Mask Review: Compliment Banana and Guava Face Mask

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Compliment Clay Face Mask in Banana and Guava

Availability: I can't seem to find a retailer online for this, but I bought it at my local Russian-speaking pharmacy for $5.99 for 80 ml.

Would I buy this again? Yes.

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

According to the packaging (note: I edited my translation for enhanced grammar):

Restorative mask for the face: enriched with natural yellow clay, banana and guava extract. Assists in preserving the health of the skin while simultaneously gently removing dead skin cells.

Does this contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Kaolin Clay: Has oil-absorbing, exfoliating, anti-inflammatory properties. It helps the skin retain its hydration and is gentle on the skin. 

Illite (Yellow Clay): Has oil-absorbing and antibacterial properties. 

Sweet Almond Oil: Has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Banana Fruit Extract: Has hydrating, exfoliating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains Vitamins A (helps skin cell turnover), Vitamin E (has antioxidant properties), and Vitamin C (brightens, lightens, and tightens the skin) and can help prevent sun damage. 

Guava Fruit Extract: Is also rich in Vitamin C; has hydrating, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and helps regulate sebum production. 

What is the texture like?

I would describe this mask's texture as being a soft clay mask, it does dry out a bit but it doesn't set to that very tight, somewhat dehydrating sensation that traditional clay masks tend to have. 

Is this scented?

I would describe this scent as being a creamy, banana-forward scent that's reminiscent of mashed bananas or banana pudding. 

What has my experience with the product been like?

Personally, as someone with dry skin that can be sensitive or get inflamed easily but who also struggles with sebaceous filaments that aren't super prominent but bother me, this mask sounded very much up my alley. I was shocked when I washed this off and my skin felt soft and hydrated because I never have that sensation with clay masks. Even ones that don't dry down to a tight, dry feel, will leave my face feeling maybe deep-cleansed and a bit stripped but never outright hydrated. I really enjoy using this mask and I feel like it leaves my skin feeling soft and supple while also deep cleansed, a win/win in my book. 

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Mask Review: Compliment Lychee and Peach Face Mask

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Compliment Clay Face Mask in Lychee and Peach

Availability: I can't seem to find a retailer online for this, but I bought it at my local Russian-speaking pharmacy for $5.99 for 80 ml.

Would I buy this again? Possibly.

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

According to the packaging (note: I edited my translation for enhanced grammar):

Nourishing mask for the face: enriched with natural pink clay, peach oil, and lychee extract. Effectively assists in preserving the skin while simultaneously gently removing dead skin cells.

Does this contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Pink Kaolin Clay: A type of kaolin clay that has anti-inflammatory, deep cleansing, hydrating, skin-smoothing, and exfoliating properties.

Peach Kernel Oil: Has hydrating, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Sweet Almond Oil: Has hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Stearic Acid: Has hydrating, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, and skin barrier strengthening properties.  

Shea Butter: Has hydrating properties and is rich in Vitamin A and E.

Lychee Fruit Extract: Is rich in Vitamin C which helps brighten, lighten, and tighten the skin; also has anti-inflammatory properties.

What is the texture like?

I would describe this mask's texture as being a soft clay mask, it does dry out a bit but it doesn't set to that very tight, somewhat dehydrating sensation that traditional clay masks tend to have. 

Is this scented?

I would describe this scent as being fruity, floral, and perfume-like. I personally like it but I can see how someone might find it a bit intense or too sweet.

What has my experience with the product been like?

Personally, as someone with dry skin that can be sensitive or get inflamed easily but who also struggles with sebaceous filaments that aren't super prominent but bother me, this mask sounded very much up my alley. I was shocked when I washed this off and my skin felt soft and hydrated because I never have that sensation with clay masks. Even ones that don't dry down to a tight, dry feel, will leave my face feeling maybe deep-cleansed and a bit stripped but never outright hydrated. That said, this tingles and irritates my nasolabial folds in a way the other masks in this collection don't, so while I like its hydrating properties and its smell, I don't know that I'd repurchase it.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Nail Product Review: miss spa Quick Dry Nail Color Top Coat Ultra Shiny Nail Polish

miss spa Quick Dry Nail Color Top Coat Ultra Shiny Nail Polish

Availability: This seems exclusive to CVS but I can't find any info for this product online.

Would I buy this again?: I'm not sure.

Notes: Frankly I let my nails dry for about 30 minutes before doing anything when I paint my nails and make no exceptions for something that claims to be quick-drying. I feel like this does help the surface of the nails FEEL drier to the touch but if you're not careful and do something too hand-involved without giving this at least an hour or a bit longer to FULLY set (I'm talking like, you're playing with slime, knitting, crocheting, unpacking boxes, or take a nap) the under-layers of the nail polish can still move around. That said, I do find that this extends nail polish wear and, most of the time, this stays put for about 5 days before I see much noticeable chipping on my nails.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I bought this myself.

