Treatments (Eye) -Origins - GinZing
joongielover 5/12/2013 2:43:00 PM
From the reviews, I thought I was going to hate this and I didn't use this for a long time (even though I had it for months) because I was afraid of getting an allergic reaction. In my desperate need of an eye cream, I decided to just use this up since I had it in my drawer. And to my surprise, I do like it. It is hydrating, yet very light weight. It does not have a tint, but it has a pearly/luminous finish that brightens the area. Unlike the GinZing moisturizer for the face, it brightens without color pigmentation. I do think it goes well with the face moisturizer as well. This didn't irritate my eyes and I do think this helped with some minor lines in the inner eye area. I'm only 20 so getting lines under my eyes freaked me out. But I think this helped (along with the estee lauder advanced eye repair).
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Cleansers -Kanebo - Naive Cleansing Oil
joongielover 5/11/2013 7:37:00 PM
I had no idea this brand was added to MUA, I definitely would've written a review sooner. This is THE BEST and ONLY way I remove my makeup - face makeup and waterproof mascara and eye makeup. This cleansing oil is highly effective and depending on how much mascara or foundation you have on, it could take very little to remove it all. It's one easy, quick step at the end of the day. I bought this on my trip in Hong Kong back in 2010 and never looked back since then. I have used the Olive Oil version, and the Orange. I do think the Orange one can irritate the eyes, but the Olive Oil does not at all. I get this stuff into and onto my eyes, gentle and slowly rubbing the waterproof mascara off my lashes and it does not irritate or sting my eyes. I do have slightly sensitive eyes so I find the Olive Oil version to be much more superior than the Orange. The Orange smells of citrus and smells nicer (which the Olive Oil has no scent), but the Olive Oil is a safer choice, in my opinion. I buy this off of SASA.com and it is shipped from Hong Kong, and they frequently have international free shipping so that's aweeeesome. Last time I bought from sasa, i got 3 backups and it'll be a looong time before I buy another couple backups. My skin is acne-prone, sensitive, and combination, and this doesn't give me any problems to my skin or eyes. I LOVE this stuff because not only is it cheap, it's effective and it's only ONE step in my makeup removal routine. No more cleansing wipes and eye makeup removers. I do and always will use a facial wash afterwards though. It is still an oil that needs to be removed as well. But this isn't a problem for me because it's what I did with makeup wipes as well. if you think using a cleansing oil and then a face wash is a two process method, then it doesn't sound as appealing to you. but to me, washing my face is a vital step, regardless of how I remove my makeup beforehand. I swear by cleansing oils because it's just so easy. I have tried multiple brands and this is just as good as shu uemura, shiseido, etc., which are highly luxury brands. Please do not waste your money on high end cleansing oils, just get this amazing stuff that is just as good for a fraction of the price. PROs: - effective - no irritation - no break outs - removes waterproof makeup (eyes and face) - cheap (less than US$10 off sasa.com and it's probably cheaper if you buy it in-store) - travel friendly packaging - little to remove the makeup, so it'll last a long time CONs: - have to buy it online or overseas RECOMMEND: HELL YES.
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Brows -Maybelline - Master Shape
joongielover 3/5/2013 3:02:00 PM
if only i have come on to read reviews because i was really confused about how i could get more product. sharpening plastic? really, maybelline? that is a bunch of BS. i couldn't comprehend that initially and now i'm going to return this. i'm asian and have black/deep dark brown hair and it's difficult to find a dark brown without red in it. i love the color (deep brown) and i don't mind the waxiness, nor (what some people dislike) lack of pigmentation. i don't use enough to feel how waxy it could be, and i like that it's not a strong color right off the bat. i have visible brows which aren't too full (and i fill it in with something everyday) and so this gives the perfect amount of color for mine. with that said, because of this ridiculous packaging, which is not convenient or efficient at all, i will be returning this and continuing my use of rimmel's easy brow in black brown (which i can't find anymore so that's why i was trying to find an alternative. this maybelline one is more expensive but more easily accessible. and i thought it would be easy because i thought it is retractable. nope.) maybelline has been really disappointing me with their eyeliners/pencil products
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Ole Henriksen - Truth Serum
joongielover 2/8/2013 1:35:00 PM
I have combination skin and during the winter i am extremely dry. I had patches of dryness that persistently came back. I am also acne prone and is suffering from acne for awhile a long time now. with that said, this serum really helped in minimizing acne break outs for me. and i read many reviews here that they broke out from this and i'm happy to say that i did not break out. this is helping with my dry patches and i have no flaky skin at all and my acne scarring is slowly, but surely, going away. i still do have break outs here and there (especially during my period) but this serum helped to smooth out the rest of my skin. it's like, i have acne spots here and there, but the rest of the skin is smooth. my foundation looks better now that my skin doesn't have all those small bumps and i can conceal anything that is discolored without thinking it'll stand out from uneven texture. i am 20 years old, and am relatively still young, but with all my acne, it's hard not to pay more for results. if there is one skin care item i can only invest in it will have to be a good serum. everything else can be from the drugstore for me. this is an expensive product. and i got the sephora sample, then the $10 trio, and i went ahead and got the luxury size, 1.7 fl oz or $72 during the double points for skincare items at sephora. so i did have a lot of time in trying this out before shelling out so much. i do believe this is amazing for me. and i will repurchase but i'm afraid this will start to not work, so i'll be alternating purchases with the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (which i only buy during GWP sales ;D). if you're going to spend money, get more bang for your buck, as much as possible :).
