2013 Aug-Oct Skin Care/Beauty/Misc. Haul

~Skin Care/Beauty/Misc. Haul~

Well, it's been quite awhile since I last did a Haul of the Month post. I don't know if anyone likes to read such post... Anyway, I will just continue....................

Over the past few months, I purchased quite a number of stuff. I did not take any pictures of the items and to be honest, I long forgotten what I have bought(most of it) thus, it would be hard for me to post everything up. That being said, in this post I will just sum up what I remember buying for the past 3 months. It's not in order by date/month nor by category by the way. :)

2013 August - October Haul

I got this package yesterday and the box is too small for me to nicely show all the AC Clinic products I've bought. -.- I got almost the whole Etude House AC Clinic products except for the Red Spot Balm and BB Cream(discontinued). :

Etude House AC Clinic Daily Acne Foam Cleanser

Etude House AC Clinic Daily Toner

Etude House AC Clinic Daily Gel Lotion

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Liquid Spot

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot (comes with 15ml of Pink Powder Water)

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Hinoki Water Mist

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Mask Sheet

In fact, I actually got 2 bottles of the mist, 2 bottles of the liquid spot, 2 bottles of the toner and 2 bottles of the gel lotion. If you read my Skin Care Routine page, you will know that I switched back using these products. And I got so many AC Clinic products at one go because they were having a sale~ The manufacture date is quite recent so it was a super good deal~ A STEAL! A STEAL! 

Did you notice that yellow stick on the left of the picture, placed right beside the liquid spot~? That's the...

Tony Moly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar in #8 Neon Yellow
I'm thinking of getting the #09 Neon Red too..
Will do a review once I have tried it.

Some other skin care/beauty stuff I bought much earlier on...:

Etude House Baking Powder Crunch Pore Scrub

I heard a lot of raves about this product so I got them. 

Review coming soon~(hopefully...)

Hiruscar Post Acne Gel

This is one of my long-lost favorite product for pimple scars & dark marks.

Review coming soon~

Etude House Eraser Show Mascara Cleaner

I have not tried using this yet because I don't wear mascara much these days... :/

Will do a review once I have tried it.

The Face Shop Freshian Big Mascara in #01 Curling

The Face Shop Freshian Big Mascara in #02 Volume

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black

The Face Shop Mascara were having a sale too~ They were having like a 1+1 promotion. I actually picked up 4 and I gave 2 to my friend. I got it at the price of SGD$4.90 for 2. The manufacture date is also quite recent~ A steal, isn't it?

On the other hand, Revlon was also having a sale~ 20% off. So I picked up one of my favorite eyeliner.

Also, I got a cleanser and many facial masks~:

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

The Face Shop Mini Capsule in Seaweed

The Face Shop Mini Capsule in Cucumber

The Face Shop Real Nature Mask in Mung Bean

The Face Shop Real Nature Mask in Bamboo

The Face Shop Real Nature Mask in Rice

The Face Shop Real Nature Mask in Green Tea

Etude House Baking Powder B.B Deep Cleansing Foam (Review: link)

And I got another ...

5 sheets of Etude House AC Clinic Intense Mask Sheet

much earlier on...

After trying out The Face Shop Masks, I went back to stock up even more...:

I picked up The Face Shop Real Nature Mask in Kelp to try out~

Besides that, I also got another box of 

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot..

I grabbed many pieces of The Face Shop mask sheets because they were ALSO having a sale! HAHAHAA I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE SALES!

For Fragrance..., 

I got the Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue perfume

I've been wanting this perfume and I finally got it. yay~

Miscellaneous:

A beige color cap with studs from Korea

p/s: thanks dad for the Hello Kitty. He bought it for me during his business trip. :)

Black Lace-Up Ankle Boots from Korea

Necklace from Coach

Currently, this is my most favorite necklace~♥ :)

hoomia UTWO(U2) Ace Headphone from Taiwan

Lingerie Case/Travel Organizer Bra Bag or whatever it's called...

This hard moulded case keeps your bras out of sight and protects the bras from crimping, crushing and creasing in the luggage/suitcase. Perfect for traveling~

PiGi bags from Taiwan :)

I have a dresser of 6 drawers in my room where I keep all my bags and some misc. stuff and 5 out of the 6 drawers are where I keep my bags. In there, 90% of my bags were purchased from PiGi Mall. I absolutely love their brand and bags!! Visit their site here. PS: It's in Chinese.