Eye Cream Review: COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream

Hello folksickles. Today's review will be for COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream.

Availability: This retails at $20 - $28 for 25 mL (0.84 fl. oz.) and is available at amazon.com, yesstyle.com, cvs.com, ulta.com, and cosrx.com. I'm assuming that CVS and Ulta locations that carry K-beauty in-store might have these at their physical locations but I always advise calling ahead to be sure. 

Would I buy this again?: Possibly.

What is this product designed to address?

According to cosrx.com this is what the product is and what it does:

Never look tired again!

Non- heavy, double-functioning eye cream that visibly brightens the eye area. Hydrating, fast absorbing eye cream for EVERYONE - 20s, 30s, 70s, even teens - without over nourishment.

BENEFITS

• Firms skin

• Boosts radiance

• Reduces dark circles

TARGETS

• Dull, dehydrated skin

• Fine lines & wrinkles

• Puffy under eyes

• Dark circles

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

These are the highlighted ingredients according to cosrx.com:

• 73.6% Snail Secretion Filtrate :

Moisturize, protect and help rejuvenating the eye area

What is the texture like?

I'd describe the texture as a lightweight yet hydrating gel-cream. 

Is it scented?

This doesn't have a particularly discernable scent to it.

My overall experience/comments on the product:
I've been using this eye cream for a few weeks now and I feel like it's hydrating and doesn't interfere with my makeup. I'm running low on my current eye cream and wanted something that was more deeply hydrating. Since their COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a holy grail serum for me and my skin just loves it, I decided I wanted to try the eye cream as well. This certainly helped revive my under-eye area - as I noticed I was getting dry under there and this is very hydrating, and a little bit goes a long way! I don't push the pump all the way down because that's too much product, I just carefully press on it until I get a small pinhead sized bead and that's plenty. That said, while I think this is fantastic and it's more easily accessible, my favorite remains the MIZON Multi Function Formula Snail Repair Eye Cream - because it's just as hydrating, but I feel like it has depuffing qualities as well. I haven't found this to have particularly noticeable depuffing or brightening properties - so if you're looking for that, you might want to look for something else. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Cleanser Review: SENKA Perfect Whip Beauty Foam

 'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the SENKA Perfect Whip Beauty Foam.

Availability: This  retails at $6 - $14 for 120g and is available at amazon.com, japanesetaste.com, yesstyle.com, yamibuy.com, and global.oliveyoung.com. I purchased mine at my local Teso Life.

Would I buy this again?: No.

What is this product designed to address?

According to yesstyle.com:

Deeply cleanse your skin with this foam-type face wash that removes dirt and impurities without causing any irritation. Infused with sodium hyaluronate to hydrate skin for a soft finish. Comes in a floral scent.

Micro-beauty foam for smooth skin every time you wash.

Remove the cause of roughness with micro-beauty foam, and every time you wash your skin, it will be smooth to the touch.

The fine, non-sagging foam thoroughly removes dirt without putting a burden on the skin, even to the texture of the skin.

A white floral scent full of transparency.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Glycerin and Hyaluronic Acid: Attract moisture to the skin.

Myristic Acid: Has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hydrating properties.

Palmitic Acid: Has smoothing and hydrating properties. 

Lauric Acid: Has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Vitamin E: Has anti-oxidant properties.

What is the texture like?

I would describe the texture of this as a soft cream that foams up when mixed with water.

Is it scented?

This has a soft white floral, sort of "soapy" fragrance to it. 

 

My overall experience/comments on the product:

I feel like this cleanser is great in the sense of that it has that cushiony, soft, foaming quality that I love. A lot of people online, even folks with oily skin, commented that this cleanser dries them out. Despite being dry and eczema-prone, I haven't found this to be dehydrating or irritating to my skin at all. I find that it's a nice cleanser that's up my alley. However, I prefer the SENKA Perfect Whip Collagen in Perfect Face Cleansing Foam much more, so if I were to repurchase, that's the one I'd get.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Love It Or Leave It; Review 2.0: Lorac Mega Pro Palette

Hello folksickles. As a makeup junkie and blogger you may have realized that I review a LOAD of eyeshadow palettes and I like to think of myself as being largely an eyeshadow junkie. In order to declutter a bit I've decided to pick out a palette or series of eyeshadows for the month and have that be my monthly selection for those instances where I'm not doing a tutorial for the blog. Every month I'll do a recap on the eyeshadows - how I feel about them and whether I'll be keeping them or giving them away (and why :P) as well as if I think it's worth its price tag. 

 Lorac Mega Pro Palette

These are the looks I created this month:

So as you can see I created all sorts of neutral and smoky looks with these shadows. I personally have found that these shadows are super buttery and easy to blend. The pigmentation on them is fantastic! All of them work really great in my experience. Honestly, I grab for this palette often when I'm looking to do more neutral looks and it's definitely a go-to and a keeper.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I purchased this palette myself.