SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Intensive Ampoule 95ml

This is a great value for money, scent-free moisturising serum not a treatment serum. It has a light creamy texture. A few drops are enough to cover the whole face, neck and décolletage. The product spreads easily and evenly, dries off quickly, and it doesn't leave any sticky or oily residue. My skin feels hydrated afterwards. I usually apply it underneath my normal moisturiser to give my skin an extra boost. Although I haven't used this bottle in full yet, I haven't seen any miraculous before-and-after effect. The pigmentation on my face is still there;  perhaps one needs to use several  bottles to see an improvement. 

 

The packaging and bottle design is elegant and luxurious. Despite what some of the wording on the packaging might make you believe, this isn't a bottle of pure (or 100%) Madagascar Centella (Centella Asiatica = Gotu Kola). It has some extract as one of the ingredients. The serum also has Ceramides, Phytosterols and Caprylic Triglyceride (ie, several plant-derived fatty acids) and Probiocica i.e. a Jeju-Island Windflower-derived lactobacillus. It sounds exotic, isn't it? Packaging is clear about the ingredients, but it doesn't mention the percentages used.    

 

The main downside is the dropper. It's too narrow and doesn't allow an easy and natural flow of the product out. I find this extremely annoying. Sometimes, I just pour the serum directly from the bottle. There is nothing wrong with the dropper itself. It's just that it's too narrow for the product viscosity. The dropper sucks the serum best when it's fully closed. If the bottle is a bit opened, suction isn't as good. 

 

Skin1004 is a certified cruelty-free Korean beauty brand, something I love. They don't support any politics or practices that hurt other humans or animals. It is still affordable. 

Read More

Clairol Root Touch-Up Root Concealing Spray, Light Brown (100 ml)

A good temporary cover up that covers my greys before tinting and washes out completely with shampoo. The spray is very good and you can focus on specific hair areas. The spray produces some kind of fumes, so I would advise wearing a mask when spraying. It can also stain my skin, but I use a cotton bud infused in any oil to easily remove any stain. It can also stain clothing and furniture, so be mindful when applying. It is better priced than other brands and you get the same results.

Read More

VRAIKO Eye Serum with Build-In 3D Roller Applicator (0.5 fl oz)

This a Chinese cosmetic product that has an spectacular packaging and application system. The active ingredients are caffeine, retinol, Camellia Sinensis, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and peptides. The texture is that of a soft jelly. You get it out by pressing the curved part on the applicator shaft. Press gently, as a tiny amount of product goes a long way. The metallic ball applicator helps spreading the product beautifully and the serum absorbs almost immediately. 

I've used this for several months now, and the product is excellent for the price. It makes a difference as my wrinkles look less noticeable, reduces eye bags and makes the eye contour more hydrated, soft and and my eye area looks more relaxed and radiant. No miracle or before-and-after sort of effect, but good enough.

 

The two main downsides are, one, that the ball shaft wobbles a bit (perhaps I press it too hard?), and that my eye area becomes a bit red after application if if I apply it for a minute or so. Ain't sure whether is the product per se or the metal ball.  Although the redness disappears quickly, the product might not be for everyone, so I would suggest testing it before fully applying around your eyes.  

 

The product seems to be leak proof and its size and design make it perfect for travelling and getaways.  

I agree with other reviewers that the product and the brand website don't have clear references about their testing practices, whether the product is vegan or not, cruelty free or not, tested on animals or not, and where is manufactured. The brand, however, makes vague statements like the product doesn't have harsh chemicals, fragrance (true) or sticky residue (true), that works for all skin types (it works for mine at least), and it has no parabens. 

Read More

MOR Boutique Emporium Classics Hand Cream (90ml)

MOR products are known for having strong fragrances and they're not always my cup of tea. But this new range is amazing. I have tried, and also gifted, the Blanc Italian Pear variety and the Creme Caramel. I find both wonderful.
 
This is a good hydrating hand cream with vitamin E, fruit extracts and hyaluronic acid. It absorbs quickly and leaves my hands supple with no oil residue.  
 
The fragrance notes are those of a perfume and are true to my nose. They smell of what they're meant to smell.The scent profile for the Blanc Italian Pear is as follows: Top (pear, apple, leafy greens), heart (cinnamon, clove, peach) and base (vanilla, pie crust, maple). It smells both green and fruity but not sweet. A very fresh and elegant scent to me. 

The scent profile for the Creme Caramel variety is: Top (caramel, sugar, gourmand), heart (butter, tonka bean), and base (vanilla, praline). It really smells of creme caramel, so it did meet my expectations. Unlike other reviewers, I find the scent noticeable but not strong. I want a creme caramel cream to smell of cream caramel and this cream does exactly that. 

