wedding (10.13.13)
.
Be happy
.
Bake cupcakes from scratch (04.06.10)
.
Ride a motorcycle (08.21.14)
. Get my first tattoo
.
Kiss in the rain
.
Pull an all nighter
.
Belly button piercing (02.19.14)
. Disney world/land
. Anime North
.
Cosplay Rin
. Cosplay X-23
.
Princess Cafe date (12.10.12)
.
VVIP album(02.20.11)
. Visit Hong Kong again
. Graduate university
. Paris
to be continued...
