TONYMOLY Floria Whitening Petal Toner 150ml

12,800 won TONYMOLY Floria Whitening Petal Toner 150ml at 250 grams - NOT BAD!!

This is my first TonyMoly liquid product, my very first TonyMoly product was the 3-step nose strip (which I don't want to be reminded of again). On its website this product is described as having a "flower utopia that creates bright skin like white flower. Moisturizing hydration base and snow white ampoule creates clean and even skin tone."

This product claims that it doesn't have paraben, mineral oil, tar color, benzophenone-5, and triethnolamine in its products, which I am happy about because the US-based toners have alcohol which burns my skin. This product glided softly onto my skin. It even had bits of white specks which looked like snowflakes in the bottle. I have used this product with and without a cotton-pad and I think the best way to use is without a cotton pad. Just pour it onto your CLEAN hand palms and gently pat it into your skin. Your face literally "drinks" this liquid by absorbing this product. 5 minutes later, I continue with my moisturizer. I also didn't realize this had an "ampoule" in its toner, which is a plus for me so I don't have to shop for a whitening ampoule. The only tiny problem is that this product is thicker than my essence so it is harder to pour out of the bottle so I pour it into my palms instead of using a cotton pad. I am so happy about this toner, I will be using this product for the entire summer or even afterwards. Plus it smells so nice - flowery!

  

• Gentle? YES

• Suitable for sensitive and breakout prone skin? Yes.

• Suitable for oily skin?  yes.

• Day or night? BOTH

• Works under makeup? Yes,

Beauty People Royal lip tint balm

Beauty People Royal lip tint balm in  Daisy Honey Balm Color.

Very moisturizes, but for 7,400 won, definitely not worth it.
There was 2.5 grams worth of product in a 35 grams material.
My only problem with this lip balm is that the color doesn't glide on your lips easily, you have to keep applying it (about 4 coats) to get some color.
I'm not a fan of this color, too coral, but it fits for fairly pale skin.
This picture on the right is a swatch of two coats.

INNISFREE Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (Super) 200ml

INNISFREE Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (Super) 200ml weighting in 303 grams.

Hyaluronic Acid became a term that I paid attention to because I wanted to find a product that can get rid of blackheads. I'm not sure if this product contain hyaluronic acid, but it was raved about throughout Asian skincare bloggers, and I wanted to give it a try. On the Innisfree website it said, "A 6-in-1 pore treatment clay mask with super volcanic cluster capsules to effectively absorb sebum and resolve pore concerns" making this the most recommended Korean clay mask online. I have never regularly used mask previously. I've only used the Origins Pore Clay Mask occasionally, ranging about twice a year. But when I heard about the benefits and how easy the JeJu clay mask, which contains 6,000 rags: of Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay can remove blackheads, whiteheads and minimized pores, I was sold on purchasing this. I got the super version, because I realized that Asian skincare tends to use soft and light minerals and I wanted the strongest benefit to experiment, plus innifree say tat the "super" version is better for people who have combination to oily skin.  

FYI, I do this step usually twice a week.  "This clay mask with its super  volcanic cluster capsules powerfully adsorbs sebum to intensively resolve pore concerns." I experienced a cooling sensation as it was "cleaning my pores" when you can sitting there for 10 minutes with this mud gonk on your face. But I feel if you don't NEED to get it, don't bother, cause my whiteheads and some black heads are still in my pores and it was tremendously hard to completely wash off. Plus, did you know that you are suppose to mix this with a foam cleanser in a 1:1 dilution (meaning half of this mask and half of another foam cleanser) and then put it on your face for 10 minutes. My next try mixing it with a little bit of water made the product glide on my face MUCH smoothly. So I guess this product gets better as you keep trying to use it. You will probably see results after a month's use (about 8 tries).

Did you know that "The hyaluronic acid that is used as medicine is extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria in the laboratory." (cited from WebMD) Hey, at least it can prevent aging!

General Haul #4,#5 - Testerkorea Haul #2,3

This is my second haul or 4th order from TesterKorea. I feel the norm is the first order will be shorter than the following orders, because I had absolute NO Problems with these two orders.

Date Ordered : July 10, 2015

Date Shipped : July 15, 2015

Date Received : July 22, 2015

Two weeks! Much shorter than I expected! I think that much bigger packages (or heavier) goes to a longer route for NYC customers, cause my package went from New York State to New Jersey and then to Long Island and finally back to NYC. It was quite strange, however, I go this package via the US Postal Service truck at 10am early in the morning. Very happy. They no longer had the huge trial size kit for samples, but I got the Mamonde First Energy Serum twice. This is a good sample for me because Mamonde is a brand which I haven't ordered from before.

 Date Ordered : July 12, 2015

Date Shipped : July 14, 2015

Date Received : July 22, 2015

Also happy about this delivery; however I received this in the afternoon with the USPS mailman. I was a bit shocked at the Hera packaging, but how else are Hera going to package a bottle of essence with cotton pads? I will do individual reviews on all these products. Stay tuned!

Summer 2015 Korean 10-step skincare routine

Step 1: Cleanser - Foam - ENPRANI WHITECELL Foam Cleanser 100ml

Click here for review on this product!

