Review : Naruko Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Mask

Product Description
Naruko Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Black Spots and Lines Defying Mask is specially made with four major brightening ingredients: Tranexamic acid, Arbutin, Vitamin C Glucoside, and Ellagic Acid, which work together to brighten and provide antioxidants for your skin. It is proven to
successfully clear away melanin and prevent its future formation.
The conductivity of the natural silk-made mask enables the ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin effectively. It also contains apple seed extract, snow fungus extract, and hyaluronic acid to provide moisture, keeping your skin looking healthy.

Benefits:
Whitens
Brightens
Anti-Oxidants
Moisturises

A dear friend bought an assortment of sheet masks for me, with one being this Apple Seed and Tranexamic Acid Mask from Naruko. The cutting is large and the cut-outs for the eyes and lips are lower than normal which made the fitting slightly uncomfortable.
The material is thin and soft and totally soaked in essence which made adhering to skin well.
As with most Naruko facial sheet masks, my skin feels taut after removing it. Not a feeling I like. Skin looks brighter and refreshed.

Source : prettyncute

Review : HABA Herb Treatment Beauty Mask

Product Description
A cooling sheet mask infused with beauty herbs and vitamin C derivatives to treat skin damaged by the sun. It can effectively whiten skin, recover deteriorated skin barrier functions and condition tired skin with active ingredients like ceramide, Squalane and Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate. Comes with a refreshing scent of mint and lavender.

Hailing from Japan, a box contains 4 sheets that is touted to provide 23ml of essence in a sheet.
With a soft thin material, the mask in light green colour adheres well to the skin and gives off a minty scent that smells like toothpaste to me.
However, the cutting is slightly smaller, best for small faces.

On my first usage, it made my cheeks slightly red and feels warm to the touch, though there is no itchiness and subsequent usage proved fine.
My skin feels smooth after usage and even smoother the following morning. However, alcohol is listed as the 4th ingredient, before moisturising and Vitamin C ingredients.

You can check out the list of ingredients here.

Key Ingredients :
Rome Chamomile Extract:
Chamomile (Asteracea) extract is rich in Bisabolol and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Calms skin damaged by summer UV rays.

Edelweiss Extract:
An alpine plant which has long been used as a traditional medicine, particularly to heal skin damaged by strong UV rays in summer by those living in the Alps. Its versatile extract has both moisturizing and inflammatory effects and can be used as an antioxidant as well as for for gene protection.

Rose Hip Extract:
An extract obtained from fruit of rose, which is known for being rich in vitamins. It also contains polyfenol, in a highly stable form and has excellent antioxidant properties.

Mint Extract:
An extract of mint from Kitami, Hokkaido, and an original ingredient formulated by HABA. It has a very strong antioxidant effect which can suppress skin irritation caused by free radicals from UV rays.

Lavender:
Calms skin inflammation caused by strong UV rays in summertime.

Rosemary:
Has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps in the recovery of the collagen structure.

Ascorbyl Glucoside:
This mask is rich in Ascorbyl Glucoside, which is a stable transglycosylative vitamin C derivative. When it reaches deep into the skin, it slowly emits vitamin C. Excellent in antioxidative function and in promoting collagen production. It also controls excessive sebum secretion.
Source : HABA

Review : Beauty Credit 8 Grains Mask

Product Description
Exfoliant with combined proteins, vitamins and minerals to detoxify and replace missing nutrients, leaving skin deeply nourished, moisturised and glowing.

Benefits :

Contains nutrients from 8 grain types (Wheat, Mung Beans, Adlay, Soy Bean, Barley, Rice Bran, Wholerice and Red bean).

Combination of proteins, vitamins and minerals to detoxify and replace missing nutrients.

Leaves skin deeply nourished, moisturised and glowing.

This product retails for $30+ more than a year ago but I purchased it at 50% off when there was a promotion. I read that someone can easily purchase it online for even lesser than that and probably cheaper if in Korea, I guess.

At 150ml, it has taken me ages to even make a dent in it and its not even effective on my skin. I thought it was a waste of my time and money on this poorly formulated product.

Housed in a round tub as above, it opens up to reveal the exfoliant in an unhygienic manner as bacteria gets in easily. The texture is creamy and is hardly abrasive on the skin. However it is so mild that I did not see any visible feel and improvement to my skin.

My skin feels the same with and without using it and I see no point in continuing using it anymore.

Source : Beauty Credit

Review : Philosophy Hope In A Jar

Product Description
Our award-winning, lightweight daily moisturiser hydrates and provides antioxidant protection while improving skin texture and tone, leaving it smooth and radiant. this high-performing moisturiser contains lactic acid, a gentle alpha hydroxy acid that helps remove surface dead skin cells and
beta-glucan to promote overall skin health by helping to strengthen skin’s natural rejuvenation potential. hope in a jar dramatically improves skin radiance and gently exfoliates, revealing smoother, healthier looking skin and texture.

