Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule

Lately I've accumulated quite a lot of Missha goods and now I'm gonna introduce you to one of my favourites: Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Science Activator Ampoule.

Pheww...such a long name :)

I believe that skincare products benefict more during night when sleeping renews our body. Thus it's best to use your best skincare items before going to bed to add to the result.

Especially if the serum *ahem* ampoule is for nightly use.

One thing I dislike about Missha packaging is the box. They are so shiny that it's impossible to make good quality photos! Duh with ordinary photo equipment it's a pain in the a$$! Look at the photo above...not funny at all to read the ingredients like this...

Those who own DSLRs with all kind of lenses could care less. Not to mention the average consumers, ergo 99% of costumers. :D

What I do love about this packaging is the pipette! Not only the most hygenic way to use this liquid, but you can control the amount and it also makes you feel like using a luxurious, high quality product.

The liquid itself is deep yellow like amber. Does not irritate, dries or makes oily my dry and sensitive skin, and it absorbs fast. I follow it with night cream and/or sheet mask and that's it.

The promises: "The complete science behind beautiful skin. Use the essential Activator Ampoule on a daily basis to get smooth and firm, beautiful skin. It provides your skin with extra nutrients and moisture that you are not getting from basic skincare.

The Ampoule energizes, repairs, and restores elasticity. It also provides wrinkle repairing and whitening benefits. 

Contains Fermented Bifida, Lactobacillus, and Lactococcus for improved, healthier skin. Bifida Ferment strengthens skin's barrier to prevent damage from harmful environmental factors. Lactobacillus Ferment contains Peptide and Vitamin B12 for improved, healthy skin condition. Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate has protective and antioxidant properties to moisturize and improve skin barrier."

It smooths and brightens my skin and i firmly believe that it helped removing the frown lines on my forehead.

I'm close to finish my second bottle and plan to purchase a lot more. 

50ml costs 49USD, but it's best to wait for a sale on the MisshaUS site which happens several times a year. 

Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

I don't think that I should introduce the below product to anyone into Asian skincare. Missha's Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence is advertised as a miracle/star product. 

Don't expect it to turn you into Angelina Jolie if you're an Ursula yet the results are there and noticeable.

Description: Back to the Basics, a Stepping Stone to a Healthier and New Skin.

Contains 80% Fermented Yeast Concentrate, “FISSIONE", which absorbs into skin instantly to energize your skin. Also contains Niacinamide, a Vitamin B3 component, to improve skin elasticity, enhance skin barrier function, and revive skin tone and texture. DN-Aid, made from Cassia-Alata Extract, provides vitality to aging skin, protects DNA from aging caused by UV rays, and promotes restoration of damaged DNA.

THE FIRST TREATMENT ESSENCE improves fine lines and skin tone. Miracle water “FISSIONE” hydrates, restores, rejuvenates, and gives you a glowing complexion. 

Do you know what YEAST is? 

YEAST is a naturally fortified Vitamin B Group. Vitamin B supports and increases the rate of metabolism and maintains healthy skin.

Recently, more and more researches prove fermented yeast extract to be a good source for skin care products.

Ingredients:

Does it work?

Yes! If nothing else, the fact that the first day I used it my colleague asked what I did because my skin was glowing is proof enough. Yes, she did say glowing. I was dumbfounded and thought to myself that this must be some serious shit to have such an effect on the first day....

I said good-bye to Lancome's Visionnarie I had used before and ever since then I've been best friends with this essence.

By essence one would think of thick, gooey texture yet this is like any light toner. Like putting water on. 

Non-sticky, fast absorbing and makes skin smooth, not leaving behind any residue.

I use it day and night after cleansing, before anything else, like a preparation. I'm on my second (large) bottle and have the third one waiting on the shelf to be opened.

Does not irritate my skin and did not cause breakout.

Helps to even out my skintone and brighten my complexion so I look more healthy than dead.

The bottle itself is heavy, matte glass and the cap closes well, the dispenser is the right size, not too small, not too big.

A 150ml bottle costs 49USD on the official US site. I advise to wait until a promotion/sale so you can get it cheaper.

Definitely recommended!

