Showing posts with label skincare. Show all posts

[REVIEW] Cure Natural Aqua Gel

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Hi guys! I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas and can you believe it's almost 2014????? Since I probably won't update on New Year's, image!!!!
 I still live in the 2007 time period, I don't really know what's so special about 2007 for me but it's sort of like a benchmark year for me. And I just realized it's been 7 years since 2007....omg

 It's been a while since I last posted...I haven't really been in the mood to blog lately /procrastination.

 But let's get onto the review~

 I was fortunate enough to receive the highly-raved Cure Natural Aqua Gel (250 mL) as a present for Christmas so I decided "hey let's get off my lazy butt and do a review"

Cure Natural Aqua Gel (250 ml)
(Ranges from $30-$40+ USD)



If you don't know about this product, it is the #1 best-selling exfoliate in Japan- apparently selling 1 bottle every 12 seconds! 


 What they claim:


  • Gentle and natural exfoliating gel that removes dead skin effectively without causing undue stress to the skin.
  • Removes only unwanted dead skin.
  • Neither dries or thins your skin, preventing irritation and vulnerability to sun damage.
  • Gently and effectively removes old and dead skin cells to promote skin renewal and prevent skin problems.
  • With regular use, Cure keeps your skin healthy, smooth and glowing.
  • Contains 90% revitalized hydrogen water and natural plant extracts from aloe vera, gingko and rosemary.
  • Does not use preservatives, fragrance, artificial colorings or alcohol that can irritate skin.
    • (Courtesy of YesAsia)
    My Experience:
    (I would yield caution if you don't like semi-close up pictures of skin)
    **Pictures edited w/ adjusted brightness & contrast so you can see the results better unless stated


      Watery consistency, looks slightly milky. Doesn't smell like anything.

    After rubbing in for 10 seconds:


    Q: What are those flakes?
    A: My dead skin that came off after rubbing in the product. Gross right? But it's oddly satisfying and mystifying at the same time. But this is most likely why it's Japan's #1 selling product. Because you actually see your dead skin come off.


    Here's another picture in case you are interested:



    Now here's an unedited picture


    The pink circle is not representing my dead skin but where I rubbed the product in. Now divert your eyes to the outer edges of the circle, can you see a difference in the brightness in my skin? It may be hard to tell in this picture (and I purposely didn't edit this so you get the real thing) but if you can look close enough, there is definitely a difference.

    When I first applied this to the left side of my cheek and washed the whole thing off, I didn't notice at first but I my cheek was visibly brighter than the rest of my face xD! Thank you to my mom for pointing that out.

    My skin is visibly brighter, softer, and smoother.

    I like to dub this product as "the little miracle product"

    Conclusion:
    1 billion stars / 10 Seriously.
    Pros:
    Does what it claims. Enough said.
    Cons:

    On the pricey side. (Ranges from $30-$40 USD)
    Tips:
    • When I say you do not need a lot, you really do not need a lot. I hardly press down the pump and the amount of product that comes out covers one whole side of my cheek.
    • Do not apply when your face is wet.
    • Only need to be used 1~2 times a week. (* I recommend once)
    • Do not apply on the face all at once. Instead, apply in specific areas of your face at one time. For example, my routine is forehead, left cheek, right cheek, nose, chin. Since on my first trial I spread the product all over my face, after I finished one area and went to the next, it was all dried up! However, this 'technique' prevents this from happening
    • Use a moisturizer afterwards to retain moisture in the skin.


    Don't forget to comment down below!
    (PS: Would you like to see a "What I Got for Christmas Haul?")

    [REVIEW] My Scheming: Green Tea and Barley Whitening Sheet Mask

    6 Comments »


    I noticed my skin is starting to dry out as it gets colder outside. Oddly enough it's really hot at this moment although we are in October. Anyways, I thought I should treat my skin to a sheet mask since I seldom do them (because I'm lazy) and in the meantime do a review! Killing two birds with one stone  


    My Scheming is a Taiwanese sheet mask brand. If you are familiar with My Beauty Diary masks then this brand is exactly like it, except the packaging is cuter in my opinion.