Features and Benefits :
- contains the ester of lactic acid for exfoliation to help promote smooth, healthy-looking skin
- contains beta-glucan to help give your skin a healthy, rosy glow - high-performance moisturiser with antioxidants to help protect skin against environmental attack

I received a complimentary 7ml tube sample last year and has been using it as a day moisturiser for the past 2 weeks. It has a lightweight texture with a whip cream consistency which made application a breeze as it sinks into the skin pretty quickly, without any greasiness.

However, I am still not used to the scent because its pungent. I have used its oil-free version last year and both products are still not hydrating enough for my easily-dehydrated skin.

I can't really feel the effects of the lactic acid for exfoliation and still use a facial scrub regularly. Neither do I see a radiant glow to my skin. Its just a normal moisturiser, as far as I am concerned.
It scored 2.8 from 1627 users on Makeupalley.

And if you are a fan of Oprah, you may want to know that this is one of her all-time favourite mosturiser which she has been using it for more than 10 years.  "It's hands down the best moisturizer I've ever used," she says

Ingredients :
water/aqua/eau, lauryl lactate, behenic acid, behenoxy dimethicone, glycerin, glyceryl stearate se, behenyl alcohol, pentaerythrityl tetracaprylate/tetracaprate, cyclopentasiloxane, tocopheryl acetate, benzyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, retinyl palmitate, arginine, stearic acid, panthenol, beta-glucan, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil, xanthan gum, triethanolamine, propylene glycol, geraniol, limonene, linalool, methylparaben, propylparaben, diazolidinyl urea.

Source : Philosophy

Review : My Scheming Milk Extract Brightening Mask

Product Description
My Scheming Milk Extract Brightening Mask is blended with milk extract which possesses abundant butter fat, protein, vitamin A, B, E and minerals. It enhances skin’s moisture, tend to give better absorption of nutrient to prevent dry skin, and soothe wrinkles and fine lines. It refines skin, enhance luster and revive elasticity. Your skin will regain its softness, lightness and mildness.

Made of a thin flimsy material that is totally soaked with the milky essence, the sheet mask does not have the dripping mess, despite its thin material. The shape of the mask fits well.
It refreshes the skin but the subtle brightening effect was not too obvious to make a deep impression on me. My skin just look fresh.

Review : Innisfree It's Real Manuka Honey Mask

Product Description
Innisfree It’s Real Manuka Honey Mask contains minerals and nutrients and honey extracts. It provide nutrition to improve moisturizing and nourishing effect to keep skin healthy.   

I owned 3 sheets of the sheet masks which are supposed to provide hydrating effects to the skin. It is very wet and is totally soaked with their goodness, with a light artificial honey scent. The eye flaps is a little bonus treat to relax the eyes though I found it to be a tad too short to cover the eye area totally.

The cut of the sheet mask fits well and adhere well to the skin. However the hydrating ability is less than satisfactory and my skin feels drying after removing it.

Source : Cosme-de

Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Cotton Fit SPF30 PA++

Product Description
Etude House Precious Mineral BB Cream Cotton Fit can cover imperfections like pore and dark spots. Mineral powder can control excess oil, bringing smooth and cotton-like matte finish. This all-day pearly bright skin BB cream creates clear and bright complexion. Contains 16.5% pearl extracts, it has 3-in-1 brightening, anti-wrinkle and sun blocking function.      
I received a sample sachet from a friend who just came back from Korea. I have good experiences with Etude BB Creams but I wish that it comes in a smaller size because 30ml takes forever to be used up. I have since threw away the sachet without noticing the shade I had, but it does not fit my skin tone, making my face looking brighter than my neck. Not a pleasant sight although none of my colleagues commented on it.

This product boasts of having whitening, anti-wrinkle, UV protection and anti-darkening properties and are paraben-free, benzophenone-free and free of artificial dyes.
With a lovely floral scent, this BB cream looks creamy but is a little drying. From afar, this product gives a luminous and lit-within glow with a flawless look. My skin looks visibly brighter.

It has a medium coverage, conceal pores relatively well and redness and blemishes pretty well. The oil control is good too. Because of its brightening properties, it made my skin looks visibly much brighter than my neck.
And, on less-than-optimal skin, it made the flakiness on my skin more obvious than it should be.

Source : Sasa

Review : Sierra Bees Organic Pomegranate Lip Balm

Product Description

• USDA Organic
• Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth
• Non-GMO Vitamin E derived from Sunflower Seed Oil.
• Our lip balms are not made with ingredients that contain gluten.

This was a complimentary lip balm that comes with my Iherb purchases. At 4.25g, the lip balm with its twist and turn tube is convenient and handy to slip into small bags. It has a delicious pomegranate scent and moisturises my dry flaking lips pretty well.

If you are shopping in Iherb, then do remember to add the free lipbalm into your shopping cart. Else, if its your first time shopping in Iherb, click on this link to get US$10 off your first order of US$40 or US$5 off your order of less than US$40.

Ingredients :
Extra virgin olive oil*, beeswax*, natural flavor, sunflower seed oil*, non GMO vitamin E, pomegranate oil*.
*Organic

Source : SierraBees

Nivea Daily Essentails Fragrance Free Facial Cleansing Wipes

Product Description
NIVEA Daily Essentials Fragrance Free Facial Wipes have been specially formulated to maintain skin’s natural moisture balance & prevent dryness.

