Updated: Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream Review & Note about Authenticity and Logo

 I got a sample of this with some of my purchases from Korea, with this being one of them. I really liked the texture, so got this online when I needed a moisturizer. 

 All Korean words at the back. 

 Love the blue glass jar, and neat packaging. Also love Laneige cosmetics' scent for their products.

Note about logo: I have read reviews online and many question the authenticity of the Laneige items they buy because the logo doesn't have the tick at the I. Some do, some don't. I tried researching this a few times, and could only find one weird link that said that Laneige is changing their logo to the one above (ie, no tick at the I). I have checked out photos of people going to the Laneige counter for events etc, and I see this logo on their box and jar packaging, so it seems like it really is the new one.

The other thing I compared it to is my Laneige Water Supreme foundation that was bought at the Laneige shop in Korea, and the logo is like the one above. So I believe it is genuine. The scent and texture is also the same. My guess is the logo with the tick at the "i" may be the old logo, maybe older stock (but still within this year), and not that those items are fake either.

When in doubt, buy from a seller with heaps of good reviews or at retail stores. :) 

 Korean skin care and makeup tends to print the manufacture date, not expiry date. This one was made 2012, October 10! 

 What it says about the Water Bank line... 

 There's a little cap to keep the cream from spilling out, as well as to keep it clean, I suppose. Good idea.

 It truly is like a gel, very light and cooling upon application. 

Here's a picture of it blended on my hand. It leaves a slightly glossy but not oily film, and doesn't feel too heavy. 

However, though I am probably more used to a very minimal and light skin care routine (toner/essence, pimple cream, eye gel), layering this on top of all of that felt kind of suffocating for me. Don't get me wrong, I guess I'm just the sort who prefers skin that feels like there's nothing on it. So I will be using this more on dry spot areas instead of all over my face.

{Updated: I actually really love putting this on now! It doesn't feel "suffocating" anymore, and absorbs quickly, so it just feels ... hydrated. Haha.. I actually use it especially around my nose and mouth areas where my skin tends to get slightly dry. Works like a dream.)

Verdict: It does its job, and does moisturize the skin. Whether it does for 24 hours as it claims, I'm not too sure. I haven't used it everyday, but maybe every other day and it doesn't break me out (most important for me!). Happy with it to continue using this...

Bought for only SGD 28.80  from  Amorepacific,who is apparently the company that owns Laneige! This company owns Sulwhasoo, Innisfree, Mamonde, Iope... amongst others. Shipping is horrendously slow, but it is free, and if you aren't in a hurry, it's alright.

It retails for about $55 in stores, if I'm not wrong. 

I will be reviewing the eye gel soon, as well as Leaders Insolution and MediHeal masks! 

Stay tuned and please say hi if you feel comfortable to :) 

Kose Seikisho Clear Lotion Review

 I bought this quite some time ago when I read about it being effective for clearing up problem skin. I used it a few times and left it aside, but decided recently to try it again. I do love the sleek blue bottle.

 All Japanese words, and I've thrown the box away so for more information, check this page out. 

 Light, watery texture... I don't know why they don't just call this a toner... because it acts like one, to be used after facial cleansing and to remove dead skin and dirt. 

It has a rather strong medicated/herbal yet pleasant (to me) fragrance. I actually use a cotton pad instead of my hands.

I started using this after a bad hormonal breakout, and I am pretty sure adding this step helped improve my skin tone in about a week. No additional breakouts or rash on my sensitive skin.

Verdict: I like it alot, but have recently tried Laneige Skin Refiner Light, which I do like a lot too (even more watery and light, smells great and also doesn't break me out), so I'm not so sure if I'd repurchase this. I am halfway through this bottle, so will have to finish it up and then decide. :) 

Bought for SGD 33 (if I remember correctly) from Robinsons' Kose Counter. 

Petitfee GOLD & EGF Eye & Spot Patch Review

I read about this from blogs and had seen some good reviews so I decided to get a box to try. Ordered the Gold & EGF one...

These are the only English words on the box and tub... 

The jar, which comes with a spatula... but I don't bother with it because... it's cumbersome. And where do I keep it?

Little curvy shaped pieces of 'jelly' infused with gold sparkles and liquid. It sticks really well to the face, so you can plop it on and walk around with no fear of it coming off!

