Review: Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream

Hi Everyone, today I have a review of Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream.  

First, this is what Ulta.com had to say about the product:

Maybelline's 1st blemish fighting BB cream helps clear skin with 8 great skin benefits! With 2% salicylic acid. For combination and/or blemish-prone skin.

Why You'll Love It: Their Dream Pure BB Cream is a 1-step wonder for healthy-looking skin today and clearer skin tomorrow.

Benefits:

• Clears acne
• Conceals
• Imperfections
• Minimizes look of pores
• Reduces appearance of redness
• Adjusts to skin tone
• Hydrates and smoothes
• Enhances and clarifies skin
• Is oil-free, with a lightweight feel

2% salicylic acid is one of the highest percentages of this powerful blemish-fighter that you can get without a prescription, yet it's gentle enough to use every day.

For Best Results: Apply a thin layer of Dream Pure BB cream on skin. Can be used with or without a moisturizer.


This is what I have to say about Maybelline Dream Pure BB:

Well, this review almost didn't happen!  I found a sample of this BB cream in Seventeen Magazine.  I'm always really excited to find free samples in magazines, but I was less-than-stoked about this particular freebie score.  I have never had acne, even as a teenager.  So, I knew this this product was not for me even before trying it.  That, coupled with the fact that I had previously sampled Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream and did not like it, made me want to just toss the sample.  (You can check out my review for Maybelline's Dream Fressh BB cream here.)

However, curiosity made me give the Dream Pure BB a try, despite the fact that it was not for my normal to dry skin and was from a product line I found to be disappointing in the past. To my surprise, this turned out to be a pretty decent BB Cream.

The sample was fairly generous, so I was able to use it three times.  The first two times I used it with my L'Oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher as a base.  (You can see my review of Youth Code Pore Vanisher here.)  Since the Pore Vanisher is moisturizing, I decided to try the BB cream alone one day to see how it performed solo.

A swatch of Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Light/Medium

The sample color was light/medium, which is the color I would usually choose.  I found that it had a decidedly orange tone.  While this orange undertone might be great on an oompa loompa, it wasn't the best match for my skin.  The orange color wasn't that apparent after the product was blended, but I still felt like this shade was not a great match for my skin.  You might want to sample colors if you consider buying this product.

Oompa Loompas

The product is thicker and creamier than the Dream Fresh BB Cream.  It has good coverage.  I'd say it is a heavier light coverage or a very light medium.  If you need extra coverage due to acne scarring, I don't think this product alone would work for you.  It has much better coverage than the Dream Fresh BB, though.  It dried to a matte finish. Despite containing 2% salicylic acid, during the three days I tried it, I did not find that it dried out my skin.  Of course, I can't say if this would remain the case over a longer period.  It worked better for me with a base, though.  When I wore it alone, it did not look quite as smooth and it settled into my fine lines.  Since I don't have oily skin or acne, which is the type of skin this product is intended for, I can't tell you how this BB fares for those conditions.  I can say it was gentle enough for my normal to slightly dry skin. 

Overall, I feel this was a much better BB Cream than Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB.  The quality is fair for its low price.  There are probably better BB creams for acne out there, but this product exceeded my expectations.  If you are looking for a budget friendly BB for acne that is not overly drying or irritating, this is a decent product.

Have you tried Maybelline's Dream Pure BB Cream? What did you think?

Review: Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (No 21)

Today I have a review of Missha's Perfect Cover BB Cream in color number 21.

This product is very popular and has been widely reviewed.  Even still, since this has turned out to be one of my all-time favorite BBs, I wanted to write my own review and let my readers know about this awesome product.

First, this is what Missha's website has to say about this BB cream:

Originally developed as a salve for patients after laser treatment, BB Cream’s soothing and regenerative properties were adapted for cosmetics to improve skin while providing coverage. The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is Missha’s most popular product with over 30 million sold worldwide. Combining cosmetics with skin care, this product promotes natural-looking coverage while providing sun protection, treating dark spots, and preventing wrinkles.

The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used as a makeup base or foundation.