Missha Facial Choco Cacao Scrub

Let me introduce you a favourite face scrub of mine: Missha Facial Choco Cacao Scrub

To find a perfect and/or good quality scrub is not as easy as one might think.

Some say that scrubbing (eg. physical erosion) is bad for the skin, doing more damage than good and swear for chemical peeling.

Well, I'm not a fan of peeling. For once, I had a horrible experience with a not so cheap product which looked fabulous in the store when testen on hand, yet at home....

Other peelings did almost nothing. Maybe I just haven't found a really good one that actually works, I don't know. Anyway, I don't feel like looking for a working one.

I'm the good old believer, a physical-type-fan. 

In my opinion a good scrub should have such tiny brittles that are not harsh on the skin nor impossible feel. You should feel them working yet it shouldn't hurt.

Too hard particles like sandpaper are simply not good. Those are indeed damaging. If you find using your scrub unpleasant then you should look for another one!

Too soft particles are unable to reach the desired results: to remove old cells, fat and impurities. It's like rubbing cream or jello on your face and wishing for a snakeskin to fall off you....not gonna happen.

So the ideal material should be small, round (at least not sharp-edged/ and (not too) easily dissolving.

This way the upper layers of skin can be removed while the young, lower layers remain unharmed. Moreover, depending on the other ingredients they are either got to renew themselves faster, refreshed, hydrated, or whitened, etc, etc.

Now that I blabbed so long about my personal opinion, back to the product. Here is the description: 

Contains edible cacao that removes aged skin cells and helps create firm, silky skin.

1. Contains cacao powder from Amazon River of Brazil

2. Cacao contains abundant Polyphenol known to prevent skin aging

3. Contains 15% of edible cacao that provides mild, gentle exfoliating effect.

Can also be used as a mask. Simply apply a thin layer onto dry face and wash off with warm water after 5 minutes. Avoid eye area.

First of all, the cacao they used as an ingredient might be edible, but the product itself is NOT!

It does smell heavenly and tempting to eat but it does not taste good. Not horrible either, just, not good. And who knows....chugging down all might not be healthy either.....8D

See those yellowy dots? They do the hard work. :)

Usage of it is pleasant, does not hurt, yet the rubbing particles remain intact long enough to work on your face and then your neck and décolleté if needed.

I'm not saying you will have baby-smooth skin afterwards, but it definitely does what it promises: removes aged skin cells. 

As for functioning as a mask: I have not tried it yet this way, but judging from the fact that it does not dry my skin (YAY\*.*/) and leaves my skin feeling pleasant, I'd say it's not a waste of product ;D

I recommend Missha's Choco Cacao Scrub to those who:

- need a good face scrub

- are chocolate skincare fans

- don't want to spend a fortune on a scrub

Those who need a heavy duty scrub should look elsewhere or use this frequently.

Being it a jar in stead of a squueze tube might not be hygenic or practical (especially in the shower) but you can see how much is left and scoop out every bit at the end....aaaand....you can use the jar for whatever creative stuff during your DIY phase! 8D

Price-wise: on the US site 70g sells for 13 USD which is a good price IMHO and they have all kinds of sales & promotions all the time so it's not hard to get it cheaper ;)

Missha Lip&Cheek Dual Cream Pot

Being back from vacation I present you Missha Lip&Cheek Dual Cream Pot.

I seem to have more and more Missha products. LOL But they are good so it's no wonder.

MisshaUS.com has sales frequently and I like to use them to the fullest~ This little duo product came from such a sale. It costed me USD9.74 back then. The US site seem not to carry it anymore, but other Missha sites do. I don't really get the point since it's a good product IMHO, worth to keep on shelves.

Missha Lip&Cheek Dual Cream Pot [No.05]

The color is No.5 which consists of a shimmery golden orange and a cute cool pink cream.

You can see the shimmers in the orange however the pink has none of them.

Missha Dual Cream Pot close-up

Below there are swatches in different lightings so you can see how different the pink can look like. I'm in love with it! It's well pigmented but can be worn on cheeks too without problem. However the orange is best for cheeks. Due to the shimmers I found it a bit weird on my lips. Nothing that cannot be worn, I'm just not a great fan of shimmery lip products. And the color is not exactly for my skintone.