Neither variety are overpowering or overwhelming to me and I find the scents elegant and enjoyable. Sillage is medium and the first strong scent evolves into a soft scent that you can still smell if you put your nose close to your hands. 
   
Beautiful and elegantly designed packaging with embossed floral motifs and delicate decorative elements that make the package perfect for gifting. The boxes change colour depending of  the cream variety. The pear box is just beautiful.   

Not a cheap hand cream, but it is good quality and is Australian designed and made. 

Read More

SKIN1004 Centella Poremizing Quick Clay Stick Mask (27gs)

This is a wonderful inventive clay mask that it's very different, for good, from any other clay mask I've ever used. First, it's the container design, which mimics that of dry bar deodorant. Secondly, it's fragrance free. Thirdly, the product is soft and fresh.  

 

Most clay masks with kaolin I've used in the past leave my skin very clean, but also very dry; besides, they feel heavy and cakey when on due to being made mostly of kaolin. This Skin1004 clay mask is totally different because it only has 18% kaolin, enough to clean my skin in depth without drying it. Besides, it has a powerful combo of natural ingredients: centella asiatica, pink salt, red bean powder,  aloe vera, and calamine (which soothes irritated and acne skin) among others. It is perfect for my combination skin. 

This mask spreads beautifully and it feels light when I have it on. It doesn't tighten my skin when it dries, something I love. Most importantly, it cleans my skin in depth. The brand recommends leaving this about 5 minutes on. However, I usually leave it for way long and I haven't had any reaction of any sort. 

 

The packaging is not only cute, but also perfect for travelling and easy storage. 

Read More

Himalaya Herbals Revitalizing Night Cream (50gm)

This is an Indian cosmetic brand that  popped up when looking up for night creams that are not produced or owned by unethical multinational corporations. I've never heard of this brand before, but the price was good, the amount of product decent, and the jar design very pretty.  
  
The cream is soft on my skin, glides evenly and haven't had any reaction to it. It isn't greasy at all, and absorbs quickly. Have I noticed dramatic changes in my skin after using it? No, nothing remarkable needing of a testimonial. However, it  moisturises my skin nicely while sleep. This cream smell and feels like many other well-known reputed brands creams, good quality, medium-range product. 

 

The brand claims to be cruelty-free and not tested on animals; also, the packaging shows the bunny sign. However, I've found articles confirming that their testing is done by third parties and that the brand doesn't qualify as certified cruelty-free and non tested on animals. If you want to be sure, check reputed websites listing confirmed brands that are CF and NToA. Check this article.  

Read More

Bukamkom Under Eye Patches Gold (10 pairs)

This eye treatment is good value for money as the box comes wit 10 pairs of patches individually packed and is really affordable. The results are beautiful as my eye area looks refreshed, tightened and less wrinkled after use. In my case, if I leave the patches more than the advised time, I get mild irritation, so stick to the instructions and you'll be fine.  

 

I read the reviews mentioning that the patches fall easily and that you have to lay down while applying them. This isn't the case for me. Truth be told, sometimes one of the patches sticks perfectly and the other tends to slide down, but that depends on my skin being sweatier on one side. I wouldn't be exercising with them on, for sure, but I wear them when working on my computer and they don't fall. 

Read More

ANUA Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser (150ml/5.07fl oz.)

This is the first time that I try an ANUA product and I'm very pleased with it. This is excellent value for money due to the large size,  and to the fact that a small amount goes a long way. As per the instructions, I put a small amount of product in my hands, add a bit of water,  foam it, and then wash my face. It foams beautifully and easily. This cleanser has the texture of thick butter so I have to push it out strongly for the product to come out. The product is very gentle on my skin and I really love the results. This is a replacement from my average well-known economic brand, and I'm happy with the switch because it might cost a bit more but at least I'm buying from a Korean company that is not a multinational corporation without a conscience.

Read More

Johnson's Pure Cotton Bud Applicators With Paper Sticks (150 Pack)

I use these cotton buds for so many purposes, to clean my ear lobes to start with, but also as part of my DIY manicure, to clean my eyebrows while dying, in my artwork practice, you name it. I love that the sticks are made out of paper. They are still strong and don't break. 

 

I cannot understand the necessity of using a plastic container. A cardboard one, made out of recycled cardboard, would be not only more environmentally friendly, but also cheaper to produce. I hate one-use plastic packaging. The container is really cute and can be reused, but due to the shape is not easily to store in small spaces, so I ended binning it. I feel guilty every time. 

 

Due to what's happening in some parts of the world I'm no longer supporting brands like this and reverting to local brands and companies.  

