REVIEW: Espoir Eyeshadow in Hibiscus

Espoir Eyeshadow in Hibiscus

Shimmery peach 

The shade is very light and flattering on my light-medium skin tone

You can see the shimmers

 

~AG~

Bought this at the Espoir store in Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea. The Espoir brand is not as popular as Etude House, Innisfree or Nature Republic. You do not see as much Espoir stores in Myeongdong, where all Korean beauty stores populate. I only found one Espoir store while I was there. The products from this brand is not as well-known. But I seen their products on Get It Beauty and other Korean beauty websites.

 

Hibiscus is a shimmery peach pink eye shadow. My intent was to use it as an everyday eye shadow to brighten the eye area. I decided to try a Korean beauty habit - Koreans actress and singers love wearing shimmery eye shadows. I forgot to note down the price of this single eye shadow. The price should be under USD $10. It is a great shade for those that loves shimmery eyeshadow. Even though the color looks light, it does show up on my light-to-medium skin tone. I usually use my ring finger to tap a little eye shadow across my eyelids. I find that it helps illuminate the eye area. The staying power is decent. It does not crease or fade away throughout the day. Nor did the shimmers run off to my lower eyelids.

Overall, I will not hesitate to buy another Espoir eye shadow. The pigment and staying power of their eye shadows are pretty good. Though for those that prefer matte eye shadow, they will not appreciate it as much.

NEW BUY: Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer

Typical Etude House packaging with its long cap applicator

 

Bought this eye primer during my trip in South Korea. There are many good reviews on this Etude House eye primer. Since my HG Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (click link for REVIEW: NARS EYESHADOW BASE ) is almost empty, I decided to pick up a more affordable replacement. Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer costs less than USD $8, which makes it 1/3 the price of Nars Eyeshadow Base. It comes with 10 grams (0.35 oz) of product. It will be totally worth the money if it works well for my oily eyelids. I cannot work to try it out! Stay tuned to find out whether Etude Proof 10 Eye Primer works to keep my eye shadow and eyeliner from smudging.

 

REVIEW: Essential Damage Care Rich Premier Hair Mask

~AG~

This hair mask has been in my shower for almost two years now. Yes, I should be tossing it soon. The packaging says it is good for two years after date of manufacturing. I checked to make sure it was still safe to use. With my dry and uncontrollable hair, I initially tried to use this mask once a week. However, this hair mask become long forgotten. This is a very very belated review of this hair mask.

 So what can I say about Essential Damage Care Rich Premier Hair Mask?

Essential Rich Premier Hair Mask is for those with very dry hair. The hair mask contains high purity honey and shea butter. Essential's Advanced Cuticle Technology claims to smoothen cuticles to the last 15 cm of hair, which is most prone to dryness and damages. The ingredients in the mask claim to strengthen hair and effectively prevent damage.

This hair mask smells lovely! You can definitely smell the honey ingredient. The texture of the hair mask is thicker compared to regular conditioner. I usually apply a generous amount to my medium-length hair, more than a $1 coin-size. I apply the conditioner to only the bottom half of my hair, concentrating on the ends. Since I am constantly plagued by split ends, I try my best to apply this hair mask every other week. Most beauty experts recommend putting hair mask once a week, but I am too lazy for that. Haha! The recommended use is to apply the hair mask to the hair for five minutes, after shampooing. Usually, I can only wait for about three minutes for the hair mask. Five minutes seem too long in the shower. The packaging also says that it is best to use this hair mask once or twice a week. If you really want to pamper your dry hair, you could use it more than once a week.

This hair mask is very rich. So it takes a while to rinse-off. Seriously, it takes me more than three minutes to rinse this hair mask off. My hair does feel more moisturized after use. Though, my hair is as frizzy after use. Overall, it is a good at-home hair mask.

NEW BUY: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil Face, Body & Hair

~MG~

Bought this multi-purpose dry oil from Nuxe at Watsons. They were having a 20% off promotion + 5% for members. The original price was S$45 but I only paid S$34.20 for it. This dry oil can be used for the face, body and hair. A few years back, I received a sample of this product in my Birchbox but did not try using it. Nuxe's dry oil is a popular product. I have seen it numerous times in beauty stores. This highly-rated product has been given good reviews online by beauty bloggers. The reason why I purchased this product is because I wanted to try using body oil on my legs instead of body lotions. As my legs tend to be quite dry, I find that lotions are not moisturizing enough. I was finally convinced by the relaxing floral scent of the dry oil. It reminded me of spas and massage oils. I will do a review of Nuxe Huile Prodigieuese Dry Oil once I use it long enough.

