Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Salux Nylon Japanese Bath Towel
mzpkay 12/13/2012 2:45:00 AM
To be honest, I don't see what all the fuss is about. I much prefer the bath mittens you can get from Target/CVS/etc because I have more control and pressure. I feel the mittens give me a much better exfoliation and cleanse than the Salux does. I am, however, Korean-American and grew up taking baths with "italy towels" which is the Korean hardcore version of the Japanese Salux so that may explain why I find the Salux's exfoliating power so measly. But the Salux does lather up really well so if you're looking to get the highest lather possible for the smallest amount of soap/body wash, the Salux is your man/washcloth.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - Mandelic Acid Toner
mzpkay 7/23/2012 3:31:00 PM
It may be too early to tell, but generally, my skin can react overnight if it doesn't like something so I'm assuming that this toner will be fine. This works just as well as MUAC's mandelic peel; it has all the same benefits such as glowy and soft skin and reduced pimples/acne. I'm really loving it and the high alcohol content doesn't seem to be an issue. I have oily skin though so it may differ for others. They give you A LOT for your money although packaging could be a little more convenient to use. I will definitely be repurchasing again and again and again!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -EltaMD - UV Clear SPF 46
mzpkay 2/28/2012 1:36:00 AM
So back in the summer, I thought this product was breaking me out. I was wrong. Apparently it was the new concealer I was test driving that was clogging me. This has a wonderful finish, both in look and feel. Very cosmetically elegant. However, as an oily combination person, I have to admit that this has no oil containing properties at all. Especially in comparison to Japanese oil vacuuming sunscreens. Weirdly enough, I like that this SS doesn't try to eliminate all oil. This also contains niacinamide, which my skin loves. Comes in an opaque, airless pump bottle which is nice. So glad I have finally found a SS that I don't mind repurchasing.
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Loose Powders -Meow Cosmetics - Top Cat Finish Setting Powder
mzpkay 2/17/2012 4:13:00 AM
It's time to add yet another ingredient to my ever growing list of ingredients that break me out. While this powder was okay in the beginning (first couple days), by the third day the Boron Nitride started to give me a rash, clogged pores, and tiny whiteheads. The weird thing is that Boron Nitride is supposed to have anti-bacterial properties. In terms of working as the setting powder it's supposed to be, I really liked it. The silk powder adjusted itself accordingly so that while I wasn't completely oil-free, I wasn't desert-dry either. It also gave me a soft-focus, even airbrushed look when I used it to set my concealer. I guess I'll just have to use silk powder on its own. (I've already ordered some from GOW)
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Masks -Makeup Artist's Choice (MUAC) - 25% Mandelic Acid Peel
mzpkay 1/26/2012 2:47:00 AM
....I have no words to describe my love for this product. I naturally have clear skin, but I messed it up about 2 years ago while experimenting with BB creams, glycolic acid, etc. Since then, it's been a constant battle trying to get my face clear from acne and scars. And because I keep trying to hide my existing pimples/scars with foundation and concealers, I continue to break out and it's an endless, exhausting circle. HOWEVER, this is it. My worries are now over. I apply this peel for 5 minutes, wash it off, and not only are my breakouts gone, the scarring is fading as well (red marks and light indentations). Texture is like that of any other peel: watery. Smell, not very noticeable or unpleasant. Downtime, virtually nonexistent. Just light, light flaking. Definitely going to be part of my skincare routine forever.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Biore - Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser
mzpkay 11/10/2011 1:11:00 AM
I don't think that it was the product itself that broke me out...rather, it was probably cause my skin was so dry and parched. This cleanser made my oily skin so dehydrated that I kept getting little pimples on my cheeks. I might try it again during spring/summer when the weather isn't as cold and dry due to indoor heating. But I doubt it.
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Powder -Shiseido - The Makeup Powdery Foundation SPF 15
mzpkay 6/30/2011 2:02:00 AM
Ugh...after test-driving it for 4 days, I have finally come to the conclusion that this is not right for my skin. I have have clog-prone, oily skin and this powder is a major clogger. I now have a few pimples all over my face because the clogs became inflamed and turned into pimples. I am not a happy camper. The coverage was nothing special. It didn't even feel like a twin cake powder--coverage was very light even when used with a wet sponge. The only thing I really loved about this product was the color selections! I don't know if it's because I used an Asian makeup product after using so many American products, but this is the first time I have ever used a base makeup that matched my skin perfectly. I would say I'm about a NC20-25 and the color O20/Natural Light Ochre was a perfect match. It's just too bad the rest of the product sucked for me :(
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Cleansers -Alba Botanica - Hawaiian Pineapple Enzyme Facial Cleanser
mzpkay 2/8/2011 12:50:00 AM
I've used this for about 2 months now. In the beginning, I thought it was a decent, basic cleanser. But about a week back, I bought the DDF Glycolic toner and realized how much makeup and dirt the cleanser left behind on my face. I use Ponds cleansing toilettes or Irish Springs soap to remove my foundation and concealer and then use this cleanser to double cleanse...which it fails at. Other cons include: failure to foam up well (which isn't as big a deal), being a pain to wash off (it leaves a slimy feeling unless you scrub half your face off), stinging like hell if it gets up your nose or into your eyes, etc etc. I have finally realized that this cleanser may be the reason why my skin isn't getting back to the way it used to be before I screwed it up with a bunch of new products. I am now on the lookout for a better drugstore cleanser.