Read More

QANZIRE Propolis Facial Glow Serum (30 ml)

This is a Chinese-made brand, despite the Korean lettering on the bottle and being sold as Korean. The packaging photos clearly show that this is made in China, but the design replicates exactly the serums by Beauty of Janseon. However, the lettering on the bottle only mentions the product description. They sell it as Qanzire, but the brand or distributor is Forwerher, which is a Chinese brand that tend to  BS customers with info that isn't true. That is my experience with other products I've bought from them. But also, in my books, they have affordable good quality products, especially the serums, at half the cost of similar cosmetics. This is one of them. 

This a great serum infused with a potent combo of ingredients. The product is made our of 60% propolis (bees-derived product), Salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, Centella Asiatica, oat, niamicine, hyaluronic acid, snail mucin and other plants extracts. All of those ingredients have nourishing, bactericide, anti-inflammatory and healing properties, and are perfect to tackle oil and dark spots on the skin. That being the case, this serum is really great for combination and acne-prone skin, mature or sun-damaged skin, and also for sensitive skins like mine. 

The product is not oily at all. It feels dry on application, but it spreads beautifully. It's absorbed quickly and leaves no oily or sticky residue on my skin. A few drops are enough for each application. 

I use this serum in the morning after washing my face. I let the oil dry for a minute, and then apply my normal moisturiser (from another brand). It's like having a mini beauty treatment every morning. It works beautifully and I haven't had any reaction. My skin glows. You can see the difference before and after application.  

This serum has no scent and barely any smell. The packaging is minimalist and elegant. I would recommend the product, even though is not Korean.  

Read More

Beauty of Joseon Ground Rice & Honey Glow Mask (150ml)

This is the first product I try for this Korean brand and I'm pleasantly surprised. The product feels like food for the skin. It feels as if I had myself made a mixture of rice and honey and applied it to my face. 

 

This face mask is creamy, scrubby and very gentle. I apply a coat on your skin, leave it 25-30 minutes on and then remove it with tepid or slightly warm water, and it leaves my skin glowing. It has a bit of Kaolin in it, enough to clean my skin deeply, but without the disadvantages of using a full-kaolin mask, which makes my skin really dry. However, the small amount of kaolin in this mask is perfect for combination and oil-prone skin.

I love the jar and packaging design as well. A bit pricey but still affordable for the quality. 

 

For the rest, I like to support brands that don't belong to multinationals supporting inhuman practices in the world, so that's always a bonus point for me especially in the days we live in. This is also a cruelty-free brand. 

Read More

Melao Face Scrub (60 gs)

This is a lovely nourishing facial scrub made of natural oils, flowers and plant extracts mixed with shell power, so it scrubs and cleans in depth but without being harsh but or abrasive. I really like how creamy it feels, how easily spreads and how my skin looks super clean afterwards. This exfoliant product contains salicylic acid, which is great if you have combination to oily skin, and you have or are prone to acne, pimples/blackheads.  This scrub really smells of roses, and I find the scent a bit overwhelming; nothing to put me off, but a bit too strong for me, and a bit too old fashion, too.  

 

The jar is really small, but a tiny bit of product does the job, so it really lasts.

 

This brand claims to be 100% vegan and cruelty free. The list of ingredients supports the first statement, but the second is dubious. There is a tiny-winy rabbit printed on the jar with the text "non texted on animals" but it isn't the leaping rabbit or PETA's, so ain't sure if this is really cruelty free or not. 

Read More

Swosh Pumice Smoothing Stone (5.5x 14.5x 1.5cm)

This pumice is as basic as it gets but it does the job perfectly. It's a bit crumbly or sandy, more so than other pumices I've used in the past. It's also less compact so there is some sandy stuff that comes off when scrubbing my feet.  Also, it breaks into pieces if it happens to fall on to the floor. For the rest, it does the job and is very cheap. At the same time, you get what you paid for. 

Read More

RoseFlower 6-colour Waterproof Mascara Gift Set

Fabulous set of colourful mascaras. I was fearing they would arrive dry (as some reviewers have complained of that) or be unnoticeable or bad quality. However, I'm happy to report that they are as beautiful as in the photos, they last all day, dry quickly, are waterproof, tear proof, and look fabulous on. Depending on your eye colour and/or glasses colour, some of these mascaras would be more flattering than the others. The brush is small and allows me to apply the product cleanly and cover even the smallest lash. I get a clean polished look with no lumps. The quantity of product on each mascara is small, but just one coat is enough for everyday purposes. I love the fact that the container is translucent and I can see how much there is left inside. Perfect economic gift set and the mascaras will get you some compliments, guaranteed. I even wear them for work.

Read More

Nailgirls Hair Cutting Scissors Shears (6.7in)

This scissors are great value for money. They aren't professional scissors but I couldn't expect that for the price. They are still very good. I sometimes trim my hair ends on my own, and the household scissors I was using were not really good. Instead, this pair cuts my hair straight, cleanly and easily, with minimum effort, in a go. These scissors tips aren't too pointy, but the blades are sharp and do the job. I have small hands and found this pair comfortable to use; not too big, not too small. The complementary comb comes really handy.

