2014 Favorites!

Holla, belles!

FINALLY, 2014 is ending and 2015 is coming and I'm getting older nooo. This past year was a roller coaster for me personally and there were sooo many things that I've gone through. Although 2014 was not a good year for kpop. yeah.

As a wrap-up post to end 2014, I'm going to write about the products that I'd been loving this year so far.

Here they are in no particular order:

[UPDATED and EDITED MARCH 2017] List of Cruelty-Free (No Animal Testing and Ingredients) Korean Cosmetic Brands

[UPDATED] KARA posted an update of the list on January 2017 and so as I promised, I updated this post.


So, the list is uploaded and regularly updated by Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) site (here's the Korean site). The list isn't all about skincare and makeup although 90% of it is. I put a little description for brands who aren't skincare/makeup brands.

Let's jump onto the list. The list is divided into 4 categories with 3 indicators:

• No animal testing
• No animal ingredients; and
• The company doesn't export to China

Maybelline Clear Smooth Minerals Healthy Natural Concealer in Medium Sand

Holla again, belles!

Do you know how it feels like to have something really important and essential in your life, but still could not find the right one, yet? Yea. That's me and concealers. For someone whose dark circles gets worse as time passes by, under eye concealer becomes an important thing that I always keep in my bag. I actually haven't really tried that many though, but still, why can't I just find a good cheap concealer that works wonder for my under eye area.

 

I have many spots on my face (say hi to acne-prone skin), but lately, I just don't feel like covering them too much. I can walk confidently without completely covering all the spots. But covering dark circles is important. And does this concealer live up to my expectation?

Etude House Play 101 Pencil #49

Hi, belles!

Here we go again with another Etude House again. I've been observing the Korean cosmetic market here in my country and I can say that Etude dominates the market. The brand is just so accessible. It's everywhere. Almost all online shops which sell Korean cosmetic products will most likely sell any kind of Etude. And the official stores of this brand is also everywhere here (okay, not literally everywhere, but you get what I'm trying to deliver, right?). There are currently only 2 stores here in my area, but it's actually more than enough I think.

Etude's products are quite affordable and even though they are affordable, I have to say that the quality is not disappointing which then pushes me to purchase more stuffs.

Anyway, it's time for Play 101 Pencil!

Pony from Pony's Beauty Diary had a special segment of this Pencil 101 on InsiteTV's youtube channel and she succeeded in poisoning me to purchase it.

Etude House Drawing Eyebrow AD - #2 Gray Brown Review

Hi, belles!

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to you all!

December is finally here! Although I am living in a "sunshine all day, sunshine all the way" country, but it's cold here because we are in the middle of the rainy season. It rains almost everyday.

Anyway this time, I'm going to review another brow product. FYI, I finished Peripera Speedy Eyebrow Auto Pencil one and finally got this because it was so cheap.

Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer Review

Hi, belles!

For oily-lid(ders) out there, come here and let me hug you. I don't only have oily T-zone and chin, but also eyelids. My under eye area is super dry while my lid area is oily. What an irony. When I put nothing on my lids, it just gets oily by the day time and it makes me look dull because you know, eyes speak for the face (well, at least for me). And so I always put on eye primer even if I won't use any eyeshadow whenever I go outside for pretty long hours.

The product that I am going to talk this time is Etude House Proof 10 Eye Primer. Such a steal, you know, because this stuff works wonder for my lids and it's so affordable.

 

Skin Talk: Facial Experience

©4-designer.com

 Hi, belles!

A new corner of my blog! I may be adding many new corners so that I don't only post reviews but also share my view on skins and makeups and other related things. And what am I going to talk this time is facial. To be honest, I've only done facial ONCE in my life. So, why am I bringing up this topic? Well, I want to share with you my facial experience and why I never take them again.

I think I had my first facial early this year. I went to a spa house with friends and I got a massage and decided to try a facial. The massage was good, but the facial was horrible. Totally horrible. Well, the most horrible part of any facial is extraction. It hurt like hell. I never experienced it before so I thought it was normal. That being said, after we were done, my friend told me that she never felt this hurt whenever doing facials. I was so worried how my face would look like after that horrible facial.

A few days later, I had breakouts. I do get hormonal breakouts, but the breakouts were never this bad. And it lasted for a few months. I was tortured. When the new semester started, my friends (girls AND boys) were commenting about the spots on my face because I rarely broke out that bad. That's how insane my skin was, and I've been afraid to do facial ever since.

