Empties: March 2017

I haven't been using makeup on a daily basis since mid last year and it's becoming even harder to finish or even hit pan on makeup items. Will try harder for next month!

Will just be listing down what I've already and also those which I plan to repurchase in the future.

Already Repurchased:

1. The Saem Snail Soothing Gel (sorry still no review, this is my super love!!!!)

2. Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum

3. Clarins Contour Body Oil

4. Clarins Blue Orchid Face Oil

Planning to Repurchase (when I run out of a replacement):

1. Caudalie Grape Water

2. Naturie Skin Conditioning Gel

3. Fujiko Mayu Tint in Chocolat Brown

There wasn't any bad product in this lot, just that I decided not to repurchase some as I've plenty of replacements in my stash and they weren't exceptionally good. The Cosrx Centella Blemish Ampoule was handed over by my sister, I finished it within 2 weeks but I can't attest to the blemish fighting properties as my skin isn't problematic at the moment. It did however leave my skin smooth and I could apply other serums on top without any issues.

Wedding in about a month! Getting so excited yet nervous at the same time!!!

Empties- 14
Total Empties- 24

Review: JOLSE HaruHaru Sheet Mask

I recently received a bunch of HaruHaru masks from Jolse to review. These masks contain Mayu (horse oil) and come in 4 variants- Soothing, Moisture, Lifting and Vitality.

The illustration has a touch of dark humour which I find funny- the Soothing mask shows a lady catching her lover with another woman and the Moisture mask features the same lady (?) dunking a guy's head into water for some hydration. 

All the masks in the Haruharu line contain fermented horse fat, I tried the Soothing Mask first as I was experiencing skin redness from the cold winter. The scent reminded me of eucalyptus although it's not listed as one of the ingredients. It did help with my rosacea but I noticed tiny red bumps (which disappeared n the morning). There was a slight residue leftover after removing the masks which took a while to absorb, but once it did- supple skin!

I kept the masks on for 30 mins each night, and although they can be used nightly I would not recommend doing that for someone with combination skin as it might be too much. Drier skins would love it in my opinion.

On the second night, I went with the Moisture Mask. Main ingredients of the include Blueberry Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide and Mayu. This has a scent which I can't quite figure out, but it isn't offensive. As with the first mask, I was also left with supple skin and the same residue which took a while to absorb.

I wanted to continue for the 3rd night with another Haruharu mask but I had noticed little red bumps which weren't going away overnight. So I skipped it for one night and used it after my skin had calmed down. The Vitality mask showed the least improvement on my skin, perhaps it's because I've been getting enough sleep and rest so this might perform better on someone with dull skin or lacking sleep. It also contains Niacinamide and quite a number of different plant root extracts.

The last of the series is the Lifting mask, which I used on the next night. This has Aloe, Rose Water, Centella Asiatica and a number of fruit extracts. My face seemed a little more defined but nothing drastic. I also noticed a red bump on my cheek and this also leaves the same sheen which takes a while to absorb. I wore all of these masks for 30-40 minutes each.

After using these masks nightly, stopping and starting again, I am quite sure that my skin can't handle so much Mayu on a daily basis. However, it is a great mask for those with drier skins or during winter when our skin needs more hydration. 

Thank you Jolse for sending over these masks for me to try out!

Review: Moist, Diane Oil in Body Milk (Chardonnay)

The first product I tried from this brand was the Extra Damage Repair Hair Mask which I loved and subsequently got my sister hooked onto it too. It was the best drugstore hair mask I used when I was living in Kuala Lumpur, lovely scent and left my long hair soft but not weighed down. Unfortunately they only carried the haircare line so I made it a point to check out their bodycare products when I travelled to Japan.

Now that I live in Japan, I'm spoilt for choice and have yet to repurchase that much loved Hair Mask! Mainly because there are so many choices here, and there are some really affordable options which I plan on checking out. I did however get my hands on some of the Moist, Diane bodycare products- one of which is the Oil in Body Milk, Chardonnay scented.

The formula contains a rich combination of 14 skin-friendly botanical oils with hydrating beauty ingredients. These include Virgin Argan Oil, Virgin Plum Oil, Rose Hip Oil, Marula Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Baobab Oil, Shea Butter, Rose Honey, Acerola Extract and Pearl Protein Extract amongst other beneficial oils. No artifical colouring, alcohol, silicon or animal-derivatives in here.

Despite the scent being named Chardonnay, it doesn't smell anything like wine, but more of a light muscat which I adore! It's so pleasing and soft. Even Y* comments how nice the fragrance is whenever I use it. I have been using this since last winter (I have another body lotion for warmer months) and am almost done. It's kept in the bathroom so I don't forget to slap some on after I take a bath.