I have tried it a few times now, and every time, I get this slight burning/tingling sensation around my eyes. Thankfully, there's no skin reaction, ie rash, so it's very strange. I stopped it for two weeks.

I realized recently that my eye bags had grown. *crrrrry* So when I came home, I decided to try it again. Sure enough, there was that same tingling sensation, but when I peeled it off, my eye area seemed tighter. From sheer depression over these new-found bags, I decided to do them again at night. After that, I used the Laneige Water Bank eye gel, and the next morning.... 

After just 2 days, I swear my eye bags are smaller!!

I have continued to use it either in the morning or at night before bed... so far, so good. I think the tingling/burning sensation may just be the 'jelly' tightening the area around the eyes. Well, if I have no skin reaction to it and it works... I'm going to continue with it!

May try the Ginseng one next which is supposedly good for dark circles. This Gold one does seem to temporarily lighten dark circles... You can use the round patches for parts of the face, I guess...

Verdict- if you have very sensitive skin, you may not want to use this. The burning sensation was quite alarming for me. But I think the EGF must've helped. The eye patches are slightly too narrow, so they don't fit fantastically over the eyes. Be sure to place the patches right up, almost to the lash line, so you don't unknowingly create a line on the skin from the patch to the bare area .... am I making sense? haha... 

Bought here on offer at SGD 11.90 before shipping. 

Definitely going to purchase again and stock up! 

Missha The Style Shining Eyes Stick Review

I bought the Missha Shining Eyes Stick on a whim in GL01 when I bought a ton of other stuff from the same seller. 

I like to use gold, dark purple and dark green on my eyes... and my Revlon gold was really old so I threw that away and got this. :) In a handy stick form.

This is what it looks swiped, unblended. A flattering cool-toned gold. 

Once blended, it looks just like a light wash of sparkly color, great for a natural look. 

Texture is light, not creamy, with very subtle sparkle, which is good for eyes. Disco balls sparkles is not flattering. ;) 

It's a good buy considering the price, because there isn't a lot on the stick. It lasts the whole day but does rub off a little and crease a little into eyelids, so I guess the best would be to pat powder over the lid before using this. 

I like it! So may purchase the pink or silver in the future. A good buy. 

Purchased for SGD 6.50 from here. 

Skin Food Banana Yogurt Mask Review

 Decided to try these yummy pots of masks! I bought this Banana one and the Hot Sesame Mask, but so far, have only opened this one up. 

This one is supposed to soothe sensitive skin and rehydrate.

Click for more ...

Updated with blended pics: 3W Clinic Professional Powder Crystal Creator Bright Review

 Apparently this used to be called Palgantong Theatrical Powder. I'd heard about it ages ago and had been curious to try it but never knew where to get it till I saw it being sold on Qoo10 for an amazingly low price. So I got it, one for me, one for a friend. :)

There are claims that it slims the face, highlights areas that need to and downplays areas that shouldn't be... etc, but basically, this is a loose setting powder that gives a smooth, matte complexion with oil control.

Box has all Korean words, and as you can see, it comes in a huge plastic tub. When peeling off that sticker inside, do it really carefully, or you might get lots of powder coming out! 

I got it in Shade 23 Natural Beige, as I was worried no.21 (Light Beige) would be too white/light. I am quite fair, and am slightly more yellow toned than pink, and this gave me a brighter appearance. I used it on top of my bb cream.

I didn't show a swatch of it because it really blends out to nothing on my hand. :) 

Updated:

 Here's the colour of no 23, Natural Beige... slightly more pink toned, but I think it's ok as it brightens up the skin. 

On the right side of my hand, I blended a little bit of my Skin79 bb cream and then patted the 3W powder over it. 

When it's all blended, you can see it mattifies and brightens a little...

Texture- Very finely milled powder, very smooth whether you use the lovely squishy puff or a brush. Personally, I prefer using a brush with this (kabuki or normal, clean blush brush) as it gives a smoother and more even look.

Scent- very light baby powder scent. Quite pleasant.

Coverage- minimal, but it really smoothens out the complexion and makes it appear matte and almost poreless, like my Laneige Air Light compact.

Verdict- this is a great powder, price for the tub is awesome, and it does last. I walked and sweated with this on, and all I had to do was dab my sweat away and I had that smooth looking skin again. So it is great for oil control.