Well, you guys might think that I am probably just another unlucky girl who went to the wrong place. My friends recommended me their favorite facial spots and I'm sure there are actually many good facial spots out there, but I don't know, I'm still afraid that things will turn really bad on my face. ;__;

Many suggest to do a facial once a month. Facial is somehow good to "help" the skin (I think this post is good on explaining the basic things about facial), but I just cannot do it again, yet. My skin is much clearer now (after months of suffering ;__;) although the dark spots will stay here on my face for God-knows-how-long. But my skin is in its good condition and I don't want to ruin it. I will just wait for the day I am convinced to do another facial.

That's it. I don't write any tips or tricks, I just want to share my experience. Next post, I'll probably talk about my current DIY (aka homemade) skincare routine which I really enjoy and help my skin to improve from its worst condition. So, see you in the next post! :)

The Face Shop Color My Brow in 02 Light Brown Review

Hi, belles! *wiggles wiggles brows*

Yes bae, it's time for a brow product review!

Etude House Kissful Tint Choux in #4 Tangerine Choux Review

Hi, belles!

So people, it's time for another lippies.

Another product from an infamous brand (and because the model is my bias *__*), please welcome, (another) Etude House. *claps claps*

Holika Holika Jewel-light Waterproof Eyeliner in 01 Black Gem Review

Hi, belles!

Yasss, bb! It's time for another eyeliner.

The Face Shop Make Me Star Waterproof Gel Liner in 02 Choco Latte & 07 Peach Shower Review

Hi, belles!

This time, I'm going to talk about one of my beauty essentials which is eyeliner!

Etude House Like 20 All Day Cream Pact Review

Hi, belles!

FINALLY! My first review after an unreasonably long hiatus! I just found it so hard to write things and take pictures and so I ended up neglecting this blog so sorry ;__; but one day, I just finally felt the need to make a comeback and here I am now! :)

Anyway, let's move onto the product. I didn't buy this particularly in purpose because it came in a package with the eye concentrate that I reviewed before and so I didn't have any choice but to also buy it.

This is a pact type Cream Finisher that quickly and conveniently moisturizes and nourishes, protecting skin for natural, radiant, healthy-looking skin.

[Directions] After makeup: With enclosed puff, dispense a certain amount and dab lightly onto areas that need extra moisture. Effective for fixing makeup with its moisturizing properties.
Before makeup: With enclosed spatula. pick up certain amount onto finger and spread from inner to outer areas of face. Apply additional layer onto dry areas. Effectively covers up pores for smooth complexion.

And after receiving it, I just didn't know what to do with this.........

It's called cream pact, but it looks more like balm. Just like the eye concentrate, the main ingredients are ceramide and murumuru oil. Definitely a no for my normal/oily face. But on some times, I tried to put it on my face as a base focusing on the center area where I got visible pores there, and it didn't work. So on other times, I just put it on my upper cheek to add more glow. My upper cheek area is normal so I'm fine putting this product there.

The thing is I'm not so into this product. I have oily skin and visible pores and when I use something to cover the pores, I also expect a good oil-control, but the main function of this production is not to give you any oil-control. It feels soft upon first application, but then it starts to feel greasy and heavy. And so I'm not using this anymore. (I'm planning on putting this on my blog sale, anyone interested?)

It comes with an extra puff and spatula (it's taped behind the puff so that I don't lose it lol). The applicator is just like any standard puff. I never used such kind of puff before so I didn't know whether it was good or not sorry~

See the difference? It definitely adds glow to your skin.

All in all, I see this product as more of a balm-type than cream-type and I don't find it useful for me. This product would be more useful if I had dry skin, while I'm actually not. For you all readers who have dry/very dry skin probably will love it. It also comes in a compact which also makes it easier to carry around. So yeah, like I said before I'm going to sell it. Stay tune for a blog sale yeay!

Volume  :7g

Price      : original price 15000 KRW (I got it at a cheaper price fyi)
I’d give this 2 out of 5.

elevenia.co.id asks: what's on your wishlist?

Holla, belles!

I (pretend to) have some free time and so I decide to join Beauty Box Challenge! This challenge is held by elevenia.co.id – an e-commerce site, people say, but it's simply an online shopping mall based in Indonesia – collaborating with Indonesian Beauty Blogger and Dreamers Radio.

