Beauteque January Monthly BB Bag 2016 Review + PROMO CODE

Beauteque January Monthly BB Bag 2016 Review

Winter Wonderland

Warm Your Heart With These Finds

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. 

Why so slow this month?

Because NYC was hit with Blizzard Jonas.

It was the second biggest snow storm in NYC history.

And usually the USPS takes time.

It came in a box this time instead of a large white package - good thinking Beauteque, because I don't think it would have survived in the blizzard.

Date Shipped - January 14
Date Arrived - January 30

This week is not only did Beauteque achieve cute packaging but also a great overall Asian beauty bag. Job well done curating this month. Great way to start the year!

1. A'pieu Color Longwear Shadow Stick - finally an eyeliner or eyeshadow stick in color BE02 gold-ish brown. This color is perfect for the spring/summer "no makeup" natural look. The color is just a shine (you can't see any color when in contact with my natural beige '23' shade skin. Perfect for inner eye area.
2. Scinic All Day Fine Pore Toner - a nice soft toner in the middle of harsh winter in NYC, but I think this is more preferable during the summertime because it can control sebum production. Make sure you shake it before usage because the particles of sebum absorption powder will blur the clearness of the bottle. Alcohol is ingredient number 2 which is not a good sign for my sensitive skin.
3. TonyMoly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist - something that I wouldn't buy from TonyMoly, but really wanted to try because Asian beauty Youtubers/bloggers raved about this last year or two. If Sephora has this product for $15 in its stores, then this bag is damn worth it! Nice floral scent, moisturizing, easy to throw it into your bag. Best thing ever if you are too lazy to apply make-up to your face, just spray this once or twice and you are good to go out the door! I got the Sleek (oily skin) version so I will save this for the spring time.
4. Ladykin Affinitic Snail Cream Miniature Set Whitening and Moisturizing. They are tiny! You can throw them in your bag and won't be able to find them. They didn't have a seal so I wasn't to happy with this brand. This product reminds me of the Mizon all-in-one snail cream. It has a gel-like texture which can tighten your pores and it firms your skin and moisturizes during the harsh winters. I will be using this as a summer cream go the good.
5. Nature Republic By Flower Lip Scrub - perfect timing because I wasn't sure where to buy a lip scrub which I desperately needed during this winter time. Now my lipstick glides on smoothly.
6. The eyebrow clip (tweezer) is your body care tool of this month. Time to start shaping my eyebrows! 
7. Silver cosmetics bag

I think majority of the cute products this month screams, "Spring and Summer" and yes, we are looking forward to those months already!

Etude House Age Defense Essential softener and Emulsion

The softener is something between a toner and an essence. 

It has a floral scent and is a bit thicker than the regular toner consistency. 

The emulsion is also floral, a bit oily for my combination skin.

Perfect combo for travel if you have normal skin with no acne or breakouts. 

It is best for the autumn time. 

However, not good enough for purchasing the full-sized for me.

Innisfree Perfect 9 Repair Eye Cream 35ml

Innisfree Perfect 9 Repair Eye Cream 35ml

Creamy and not too heavy. 
Not too floral or fragrance.
Perfect eye cream for all seasons for some people.
The product was filled to the top.
Yes, it is balm-like. 
Why did I purchase this? 
Because it say repair in the title, which I really needed.
My eyes are starting to get fine lines which needs repairing.
Under-Eyes look better and feel better after a month of using it.
But something was off, I'm not sure if it is the heating in the house during the winter time, but this cream leaves my eyelids very very dry during the first week. It makes my eyelids look old, gave me a hooded look, redness and swelling. I must be allergic to the ingredients.
I gave it away after 2 weeks of using it.

Dorco Shai Trial Pack for Her

I was in the need for razors and I came across this Dorco Shai Trial Pack and thought to buy it and give it a try.
I wanted to use it for a couple of months before writing how I felt about this product.

Date Ordered : November 2
Date Shipped : November 3
Date Arrived : November 7

Shipping came from San Diego, CA



Shai Soft Touch™, (LSXA1000) (1 handle and 2 cartridges)
Shai Soft Touch™ Cartridges, (LSXA1040) (4 cartridges)
Shai Smooth Touch™ Cartridges, (SXA2040) (4 cartridges)
Shai 4 Cartridges, (FRA2040) (4 cartridges)
Shai 3 Cartridges, (TRA2040) (4 cartridges)

The 6-blades and 3+3 one are very good. It cuts the hair near the skin but no moisture afterwards so remember to use body cream. It does the job, but not recommended for people with dry skin.

Primera Alpine Berry Watery Cream

Primera Alpine Berry Watery Cream 15ml  
$10 is a great price to see whether I dislike or love the product.

