REVIEW: Anessa All-in-One UV Pact Sunscreen – Light

As a die-hard fan of Anessa’s sunscreens, I had to try the new all in one pact!

This pact is a multi-tasking compact foundation which protects skin against UV rays and helps prevent makeup from fading (essentially a primer). SPF50+ PA+++.

UV Filters: Titanium Dioxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Zinc Oxide (mix of chemical and mineral fliters)

The pact consists of 50% skincare ingredients including Tormentil flower, collagen, green tea to protect the skin from dryness.

There are two shades available: Light and Natural – I’ll be reviewing shade Light today!

The packaging of this product is extremely similar to a cushion foundation. Made in Japan. Non-comedogenic.

Sponge of the pact is rather thin, but a traditional pact sponge.

Shade: Light

Consistency: Smooth, light and extremely creamy.

Shade: Very light compared to their BB sunscreen – comparable to NC10-15 in MAC. Beige undertone.

Scent: A light citrus scent, nothing too overpowering

Blended

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

I was quite surprised at how little product was given compared to its packaging. The packaging is quite thick, which I find slightly bulky and a little unnecessary.

First swatch was creamy and smooth. It felt like Tatcha’s blurring primer. I applied it with the sponge given, and tried it with a beauty blender after. The sponge provided a fuller coverage, while the beauty blender sheered it out.

It felt extremely silky on the skin, but had the tendency to cling onto dry patches I didn’t knew existed, such as under my eyes and around my mouth, lol! It did not mix well with products I layered on after either, such as my concealer and blush – it made me look quite patchy with an uneven skintone. Powder didn’t work well with it either.

I wore it outside with a mask for about 6 hours, and when I got home I was an oily mess. The dry patches showed more (or maybe I need to exfoliate badly). I had to cleanse my face immediately.

On the bright side, no irritation or breakouts to the face!

THOUGHTS:

I may have to try this product again considering how I didn’t like it the first time. Product did not sink into my skin as I hope it would and felt like I layered a ton of blurring primer on. It felt greasy throughout the day.

Overall, I don’t quite fancy this product as the shade range is a little off and it doesn’t stay put for as long as I thought. Will have to give it another shot! Meanwhile, I’ll stick to their OG sunscreens.

If you’ve tried this product, let us know your thoughts 💕

Stay safe, and be kind to one another.

WORTH THE HYPE? Laneige Radian C Cream Review

Purchased the newly launched and very hyped Laneige Radian C Cream from Sephora

I have been into vitamin c products for a long time, and was curious about Laneige’s new product, which is all over their Instagram.

Price: $46 CAD, 30ml

Claims: A gentle daily moisturizer, enriched with vitamins C and E, that visibly brightens your skin in as little as three days. For skin types Normal to Dry. Powered by 8.5 percent vitamin C, this moisturizer visibly addresses dullness due to dark and ultra-fine spots (only visible under UV light). The kind-to-skin formula is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic.

(Source: Sephora.ca)

Highlighted Ingredients:

– Vitamin C Derivative: A potent, stable compound with visible brightening benefits.

– Vitamin E: Boosts the antioxidant effects of vitamin C.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

Cream comes in a thick, heavy, glass screw-on jar. Screw on jars are something I’m not a fan of when it comes to moisturizers – especially for Vitamin C products as it may oxidize after multiple uses. 

THE SCENT. Wow. Extremely over powering. Smells as if the chemists of this cream poured a ton of citrus infused essential oils by accident. Very Vitamin C-vibe, but a little unnecessary in my opinion.

The cream comes with a spatula, which I definitely appreciate as I refuse to stick my fingers into a jar, whoop!

Cream has a bouncy texture, in between a jelly cream and a thick moisturizer. Spreads and absorbs easily on my skin. 

Used it on my dry cheeks, felt slightly heavy at first but the heaviness goes away about 2 minutes in.

THOUGHTS:

I have used this cream for over 2 weeks now. A little goes a very long way.

I only use it at night as it’s way too heavy to be a daytime moisturizer. Vitamin C products shouldn’t be used in the day time either – use a ton of SPF instead!

