1.11.2022

My 2021 Skincare Empties


 Hey Subbies,

Okay, I just want to put it out there that I bought Tone up cream ( I bought a similar product from TheFaceshop). When this new type of skincare came out I was confused. I was looking for information on how to use it at the time but now there are multiple videos on it. But what I logically put together about is that is a Toner and Cream moisturizer. Now I have seen YouTubers use it as a base to even out their skin tone for makeup or if they don't have time to do all of their skincare they will throw it on to save time. It is also great for the Glass Skin application since some of them contain specific physical filters of that of Sunblock/ SPF (Sun Protection Factor).

Anyways, here is my empties. I decided to divide it up into sections this time so please let me know if you have tried any of these products.

Will Buy Again/ Re-bought


This is a Black-owned brand that I have mentioned before and I to take a minute to remember they had rebranded. It's a great nighttime moisturizer since it contains lavender. I usually don't like lavender in skincare but I don't mind it on the body since it also contains shea butter.


I wish had the money for that three-pack when I was in Japan. Hopefully, I'll be able to travel soon so I can stock up the black version which I heard is more moisturizing.

I feel like people are sleeping on ELF cosmetics. I just have really been enjoying their skincare and there has been a lot of South Korean influence on the brand over the years. I'm currently using some of the Super-line with the Cica (Centella) mask, a Squalane moisturizer, and I even bought the Holy Hydration plus the Night cream for my mom that have been favorites.
I really like the texture of the serum. I actually bought a Missha set that includes this serum and the Time Revolution. I'm kind of on a Probiotics kick.  
I actually mention this in my last post. If I had picked between the very popular Aqua Cure based on price and usability I would pick this. Also, it took me forever to get thru lol. 
I really like this cleanser, would recommend it to sensitive skin types.
This was great as a base for makeup.
Really love this product and it is great if you want to achieve the Glass Skin look. Pair this with a highlighting cream /serum. 
This does have a Tea tree scent and skin may purge because of the tea tree but after your skin gets accumulated it will help to keep acne at bay.
I'm so happy you can get this over the counter for everyone. You all know that I had retinol prescribed to me as a teenager and it has wonderful benefits so if you're struggling with ance I would try this or get a doctor to prescribe you a higher dose plus a routine to follow. The derm prescribed me retinol, sulfur face wash or you can get ointment to spot treat, and moisture plus SPF.
I watched a Dr. Dray video and I think it was about body odor and now I'm on my second bottle. If you can't afford it there are a lot of benzoyl peroxide wash-offs on the market at different price points. However, I would like to try the Lume brand that does about the same thing.
I bought this because I thought I would be traveling last year. I also bought Nivea body cream which I'm also working through during this winter. My skin is usually really dry so having this really helped and it has mild scent.
This is another black-owned brand. They have a line of hair care and I really love the smell of this product. Castor Oil is very moisturizing and is similar in consistency of Coconut oil so it would be great for hair and body.
Love this in my baths and very moisturizing.
This mask is great but my first mask of the year was a banana mask. However, when I finished it I was really sad lol.
I have bought this shampoo time and time again. It is great for pH balancing the scalp and all their products smell like Citrus. I currently trying to use up the deep conditioner.
Ichikami I think was alluded to in the video I linked to in my Rice Water post. So if you want to add this to hair treatment day you can. It's very softening and even used on my wigs because of the floral scent (plus my eyes are very sensitive to certain scents I used it so often but the brand has options now.
I looked for a cheaper SheaMoisture brand and bought this purely because it had similar scents as the very Defunct Wen Haircare. I also had the leave-in condition but was not my favorite due to the heavy artificial coconut scent.