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Cover Girl - Clean Makeup *new formula*
joongielover 3/7/2011 10:18:00 PM
I got the Sensitive formula, for reference. At first application, I thought that the foundation was so smooth and nice to apply. It was so easy and nice, gliding on evenly. Coverage is medium or so (if i remember correctly). It covered most if not all my redness (and back then i had naturally pigmented cheeks but a redness relief product reduced it). All sounds good so far. But. It melts. So easily. Just a drop of water, and the wet area will already start to break down when the makeup had been on for awhile already. So basically, it's not waterproof. And it's not that I even need waterproof/sweatproof makeup (i'm no sportswoman nor do I workout on a daily basis) but if it rains or something, I'll be... screwed. Most foundations I've tried (which is quite a bit) have never been 90-100% water/sweat-proof and nor do I care THAT much about it, but if a product (no matter if it's a foundation or even an eyeshadow) melts off my face with a bit of water or rain maybe even face oil, then that's not a good product whether it's smooth or high coverage or not. I'd only recommend this product to dry skin types and people who are not near rain, water or anything that is liquidy to mess up the makeup. that's like ... (almost?) no one.
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Concealers -Stila - Illuminating Concealer
joongielover 1/28/2011 9:44:00 PM
I think this is my HG under-eye concealer because using this in conjunction with a under-eye correcting concealer, it will brighten up my under-eye area and conceal some of the darkness. This isn't the best concealer on its own, unless you don't have severe dark under-eye circles/area. I do think it works well to brighten and it looks natural while doing so because of how it's similar in skin tone (if matched the way you like it). Reference: I never got my shade checked at MAC but I am around NC30-35ish (light/medium to medium skin tone with yellow/olive undertones), and I match the shade Medium very well. I know this concealer is pretty expensive, seeing how it's a high-end product, but I got this on sale (I bought both in Fair and Medium) at Sephora because it was on sale/clearance (and is now discontinued, i believe). So I got two bottles for less than half of it's original price. It was a great deal for me, but buying this in its original value is very expensive though. Other than its price as a con and how it's not the most opaque concealer (with it's pro being effectively brightening for my under-eye area), another con is that the packaging is a MAJOR let down. It's a wonder for under eyes because it's a liquid based concealer that's not cakey whatsoever, but because of its consistency, it gets out of the tube easily. The packaging is a bottle with a brush applicator. Every time I use it, more product will somehow get out around the opening of the bottle and get all messy at the roof of the applicator and therefore getting all over the opening/spirals. It's a waste of product and a nasty mess to clean up every time. Whenever I use it, I just use a brush and wipe the spiral twists/opening and there would be enough product there for both my under eyes (I don't use a lot of under eye concealer, but I think that's still something to consider). PROS: liquid based (great for under eye), brightening, light to medium coverage (sheer being the least best coverage). CONS: packaging (major issue), price. Still my HG brightening under eye concealer because I still think with the way I apply it, it works very well (face primer for smoothness, color corrector in a salmon or peach shade, then stila illuminating concealer on top (all products in light layers). If it was in a better packaging, then it's definitely a 5 (and not 4) overall.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous in Coral Reef
joongielover 9/25/2010 11:18:00 PM
I love this color. Pretty wearable coral. Not too orange, either. Super pigmented and it's not sticky and just overall a very good product. I was surprised by how pigmented it is and how wearable it is. I originally thought I couldn't pull off coral shades, but this is wonderful. It's great over most, if not all, lipsticks I've paired it with. It's a very close shade to MAC's Jazzed lipstick (LE) and it just enhances the color and makes the coral pop. I've worn it without any lipstick and it looks nice (I have very pink lips naturally, but it also looks nice on when my lips are pale). Highly recommended for anyone and everyone who loves lipgloss :).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Primer -Too Faced - Shadow Insurance, Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
joongielover 9/25/2010 11:13:00 PM
Great product and it works on me. I have somewhat oily lids and tfsi works for a long time. I have makeup on for longer than 10 hours and I'd say by then, my eyeshadow creased, but for the majority of the time, it did not crease. I love it anyway. Other than some creasing where my eyelids fold, there is no other problems. No leaking at the sides, no smears. only creasing. and creasing is no obvious either. Normally people wouldn't be wearing makeup as long as I do anyway (I think). I go to school early and apply my makeup at 6am and get home by around 4-6pm - 10-12hours out. I recommend it. I don't know if i'll repurchase because it is pretty expensive. But I'd had my tube for over a year (maybe 2?) and it's lasting a longg time and it might last another year :).
