innisfree Olive Real Oil Mist review

I was introduced to this product by a Korean Skincare Youtuber called KRBoy. He mentioned this product during his skincare routine video. This is the first product I decided to try that was introduced by KRBoy and I liked it.

About this mist:

This is a facial mist that is enriched with extra virgin olive oil from Crete Island. 

According to Innisfree, this is a two-phase deep hydrating oil mist with Olive Power Activator (which contains vitamin E and tocopheryl acetate) which enables it to powerfully moisturize for dry skin and improve skin suppleness and create moisture.

The recommendation is to use this product whenever your skin feels dry and pat on your skin. It can be used before or after makeup.

You need to shake the product before using it (this is a very important step, the mist didn't work too well the few times I forgot to).

impressions:

• smells like oranges (but doesn't linger)
• a few (3-5 pumps) is enough
• very light but works really well
• spray amount can be inconsistent
• spray direction shifts (despite the arrow)
• skin feels instantly moisturized
• works well with dehydrated skin
• not oily

I'm not sure whether there was a defect in mine's or whether it happens to every other one... but the spray dispenses an inconsistent amount of product each time. 

Aside from the defect, I love this mist. I love how it moisturizes my skin (both when it is dry and when it is dehydrated). It is extremely lightweight and does not give a weird oily finish. The light orange aroma evaporates as you pat the product into your skin.

Score: 9.5/10

Website: https://www.innisfree.com/sg/en/product/productView.do?prdSeq=10028

Saborino's Morning Mask 朝用マスク review

32 pack

info:

Contains 32 sheets/pack
Price: ¥1300/pack
Producer: Styling Life Holdings BCL Company
Manufactured in Japan

Type: Cotton mask sheets

A new revolutionary product seems to have hit the shelves lately in Tokyo drug stores and I was glad to find it. This is an awesome product which claims to be "breakfast for your face" it is suppose to include cleansing, skin care (Japanese English) and moisturizing. It also preps your skin for make up. All this can be achieved in 60 seconds!

directions

impressions:

• very cool and minty
• calmed my skin (from dryness)
• my skin felt refreshed
• I didn't want to take this mask off... (is it possible to leave it on longer?)
• the fit isn't perfect... (I had to adjust and readjust several times)
• so... we have to leave it on our faces for more than 60 seconds... (I usually leave it on till the mintiness has disappeared... (approximately 15-20 mins)).
• it made my t-zone break out... after using it for 2 days...

boo!!! did I scare you? :D

I LOVE this mask... seriously LOVE it! I love the cool sensation it produces because it really wakes me up in the morning. The cool sensation also helps calm my skin so it can properly absorb the nutrients.

Here is a list of how the ingredients help our skin:

• Cleansing: Apple fruit acid
• Tightening: Peppermint extract, Cucumber extract, Tea Tree leaf oil, Grapefruit leaf oil
• Moisturizing: Collagen, Hyaluronic acid, Orange oil, Avocado extract, Honey

Pros:

• refreshes my skin
• mintyness!!!
• you can cleanse, skin care and moisturize your skin all in one step
• lovely smell
• hygienic
• quality of mask (material) was very good, it might contain cotton
• handy... they were like a box of wipes... saved table space!

Cons:

• made my t-zone area break out
• need to apply on face for 15-20 minutes (not 60 seconds)
• the mask shape did not fit my face
• mask was not "moist" enough

Verdict:

This is a lovely mask. I love the mintiness and I love the conveneince, but it made my t-zone area break out... over all this is a really good mask... but I wouldn't recommend using it every day.

Score: 8/10

Website: http://www.stylinglife.co.jp/groups/bclabo.html (company website)

Biore Foaming Facial Wash Cleanser review

Biore Foaming Facial Wash Cleanser

Hey dearest friends!

As the harsh winter dry air comes... we need to be prepared and pamper our skin so it can feel nice and soft... after all... our skin is one of the biggest organs... why wouldn't we want to take good care of it?