BUT! If you're tanned to a bronze godess then do use the orange on both your lips and cheeks! =D

Missha Dual Cream Pot hand swatches

The cream smells like sport creams that have camphor in them. So refreshing~ I love it! *.* 

But maybe I have weird taste =D

The whole thing is a tiny little compact which looks cute with all the bling-bling plastic case. It has a little mirror in it and comes with a retractable lipbrush which comes in handy while on the go. 

It's totally travel friendly: two colors, safe brush, mirror and it's lightweight!^^

I recommend to get this or any other color combination you can pet your hands on! ;D

Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterfull Cream

Do you like samples? I do. And I try to get several of the same ones when I want to try out new skincare products. One just doesn't go and splurge on products that one hasn't tried before. Maybe the cream you've been eyeing doesn't work or you'll get pimples/oily/dried out skin from it, or worse, allergic reaction.

That's what samples are for. To see if the products fits you. But one tiny sample is far from enough. Sometimes the satchel is only enough for one application, but most often 2 or 3 usage is what you get.

Gather several of the testers (either as freeby or buy them....God bless internet) and there you have enough amount to see if the stuff is worth buying.

One of the products I've tried via samples is Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterfull Cream.

Description: "Ultra moisturizing cream that has been inspired by the moisture preserving ability of desert plants to keep skin moisturized for all seasons.

Solution1. Aqua lock

Imperata cylindrica extract creates a protective shield that prevents moisture evaporating and help

the skin adapt to harmful elements.

Solution2. Aqua Sponge

Adenium extracts absorbs the moisture like a sponge to increase skin elasticity and persistency.

Solution3. Aqua Tank

Baobab tree extract activates the moisture energy inside the skin to stop the cycle of dryness.

Ingredients: 

Botanical Oil, 

Jojoba Oil, 

Baobab Oil"

I'm glad I didn't buy the full bottle. Not because it's bad, but because it's not that good. It's a good moisturizer, but nothing special. It leaves a perfect surface for makeup however!

During summer it works well, I prefer this as a night cream over the heavier ones, but by morning it feels like it's not enough.

For winter? I'm not sure this would be enough for my dry skin.

If you have oily skin and need a simple moisturizer, then it's worth a try! :)

Usually the 47ml jar sells for around USD30.

Oh, the smell! I almost forgot it! It's heavenly! You can almost see the plants that were used to make this cream when sniffing it. It's quite strong, but on skin I couldn't sense it. My eyes hate too strongly scented creams but they didn't start tearing when using Ultra Waterfull. 

If you have super sensitive eyes then I strongly recommend to test this Super Aqua beforehand. Better be on the safe side :)

BH Cosmetics highlighter brush and FOTD featuring Illamasqua products

Do you know the brand BH Cosmetics? No? A little while ago I didn't know them either, but I got curious and now I'm thankful I ventured into their realm. Now I own palettes, lipglosses, bases, brushes, brushrolls. And I love them all!

Here I'm showing you a great highlighter brush. Many use blush or overall brushes to apply highlighter, but personally I don't fancy this method. If you want soft features and achieve it fast then it's ok to use them, but I like my brushes to be precise. It's no problem for me to work longer for the finish. If you want sharply contoured face you can't run around with a huge powder or round blush brush, right? I hate long bristle brushes....they bend everywhere but where I want them. @_@

This highlighter brush is smaller than any blush brush but bigger than concealer brushes. I'd say its diameter is similar to the Sigma P84 Precision Angled brush (here), just the handle is shorter. The bristles look long, but they are packed tightly and pick up and place powder/creme/liquid nicely and precisely. *sigh*

 It retails for USD 3.95 which is like whoaaaaaa!!!! and BH Cosmetics always has sales on their website. Like right now too! ;)

If seeing the price you think the quality sucks then let me assure you, it's gooooood!!!

FOTD
Nothing special, I just felt like wearing something not so boring. It's summer, after all!