Huile Prodigieuse is France's leading beauty oil.
This multi-usage dry oil, made using six Precious Plant Oils (Macadamia, Hazelnut, Borage,
Sweet Almond, Camellia and St. John's Wort), nourishes, repairs and softens skin and hair.
It has a unique dry oil texture and a captivating fragrance.

 

REVIEW: Hera CC Cream

~AG~

This is MG's most raved about product. Now it is my turn to give my take on this award-winning CC Cream from Hera. Bought this CC Cream during my trip to South Korea last month. This was one of the top items on my must-buy shopping list.

According to the packaging, "Multicream, with an evolved and innovative skincare texture, merges skin-friendly cell biotechnology for complete coverage of blemishes and create a firmer and younger skin." Their clinical trial test claims that the use of Hera CC Cream will improve moisture content by 13.3% and skin tone brightening by 17.3%. It also claims to that the makeup will lasts for 8 hours. 

Pump packaging with a protective cap

Bought this CC Cream from Lotte Duty Free for KRW 31,000 (S$38,000). It is expensive for a CC Cream compared to other brands such as The Face Shop, Nature Republic or Innisfree ! Hera is considered an high-end Korean cosmetics brand so you pay more for their products.

The CC Cream has a light coverage. It feels like a tinted moisturizer rather than a foundation. For those with blemishes and redness, Hera CC Cream provides little coverage. You will need a concealer to cover up more problematic areas such as dark circles or pimples. The CC Cream does not feel heavy on my skin. The light texture still allows my skin to breathe. It also does not feel sticky or leave an oily residue. The best thing is that the shade matches my skin tone. It does not cause my face to have a grey or white effect. It evens the skin tone with masking the face. The shade I chose was True Beige (23), and it looks natural on my skin. Hera CC Cream is available in three shades: Pink Beige (17), Natural Beige (21) and True Beige (23). 

 It brightens and evens out my skin tone but still looks natural

There is no unflattering white or grey cast

 You can still see my blemishes

The only bad thing about this CC Cream is that it will melt if you are perspiring. During one of my experiences with Hera CC Cream, the makeup smudged badly around my eyes area when I was wearing sunglasses. It was embarrassing! I even used Giorgio Armani powder to set the makeup after the application of the CC Cream. So Hera claims that the makeup will lasts for 8 hours is not valid to me. 

However, I have resolved that issue. Hera CC Cream staying power is extended when you pair it with a face primer. I had no issues with the makeup melting or smudging off when I used Benefit POREfessional with Hera CC Cream. Bottom line is, if you live in a humid climate or during the summer, you have to use a primer before applying Hera CC Cream.

After several uses, Hera CC Cream did not have any adverse effects on my combination sensitive skin. It did not cause my skin to breakout nor did it cause any bumps on my cheeks area.

DRX Clinic Journey Part 3: Follow-Up Visit

~AG~

It has been 7 weeks since I started the DRX skincare regimen. Initially, my skin condition improved. But then it plateaued, and pimples started appearing again. The annoying thing is, I still had pimples growing on my eyebrows. Do note that I do not use any eyebrow makeup, so I do not know why pimples are popping up around my eyebrows. Dr. Tsu said my hair follicles were being overactive due to the hormonal stress, and thus it became clogged up.

Bare face without any face makeup. Just DRX skincare products

Pimples on my T-zone area especially between the brows and the chin

Some visible pores on  my cheeks area

You can see pimples on my eyebrow and chin areas

A few days ago during my follow-up visit with Dr. Tsu, I mentioned that my skin has not improved. He asked whether I wanted to take oral medications which we had discussed on the first visit. He mentioned how each medication works, and their possible side effects. Since he said my pimples are due to hormones, he prescribed a hormone-blocking medication to prevent pimples from forming. I was hesitant when he mentioned "hormone-blocking" because it sounds like it could have dangerous side effects. But he reassured me that this hormone-blocking medication is safe, and that it prevents the effects of the stress hormones. He also prescribed an antibiotic to treat the bacteria on the skin layers. He said that both these combinations should work to reduce my acne outbreak. He prescribed the medications for 45 days, and told me to come back to see him in 6 weeks.