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Tinted Moisturizer -Physicians Formula - Organic Wear - Light to Natural
joongielover 6/3/2010 5:53:00 PM
Pros: + Decent, medium coverage + Looks natural Cons: - Herbal scent; horrible smell - (Not sure, but) small range of shades; beige/neutral shade (not for me) - expires. Recommended. But if you don't like scented foundations/moisturizers don't get this. The smell is so strong. Mine expired (I didn't even know =_=) and when I applied it, it stung. (My bad, really.) But I did like the coverage and it didn't feel cake, nor did it look cakey (which is awesome :D).
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Concealers -Neutrogena - Mineral Sheers Concealer
joongielover 6/3/2010 5:44:00 PM
Thick. Sticky/greasy. Hard to blend. Verrrrrrrrrrrrry creamy. I thought it was nice at first because the creamy-ness was AMAZING. But once applied it feels very thick and hard to blend. It's not good for under eye circles because it's too thick and sticky, and sinks into fine lines. Mine was too light but this was the only concealer I'd found that was truly yellow. Most concealers are beige/neutral or pink. This one is hardcore skin-tone yellow. Other than the overall undertone of the concealer, I find nothing great. On the other hand, there are only about 5 shades you can choose from and the shades don't get that dark either. The darkest shade is probably a light tan =_=". I tried to add this to a tinted moisturizer (to make it yellow) as a foundation. It wasn't great but it wasn't horrible. Not memorable either. Nothing special. Overall, horrible.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Telescopic Explosion
joongielover 5/15/2010 2:55:00 PM
it said the color is black, but it came out as a charcoal gray. the wand is too long and gives very little control especially if you want to apply it quickly. doesn't hold my curl, doesn't give volume and doesn't give length. terrible.
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Blush -Rimmel - Blush in Santa Rose
joongielover 4/18/2010 9:22:00 PM
I got this blush when it was on sale at walgreens for less than $2. I thought I'd try it out just because it was so inexpensive. I fell in love! Amazing blush! Pigmented, build-able color. Very pretty pink. I was soo in love with it and it's still my favorite blush even since I got it. I was so impressed, when I saw more of these blushes on sale at cvs, I got two more (in Berry and Spicy Nude) for about 89cents. Great buys. Cheap and so worth it. I would buy them even without the sales. Highly recommended!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Nivea - Creme
joongielover 4/6/2010 11:13:00 PM
Pros: very moisturizing - my skin feels ultra soft and smooth just after the first night. small size is only 99cents - cheap and sold at the drugstores so it's easy to get a hold of. Cons: bad packaging - the lid can easily slip off. For me it's not a problem since I have it in my bathroom, but it's inconvenient if you want to have it in your purse or for travel. greasy - when I layer more product, my face feels all greasy... and even when there's a little on my face, it's still a little greasy. slow absorbing - it doesn't dry and get into the skin that fast. very slow, actually. even after a bit of time, there's still the residue/greasy/oily feeling. Well. Despite all the cons, I still love this product because of what it does to my skin. So moisturizing and soft. It's best for nighttime, since it feels all greasy. I only had this in the winter too, so if I ever use this in broad daylight, I can only imagine the outcome of that. Will repurchase!
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Brows -E.L.F. - Eyebrow Kit
joongielover 4/6/2010 11:04:00 PM
Since I have black/brown hair, I have it in dark. It's a great dark shade for blackish brown hair. I've used some drugstore eyebrow pencils that aren't satisfactory for me because they're all too brown and looked very unnatural since my hair is more on the darker side. Too many pencils are too brown or light, but this dark wax gives a natural look, and makes my brows filled and not blotchy or odd. The powder side by itself is too light and brown for me but on top of the dark wax, it deepens the color and sets the wax. After applying the wax and powder, my brows don't feel waxy or hard, or anything. They're still soft, look and feel natural. Highly recommended and will repurchase (if I run out XD).
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Makeup Brushes -E.L.F. - Studio Powder Brush
joongielover 4/2/2010 9:46:00 PM
I bought one then the next time i ordered on ELF, i bought another one! This brush is sooo amazing for any face application. I use this for liquid foundation, powder, blush and/or bronzer. I have two, so one is for liquid and one is for power, and occasionally use the powder one for blush and/or bronzer. I loveeeeeeee this brush and i think i should get backups. It doesn't shed a lot at all, only the occasional one or two hairs appear. My cons are that it's dense but after a few uses and a few washes, they're more bendy/less dense. When I first got it, the bristles are more synthetic but now they bend more when I blend liquid foundation. Now I use another brush to blend and use this to only stipple. Another con is when I use liquid foundation, the foundation gets into the brush and it's hard to wash out all the foundation. Overall great brush for an amazing price! (especially since ELF has many coupon codes :D)
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