Sensitive skin needs to be especially well hydrated, nourished and protected. Replenishing the skin with moisture is essential for skin to feel hydrated and look radiant all day long. This is why NIVEA has introduced revolutionary Hydra IQ moisture technology.
Enriched with Vitamin E and Provitamin B5 the Fragrance Free Facial Wipes:

• Gently cleanses, removing make-up and waterproof mascara
• Refreshes and leaves skin feeling moisturised
• Specially developed for skin sensitive to ingredients such as perfume, alcohol, oil and colours
• The formula with Vitamin E & Provitamin B5 leaves skin feeling soft and smooth

Skin Compatability Dermatologically and Opthalmologically Approved. Wipes are free from fragrance, alcohol, oil and colour.

I received a complimentary pack of 25 wipes from its facebook redemption and brought it along for my Greece and Bangkok trips recently. Portable and convenient for travels, 25 sheets were quite a big pack to lug around though if its just for a short trip.

Contained in a pull-back seal pack that starts to lose its adhesive after a while, each individual sheet is easy to be pulled out from the pack. I was surprised that its only slightly moist and because of its woven texture, I was initially skeptical of its effectiveness and the friction that it may cause on my skin. However my worries were unfounded. The generous size of each sheet was more than enough to cleanse the make-up gunk off my skin and its surprisingly effective despite not being soaked in essence like Biore.

That also meant that the liquid won't slip into my eyes and irritates them. Its non-drying and there is no taut feeling or greasy after-feel which pleases me. I still use a cotton bud to remove eye make-up though even though the cleansing wipes manage to cleanse most off the gunk off, including mascara.

Source : Nivea

Review : Weleda Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash

Product Description
This precious body wash inspires your senses with a unique fragrance, while oils from pomegranate seeds, sesame and macadamia nuts render your skin perfectly soft.
Inspiring scents of sandalwood, vanilla, neroli and blood orange have a balancing effect on the body. Protects against dryness leaving skin soft and smooth.

Step out of your shower with skin that’s clean, renewed and soft to the touch. Nothing can make you look and feel younger than a daily regime using Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash and other pomegranate products to nurture your timeless beauty.

After using the Wild Rose Creamy Body Wash, I wasn't too impressed with it. This Pomegranate Creamy Body Wash fares slightly better but still falls short of expectation. Alcohol is listed as the 4th ingredient. And while it moisturizes slightly better than the Wild Rose Body Wash, it is still slightly drying on my skin. I don't have dry body skin, as compared to my face but this body wash just does not suit my skin.

The creamy and thick texture makes it a lovely wash with a lovely scent and foams with light suds.
You can check out the product for a cheaper price on Iherb and quote OKI787 to get up to US$10 for your first purchase.

Ingredients :
Ingredients (INCI): Water (Aqua), Coco-Glucoside, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Alcohol, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Limonene*, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Panicum Miliaceum (Millet) Seed Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Petal Extract, Xanthan Gum, Lactic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum)*, Linalool*, Citronellol*, Geraniol*, Citral*, Coumarin*.

* from natural essential oils

Source : Weleda

Review : Naruko NRK Purrty Kitty Eye Lifting Eye Mask

Product Description
Formulated with the latest Eyeliss™ technology and various types of natural botanical abstracts, this eye mask helps to improve aging fine lines by firming, lifting, moisturizing, repairing, reactivating and decrease dullness effects for eyes skin.

Benefits :
Anti-aging
Rosehip oil and Vitamin E slow down the eyes skin aging process and also decrease the eyes skin dullness problem while enhance the brightening effects.
Firming
Eyeliss™ eyes skin firming factors joint effect with collagen, Flaxseed polysaccharide, Chlorella extract and Palmate seaweed extract deliver the eye skins revitalizing and firming energy to reduce the skin fine lines and improve skin resiliency.
Moisturizing
Hyaluronic acid+fungus+ Imperata extract deliver more long lasting skin moisturizing effect. It special formula of Skin revitalizing fatty acid factor also has a very similar structure with skin cuticle can effectively repair rough cuticles grains.
Special Lifting effect mask
Its ear-fit harness full eye covered mask shape is specially designed base on Asian female user’s eye contour. Its special elastic fiber materials provide a very futie, gentle contact feels that fully covered eye skins as if you can feel a pair of hands is gently messaging your eyes skin. This mask design also allow mask essence easier to penetrate into your skin to take effects.

Containing 10 pieces in a box, I purchased the box online for $16 (down from $32) as it has a promotional price and is not available in Watsons.
Shaped like a party mask, the generous cut meant more areas are covered around the eye area.
It fits snugly, partly due to the hook-up at the ears and rests comfortably around the eyes area without much discomfort.
Its soaked with essence and provides a refreshing feel to the undereye area

Ingredients :
Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extact, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenaxyethanol, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Glyceryl Stearate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tocopherol, Sclerotium Gum, Bisabolol, Carbomer, Triethanolaime, Cetteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, Steareth-20, Dipeptide-2, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Linum Usitassimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Phospholipids, Stearic Acid, Palmtic Acid, Fragrance.

Source : fairyhut , nattacosme