Neutral

Love the hydrogel eye patches and the amount you get just not the serum.
Every time I see a snail product I have to think about their just like 1% of snail filtrate in this product. I feel like I'm being scammed but at the same time it does moisturize so I'm conflicted.
I bought this to see what all the hype was about this product. My only gripe with this product was the top and dipping my hand into the product was very tedious. 
The was a really interesting serum and it also smelled like Tamanu oil but I didn't mind it. Also, it contained olive oil and I'm surprised now that I didn't breakout. I'm wondering now if fermenting Olive oil possibly won't cause me to break out in hives.  I will say I would not recommend buying this if you have sensitivity to yeast.
I almost forgot to post this Cleansing Oil by Goodal. I actually wasn't a big fan because they used mineral oil but I became conflicted. Why you ask? Well because I bought Sioris Cleansing Oil which I'm still currently using but actually not a fan of for a few reasons but ended up mixing what I had left of this with the Sioris to make a more pleasant experience. 

No Buy

I paid a pretty penny for TheFacehop's Yehwadam Snow Lotus Brightening Pearl Capsule Cream product. It's literally a precursor for the Tone-up cream. I used it as a base for Diba Cushion to help it match better with match my skin tone. And it does have a fragrance so I had some skin sensitivity.

I'm currently using the Dr. Gio Cushion which I love btw. This cushion like I stated above, it did not match me and I went through the color match system they had on the website a couple of times to make sure I was picking the correct shade. And the cushion came to me near its expiration date and my skin broke out every time I wore it. My other problem with actually both websites is that their promo codes did not work or the website had the promo codes disabled.
I actually got this in a skincare giveaway from Beauty Cookie and as you see I did not finish it. The smell of the product was not pleasant and it actually reminded me of my Tamanu Oil with its earthiness and Playdough. I don't know if I got a bad batch since the minority of people online love the scent and the moisturizing effect it has on the skin. Also, this product has been sitting in a dark and cool place since my bathroom area does not have a window.


12.28.2021

Best of J-beauty Skincare 2021

 Hey Subbies,

I hope everyone had a Happy Holiday and Christmas. I was thinking about making an update to the Best of J-beauty post I did over two years ago. And it has hit me on the head to really tackle it once again since I was watching a couple of Japanese magazines like Vivi, Biteki, and JJ (they even have Japanese voice-over actors doing skincare skits) on Youtube since I was surprised they were covering the best of Cosme 2021 aka J-beauty and there are no direct subs for us, international peasants, lol. But one skincare youtube I finally got around to watching her best of beauty said "J beauty should be the next big thing" and me being like "That is the 21st time hearing that and won't be the last." Personally, I think it has been a lot easier to get J-beauty now because the explosion of K-beauty has allowed more brands from the Asian region to catch a ride-along in the e-commerce rat race. 

My main issues with J-Beauty are the use of alcohol /fragrance in Japanese skincare, the interesting popularity of the western luxury brand, and the lack of tutorials/demonstrations on how to use products. But the other issue is with Japan is the "beauty" export politics, shipping cost, and the high cost of goods in general. I remember looking at Japanese goods and being like I'm better off saving for a luxury brand when I was getting into Japanese subcultures back then. I think K-beauty as many brands that there has a lot growing still believe it or not. There are brands for almost every skin condition and the international market wants active ingredients like vitamin a and extracts (which used to be pushed to mature skin but Skinfood, Neogen, I'm from, Sulwhasoo, Beauty of Joseon, Cosrx, etc. has you covered). I just finish an exfoliator spray from a lesser know k-beauty brand called Ladykin. And I just found out I can buy The Pure Lotus another K-brand I have tried and has lotus extract on Peach and Lily. 

Anyways let's get on with the Best of J-Skincare...

Cleanser

  • Shu Uemura Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil 4.8
  • Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash 4.6
  • Kanebo Suisai Beauty Clear Black Powder Wash 5.0

Exfoliate

    • Sabon Face Polisher Refreshing 5
    • KAO ines gentle scrub cleanse 5
    • Benefique Reset Clear N

    Lotion = Toner 

    • Hadalabo Gokujyun Alpha Ultimate Anti-Aging Toner 4.7
    • IPSA The Time R Aqua 4.5

    Serum | Essence

    • DECORTÉ Liploid Advanced Repair Serum
    • Dr.Ci:Labo VC100 Essence Lotion EX 4.6

