[ Review ] Cerave Eye Repair Cream

Product Description
Eye puffiness and dark circles are among the most common eye-area skin concerns but a repair eye cream can help smooth and brighten this delicate skin. For optimal results with minimal irritation, look for an eye cream with ceramides that replenish the skin’s natural barrier, hyaluronic acid to plump up fine lines with extra hydration and soothing niacinamide. It’s also important to use an ophthalmologist-tested product such as CeraVe Eye Repair Cream that has been recognized as safe for use around the eyes.

Benefits : 

• Reduce the appearance of dark circles and eye puffiness
• Non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula

In 2005, CeraVe’s dermatologists developed a line of skincare products enriched with a blend of three essential ceramides (ceramides 1, 3, and 6-II), fatty acids, and other lipids to help repair and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.

A revolutionary delivery system was then developed and named MultiVesicular Emulsion Technology (MVE), which releases moisturizing ingredients over the course of 24 hours, layer by layer, to help keep skin soft all day long.

[ Review ] Natio Ageless Hydrating Mask

Product Description
A luxurious weekly skin re-energiser, this Natio Ageless Hydrating Mask is suitable for all skin types and is formulated to promote a bright, healthy complexion while helping to fight the visible signs of ageing.

How To Use 
Smooth a light layer onto clean skin. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse clean with warm water. Use weekly as a moisture mask or re-energising skin treatment.

Hailing from Australia, Natio combines the finest natural ingredients, including plant extracts and pure essential oils using the foundation of aromatherapy. The result is a pure and easy-going beauty offering for healthier, more radiant skin.

I am always in need of hydrating masks because of my dehydrated-combination skin so when I chanced upon Natio Ageless Hydrating Mask on sale, it was apt that I chose it.

Packaging, Scent and Texture

Natio Ageless Hydrating Mask comes in a white tube that has a clean and elegant vibe to it. The 100ml sized mask lasted me for about 3 months with once/twice usage a week.

[ Review ] Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk

Product Description
Fruit Stem Cell complex from the Apple and Grape, Resveratrol CoQ10 and skin-friendly vegan probiotics gently remove make-up and impurities, rinsing away dull surface cells and balancing skin flora. Apricot and Borage Oils are infused to rejuvenate dehydrated, for a fresh glow and a rejuvenated complexion. Resveratrol and CoQ10, super antioxidants, support skin well-being and essential building blocks, collagen and elastin, for a softer, smoother appearance and youthful vitality.

Made in USA, Andalou Naturals is 98% nature-derived, Non-GMO Project Verified, and vegetarian with a large vegan offering as well as gluten free and cruelty free and never tested on animals.

PhytoCellTec® Fruit Stem Cell Science is the signature innovation and is formulated within their products, using a blend of nature’s most potent bioactive stem cells from the Heirloom Apple, Grape, Swiss Alpine Rose, Argan Tree and Hemp Plant to target skin cells, supporting skin protection, restoration and radiance.

Their Fruit Stem Cell Science® is infused with unique and innovative ingredients such as Turmeric, Kombucha, Purple Carrot and Probiotics to provide skincare solutions to target different skincare concerns.

[ Review ] Kao Rerise Hair Colour

Product Description
A revolutionary grey hair care product with 100% naturally derived pigment, "black hair melanin*". Can be used in the shower and gradually adds natural black color to the hair with every use. "Re Black" will retain black color to grey hair and recommended to use for completely covering grey hair, leading to a youthful impression. "Sleek" type that keeps the hair set to the hair ends. Featured server container is easy to use. *Color pigment (Dihydroxyindole)

Nutritional and hormonal factors can affect hair colour as well as stress but, by and large, the predisposition to go grey earlier or later in life is genetic. The younger you start going grey, the quicker you're likely to go from having a full head of coloured hair to being grey all over. I had my first strand of white hair when I was just 15 so that explains that I would probably going to end up having greys much faster than peers of my age.

Its also been said that by the time a woman has a significant amount of grey on her head, she will look six years older. A man however, will only age by three. And that's why three of out of four women on the tonal-turn will look to hair dye in the first year of transition, whereas men will most likely embrace, ignore or change (31 per cent of chaps did however admit to plucking their first greys out completely). In general, men are more worried about balding than greying.

Grey hair is a combination of normally pigmented hairs interspersed with white ones. Hair turns white when the pigmentation cells responsible for colour (melanin) stop being produced.