I was contemplating at first whether to use Bahasa Indonesia or English because well, it's a challenge held by an Indonesian site, but then all my posts are in English. And I decided to just go with English because I wanted to share my current wishlist to all the readers, and most importantly, WHY were those things on my wishlist.

An Excuse Post

Okay, I'm not going to write any more excuses. Basically, I am busy with uni and when I had some free time, I was just lazy to post anything sorryyy ;___;

There are actually many posts sitting on the draft and I also have many things that I just bought and need to be reviewed, but my camera is broken and......... #procrastinatorsproblem......

Anyway, the song above is one of many things that I enjoy lately. So yeah, I post this just to tell you that I am still alive and that I changed this blog's template (again and again) because I was bored with the previous one.

Let's hope that I'd get some free time later and have some spirit to type and post.

Chao!

Etude House Like 20 Eye Concentrate Review

Hi, belles!

Being a college student made me stay up late on most nights and I finally noticed that my under eye area was very dry and it only made me look dull and lifeless. That was when I felt like I needed an eye treatment.

I actually purchased this product out of curiosity because at that time, a seller on Qoo10 was having a promotion sale and so I got this for a much cheaper price. (And don't you guys notice I got my stuffs mostly when they were on sale LOL yeah I'm a cheapskate like that.) I wanted to grab one of Innisfree eye creams, but right before ordering it, I found this promo, and I just decided to grab it.

This is an eye cream that provides moisture to the dry eye area with its smooth application for a firm eye area free of wrinkles.

Since I am only 20, I don't really need anti-aging eye creams. My only concerns are my dry under eyes, dark circles, and some fine lines because how dry the under eye area is. So I'm fine with any eye cream as long as it moisturizes and doesn't irritate my eyes and or skin. About the dark circles, I believe I can never get rid of it unless I change my sleeping habit and stop staying late at night doing unnecessary stuffs.

Anyway, unlike other eye creams, this product comes in a bottle and a pump. It has a herbal scent and the texture is not as rich and heavy as the usual eye creams. It's more like a lotion I think. The main ingredients are ceramide and murumuru oil. Murumuru oil is derived from murumuru palm tree and is said to be good for sensitive skin.

So, how is it on my skin? It's okay. It moisturizes, but that's it. After using it for more than two months, I notice that my under eye area is not as dry as it used to be, but fine lines are still there. And I think it also helps my concealer to stay a bit better. It's an okay product, but I don't think it's something that I'll repurchase. I still want to try those from Innisfree.

As for the ingredients, I posted a full list of it on cosdna, so you guys could check it out here.

xo ♥

Volume  : 30ml

Price      : original price 18000 KRW (I got it at a cheaper price fyi)

I’d give this 3.5 out of 5.
n.b. 3.5 because it's good, but it doesn't impress me.

Maybelline Clean Express Eye and Lip Makeup Remover Review

Hi, belles

So, this post is going to be a simple one. It's still another review (I know I need to start a tutorial post soon wait for it people). Well, this time, I'm going to talk about an eye and lip makeup remover which is Maybelline's! It's eye and lip makeup remover not eye and lip remover - something that we usually spot on Korean brands LOL.

Back then, I didn't own any eye and lip makeup remover and just used my mom's because I didn't want to spend an extra money on it at that time and because I didn't use eye and or lip makeup that often. But now, everything changes. I started to wear eye and lip makeup on daily basis which then urged me to buy one. I read good reviews about Maybelline (my mom's was also Maybelline but she used the blue one) so I just decided to pick this newest chick on Maybelline counter's shelf (yes, people it's new here in Indonesia because we're always late like that).

What more do I need to review? It does a very good job (like I always think which eye and lip makeup remover that doesn't do a good job... Okay, forget it). It's good that I don't need to show you any swatch or preview of how it works. It works well. It doesn't feel too greasy and I get no cloudy vision afterwards. But I don't know whether it works well on sensitive eyes or not, but one thing for sure, it doesn't sting. Oh, and it's fragrance-free.

All in all, it's a great product and I do think I will repurchase it because I never think too much about lip and eye makeup remover. As long as it works well and doesn't irritate my eyes, I'm okay with any.

Volume  : 70ml

Price      : about 50000 IDR

I’d give this 5 out of 5.

Secret Key Prestige Snail+EGF Repairing Ampoule Review

Hi, belles!

