Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Review- Dr. Ci:Labo Skin Care


Today I will be reviewing Dr. Ci:Labo's 4-step skin care line.
I requested a starter kit of samples from their website awhile back.  Unfortunately, this sample kit is no longer available.  When I requested this set, I had never heard of this company.  I wondered if it was a fake offer designed to scam me out of my email address, but I decided to go ahead and request it anyway.  I was quite surprised at how nice this sample was when I received it!  It contained 2 days worth of the full four step program, and 2 extra packs of aqua collagen gel.    

This is what their website says about their company and products:

How the Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture was born in Japan back in 1995.


The our star product Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture was conceived by Dr. Yoshinori Shirono - a world renowned Japanese skin laser clinical dermatologist whose concern was the aftercare of the patients who had their skin treated with laser. Due to the degree of the heavy laser level skin treatments, many of the patients requested to Dr. Shirono an aftercare daily skin care regimen they can use to reduce the level of inflammation, darkening, swelling and other symptoms that occurred due to dryness of the skin after their laser surgery.

After extensive research with data of over 20,000 patients, Dr. Shirono created the Aqua-Collagen-Gel which surprisingly became a great hit among his patients. By the "word of mouth" the Aqua-Collagen-Gel became so popular that he started the company called Dr.Ci:Labo in 1999.

Now, Dr.Ci:labo is Japan and Asia's No. 1 Doctor's Brand Skin Care and one of the best seller in the world. 

Since I'm a fan of Korean products, I was pretty excited to try a Japanese skin care line!

These are the four steps:

Step 1: SUPER Cleansing EX
"Gently remove makeup without losing moisture! When the cleanser is worked with makeup on the skin, it slowly turns into oil, Thoroughly remove even the toughest makeup, dirt and other impurities. While massaging, the gel will transform into oil, its gentle warming effect soften dead skin cells and lifts the makeup. It carefully catches impurities and clears the pores, removes dead skin cells."


Step 2: SUPER Washing Foam EX
"Moisturizing ingredients encapsulated in a nanocapsule. A fine, a botanical cleansing ingredient's creamy lather's elastic texture to remove debris, dirt, pollutants and other impurities thoroughly yet gently."


Step 3: Aqua-In-Derm DN Essence
"An Amazing Pre-Moisturizing Booster, Aqua-In-Derm DN-Essence helps creating paths for penetration of ingredients to follow. Formulated with "In-Derm Force" ingredients* which soften dead cells. And also formulated with water containing eight different electrically-charged amino acids** (constituents of natural moisturizing factors [NMF]),PCA-Na, and marine salt-derived minerals, conditions the skin to ensure the penetration of other constituents deep into the skin."


Step 4: Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture
"Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture is Just one application (Toner, Milky lotion, Beauty Essence, Brightening Essence and Makeup Base) after washing your face and you're finished. 
Skin problems and aging skin are largely related to the amount of moisture in your skin, the naturally derived gel combines the latest industry developments with state of the art technology to give it the ability to preserve high moisture levels in your skin. It moisturizes your skin both inside and out and keeps it that way for long periods of time. Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture's ingredients are contained in a nano-sized capsule, thus makes it easier to go deep into the skin layers and retains moisture in so it will not evaporate so easily, yet gentle for the skin. Feel the power of long-lasting Moisture all day!"


What I say:

I could tell these were high-quality products! And, I guess they should be, given that this line is pretty pricey. 

 I really liked the warming feeling of the SUPER Cleansing EX. I have never tried a cleanser/makeup remover that was self-heating-it was a really cool sensation! The double cleanse left my face feeling clean, soft, and fresh. 

The moisturizing half of this routine proved to be a little too hydrating for my "normal" skin, though. The Aqua-Collagen-Gel Super Moisture was serious stuff! The first morning after I used it, my skin looked and felt good, but the second morning after following the routine, my skin seemed slightly greasy. It was just too much moisture for me. 

If your skin is oily, normal, or combination, or if you prefer a very simple skin care routine, I'd advise you to pass on this. But if you have dry, very dry, or aging skin, and like the thoroughness of a multi-step Asian skin care routine, this line might be perfect for you.     