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Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Devita Daily Solar Protective Moisturizer spf 30
mzpkay 11/22/2010 12:07:00 PM
Definitely my HG sunblock! I used to use Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer but the silicone in it clogged my pores. :( I have super, super cloggable pores and I break out if anything irritates my skin at all. But this hasn't broken me out! Seriously amazing! Very cosmetically elegant and love that it's now in a glass pump bottle. It doesn't leave a white tint on my face, but I'm pretty pale (around NC20). Price is a bit steep but I'm willing to dish it out on a good, silicone-free sunblock that doesn't break me out or clog my pores.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Make Up For Ever - Full Cover Concealer
mzpkay 11/8/2010 6:19:00 PM
Edit 2/28/12 Although this concealer still doesn't break me out, I don't feel the love anymore. I find that it has mediocre coverage (especially now that I have new darker acne marks). I have to pat quite a thick layer onto my face which then makes it quite obvious where the concealer is and then cakes up throughout the day. In addition, I now find that the color #6 is noticeably ashy and grayer than my skin tone. I'll change my rating to a 3 instead of a 1 though since this remains one of the few base cosmetics that has yet to break me out. /End Edit. This is seriously the only concealer that has made me happy and satisfied. It sort of reminds me of MAC's Studio Finish concealer...except for the fact that it doesn't break me out. The coverage is AMAZING. I can cover up all of my acne scars, red pimples, etc. Texture is a creamy liquid. I'm approximately a NC20/LM Oil-Free Warm Ivory/MUFE F&B 20. However, I have pale olive skin so all those mentioned above were never warm enough for me. I use this concealer in # 6 which is a tad too dark for me but I have a feeling that it's the only one that would be yellow enough. I also love how you only need to use a pin-sized amount to cover up completely. Will buy again and again and again!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Lancome - Effacernes
mzpkay 10/23/2010 4:41:00 PM
I got a sample pot of this from Sephora and it's not too bad. I got the shade Light Buff (I'm a NC20) and it's a good match. Coverage is good, but not perfect so I'm still looking around for my HG. Doesn't break me out which is pretty rare. Texture is weird and not really to my taste. It's a creamy liquid in the packaging, but when you apply it to your face, it's dry/powdery. Which is strange. I personally prefer creamy or pastey ones. If I can't find any better creamy ones, I'll probably purchase this.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Sonia Kashuk - Hidden Agenda Concealer Kit
mzpkay 10/21/2010 4:18:00 PM
...Have no idea why this product is rated so highly. I personally found the colors really bad (I'm a NC20), the texture weird (very dry cream), and the coverage not that good. It also didn't look natural under my eyes and broke me out when I used it on my face. Absolutely horrible product. Hate that it cost me $10 and now I can't even use it. Too bad I can't just return it back to Target. :(
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Other -Crest - 3D Professional Effects White Strips
mzpkay 10/14/2010 11:07:00 PM
Got a sample of this...and this is seriously the most painful thing I have ever put on my poor teeth. I couldn't even stand it for more than 15 minutes. I chucked it straight in the trash. NEVER ever going to use these, buy these, whatever. These are horrible. Avoid if you have sensitive teeth!
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Liquid -Laura Mercier - Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation
mzpkay 10/13/2010 11:33:00 PM
Love this foundation. Love the pump+glass packaging. Love the coverage. This is one of the few silicone-free liquid foundations I have found through extensive googling. I used to use MUFE F&B in 20 but the coverage wasn't that great and the color didn't match my skin. I'm a NC20 but I have really pale olive-like skin with cool undertones? IDK how to figure out my skintone + undertone so just ignore that. MUFE's 20 was too neutral for my skin. But LM's Oil-Free Foundation in Warm Ivory is the absolute. perfect. shade. ever. It fits my skin to a T. Coverage is good. I usually apply this with a damp sponge and I get a gorgeous satiny finish while getting any light blemishes and scars covered. Would definitely buy this again if I wasn't trying to wean myself off foundation.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -MAC - Studio Sculpt [DISCONTINUED]
mzpkay 10/10/2010 2:28:00 AM
This would be SUCH a great concealer for me.......if it didn't break me out. :( I thought I finally found my HG concealer until it started to give me cystic pimples. The coverage is phenomenal, price is decent, and color match is great. I'm seriously amazed at how imperfections and blemishes just disappear when you dab this on. Ugh, but the cystic pimples are not worth it.
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