Beauty Bit: Korean Skincare Haul, Part Deux: The Face Shop and Tony Moly

First up are items from The Face Shop, which was purchased when I ventured into NYC's Koreatown back in April. It was a small little shop that occupied half of the ground floor of a shop lot. Annoyingly enough, the prices are actually more expensive (by a few dollars) than the Face Shop online offerings of Soko Glam. But it was nice to see, touch and test the whole range of the brand rather than only the select few offered online.

Rice Water Bright Cleansing Rich Oil, $15

Part 1 of the Korean skincare step is to dissolve your faceful of makeup with a cleansing oil. This has the texture of a runny liquid that is like...well...oil (duh). I usually take 2 pumps onto my dry hands, massage the product into my face for about 30 seconds (should really be about 1-2 minutes, but I am lazy), then wash off. It leaves a slightly oily film over the face that I then wash off using my regular Target cleanser.

So far, I like it -- it smells lovely, it doesn't break me out, and it is therapeutic to have a mini face massage at the end of the day. 

I bought the Rich version which is meant for cleansing heavier makeup. The light version can be found here.

Rice & Ceramide Moisture Toner, $9

The primary reason I wanted to pay a visit to an actual brick & mortar Korean beauty store was because I needed a toner and didn't want to spend $50 on one at the moment. I wanted something that would have a focus on brightening and help even out the skin tone. This particular toner did not have a description in English (it was the only one that didn't....don't know what is up with that!) but I knew that rice extracts can help in that regard, so I popped it into my shopping cart. 

However, looking up on The Face Shop's official page for this product, it is meant to provide hydration to the skin.

Foiled! But not a bad thing as my skin has been dehydrated lately.

The texture of it is quite, quite different from Western toners (i.e. Clinique's Clarifying Lotion) - it is a lot thicker in texture and upon application, doesn't feel like you are stripping your skin (which honestly, is sometimes exactly what I look forward to in the past when using the Clinique toner...ha)

It is scented (and I love the smell)

Lovely Meex Mini Pet Perfume Hand Cream in White Floral, $8

Lets just be honest, I bought this because of the packaging. And my daughter claimed it the moment she saw it. Beyond the obvious cuteness of the exterior, the lotion was a pleasant surprise...Even though I think it smells nicer in the pot than on the hands after application, it really helped keep my digits moisturized and it STAYED moisturized and supple for quite a number of hours.
However, for only 1oz of product, it is quite expensive. I am going to reuse the casing when the product is gone, by refilling it with other lotions, but am tempted to buy the other shapes/animals.

Samples received: Calming Seed Skin-Resting Cream and Arsainte Eco-therapy Extreme Moisture Serum

 

From Tony Moly (which I purchase from BB Cosmetic via Amazon.com) These were impulse purchases (The packaging! Seriously...an apple and a tomato...doesn't get any cuter than that!) as a result of aimless surfing on Amazon (on which I've already warned on the dangers of that here).
The reviews seemed promising though. 

Appletox Smooth Massage Peeling Cream, $12

This didn't come with an exterior box or packaging, so not much information on the product's purpose or application. So I turned to trusty ol' Google and found that Skin & Tonics did a review on the product along with information on how to use. Sasa.com also has a thorough product description and application process.

This is essentially meant to remove dead skin, much like a scrub, but less harshly than a physical scrub, I would imagine.

Tomatox Magic Massage Pack, $11
On the packaging, it says that it will "bring instant magic vitalizing effects into the skin". I am not sure what that means, really...some of the English translation on Korean products are body-cringingly bad, sometimes.

Again, it is Google to the rescue. According to Sasa.com, this is whitening massage cream that can be used as a mask when left on the skin for 5-10 minutes. The reviews have been very positive for this product, with raving reviews on a making a major difference in trying to fade hyperpigmentation marks.

When I used it, I did feel that my skin in general was brighter the next morning, but I haven't used it enough to see if there is really a credible difference in my post-acne marks.

Beauty Bit: Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream Review

Over the past few weeks, I've started breaking out and it was like a revival of my cystic acne episode that has plagued me over the past 2 years. 

Originally, I thought it was triggered by the Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule (and it very well may have been) but it ceased to get better even when I stopped using the product. I had to go back on my prescription topical creams from my dermatologist and those cause some killer dry and peeling skin (even with exfoliation night and day) 

And with makeup on, my skin was a peeling mess by the middle of the day. 

Lovely. 

However, this time around, I have a game-changer within my reach. 

