Miracle 10 - Botanical Oil & Fruit Enzyme Scrub Reviews

Can you believe there's less than a month until Christmas? Where in the world did the year go??

It's been getting a lot colder out I've had to bust out my two humidifiers already. With colder weather comes dry skin.

Similar to last weeks post, I'll be reviewing another facial oil alongside a facial scrub by Miracle 10.

Miracle 10 (also Canadian!) is a cosmeceutical skincare line that was developed by The Plastic Surgery Skincare Clinic. They're located right in Toronto too!

Taken from their website:

Miracle 10 formulations were developed to stimulate and "exercise" the skin with a combination of the highest quality active ingredients available. [...] formulations are proprietary, fragrance-free, paraben-free, not tested on animals, and made in Canada. Proven to reduce and slow the signs of aging, minimize pore size, heal the look of acne, and greatly improve skin elasticity, texture, and tone.

While both products are good, one definitely stood out to me more.

The Face Shop - YEHWADAM Pure Brightening Serum Review

Brightening products have always been popular in skincare. For some reason, when I first started using skincare, I was under the impression that brightening meant whitening. Which it really isn't. Brightening products are focused more towards exfoliating in order to enhance the skin. Whereas whitening products include bleaching agents to remove dark spots. I'm not into using whitening products, but I am definitely interested in having brighter more youthful looking skin.

Since I don't wear a lot of makeup, brightening serums or creams kind of act like a base for my skin. I find any blemishes are sort of blurred away with the brightening products. So overall, I don't have to wear a lot of foundation. 

So if you're like me, and you're more au naturel, then you might be interested in the this new product line by The Face Shop.

The Face Shop recently launched their YEHWADAM line. On their website, they currently have YEHWADAM revitalizing line which incorporates Ginseng. 

Launching on October 5th, The Face Shop will be releasing their Pure Brightening line. Which focused towards brightening and anti-aging:

Specifically developed to reveal skin's brightness and radiance by reducing the appearance of pigmentations, dark spots, and dull skin tone [...] The forumula, which contains the natural ingredients of Chilbaekseolyundan*, improves the appearance of dull, pigmented skin by creating a brighter, more radiant complexion

*Chilbaekseolyundan - patented brightening ingredients formula that includes 6 pristine traditional herbs harvested in Korea.

By Wishtrend's Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water Review

There are times when I'm really diligent with my skincare and I have multiple steps. Though a lot of the times, I get lazy and my routine is very basic and I use the bare essentials. So during my lazy times, I enjoy using products that pull double duty.

Let me introduce to you By Wishtrend's new prepping water with Mandelic Acid.

This is a new product that was recently released By Wishtrend. Lazy skincare people rejoice! This is a hydrating and nonirritating exfoliant which is suitable for all skin types.

So is this a product worth trying?

CY' Lab - Crithmum Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate Repairing Essence Review

Since becoming a skincare junkie I've mainly focused on Korean products. So I haven't really ventured out into other Asian brands. The only other Taiwanese brand I've tried is My Beauty Diary.

I know there are plenty of great Asian brands out there. There are still a ton I want to try from Japan (I love using their lip products) but I just haven't taken a dive into them yet. This summer, I definitely plan on trying the Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen. It seems to be a lot of peoples holy grail product. I am intrigued!

But anyway, am I ever glad Amabie sent me CY' Lab to try. I've mentioned this everywhere, but I'm obsessed!

2016 Makeup + Skincare Favourites!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a great holiday and not too hung over from this past weekend?

I can't believe it's already 2017! Do you guys have your resolutions set up? I don't usually have any because I always break them within the first week anyway. But I'm going to *try*, key word 'try' again this year. What about you guys?

I'll be doing a year end review of my favourite products of 2016. There were a few I found literally during the last 2 months of 2016. There's quite a lot of products so I've broken them down between skincare and makeup.

2016 was when my skincare routine really expanded. I found a lot of great products I want to share with you guys.

May Empties and De-Clutter 2016 + Mini reviews

Hey everyone!

Have you been enjoying the weather so far? It's been amazing out lately! The one thing I miss having living in Toronto is a balcony. I would love to just lay out and tan a bit. Oh and not having to smell sewage everywhere I walk. In my hometown, I just smell cow manure. Which some people can argue is worse, but it's usually only one time out of the year the town smells like it. Mainly April when they fertilize the fields. I choose manure one time out of the year over sewage all year round! Would you agree?

I'm actually quite proud of myself this month. I like to hoard things so I usually have random junk lying around. This also means I tend to buy more products than I can use. I was cleaning out my drawer the other day and found so many random products I forgot about. It's like shopping and everything is free!

I've also written a short summary at the end of the post as well. 

After some products failed to impress me and some just causing my skin to break out, I managed to get rid of quite a number of products. I definitely de-cluttered more than I emptied.

NEW! Biore Baking Soda Scrub and Pore Cleanser Reviews

Hey everyone!

I'm back again with another Influenster review! This time around I was sent the Baking Soda VoxBox!

Biore has released a new line of pore cleaning products with baking soda!