As I have said, I won't be able to post up all of the purchased items. I only post up what I could remember and just the ones I have a picture... As for clothing, I bought A LOT(in bulk) from Taiwan and it's too troublesome to show all of them so pardon me for not showing...  And apart from that, some of the pictures were taken using Iphone's camera so please excuse for the bad picture quality. :x

I hope you enjoyed my haul post and...... 

Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone! 

Trick or Treat? 

xoxo,

Ashley.

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Review: Etude House skin mal:gem (Fresh; Oil Control Toner)

Etude House skin mal:gem (Fresh; Oil Control Toner) (250ml)

Description: 맑음[mal:gem] — the Korean word for cleanness, clarity and pureness. Skin Malgeum hypoallergenic toners promote clean, clear and pure complexion with moisturizing and pore cleansing formulas.

*Fresh: Controls excess sebum while providing enough moisture to keep the skin matte. Bamboo extract and sebum control ingredient keeps the skin clean and fresh.

Directions: Dispense solution onto toner pad and use pad to wipe all areas of face and neck.
*can be use as a facial mist or facial mask
(PS: I won't make any comments about the facial mist and mask method since I have not tried it.)

The toner comes in a matte bottle with a plastic twist-off screwed cap and the opening is perfectly sealed with a foil. The fluid can be easily pour out from the opening of the bottle.

I usually moisten a cotton pad and gently swipe it all over my face. It gets absorbed into the skin after a few minutes without leaving any sticky residue.

Consistency & Color:
Light and watery. Colorless.

Scent:

It smells citrusy when sniff directly from the opening of the bottle. But when pour it out on hand and sniff it, there's a mild hint of floral scent to it. I might be wrong though... lol. I'm bad at describing scent. hah. :x It does not smells bad anyway.

Oil-Control:
It DOES control sebum but of course, not to the extend that you will be totally free from oiliness the whole entire day. My skin still feels oily throughout the day and I still need to blot my face with oil blotters however, I noticed that the amount of sebum has been significantly reduced compared to what I would normally get.

Moisture Test on the back of my hand:

Before applying the toner, my skin moisture level measures 33.3%
After applying the toner, my skin moisture level measures 41.2%.
After 10 minutes later(toner got fully absorbed), I took the measurement again, it dropped to 40.6%

Moisture gain is 7.9%.

The difference on moisture loss after 10 minutes is only 0.6%.

which I concluded that this toner is pretty moisturizing.

**Above result is just for the application of a toner.**

With application of a moisturizer, I believe the skin will be perfectly moisturized!

Likes:

- 5 free formula: Free of Paraben, Artifical dye, Benzophenon, Mineral oil, Animal material

- controls sebum

- pore cleansing

- moisturizes

- gets absorbed into the skin

- not sticky at all

- does not cause breakouts

- leaves skin feeling clean, fresh and cooling

- the scent

Dislikes

- does not help to shrink the pores...

Seriously, there's nothing much I dislike about. :)

Verdict?: I have already finished using this toner and it does works as what it claimed to do — "controls sebum yet at the same time provides moisture to the skin". It leaves the skin feeling clean, fresh and cooling upon application. On the downside, I don't think it helps minimizing the pores though...I didn't see a difference in the size of my pores. 

Anyway, this toner is perfect for Summer season, for people who live in hot and humid country and also for people who have oily skin. 

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Review: Etude House Baking Powder B.B Deep Cleansing Foam

Etude House Baking Powder B.B Deep Cleansing Foam (150ml)

Description: Formulated with Baking Powder to penetrate and cleanse deep within pore to remove makeup and residues.
*Ideal for BB cream removal. 100% natural & Dye-Free
Active Ingredients: Baking Powder.
Directions: Apply to wet face and lather. Massage thoroughly and rinse with warm water.

The product actually comes well-wrapped with a plastic sheet/wrapper? (whatever it's called...). I ripped off the plastic sheet/wrapper before I start taking pictures. :x

It comes with a plastic twist-off screwed flip cap and the opening is perfectly sealed with a foil.

It contains really fine and mild scrubbing particles and it's not abrasive. The scrubbing particles will melt away during massaging. 

Moisture Test on the back of my hand:

The moisture loss is only 1.7% so I concluded that this cleanser is not very drying.