This is what I have to say:

I bought this BB in the Missha store in South Korea. It is offered in two sizes. I bought the smaller size for about 7,000 Won, which is roughly $7 US.  This bottle lasted me for a few months of daily use. I have tried various Missha skincare and cosmetics products and this brand has never disappointed me!  I feel that their prices are pretty reasonable and the products are excellent quality.

This BB is thicker and creamier than some of the others I have tried, although it is not greasy or extremely moisturizing.  I used this BB often during the hot summer months and it never made my normal skin look or feel oily.  Number 21 is the second-lightest shade.  It is a light sandy beige.  The color is definitely on the lighter side and has a decidedly grayish tone.  The first time I saw the color on my skin, I was worried it would make me look pale and sickly, but it smoothly blended into my skin without any grayish cast, and dried to a perfect matte finish.  The coverage is heavier than some BBs I have used (especially those by Holika Holika and various American Brands.)  It has a nice medium coverage, while still giving that fresh and naturally beautiful look that has made Korean BB cream a worldwide sensation.

Color Swatches

The one thing I did not absolutely love about this BB is the scent.  It is quite strong and bold, and what I would describe as perfumey and "older."  I imagine that the powerful middle-aged female executive characters that always pop up in K-dramas would smell like this BB cream.  The scent also does not fade quickly.  Even though I'm not a huge fan of the way this BB cream smells, it is only a minor issue.  

Overall, I would rate Missha's Perfect Cover BB cream as among my top 3 favorite BB creams. There is a reason why there are so many reviews out there for this product!  If you have normal to dry skin and are looking for a great BB with fuller coverage and a matte finish, this just might be the one. However, I would caution anyone with darker or very warm skin tones to test the color first, since the lightness/gray tone might be an issue for some people. 

Have you ever tried this super-popular BB? What did you think? If not, what is your favorite BB cream?

Review: L'Oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher

Hi everyone.  Today I have a quick review of L'oreal's Youth Code Pore Vanisher.  I received a free sample of this product from the company because I have an account at the L'Oreal website.

So first, this is what the L'oreal website has to say about the product:

What is Pore Vanisher™?
Pore Vanisher™ is a fresh, airy cream that instantly minimizes the look of pores and shrinks actual pore size in 1 month.

How does it work?
Pore Vanisher™ works on three dimensions to shrink pores: depth*, number and size. Instantly pores appear virtually vanished and skin feels hydrated. Perlite absorbs excess oil for an all-day, shine free, smooth finish. In one day LHA micro-exfoliates to visibly smooth skin’s surface.In one month pores begin to snap back into shape as our highest concentration of Perline-P strengthens and tightens pore walls to shrink actual pore size. 

When Should I Use It?
Apply as the last step in your skincare regimen, AM and PM. Can be used alone or under makeup.

Recommended Regimen:
STEP 1: CLEANSE L’Oréal Paris Cleanser
STEP 2: TREAT Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate
STEP 3: MOISTURIZE Texture Perfector Day/Night Cream
STEP 4: FINISH Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher™ Cream

Formula Essentials
For all Skin Tones
Universal Tint
Suitable For Sensitive Skin
Non-Comedogenic


Now, what I have to say about Youth Code Pore Vanisher:

I previously sampled L'oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur.  (You can see my review for that here.) And I find this product to be VERY similar to Miracle Blur. L'Oreal Pore Vanisher and Miracle Blur are also similar to many of the other pore-minimizing creams out there, such as Benefit's Pore-fessional.

I used the Pore Vanisher after my usual skincare routine of Missha Chocolate Latte face wash, and Missha Super Aqua toner and lotion. The texture of the Pore Vanisher cream is light and fluffy like a thick mousse.  It is lightly tinted and goes on smooth, creamy, and transparent.  The texture is really smooth and slightly moist.  Because it is a bit moisturizing, Pore Vanisher is more suited for normal to dry skin.  I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with oily skin. 

So, on to the pore vanishing claims... I only used the Pore Vanisher twice, so I can't speak on the long-term pore minimizing claims that they make, but as far as pore coverage, this stuff is awesome!  It reminded me very much of Miracle Blur, as it gave my skin the same soft and diffused look.  It just really smoothed over any imperfections, and it looked almost like my skin had been Photoshopped!  It also worked perfectly as a base for my usual BB cream.  