Ok, it's a half-faced FOTD, and sorry for the acnes and lousy application....>.<

Products used:

Face:

• Illamasqua Powder Foundation in PF145 (review here)
• Missha The Style Art Designing Pore Silky Boomer
• Holika Holika Dark Circle Stealer Stick Cover SPF30 in 02 Pink Beige
• NARS The Multiple Mini in Palm Springs

Eyes:

• UDPP Original
• Illamasqua Fundamental Palette (yellow and purple colors)
• Illamasqua Powder Eye Shadow in Succumb
• KATE eyebrow pencil in BR-3
• K-Palette -1 day tattoo- Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h waterproof 
• Kiss Me Heroine Make Long & Curl Mascara

Lips:

• Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Provoke (here) 

Missha What a Lovely Moments LE Collection - Lovely Pastel

My expedition into Missha Kingdom turned out quite fortunate and the first 'item' I want to show is actually a collection, the Signature 2012 spring-summer limited edition called: What a Lovely Moments.

There are two variations, Lovely Pastel and Lovely Natural. Since natural is a combination everybody owns or owned or will own in their beauty life, I passed it and chose the Lovely Pastel pack. And it turned out to be a good choice...even tho usually I stay away from pastels (not too flattering).

The collection consist of an eyeshadow palette, a lipstick and lipgloss, all from the Signature line. Comes in a sturdy, nicely designed box, and even the products themselves have the LE design, which was made in collaboration with designer Kim JeeHee. 

(BTW, if anyone knows Kin JeeHee, plz, enlighten me! >.<)

Anyhow, you can check out the US Missha site and see if you find the collections worthy, or you can buy them individually and still come out at the same price (USD 54,97 is not a bad buy I think).

For the eyeshadow quad you can find an 'eyechart' right under the palette in the box, which surprised me so much that I oohed and aahed....I'm so shallow T__T But I'm used to it being on the bottom of the palettes! So I have an excuse! HAHA~ 

So, the eyeshadow quad, Lovely Pastel: don't expect strong colorpayoff, cottoncandy pink, green and yellowy white. It's mostly shimmer, but you can make out the colors on your lids. The 'eyeliner' brown is the strongest of the shadows and I actually like to use it.

The lipstick is a beautiful true pink (SPK106), creamy like heaven, simply melts onto your lips, has SPF15 PA+ and comes from the Signature Glam Art line. If you want only this one, you have to pay 15.99.

The lipgloss is also Signature Glam Art, has SPF12 and costs $15.99. The shape of the applicator is quite good. Usually I don't like these slant ones, but I have nothing bad to say about this. The color is more orange than pink, has a decent colorpayoff, so it can be worn alone in its glory or above the pink lipstick. They go well together! ^.^ 

And here are the handswatches of the eyeshadows, gloss and lipstick.

With flash:

1300 dollars worth of haul, Kanebo Sensai Foundation & FOTD

 First of all: an advise to those who happen to put their hands on a bigger chunk of money: Stay away from the internet!!! And most of all: online stores!

In the timespan of 3 months I spent over 2.000 dollars (I haven't counted every single stuff I bought, and to tell the truth, I'm afraid of to do so). That's incredibly much money, and for many-many people too, so I promise to review everything. Sooner or later, that is. *cough*looks away*

It's more than enough to know that all those things you see in the below photo costed a bit more than  1.300 USD! Holy shit! I tried to gather only stuffs I bought in December-January, but some February things got in the picture too.

(sorry quality is not the clearest in full size either, lighting sucks in my bedroom at night. to have a bit of idea of what's in the picture take a look at the tags)

Many of it came in that huge box, with the My American Shipper parcel forwarding service, so sorry for the mess :) 

BTW, My American Shipper is my first experience of mail forwarding services. You know when online stores don't ship outside the US became terribly annoying? Or they set such high fees for international shipping that a trip to the Moon is cheaper.

Few words of My American Shipper:

-shipping fees are not so high like with other services

-first time you ship, the final rate you'll get is decreased by 35%

-they provide pictures of your incoming mails for free

-they send notifying emails when your orders arrive to their storage (however, after my 4th or 5th incoming box they gave up on me and I had to check to see if my stuffs arrived to them)

-customer service is good

-I didn't have to fill in the 1583 form since My American Shipper does not provide mail forwarding service and I'm sooo grateful for it, coz 1583 form is such a pain in the butt ( I don wanna go to the US consulate just for this!) 