Honestly, the only thing is, I am not so sure if this breaks me out though it does state that it doesn't clog pores. I have tried it twice and both times after, I broke out a little. But it may just be that I have very sensitive skin anyway. I will have to try it again to see how it goes and update again :) I haven't heard any complaints from my friend though, who has drier, normal skin, so I think it should be ok. She has said it does give her skin a matte, smooth look on top of her compact.

Bought it for SGD7.20 from here. 

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask Review

 I was shopping on Qoo10 at this seller's shop, when I saw this and remembered I needed a clay mask. I read some good reviews on it, researched the brand (had never heard of Innisfree before this) and liked that it was attempting to be as green as possible, and used natural ingredients, so I put it in my cart. 

 Ingredients, parabens-free and has the important volcanic ash and kaolin to suck up all the oil and dirt! I ripped a sticker off it, so some words are faint. But I can see camellia, orchid, bamboo, cocoa extracts in this. Comes in a recycled paper box and the jar is also made of recycled plastic. I really like that!

 Picture is of Jeju volcanic ash? Looks like dirt/mud. :P

 There's a plastic cap to keep the clay mask from drying up. Very helpful! 

 I LOVE its texture. It's thick and not runny, so you don't need to scoop out tons to get a nice thick layer on your skin. It doesn't have a weird scent either, but smells.... like clay but pleasant :) Some people are picky about dipping their fingers repeatedly into a pot but... I wash my hands before touching any skin care, and am not fussy about that. ;)

 

 Just a little dab to show u how thick it is. 

And spread out on my skin. 

Reasons why I love this are:

1. it visibly brightens my skin after I wash it off

2. I don't need heaps of it to get a nice thick layer like above

3. it definitely helps with oil control for the next 24 hours

4. doesn't break me out at all. 

5. I leave it on for about 15-20 mins and it does dry up but not into a stiff, super-uncomfortable, my-face-is-gonna-crack kinda layer

I use it 1-2 times a week, and so far, so good! I bought it from this shop's link for SGD 15.50 before shipping. Definitely will buy it again when I run out! Am thinking about trying out some of the brand's other products next!

CU Clean-Up Super Sun Block Review

Today, I'm going to review my favourite sunblock! 

 I had gone to KK Hospital for some mild aesthetic (laser) procedures and needed a sunblock to protect the scars from turning into pigmentation. I have used a few brands of sunblock before, but was getting pretty lazy about it and haven't regularly applied it for the past few years. I don't tan very easily, don't have pigmentation, but because of the procedure, got scared out of my mind at possibly getting another skin problem. Plus, I thought I needed to take care of my skin before I got old. SOB.

There were a bunch on display but I'm not sure why I picked this up. Maybe because it had "sensitive skin" and "super antioxidant" on the bottle, and has pretty high SPF. In my opinion, why bother with SPF 20-30 if you can wear 50! :P

 No English words on the back.

Ingredients list on the box. It does have parabens and phenoxyethanol, but this doesn't break me out at all, and I have been using it for a few months now. (my skin is sensitive, combination-oily) It has plant stem extract in it...  I just read something about that being the latest trend in Korean cosmetics.

I have tried Biore (pink one), Avene (too heavy and white, so I use it for my body now), Cetaphil (my 2nd favourite), Lancome (it's ok) and some others I really don't remember now... But this one is definitely my favourite!

 It's a slightly runny, watery texture and white in color. Very lightweight. And for those who hate the white cast sunblock gives, look at how it is when it blends out! (very easy to blend out)

INVISIBLE!!!

It actuallly dries quickly and matte, so you can put on your bb cream or concealer over it right away. 

I don't tan easily, unless I purposely try to, but under normal circumstances, my skin was a normal, Asian- kind of fair, not very fair like some Koreans or Japanese.

After the laser procedure, I started wearing this everyday, especially where the laser marks were, and in just 1-1.5 weeks, I was noticeably much fairer. Even a friend noticed... She said my skin looked softer and seemed to glow too. HAHA, must be from getting fairer. 

You can buy it at KK Women's and Children's Hospital's Aesthetic clinic which is located within the Breast Centre on the 1st floor. Just ask the ladies at the counter where you can purchase the aesthetic products. :)

The price is a great plus too- it was about SGD 25+! Highly recommended. Even my mom asked me to get her a bottle, and she's fussy about skin care and cosmetics ;)

How to get there, click here.

