Shine Keeper: Etude House Pore Diet Essence

It's Friday once again :) How fast time flies by!?! I'm already on weekend mode (hehehe!). I can't wait for the time to strike 5pm. Before I'll submit myself to work, let me share to you a product that I'm very much loving in terms of controlling my oily skin. Let me introduce my current moisturizer, Etude House Pore Diet Essence.

Etude House Pore Diet Essence

Slim Pores with Skincare Diet

Formulated with botanical extracts to constrict pores, essence moisturizes and clears up complexion.

My say:

Performance: 4/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Pricing: 4/5 stars

This is my current moisturizer. I used this twice a day, morning and evening. It comes in a very light white gel/cream which is absorbed easily by the skin. In a few seconds it will give a matte finish. Bye-bye shine ;p It's a good make-up base also. No irritation nor brake-out :) However, no significance difference in my pore size after a month of usage. I love the packaging except that it comes in a glass type bottle which means I have to be extra careful that I won't drop it :-\ With the price, I think it is okay (Php 578) but this is cheaper if bought in Korea. Overall, a good moisturizer for oily babes like me :)

Take care guys :)

Lip Balm Adventure

I hate it when my lips are so dry. Dry, chapped lips to be exact. I always end up having wounds on my lips :( This is then how I started to haunt down the best lip care for my poor lips. I have previously reviewed on Alba Lip balm. After I got rid of it, I have two lip balms with me then, Venus and Mars Smooch Lip Butter Balm and Skin Food Shea Butter Lip Care Bar. Here's a comparative review between the two.

photo taken from venus and mars website

Venus and Mars All-Organic Skin Treats Smooch Lip Butter Balm

Break free from chemicals! Give your lips the authentic, lavish pampering it has always wanted. Venus&Mars lip balm is the perfect treat. Made out of the finest essential oils, lips will surely be younger-looking in no time. There’s nothing more it could ever ask. 

• Give your lips a break!
• Detox! 
• Younger-looking lips is just a swipe away! 

My say

Performance: 2/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Pricing: 3/5 stars

I got this from Venus and Mars booth from the Noel Bazaar last December. I hated it the moment I tried it. It smells like your grandma ointment. It gives my lips a white cast since the color is white. There is a cool sensation upon application which was okay to me. I would like to love this since it's organic and I like organic stuffs :) but then it didn't help my dry lips nor gave me that moisture I needed. I simply gave it away. The packaging is same with other lip balm out there. Twist the bottom part to pull out the product and simply swipe it away. The price is good but then it just a waste for me since it didn't do that much on me.

I got a lip balm from Skin Food thanks to the Skin Food haul I have with my sister :) This is my first venture on Skin Food lip care. I've been an avid fan of Skin Food. Since their skin care lines works fine on me, might as well try their lip care ;)

photo taken from Skin Food website

Contains shea butter to moisturize lips, with meadow foam seed oil, jojoba oil and bisabolol extracts.

My say:

Performance: 4/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Pricing: 3/5 stars

I got the raspberry one. I'm liking this right now. It's actually like a moisturizing lipstick for me. I did not expect that it will give me a red lips from using it. I used to have lip balms with the same color but they never gave me any hint of color. But this has color with it! I remembered my friend asking me if I was wearing a lipstick since they know that I don't. I quickly check my lips and what you know its as if I'm putting some lipsticks on! (I believed I put too much on that day, hehehe). So far so good this helps in relieving my dry lips. Probably this is because of the Shea Butter added on it :) I bought this almost Php 300 I think. This is way cheaper in Skin Food Korea, around Php 190.

The color is very red!

Between these two, obviously Skin Food Lip Care Bar has become a staple in my make-up kit. Since it gives color I don't wear this at night or when I'm home. I rather go bare when I'm home :) But I'm looking for a good lip balm that I could use at home and in bed with no color, just my natural lip color that is. 

Any recommendation worth to check on? Share!