-they consolidate your packages (but before they are done with it you won't know how much you'll pay, coz they register only the incoming weight and that's a looooot more than what they'll actually ship out)

-they store your things for 45 days

-they are located in the state California, so you'll have to pay sales tax when paying for your orders

-no sign up fee

So, the above makeup and skin care stuffs were bought from either official brand stores, sasa, cherry culture, Gilt, Adambeauty, etc. Some were picked up at duty-free and some I bought on ebay.

You saw it right, Sasa.com! I had another "who's-the-scam-here" round with them, and this time I succeded to get them to change the payment from credit card to Paypal before they cancelled my order altogether....only for the sake of the Lancome Visionnaire cream. God, I'm so happy I didn't give up! *.* I tell you, Visionnaire is the Holy Grail! I can't live without it!

Finally! I own Making faces by Kevin Aucoin! bwahahahahhaha So cool! Thank you Gilt! I love you! *.* 

And to review something, that became my HG foundation and picked up in Istambul, in the duty-free: Kanebo Sensai Fluid Finish

Color is FF202 Soft Beige

Description: "Deeply moisturising foundation with 55% water content. Sheathes the skin in a delicate veil of moisture to provide daylong hydration while imparting a silky, healthy-looking sheen to the surface. Apply sparingly over make-up base after double moisturising.

Foundation shades may differ depending on region." 

Has SPF15 and holds 30ml of product, which seems less than other 30ml foundations....I'm already at the bottom, after 2,5 months! With other foundations a half year isn't enough to finish them!
If I remember correctly than it was 35 EUR, so not the cheapest foundation ever, but damn, this is on a whole different leven than the average foundations! Totally worth the money!

I love the bottle, so smooooooth! *.* The pump head works fine, you can control the amount of foundation to come out....if you push it carefully. If you're in a hurry, push it fast and hard, and the cap thinks otherwise, you might get foundation on your dress in stead of your brush! HAHA

The coverage is medium to full. The sparing application aids you with a medium coverage that looks super natural, and if you add a bit more, you'll get a natural looking almost/or total full coverage. Some seriously red acnes will break through in color eventually screaming for extra concealer, but this foundation in itself covers 85-90% of discoloration.

Click for the full size if you'd like to see the ingredients.

I love how it does not oxidize over time, or fade. It does hydrate my skin, but not causes my oily T-zone to work on overload making me an oil factory. The oily parts won't become dry deserts, but stay on the moderately oily side.

Did I mention that it has a super natural finish? No mask-like feature and I can't feel it on my skin either 

For color sampling, the above pic is without flash. On the left side the foundation is blended a bit, but not entirely, so you can see the edges.

The below pic is with flash.

And now, something I've never done before, and I don't think it'll make a usual spot for this blog in the future: 

..........

*drumroll*

..........

bare face

..........

holy shit!!!!

Comparison photo: 

left side is with Sensai Fluid Finish and concealer

right side is totally bare face, nothing used but skincare

horror movie! XD Let me tell you, that darkness around the eyes is quite lightened now!^^ Add to this 365167356253682138615 shades more of black and double it, that is the original horrible darkness I sport around my eyes! HAHA

BTW, sorry for the hair, it was half-dried at the time of the shot!

And this is the finished FOTD

Without flash on the left and with flash on the right.

Okay, this isn't the same angle, but I made the collage from this set of photos coz I wanted to show the blush too. >.< 

And here are the things I used (click for better quality):

Face:

Sensai Fluid Finish foundation

Pixi concealer palette

L'Oreal Studio Secrets primer

Scott Barnes Loose Powder (translucent) (review here)

Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki brush

Clé de Peau contour brush

Cheeks:

MAC  blush (Vintage grape) (beats me which LE it was, but I missed it at the time)

BH Cosmetics Contour & Blush 6 color palette

e.l.f. Blush brush

Sigma P84 Precision Angled brush (review here, not shown on the photo)

Eyes:

NYX HD Eyeshadow Base 

NYX Nude on Nude palette (used shades are marked with X) (Hello UD Nude-mania~)

Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyerow Corrector (color is 0, not shown on the photo)

Shiseido small angled brush (for eyebrown, not shown on the photo)

Etude House C brush

e.l.f. C brush

e.l.f. contour brush

e.l.f. small precision brush

Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush (review here)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Smoky Lash mascara

Lips:

MAC Lipglass (Rich & Witty)