What I like:

Love love love the scent! Also the light texture and how it absorbs well in the cooler and colder months. Moisturizes without any sticky or tacky feeling plus contains lots of great oils and ingredients. The sturdy textured plastic bottle allows me to keep it in the bathroom without worrying about it slipping when wet.

What I don't like:

I can't use this in summer at all, it just makes my skin sticky and slimy, but could just be me. The brand is a little iffy, the body milk is made in Japan but the shower oil is made in Vietnam. I feel like I have to check everytime before I buy from them now. It is also a little hard to find in drugstores, I got mine whilst visiting Hakata (Fukuoka) and have yet to see any whenever I pop by my local drugstore or even when I visit Tokyo. However, they do have links to online stores like Rakuten or Amazon Japan. 

Price:

A little less than ¥1,000 for 250ml

Repurchase?

Yes! When I get through my large box of bodycare products...

Wonect Beauty Review: Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover

This product marks the final review in my Wonect Starlet journey, I would like to say thank you to the Wonect Team for giving me this opportunity. I have discovered many new products in the past few months, and have enjoyed receiving the notes which come with each month's package. It has been a great experience for me. Once again, thank you Roger and Harumi for your support!

So let's get to it! The Bifesta Eye Makeup Remover comes in a 145ml sturdy bottle and has been ranked number 1 in Cosme's Best Cosmetics list in the past.

It's a bi-phase eye makeup remover, which means there's a layer of oil and water which you have to shake before using. I find that bi-phase removers work so much better compared to water-based ones especially if you use waterproof or long-lasting eye makeup. I have been using bi-phase removers for many years as it takes off my eye makeup easier and faster.

After I removed the wrapper, I realized that the water part isn't actually blue but also clear like the oil part, but you can still see where they meet. The 2 layers work together to remove eye makeup quickly without rubbing or tugging- the water-based layer contains skin lotion-derived cleansing ingredients and the oil-based emollient layer sort of binds and slides off waterproof mascara and eyeliner. These ingredients include Vitamin B and E derivatives, Hyaluronic Acid, and are gentle on the eye area and eyelashes, protecting them and keeping the skin moisturized. The formula is also low-irritant, fragrance-free, colorant-free and preservative-free. 

Here's how it looks when shaken- a cloudy mixture which you then pour out onto a cotton pad. The mouth is the perfect size, doesn't dispense too much nor too little when you tilt the bottle. I usually use my eye makeup remover to remove my lipstick as well, so I have included swatches of a normal lipstick as well as a non-transfer matte liquid lipstick below.

Top to bottom- Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Liner (it is waterproof, smudge-proof and really hard to remove), a matte eyeshadow, a glittery eyeshadow, lipstick and a matte non-transfer liquid lipstick. 

Used one cotton pad with a few drops of the remover, the results above are with just one swipe! Everything came off so easily without any tugging on the skin, which is very important as the eye area is so thin and delicate.

All clean! Except for a little staining left behind by the liquid lipstick which nothing takes off anyway. If you're using it on your lips just remember not to lick them before giving them a wash. I did not detect any scent, and when used on my eyes it did not cloud my vision nor cause any stinging or irritation. I also used it on waterproof mascara and it took that off very easily. For stubborn and reallllly long-lasting makeup, just leave the soaked cotton pad on for about 5-10 seconds before swiping. 

All in, one of the best eye (and lip) makeup removers that I've tried and which performs just as well as my favourite Clarins Eye Makeup Remover! Would highly recommend!

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Wonect Beauty Review: Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Long Long Long

No, that's not a typo on the title.. the name of product number 2 in this month's Wonect Beauty Box is a mascara by Majolica Majorca named Lash Expander Long Long Long Mascara. It also says "Fulfills All Your Wishes" on the packaging, we'll see about that!

Before I get into this review, I have to state that I'm not a mascara user for a few reasons- 1) I have hooded lids so my lashes poke straight down, 2) I draw my eyeliner super thick so it doesn't show even if I use mascara (only visible sideways) might as well skip it, also 3) I have sensitive eyes and many formulas (even high end brands) cause it to sting mildly and tear. I've tried to incorporate mascara into my routine before but it was just too much trouble.

The packaging is also in-line with their other products, and makes me think of a dark, sexy and mysterious woman who uses them. This mascara is said to "contain 5 times of lengthening component, rich with deep black long fibers to achieve an intense, dramatic lash in a single stroke" and "with a liquid extension effect, smoothly elongates the lashes to leave them long, clump-free, glossy, with a long-lasting curl".