My skincare routine while using this cream (I switched it up to see its effects):

• COSRX Propolis Toner
• COSRX Snail 96 Essence
• Laneige Radian C Cream

I had multiple breakouts before using this cream which left a bit of scarring. 

After 2 weeks of use, I found my skin to be really moisturized, however it did not help my scarring at all (or at least the pigmentation left behind).

It is a great night cream after all! My face is usually dry in the mornings but not with this cream. As for it’s Vitamin C effects, I haven’t experienced a ton yet but perhaps I’ll need to use this more, maybe give it a month or so.

However, because of its fragrance and price tag, I probably wouldn’t repurchase once I’m done using this jar. 

Fragrance wise, please, Laneige whyyyy you gotta do this to all your products (except cream skin refiner which I love). Just why. 

No breakouts or any irritation experienced.

I would recommend a Vitamin C serum instead if you’re looking to target dark spots/pigmentation.

If you’ve tried this cream, let us know your thoughts!

REVIEW: Jayjun Rose Blossom Mask

Jayjun’s line of sheet masks have been extremely popular in Korea and all over the world. Their most popular being Intensive Shining Mask, which I’ve yet to try!

Claims: Soothe your skin with this sheet mask that allows your skin to absorb all the nutrients from rose tea, steam-distilled from real rose petals. (Jayjun US website).

Bought a bunch of these fancy rose ones during my trip to Singapore. Honestly, packaging wise 10/10. Simple, gold foiled, pretty.

Note there is an authentic seal on the front. Always check for authenticity as there are many fakes out there. The box is sealed with a QR code as well.

It is my first time using Jayjun’s masks, I have seen them around T&T in Metro Vancouver.

The sheet mask is slightly thicker than other masks, which is great as it absorbs a ton of essence in the pack.

From their website:

CUPRA FABRIC SHEET
– The Cupra fabric sheet is highly flexible and designed to perfectly fit and adhere to the contours of your face.
– The Cupra fabric sheet easily absorbs and holds essence for a long period of time, allowing intensive delivery of moisture and nutrition into the skin.
– Cupra is softer than cotton so when applied to the face, it feels comforting and adheres perfectly to the skin.

The mask itself is slightly yellowish, not sure if that was part of the product or if I bought a bad batch.. They are genuine, so I believe it’s done on purpose.

Scent: Heavenly. Smells of roses. I love roses. Not too strong where it gets to your head, a mild scent.

Thoughts: This mask was on average for me. It does a great job at moisturizing, but found it left a real tacky finish once removed. The essence is pretty thick but does not absorb too well. Would bring it to travel since it’s pretty and convenient. Will try out other masks from this brand instead, they may work better for me.

Will recommend for folks with extremely dry skin.

No breakouts/any irritation.

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Dipropynele Glycol, Glycerin, Rosa Cenrifolia Flower Water(1%), Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Betaine, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

WHERE TO BUY:

JAYJUN US | Amazon.ca | Yesstyle | Mikaela Beauty

HONEST OPINION: Purito Centella Green Level Recovery Cream and Centella Green Level Eye Cream

My honest opinion on Purito’s Centella Green Level Recovery Cream and Centella Green Level Eye Cream.

Purito is an extremely affordable K-beauty brand that offers cruelty free skincare products, safe and natural ingredients for all skin types. All purito products are vegan and packaged in recycled paper. Amazing job, love seeing brands becoming environmentally friendly.

I understand their greatly loved Centella Sunscreen got recalled due to the lack of proper disclosure on its SPF rating. Prior to that discovery I was in love with this sunscreen. A shame that it didn’t live up to its SPF-ness. I have since moved on to Anessa, my new found love.

Both products come in a screw type tube, which I always appreciate as it keeps the creams clean without having to dig your fingers into the tub. I adore tube creams with a passion.

My first thought when I tried these: Are they the same thing packaged differently?!?! 

Both creams are thicker when squeezed out, when blending it dissolves into a watery finish. 

Honestly, I thought they were both the same thing.

