Maybelline New York Duo 106

The product arrived to me all broken up so I tried to apply it with my own eye-shadow brush instead of the mini brush provided because the product was in a thousand pieces. 

I got the 106 Pink&Mauve/Rose&Mauve. 

It is a very nice color, however it is not very pigmented when applied directly on the skin. I really wanted to like this product.
It is very similar to the Sephora Collection eye-shadow. 
Improvements would be better packaging. 
I have brought this brand in the past, but won't buy it because it is not as pigmented as other brands, I would suggest people to venture out to other brands to see which brand is right for you. 
I would give it a 6 out of 10.

But after applying my labelyoung ZZ cream and then apply the eyeshadow, it looks really nice. So I think this eyeshadow goes well with a primer or over a foundation.

  

  

Beauteque September BB bag 2015 - Soothing September + PROMO CODE

Beauteque September BB Monthly Bag review

"Beauteque's Soothing" theme

No more choosing options so be prepare to be surprised!

Don't know why this month was delayed about a week.

Date notified about first three items : August 15

Date shipped : September 23

Date arrived : September 26

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

Every month there could be 6-8 full-sized products in every bag which can range anything including make-up, skincare, body care, beauty tools, hair care, lifestyle products and etc. If you buy it per month or up to 3 months it is $24, $23 for 6 months or $22 for 12 months. The retail values can range between $65 to $85 in every BB bag.

I brought it for a year to try it out. 

Soothing September theme to end the summer.
I'm not fond of the floral bag this month. It is half the size as the previous two bag and the material isn't that great, but this bag is good for carrying chargers and wires.

1 - Aritaum Aloe No-Wash Cleansing Water

2 - AcquaGems Herbal Soothing Cream

3 - The Saem Mint Jungle Foot Cream
4 - Inner Kallia Special Care Modelling Pack - notified as the final spoiler via email on 09/10/15
5 - Mixing bowl was the body care physical item this month

6 - Secret Key Secret Kiss Holic Pigment Glitter - I got Gold!

• Aritaum Aloe No-Wash Cleansing Water or the Saem Tea Tree Garden Cleansing Water. I think the cleansing water item made this month bag worth the money. I got the Tea Tree which helps with sebum care. Beauteque read my mind for the September month cause my sebum production is increasing.

• AcquaGems Herbal Soothing Cream - do you use it on your face or body? I chose to use it as a hand cream. Very soft and moisturizing.

• Inner Kallia Special Care Modelling Pack - I got the Wrinkle Collagen. Modeling Mask is not something that I have ever done before but I knew of the process. Apply a thick layer, wait, and peel. I just feel the whole method of opening the packaging, pouring the powder in a mixing bowl and adding a certain amount of water, and then apply to your face and wait and then peel off the rubber material is just too much work. 

• The blue mixing bowl that Beauteque provided us is a smart marketing strategy otherwise I wouldn't even bother to use the modeling pack.

• The Saem Mint Jungle Foot Cream - mint on your feet when you sleep and let the product do its magic. 

• Secret key Secret kiss Holic pigment glitter- I was surprised with the eye-shadow glitter. It glides on easily and beautifully when carefully applied. You need to be careful when pouring it out of the bottle. Make sure you do it over the sink otherwise your whole floor will be glittery. Beauteque read my mind because I was shopping for a shimmer eye-shadow. This product and the cleansing water are my two favorite product in this month's bag.

Looking forward to October's luxury theme.

Beauteque September 2015 Mask Maven Bag - Money and More + PROMO CODE

Beauteque September Mask Maven review

Beauteque's "Money and More" theme

Date Shipped: September 22
Date Arrived: September 26

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

Every month there could be 9-11 masks in every bag which can range anything including sheet mask, hand mask, wash-off mask, eye mask, foot mask and etc. If you buy it per month or up to 3 months it is $15, $14 for 6 months or $13 for 12 months.

I brought it for a year to try it out. 