It has a unique 2-faced brush, the long and curved side is for lengthening and separating, whilst the shorter side is for retouching. You can see the little fibres poking out. The formula is waterproof and is able to resist sweat, water and sebum. It also contains treatment ingredients to care for lashes. So many claims, let me put them to the test!

Lash details from left to right, 1) uncurled, 2) after eyelash curler, eyes closed 3) eyes open and 4) after using mascara.

I am seriously impressed! My less than ideal lashes were definitely lengthened, so imagine what this could do for those with obvious lashes! The wet fibres brushed on easily and did not flake at all after it dried, not even when I accidentally rubbed my eyes (I forgot I had mascara on). They are weightless, not clumpy and did not smudge at all. Although it is primarily a lengthening mascara, it also held the curl very well- up until I removed it at night. Removal was easy with a eye makeup remover.

The Lash Expander does live up to it's claims and I highly recommend it! A+++

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Wonect Beauty Review: Lebel IAU Hair Mask

As someone with thick and super long hair (it's now at my waist), hair masks are a must to combat dryness, split ends and tangles. However, it's hard for me to find a suitable hair mask because if the formula is too heavy, it just weighs down my already heavy hair and makes my hair look limp and flat at the roots. If it's too light, it won't nourish my ends properly. #longhairproblems

Wonect included this Lebel IAU Hair Mask in January's box, and very timely too as I was at the last bits of my current one. From Lebel's website, it states that this hair mask is for rough and coloured hair (perfect for me!). It "promotes the preservation of colour brightness after dyeing, neutralizes the remnants of derivatives after chemical exposure, protects against UV rays and heat, and also prevents the absorption of foreign odours". Though it's targeted at coloured hair, I feel like anyone could use it because of the UV protection and also to prevent foreign odours from clinging to the hair. 

Ingredients include 12 kinds of plant derived oil, and has a dense lipid base. The packaging is sleek and the product is housed in a sturdy plastic tub. Upon opening it, I was greeted by a lovely scent.. it was rose but very "green" like cut grass, and fresh. I really like it as it isn't the traditional sweet old rose scent and it smells very clean and feminine.

The texture is a dense cream which isn't runny and I didn't need much to coat my ends evenly. I had it on for a few minutes and then rinsed it out. Some masks are a little slippery and take a while to rinse out but I had no problems with this one. After my hair dried, it was soft (no surprise here) but I also noticed that my hair was fluffier and had more volume. In winter I only shampoo every alternate day but even on day 2, my hair was still bouncy and without frizz! I didn't change anything in my routine so it had to be this mask. 

All in all, my hair definitely benefited from this mask- soft, smooth and bouncy. I can't vouch for the hair colour preserving benefits but it's a pretty good mask in general, checks all my boxes and smells so good too. Would recommend!

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Current Morning Skincare Routine

This line up is working really well for my dehydrated, acne-prone, sensitive, rosacea skin in the colder months- a little lengthy but they absorb well and don't need too much waiting in between.

My morning cleanser has to be really gentle and non-stripping nor drying, this has been a favourite for years- sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser. It has a very light foam which I took a while to get used to, but it cleanses well and I love the scent. I then prep my face with the La Mer The Treatment Lotion, also another favourite which I have used up a few bottles of. I only need 2 drops for the whole face which I pat in with my hands, so a bottle lasts a long time for me. I do feel a difference in my skin texture when I use it and when I don't, it is softer and more hydrated. 

The Scinic Honey All in One Ampoule comes next, this is a newcomer- I'm still undecided on it. Not quite sure how it's helping my skin but it hasn't broke me out and my skin seems to drink it in (others have reviewed it is a little sticky). I then tap on some eye cream, currently using a deluxe sample of SK-II RNA Power Eye Cream, it's decent, doesn't irritate my eye or cause milia and isn't oily at all. One pump of Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin goes on, which helps the Scinic absorb faster. Followed by a drop of the Hada Labo 3D Hyaluronic + Collagen + Retinol Lifting and Firming Lotion. This one feels a little tacky so I have to keep patting it in. My current serum is the Clarins Multi-Active Skin Renewal Serum which has been discontinued but worked well for me, contemplating the Double Serum next.

In winter I usually layer 2 moisturizers, I previously tried just using one heavier moisturizer but it broke me out so I just stuck to layering. My absolute favourite and skin-savior, The Saem Snail Soothing Gel (full review to come). In love with this product! It's a very light and cooling gel which my skin really likes, and then I top it off with the Clarins Multi-Active Day Cream.