Nature Republic's Super Aqua Max Cream is a "high-performance hydrating cream which infuses extra moisture and refreshment back to skin with an energizing complex of deep sea minerals from maritime plants while extracts of chlorella, seaweed, plankton and water-soluble collagen and hyaluronic acid help to strengthen skin's ability to defend itself against external aggressors and dehydration"

It is said to mimic Biotherm's Aquasource and blind tests have shown that users prefer Nature Republic's version.
And the huge difference in price will also be a substantial consideration when trying to decide between the two, I would imagine. 

Now, all this official mumbo-jumbo aside, I really really like the cream.
I have the one meant for combination/oily skin and it has a light gel texture. 

First impression was that it has a REALLY strong scent...it smells like men's cologne. 

It is cool upon application, it is easily absorbed and leaves a slightly sticky feeling to the skin. 

Performance wise, it definitely helps keep my skin hydrated and made a significant difference in helping reduce the peeling from harsh prescription acne creams. I can even reapply over makeup throughout the day (I had a cold during my breakout and the constant nose-blowing meant that my nose and upper lip was even more of a peeling, flaky mess) and because it is a gel, it doesn't cause my base to rub off, or separate like it will with other rich moisturizing creams.

Another benefit is that it greatly helps reduce my oiliness throughout the day. Because it is so hydrating, it really helped in rebalancing my oily skin so that it is not constantly producing oils to make up for the dehydrated state of my treated skin. 

I'm almost at the end of my first jar, and my replacement order has already been placed through Soko Glam.

This is on the definitely recommend list!

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Cream, $18

Beauty Bit: Korean Skincare & Makeup Haul from Soko Glam and MISSHA

I go through phases when it comes to shopping...a bit like Becky Bloomwood's (from the Shopaholic series) shopping cycle. These past few months have been a skincare feast --

Dull, lifeless and dehydrated skin that is trying to recover from hyperpigmentation caused by quite severe cystic acne...it's like an ice-cream sundae with extra cherries on the top.
Except that I am on a diet, and I don't even like cherries.

After being enamored with Korean dramas, and seeing their perfect skin, I was suckered into trying out Korean skincare products as well as following their skincare regime with the thousand and one steps

 

From Soko Glam:

Customer service was friendly, and the shipping was speedy. The site is comprised of curated items from various Korean brands 

Etude House Dear My Jelly Lips Talk, $10 in Strawberry Syrup Coated Candy and Sweet Plum Candy

These products provide a sheer wash of color in a formula that feels ridiculously hydrating. It smells of fruit punch/cherry Kool-Aid, which is not my personal favorite, but better that than a plasticky smell. My favorite is Strawberry Syrup which gives a pink tint to the lips...like strawberry juice

Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder, $7

A finishing powder to help minimize shine and keep those oil glands in control, it is free of parabens, artificial pigments, animal ingredients, mineral oil, artificial fragrances and talc.

Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Fresh Watery Cream for oily skin, $18

This is a cream geared towards providing hydration and is meant to be used as the last step of the skincare regime. It has won quite a number of awards and it is said to rival Biotherm's Aquasource moisturizers. At $18, it is an unbelievable bargain and I really like the product too.

Etude House Precious Mineral Any Cushion Compact, $24

The color I ordered is a little too light for me, but I like it in general. Full review here

Samples received: 2 Manefit sheet masks

From Missha:

They were having a Friends & Family sale on the day that I randomly clicked onto the site, so I made use of it. But in general, I think they offer a lot of sales, so definitely check on their current deals.

Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence Mist, $35

This is the mist version of their popular First Treatment Essence, which was out of stock at the time I was placing my order.  

Time Revolution Night Repair Activator Ampoule, $49

This is suppose to energize, repair, and restore elasticity of the skin, provide wrinkle repairing and whitening benefits. 

NOTE: I started getting breakouts on my cheeks when I used the above two products, so after a few days, I stopped using them. Now that my skin is calming down again, I am trying them out one by one to see which product is causing the issue.

Miracle Steam Hand Cream, $12

Formulated with shea butter and mango seed butter for extreme hydration;  syn-ake for wrinkle protection; camellia and lavender to create a phyto-steam complex mimicking the effects of steam treatment to leave silky smooth skin and a delicate scent,.

I actually really like the cream - I feel like it really does help hydrate my really dry fingers and it feels like a little luxury break when I use it. But the amount you get at the price makes it quite expensive, unfortunately.

Samples received: Time Revolution Face Mask, M Perfect Cover BB cream, Complexion Coordinating BB Cream, Misa Geumsul Vitalizing Eye Cream