    Emulsion = Moisturizers 



    • ETVOS Ultimate Lotion 4.1
    • Ihada Medicinal clear balm 5

    Mist



    • Comfort Day Mist Balancing Moisture - Decorté 4.2

    Eye & Lip

    • DHC Lip Cream 4.6
    Skin Treatment

    • SHISEIDO vital perfection Wrinkle Lift Deep Retino White 5
    • Shiseido Elixir Enriched Wrinkle Cream 4.5
    • ONE BY KOSÉ The Wrinkless 5

    Sunscreen

    • Orbis Wrinkle White UV Protector SPF50+ PA++++ 4.4
    • Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence 4.7
    Mask


    • Kanebo Smile Performer Sheet Mask 4.4
    • pdc / Wafood Maid Lees Pack

    12.23.2021

    The Best of Korean Skincare Must Haves (2021-2022)

    Hey Subbies, 

    Happy Holidays Everyone! I thought this year's list was going to be hard to put together but the enthusiasts I needed have spoken. I was trying to wait a little longer for specific YouTubers but they were busy this year starting brands or moving or preparing for kids. Also, I'm going to upload my empties probably next week but there is a lot. The funny part of creating this post was on my deadline day everyone decided to post their favorites. However, the most frustrating part was seeing the "Empties videos" in the middle of the is the month and "What I will not be buying again." I'm so used to seeing them in January or during seasonal changes like at the beginning of Spring/Summer or Fall/Winter. 

    And I almost forgot I bought some skincare from the Top popular sites but I think for the future I'm going buy direct from Korea. So my order takes about days to get me like when I buy K-pop CDs versus 3 weeks without proper updates from the popular sites. Also shout out to Style Korean, Olive young, Jolse, even iHerb, and Sephora since they are now in the Korean market now and all of them are having Christmas sales. Here is last year's list if you want more options. 

    Adopting the Nordic lagom concept meaning “just the right amount”, Korean brand make p:rem simplifies skin care routines with its multifunctional products. With a mission of simplifying your beauty regimen, make p:rem focuses on creating simple, effective and multifunctional skin care products to complement any existing skin care routine. The brand’s collection uses highly pure natural ingredients like Arctic raspberry extract, Finnish birch sap and peat water from Denmark, and counts on the brand’s patented Micro Trans Moisture Technology to effectively deliver them into skin. Packaging and ingredient quantity are kept minimal, reflecting the "just right" philosophy. All products are made in Korea. YesStyle is an authorized retailer of make p:rem.

    Created to "Make Pragmatic Remedy", MAKE P:REM Korea is a clean, high-performance Kbeauty skin care brand that provides minimalistic and innovative Korean skin care products. All MAKE P:REM skincare products focus on key ingredients that help maintain your optimum skin health, a vivid representation of how MAKE P:REM Korea always stays true to their Nordic lagom concept to create Korean skincare products with "just the right amount". Formulated with skin-friendly ingredients, MAKE P:REM Korea prides themselves with their multifunctional K beauty skin care products that are calming to sensitive skin type. Made to relieve dryness and irritation for sensitive skin, all MAKE P:REM skincare products are EWG approved and contain naturally derived skincare ingredients that are completely safe and mild. From MAKE P:REM moisturizer to MAKE P:REM sunscreen, the entire MAKE P:REM skincare collection has become a must-try K beauty remedy for people who struggle with sensitive skin that is prone to irritation and chemicals.

    BEAUTY GURU FAVES

    • MAKE P:REM Safe Me. Relief Moisture Cleansing Milk 200mL 5.0
    • MAKE P:REM Safe Me. Relief Moisture Cream 12 4.6
    • MAKE P:REM Safe Me. Relief Moisture Green Ampoule 3.5
    • Make p:rem UV Defense ME. Daily Sun Fluid 150ml 5.5
    • Make P:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam 150mL 4.6
    • Make P:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cleansing Oil 210ml 4.6
    • Make P:rem Calming Tone Up Sun Cream 4.8

    Cleanser

    • heimish All Clean Balm 5.0
    • Pure Cleansing Oil | ma:nyo factory 4.8
    • Banila co Clean It Zero 4.7
    • Hanskin Cleansing Oil & Blackhead 4.4
    • Klairs Gentle Black Fresh Cleansing Oil 4.7

