Secret Nature Moringa Seed Toner ($21.98 for 130 ml at Jolse): A gentle toner that hydrates and clarifies, soothes irritated skin, and removes makeup residue after cleansing. I received this in the Memebox January Box. The toner would work best for anyone with normal to dry skin because it is seriously hydrating. I did not like using it during the summer and early part of fall because I have oily skin. I found the toner worked best for my skin after a clay mask or exfoliating scrub. It has a very floral scent which makes sense because the toner contains hibiscus flower extract and fermented lotus flower. Not really a fan of floral scents but I didn't find the scent terrible.
Verdict-wouldn't repurchase because it doesn't suit my skin type
Botanic Farm Mineral Pop Sparkling Serum & Cream ($29 for the set at Memebox): I recently talked about the cream and serum in my December Favorites so I don't need to go into further detail about this. All you need to know is that I thoroughly enjoyed every last drop of the toner and cream.
Verdict-would absolutely repurchase!
Yadah Anti-T Spot Cream ($10.22 at Korea Depart): A creamy formula enriched with cactus, green tea, rosemary, aloe vera, and sage extracts. It's gentle, naturally derived ingredients effectively treat red spots and blemishes for a clearer complexion. This is from the Memebox Lucky Box #13. I'm slowly finishing up products from the good old Memebox days. I love the concept of Yadah and what the brand represents but their acne products do absolutely nothing for me. I'm guessing this would work for minor acne like whiteheads and small pimples but it's clearly not effective on my hormonal cystic acne. I didn't like the creamy texture of the spot cream but it may work for anyone with drier skin.
Verdict-no bueno
Skinfod Fresh Celery Cleansing Tissue (2000 won for 15 at Tester Korea): A cleansing tissue featuring celery extract that removes makeup residue and impurities to provide fresh, clean, and refreshed skin without stickiness. These are dirt cheap, under $2, at Tester but double the price at Memebox for $4. I used the cleansing tissues mostly to remove swatches but I did use them once or twice to remove makeup before going to the gym. From what I could tell, they did a good job removing the majority of my makeup without irritating my skin. (I would never use cleansing tissues to remove my makeup at night since I'm very attached to my double cleansing routine of an oil cleanser and face wash.) These have a fresh and clean scent which I really liked.
Verdict-would repurchase, curious about the other varieties like Watermelon and Lemon Brightening
Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment (varies between $5.19-$7.50): I've tried other spot treatments but I always go back to the Neutrogena one. It contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide which is the ingredient I've found most effective for hormonal cystic acne. The Neutrogena treatment doesn't do much for serious cystic acne but if I have smaller acne it does shorten the lifespan of the pimple by drying it out. Since I have oily skin, I notice it helps with decreasing all the oils on my face.
Verdict-already repurchased
Purederm Skin Softening Yogurt Mask (150 ml for $12): Another product from an old Memebox, Superbox #56 Yogurt Cosmetics. I received the strawberry variety but there is also a kiwi one. The masks are also packaged in individual packets which are good for about 3-4 uses. Tester Korea used to sell the packets but Ebay seems to be the only place you can find the mask. It's a wash off, cream type pack with strawberry and yogurt extracts that works to cleanse away all excess dead skin cells and impurities piled up in the pores for a refreshing and softening effect after use. If you like the smell of strawberry yogurt you'll really enjoy the scent! This did leave my skin very soft after each use but it didn't seem to do anything other than that.
Verdict-will not repurchase
Nivea Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon Lip Care (varies between $2.24-$2.99): This lip care formula combines the moisturizing effects of olive oil with lemons to soothe and nourish dry, rough lips. Did not like the scent of this and found it a little too strong for my taste. I can smell the lemon and olive oil in it but then there's something perfume-y in it. You can also taste it on your lips which wasn't pleasant. It wasn't all that hydrating either so I had to force myself to use most of it. While I was using this, my lips started flaking and peeling and exfoliating just made the condition worse. I finally made the connection that there was something in the lip balm that was irritating my lips and immediately discontinued use. I switched over to my beloved Aquaphor and, within a few day, my lips were back to normal.
Verdict-no way Jose!!!!
The Face Shop Natural Sun Eco Super Perfect Sun Cream: Korea Depart lists this as a discontinued item and it's no longer for sale on Tester. It's SPF 50 PA+++ so it offers great sun protection. I used this only on my body because the heavily floral scent (contains sunflower extract) was too much for me. It was also too heavy and sticky for my face but would work well for normal-dry skin. If given a choice I would never have chosen anything with the words sun CREAM in it but I did get the product from a curated Memebox.
Verdict-discontinued but I wouldn't purchase it anyway.
Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup ($60) A liquid foundation with UVA/UVB SPF 15 protection that provides luminous, long lasting coverage. This is one of the few luxury foundations I've ever tried and I was obsessed with it for awhile, enough to repurchase another one. I probably used 3/4 of the bottle but I'm tossing it. The foundation has definitely gone bad because it's got a funky scent. Also the shade, No.1 Ivory, isn't quite right for me as it's a little dark and orange on me. Ivory was the lightest shade offered when I bought the foundation but I see there is a lighter shade, No. 0 Porcelain, available now. You can get a solid medium coverage and build up to full if necessary.