I first tried a 'snail' product from Missha. I got a sample of Missha snail moisturizer and fell in love with it. But it was a bit pricey so I just decided not to buy it. After that, I just felt the need to try another snail product, and this time, my money went to Secret Key. Who doesn't know Secret Key? (Well, I didn't.) I actually wanted to try its First Treatment Essence, but I didn't know why I just finally purchased this Secret Key Prestige Snail+EGF Repairing Ampoule.

I don't think this brand is famous in Korea though because when I tried to search it online on daum, I only found late posts like those in 2009-2011 (if I'm not mistaken). But it's pretty popular here I think. As far as I know, Secret Key holds promo often times which then means cheaper price and happier customers (Yeah. Me.) and I got this for a somehow cheaper price.

Okay, let's get into the review. What is this? An ampoule. Okay.

What does it claim? Well... I could only find this one sentence in English: Dual functioning item of whitening with wrinkle improvement.

 
It comes in a jar (or bottle?) and a pipette. The texture is so thick, so slimy. I only need one drop for my whole face because I don't want to make it too heavy on my skin. And one thing that I hate the most from this product is the scent. It's heavily scented. It's annoying. I don't even have sensitive nose or skin, but I hate the smell.

I bought snail products hoping my acne scars would heal and the spots would fade, but did it work?

I don't think so. I've been using it for about 2 months and I feel like it does nothing to my skin. I just don't see any improvement on my skin. I'm still on my early 20s so I don't have any visible wrinkle and my skin is pale enough so I actually don't need any whitening product. Yeah. Good thing it doesn't break me out so I still can use it all up until God-knows-when. (cries over my money)

Overall, this product is okay, but it's not doing well on my skin. :|

Volume  : 30ml

Price      : it was on sale so I got it for half of the price I think (original price 27000 KRW)

I’d give this 2 out of 5.

ElishaCoy Moist Up Super Hyalurone Cream Review

Hi, belles!

So, a few months ago, I was hunting for a moisturizer. Moisturizer is such a very essential thing for me and yet I still haven't found "my good one". I was just browsing here and there and this one thing caught my eyes. It's Elishacoy's and let's get started.

Don't you realize that I've been changing picture backgrounds, like literally, a lot lately.
I read mixed reviews about this product. Some said it was okay, some said it didn't live up to what it claimed.  Okay, so what does it claim?

• Immediately after applying skin will feel revitalized as it melts into the skin, this gel cream provides long lasting moisture for the skin.
• Oxygenated water and organic plant extracts such as nectapure provide one more level of moisture to make your skin bright and vivid.
• Plant based collagen extracts and Manuca Honey provide the nutrients you need to keep your skin's natural elasticity.

Well, this product won 2013 Allure Korea Beauty Award Editor's Pick and received 5-star reviews from the customers, but did I finally find my good moisturizer?

There's a separator lid inside. And it also comes with a spatula, so don't worry people.

Okay, first of all, it's pink. P I N K. And I love pink. I love love love the smell. It's not heavily scented and it's so fresh me likey! It also does melt into my skin and it glides on like a dream. It's in gel form which again fits my normal/oily skin perfectly. And the best thing of all is that it doesn't break me out. Does it brighten my face? Does my face look more vivid? I... don't know. I just like how it feels on my skin.

BUT if you have normal/dry or even dry skin, I don't think this thing is good for you. This probably can be another perfect summer moisturizer because it's lightweight (well I use this in my night-time regimen though), but if you don't think you need any lightweight moisturizer then just give it a pass.

The ingredients are fine (you can check it out here) although there are still some annoying ingredients such as Butylene glycol and Triethanol amine which are another kind of acne trigger (in low level).

Overall, this product is okay and is my current favorite moisturizer, but I just don't think this one is "my good" one and I don't think I will repurchase because I'm still in a journey of finding my good one. LOL

Volume  : 50g

Price      : it was on sale (original price 41.90 USD it's hella pricey dude)

I’d give this 4.5 out of 5.

Lioele Mix Eyebrow Cake #2 Gray/Dark Gray Review

Hi, belles!

Yes, three posts in one day night.

For these past few months, I just could not go outside without doing my brows. I just finally got this eyebrow-fever. Like what I've said in  my previous Peripera Auto Eyebrow post, I much much prefer natural-looking brows. And so, eyebrow powder would definitely help me in achieving that natural-looking brows. After reading reviews here and there and checking prices here and there, I finally grabbed this Lioele one.

3W Clinic Intensive UV Sunblock Cream Review

Hi, belles!