Biore's facial cleansers have always been one of my favourite cleansers because they do a wonderful job cleaning my skin without irritating it.. when I found that they have developed a Foaming facial wash, I was excited to give this a try!

info on the back

impressions:

• feels like a light mouse,
• has a light relaxing Biore scent
• good for mild cleaning
• does not irritate skin
• you only need one pump

The consistency is very light and watery... if you held the "foam" longer, it will disappear in a matter of seconds... you can leave it on for a few more seconds and it will not irritate your skin. This cleanser is extremely mild. I also like the smell (Biore's signature scent)... the scent makes me feel so relaxed.

foam up close

Pros:

• lightly scented
• does not irritate skin
• product lasts a long time (a little goes a long way)
• easy to wash off
• affordable

Cons:

• very light cleanser
• does not clean tough oils

Verdict:

I think this foaming cleanser is not strong enough... it is able to clean away skin that is in good condition... but if you have oil or looking for a cleanser that cleans more thoroughly this would not be a good cleanser for you. I would either opt for Juju Aquamoist's Foam Cleanser (for mild cleansing)or Biore's regular Facial Cleanser.

Score: 7.5/10
Website: http://www.kao.co.jp/biore/lineup/s_whip.html

XILIZILM Hydra Suctions Face Mask review

Xiuzilm product and packaging

Lately, the weather has been cold and dry... making my skin dry and flaky (gross), I started noticing the appearance of blackheads and my T-Zone is oily and dry... I have applied a lot of masks and did practically everything to keep my skin hydrated... but nothing seems to stop my blackheads from forming... out of frustration, I decided to go to eBay and find a mask... I typed in Blackhead mask and the search results lead me to this product.

I originally ordered Pilaten Hydra Suctions Face Mask... but the seller sent me a wrong one... I checked this mask's content and it was similar to the Pilaten mask... so I decided to give this product a try (you can see how desperate I am about getting rid of my blackheads and flaking oily skin).

Features: 

• Removes blackheads
• acne blemishes
• gets rid of oil
• helps minimize the appearance of large pores
• relieves skin from radiation damage (which is formed as a result of looking at our phone/computer screens or tv for long hours)

Amount: 60 g
Shelf life: 3 years
Made in China

Product ingredients: 
water, polyvinyl alcohol the daily dye, glycerol, propylene glycol, the diazonium imidazolidinyl urea, iodopropynyl butyl carbamate, glycol, flavor (daily).

How often should this mask be used:

• Mild blackheads: once a week
• Moderate blackhead: twice weekly
• Severe blackheads: 2-3 times a week

sorry to gross you out >.< this is how it looked on my nose

Instruction:

1. place a towel drenched with warm - hot water and place it over the skin (which has large pores/blackheads) for 3-4 minutes
2. dry skin
3. apply mask and wait for 10-15 minutes or until mask is complete dry
4. peel mask off and apply toner and essence/serum

this is how the mask looks like after I remove it from my skin

impressions:

• no scent
• mask is very watery
• mask is very thin
• hard to remove from skin
• your pores take time to close after using this mask

Personal Experience:

When I was using this mask, I discovered that it was very watery, I found it extremely difficult to apply the mask evenly on my skin... and because of the thinness of the mask... I found it immensely difficult to remove the mask.

Your pores will appear larger than they did before you used this mask (yes it scared me too) after you remove and clean the mask BUT... give them a few hours... and your pores will shrink.. and you will see that your pores are smaller and your blackheads are less pigmented. I started seeing results after using it twice.