Laneige Air Light Finishing Compact

 My MAC Studio Fix was running out (not even sure they have that range!) and I thought I'd try something new. Got this off Gmarket since I really liked their foundation, I thought this would be good too. 

I did quite a bit of research to check out their other compacts, and felt this would offer sufficient coverage on days I may not want to wear bb cream.

What is it: A pressed powder that supposedly brightens and gives your skin a transparent quality.  Contains air light minerals.

 Bought it in Natural Beige No. 2. 

It comes in a square shaped compact with a little plastic separator for the puff, which I thought was kind of awkward, but alright, since it keeps the puff clean. 

Coverage- Very light. When applied on top of my bb cream, it creates a very poreless, matte finish, which is nice. I haven't tried it on my bare face yet though. I think the puff does nothing to help a smooth application though... may be better to use your own slightly more porous sponge.

Color- My MAC color is usually NC30, and this has a pinkier tone which gives skin a slightly brighter look. It does work a little better than MAC's which is more yellow-based. I feel it looks better when used under the eyes too to set concealer. 

So would I buy it again after it's done? I'm not sure yet. I think I may need something that provides a little more coverage. It really is as the name states, a finishing powder. However the good thing is that it didn't break out my sensitive, combination skin, which is a huge plus. 

I bought this online here for SGD37.90, but I'm sure it costs more from the department shops.

L'Oreal Infallible 024 & 002 Review

 I got these two shades from the L'Oreal Infallible range. I got 024 Bronze Goddess last year, and 002 Hourglass Beige just last month. 

 Very pigmented and you can layer the color with an eyeshadow brush for more depth, or blend it out for a light wash of colour. I usually just use my fingers to blend it out, but if I want more color, I pack it on (also with finger :)

I use Hourglass Beige for everyday, for just a bit of color and sparkle. The great thing about these shadows is they last the entire day through the hot day and sweating, and don't crease!

There's a little cover that says Keep Me inside to keep the eyeshadow moist(?), in any case, I'll just keep it in. It helps to pack the eyeshadow together too, if not it might get a little crumbly.

Texture- silky, very easy to blend out, and smooth. Very pigmented and great for smoky eyes (dark colors) or everyday. 

Retails for SGD14.90 but sometimes Guardian or Watson's has sales and I got my Hourglass Beige for $11.90. Love it! And if I find another color I really like, I will get more.

Updated with ingredients list: Vichy NormaDerm Active Anti- Imperfection Concentrate Review

 I bought this two or three months ago to try as I was getting a breakout and one blog reviewer who tried it gave it a very good review! The fact that it worked for her and that her skin type was like mine (oily T zone but with dry parts, and small breakouts) gave me some confidence to try it out.

I'd been using Oxy5 for awhile but the thing I hated about it was how drying it was. It would dry out the skin around the pimple and leave a slight scar. This one, however, does not dry out the skin AT ALL!

 The back of the tube. Not much info on the packaging. But it does contain 4% salicylic acid which works at killing those zits, and contains some good mineral water from France. Haha...

The packaging actually claimed to reduce the size of the pimple in 8 hours and make it completely disappear in 24hrs. It wasn't true for me at all, but I kept at it and after 1 week, my skin improved considerably. I've been continuing with it, and with good skin care, proper removal of makeup etc (not including hormonal periods every month), this pimple cream really works.

Updated:  For pimples that aren't huge but just slightly inflammed, this pimple cream does bring down the redness very quickly, for me, and they go away in about a day.

It has a slight greenish tinge but when applied, is colorless. I don't use it only on big spots but just spread it out over the area with pimples. A little does go a long way. It dries matte and is non-sticky too, which I love. Am definitely going to buy more when it runs out... which is soon! I use it twice a day, and it doesn't dry my face out.

Retails for SGD 29 at pharmacies, I got mine at Watsons. If the salesgirl is at the booth when you go, ask for samples of whatever you'd like to try from their brand, they're quite happy to let you try. :)

Updated:  Last weekend 03/11/12, I went to two Watsons at different shopping malls and could not find it!! I panicked for a bit, but thankfully they're still available in abundance at KK Hospital (got a box there), and my cousin spotted them at the Watsons at the new wing of Plaza Singapura. I hope they never discontinue this!

More info here.