I really hope the medications will help clear out my breakouts. I am really self-conscious about my skin now. I used to have decent skin, but now it has become problematic. Wish me the best of luck!

REVIEW: Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer

Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals.

~AG~
This primer can be used under or over makeup. Recently, I been putting this primer to good use. I apply it after putting on the DRX Hydrator (moisturizer). You only need a tiny amount of  this primer for the whole face. I apply a needle-head size to a few spots on my face - the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. I gently pat it on, and my skin feels instantly smoother.

I use Benefit POREfessional primer prior to using Hera CC Cream. After several uses, I noticed that Hera CC Cream stays on better with the application of Benefit POREfessional primer. Without the use of the primer, Hera CC Cream tends to melt in the high-humidity Singapore's climate. Especially with the weather being so hot recently, this primer helps to keep my face makeup in place. I <3 that it is an oil-free formula. As my T-zone areas tend to get oily, this primer works great on those areas.

The primer comes in a flesh tone shade. Though, it does not add any colour to the face.
My sensitive skin has not had any adverse effects to this primer. Some primers cause my skin to breakout after use, but I had not had any issues with this one. The primer feels weightless on my skin, which I enjoy! The primer is quickly absorbed into the skin. I do not like primers that I can feel sitting on top of my skin.

I will recommend this to anyone that needs a primer to keep their face makeup in place. This primer works well in Singapore's extreme humid weather. Even with the constant perspiration, my face makeup does not melt off with the help of this primer.

I bought this primer as part of the Benefit Cosmetics Perfect Hideaway set which retailed at $42.90. It came with a full-size of POREfessional and a mini version of Fake Up. 
See link for more details http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2015/01/new-buy-benefit-cosmetics-perfect.html

Alternatively, Sephora USA retails the mini version (7 ml or 0.25 fl. oz.) for USD$10 and the full size (22 ml or 0.75 fl. oz) for USD $31. You can find Benefit POREfessional primer at Sephora Singapore stores as well. But I am not sure whether the mini version is available in Singapore.

REVIEW: Oxe Cure Body Acne Spray

~AG~

This acne spray has been on my bathroom shelf for a while now. I have been using this product on and off for  about six months. Click my previous post for more product information: http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2014/12/new-buy-oxe-cure-body-acne-spray.html

50 ml of product

Handy packaging makes it convenient to travel with

 

With 1% salicylic acid with bearberry leaf extract

Recently, my back acne has decided to make an appearance again. So, I have been putting Oxe Cure Body Acne Spray to good use. Instead of simply spraying it on my back, I spray it on a cotton pad and wipe it across my back. This is a more targeted application of the acne spray. Plus, it additionally acts as a toner to remove impurities as well. This is evidence by the residues found on my cotton pad after wiping it across my back. You will be surprised by how much impurities are left on your back even after a good shower. By using Oxe Cure Body Acne Spray as a toner, it helps to prevent the pores on my back from clogging.

The spray function of this product works pretty well. I did not have any problem with the nozzle or the spray coverage. The nozzle works well to dispense the right amount of product to my cotton pad or my back. Unlike some other spray bottles, I did not have a difficult time using this product.

The formula of the acne spray is gentle on the skin, so it takes a while to see results. After using it for over a month, then I noticed a slight improvement to my back acne appearances. You have to be patient with this product.
 I will say this acne spray does work for my back acne, even though the results are not immediate. You have to use this product consistently to reduce the appearances of back acne. It is not a magic product that vanishes back acne instantly, but I find that it does help minimize it. Though, this acne spray does not help with acne scars.

REVIEW: VICHY Normaderm Hyaluspot

~AG~

In my previous post, this product was introduced as a possible fast-eliminating pimple treatment. Click link for my introduction of Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot. http://beautyloverssisters.blogspot.sg/2015/03/new-buy-vichy-normaderm-hyaluspot.html

Vichy Normaderm Hyalospot

15 ml of product for ~S$26

 Cooling metal applicator to apply the pimple treatment

After several tries with this pimple treatment, I have to admit the sad truth. This Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot does NOT work for my pimples. It claims to vanish pimples in two days. But this was not the case. Even after three days of continual use, my red/whitehead pimples were not minimised.

The only good thing about this product is its packaging. It is convenient to use because it comes with a metal applicator. You do not have to wash your hands after application, as you would other pimple treatment. 