Yes, that's right, baking soda does more than just remove odor and help baked goods rise; it is also a great exfoliator.

I actually use baking soda as a substitute teeth whitener. Once every two weeks, I dab my brush with toothpaste into baking soda. My teeth feel super duper clean and my teeth are whitened in the process. Win, win. But it really does erode your teeth enamel so do not use it more than once a week. My younger self and my dentist will attest to that.

Biore released two cleansing products:

1) Baking Soda Pore Cleanser
2) Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub

If you're not familiar with Biore, the brand focuses on skincare products that help fight acne, blackheads and clogged pores. I'm sure everyone is most familiar with their pore strips! All those blackheads you pull off your nose. So gross, yet so addictive and fascinating!

Let's take a closer look and see how these two products faired:

Winter Essentials - Tips on Preventing Dry Skin

It's that time of the year again; frigid temperatures, back-breaking snow shoveling, salt-encrusted shoes and epic journeys across mountains snow banks. You guessed it! Winter. And not only do we have to endure all of this, we have to do it with dry, cracked and itchy skin. If you're like me at all, this can be especially frustrating. While my face is incredibly oily, my body on the other hand, especially during the winter is as dry as ever. It's so dry that my skin becomes flakey! My dry skin is at its worst on my hips because my underwear and jeans are constantly rubbing up against me. My boyfriend calls me a monkey because I'm constantly scratching! For years I have been battling dry skin to no avail.

Well fear not! For I have found the answer!



I have finally found the perfect combination of products that have helped make my skin baby smooth.
It is safe to say, that I have kicked dry skin in the butt!
Here are the products that have been working for me.

Laneige Water Bank Serum Review - New Winter Must Have!

*pokes head out from rock* Well hey there....

I know I have been MIA from this blog for many months. I am afraid I lost a bit of motivation and creative juices to continue posting reviews. Not to say that I have stopped with my skincare or makeup purchases, I have continued to explore and try new products. 

But good news, I graduated University in April and moved out to start working in May right after. I have been settling into my job quite well and I have begun writing up posts once again. I am hoping to release new content for this blog. 

For my new post, I am so happy and lucky to have been chosen by Influenster* to review the Laneige Water Bank Serum! 

The serum is not new, but it is newly launched as Sephora! So for all you Laneige enthusiasts in Canada, no need to order online from overseas sellers anymore. Laneige skincare (along with their famed BB cushion) are now available in Sephora stores! Unfortunately, their makeup range has yet to be released. So for the time being, I can only lust after their lipsticks from afar. 

 I have been eyeing this product for years and have been lusting to try it, but since my attention span is rather fleeting, I always get caught up in another product. 
But let us take a further look into this serum...

KOSE- Softymo Speedy Cleansing Foam Review

Hello everyone! 

How are your New Years Resolutions coming along? I didn't really make any, since I knew I would break them almost immediately. I did tell myself I would try waking up and going to sleep earlier. I have failed. But I am keeping up with writing down everything I need to do for the day or the next day. It helps me stay organized. 

Anyway, I'm reviewing a cleanser today. I haven't found one that I've liked enough to stick with. But so far with this one, I like it enough that I may repurchase after it's finished. 

I usually use a gentle cleanser for the morning and a gentle exfoliating facial cleanser for the evening. 

. 

I really enjoy using Japanese skincare products. Kose is quite popular in Japan and Softymo is quite affordable. 

Back in High School I used their oil based cleanser, which I didn't like at the time, but I am looking to repurchase in the future. 

Let's take a closer look!

The Face Shop - Chia Seed Watery Eye & Spot Essence Review

Hello 2015! Hope you had a wonderful New Years. I didn't do anything too exciting. It was far too cold to celebrate outside so I stayed in instead. No regrets! The older I get, the more I just want to stay indoors and just be in my PJs. Anyone else feel the same?

Anyway, last year when I was getting into skincare my under eyes were neglected. I'm a little self conscious of my dark circles, so I wanted to find something to help with them.

I did a bit of research and behold, The Face Shop Chia Seed Watery Eye & Spot essence!

The Face Shop Chia Seed line is very popular and is known for its hydration. When I first started reading up on what products to try, my friend recommended this to me. 

CrySense Hair Organic Essence by Palan Cosmetic review

Hello everyone!

I have a review from the Memebox Global # 12! About time I start pumping out reviews from them though huh? I haven't had a chance to really use a lot of the products from my first box, the Luckybox #5. Most of the products from that box are facial, and I'm still in the midst of using up my current moisturizers.

This Memebox is perfect for me, because starting this summer, I have started putting more time and effort towards my hair. I've always used conditioner after shampoo, but recently I've purchased some hair masks and sprays to prevent damage when I use my hair straightener.

When I saw this Hair Organic Essence in the box, I was so excited to use it!

I've been using it consistently for the past month, and I feel I've adequately used it enough to write a review.

Memebox: Superbox #46 IOPE Box 1 Unboxing

I'm developing a problem you guys... I have Memebox acquisition syndrome. I can't stop buying these boxes!

