General Haul #33 - TesterKorea # 15

Date Orderd - May 25
Date Shipped - May 31
Date Arrived - June 7

Total Amount : 116,900won +
Shipping Cost 13,150won = 130,050won

1. DR.JART+ Silver Label Plus BB 40ml - 29,000won
2. Dr.Jart+ Ctrl-A Spot Cover 19,000won
3. TSUBAKI Damage Care Set (2items) 2000won
4. HOLIKAHOLIKA Before Mask Sheet - Office attendance  900won
5. CLIO Kill Cover Realest Wear Moist Foundation SPF35 PA++ 30ml 20,000 each
6. CLIO Kill Cover Highest Wear Primer 30ml 143000won
7. TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL Artclass By Rodin Highlighter 11g 11,900won
8. NongShim Champong Seafood Ramyun Ramen Noodle 1200won

Individual reviews coming soon!

FabFitFun Welcome Box

It seems that JULY is subscription boxes to me.
I have ordered or subscription a lot of new boxes to try out - some being gems, some being disappointments.

I thought I was using the Welcome code for a regular quarter season box but instead came an "welcome Box".
I wasn't too happy so I cancelled my subscription because they are quite misleading.
For $25, I got stuff that I didn't want to use, but I will try to use because I don't like to waste products.
The only thing that interest me was the "eye serum", "hairspray" and the "jump rope".
I'm not sure when I will use either.
The eye serum is deluxe sample size that I will bring to my autumn trip to Taiwan, it will last me about a month so it's perfect for my month trip.
The Wren 14kt Gold-Dipped and Black Sapphire Necklace will be given away to someone.
The earbuds will come in handy when I'm in need for an emergency earphones.
The hair spray is self-explanation - I think I should start using hair products.
The jump rope - I have to start somewhere with that lol.
With the Zoya Nail Polish, I prefer the "avril" color because it is more of a spring/summer color as compared to the "carey" color that I got which I will use for the winter.
The Protein shake, my brother took when I opened my box, so I guess he likes that one.

It might be nice for some people but I will pass on this subscription.

HADA LABO Shiro-jyun Milk

140 ml
This was the first product I was looking for when I landed in Taiwan
This is from the brightening line.
Sadly, Japanese products that I have used always contained alcohol, however, my skin doesn't react to it, so there must be another ingredients that counteracts with alcohol.
It moisturizing enough for this summer.
I prefer emulsions over creams during the summer time because I have combination skin.
If it diminishes the appearance of freckles, age spots and dark spots from sun damage = very little. But it's better than none.

I believe that it does have firming properties because my skin feels a bit tight and firm about 5 minutes after applying.
I will purchase this again if I see it in a physical store.
I'm not a fan of seeing alcohol (Disodium EDTA) as an ingredient in my skincare products but my skin hasn't react to it during the time of the usage.
But I'm not in a rush to buy it again.

Below are the ingredients in English.

Ingredients : Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Arbutin, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Methylparaben, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum

 

Sephora Play July 2016

My First Sephora Play Box (July 2016) has arrived!!

The theme is "Effortless Summer"

I'm thinking natural looking makeup and skincare.

 

Some people might like these items and some may not.

On a scale of 1-5, my final is a 3.

Included in this box was:

1 - First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser - I don't like getting cleanser cause I have too many. Plus I'm not a fan of this brand because of some of the ingredients the company uses. But I will put this in my travel bag.

2 - Nest Fragrances - Citrine - It's a cute floral fruity scent up my aisle. Perfect for spring and summer.

3 - Ouai Wave Spray - If only I didn't buy the Sephora Favorites - Summer Hair Saviors (which I am enjoying). I will use this for my trip to Taiwan in October.

4 - Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - I don't use primer (gave it to my mom who loves primer)

5 - Benefit Cosmetics Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer - I have really light Asian skin so I don't even know where to begin using a bronzer. Will be giving this to a friend.

6 - BeautyBlender blotterazzi - perfect for summer when you are outside, but is it hygienic?

I do like the information pamphlet because it gives tips on how to use products if you are new to it. For improvement, I hope that they can curate samples based on your skin tone and type. Overall, if more than half of the samples are usable then it's good for me.

Maybe I should start piling up a "giveaway bag". Should I?

General Haul #33 - MAC Cosmetics Sample Sale in NYC!