After quite a long journey of finding which sunscreen (sunblock, sun cream, sun lotion, you name it) to get, I finally decided to purchase 3W Clinic one.Well, the reason was because it was on sale. So, it was less pricey. And I love things that are less pricey.

Shara Shara Creamy Dual Auto Lip Liner - Baby Pink Review

Hi, belles!

Wow. How long has it been? LOL

Anyway, as any of you heard of the brand name, Shara Shara? I bet this brand still sounds unfamiliar to most of you, unlike the infamous roadshop brands like Tony Moly, Innisfree, etc. When I was going to purchase 3W Clinic's sun cream, I just felt like I needed to add one more thing into my cart, and so I picked this (because it was less pricey).

The Face Shop Baby Face New Zealand Clay Pore Care Pack Review

Hi, belles!

After reading so many reviews of so many clay packs from so many brands, I finally decided to get The Face Shop one with the ever-longest-name. I felt like everyone was buying the Innisfree one, and so I wanted to try something different. Well, also thanks to Angel from beautifymeeh, one day when I was watching videos on youtube, I stumbled upon hers and she was recommending this pack, and that was when I knew that this product existed. It's The Face Shop Baby Face New Zealand Clay Pore Care Pack (Pore Care Pack Wash-Off Mask). Okay, let's get started!

Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher #6 Grapefruit Jelly Review

Hi, belles!

Okay, like I said in my previous post, my life is officially becoming more hectic. It's a bit hard for me actually to just post things on this blog because I usually spend hours typing, taking photos, editing, and revising everything that I'm going to post. Most of my posts seem short, but I tell you, I need hours just to prepare them.

Anyway, this time, the product that I'm going to review is Etude House's Lovely Cookie Blusher in Grapefruit Jelly. Yeay!

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-talk BE101 Worrisome Beige Review

Hi, belles!

Lipsticks, how can we get enough of them. I am so easily in love with lipsticks, be it the nude, pink or orange ones. I love how lipsticks can instantly brighten up my face, and so for me, sometimes I cannot leave my house without lipstick. I usually bring at least 2 lip products with me whenever I go somewhere. One is lipbalm and the other one can be lip butter, lipstick or any kind of lip color. And this time, I'm going to share with you a lip product that I currently really like which is Etude House's Dear My Blooming Lips-talk in BE101 Worrisome Beige (?).

Peripera Speedy Eyebrow Auto Pencil in #2 Gray Brown Review

Hi, belles!

Okay, I should have prepared thousands of excuses to explain my (semi?)hiatus these last two months. Well, as what I said in my previous post, January was such a hectic month, and not to mention that I also had to go out of town. And when February came, I was being this lazy pathetic couch potato.... Well, not really. I spent my college break meeting old friends because we didn't know when would we ever meet again once the next college term started. And so yeah, the point is that I spent my February watching movies, Running Man, Reply 1994, and You who Came from the Star. (DUDE, YOU GUYS SHOULD WATCH REPLY 1994. I personally think Reply 1994 is much more interesting than 별에서 온 그대)

Anyway, for my (another) comeback post, I'm going to review an auto eyebrow pencil that I just got recently which is Peripera Speedy Auto Eyebrow Pencil. This one is actually my first auto eyebrow pencil since I usually use regular pencil ones.

Make Over Trivia Eyeshadow - Black Goddiva, Golden Espress, Emperor Brown Review

Hi, belles!

So, YEHET! College break is finally here! I cannot even believe that my (almost) whole hell month finally ends. (Let me throw confetti first.)

Anyway, for my comeback special post, I'll be reviewing an Indonesian brand. I want to introduce this brand which I really like (and probably more local brands in the future) to you guys, the readers. So if you, Indonesians, who still don't know that this brand exists, go immediately and have some good time at the counter, and if you live outside of Indonesia and you ever plan to come here, do spend some of your time to go checking out their counters. :)

Happy (Belated) New Year and Happy (Belated) Birthday!

I know it's January 4 already, but well, I think I should post something here.

I won't be updating this blog until at least second week of January because, dear goodness, I am currently drowning in a sea of papers and I'll be having odd semester's final exam starting from next Monday. And not to mention that I'm catching flu right now..... I am officially tortured.

And so, HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR YOU ALL! May you have another wonderful year ahead! And may God always bless you and those who you love!

And also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR ME! Well, January 2 is my birthday and yes, I am turning 20. May you have a great journey on your 20th year living in this world, dear! *petting and patting myself*

That's it. This post is actually posted to tell you that I'm still alive and existing. LOL

Bye!