Sephora Play May 2017 review

Sephora Play May 2017 review

The Rising Stars

Sadly, I didn't write a review for the last month's play box because it was less than expected and wasn't worth writing a review on it. This month was a quick surprise. I was able to use all of them on my last minute emergency trip .

1. Nudestix - Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone - it's matte so it's not as creamy as a regular lip liner 
2. Tatcha - Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil - great cleansing oil/makeup remover
3. Belief - Hungarian Water Essence - one of my favorite Korean essence. I'm more than happy that this product was included in this box.
4. Trestique - Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent - a very light rose gold/pink glow
5. Rahua - Omega 9 Hair Mask - great hair mask that makes my hair smooth
6. Tocca - Stella - fresh, light spring perfume

Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Industrial-Strength Full Coverage Concealer-01 Light

Heavy concealer and coverage - No!
I got this in light and it might my face look so light and scary.
Its coverage ability isn't that great, it is creamy though.
But not enough for me to wow!
Plus you must use a brush to blend it out.

This pic is how the concealer works when trying to conceal the pimple and clearly it did not work.

SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultimate Warming Cleanser

SEPHORA COLLECTION Ultimate Warming Cleanser

This was the only pic that I have with the cleanser.
Why?
Because I returned the product.
I never return cleansers, but this one was too harsh to rub because of its maple sap-like feel.
My sensitive skin wasn't having it.
However, when I tried it in the shower, it worked wonders.
It did remove all the dirt and impurities you may have in your pores.
But I prefer to have a cleanser that I can use when I'm also not in the shower.

Benefit Cosmetics Fake-Up Undereye Hydrating Concealer-02 Medium

I brought this from Sephora and was excited to use it because it has a hydrating balm surrounding the concealer and its packaged in tube form. This is great for travelling. And even better for people with dry under eyes area

I got the medium shade (even though I'm usually a light in it cosmetics CC cream) and I'm happy that I got the medium.

It blends well, but it doesn't conceal much. It's a very light coverage with concealing.

The "Before" pic is above and the "after pic is below.

You don't see much of a difference. Repurchase - No.

Moisturizing - yes!

KORRES QUERCETIN & OAK ANTIAGEING FOUNDATION

KORRES QUERCETIN & OAK ANTIAGEING FOUNDATION

I got my first Korres Foundation product at the Korres Sample sale.
I wasn't expecting much and then I ended up using the entire bottle during the entire season of spring and summer.

It has light coverage which I wasn't a fan of at first but it is a bit buildable and just the amount of makeup for everyday work.
I have dry combination skin and I thought it was semi-matte but my friend say that it looked dewy at the end of the work day, especially my nose area, but I'm ok with having dewy looking skin.

I didn't think that I liked Korres before but maybe I'll give this brand a try for the other products.

Beauteque April Mask Maven 2017 review

Beauteque April Mask Maven 2017 review
Soothing Showers

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.

This April Mask Maven came during the second week of May and the theme was "soothing showers". The tristate area in the US have been getting spring showers in May so this April Mask Maven definitely felt more suitable for May. 

I was very happy with the selection of masks that was in this mask maven so it didn't bother me that it was late at all.

1. Too Cool For School Egg Cream mask - Pore Tightening - You don't always get what you want in life. I have dry skin so I prefer the hydration over the more famous pore tightening but both are pretty good on the skin.
2. A'pieu Real Big Yogurt One Bottle (Plain)- I think the only reason that I still like is the packaging.
3. Mediheal NMF Aquaring Ampoule Mask - this is one of the first sheet mask that I used that got me into this sheet mask frenzy. Always a keeper.
4. AM Piggy Head Mask - Sun Moon Lake Black Tea Instant Repairing Facial Mask - I kind of wanted the Lala Shan Peach Aqua Moisturizing one instead because I brought the Sun Moon Lake one when I visited Taiwan.
5. Mizon Enjoy Vital-Up Time Watery Moisture Mask - another mizon for dry skin
6. HIDDENcos Latte Mask - this is a new sheet mask for me. I've been wanting to try this sheet mask and I was excited to see this brand in the maven. Plus it has coffee extract so I hope it has brightening effects.
7. WellDerma Water Full Moisture Ampoule Mask - I do like this mask  because I started to get into marine water ingredients in my products.
8. Timeless Truth Hydra-Intense Black Charcoal Mask - one of my favorite brands that I discovered in Taiwan. I still have the entire TT hydra intense collection.
9. Nohj Bananaman SSUL mask - cucumber - Another favorite brand of mine with heavy moisture in its sheet mask.

Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing Drops

Sephora Collection Radiant Luminizing Drops
Shade 3 - Morning Light - champagne

I like the idea and I do love the little bit of pretty highlight but I think I will stick to highlight powders instead of luminizing drops.

The color or shine goes away in seconds.

It looks great on swatches but not great on the face.

JaSaengYeon Vital Cell Solution Herbal Concentrated Cream

DAENG GI MEO RI – JaSaengYeon Vital Cell Solution Herbal Concentrated Cream

I've been using this as a night cream or on days when my skin is really dry. Its texture has an intense nourishing feel. It claims it has whitening and wrinkle care properties but I haven't seen much of either. However I will definitely repurchase because my sensitive skin loved this cream!

TS reskin Clarifying Toner

TS reskin Clarifying Toner

Finally a toner with a pump!

Thank you @0.8l_usa for introducing me to a #toner that has a pump! All the toners I've used before all have a dispenser where I can never get an exact amount of product that I need- I've always wasted product. Anyway this toner is for #sensitiveskin like mine and I'm so happy that it didn't sting my face. It has earned a spot on my skincare vanity. It helps with #sebumcontol and #porecare

#Reskin #TSClarifyingToner #TroubleSolution #ClarifyingToner #PoreCare #08L

NYX butter Lipstick - Midnight Swim

This is a very pigmented lipstick, doesn't stay on very long so re-application is a must.
Very creamy and moisturizing. glides onto the lips easily.
Not re-purchasing because there are many more lipsticks out there to try.
The name "midnight swim" has nothing to do with this pink color lipstick.

BareMinerals Eye Shadow Kitty

Very pigmented!

This is a loose powder eye shadow where you dip your eyeshadow brush with a bit of eye shadow and blend it onto your eyelids.

I love this color, I had used it everyday for the past two workweeks and my coworkers have complimented on the color.

Su:m37 White Award Moisture Balancing Emulsion

Su:m37 White Award Moisture Balancing Emulsion

This emulsion main goal is to "restores the ideal balances of moisture and oil of the skin to keep the skin clear and revitalized."

It's all about moisture and whitening.

Another word for whitening is balancing your uneven skin tone.


It has a light texture. I have been using it during the spring and summer.
I do feel my skin tighten and firmed after application.