    The dotted lines are so you can pop-out the lid and all of your sheets will be displayed. It's more for stores when they are selling individual masks.




    "Green tea contains abundant chlorophyllin, Catechin, Vitamin c, Vitamin E, and B-Caroteen. Green tea polyphenots is a good Anti-oxidant. Barley can remove melanin, brighten dim skin, promote skin metabolism, and smoothen coarse skin."

    Ingredients: Beadlike Grain Extract • Green Tea Extract • Collagen • Aloe Extract • Watercress Extract • Xanthan Gum • 1,3 Butylene Glycik • Disodium Edta • Dmom Hydanton • Phenoxyethanol • Methylparaben • Water

    (If anyone could tell me what the last row of ingredients are excluding water, comment below and I will give you brownie points.)

    Directions: After cleansing, remove pearl paper and place the mask over your face. Press it lightly onto your face. Leave on for about 15-20 minutes. Remove the mask. Pat and leave for essence absorption.



    There are 10 packets per box.


     This mask definitely does moisturize my skin. After taking it off and massaging in the extra essence left on my face, my face felt smoother, softer, and more supple. When I look in the mirror, I can tell my skin looks less tired, more radiant, and overall, more happy.

    As for whitening, I believe it makes your skin more radiant if anything. I'm not into the whole "white skin = beautiful" phase (anymore). To me, I use whitening products to balance out my skin tone and get rid of any pigmentation I have, which is A LOT. 

    The only "bad" thing I have to say about this mask is that I have to wash the essence off after I massage it in. This may sound rhetorical but I do not fully massage in the essence. Like I said, I'm lazy and to massage in all of the essence takes a lot of time. So if I just leave the essence lying on my face, it gets sticky and gross feeling to me. This also happens with My Beauty Diary Masks too so this is not the only brand that does this to me. The stickiness does go away though after a couple of minutes but I rather just wash it off because I'm sensitive when it comes to my skin on my face feeling gross. 


    --In a nutshell--

    Pros:

    - Moisturizes 
    - Smoothens
    - Makes skin more radiant
    - Not expensive ($10-$15 depending where you live for 10 sheets)
    - A lot of extra essence left inside the packet
    - Do not have to wash essence off
    -Made of good material

    Cons:
    -Does not whiten
    - Leaves sticky feeling on skin


    Overall:  / 5











    The Road To Better Skin

    6 Comments »

    I thought I'd share with everyone my road to achieving better, healthier skin. No one wants pimples all over their face. It effects our self confidence, how we view ourselves, and overall, our whole lives. 


    If you didn't know, I have acne-prone, oily skin. This combo is lethal as the oils from my skin can clog my pores and add to more acne than I want. I would use facial washes and topical treatments to fight these breakouts. Yet, I still managed to get new pimples overnight, adding to the ones I had the day before and the day before that. Ever since the summer of last year I also start to get small pimples that dot all over my forehead (only during spring/summer and early fall).

    However, ever since this summer began I only get one pimple once a week and my skin isn't so oily anymore. Why is that? The answer is simple and is available to almost everyone in the world. It is probably the cheapest remedy out there. The answer is: 

    Water.

    What I love best about this simple remedy is that it's cheap and practically available to the majority of the human population. I used to never drink water and if I did, it would only be when I'm thirsty. After learning that water flushes out all of the nasty toxins/buildup in our bodies and can keep skin healthy, I decided "Why not?" The recommended 2 liters of water may seem like a lot but I assure you, it's for the best. 

    To be very honest, I'm not even sure if I drink 2 liters of water a day. But what I do drink is 3-4 15 fl. oz. canteens of filtered water per day. Ever since I began, the results have been tremendous. The only con about drinking so much water is that I'm constantly going to the bathroom hahaha >.< But I think your body begins to adjust to the amount of water you intake because I don't go as frequent as I used to. 

    Other tips to the road to better skin would be sleep. Skin regenerates at night time when we sleep. I go to bed fairly early, no later than 10 P.M. This allows plenty of time for my skin cells to regenerate. A habit of sleeping late can be a reason to your troubled skin.