Overall, I loved this product and would highly recommend it!  I use Benefit's Pore-fessional, and this might sound like blasphemy to the beauty gurus out there...but I would say that L'Oreal's Pore Vanisher and Miracle Blur are actually superior to Pore-fessional!  They go on much smoother, in my opinion, and give a more obvious result.  So, if you have normal to dry skin and are looking for a pore-minimizing cream, L'Oreal's Pore Vanisher is a really great product and a less expensive (and in my opinion, BETTER) alternative to Benefit's very popular Pore-fessional.

So, have you tried any pore-minimizing products?  If so, which did you try, and what did you think?    

***UPDATE: I have been using a full-sized bottle of this product since about July and I still love it.  However, I began to notice this week that the product is separating.  There is a clear liquid that comes out with the makeup and the texture is just not the same.  I feel it still works, so I haven't stopped using it.  I checked it out online, and other women have reported similar experiences in blogs and reviews.  So, while I still think Youth Code Pore Vanisher is a great product, you might want to consider the fact that it does not age well when deciding whether or not to invest in this product.      

***Update #2: I continued to try to use this product for a few days after I noticed it was separating.  However, each day, more and more clear liquid began pouring out when the tube was squeezed. Shaking the bottle made no difference.  The water gushing out was really gross, the makeup's texture was totally different, and the product lost all its effectiveness.  I finally just tossed it.  I was bummed because I had gotten used to using a base with my BB. But since I received this product for free from L'Oreal via Cosmo magazine, it was no big loss. What bothers me is the fact that someone out there paid for Pore Vanisher and had to throw it away!  And this product is not cheap as far as drugstore makeup goes.  I no longer recommend this product! Most internet sources say face products can keep for about a year, so why is this stuff turning to disgusting watery mush after only about 6 months? Furthermore, who's to say if you buy this product it hasn't already turned bad before you even open it? I actually saw numerous reviews where women had that experience.  I had some Benefit Porefessional for about 6 months with no problems.  Moral of the story? You get what you pay for... Don't waste your money on this one. 

Review-Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream (Light)

Hi Everyone, today I have a short review of Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream in the "light" shade.  I requested a free sample of this product through the mail. 


This is what Pond's website had to say about the product:

NEW! POND'S Luminous Finish BB+ Cream Light

Flawless in Seconds, + More Even Tone in 2 Weeks!

POND'S® Luminous Finish BB+ was created with Tone Perfecting Complex. It works by targeting the source of dark spots on skin’s surface – visibly fading them for a difference you can see. It also delivers a special pigment system designed to blend flawlessly into a variety of skin tones and immediately conceal imperfections with natural-looking coverage.
Available in Medium.

Essential Features

• Superior* Coverage of Imperfections
• Superior* Visible Dark Spot Reduction
• Superior* Non-Greasy Feel, with a Matte Finish
• Broad spectrum SPF 15 sun protection
• Non-comedogenic – won’t clog pores
• Dermatologist tested
• Hypoallergenic

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.49%, Zinc Oxide 5.12%

*Light Shade versus Top Selling BB Cream

What I have to say:

I use BB creams every day, but I have only used Korean products up until now.  I once sampled Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream, but I did not like that product at all.  (You can check out that review here.)  Since the Maybelline BB cream was my only experience with American-made BB creams, my expectations for this sample were quite low. 

The sample came in a fairly generous-sized packet.  I don't use a whole lot of product, so, this sample was enough for me to use twice.

What I liked most about this BB cream was the texture.  It comes out thick and creamy, but the cream is light and airy rather than heavy.  The color blended very well with my skin.  I liked that it had a more golden undertone, as most "light" makeup tends to have very pink undertones that don't work too well for me.

Here's a swatch of the cream before blending: 

It went on smooth and creamy.  At first, because it was creamy, I thought it was going have a dewier finish, but it dried to a soft matte finish.  The coverage was fairly light, but similar to other BB creams I have used.  I'd say it was on the heavier side of light coverage, but not quite medium coverage.  While it was matte, true to its name, there was a sort of luminous appearance to my skin.  It gave my face a soft and diffused appearance.  