 

Thanks Sunsilk :)

Thanks to Sunsilk for this wonderful freebie :) I thought I won't get one since I haven't received any call from them. I just received the package yesterday. This is one of the new line that they have. I'll give my review on this soon :) Thank you so much! <3 <3 <3

say hi to Sarah (Geronimo, Sunsilk's current endorser)

I got full size of the Sunsilk Damage Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

Waah! This is something that I least expected at all. Til next time Sunsilk, hehehe :)

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

Exfoliation is important for both the body and face. This a way to remove dead skin cells on the skin's outermost surface and reveal new and healthy skin cells. I made it a habit to exfoliate at least twice a week. One product I'm trying to finish up soon is Cure Natural Aqua Gel.

www.fr3b.com

a gentle, water-based exfoliant made from natural plant extracts of aloe vera, gingko and rosemary. It effectively sloughs off dead skin cells without irritating or harming skin, making it suitable even for the most sensitive skin types. 

My say

Performance: 3.5/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Pricing: 2/5 stars

This is the overly-hyped exfoliator in the world. I read this first from on online shop (beautyand minerals.multiply.com) when I bought a make-up brush from them. Sophie raved this and she is happy using it. Plus it is the number 1 bestseller in Japan where it originated and 1 bottle is sold in every 20 seconds.  But this is a disappointment to me. This didn't do much on my skin. It do exfoliate but doesn't remove those pesky white/black heads. It is indeed gentle but not tough enough to remove those unwanted stuff on your face. This is also the most expensive exfoliator I ever bought :( Php 1600++ for a 250g bottle. This lasts for more than 6 months. I still have a quarter of it left. It is said that you have to use it within 6 months and I'm going on my 6th month. Probably I'll be over it by the end of May :) I'll never gonna buy this again. I think this works for those sensitive skin since it's very gentle. It is made up of 90% water but I could smell a hint of alcohol from it. No irritations and break outs for me :) But then again it didn't do that much in my skin :( 

Do you have anything that was overly-hyped? I hope not :) Take care!

Summer Guard: Neutrogena Sunblocks

The heat is killing me! I love summer but the heat lately is not. I could barely go out the house or office to enjoy the sun. This is too much heat for summer :(  It could even reach 40 degrees Celsius according to PAG-ASA. Well, I hope not. Anyway, in times that I need to go out and face the sun, I need to put on my armor in defending my skin against the scorching sun. The best weapon I have is sunblock :). High SPF sunblocks are needed with the kind of heat we have lately. Here is my review on Neutrogena Sunblocks that I have used.

www.drugstore.com

Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55

www.neutrogena.com

contains Helioplex technology which delivers unbeatable UVA protection., It works better to help prevent damaging UVA rays from penetrating deep under skin's surface. Dry-Touch technology absorbs excess sunscreen oils, leaving a clean, lightweight, non-shiny finish.

• Water-proof
• Sweat-proof
• PABA-free
• Non-comedogenic

My say:
Performance: 4/5 stars
Packaging: 5/5 stars
Pricing: 4/5 stars

I like this sunblock. It didn't made my skin darker when we had our outing last February. I used this both on my face and body. I forgot to bring my facial sunblock so I have no choice but use this on my face also. This has thicker texture. Easy to blend, no white cast after. However when used on the face it made it look greasy and darker upon applying it. But I didn't gave the heck about it then since I'm jumping in the pool anyway ;) I don't think this is best to use on the face. With the price, it is sold at Php 500 ++. I think it's better to get this on sale for a great deal and I think I got this on sale ;p Over all, I like this but I don't know if I would like to bring this on my Bora trip this coming June. I read that this is best to use if you have any plan of getting tan. I don't plan to get tanned but one shade darker than my skin color now is okay.

www.philstar.com

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Complete UV Waterlight Lotion SPF 50

www.philstar.com

An advanced facial lotion that provides complete, long-lasting protection against UV rays with breakthrough and patented helioplex technology. Helioplex assures women that their daily facial sunscreen is stable and protects them from both UVA rays, which cause premature skin aging, and UVB rays that burn the skin.