The September theme for the Mask Maven bag is Money and More! I have never used a "money" mask sheet so I was so surprised about this bag.
There were 7 Baviphat Urban DollKiss money sheets!!!!!
I think they gave me the whole collection in that brand.
There were some problems with the was delayed the shipment this month. They also forget to pack my additional free sheet mask this month-hope it comes next month.

I just wrote the main thing that the "money" mask do. The amount of essence in each is good enough for 5-10 minutes. I know some people will not be happy about the absorption rate.

1. Baviphat Urban DollKiss China RMB Clean Mask - moistens
2. Baviphat Urban Dollkiss US Dollar Moistful Mask - aloe
3. Baviphat Urban Dollkiss Japan Yen Revitalize Mask - reduce redness and inflammation  
4. Baviphat Urban DollKiss Korean Won Lifting Mask - collagen 
5. Baviphat Urban DollKiss UK Pound Essential Mask - ginseng
6. Baviphat Urban DollKiss Swiss Franc Be Light Mask - whiten
7. Baviphat Urban DollKiss Euro Soultion Mask - antioxidants for troubled skin  
8. Hanaka Hydrogel Hyaluronic Acid and Cactus Eye Pach - first time using an eye gel patch
9. Hanaka Hydrogel Lip Patch - these don't really do much for me  
10. Annie's Way Sheet Mask - Spoiler on 09/12/15 via email (I got the Whitening one)
11. FaceQ Aloe Moisture Mask in Aloe

 

I was happy about the Taiwanese brands of masks this month, but I don't think many people will be based on only seeing 4 brands because some people will probably like to venture out to more. But since there was a mask to cover ALMOST every single skin concern and issue, I wasn't disappointed. I think if a mask bag can cover alot of skin concerns, then the brand is the last thing that I should care about.

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips - BE101

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk 3.4g BE101 - 4500 won

The only problem I have is the color does not applied well evenly.
It is beige so you barely can see that you have lipstick on.
It's moisturizing and creamy as you apply it on but that all fades away after 10 minutes.
I did not even drink or eat anything in those 10 minutes.
My lips feel dry after having the lipstick on half the day. I like to blend this with the Maybelline Pink Wink color.
Will not be repurchasing.

DKNY MYNY 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

DKNY MYNY 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

"New York: the city we love, the city whose heart beats faster and louder than any other. Each spritz of DKNY MYNY Eau de Parfum celebrates the energy of New York and the individuals that live it, dream of it, and yearn for it. It is a fragrance inspired by the collective for the individual."

The packaging is a cute heart shape. 
It fits the NYC "urban, carefree and spirited" personality.
Floral scent, but it doesn't last as long as I thought it would.
Probably after 30 minutes, then the scent dissolves.
You can smell everything from jasmine to vanilla to amber.
I don't know how to describe the scent, it is a very young adult scent.
I am not a fan of the top packaging and the button nozzle.
The material is cheaply made and you can't rub your fingerprints off.

  

  

Etude House Proof 10 Auto Pencil - Ash Brown

Etude House Proof 10 Auto Pencil 0.3g BR401 Ash Brown - 3500 won

It isn't creamy; not as easy to apply when you open it, but becomes creamy after a couple of uses. 
Had to swipe it 3 times to get a decent color. 
Not very pigmented when compared to TonyMoly Perfect Eyes liner. 
To me, it didn't smudge, and the "staying-on" color isn't good.
The product easily falls off when you twist for more product to come out, I have waste alot of product this way.
The only good thing about it is that the color does look natural on your eyes.
You don't really need the sharpener at the end because I think the product is very soft and fragile.
I would recommend in sticking with the TonyMoly Perfect Eyes liner. Won't be repurchasing.