This Pond's BB was not as heavily perfumed as Korean BB creams.  It did have a scent, but it was light, fresh, unobtrusive, and faded quickly.

Overall, I really liked this product!  I would say this BB is comparable to the Korean BB creams I have tried by brands such as Missha, Nature Republic, and Holika Holika.  It definitely holds it own and I would highly recommend this one! 

I think the creamy texture makes it ideal for those with normal to dry skin.  If your skin is combination you might be able to get away with this, but it will probably be too moisturizing if you have oily skin.  If you are looking for light to medium coverage, this is a great product for you.  If you need heavier coverage, this might work well as a base to combine with other face makeup.  I can't speak on the claims that this product fades dark spots over time, since I only used it twice.  Still, it is a nice little BB cream and the reasonable price makes it definitely worth a try.   

So have you tried this BB cream? If so, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.  What new skin product are you loving these days?  

Product I love: The Ped Egg

Today I just wanted to review a product that I recently tried and LOVED!  I know that the Ped Egg has been around for a long time, so I'm a little late to the party, but this thing is so good that I wanted to share my experience with those of you who have never tried it.

I'm not exactly sure when things started going downhill with my feet...As a teenager, my sister and I used to laugh about the fact that on more than one occasion random creepy guys on the street told me that I had cute feet.  We used to joke that I should get a foot modeling job.  Back then, I used to do my own simple little weekly pedicure that consisted of exfoliating my feet and painting my toes-nothing fancy.  But, based on the reactions of the random creepers, I guess it was working for me at the time.

Fast forward a number of years later and I was living in Northern Florida.  Except for the coldest part of the winter, I practically lived in cheap Old Navy flip flops.  I had a pair in every color imaginable and I used to make treks all around town in them.  It was somewhere around that time that I noticed that I was starting to look less like a foot model, and more like Fred Flintstone's body double.  You would think I would have gone back to my old pedicure routine, but I just didn't care that much.  I always kept my toenails painted, but that was about it.  Once my sister started working in the beauty industry, she occasionally did her service to humanity by buying me "Mr Pumice" blocks at the beauty supply store. Every now and then I would give my feet a half-hearted scrub, but as a busy grownup, sitting around pampering my feet was the last thing I felt like doing.

About a week ago, though, I decided that my feet were a mess and that I needed to put some thought into this part of my appearance.  I tried to remind myself to buy a pumice stone or foot file on my next shopping trip, but somehow I seemed to forget every time.  Then, lo and behold, while at Ross Dress for Less, I happened to see the Ped Egg on clearance for only $3.99.  Who hasn't seen the commercial for this "As Seen on TV product" where women happily scrape their feet with an egg-shaped contraption that resembles a cheese grater, then open the egg to reveal piles of the disgusting powdered foot skin they remove. Ewwwww...  Pretty gross!  But, the metal blades made the Ped Egg seem like the kind of serious tool I needed.  I was debating whether the thing could possibly work, when I noticed endorsements from a number of top Beauty Magazines on the packaging.  I decided that, for such a low price, I'd give it a try.

When I took it home and put it together, the blade part seemed pretty sharp.  Not knife-sharp, but definitely cheese-grater sharp.  There were even some warnings on the package.  You should use the Ped Egg only on calloused skin that is not wet or damp, and also be careful to not press too hard.  My sister looked at the glinting silver blade of my Ped Egg suspiciously and warned me to be careful...

As soon as I slid the Ped Egg across the bottom of my heel and felt it working, I knew I had found a great tool.  The Ped Egg REALLY works!  I absolutely love it!  As I mentioned before, I have never invested a great deal of time or money on foot care, but this thing is better than any pedicure product I have tried in the past.  If you have dry cracked skin and calluses on your feet, you will amazed by the wonders this product can do!  I have been using it over the past week, and while I wouldn't  say I'm anywhere near "foot model" status yet, my feet are much softer and smoother than they have been in years.   