Pros:

• no scent
• easy to use
• works

Cons:

• makes skin break out
• hard to remove
• hard to apply
• effects are not immediate
• drys skin... need a good serum and moisturizer after!!

score: 7.5/10
website: no website


also... if you are interested, please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Face Q Red Pomegranate +CoQ10 mask review

packet of mask

product overview:

• amount: 30g
• Product from Taiwan
• Function: Whitening + moisturizing + re-hydrating
• Each Box comes with ten packets of mask.
• Suitable: all skin type especially dry and delicate skin

After doing some research, I discovered that FaceQ is a sister company to My Beauty Diary. 

back of packaging

Translation:

In Turkey, people consider the Pomegranate to be a fruit from heaven because it is rich in nutrients which benefit the skin. Red pomegranate and Anthocyanin are two powerful anti-oxidant ingredients. It fights against dullness and dehydration. Chamomile extracts is also added to avoid further dark pigment formulation, helping skin to restore its natural glow. After application your skin will become supple, smooth. 

Description:

FACE Q MASK SERIES Red Pomegranate +CoQ10 Mask include triple moisturizing Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid macromolecules potent restore moisture. Hyaluronic acid stays closely with the skin, improving moisture retention even after flushing.

Small molecule hyaluronic acid penetrates the skin deeply, reaching the ultimate moist. Also includes pomegranate extract, with two antioxidants: Pomegranate polyphenols and anthocyanins. Powerful antioxidant helps improving skin dull, dry and adding chamomile to prevent pigmentation, skin look so rosy and revealing a natural bright luster. (Sasa.com)

Ingredients (from Sasa.com): 

• Pomegranate Extract: restoration and maintenance of the skin. Maintain skin‘s vitality.
• Idebenone, CoQ10: whitening effect
• White willow bark extract: conditioning with exfoliating, whitening effect
• Silver Needle Pekoe: natural antioxidants.
• Morus alba extract: whitening effect

how the mask looks like

This mask is made from 100% wood pulp and silk, these ingredients help infiltrate the nutrients into your skin and is more flexible to fit on your facial features. (I did not agree with this though)


impressions:

• has a sweet fruity smell (not exactly pomegranate but smells really nice)
• lots of essence
• mask sticks on face really well (great for multitasking)
• little air bubbles
• gives a stinging sensation to mouth area

I didn't like the material... see the bubbles?

Overall, I think this is a fair mask, as being a sister company to Beauty Diary, I find there are certain similarities (e.g. lots of essence in mask and smells really nice). But I was disappointed that it created a stinging sensation to my upper lip and lower lip area. I liked that the mask fit my features well, but it created small bubble air pockets... I liked to use the remaining essence on my arms and legs (yes, there was THAT much product left).

score: 7.8/10
website: http://www.facequeen.com.tw/ (I couldn't find this product on their website :O)

Neutrogena Oil-free fresh moisture review

I was planning to do a review on this moisturizer however, after some research I discovered Neutrogena has discontinued this product. Such a shame! But for those of you who still have this product or you can manage to get this product (somehow) I will do a brief review on this product. I was told that Neutrogena has "improved" this product and replaced it with these as shown in this link. I haven't tried these out yet so I'm not sure how similar/different they are with this product.

I haven't really used Neutrogena products and this moisturizer gives me a reason to buy their products. This moisturizer, Neutrogena oil-free fresh moisture, is marketed as ultra-light moisturizer; leaves skin fresh and soft all day; A light moisturizer that provides optimal hydration for fresh, soft skin all day long.

To me, this moisturizer was "love at first application". The reason being is it is extremely lightweight and it is not greasy. It leaves a wonderful "matte finish" on your skin and makes it so easy to apply make up over it. And that is one of my primary uses for this moisturizer, as I treat it as a light "primer" for my pre-makeup face. It has a light scent to it (but it doesn't feel too artificial). My pores are very sensitive and if they are "clogged" with lotion, I instantly feel my skin breaking out, LUCKILY, I can confidently say it doesn't clog pores. It is water-based so it is very easy to spread (a little goes a long way - the directions indicate you should just apply a dime-sized amount and it will cover your whole face).

Unfortunately, this product didn't make my skin any softer than it was, it helped retain the moisture already present on my face but it didn't make it anymore hydrated (as it claims).