Step 2: EXFOLIATE - INNISFREE Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (Super) 100ml
click here for review on this product

Step 3: Refresher/Toner - TONYMOLY Floria Whitening Petal Toner 150ml
click here for review on this product

I believe I'm interested in whitening now.
Step 4: Essence - MIZON Skin Power Original First Essence 210ml
Click here for review on this product

I've used the SK-2 First Essence and it just doesn't do it for me. It stinks of alcohol.

  

Step 5: Sheet Mask - My Beauty Diary Total Effects Black Pearl Mask
click here for review on this product

Step 6: Eye cream - ETUDE HOUSE Total Age Repair Contour Eye Cream
click here for review on this product

Step 7: Emulsion/Serum/Ampoule - Etude House Age Defense Essential Emulsion

Step 8: Moisturize! (AM)- MIZON All In One Snail Repair Cream 75ml 
click here for review on this product

I have been using this for my neck.

Step 9: Sleeping Pack/Night Cream (PM)  - PUREHEALS Ginseng Berry 80 Overnight mask
Click for the review on this product! 

Step 10 - Make-up/Sunscreen (AM) IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock XP [SPF 50+/PA+++] N23
click here for review on this product

MIZON All In One Snail Repair Cream 75ml

MIZON All In One Snail Repair cream

First thing I noticed, it's a gel, second thing, my face feels tightened. I was so happy that this works better than Missha Cell Renew Snail Cream because I was starting to leave the snail category altogether. But this cream has made me happy because it did improve my acne scars and lessen blemishes and absorbed very well and quick. I will be sticking with this cream for a while. Perfect for an summer moisturizer.

The product also claimed, that it has "Beta-glucan, peptide, & green tea extract add a synergy effect to the snail slime extract’s skin". I guess these ingredients help improve my skin. I believe that it has a  "firming effect, helping to tighten large pores by improving skin elasticity". My pores have indeed became smaller.

• Anti-wrinkle anything? Yes
• Moisturizing? Yes.
• Gentle? Yes
• Suitable for sensitive and breakout prone skin? Yes.
• Day or night? Both
• Works under makeup? Yes, very well!

ETUDE HOUSE Total Age Repair Contour Eye Cream

I'm never been a fan of Etude House because I think it's for teens but I give this a try. The packaging wasn't that cute as its other products, but the smell threw me off first, but once I put it on my skin, it melted. It glides on so softly. I have used it for a month, and my skin is a bit brightened and softer seen any difference, but my skin definitely feels softer. It's alot of product (30ml), but the jar quite heavy weighing in 130 grams.I got this product for 9,900 won. 


So Etude House claims that this product is, "a luxurious eye cream formulated with fermented Immortelle Flower extract and Royal Jelly give eyes a lifted, firmer and fresher look. Recommended for dry and mature skin types to help put a stop to the formation of lines and wrinkles, while erasing existing lines around the eye area for a smooth and youthful looking eye zone. For faster results, use eye cream with the complete Total Age Repair line. By Etude House."

• Anti-wrinkle anything? too early to tell after a month's use, but my skin is smooth!

• Moisturizing? Yes.

• Gentle? Yes

• Suitable for sensitive and breakout prone skin? Yes.

• Suitable for oily skin? According to my oily tester - yes.

• Suitable for dry skin? Yes

• Day or night? Both.

• Works under makeup? Yes

My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Total Effect Black Mask Box + PROMO CODE

I ordered the "My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Total Effects Black Mask Box from Beauteque. I was excited about this purchase, not only is it a Taiwanese brand, but this would be my first mask that I physically tried. I placed the order on July 10, shipped out on July 10 and arrived via Library mail to my house on July 16. They are quick with delivering the regular orders, but it's July 18, and I am still waiting for an tracking email from Beauteque Monthly with the shipping date that my July BB bag will be delivered.  I opened the box the next day. The box has 5 masks. Yes, the mask are black, I was a little taken back when I saw myself in the mirror with the mask on.

Regarding the mask, it's moisturizing and it reaches your neck, which I had on for about 20 minutes. You will get excess serum which I rub to the rest of my neck area. I believe the main thing about this mask is that it moisturizes and brightens, but it didn't brighten for me. I think I want to try the other kinds from the same label next time I go to Taiwan.

The ingredients on the Beauteque website are - "3D hyaluronic acid penetrates deep into the skin to replenish moisture and lock in water for hydrated skin. Black mask film moisturizes skin with rich essence and then clarifies dirts and unclogs pores. Special extensible design to cover the neck for smooth and bright face. Free from parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, colorants, and fluorescent agents. Tahitian black pearls contain moisturizing ingredients to nourish and repair deep within the skin. Tetrapeptide restores moisture and oil balance to the skin, added with repairing vitamins B3 and B5 to restore elasticity and suppleness to skin. Suitable for normal skin and those who want to smooth fine lines and firm skin."

Use promo code "ILENE" for a special something (10% OFF) at checkout at beauteque.com and/or beauteque.com/subscriptions.