My say:

Performance: 3/5 stars

Packaging: 5/5 stars

Price: 4/5 stars

I wasn't happy using this sunblock. I don't really feel that I'm well protected from the sun. I feel my skin to be quite irritated from it. It leaves a greasy feel even though it says water and light. I gave this to my sister and she liked it. Good for her but bad for me :( The packaging is great. Small and convenient to bring along:) The price is okay but again wait for sale since it always go on sale :) I'm not buying this again. I'm currently using the  Etude House Sun Guard and waiting for my Biore Sunblock which is rave by a lot.I'll review on these soon.

Protection is a must in every aspect of our life. Even though our skin protects our inner body, it still needs protection from our harmful environment. I never grew up using sun block. Thanks to lovely  and dashing bloggers who shared lots of information on the importance of sunblock. Now even I'm home I still use sunblock to protect me because that is how important it is ;)

Do you use sunblock rigorously? I hope so ;) Take care <3 <3 <3

Acne Killers

I've been fighting pimples since I could remember. It seems like it will be with me forever. No way! When will I have that flawlessly no bump skin?!? That is why I'm always on the look out for acne killer. I just call it that way since I need something that can eradicate the acne I have (lol!).

I have been using the Skin Food Tea Tree Essence as my moisturizer and acne killer. But when that day I run out of it, I have to look for an alternative one to use before I could get another one of it. Since I don't buy at the local Skin Food store (overly-priced) so I have to wait from a pre-order spree which takes a month :( Good thing my good friend Jacque gave me her Johnson & Johnson Clean and Clear Active Clear Acne Control Speed Gel.

• The 4th step in the JnJ Clean and Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit regime and it has powerful spot formula that penetrates deep in the pores to help visibly reduce acne symptoms fast.

• Oily- free and non-comedogenic

My say:

Performance: 4/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 2/5 stars

I have been using this for almost two weeks and I'm happy to say that this help in reducing my acne. But it does not work overnight. It took 2-3 days to flatten my acne. It does dry out the pimple and keep them from growing back :) On the sad note, it gave me flaky skin around the infected area and it sting :( A bit of itchiness but not that much. This come in a 5g tube. Yeah it's small but since it's for those bumps only I think it will last long unless of course you have many bumps to take care of like me. My problem with the packaging is that the product can splurt out. It can mean some wastage :( This is part of the Johnson & Johnson Clean and Clear Active Clear Acne Control Kit. This is not sold separately (I wish they would).

But when I ran out of my JnJ spot gel, I needed another one. Since it isn't sold separately, I looked for another brand. Good thing I spotted Eskinol Dermaclear C Overnight Pimple Gel.

• It has Dermaclear C that fights pimple-causing bacteria
• It contains Salicylic Acid that dries up pimples fast.

My say:

Performance: 4/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 5/5 stars

I spotted this when I was doing my grocery. I have always known this but I think I always snob it back then :( Good thing I came to my senses and gave this a chance in my beauty arsenal for this works :) Same like the JnJ it does dry out pimples, takes also 2-3 days to flatten it, gives my flaky skin around the infected area and it sting also. However this really makes me itch like crazy on the same area. But it will subside after a few seconds. But no skin rashes or irritation overall :) Same packaging and problem as well with the JnJ. But the price is a total knockout! Php 99 for a 10ml tube. It is indeed a great buy for me :)

Both really works great on drying out my pimples. But they can be irritating upon application but after a few seconds the irritation will subside. Initial reaction perhaps. These are good acne killers. And both contains salicylic acid as their main ingredient :)

So what's your acne killer? Hmmm... Happy weekend :)

Review: Skin79 Crystal Finish Pact

Powder pact is very essential in my make-up kit. It's my life-savior in fighting against my overactive sebaceous glands. I'm talking about my oily skin. Who does want to go out with their face shining so much that they look like they applied some oil on their face?!? Not me! Oily skin is a blessing yet a curse :( It's blessing for the mere fact that aging is slower but a curse for always doing some blotting to keep it less shiny. This how powder pact comes to the rescue. Instead of going through a lot of blotting, you can blot like once or twice a day. But then again it depends on the product you are using. Good thing I met, Skin79 Crystal Finish Pact.