So I stood in this monstrous line at 1:30pm (doors didn't open until 2pm) first ever M.A.C cosmetics sample sale in NYC event and waited outside for 3 hours. Yes, it was hot and sunny. Not much shaded areas.

Bags were checked inside the 4th floor showroom. Walked around, looked for 5 minutes and went to stay in checkout line for 20 minutes.

So the line for the products go from lips to nail polish to eye shadow to powder, highlighter, contour and then face. I just came for the foundation (which wasn't any). I went to "face" portion first and the only thing available on the first day was the Lightful C 2-in-1 Tint and Serum Radiance Booster  (in all 5 shades) for $24-I got 2 bottles.

I was looking for the limited editions of Chris Chang or Guo Pei products - none of these!

Only one type of brush - eye shadow brush ($10).

I got two nail polishes - $4.80 each.

I got two lippies - $7 and $8 each.

I didn't get the lip crayons cause I never tried them.

For 60% off I was disappointed but I wasn't overjoyed either.

Let me know if there are other things on the other days in the comments below!

Enjoy shopping!

Philosophy Purity made Simple Cleanser

Philosophy Purity made Simple Cleanser

I think it is fair to say that I have been spoiled with Korean and Asian products for about 2 years and this is the first "western" product I have used since I started the Asian products and I am not impressive.

This is a good cleanser to use on No-makeup days because it doesn't wash off makeup well.

 

This is more of a water cleanser, even though it say "oil" in some of the ingredients but it just runs down your skin.
It smells really bad. I guess I'm used to the light floral scent you see in most Asian products.

Even though it say it is a "one-step facial" cleanser, I think this is a miss for me.

HADA LABO Goku-jyun Alpha Lotion

HADA LABO Goku-jyun Alpha Lotion

At first, I thought this was a toner, but on its website it calls it a lotion. Later I find out that Japanese products call a "toner" a "lotion"-strange. This is the first toner that I use after my Missha First essence treatment because this toner has hyaluronic acid which makes it so moisturizing and creamy that I feel like it would be a waste if I used it before the essence. I would definitely repurchase this.

Below are the ingredients in ENGLISH!!!:

Ingredients : Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Beta Carotene, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Methylparaben, PEG-20 Sorbitan Isostearate, PPG-10 Methyl Glucose Ether, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Tocopherol, Triethanolamine, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil

 

Philly Trip July 2016

So I decided to make a last-minute trip to Philly during the July 4 weekend. The city was pretty spacious and quiet at noon. So I walked around Downtown Philly!

One of the two schools that I could have went to if I didn't make the decision to stay in NYC.

Walked to this restaurant that I google/Yelped on and it was yummy Taiwanese food! I never tasted anything like this in NYC-I think I'm moving here!

Starbucks was having a $3 frap deal this weekend. It was humid so a drink was in need.

Of course, I had to do some shopping! But "Shops at Liberty Place" was closed for the holiday but there were plenty of shops that were open, including Sephora.

 
Afterwards, walked through Chinatown in misty rain!


This place was recommended by Philly's Finest. Eat half for a quick afternoon snack.

 

Being a tourist at Liberty Bell before the sun sets.

Eat Dinner like a local at Monk's Café. Not that impressed.

Breakfast the next morning at Little's Pete.

Last spot to hit (Mutter's Museum) before heading back to NYC.

New Masks on Beauteque! + promo code

It's more than two weeks since Beauteque launched its new website - Mask Marketplace. Has everyone brought their mask? Make sure you follow @beautequeofficial for more things to come! The mask below is one of the 500+ different brands that you can buy!

Below are a few of the masks that can be seen on the websites.

The amount of masks are constantly being updating and expanding as the days go by.

According to Beauteque, about 50% of the population suffers from sensitivity, me including so everyone will find a mask on this site that suits them well.

Enjoy the summer and keep hydrated!

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

In the Mask Maven, 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.

Make sure you visit this website and always keep on the lookout for deals and promo codes!

General Haul #32 - SweetCorea #1

Date Purchased - 05/12/2016
Date US customs shipped it back to Korea - 05/25/2016
Date Shipped Again - 05/31/2016

Date Arrived - 06/08/2016


Product Total - 96,950won
Shipping - 24,100won
Total - 121,050won

My first order from SweetCorea website! After purchasing about US$100 all I got as a sample was a sheet mask-I don't know what to say about this site! It's just a regular Korean website that charging shipping based on weight and they have a lot of products and sales. Plus shipping is really fast.