[ Review ] : A'pieu Icing Sweet Bar Mask ( Watermelon, Pineapple, Hanrabong )

I purchased A'pieu Icing Sweet Bar Sheet Masks when I was in Korea some time back. There were 4 variants : Melon, Watermelon, Pineapple and Hanrabong ( Jeju Tangerine ) but the melon variant was sold out.

Melon : Soothing and helps with skin health
Watermelon : Provides intense hydration
Pineapple : Helps smoothen skin
Hanrabong : Helps brighten skin

Each of the masks of this series is aimed to solve a specific skin problem:

- Melon and kiwi extracts are designed for toning, skin saturation with vitamins, moisturizing and improving the general condition of epidermis.
- Watermelon and pomegranate extracts help to normalize the natural hydro-lipid balance of skin. They give prolonged moisturizing, increase firmness and make the skin incredibly tender, velvety and refreshed.
- Pineapple and mango extracts gently exfoliate skin, giving it softness, elasticity and smoothness.

- Tangerine and yuzu extracts level the color and texture of the epidermis, brighten freckles and pigmented spots.

[ Review ] InstaNatural Eye Serum

Product Description
Our InstaNatural Eye Serum is a highly-concentrated blend of ingredients designed to brighten and refine they eye area. Vitamin C, Peptides and Plant Stem Cells work together to smooth and firm the skin, while Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid decrease the appearance of lines, puffiness and dark circles.

I purchased InstaNatural Eye Serum together with Pro-Radiant Brightening Serum some time back and even though I have used up the serum pretty quickly, it took me a significantly longer time to use up the eye serum as you need some time to blend it in, due to its orange tone.

Packaging, Scent and Texture

Made in USA, InstaNatural Eye Serum comes in a 30ml dropper bottle that dispenses the orange contents easily. It has a citrus-orange scent and the lightweight runny texture took a while for it to be absorbed into skin, with some light patting. There is a slight cooling sensation with a hint of tackiness but it isn't a large concern.

Performance and Ingredients

I read about how life-changing the product was, for a Yahoo writer but unfortunately, it isn't the case for me. Judging on the promising ingredients - Vitamin C, Peptides Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid, I do have high hopes for it, but only to be disappointed once again, with another eye product.

I use InstaNatural Eye Serum for a year, once a day usage, at night, with and without eye cream, just to attest to its efficacy but unfortunately, it just didn't work out for me. I didn't see any difference to my undereye area.

In terms of ingredients,
Caffeine : Increases circulation to decrease dark circles and puffiness
Vitamin C : Antioxidant that brightens, tones and tightens the appearance of skin. Also supports healthy collagen production
Hyaluronic Acid : Locks in moisture to plump and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles
Peptide Complex : Supports the production of collagen to plump and smooth the appearance of crow’s feet and undereye wrinkles

Aqua, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, potassium cetyl phosphate, glycerin*, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate*, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, caffeine, ubiquinone, astaxanthin, malus domestica fruit cell culture extract, hesperidin, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, centella asiatica extract, hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract, undaria pinnatifida cell culture extract, ganoderma lucidum (mushroom) extract, geranium maculatum extract, passiflora edulis flower extract, citrus paradisi (grapefruit) peel oil, tocopherol*, xanthan gum*, leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, pentylene glycol*, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, phenoxyethanol, butylene glycol, lecithin*, polysorbate 20, carbomer, limonene*.
*Naturally derived.

Conclusion

My first product, Pro-Radiant Brightening Serum worked pretty well for me but not  InstaNatural Eye Serum. If you don't have serious hereditary undereye issues, then this product may just work for you.

Where To Purchase : InstaNatural | Iherb | Amazon
InstaNatural Eye Serum ( Iherb )
InstaNatural Eye Serum ( Amazon )

My 6D5N Thailand Trip ( Bangkok / Khao Yai ) + Beauty Shopping + Haul

Bangkok

This was an impromptu trip to Bangkok and Khao Yai, Thailand. We made a decision on Black Friday, booked the accommodation and air tickets during the weekend and off we go, after Christmas. 60% of the hotels were fully booked so I did not manage to get the better ones which suit my budget and location.

Bangkok

This is my 4th time to Bangkok, the last trip was 6 years ago. There are many changes since then. Prices gone up slightly, there are more shopping malls, night markets and there are more beauty brands now.

Bangkok

[ Review ] : Dear Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist

Product Description
The Fundamental Ampule Mist is a Green Tea Water based mist, formulated with rice, cucumbers, okra, and mugwort which is effective for intensive hydration and antioxidant care. With the premium formulation, the ampule mist provides high nutrients to the skin for the skin to shine and look dewy with couple spritz. It also locks in the moisture without any layering for a long-lasting hydration deep within the skin.