photo taken at : www.baybeemax.com

This product creates attractive skin to shine like crystal by variegated color's beam reflection effect that glitters magnificently according to reflection of light. This product is called a powder compact to provide natural make up more perfectly. It contains sebum control powder which feel like veil on your face, and gives skin a natural , sheer look all day. It contains vitamin E derivative and allantion ingredients which make skin more moist and shining like being with water. (www.baybeemax.com)

My say:

Performance: 4/5 stars

Packaging: 5/5 stars

Price: 4/5 stars

This is my second venture on Korean brand powder pact. What made me decide to buy this is because it can help to control sebum. This is my main problem and I'm happy to say that this help in keeping my oily skin at bay. Though I wouldn't consider this as a fantastic pact but then again it's still able to do it's job. I would consider it as an above-average powder pact. II blot like twice a day (noon and afternoon before going home). I did not have any bad reaction on this product. No break out nor irritations :) I like the packaging of the product. I always want to have my puff in a separate container. Hygiene! The product looks sophisticated since it's made in metal case. It's small yet bulky. But I can managed it :) I bought this at around Php600. So I think the price was good since it's a good product also ;) Overall, I'm happy with it :) Though I'm not yet thinking of buying it again since I want to try other powder pact from other brands. But this will still be on my list for fave powder pacts.

Tomorrow will be the middle of the week. Time flies by so fast. Enjoy the rest of the day/week :)

Take care guys!

The Face Shop Sheet Masks

Anytime from now we will have no lights/electricity again! grr! ... total blackness!... That's what happen 3 hours ago. I was writing this post when suddenly it was dark. This is due to the rotational blackout imposed by the energy department. So that would mean no internet for a few hours :( But since it's back, let me post a quick review on The Face Shop sheet masks I bought before and is overdue for a review.

Fresh Fruit Lemon, Herbal Therapy-Clarifying and Cereal Mung Bean

Fresh Fruit Lemon Mask Sheet

        Lemon containing impressive amount of vitamin C whitens dull skin and helps tighten enlarged pores. Great for oily skin

My say:

Performance: 3/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 3.5/5 stars

I bought this since this is good for oily skin. Again, I have an oily and acne-prone skin.  There were lots of mixed reaction on this. Some were happy while others were disappointed. And I'm on the disappointed team. I don't like this sheet mask. I remembered it was itchy on my face. It didn't do much on my skin :( This will never be on my shopping list for mask sheet to buy.

Herbal Therapy-Clarifying Mask Sheet in Tea Tree and Bergamot      

        Tea Tree & Bergamot are excellent for oily acne-prone skin as having strong sebum controlling.

My say:

Performance: 3.5/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 3.5/5 stars

This really caught my eyes since it has tea tree in it. I love anything that has tea tree. Tea tree does help in calming/soothing my acne-prone skin. Did this mask do anything on my face? Well no! There wasn't any soothing effect after 20 minutes of using this. But it didn't made my skin itch unlike the Lemon Mask. So it was just a plus point for no irritation.

Cereal Mung Bean Mask Sheet

        Soothing Mung Bean famous for its detoxifying quality soothes irritation and break-out of the skin while supplying protein-rich moisture. Great for oily acne-prone skin.

My say:

Performance: 4/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 3.5/5 stars

I had no idea that Mung Bean (Monggo in native language) can actually treat pimples. I just recently read this when searching for a good DIY mask for acne-prone skin. Now I understand why this mask actually works. It does help in soothing my already irritated skin. Though there wasn't much after using it but then since it help in soothing my skin I give it plus point.

Out of these three mask sheets, Mung Bean works for me. This will be on my list for mask sheet. These masks were sold at around Php90 a piece. I think with the price I'll only get Mung Bean again. Still Skin Food Herb Salad Mask Sheet tops my list :)

What's your favorite mask sheet? Share!