Read More

L'Oréal Wrinkle Expert Re-Densifying Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream 55+ (50ml)

L'Oreal cosmetics are a bit pricey, but I bought this one heavily discounted. Why opted for this variety? Honestly, because of the discount. This is a great day moisturiser. Unlike other L'Oreal creams, it doesn't have colouring in it, something that I appreciate. It absorbs well and leaves my skin supple and fresh, and I don't get any irritation or itchiness after application. Personally, I don't belief the claims of any brand or cream that have not been tested clinically, so I cannot comment on whether the calcium added to this cream is making my face less wrinkled because, at face value (pun intended), looks as wrinkled as before. Perhaps this is more noticeable by looking through a microscope or over a long period of time? I would say, based on my own experience, that this cream is goo for everyone who is over 35. I don't particularly like the scent, but it isn't bad either.  Yet, I like the cream and I would buy it again.

Read More

Schwarzkopf Brilliance (89 Bitter Sweet Chocolate)

I've never tried this Schwartzkopf hair tint before even though this is a brand that I like. 

 

The package contains a large colour tube, a bottle with the developer, a generous tube with post-colour treatment, a pair of average plastic gloves and the instructions leaflet. All of this is average for most DIY hair colours I've tried. As I always do, after mixing the colour I used my professional colouring bowl and comb to get the best possible results. 

 

The quantity of product is more than enough for long hair if you want to do both regrowth and cover the rest  of the hair to unify the colour. 

 

I followed the instructions and the resulting colour was not as lovely as in the package photo, but it looks natural and nice. I left it on the roots and the rest o of the hair the time recommended in the leaflet. I would normally leave it longer on the roots as I have many thick rebel greys, but I didn't do it this time. The result is that the colour covered my greys but not enough to make the regrowth the same colour of the rest of the hair. It would have needed more time to fully achieve those results. 

 

The conditioner tube was quite large and it can be used for at least two washes if you have long hair, or three if you have it short. However, my hair is really dry at the moment, so I used it all. It detangled my hair beautifully and left it soft and shiny. 

 

I would say that I prefer other colouring brands, but this is still a good economic option. If your greys are many and thick, wavy or curly you might need to adjust the time to get a consistent uniform colour. 

Read More

Aymorder 10-piece Nail Art Liner Brush Set

I was lured by this 10-piece set of nail art brush liners due to the variety of sizes and the good price. I risked the purchase as they could have been terrible. But they are not! Sure, they aren't a professional artist set, but I didn't want to spend a little fortune on a professional set. I wanted this to start getting familiar with this type of brush and to work on art journal and small paper projects. They're befitting.

 

I use them with acrylic paints/inks and they work well overall. They would have been better if they had slightly thicker bristles but, you know, these were a bargain and are not intended for artwork. They make good long flat and curvy lines with ease but, due to the bristles not being strong enough, sometimes the lines aren't clean. It might be me, as I'm just getting used to them. They're perfect for people with small hands and they're good quality despite the bargain price and the fact that they were intended for nail art not painting.  These brushes work better on flat paper (e.g. art journal pads) or on surfaces that have none or little texture (e.g. cold pressed watercolour paper).  

The brushes are easy to clean and can be kept in water for a long time without worry. The 'crystal' handle material hasn't deteriorated at all despite my tendency to forget brushes in water all night or for several days. The synthetic bristles get bent when left in water for long, but they recover their shape easily by drying them out with a paper towel and pressing them back into their flat shape with my fingers. 

 

I haven't used these for nail art, so I cannot comment on how they work for that purpose.

Read More

Sally Hansen Nail polisher remover (Strengthening Pink)

Nothing fancy or hoo-ha about this nail polish remover. It does the job, it does not smell too bad despite being acetone based, and removes thick coats of paint with ease. If I wanted to strengthen my nails, I'd rather use a purpose-made nail strengthener. I don't think this NPR was designed to strengthen your nails, just not to further damage weak or flaky nails by adding lanolin and hydrolysed wheat protein. So, the result is that this NPR is gentler on my nails than others. Good-priced and it does the job.   

Read More

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails Natural

This is a nail strengthener designed to treat flaky and pealing nails. It can be used on its own, but applying 2-3 coats on your nails, which is what the brand recommends. However, I mostly use it base coat for my manicures and on its own on my toe nails. It has a beautiful shine to it, with a slight tint, if that can be said. When I applied on its own it my nails are harder to touch than when I use a normal base. Not sure if this will result on my nails being actually stronger, but they are better covered and protected and they don't flake as much.  

Read More