The cream does a great job at hydrating my skin, and does not leave a tacky finish. I don’t think it does a great job at truly moisturizing my skin in the colder months, as my skin still feels kind of tight after using this. May work better in humid places/in the summer.

The eye cream has a thicker finish, but still blends into quite a watery texture. It is extremely light for an eye cream, which I’m not used to as I prefer thicker eye creams (dry undereyes for days). I have used a decent amount as I do not want to put it to waste, however this is not on my repurchase list. 

Did not experience any breakouts/irritation while using them.

Scent: There is a light herbal scent to them – similar to an essential oil, pretty calming.

Price: $15-$20

Overall, I think these creams are pretty alright, though not on my repurchase list. 

They may work better on oilier skin types, unfortunately my dry skin needed more hydration. Curious to try more purito products as well.

If you’ve tried this product, let us know what you thought of it by leaving a comment!

WHERE TO BUY:

THEKSHOP | JOLSE | CHUUSI

REVIEW: COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Essence (Holy Grail!)

Been using this for years and finally, churning out a review!

Of all the Cosrx/Snail products I’ve tried, this essence has never failed me.

Snail mucin is said to aid human skin by hydrating, preventing aging and improving wrinkles and scars.

The packaging of this essence is lovely and extremely travel friendly. 100ml so yes, bring it on a plane (when this pandemic is over)!

Texture: Sticky, slimy, really smooth. It gets absorbed into the skin extremely quick without leaving a greasy finish.

No scent.

Works amazing for both dry and acne prone skin. Not once have I experienced a breakout from this, and has healed acne scarring amazingly. Great to use as a moisturizer in the summer, and a layer in the winter.

It also layers beautifully under makeup, healing any dry patches around my eyes and nose.

Though, not sure if there are any wrinkle-improving properties as I haven’t seen any improvement on that part.

It truly lives up to its hype. Absolutely adore this product.

Given the price of $20~, it definitely is one of the more affordable essences I’ve seen in the market.

COSRX has also released a line up of snail goodies which I’ve yet to try, but eyeing on for sure, given how well this essence has worked for me throughout the years.

If you haven’t tried the COSRX Snail Essence, you need to get your hands on it. Now. 😉

Where to buy:

Thekshop.ca | JOLSE | Yesstyle | Amazon.ca

REVIEW: Utena Premium Puresa Golden Jelly Mask – Collagen

My third time using this jello mask and will give it a bit of a shoutout!

Claims: A luxurious sheet mask that contains 33g of jelly-like beauty essence containing collagen (moisturizing ingredient). The rich jelly softens the stiff adult skin, leaving it firm and lustrous. A faint scent of natural herbs. Source: Google

When I saw Jelly Mask.. I didn’t think it’d be actual jelly-jello inside.

Essence: There is a ton of essence inside, way more than a usual sheet mask. The jelly is pretty thick, but spreads and sinks well into the skin.

I leave this on for about 30 minutes, even then the mask is still moist. Skin is left feeling dewy and glowy.

It does an amazing job at hydrating my skin, honestly, it feels more like a sleeping pack when I use this at night. No night cream needed after. This takes care of everything.

Definitely heavier than your regular sheet mask, I keep this for days where my skin feels like an absolute desert. I somehow feel it replenishing the moisture in, slowly.

Skin is bouncier and I feel younger. May be placebo, but hey as long as I convince myself… :p the claims are right. Softens the skin, firmer.. Extremely rich jelly. Would save it for a pamper-yourself-night!

No breakouts or any other reactions.

Eseence left in the pack that I managed to squeeze out

Fit: A great fit for me, I consider myself to have an average face size.

Scent: Can’t really make out what the scent is, sort of herbal-y (similar to Dr. Jart’s Ceramidin line)

Price: Pretty steep at 3 sheets for $15 CAD. Worth the splurge if you’re looking for a deep, nourishing face mask.

Overall, I really enjoyed this mask. It does an amazing job at keeping my skin hydrated even throughout cold, winter nights. I keep this refrigerated and it feels sooo good after a hot shower.

Would love to hear other reviews and recommendations on sheet masking!

Where to purchase:

Dokodemo.world | Amazon