I'm eyeing the Lipstick Superbox right now. I received an email a couple weeks back from Memebox, asking me to take a survey for them. A few of my suggestions included an all IOPE box and all lipstick or lips box. BEHOLD!! Memebox answered and here I am throwing my money at the screen.

I purchased IOPE Box 1 instead of the 2nd one, because I already have their BB Cushion. Also the shade would have been too light for my skin. Back in high school, I purchased a lighter colours shade once... it was not a good time.

But anyway, let's take a look at what I received!

Mint Julips Lip Scrub Review from Lush Cosmetics

Aaand I'm back! I'm typing this post whilst at work! Shhh... I have some down time right now, so at least I'm staying busy!

Sticking to the lip review theme from before, I finally bought the famous Lush lip scrub!
For those of you not familiar with Lush, they're a company that makes products completely by hand, and using/buying ingredients that "do not conduct or commission tests on animals and testing products on humans".
They also only use vegetarian products and some of them, including the lip scrub is gluten free!

Previously, I had only ever tried their bath products. Bath bombs are good, but I especially love The Comforter bubble bar. SO MANY BUBBLES!! I'll have to purchase it again sometime-and you should try it too!

I know what some of you may be thinking, 'sugar scrub? Could have just made one at home!' Yes, that is true. I definitely could have. Considering how I've only used this a handful of times, I should have made one myself. But I can't make my lip scrub smell as good!
At the time when I was in the store, I was planning on buying bubble gum. A friend of mine recommended that one to me.  But in the end, mint chocolate smelt the most appealing.

So let's see if it was worth the purchase!

Etude House: Wonder Pore Freshener Toner Review

Ok everyone, I'm making a big statement here. I have found my holy grail of toners. 

Wonder Pore! I purchased the 500ml bottle, and I do not regret it!

Avene: Eau Thermale: Thermal Spring Water

I've become a little obsessed with facial sprays/mists these past few months. This is only my second purchase, but I have my eye on a few from Sephora and one from Laneige.

When I was at my local drugstore, I decided to pick up a facial spray from Avene.

I went with the 50ml travel size first, since I wasn't sure how I would like it. 

Skin79 - Wrinkletox Collagen Serum Review

Hello, hello! 

I am back with another serum review! This is the 2nd bottle from the set of three. 

From the New Turn Therapy Special Set from Skin79.

If you haven't read my first review of the 'Repair Amino-Acid Serum', check it out here! 

Beyond - Cream Puff - Rice Milk Foam Cleanser review

I had never heard of Beyond, which is a Korean skincare company until I saw the products being sold. The brand was established in 2005, so it is relatively new and somewhat unknown. 

In Korea, the brand is just referred to as "Beyond". But in North America, it is, "Beyond Fruits & Passion", Fruits & Passion was the store I purchased it from. Though it has since closed down and The Face Shop opened in its place. (no complaints there!)

But since I always have my eye out for Korean skincare/cosmetics, I opted to try this out. I have cleansers already, but really, more the merrier... right?

I went with the Rice Milk Foam cleanser as it advertised in big letters, "Rice smoothes and relaxes your stressed skin"

As a student, anything that claims to relax stressed skin is something I want! Get it on my face!! De-stress me please!

Let's see if it actually does what it claims

March Empties!

Alright, so I didn't end up using up all of these products in March. But I had to accumulate, since it takes me a while to get through products. So technically, these are empties between January - March.

From left to right:

1. My Beauty Diary - Strawberry Yogurt Amino Acid Cleanser

- this was alright. Better than the cleanser I'm using now. Has some beads in it, but didn't clean as well as my Body Shop exfoliator. It smells nice, but really really artificial strawberries. 

2. Skin79 -  Repair Amino-Acid Serum

- a review of this will be coming shortly!

3. The Body Shop - Satsuma Body Butter

- You guys should know by now, how much I love body butters. This was the first body butter scent I had ever tried from TBS. I used to love it. But half way through using it, I got tired of the smell. Started to smell bad to me. I got this free of purchase, but I wouldn't buy it anymore.

4. The Body Shop - Passion Fruit Body Butter 

- you can read my review here 

5. Missha - Super Aqua Anti-trouble Toner

- you can read my review here

6. Oral B - Gum dental floss

- I love this stuff! It's not the regular wax floss, my teeth are too tight for those to fit through. 

7. The Body Shop - Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream

- you can read my review of it here
I definitely liked this. But I have a few other facial creams I have since purchased so I will not be repurchasing this for a while. If you have dry skin, I do recommend you try this. 

I don't usually go through products quickly, so I'm surprised I went through as much as I did. Well this is considered a lot for me anyway. I don't think I'll have a new empties until mid/end of summer. 

What products have you used up this month? Do you plan on repurchasing any of them?

Skin79: Repair Amino-Acid Serum Review

Originally, this serum came in a pack of 3. Called The New Turn Therapy Set from Skin79. Which is another Korean skincare company. Yes, I have been going a little nuts with their skincare items. But what can I say, their products are good!

Not to mention, I bought this serum set for the most amazing price!