Verdict-maybe, I've been into cushions lately and I'd have to see if Porcelain is a match for me.
Cheek Room Lip Gloss ($12): Dual lip gloss that moisturizes and nourishes your lips. Pigmented and opaque with a matte texture, waterproof and smudge proof. I received the shade 07 Lavender & Pink Beige in a Memebox and the two other shades are 06 Red & Peach and 08 Wine & Nude Peach. I'm not a fan of lip gloss and this seems like a cheap product to me. It's not pigmented or opaque or smudge proof for that matter. Whoever wrote the product claims must have never tried the product. I don't understand the point of the two colors in the tube when it's a sheer CLEAR gloss. Perhaps the other two shades are different but I wasn't impressed with the thickness and goopy-ness of this gloss. There's still plenty of product in the tube but I never reach for it.
Verdict-Nope!
Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer ($24): I reviewed the primer here and my thoughts remain the same about it so I won't go into further detail. I didn't want it to go to waste so I started using it off and on for the past month or so. I don't know what it was but I noticed the primer was causing small bumps on my face every time I used it. I didn't have that reaction when I reviewed the product. There's still product left but I'm not going to force myself to finish something that my skin isn't happy with.
Verdict-will not repurchase
Jordana Modern Matte Lipstick (around $2.99): You can read my previous review here. I was sent the shade 03 Matte Frappucino. I'm due for a lipstick declutter very soon. I haven't touched this since I reviewed it months ago and I still can't stand the scent. It's the main reason why I won't use it.
Verdict-No!
Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets (varies between $4.97-$5.99 for 50 sheets): Love these! They're reliable, portable, and take care of grease on the face. You can always get them at a discount at the drugstore with coupons or ongoing promotions.
Verdict-already repurchased
Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel (5015 won at Tester Korea): Formulated with 99% organic aloe and provides moisture for healthy skin. I received this in a Mishibox and didn't think I'd like or use it. You can use the aloe gel anywhere on your face or body although I never tried it on my face. I found the gel particularly useful over the summer after a sweaty workout. The cooling properties are great for relieving sun burns or overheated skin.
Verdict-will repurchase as it gets closer to summer
Holika Holika Floral Shea Hand Cream ($9.64 for a set of 5 at Rose Rose Shop): A pack of 5 different floral scented hand lotions that are formulated with shea butter to moisturize and soften your hands. I received the set from the May Flowers Memebox and finished Cherry Blossom and Rose. If you like floral scents, you'll definitely like how the hand creams smell. Of the two I finished, I preferred the cherry blossom scent over rose. I'd rather have a fruity hand cream but hydration is more important to me. I'm pretty obsessive about using a lotion or cream after I wash my hands so I tend to go through them rather quickly in the winter time. These did the job as far as moisturizing my hands and leaving them soft but I'm not picky about hand creams in general.
Verdict-probably wouldn't repurchase
Suave Visible Glow Self-Tanning Body Lotion (varies between $6.97-$7.39): Subtle self tanner provides a streak free experience that gives your skin just the right amount of color. Plus, the rich hydrating formula moisturizes your skin. I received a free coupon from the brand to try this out and decided to give it a try. I had always used Jergens Natural Glow but the Suave is on par with it. I only used the lotion on my legs because they are so pasty white. They don't get much sun and when they do, they're still pretty white. Given that my legs are a shade darker than my arms right now, I'd say the Suave lotion has done its job. It's definitely hydrating and has a non-offensive scent which I can't quite describe. I used the shade Fair-Medium and there's also a Medium-Tan available.
Verdict-will repurchase in the spring
Banila Co. Clean It Zero ($16 at Memebox): Applies as a solid balm and transforms into a silky oil on the skin as you massage the product. Dissolves the most stubborn makeup and removes any impurities from your skin. This is the Classic version but there are two other varities in Purity and Radiance. The Clean It Zero is a favorite in the K-beauty community but this is the first time I used it. I'm more into cleansing oils than balms. I can see why the product is so popular because it really does dissolve stubborn makeup and leave the skin soft.
Verdict-won't purchase since I prefer a cleansing oil
Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber ($32)
Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen SPF 50 ($19 for 2.5 oz, available in various sizes)
Both of these sunscreens came in a Birchbox and they would absolutely not work for me in the warmer months. I brought both samples with me while I was out of town which is the only reason I used it. Of the two, I prefer the Coola because of the scent (cucumbers) and it has a lighter consistency. It still left my skin greasier than I'd like but the Supergoop is too heavy for my skin type all year round.
Verdict-will not purchase, I prefer Korean sun gels.
So there you have it, my product empties over the past two months. It's always satisfying to see how many products you can finish in a certain time period.
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Thanks for stopping by,
Jenn
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