Current lipcare in rotation is The Saem Eco Soul Lip Oil. My night routine is almost the same, except that I use a cleansing oil (if I have makeup on), followed by Innisfree Sea Salt Perfect Cleanser. And instead of the Multi-Active Day Cream, I have on the Multi-Active Night Cream. 

Come summer I would probably have to pull back on one or two products, will update again then.

Empties: December 2016

Annazarube Ace Nikibi Acne Cream

Lip Smacker Dr Pepper Lip Balm

The Saem Masterchef Cheesecake Hand Cream

Aesop Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser

I've repurchased the Annazarube Ace Nikibi Acne Cream a few times now for myself and my sister. This is the best Japanese acne cream which I have used! They are especially good on those large painful pimples. I rarely need to use it these days so this was actually finished by my fiancé. Slather some on the pimple and the next day it would subside or dry up making it easy to come to a head. Already have a spare in my stash for emergencies!

I usually go through quite a number of lipbalms but this winter I wasn't as diligent because I've been using an amazing sleeping mask for lips which leaves them feeling so soft and moisturized, and in the morning I forget that I still should apply a balm. Only managed to finish off one, the Lip Smacker Dr Pepper flavoured lip balm. It had a slight red tint to it which made my lips look healthy and also smelled and tasted like Dr Pepper. Not bad but wasn't as moisturizing as I hoped.

My sister and I used to be big time Aesop users, we've probably tried most if not all the products between the both of us. With each purchase, they always give plenty of samples and I am still going through them. I remember trying the Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser in the past but didn't like it. It kinda left a film after washing off. However, this time my skin really felt good- soft and comfortable without any greasy feeling. I'm not sure if it's the weather being cold and all but I kinda want to try a full size now. Used it as a second cleanser, so I can't vouch for makeup removing claims.

I always have one hand cream in my bag and this one from The Saem is from their limited edition Masterchef series- a range of dessert scented hand creams. I picked up quite a few during my visit to Busan, this was labeled as Cheesecake but smelled more like coconut to me. Not bad, moisturized well without leaving my hands greasy and the scent didn't give me a headache (most strong florals do). 1 down, 100 more hand creams to go!

Hoping to finish up more skincare and hopefully some makeup this year!

Wonect Beauty Review: DHC x Disney Marie Essence in Eyeshadow GD-01

DHC's latest release features Marie in a range of makeup- lipstick, cheek cream and also liquid eyeshadows. DHC is primarily a skincare brand but I'm all for makeup which incorporates skincare or some form of benefit so I was quite eager to test this out.

I received the Essence in Eyeshadow in the colour GD-01 which is a soft rose gold, and the sturdy little bottle came housed in a cute box with matching illustrations. How cute is Marie??

The applicator is a doe foot which is great for precise application of the product, and the texture of the eyeshadow is sort of a gel-cream and isn't runny at all.

From their website, it states that the eyeshadow is formulated with 7 types of beauty moisturizing ingredients which help with skin elasticity and wrinkles. These include virgin olive oil and super hyaluronic acid to increase moisture and firmness on the eyelids. In addition, a colour active pearl is also added which gives off a luminous look to the eyes. It is also fragrance and paraben-free!

The official colour is listed as "Orange Gold" but I didn't find it to be very orange-y, just maybe a little bronze and a warm gold which applied very smoothly.

I applied the eyeshadow as shared on DHC's site, 2 dots and blended out with my ring finger by tapping to spread. The formula doesn't dry immediately so there was time to move it around and sheer it out, or you could also build opacity with it. 

Here's both eyes blended out. The colour is actually very flattering and suitable for both day and night use. On my eyes it looks soft and luminous instead of being glittery and shimmery. No discoballs here! Just a nice sheen on the eyelids.

Eyeliner: Clarins Kohl Pencil

Blusher: tarte Sweet 

Lips: Colourpop Aquarius Lippiestix

I added on eyeliner and nude lips for a casual day look, but you could totally glam it up with red lips or even a deep berry colour. The eyeshadow wore very well, I had it on the whole day without any issues. I did touch it intentionally with my finger just to see if it would flake or smudge, but it only transferred the very slightest bit. I have sensitive eyes but did not experience any irritation with the formula. An easy to use product, even for beginners!

Interested in the DHC x Disney Marie Essence in Eyeshadow? From now until end Jan 2017, cart out with the code "XEN<3" on any of the Wonect Starlets' reviewed items to receive 15% off!

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Wonect Beauty Review: Pure Smile Delicious Lip Cream (Corn Potage)

Lipbalms are essentials in my day-to-day life, I started using one when I was about 12 and never stopped buying (or hoarding) them since. Chapped and split lips are super painful, not to mention unsightly, so I make it a point to apply some sort of lip protection whenever I can. 