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Free and Cheap This Week

Here are some of my newest free or almost free additions.


I placed an order on Forever 21 recently. My purchases came to just short of the $50 I needed to get free shipping.  So, I checked the accessories hoping to find something that cost only a dollar or two.  They were running a promotion taking 50% of off of sale prices.  I found these earrings for only 50 cents with the discount!  They are quite pretty and match a gray shirt I already have.

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I also grabbed this little ring on sale for 50 cents from Forever 21!  I wore it today with my Chanel earrings, which are also gold with clear stones.



I received a couple of higher-end free samples in the mail this past week. 

I got Strivectin-AR Night cream and a small sample of Aveda Invati thickening shampoo and conditioner.


So what freebies or deals have you gotten lately?

Monday, January 28, 2013

Travel Pics- Funny English T-Shirts in Korea

T-shirts with English graphics are quite popular in South Korea.  While they may look pretty cool, they often say strange, random, or hilarious things.  One day, my boyfriend sneakily snapped a few pics as we strolled through the discount shopping malls at Dongdaemun.  This is just the tip of the iceberg...over the couple of months I was in Seoul I saw countless examples like these.  Hope you enjoy and get a little laugh!












Sunday, January 27, 2013

New Polyvore Looks

Over the weekend, I put some Polyvore looks together with pieces similar to things I own.  Sometimes I like to make sets in order to try out styling options and remind myself of what I have, or looks I'd like to wear in the near future.  So, I thought I'd share my ideas with you! You may remember some of these items from previous posts, if not, check out the links to see the original posts that feature my actual clothes.  Hope you all had a nice weekend.
pretty paris

pretty paris by artaslife featuring polka dot tops
(Check out my red Doc Martens here.)  


fake

fake by artaslife featuring an elastic waist skirt
(Check out my "fake" tee here.)


aztec dress

styling for CC drip top

styling for CC drip top by artaslife featuring asos
(Check out my "Chanel" drip tee here and my cross ring here.)


mint and spikes

mint and spikes by artaslife featuring black clutches
(Check out my mint sweater here and my spike boots here.)

Friday, January 25, 2013

Outfit of the Day-Outdoor Concert

Tomorrow afternoon, I'm planning on going to a free outdoor concert.  Why someone would plan an outdoor concert in the middle of winter on the East Coast of the US is beyond me...but it's a really good one featuring Matt and Kim, Walk the Moon, and Tegan and Sara, so I have to go!  Last Saturday we had unseasonably warm weather, unfortunately, today it is snowing like crazy and tomorrow will be extra cold!  So even though it's not really hipster concert appropriate, I decided to go for a warm and cozy look.  This is what I'll be wearing...



outdoor concert

outdoor concert by artaslife featuring quilted bags

Here are some of the acts I'll be seeing tomorrow...It's so worth braving the weather to see these guys for free!






Thursday, January 24, 2013

Bargain Brag-Cherry Red Doc Martens

While in Ross last week, I spied a really cool pair of cherry red army boots from afar.  They looked like high-quality shoes.  I was trying to tell myself I don't need a pair of red army boots as I picked them up and discovered they were genuine Doc Martens... 


AND THEY WERE ONLY $19.99

I have never owned a pair of Doc's before, but I knew they are never that cheap.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  They had two other styles in my size, all priced the same, so I knew it was no mistake.  Suddenly I realized I NEEDED a pair of red army boots! (haha) They just looked so cool, I had to have them.  And when I tried them on...SOLD!  If you never tried on a pair of Doc Martens before, they have to be the most comfortable shoes ever!  I can't believe my good luck.









Here are some cool Red Doc Martens looks.










  

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Outfit of the Day-Intern

My first day of practicum was yesterday.  Since I am working in a high school, and I'm short and young-looking, I wanted to my outfit to be professional, mature, and chic, but not too trendy.  I wanted to try to blend in as a teacher and avoid being mistaken for a student.  This is what I wore...


Practicum

Practicum by artaslife featuring low pants

Top: Forever21