AMINI Hair Remover 150ml

At first, I was skeptical, but I gave it a try. It has a cooling sensation when you spray it on. This is a 180 grams bottle with about 150mL worth of product. Lighter hairs will come off after 3 minutes, but with darker hairs, you have to be patience and repeat the process over and over. I was done with the entire bottle within 3 different days of usage. This is a good daily use, but it will not get rid of harsh hairs if you haven't saved in a week, unless you repeat the process about 5 times. I got this for 17,000 won. Not repurchasing.

This is the YouTube video below if you want to see how to use this product.

General Haul #2,#3 - TesterKorea #1

This was my second Korean products website to get cosmetics from after SokoGlam.
Yes, I did research before purchasing and if you have time, you can be a candidate to order from them. They are based in Korea and I paid through PayPal. The prices are listed in Korean won, but when you pay, it will be converted into US Dollar based on the market's currency. The shipping is based on weight and both of my orders have been under 1000 grams using Registered Air Mail which is 13150 Korean Won which is about US$13 shipping.  The US is considered a "Region 3" shipping area so you will expect your package to be shipping 2-6 weeks and that is exactly how long the package came.

Order 1:
Placed : June 6, 2015
Shipped - June 26, 2015
Arrived - July 7, 2015

After waiting two weeks and checking my package, it was still in the "Standby" mode, meaning they got my money, but my package isn't ready. So I emailed them, they told me that out of my 9 products, one was out of stock. They gave me the option of picking something near that weight and price or refunding my money. Finding another product isn't easy. I had to go to every page to see what I wanted or pick something I didn't want. After 2 days, the package was shipped. Ironic thing is that my second package shipped before my first.


Order 2:
Placed - June 22, 2015
Shipped - June 25, 2015
Arrived - July 7, 2015

I believe the shipping time varies with your product stock, meaning if everything is in stock, they will ship right away. All my products were individually wrapped and my products were not listed outside (I'm happy) the packages (other people wrote in their past blogs that it was the case). Keep in mind that TesterKorea reps don't work on the weekends and remember Korea's time zone. They are quick and professional to email back, you just have to watch your package. They do have alot of orders from people all over the world, so if your order is still in "standby" mode after a full week, email them, chances are that the item you want is "out of stock". Hope this was helpful and I will do reviews on each product later. Samples are the things that have the "Thank you" sticker on. Love it.

However, when my first order package arrived, it was not what I ordered and the rep told me that it got switched with another package. It's ok, mistakes happen, so I reship it back to them and they refunded my shipping and my first order amount. The refund goes under "My Money" in your account so you can use it for your future order. In my case, I already placed my third order today and I am so happy about this company. This is the only company that I trust and will order from. I read alot of reviews about "fake" products from other Korean websites that I will not name and TesterKorea does not have fakes. I can't wait for my third package to arrive!

IOPE Air Cushion Sunblock XP [SPF 50+/PA+++]

This is my VERY FIRST product that lead me into discovering this 10-step Korean skincare routine. I wanted to wait at least a month into using this product in order to have a detailed review.

You have no idea how much research I did before I brought my very first cushion foundation. I've watched YouTube bloggers, read reviews and read ingredients of each brand. In the end, I chose the "grandmother" of all cushion foundations - IOPE. I ordered this from Soko Glam because SokoGlam was based in the USA, and I was skeptical of overseas websites and skincare sold from Amazon at the time. But hey, in general cushions foundations are travel-friendly, has SPF and covers well. I have found my "make-up best friend", I don't think I will ever turn away from cushion foundations. I have noticed that many consumers prefer the C21 or C23 versions, but I wasn't sure how "whitening" would look on me, so I stuck with the "natural".

Cushion foundations have a mixture of foundation, serum, blender, sunscreen and highlighter, so if the brands don't offer your skin tone, you can always make your own. The Korean brands usually have 2 colors - 21 (light) or 23 (natural) and coverage (C) or natural (N) or sheer (S). Since I have a bit of an yellow undertone, I decided to play it safe and brought the N23. Boy, was I happy, the foundation totally blended my skin tone. I don't tan, but my skin isn't as whitening and dewy as can be seen in Korean actresses. I have another refill from IOPE, so I think I will be using this for another 2 months. I don't use foundations daily, just 2 or 3 times a week. I do like the coverage, I was so happy. It does a good job not melting, my first time using it was in a 80F weather.

I'm a clean , germ-free person, or tend to be, so I wash my sponge every week with 3 drops of The body Shop' Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash and half a pump of Bath and Body Works antibacterial soap. Ok, the cons, IOPE doesn't do a good job staying on your face. If you accidentally brush your fingers on your face, the product can easily be wiped off. It smells weird. It tends to cease after a couple of hours, I think that is when re-touching comes into play. It doesn't absorb well, but then again cushion foundations are patted onto the skin. I think this is the best 1st time cushion foundation, especially for beginners and then later on once you get to know your skin more, you can venture off to other brands.

P.S - I will stick with "Natural" tones.

• Anti-wrinkle anything? The "coverage" will help with wrinkles
• Moisturizing? Yes.
• Suitable for sensitive and breakout prone skin? Yes.
• Suitable for oily skin?  yes.
• Suitable for dry skin? Yes