I find that due to it's lightness, this moisturizer is very good for those with normal to oily skin (as it doesn't clog your pores and wouldn't make your face more greasy than it already is). I find it works good during Spring/Summer and not so well during the harsh Fall/Autumn/Winter months.

Freeman Beauty Facial Anti-Stress Mask Dead Sea Minerals mask review

I have started to like Freeman products especially after liking their Beauty Facial Peel Off Mask. While I was planning to stock up on those, I came across this product and decided to give it a try.

According to the big yellow label this mask was the recipient of 2012 totalbeauty.com Mask award. After using this mask for the first time, I could see why.

First off, a slight warning, when you apply this mask, I would recommend doing this when there are less people around, I was shocked when I applied this mask for the first time, I seriously look like some actress who walked out of an Avatar movie set. The mask is very pigmented (in a weird blue/green colour). Another precaution is don't apply this mask "too close" to the eye area, the mask is "strong" and even when I left "a big circle around my eyes, my eyes were stinging. eeks...

The product is the scent of an ocean, and the texture is clay-like making it easier to smooth out.

On the back of the tube they introduce this mask as a : 

...calming mask [which] instantly absorbs excess oil while clarifying and purging clogged pores. Dead Sea Minerals contain natural supplements that are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Sea Salts help replenish and balance moisture. Lavender and Bergamot promote relaxing aromatherapy.

The instructions asks the user to apply the mask to face and neck

thoughts:

• easy to use
• instantly feel it working (the next day and day after)
• gets rid of excess facial oil

I only applied it to the face. You will know when this product dries because you won't be able to move your face. You use warm water to rinse. To be honest, I didn't feel the difference when I rinsed the mask away, I felt the oil on my skin was taken away, but it was not a very obvious difference. When I woke up the next day, I felt the difference, my skin was so soft and smooth I loved it! 

I think this is a great mask, The instructions ask us to use it 2 times a week, however, since I hardly have much oil, I only use it once ever 2 weeks and that seems enough. I find that if I use it too often (twice a week) my skin starts to break out because I think it takes away too much "oil" from my skin at once.

I would rate this mask 4/5.

Freeman Beautiful Facial Peel-Off Mask Cucumber Mask Review

bottle of goodness

Walmart has been stocking up on Freeman's masks, so I decided to give this brand a try. I LOVE IT! The description says this will "clarify and renews skin" and it does exactly that!

This mask is thick gel form, the moment you apply it on your face you will not feel very comfortable however, once it starts drying you will feel it "clearing" your skin.

I would suggest applying a conservative amount (just thick enough to cover your face) I have tried to use less and I wasn't even able to peel it (in the end I had to use warm water to wash it away, and once I used TOO much and it was an absolute disaster waiting for it to dry and peeling it off...

Caution though, when you are peeling do not peel too hard or you can peel off any hair which got stuck in the gel (which can be pretty painful) And you wouldn't want to damage your skin's surface by peeling too hard.

impressions:

• very effective
• suitable for those with out of control skin (due to climate change, stress, etc)
• easy to use
• instant results
• really clarifies and renews

Since my skin is not in a bad condition (not absolutely oily or dry) so I just use this once every 2 weeks when I feel that my skin needs to be clarified and renewed.

Seriously, I was skeptical at first, I never thought a mask product could instantly clarify and renew your skin until I used this product.

Just remember like all masks (especially this one, since it is a peeling mask) you must apply toner, serum/moisturizer after.

update (Jan. 23, 2014):
Just recently, due to climate changes, my skin was oily and dry in some areas... I felt my skin was going crazy: I started getting pimples in some parts of my face and in other parts skin was peeling. After using this mask I got my skin "clarified" and my skin instantly went back to "normal". The next morning I discovered that some of the pimples on my face have already disappeared, my skin stopped producing excess oil and the bumpy dry parts were smoothed.

Try it, because it really works!

rating: 10/10