If you are looking to buy one, check out your local Ross store.  The classic one that I bought was on sale there for just $3.99.  They also had colorful "designer" Ped Eggs for $5.99.  This is a really good deal.  Target is currently selling their Ped Egg for $14.99.  

So, do you do your own pedicures, or do you leave it to the professionals?  Have you ever tried the Ped Egg?          

Review-Skinfood Watery Berry

I recently sampled two products from the Skinfood Watery Berry line: The Watery Berry Ampoule and Watery Berry Eye Cream.  I recieved these samples as a free gift when I ordered Tony Moly Lip Tint from an Ebay seller (See the review for that HERE.)  Since my readers tend to like these types of posts, I decided to do a quick review of the products...  

Skinfood is a well-known Korean skin care line but I have never tried anything by them before receiving this sample.

Skinfood Watery Berry Ampoule

is a moisturizer that is supposed to be applied after toner.  I used it at night after showering.  I did not have a Skinfood toner sample, so I used it with my usual Missha Super Aqua Toner.  (You can read about that, and my everyday skin care routine HERE.)  The Skinfood Watery Berry Ampoule is  clear and thin like a serum.  It was light and sunk into my skin quickly.  I like products that are water-based and provide a sheer and non-greasy type of moisture.  Usually any product that has "water" or "aqua" in its name is for me!  This product was definitely the type of light moisturizer that I like best.  Quite honestly, I do not recall anything about the scent of this product.  It definitely did not have a strong smell or anything.  The Watery Berry Ampoule left my skin feeling smooth and not at all greasy, and there was no oily feeling when I woke up in the morning, either. I loved the smooth effect this product gave my skin!  I would definitely buy this, and I would recommend this for anyone with with normal to slightly dry skin.  I'd love to try more Skinfood products.  I will surely be making a stop in the Skinfood store the next time I'm in Seoul!

Watery Berry Eye Cream

I am really concerned about caring for the skin under my eyes.  It is so thin and prone to bagging and dark circles.  That area has bothered me my whole life, but now I am also concerned with preventing lines and wrinkles.  I recently invested in a dermatologist-recommended eye cream (SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair), and I have had really good results with it.  I've noticed that my skin is tighter and less puffy.  So how did the Watery Berry Eye Cream measure up?  Well, it was a cream, but still had a somewhat light texture compared to other eye creams.  It was surprisingly moisturizing for the weight of it.  A little went a long way, too.  The small packet was enough for me, my sister, my mom , and my grand mom to all sample it!  We all raved about the silky texture.  My mom called it "luscious." (Haha.)  It did not absorb as quickly as the SkinMedica cream, though.  My eyes are prone to random puffiness but there was no puffing or bagging the next day.  I would have to try the product for more than one day in order to give an entirely fair review of its effects on puffs and wrinkles, but I was quite pleased with the performance of this product based on this one try.  I think this is a good eye cream, especially if you don't have any serious under eye concerns and are just looking for a little moisture and wrinkle prevention.

Overall, I was impressed with the quality of this line and would highly recommend these two Watery Berry products.

Have you tried these or any Skinfood products? What did you think? I'd love to hear your opinions, so leave a comment below!    

  

Review-Tony Moly Lip Tint Minis

Tony Moly Lip Tint Cherry Red

I am in awe of the sweet and natural looking beauty of Korean "Ulzzang" girls.  Ulzzang means "best face" in Korean and is a term used for both girls and guys who gain fame due to their physical attractiveness and cute style. 

Ulzzangs often use lip stains to achieve a gradient pink effect that is beautiful on them.  I found some Korean-style lip tint by Tony Moly on ebay.  It cost about $3.50 for two mini bottles of the lip stain, including shipping from South Korea, and they even threw in 2 small sample packets of Korean skincare products.  Since the price was so low, I decided I had to try it for myself.  

The first time I applied the product, I thought I liked it.  I applied it only on the inner part of my lips, ulzzang style. Even though on me it didn't look the slightest bit like the pictures, I thought the way it added a little bit of reddish color looked pretty good.  I like the red lips that are popular right now, but I think dark red lipstick makes my small thin lips look sort of mean. I thought the lip stain was a cuter fresher take on red that could actually work for me.