Consistency & Color:

Soft and white creamy texture with really fine and mild scrubbing particles.

Scent:

It has a citrusy, lemony-orangey scent which smells really niiiicee~

Likes:

- the baking powder formula

- 100% natural and dye-free

- remove all traces of makeup!

- mild exfoliation; not too harsh nor abrasive

- deep cleanse; unclogging pores

- brightens up the skin

- skin feels smooth to the touch after use

- lathers up well

- not very drying

- easy to wash off

- makes it easier to extract blackheads

- does not cause any irritation or breakouts

- the scent

Dislikes:

- for sensitive skin... probably not suitable to use it daily

Makeup Removal Test! (Demonstration on my mom's hand~  ) :

Sorry for the messy "wordy" picture... ><"

Squeeze out some cleanser, add some water and start massaging...

massage... massage... massage.... 

You can notice that the makeup starts to dissolve...

continue massaging...

....massage... massage... massage....

and rinse it off with water

.

.

.

Dry with a towel~

TA-DAAA~

All traces of makeup, even waterproof makeup, has been removed!

It literally brightens up the skin and leaves the skin feels smooth to the touch!

Verdict? Well well well..., I absolutely love this cleansing foam! It deep cleanse and exfoliate the skin, removing excess dead skin cells and unclogging the pores without overly drying the skin. The mild exfoliation does makes blackhead extraction easier. I might do a post on blackhead extraction in the future...

As I have combination skin(oily on the T-zone, dry on the cheekbones and sensitive skin), I don't use it daily. I use it twice or max. thrice a week, alternately, and use only when I wear makeup. Oh and..., only at night. I use a different cleanser in the day. Anyway, despite the scrubbing particles are fine and mild, I don't think it's good to exfoliate everyday. So I personally suggest to use it twice or max. thrice a week, alternately. :)

As I have mentioned, I will use this cleanser only when I wear makeup because as you can see from above pictures, this amazing cleanser cleans off makeup super effectively. However, I will still use a makeup remover prior to deep cleansing with this cleansing foam. I called it double cleansing~ lol. I use a makeup remover just to make sure that all the makeup is completely removed. Then I will use this cleansing foam to deep cleanse thoroughly, dissolving and removing all the remaining unseen impurities/makeup residues within the pores which the makeup remover can't remove.

In general, I love this product and would recommend this to people who wears makeup~ BUT, I don't recommend people to use this to remove eye makeup! The skin around the eye area is the most delicate so I personally think it's a little abrasive. Furthermore, if the product gets into your eyes, it does stings like a bitch! ><"

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Review: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Hinoki Water Mist

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Hinoki Water Mist (100ml)

Description: This is a soothing mist containing Hinoki Water (Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water), controlling sebum and dead skin cells to keep complexion clean, moist and smooth all day long.
Directions: Spray frequently and evenly onto whole face whenever needed. *Spray 20cm away from face.*

The water mist comes in a solid plastic bottle with a plastic pump spray nozzle.

Consistency & Color:
Watery & colorless.

Scent:
I don't know how to describe the scent... Like a herby? medicated? fragrance~ It smells similar to other AC Clinic products which I really love~

Likes:
- contains acne-fighting ingredients
- 4 free formula — free of mineral oil, artificial color, artificial fragrance,...(forgot what's the last one...)
- non-comedogenic
- soothe pimples/does not irritates pimples
- helps prevent future breakouts/does not cause breakouts
- cooling and refreshing sensation when sprayed on face
- does not dry up the skin
- the scent

Dislikes:
- moisturizing effect don't last!
- does not helps controlling sebum

Moisture Test:

Before spraying the mist, the skin moisture level measures 32.6%. 

Not really hydrated... ><"

I sprayed the mist on my arm and waited for about 5 minutes until it gets fully absorbed into the skin.

After the mist got fully absorbed into the skin, I took the measurement and it measures 54.1%. HYDRATED~

However..., 10 minutes later, I took the measurement again... The moisture level dropped to 40.7%.

Another 10 minutes later, I measured it again... the moisture level dropped to 35.7%... -_-

Verdict?: It claims to "keep the skin clean, MOIST and smooth ALL DAY LONG". Apparently, it does not really moisturizes well... From the Moisture Test, it makes me think that the moisture kind of evaporated into the thin air instead of locking into the skin... The moisture definitely does not lasts "all day long" as it claimed. (-_-") It does not dry up the skin either.