For Dewy Skin, 82% Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
- The excellent antioxidant effect of Jeju Green Tea provides moisture and nutrients to the skin for clear, nourished skin.

Spritz and Sprinkle Ampule Mist
- No layering needed, just a few spritz to the skin to fill in the moisture tightly deep in the skin. Just one mist to hydrate and smooth the skin texture.

Lock in the Moisture
- Cucumber, Rice, Okra, Kelp extract, and full of excellent ingredients provide full moisture to the skin following with Trehalose which helps lock in the moisture in the skin.

[ Review ] : A'pieu Cicative Calcium, Magnesium & Zinc Sheet Mask

A'pieu Cicative Calcium Sheet Mask Product Description
Cicative Calcium sheet mask provides rich hydration to skin sensitive to dryness and forms a strong skin protection barrier

A'pieu Cicative Magnesium Sheet Mask Product Description
Cicative Magnesium sheet mask delivers ample nourishment to skin sensitive to roughness and significantly improves skin elasticity

A'pieu Cicative Zinc Sheet Mask Product Description
Cicative Zinc sheet mask delivers abundant moisture and soothes skin sensitive to external stimuli.

Hailing from Korea, A'pieu is one of the most popular Korean cosmetic brand among teenagers and early 20s. It's a sister brand by Missha but more affordable price ranges with great quality. A'pieu's goal is to provide a wide range of trendy and affordable skincare and makeup products for all skin types with safe and pure ingredients.

I purchased all 3 A'pieu Cicative Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc Sheet Masks when I was in Seoul, Korea some time back. The Cicative range consists of 3 types :

Calcium - Moisturizing and Barrier
Magnesium - Nutrition and Elasticity
Zinc - Moisture and Soothing

A'pieu Cicative Calcium Sheet Mask : 

A'pieu Cicative Calcium Sheet Mask is said to moisturize the dry and sensitive skin and forms a skin barrier with calcium ingredient while retaining the brightening and improving wrinkles effects. It is suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin.

It has a strong fragrance when pulled out from its packaging but dissipates shortly. The thin but sturdy material facilitates the essence of mask absorbed by the skin. The cutting is slightly larger than preferred with excess material near the jaws.

After a 20 minutes masking session, my skin was moderately hydrated and slightly smoother. I would considered the performance of the mask as mediocre.

It uses Calcium for moisturizing and strengthening benefits, Aloe Extract for moisturizing, soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits, Allantoin for soothing and protective benefits and Niacinamide for brightening and anti-spot effect benefits.

You can refer to the full ingredient list on Skincarisma.

Where To Purchase : Yesstyle


A'pieu Cicative Magnesium Sheet Mask : 

A'pieu Cicative Magnesium Sheet Mask is said to nourish the dry and sensitive skin and makes the skin elastic while also brightening and reducing the wrinkles on skin. It is suitable for normal, dry and sensitive skin.

It has a light fragrance that lingers throughout the masking session. Similar to A'pieu Cicative Calcium Sheet Mask, the mask cutting for A'pieu Cicative Magnesium Sheet Mask is also slightly larger with excess flaps around the jaws.

The thin but sturdy material helps to provide nourishment to skin roughness and after a 20 minute masking session, the roughness on both sides of my nose were totally gone.

It uses Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract for skin conditioning on sensitive skin, Niacinamide for brightening effects and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate for brightening and anti-aging effects. You can refer to Skincarisma for the full ingredient list.

Where To Purchase : Stylekorean


A'pieu Cicative Zinc Sheet Mask : 

A'pieu Cicative Zinc Sheet Mask is a zinc-infused sheet mask that hydrates and soothes sensitive skin from external irritants. Multi-purpose mask sheet packed with high concentrate essence and minerals, zinc in particular, promotes excellent moisturising benefit. It is suitable for all skin types.

It has a light fragrance that dissipates shortly while the cutting is slightly larger, giving rise to slight excess material around the jaws. The thin but sturdy material adheres well to skin.

A'pieu Cicative Zinc Sheet Mask left my skin moderately hydrated and slightly smoother after a 20 minutes masking session.

It uses Zinc Oxide for soothing, calms irritation and redness, Aloe Extract for moisturizing, soothing and anti-inflammatory, Allantoin for soothing and protective and Niacinamide for brightening and anti-spot effect. You can refer to Skincarisma for the full ingredient list.

Where To Purchase : Stylekorean | Yesstyle


Conclusion 

Out of the 3 mask sheets, I would recommend A'pieu Cicative Magnesium Sheet Mask because its more effective than the rest.