The second time I tried out the Tony Moly Lip stain, I was out with my sister when she said, "Your lip is bleeding!" LOL. Not the look I was going for...

At that point, rather than give up my quest for ulzzang beauty, I decided to consult some makeup tutorials for help.  There were plenty of tutorials from beautiful Asian girls who used tons of products such as concealer, matte lipstick, gloss, and balm along with the lip tint in order to mimic the lip look I desired.  In the end their actual results weren't much different from my "bloody" lips, except for the fact that the bloggers were beautiful ulzzang-esque girls with pillowy popsicle-stained pouts, and I was, er...just regular old me with bloody-looking lips!

 I couldn't be bothered with the zillion steps the makeup gurus suggested.  So, I decided maybe I could make it work if I just added a pinkish gloss on top.  I used this Innisfree gloss I got as a gift from my coworker in Korea.

This gloss appears really bright, but the color is almost clear with a slightly pink tinge.  That helped, but the glossiness doesn't really capture the look I was going for.  

I wore the lip stain and gloss combo out to dinner last night.  No one told me my lip was bleeding, which was a good sign.

I think it might take awhile to get the hang of using lip stain, and the results seem to be kind of unpredictable.  I will probably continue to experiment with this product, but as of now, I feel that it just isn't for me.  I believe I can make it work, but I won't ever achieve a look similar to the pictures.  As much as I had hoped that this product would transform me into a gorgeous ulzzang girl...it didn't happen! hahaha. 

For $3.50, I guess it was worth a try.

     

Review- Nivea Lip Butter

Just a quick review...

Nivea's Smooth Kiss Lip Butter

I got this product from a giveaway promotion on the Nivea Facebook page.  I was really interested to try it.  My lips are abnormally dry, even in the summer.  During the cold winter months, they are unbearable.  They flake, crack, and even split.  Lipsticks and glosses tend to worsen my condition.  Even lip balm that is supposed to moisturize can sometimes turn my lips into a flaky crusty mess!  When my best friend introduced me to Nivea Kiss of Moisture Lip Balm it was instant love...I have never found a product that calmed and smoothed my troublesome lips like it does.  Nivea Kiss of Moisture Lip Balm is an absolutely crucial beauty item for me, so I'm always eager to try other Nivea lip products to see how they measure up.  I have tried pretty much all of Nivea's Lip Balm line, but Kiss of Moisture still stands alone as my favorite.  When I saw this new Nivea product, I couldn't wait to give it a try.

What the Nivea Website says:

• Enriched with Shea Butter and Almond Oil to intensely moisturize and soothe dry lips for long-lasting care.

• Rich formula melts onto lips providing long-lasting nourishment to make all your kisses better.

What I say:
This is a very good product, although I still prefer the Kiss of Moisture Lip Balm.  

The product is thick and creamy.  It goes on smooth. It leaves a soft frosty sheen to the lips that is pretty, but be careful not to use too much or it can begin to look too thick and white like doughnut glaze!  

There is no scent to this particular variety, but other products in the line have yummy scents or flavors, such as Caramel and Raspberry.

It does a good job of smoothing lips, but on the downside, it wears off fairly quickly.

Nivea Lip Butter is packaged in an easy-to-open tin.  I am not fond of using lip products in a tin, because  I am constantly re-applying on the go and applying with your fingers is messy.  Because of this, I only use this lip butter while I'm at home.  I keep it by my bed and apply it anytime my lips are feeling a little dry. 

Overall, it is a very good gentle and soothing lip product.  If my usual Kiss of Moisture Balm was not available, I would definitely buy this product as a second choice.  I would highly recommend it, especially if you prefer lip products in a tin over a tube.

Review- Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin

Just a quick review...

I requested a free sample of this product from the Garnier Website.  (Garnier seems to give out samples of their products pretty often, so check them out if you are interested.)

This is what Garnier's Website says about the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin:

Locks-in moisture for 24 hours. Blocks-out dryness. Oil-free.