Take care guys :)

Shiseido Conditioners: Tsubaki vs Super Mild

Today is egg hunting day :) Waah... It's Sunday already! That would mean tomorrow will be back to stress world :( Well what better to do on a Sunday is to pamper yourself inside and outside ;) Relaxation before another stressful week to attack me. Anyway since I don't really have anything to do so I just update my blog and review two products that I have done using recently :) Yes bought are empty and used till the last drop ;)

photos taken at rakuten.co.jp and kaboodle.com

I don't completely know their description nor understand anything that was written on the back because they were written in unfamiliar language (Japanese language, Nihongo). But I checked on the internet and both conditioners are well-loved and rave by a lot. I understand that Super Mild is a gentle hair care line while Tsubaki is infused with Camellia oil, a very popular oil in Japan for hair care.

My says:

Super Mild Conditioner

Performance: 5/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 4/5 stars

Tsubaki Conditioner

Performance: 5/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 4/5 stars

Yes both have the same score. Both actually works with my oily scalp. No dandruff, smooth and manageable hair :) Tsubaki is thicker compare to Super Mild. My only draw back is that Tsubaki smells like perfume for mature women. It really is that strong but it isn't that awful. I just don't really appreciate the smell. But I could still use it it's just that the smell is not a fave of mine. With the packaging, again I prefer my conditioner on upside-down bottle type. But then it is still okay to use a pump type bottle :)

Would I repurchase any of these two? I just did with the Super Mild. It became my favorite conditioner. I bought the set (shampoo, conditioner and hair mask). I'll try the whole set if they work well with my hair. With the Tsubaki, I'm thinking of getting the new line which is the Head Spa line. Anyone tried it? Share! :)

Take care guys! Enjoy the last day (or first day?) of the week :)

Review: Beauty Credit Lovely Powder Pact Moist

I'm very particular when it comes to products that can help diminish or perhaps lessen the oiliness in my face. Yes I do have an oily face, V-E-R-Y oily! I should be happy since they say that oily skin are slow-to-aged :) But then again who wants to flaunt their face shining and seems an egg is ready to be cooked on it?!? I don't want that! I want at least a matte face. That's what is in my mind when I met Beauty Credit Lovely Powder Pact. 

http://beautycredit.co.kr

I learned about their products during the BOF fever. Koo Hye Sun, the actress who played the role of Guem Jandi, is the endorser of this cosmetic brand. Since I have tried some Korean products and they were good, I giddily search on the internet about this. I saw this powder pact in it and it comes in two variants: Matt and Moist. Since I have oily skin, obviously I need the Matt one. 

http://beautycredit.co.kr

My say:

Performance: 1/5 stars

Packaging: 4/5 stars

Price: 4/5 stars

I was happy when this brand was introduced at the local Watsons. I always thought of buying this because it was really cheap compare to Skinfood (around Php 600). So me without thinking twice asked the SA to what powder pact suits me (eventhough I know what suits me well ). Before she gave me any recommendation she wanted me to try the product first before buying it. So I said yes and I had a free make over :) I was happy how the foundation and powder she used came out so I then bought the powder pact she used on me. I don't really used foundation so I didn't bought it. When I got at home I was so pissed at myself cause I got the wrong product. Well not exactly the product rather the variant. Instead of getting the Matt one I got the Moist one. So the next day I hurriedly went there and asked for an exchanged. Sadly, the Matt one was not yet available here. I felt sad but then if this is what she used on me on that day perhaps it will come out good on me. But sad to say this is totally not for oily skin. There is no way I'm using this. I end up giving this away :( I felt bad that I just wasted my money on something that wasn't fit for me in the first place. Though the packaging is cute and great but then again I wish it was the Matt one. 

I haven't gone to their counter/booth in Watsons since I'm using another brand which I like :) I don't know if it is already available now. I haven't really look at their other products. I might try their body products. Perhaps a body wash or scrub. I think I should drop by and see if their Matt one is already available.

Any product to try in this brand? Share!