    Exfoilate


    • Secret Key Lemon Sparkling Peeling Gel 4.7
    • Sioris My Soft Grain Scrub 45g 4.6

    Toner | Water | Removers

    • Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner 4.7
    • Beauty of Joseon Green Plum AHA Bubble Toner 4.6
    • Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner 4.6
    • Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner 4.9

    Serum | Essence | Ampoule | Oil

    • Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum : Propolis+Niacinamide 4.6
    • Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 4.6
    • Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica 100 Ampoule 4.7
    • TIA'M Vita B3 Source 40ml 4.6

    Moisturizer | Lotion | Cream | Gel

    • illiyoon ceramide ato concentrate cream 200ml 4.8
    • Dr.G RED Blemish Clear Soothing Cream 3.9
    • ROVECTIN Clean Lotus Water Calming Cream 5.0

    Eye Cream | Lip 

    • Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Hydrogel Eye Patch 4.5
    • Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream 4.7
    • First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream 4.4
    • Coxir - Black Snail Collagen Eye Cream 4.1
    • PURITO Centella Green Level Eye Cream 30ml 4.6
    Mist | Spray
    • KLAVUU Green Pearlsation Tea Tree Care Body Spray 100ml 4.4
    • Sioris Time Is Running Out Mist 4.6

    Sunscreen | SPF

    • COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50 PA+++ 50ml 4.7
    • Make p:rem UV Defense ME. Daily Sun Fluid 150ml 5.5
    • Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50+ 4.8

    Skin Treatments | Repair



    • Corsx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Facial Toner 4.5
    • Rovectin Skin Essentials Activating Treatment Lotion 4.7

    Masks

    • LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask EX 4.7
    • Axis-Y New Skin Resolution Gel Mask 5.0
    • COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask 60ml 4.6
    • COSRX - Acne Pimple Master Patch 4.4

    12.21.2021

    My Top Most Favorite K-POP Songs of 2021

     


    Hey Subbies, 

    I was trying to finish this over the weekend but alot things came up. I'm still working on the K-beauty post but competition is stiff for the top brand highlight I like to do. Anyways I finally looked at my Spotify wrapped and learn that the idea of the annual wraps came from someone who was interviewing for a job at Spotify but as a designer I'm not really surprised since people like to phish for ideas from creatives all the time. So my list this year was on point, I listened to a lot of French female artists because they came out with bangers. I did not see WOODZ nor A.C.E on my list but Blackpink made it. The annoying part of my listening experience was that my ears keep getting impacted and my ear are small like elves ears so they have been a pain to get cleaned either at home or the doctors. But other than that my favorite feature of this year's spotify wrapped was getting those "Thank you for the support" greeting from the artist. I recieved Seventeen, Twice, Itzy, and TXT. Also I didn't add Twice here on my list but mentioned them in the honorary part since my favorite comeback I already talked about them in my K-Halloween post which I linked at the bottom of the post. 

    LOONA - Paint The Town (PTT)

    ATEEZ -  Fireworks

    AILEE - AMY

    CL - Lover Like Me

    CRAVITY - VENI VIDI VICI

    HIGHLIGHT - NOT THE END

    JEON SOMI - XOXO

    LeeHi - H.S.K.T. & Red Lipstick

    Monsta X - You Problem

    OneUs - LUNA

    Pixy - Addicted

    Shinee - Atlantis Don't Call Me

    TXT - Frost

    ITZY -  MAFIA in the morning

    Everglow - Pirate

    HyunA - Good Girl

    Chung Ha - Bicycle & X

    DPR LIVE -  Hula Hoops (ft. BEENZINO, HWASA) | DPR IAN - No Blueberries (ft. DPR LIVE, CL) 

    StayC - ASAP

    Sunmi - Tail

    Dreamcatcher - BEcause


    Honorable Mentions

    Everglow - First

    Twice - Taste of Love

    Aespa - Savage

    Seventeen - Ready to Love

    Hoshi - Spider

    Treasure - MMM

    NCT - Hot Sauce

    Key - Bad Love

    WJSN Black - Easy