Is it right for me?
Over time, an active lifestyle and environmental factors can damage skin’s natural protective barrier, causing it to lose moisture faster than ever. Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream is right for you if you want long-lasting hydration.

How do I use it?
Gently apply Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream every morning and night to face. This lightweight, oil-free formula instantly penetrates.

What I say:

I really liked this moisturizer! 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I did not use much in the way of moisturizers until just recently.  I have never tried a gel moisturizer so I was very interested to see how it would be.

My skin is normal, not too oily, not too dry.  When it comes to skincare, I'm like Goldilocks: products meant to control oil make my skin dry, heavy creams make it greasy.  This moisturizer was just right.  I loved the light, non-greasy feel.  After I applied it, my skin still felt clean, yet perfectly moisturized.  It has a fragrance, but I did not find it unappealing or heavy.  I would definitely recommend this product.  Although I tend to buy higher-end when it comes to skincare, I would certainly consider buying this.

  

Review- Missha Creamy Strawberry Latte Cleansing Foam

Missha Strawberry Latte Cleansing Foam

Just a quick review...

I purchased this at the Missha store while in Korea this summer. 

I wanted a new face wash, and they had this set of 3 on sale for the super-steal price of 7,000 Won!!! That's about $7 US.

It came with Strawberry, Chocolate, and Green Tea, which sounded yummy!

Strawberry is the first one I am trying, I haven't had a chance to sample the others.

This Cleanser is very thick, it is pink and pearly, and creates a luxurious foam.  It does have a unique "strawberries and cream" smell, not exactly the regular strawberry scent of bath products.  I think the scent is pleasant and not overpowering.

It leaves my skin feeling squeaky-clean.  I like that feeling, especially in comparison to the cream cleanser I've been using lately.  However, I'm not 100% sure this cleanser is perfect for dry winter weather.  If I notice that this ends up drying out my skin, I may have to pack it away for the warmer months.  Overall, though, its a great face wash, especially for the the price!  

Nature Republic Botanical Fresh BB Cream Review

My Missha BB cream is officially gone! Oh no! Luckily, I have some new ones that I picked up in Korea last summer.  I will review them as I try them...  

One fine summer day, I set out with my boyfriend on a BB Cream mission in the small city of Cheongju.  I examined various bottles as over-attentive sales girls hovered nearby, bemused at the sight of a clueless foreigner in their shop.  My boyfriend's bad translations of the packaging all sounded like some variation of "made with flowers and essences to enhance charming beauty."  Not at all helpful! OMG, how was I going to choose one?  And why hadn't I done my research before going shopping?  With only a few days left until I returned to the US, I wouldn't have time to shop again before leaving.  I pondered a plan of action.  Most of the BB's I priced were somewhere in the $20 range, but I didn't want take my chances on products I knew nothing about.  Finally, I went with quantity over quality and searched for smaller or less expensive BB's. In the end I bought four bottles from three different stores. 

The first I am trying is the Nature Republic Botanical Fresh BB Cream

This BB was a great deal!  At about 7,000 won full price (roughly $7US), it was already less expensive than most of the other BB creams in Nature Republic, which ran in the $15-$20 range.  On top of that, there was a very good sale going on and many items were marked down.  I got it for only 3,500 won! (about $3.50)  What a steal!

I like this BB cream.  I did not see more than one color option, and this is slightly darker than my previous BB cream but still blends well with my skin.  It has very good coverage, possibly better than my last.  It applies nice and creamy, but it has a more matte finish, which I like.  It gives a fresh look.  Like my other, BB cream, it has a scent.  At first, the scent in BB cream bothered me, but now I like it.  Not that the scents are unpleasant, it was just unusual to me to use a skin makeup that was scented.  However, once I got used to the idea, I actually began to enjoy the scent of BB cream.  Overall, I like this product.  I think it is good for anyone who wants a fair amount of coverage and is not looking for an overly dewy finish.  I scored this BB cream for an amazing price, but it can be found online for about $10, which is still inexpensive for online BB cream.       

   

Feel free to comment and tell us about your favorite BB cream.