The product itself is interesting in that it creates a film barrier after it dries. As mentioned before, the hyaluronic acid component is used to create a protective film. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring moisture-binding ingredient in the body. It hydrates and protects the skin. This film prevents the existing pimples from exposure to more contamination.

I find that the pimple treatment stings after application. The two acne-fighting ingredients in this product are: Salicylic Acid and LHA (Lipo Hydroxy Acid). 

• Salicylic Acid helps reduce acne and prevent pimples by refining the pores
• LHA is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that exfoliates the skin, decongest clogged pores, and refines skin's surface

These two combined ingredients are probably not suitable for my sensitive skin.
This product costs SS$26, which is expensive for a pimple treatment. I would not consider Vichy as a high-end brand, but because this brand is from Europe thus the steep price tag in Asia.

Overall, I would not recommend Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot to anyone. It does not work to reduce existing pimples, nor does it work to prevent new ones from appearing. Please skip this product when you are browsing through Watsons or Guardian or any other drugstores.

REVIEW: Dove Nourishing Oil Care Serum

~AG~

This affordable argan oil serum from Dove. I bought this particular serum in Indonesia, but Dove also retails this product in Singapore. The packaging looks the same, the only difference is the price tag. I cannot remember the exact price but it was less than S$10.

Comes in a convenient pump packaging that has a protective cap

40 ml of product

It claims to:

• tame even the most unruly hair
• minimize frizz
• nourish hair with argan and almond oil
• not weight hair down
• not leave a greasy feel 

The claims above seem too good for my frizzy and dry hair.
Can this serum from Dove really do all that magic?

The first thing to note is the signature Dove scent on this product. If you have you tried any of Dove products before, you will realized that they have the same underlying scent. Some people like it, while others do not appreciate it as much. As for me, Dove's signature musky scent is too overwhelming. I much prefer the natural scent of argan oil. In terms of texture, the serum is similar to other hair oil.

The good thing about this serum is that it is absorbed quickly into the hair. I have been using it for over two weeks now. One of its claims is TRUE, my hair does not feel greasy after application. However, I cannot support the other claims of the serum taming even the most unruly hair and minimizing frizz. My hair will still be as frizzy even after use. I thought my hair will be more controllable after applying the serum, but it did not help at all.

How do I apply it to my hair?
Since I have shoulder-length hair now, I dispense one pump of product. I rub the oil evenly on the palms of my hands before applying it only to the ends of my hair. It is important to apply the oil serum to the ends of my hair since there is where it is most prone to split ends. I avoid applying it to the top half of my hair because my scalp tends to get oily easily. Instead of applying it when my hair is wet, my previous hair stylist taught me to apply it when my hair is semi-dry.  A little science lesson. Oil does not mix well with water. When the hair is wet, the serum is not absorbed evenly onto the cuticles. It is more effective to apply it when it is semi-dry.

Even though I will still be using this oil care serum for now, I would not recommend it to you. It is not worth the ~S$10 I paid for it. I rather pay more for a product that works on my frizzy hair.
P.S: The reason for continued use is for its moisturizing properties. However, if I find a better serum for my frizzy hair, I will not hesitate to switch out.

REVIEW: VDL Festival Lip Stick Glow Balm

~AG~

Purchased this VDL lip balm in Korea for KRW 18,000 (S$22). Saw this VDL & Kakao collaboration in-store. The packaging is so adoooraaableeee! This VDL Festival Lipstick Glow Balm is adorned with Apeach emoticons. Since I am a fan of Kakao, I cannot resist to grab this lip balm. This lip balm claim to moisturize and nourish the lips to give a smooth, non-flaky surface.

The second from the left top. The signature yellow Kakao packaging 

Apeach icon embossed on the lip balm

So what can I say about this lip balm?

It does not have much color on my lips. It leaves a slight pink sheen on the lips. This lip balm reminds me of Dior Lip Glow. The only difference is that Dior Lip Glow is more hydrating and long-lasting. After about an hour, I do not feel this lip balm on my lips anymore. VDL Glow Balm is not as moisturizing as other lip balms such as Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment or Rosebud Salve. When I am on the plane or other places with drier climate, this lip balm is not sufficient to keep my lips moisturized.

I would not recommend this VDL Glow Balm as a lip balm to buy. The bright yellow packaging and Apeach emoticons embossed on the lip balm are the only good things about this lip balm.