LABEL YOUNG Shocking ZZ Cream No.23 Natural Beige

LABEL YOUNG Shocking ZZ Cream - 50g  - No.23 Natural Beige

I cannot believe that I never heard of this product or brand. 
So a ZZ cream is the combination of a BB cream+CC cream+DD cream+pore primer (which I need).
I know this is a make-up base, but I didn't feel the need to apply foundation afterwards because I was satisfied with the results.
It is very creamy and goes on the skin and blends easier than a BB cream.
Yesterday was the first time I used it and the staying on time isn't long. 
The coverage is medium.
It does what it claims as it whitens. I'm not sure about the anti-wrinkling part.
It has a very very mild slightly minty scent, but it disappears the second you apply it to your face.
Definitely a re-purchase.

Etude House Moistful Collagen Essence in Pact

Etude House Moistful Collagen Essence in Pact SPF25/PA++ 12g #2 Natural Beige - 8000 won

This is a good finishing powder after you applied your makeup if you have combination-oily skin.

The amount is very little for the price. 

The clear lid is very dollar value for Etude House-I'm not sure if they are into cheap packaging, but after my mini Etude House haul, I noticed that the little money that you spend on this label, you get very poor packaging.
What I hate is that my BB crream did a good job at hiding my pores, but this pact made my pores look huge and very noticeable. What I did like was that since I have oily combination skin, that this pact made my make-up look matte which is a plus.
I don't know where the "moistful" in the name lays.

However, this is my first "setting powder" so I would like to venture out to more brands.

Not a re-purchase for me.

  

  

  

General Haul #10 - Sephora Bday Haul

I have been slowly moving away from American brands when I was introduced to Korean/Asian brands this year. It's my birthday month; I'm a VIB (Very Important Beauty Insider) and wanted to splurge a little. About $57 altogether and ground shipping arrived 2 days after I placed the order.

Order Placed: September 2
Order Arrived: September 4

• DKNY MYNY 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
• Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Defense Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
• Formula X The Two - Fall / The Two - Fall Oh! Zone/Boiling Point
• Caudalie Deluxe Sample Set (perks of being an VIB)
• Peter Thomas Roth Birthday Gift Happy Birthday! 
• GLAMGLOW SUPERCLEANSE™ Daily Clearing Cleanser / BI 100 PT
• Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer (sample)
• Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Cream (sample)
• Bumble and bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo (sample)

Individual reviews coming up.

MIZON Correct Essential Activator

MIZON Correct Essential Activator 100ml - 9,900 won

  

  

This is a two layer mist, good for summer or dry seasons.

I like this product, but it's a light mist. Very travel-friendly.
It's packaging is plastic and easy to take on the go.
Spray this when you are outside in the middle of the day and need the extra moisture.

Would I repurchase this again-no.
It's very oily on my skin, it just sits on my skin, no absorbing element or anything.
I ended up giving it to a friend who has really dry skin and she loved it.

THE FACE SHOP White Tree Snow Exfoliating Foam Cleanser 140ml

I have combination skin, so for me, finding a good cleanser is very important as I want to get rid of all the oils as I can before applying creams and gel treatments. Previously, I have always used gel cleansers, but I recently ordered a few foam cleansers and wanted to give it a try. As you can see that I brought this cleanser can do both step 2 and 3 for cleanser and exfoliate. This has "extract of vitamin C-packed and mineral rich spa water of Yuzawa, Japan" hence where it got its name. It claims that it moisturizes thirsty skin and provides a dewy glow. I'm not going to lie, one of the only reasons that I got this cleanser because it had white snow and I thought of whitening. Does it do any whitening, let's see...

This is a keeper; I like it, it's not as foamy, but it has beads (gentle micro granules) which helps with exfoliation. It contains extract of vitamin C and snowflakes which helps with skin's firmness. But if you compare this product to others, you know that it's a drugstore product when I compare this to my previous Enprani foam cleanser. There's something about the ingredients that when applied to the face, it feels like it's missing something.


Definitely a re-purchase.