Included in this month's beauty box to combat the cold winter is Pure Smile's Delicious Lip Cream in a Corn Potage scent. I have tried Pure Smile's masks before and they're quite nice to use but didn't know they did lipbalms too. 

A quick Google search shows that this series of lip cream come in a variety of scents- Pancakes, Sweet Potatoes, Bread, Apple Pie and many more. How interesting! The lip cream is housed in a tube and has a cap which snap closes tightly.

Ingredients used to create the lip cream include beeswax, olive oil, shea butter, jojoba seed oil and macadamia nut oil. As I pulled off the cap, a sweet scent of corn potage wafted around. It really does smell like the real thing! 

Whilst it smells strongly of a rich corn potage, I could not detect a taste, and it also applied clear. The formula was so soft and smooth, almost like butter and just glided on my lips without any tugging. It left my lips looking moist but not glossy nor greasy. It felt quite moisturizing and I did not experience any irritation with this product. Some lipbalms actually leave my throat feeling scratchy, but no problems with this!

If you like the scent of sweet corn, you should definitely pick this up. If not, they have plenty of other scents too. If you love the scent, the more likely you are to want to apply and enjoy applying the cream, right?

Interested in the Pure Smile Delicious Lip Cream? From now until end Jan 2017, cart out with the code "XEN<3" on any of the Wonect Starlets' reviewed items to receive 15% off!

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Wonect Beauty Review: Majolica Majorca Twinkle Body Jelly

Christmas is around the corner and many beauty brands usually release limited or repackaged items for the season which I look forward to. Sparkly, gold, glittery things everywhere we look! One of the items sent over this month was the Majolica Majorca Twinkle Body Jelly which is a limited edition body and hair moisturizer. They had a similar Body Jelly last year which sold out very quickly in a different scent and packaging.

This looks so pretty! I'm a magpie and love reflective shiny things. Gold and dark blue, very Christmassy and festive. Though the product comes sealed, the scent is quite strong and I could catch a whiff of the violet flowery scent even before opening it.

The lid if a flip-top so you can easily control and squeeze out how much you want to use. There's gold bits suspended in the jelly moisturizer, but it isn't scratchy or hard at all, just very soft and dissolves quickly once rubbed in.

Once blended out, the gold bits melt into the skin and leave no trace of glitter nor shine. No discoballs here! Although I liked the scent, which is a floral with a violet base (to me) it was a little strong for my liking. I generally prefer my lotions to fade away but if you like perfumed lotions, this is a great one which really lasts!

Once dried, it leaves no residue nor sparkly bits- just soft, moisturized skin. The difference between the moisturized spot and dry areas are so obvious! I also tried it on the ends of my hair, it dries quickly and left my hair fragranced.

A nice multi-use product to have, but it's only available for a limited time so grab yours at Wonect whilst you still can!

From now until end Jan 2017, cart out with the code "XEN<3" on any of the Wonect Starlets' reviewed items to receive 15% off!

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Wonect Beauty Review: CanDo Liqueur Nail Polish

The last item in Wonect's November Box are these clear colour polishes from CanDo. They come in transparent little bottles so you can see the colours and are 6.5ml each.

I received 3 colours, from left to right a coral (TMLN1603), a purple (TMLN1604) and a raspberry (TMLN1601). I am no stranger to painting my own nails, I actually enjoy doing and find it rather relaxing.

These polishes are quite runny, so you don't need much to coat your nails. I experimented with a few bases and looks, 1) the one above was with a base coat, shimmery pearl colour and topped with the CanDo polishes. I find that the base colour still shines through which creates another pretty colour.

Here, I have the same 3 stripes but with different bases- 1) as above with a shimmer pearl base, 2) a nude colour, 3) a lilac colour and 4) on bare nails. The colours look different when used over different bases. They can also be layer over each other to create a unique colour. The brush is easy to use, has a smooth application and a longer handle means it has an easy grip. The polish also dries off quite fast so you don't have to wait long between application if using 2 coats.

Again, from left to right- bare nail, lilac polish, nude polish, and shimmery pearl polish. I've seen some pictures where a gradient look using one single colour can be created with these polishes. Can't wait to test it out with other colours!

There are so many more nail ideas which can be created with these CanDo nail polishes, have a look here.

Interested in these CanDo Liqueur Nail Polishes? Check out the link below!

From now until Jan 2017, cart out with the code "XEN<3" on any of the Wonect Starlets' reviewed items to receive 15% off!

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