I now understand why people with sensitive skin loves this product. 

Lightweight with a bit of herbal scent. 

Glides on smoothly, no breakout or reactions irritation.

Why didn't I used this product sooner?

It is a water-based moisturizer which has aloe vera and berry sprout ingredients to help with smoothing the skin with moisture. So this product helps with my milia-prone face. 
The packaging looks very eco-friendly and the product was fulled to the top.
I have combination sensitive skin that is prone to acne and inflammation but it might lack for people with dry skin. 
I will purchase the full-sized product.

General Haul #20 - Philosophy Haul

My first time ordering from their main brand website.
I usually get their products through Sephora, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
Over the years buying philosophy products at Sephora, I learned that I wasn't a fan of their skincare products.
So I thought that I would try their perfumes and bath cleansing line a try.
Free shipping if you spend more than $50.

Date Ordered : December 22
Date Shipped : December 29
Date Arrived : January 5

I get it was around Christmas and the orders were too much to handle, but a week apart to get the order and have it shipped? Interesting. Plus, where is my third sample? Plus how can you ship me the sunscreen instead of the primer that I ordered. I am never ordering from them again!

1. Love sweet love perfume
2. Loveswept perfume rollerball
3. Giving Grace perfume
4. Christmas Cookie Shower Gel
5. The Supernatural (primer) - I got sunscreen instead of a primer??
6. Purity made Simple cleanser
7. The 3 samples - time in a bottle, renewed hope in a jar eye, and miracle worker

Etude House Apricot Stick - Sour Cherry

Etude House Apricot Stick #8 Sour Cherry 2g - 1500 won

My expectations for this was very low. 
I thought of this as a chap-stick product.

Highly pigmented and highly moisturizing.
This one is much better than the Beauty People orange tint balm that I have been using before.
This is by far my favorite product in the Etude House line.
It doesn't have great staying power, but think of it as a lip balm.
It was the perfect color for this dull winter season.
Got some compliments! 
Plus I love the simple packaging look which is suitable for someone in the late twenties.
Sometimes I use it for an extra moisture for my lips at night when I sleep.
I will definitely re-purchase this wonderful lip product.

SKIN79 Snail Nutrition BB Cream 40g

SKIN79 Snail Nutrition BB Cream 40g 12,000won

Moisturizing - It does make my skin look healthy.
Coverage - It has a light to medium coverage. I used a cushion foundation over it.
Wear - You don't feel like you are wearing BB cream on your face.
Dewy Glow - There is a shiny dewy look.
Lasting Power - It last because it looks like my skin but just 3-4 shades whiter.
Oxidizing - yes
Scent - IT STINKS!

The color only fits people with shade 21 otherwise you will look like a ghost. I have shade 23 and I looked ridiculous white and ghostly during the wintertime when I did not have any sun tan. I don't think I will bother trying the others. I have tried the pink one and the purple sample versions, I think I prefer those over this snail version. This is only great if you don't want to have "make-up" look on because it is very light. It claims it gives your skin a little boost and I think it tries to be more of a CC cream than a BB cream.

Mizon intensive skin barrier eye cream pack 5ml

2000 won, 5ml, 35 grams

After two not so great eye creams, I was almost going to spurge on the SK-II stempower eye cream because I have sensitive skin. After using this, I realize that Mizon is an under-rated brand sometimes. even though I was going through my products and noticed this unopened box in my closet-it wasn't expired! I opened it and used it in my damaged and dry eye area, and it sang to me. It didn't burn my eyes. It was lightweight and more than enough moisture.  This product definitely revitalizes my eye area and the product absorbed very quickly and left my eye area very moisturized. However, after 2 weeks of using it, my eyes got really red and itchy so I discontinued using it. So I think it works for some people, but if you have sensitive skin, I think you should skip this product. 

• Are these decent products? Yes.
• Overpriced? No
• Anti-wrinkle anything? Nope.
• Moisturizing? Yes.
• Gentle? Very much so!
• Suitable for sensitive and breakout prone skin? NO!
• Suitable for oily skin? According to my oily tester - yes.
• Suitable for dry skin? Depending on how dry your skin is, you might need more moisture.
• Day or night? Day
• Works under makeup? Yes.

IT'S SKIN PRESTIGE BN Cream EX 60ml

IT'S SKIN PRESTIGE BN Cream EX 60ml 45,000won
AKA Bird's Nest

I thought I would give this brand a try, but the cream is too light for me. This product claims that it whitens and hydrates the skin, I have yet to seen either after a week's use.
This would be best in the summertime, not really for the harsh winter when you want extra moisture and firming.
It does give you an radiance hence the oiliness and stickiness.
The aftermath was a bit sticky which I'm not a fan of. 