• Moisturizing? Yes.
• Gentle? Very much so!
• Suitable for sensitive and breakout prone skin? Yes.
• Suitable for oily skin? yes.
• Suitable for dry skin? yes
• Day or night? Both

  

  

Etude House Age Defense Essential Emulsion

Etude House Age Defense Essential Emulsion 130ml

I'm still not a fan of this brand after using two products, both from the total repair line.

I think Etude house is a brand along with Laneign and Missha where you can't mix the usage of other brands in your skincare routine.

Yes, this product smells nice, sticking with the princess feel, but it doesn't absorb nicely, and it packs onto my skin and leaves my skin looking oily. I guess this product is more for people with dry skin.

I can't use this product between my Mizon essence and Mizon snail repair cream because I get "little balls of lint" on my face due to chemical imbalance with the Mizon brand.
So combination skin+mizon+Etude house= unhappy customer.

I will use this product as a daytime cream right after cleansing if I'm in a rush and don't have time to apply toner and essence.

  

  

  

Etude House Precious Mineral Cotton Fit BB Cream

Etude House Precious Mineral Cotton Fit BB Cream 60g W23 Natural Beige - 7500 won

This is my first BB cream, not much of a fan.
What made me buy this product was the "anti-whitening" portion of the advertising.
Does it whiten? Nope.
It's creamy, but coverage is poor.
I had to use the IOPE Air XP after the BB cream is applied.
The "staying-on" power isn't good; there are streaks.
When you sweat, it melts and comes off.
Still looking for the best BB cream or cushion foundation.

TONYMOLY Backstage Gel Eyeliner #02 Brown

TONYMOLY Backstage Gel Eyeliner #02 Brown
4g worth of product and weighing in 28 grams is SO worth the money.

According to Korean women, brown eyeliner is the new black, so I thought I give it a try. I have never used any eyeliner color except for black eye-shadow so I this time I decided to be colorful.  It's so creamy and glides on smoothly, but it smudges and ceases to your upper lid if you have double lids.

So I think you have to close your eyes for a while once you apply it so that the eye shadow cream dries. I love how brown looks natural is calmer than the strict black. Do I like this, yes, but it rubs off easily so I won't be repurchasing, but the product is a lot so I gave it to my family relative. 

  

  

  

General Haul #9 - TesterKorea #6 - Etude House Haul!

Date Ordered - August 17
Date Shipped -August 24
Date Arrived -September 4

This time I went on an Etude House Haul, see I couldn't even last a month-talk about a week. Usually I wouldn't buy anything unless I include a skincare product, but TesterKorea had a mini sale on Etude House that I decided to give the brand a try with their makeup.

1. Etude House Apricot Stick #8 Sour Cherry 2g
2. Etude House Precious Mineral Cotton Fit BB Cream 60g W23 Natural Beige
3. Etude House Proof 10 Auto Pencil 0.3g BR401 Ash Brown 
4. Etude House Moistful Collagen Essence in Pact SPF25/PA++ 12g #2 Natural Beige
5. Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk 3.4g BE101

I have been eyeing their lipstick for quite some time and this sale became the perfect time to buy it. I decided to play safe and got the beige color instead of the popular red. I'm disappointed in all the products that came in the haul today, and after using them I guess $30 is ok for experimenting with this brand to know that it's not for me.

IOPE Retigen Glow Cover Cake #23 SPF33 PA++ 14g

Either I was spoiled by cushion foundations or this product was $12 down the drain.

Please understand that I have never used foundations or make-up prior to cushion foundations where I was blessed by BB and CC creams in the cushion foundation. This natural beige matte "cover cake" product is very uneven, not moisturizing,  I had to re-applied it every hour. I just got it two days ago in the mail and after using it once today, I think I'm done with the product. The two white pad that comes with the product smells really bad once it makes contact with the product. Your make-up looks nice from far away, but you can see the unevenness and all your pores up close. I think I'm going to give this product to my relative cause it's definitely not something that I like. I think I will stick with my IOPE XP Air cushion before trying the Sulwhasoo Perfecting Whitening Cushion.