    Another tip would be diet and exercise. To be very honest, I can eat chips and not get a pimple from it but for others, this may not be the case! I'm sure if I had chips, a hamburger, and soda in one day that I would break-out like crazy but my diet does not consist of any of those things mentioned (except for chips. I'm a chip junkie.) I also exercise everyday whether it be a simple walk or a 30 minute jog. Exercise means sweating which equals getting rid of nasty toxins and build up just like water! 


    I still don't have perfect skin. I am currently suffering from uneven skin tone due to redness and acne scars as well as enlarged pores. Yet I hardly suffer from acne anymore and my oily-ness has been reduced. Even so, I hope this has helped you on your road to better skin...

    [REVIEW] Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion Light (for oily & acne-prone skin)

    6 Comments »

    My first non-sponsored review (on tumblr and on here)! 

     Before I start my review I would like to give a little background about my skin. I have oily and acne-prone skin but it can also get dry if I shower in water too hot for my skin to handle. I have been suffering from acne ever since I could remember. Back then I would always have pimples marking my face, but now I only get a pimple or two once a week. Mainly I'm suffering from scars left by these pimples, enlarged pores on my cheeks, and oily skin. 

     ☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・☆.。.:*・

     I actually meant to buy the Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Moist) but I got confused as I can't read Japanese ><.

    (Moist)
    But what I did not know is the one I actually got, the Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Light) is for oily and acne-prone skin! Just what my skin needs!



    Price range: $$

    What the company claims:
    This toner is in lightweight texture for oily and acne prone skin. It refreshes, tones and refines rough skin texture to create matte and silky finish. Contains Supahiaruron Acid and Hyaluronic Acid for re-hydrating benefit. With advanced Nano technology, the intensive hydrating ingredients contained in this toner is able to penetrate into the skin for effective moisturizing result without leaving greasy layer on the skin.

    Product Description:
    Hada Labo Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Lotion instantly hydrates skin and helps preserve its optimum moisture balance. Replenishes and locks-in moisture for complete hydration. Skin feels significantly soft and supple. Helps improve dry and dehydrated skin, leaving it silky smooth. Skin pH balanced. Low irritation. Free of fragrances, mineral oil, alcohol and colorant.

    Directions:
    Use after cleansing. Put some in palm or use cotton pad to saturate the lotion. Gently pat on the skin until it is absorbed. Use moisturizer afterwards for a complete protection.

    (via Amazon)
    ---

    My Experience:

    I like to use cotton balls rather than my hands when applying toner because I like to see the dirt that I was still on my face even after I washed with a cleanser. (A form of self satisfaction I guess hahaha) I also think it's more sanitary to do so. 

    Can you see the yellow-ness on the cotton ball? That is the dirt that failed to come off my skin after cleansing. (Also please excuse my nail polish)


    • Texture ♥♥♥♥♥/5 : It's lightweight and clear, just like water. (It also looks exactly like water too.)

    • Smell ♥♥♥♥♥/5 : In the product description above it says that the product is "Free of fragrances," yet I noticed it smelled slightly acidic, but it's faint. It makes sense though since it contains Supahiaruron Acid and Hyaluronic Acid. Personally, a product's smell does not bother me unless it is really strong or just smells plain bad. For those who are sensitive to perfumes in their products (although I doubt there is perfume in this product since it smells acidic) it should be fine. 

    • Moisture ♥♥♥♥♥/5 : This product never fails to put in moisture back into my skin, making it smooth and soft to the touch. I didn't even use a moisturizer after my toner and my skin is still so moisturized and soft! 

    • Oil control ♥♥♥/5 : Unfortunately, this does not control my excessive oils that come out from my skin. I find that my skin still gets shiny during the day.

    • Finish ♥♥♥/5 : Unlike what the product claims, I did not get a matte finish. My face was slightly shiny, like how it is after I do a sheet mask.

    • OVERALL ♥♥♥♥/5 : I had to take off points for the product not controlling my oil and not leaving my face matte. It is also very refreshing like it claims to be! But if you are looking for something that would moisturize your face, then I highly recommend this! 

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