This brand is good for people that are started to get into Korean skincare products and preferable if you are in your 20s with dull skin who needs a boost in skin texture. This cream doesn't seem to have any anti-aging effects on me so it's a thumbs down for me.
For $45, it definitely wasn't worth it for my combination skin type.

  

HERA M&D UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture SPF34 15g×2 #23

HERA M&D UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture SPF34 15g×2 #23 Cool Beige Natural

This is my favorite cushion foundation during the winter.
I liked this so much that I ordered the Hera's sister product of UV mist cushion foundation.
I can agree that it is ultra hydrating - compared to the other cushion foundations out there. I'm not sure how it can get rid of dead skin cells as it claims in its fine print. It does make the skin smoother and I felt moisturized through a 8-hour shift. It contains camellia oil which is the ingredient that helps with moisturizes and locks it into the skin. It you have dull or dru skin, this product helps evens your skin and makes it look healthier. You only need two taps on the cushion and it will cover your face.
If it states that it can survive in a humid environment, probably it can be suitable in both winter and summer seasons, but I strongly prefer using this during the harsh winter conditions.
I prefer this over the Sulwhasoo Perfecting cushion.
This Hera one matches my facial skin better and looks more natural.
Covers all pores. 
I don't think I will be leaving Hera's products for a while.
The colored packaging makes it nicer while it stands out next to your other boring white cushion foundations. Plus the cities sited under the Hera puff was a surprise for me to love this product even more. I finished a cushion in 2 weeks straight-probably because I was only loyal to this cushion for so long.

I believe that $43 for this cushion is a fairly good price considering that it worked better than all my previous cushions. Very satisfied.

Moisturizing - It does make my skin look healthy.
Coverage - It has a medium-high coverage. The best!
Wear - Lasted my entire 8 hour shift unless you rub it off like the other cushions.
Dewy Glow - There is a nice dewy look.
Lasting Power - It last about my whole 8 hour work shift.
Oxidizing - yes
Scent - unscented to my senses

General Haul #19 - NYC Korean sample sale (from JKNLEE #1)

I missed the first Korean sample sale last summer hosted by Peach &Lily (still upset about it) so I was not going to miss this one. I'm more of a skincare person so I think I would have got more stuff from the Peach & Lily then today's JKNLEE sale. I have been buying Korean skincare and make-up products for a year to realize "what is sale price and retail price", "what is worth getting" and "what isn't according to my skin". I vowed to myself that I would spend less starting this year on cosmetics products but it hasn't been working that well since the year starts with a sample sale. Hurry up, tomorrow is the last day!

I thought that I give the place a hour after opening to avoid the long line and crazy crowd so I arrived at noon and wait 30 minutes to get it. They handed me a small bag to put your goodies in as you shopped. I understand that some people want to read what they are buying so they take a bit longer. I'm one of those people that look, pick or grab and look for the line. I'm kinda upset that there wasn't anymore Mr.G's cream for damaged skin, but I got the goodal's emulsion and essence. But many people were interested in the make-up instead of the skincare, so I went towards the skincare first and then slowly tried to merged into the make-up section. There aren't any testers so the customers were opening the packages to view the color and stuff. It's best to research a bit about the colors before buying. The reps there are very nice asking questions and maintaining the crowds.

Here's my list of goodies:

1. Soo Ae The Qure Premium Facial Essence Mask E.G.F - 5 pcs - $5
2. Ostia Korea - Snail Jade Pure Essence Skin Gel Mask - 10pcs - $10
3. Ostia Korea - Snail Emerald Pure Essence Skin Gel Mask - 10pcs - $10
4. TonyMoly water melting gloss Delight in 06 Mellow Red - $5
5. TonyMoly bam bam tint Delight 04 Orange Girl - $5
6. TonyMoly Fruit Princess Gloss 1 Strawberry - $5
7. Clio Gelpresso Melting Lipstick 14 Runaway - $5
8. Clio Gelpresso Melting Lipstick 15 Queen's Red - $5
9. Clio Diamond Lipstick 24 Swing Pink - $5
10. Clio Diamond Lipstick 03 Noble Pink - $5
11. Clio Micro Fine Collagen Mist - $10
12. Clio Kill cover Cushion Founwear 04 Ginger - (2 boxes) - $20 each
13. Clio Waterproof Eyeliner 2 Brown - $5
14. Clio Kill Brown WaterProof Pencil Liner - $5
15. Clio Gelpresso WaterProof Pencil Gel Liner - 6 Metallic Silver - $5
16. Clio Gelpresso WaterProof Pastel Upper Liner - $5
17. goodal Phytorain Murumuru Seed Hydra Emulsion - $7
18. goodal Phytoshine Acaiberry Brightening Emulsion - $7
19. goodal Luminant Plus Whitening Essence - $7 (if I knew about this product beforehand, I would have grabbed more)
20. Peripera Saturday night liner 7 Sunday Night - $5
21. They gave me three samples - a snail ruby mask sheet and 2 The Cure Pure Nature 3-step Clean Care. It is basically something for your face, hair and body. Perfect for sleepovers or stay-overs.