As for oil-controlling..., I don't think it does controls oil because when I used oil blotting sheet to blot my face in the mid-day, the area of blotting sheet being covered by oil remains the same. lol.

Anyway, I use this everyday on the last step of my skin care routine before putting makeup. It gives a really cooling and refreshing sensation. It's also great to use after makeup application to help set the makeup or when makeup has begun to wilt during the mid-day.

After using this for more than a month, I don't think it helps to heal pimples because I didn't see my pimples shrinking it's size after using this. However, I do notice that the pimples were less red after using so I concluded that it helps to soothe pimples. (ps, Acne Spot Treatment is still the best acne medication for pimples outbreak.)

All in all, I like it because it's for 'troubled skin' — it contains acne-fighting ingredients which helps to soothe pimples and prevents future breakouts without drying the skin. Well, I live in hot and humid country(Singapore) so I use it whenever I simply want a little spritz of something cool and refreshing. It's kind of relaxing~~ :)

This is a soothing mist so if you are looking for a moisturizing facial mist, this is not for you.

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Review: Etude House AC Clinic Intense Liquid Spot

Etude House AC Clinic Intense Liquid Spot (25ml)

Description: Containing Salicylic Acid and Hinoki Cypress, this is a convenient liquid type trouble care spot product with excellent absorbing properties into any part of the body that needs special care.
Directions: Lightly dab to absorb into area that needs special care. Can be use repeatedly. *Recommended to use on clean skin to maintain sanitary container.*

 It comes in a sturdy glass bottle with a plastic twist-off cap.

It has this easy-to-use sponge applicator that allows you to just dab it onto your skin. However, I find it unhygienic to use it frequently in a day. So normally I will just use it once in the day, while at night I will use AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot right after I cleanse my face. 

Consistency & Color:
Liquid-y and watery. Colorless.

Scent:
I don't know how to describe the scent... Like a herby? medicated? fragrance~ It smells similar to other AC Clinic products which I really love~

Likes:
- non-comedogenic
- 4 free formula — free of mineral oil, artificial color, artificial fragrance,...(forgot what's the last one...)
- it's colorless~ it's great to use it in the day.
- can be use under makeup
- soothe blemishes
- does helps to dry up zits
- get absorbed into the skin
- the cooling sensation after application
- the scent

Dislikes:
- unhygienic
- sponge applicator spoils easily

Verdict?: It soothe blemishes and dry them up within a few days. But for those huge painful ones, it might requires a longer time to get them dry up. I personally find the AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot works better for those huge painful zits as compared to this liquid spot. However, AC Clinic Intense Pink Powder Spot will leave a pink residue after application so it's not suitable to use it in the day unless you plan to stay at home the whole day or unless you want to look like a clown. :P While this liquid spot is colorless so it's great to use it in the day.

On the other hand, I like this liquid spot because it can be use under makeup. Unlike other gel-type spot treatments, this is in liquid form so it will get absorbed into the skin without leaving any sticky layer that will interfere with makeup.

People who are looking for a spot treatment that can be use both day & night and under makeup, this is a good choice. :)

Update on 20 October 2013:
A quick update for this product... Basically, the whole sponge applicator detached itself from the bottle and literally become useless... I did not take any shots when it happened because I thought I used it too roughly which caused the sponge to spoil. lol. After I saw some reviewers reviewing about it then I know it was not my fault. Anyway, here are some pictures I 'steal'(HAHA) from them:

(Source of photo: link)

(Source of photo: link)

What I did was to remove the sponge and remove the springy-like part/component and use a q-tip as applicator. Here's how the springy-like part/component(?) looks like... 

It supposed to be fixed at the hole of the bottle(refer to below photo) and it works like a stopper. 

When you dab the product on your skin, the springy-like part/component(?) will get pressed and releases the liquid/fluid onto the sponge applicator. 

So as I've said, I removed the springy-like part/component, which works like a stopper, and the sponge and there's a hole that allows me to dip my q-tip in and retrieve the liquid/fluid.

Actually, I prefer the q-tip method than the sponge applicator it originally comes with. I find it more hygienic using a q-tip. :x And so, even without the sponge applicator, it doesn't bothers me. :)

That's that.

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