DEWYTREE Honey Moist Black Mask (10pcs in 1pack)
Dr jart+ Ceramidin Light Cream
Primera Miracle Seed Essence 150ml
Son and Park Beauty Water 340 ml
VERITE Dual Treatment Eye Cream 20ml


Individual reviews coming soon!

Tosowoong Vitalizing Essence Mask +PROMO CODE

It's more than a week since Beauteque launched its new website - Mask Marketplace. Has everyone brought their mask? Make sure you follow @beautequeofficial for more things to come! The mask below is one of the 500+ different brands that you can buy!

In addition :

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

In the Mask Maven, 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.

Make sure you visit this website and always keep on the lookout for deals and promo codes!

Onto the mask, it's very moisturizing. I was so tired that I felt asleep with the mask on. I woke up the next morning, my face was plump and dewy with shine. I think that it where the brightening comes in. The essence was milky and smooth. So yes, it was definitely luminous-ing!!

Innisfree skin clinic mask - BHA

It's a week after Beauteque launched its new website - Mask Marketplace. Has everyone brought their mask? Make sure you follow @beautequeofficial for more things to come! The mask below is one of the 500+ different brands that you can buy!

In addition :

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

In the Mask Maven, 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.

Make sure you visit this website and always keep on the lookout for deals and promo codes!

I'll admit, I have never used a BHA on my skin before. I have brought and tried the CosRX AHA on my face and didn't like the scent and wasn't a fan of the formula, so I wanted to try this BHA one. AHA are usually for whiteheads while BHA are for blackheads. The sheet mask is very thin, hence the "ultra-thin" advertisement on the product.

It dried rather quickly on my skin and I didn't want to pour the rest of the essence in the bag onto my face so I poured it into those sample sized "mist spray" so I can use later. After about 20 minutes, it did leave my face shiny, soft and my skin felt "tighten". Again, I didn't really like the scent but it's nice that the Innisfree brand makes "skin clinic" mask which helps with problematic skin.

zzzquil NightTime Sleeping Aid

My first item : #ZzzQuil #SleepLovers #ad @ZZZQuil Nighttime Sleep-Aid from @Influenster came just in time! I have been having trouble sleeping these past couple of weeks! #Influenster #DiphenhydramineHCl



Recently been having trouble sleeping aka insomnia because I work the midnight shift. This came just in time. It helps with people who have trouble falling asleep. The main ingredient is diphenhydramine which is a type of antihistamine and that makes you drowsy. Of course there are the general side effects, but once in a blue moon if you are really having trouble to sleep then it's ok because it is over the counter.

PreLab Soothing Mask

It's two days after Beauteque launched its new website - Mask Marketplace. Has everyone brought their mask? Use the code, "FREESHIP" for free shipping with any masks rather it's a single buy or a hundred different masks from now until July 6! Make sure you follow @beautequeofficial for more things to come! The mask below is one of the 500+ different brands that you can buy!

 
In addition :

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

In the Mask Maven, 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.

Make sure you visit this website and always keep on the lookout for deals and promo codes!

   

So this mask is one of my top 5 favorite sheet mask in all time. To make it to my favorites, there are a few requirements. Must be hydrating, moisturizing, doesn't stink, great for sensitive skin and no have alcohol in its ingredients. This mask has it all! Plus I have this mask one for 1 hour and it is still phenomenal! The essence doesn't drip off, the sheet mask does a great job of locking it in until it goes in contact with your skin.

Launch Day of Beauteque's Mask Marketplace

@beautqueofficial has officially launched as Beauteque: Your Mask Marketplace!!!

Finally someplace that I can order Asian Masks within the US without having to pay for hefty overseas shipping costs! You can find about 500 masks ranging everything from Japanese to Korean to Taiwanese masks here. Everything from face sheet masks to eye gels, to lip hydrogels and neck mask and many more.

You can either subscribe to their monthly Mask Maven or buy single sheet mask. Or you can buy a set depending on your skin concern or needs. For example, you can purchase hydrating masks if you have dry skin. There are also sets where you can purchase if you want to try a variety of masks from a specific brand, the more you buy in a set, the more cost effective it can be. I like that the Beauteque website allows you to filter out from the 500 masks to what you really want, for example if you want a mask with a certain ingredient or a type of mask ranging from cotton to silk to hydrogel.

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

In the Mask Maven, 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.

Make sure you visit this website and always keep on the lookout for deals and promo codes!