I didn't get any of their $1 stuff (nail stickers,  eye-shadow) or 3 for $15 (nail polish, lip tint) or Goodal Golden Snail sheet masks. Everything here was a bargain. I think I will be good and save some for other people for tomorrow which is their last day!

  

These 3 pictures are taken from NY.racked.com because it was so crowded and hectic for me to take pics of the store.

Individual reviews coming soon throughout the year!

Sooryehan Wrinkle Ampoule

Sooryehan Wrinkle Ampoule - 35ml

Good moisturizer, very creamy.

Been using it for my smile and eye lines and my neck.
I can see why this brand is considerate a luxury brand, but I will be open to other brands.
But if I see changes - hardly.
I didn't see any change with my neck area or my smile lines after two month of usage so I will not be re-purchasing this product.

During the harsh winter, I suffered from dry eyes and I used this as an extra eye cream/gel and it helped a little.

  

General Haul #18 - TesterKorea #11

So USPS Tracking no longer works with international packages from South Korea so I have no idea when my package will come once it gets off the plane from Seoul.

Date Ordered - November 29
Date Shipped - December 9
Date Arrived - December 18

Total Amount - 140,500 won
Shipping Cost -13,150 won
Total - 153,650 won --> US$135.98

I had to take part in their Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday luxury brand sale on the last day.

1. SOORYEHAN Hyo Water Spring Multi Essence 75ml 25000won
2. KOSE Sekkisei Emulsion 70ml × 3 (210ml) 32000won
3. HERA M&D UV Mist Cushion Ultra Moisture SPF34 15g×2 #23 43000won
4. HERA CC Cream SPF35 30ml #23 40500won

Individual reviews coming soon!

KOSE Sekkisei Emulsion 70ml × 3 (210ml)

KOSE Sekkisei Emulsion 70ml × 3 (210ml) - $35


I totally regret not buying the KOSE Sekkisei combo kit when I was at the Duty Free shop in Taiwan Airport because of its alcohol content in its ingredients but I kept thinking about its brand after I got back to NYC. I tried some on my hand when I was at Duty Free and I really liked the texture, so I ended up ordering some online which of course it double the price plus shipping fees as compared if you physically brought it at the Duty Free shops.

It has a milky texture and does not have a scent, the hydration is just enough.
I tend to prefer product with a little bit of floral scent, which this lacks.
But there is something about this product that keeps me reaching for it every morning and night.
I have reached for this more than my Hera emulsion which is quite shocking.
I have combination and sensitive skin so I am proud to share with you guys that this product is non-sticky and it absorbs very well after the process of a shower, toner, essence and serum.
One full pump is enough for my whole face.

Strangely, my face was breaking out after two weeks worth of usage but it went away the next day so it could have been the weather because the temperature spiked high on one of those days. My skin never reacts well with denatured alcohol, but this product did ok with my skin.  Next time I will get the green bottles.

esfolio Pearl Essence Mask Sheet

esfolio Pearl Essence Mask Sheet

I brought this mask at the Grand Opening cosmetic store in Kaohsiung Taiwan. This wasn't planned and I didn't need a face sheet, but since it was an opening, I had to seize the opportunity. I have tried the esfolio brand before so it wasn't new to me. I think my skin needed some radiance and whitening due to Kaohsiung harsh sun and heat during the winter (I usually reside in NYC where its freezing cold in the winters, so wasn't accustomed to the heat), so this Pearl Mask Sheet was the perfect solution. This was full of essence which was very moisturizing and it helped with some inflammation that I developed during my trip.

 

I think these mask sheets are available in Forever 21 here in the states.

TONYMOLY BCdation All Master 50g

TONYMOLY BCdation All Master 50g 13,000won
This is how the product looked when it arrived in the box - a hot mess.

   

Moisturzing - No

Coverage - What coverage

Wear - It streaks

Dewy Glow - dry

Lasting Power - none

Oxidizing - None

Scent - No smell

I will be giving this away to my friend. I hate this base makeup? I would not even call it base make-up. This is my most hated make-up product from TonyMoly. I'm a fan of their skincare products but their bcdation begs to differ. I have used it twice, stayed away from it for a month. Decided to give it another try a month later using a Sephora sculpture sponge this time and then made my decision and gave it away after four uses. The color is medium beige (N23), but it does a very bad job with coverage and wear.