Adaptive Multi-tasker: Algenist Anti-Aging Repairing Oil

November 12, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 4 Comments

now that fall has arrived, are you thinking of changing up or adding a little extra something to your skincare routine? as the weather changes during the fall and winter, we often need a little extra in terms of moisturization. i’m happy to report that Algenist’s Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is an excellent candidate for consideration!

Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil

Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is a fast absorbing, non greasy, light oil formulated with microalgae oil, ceramides, and brown algae extract to help with skin regeneration, restoring firmness and elasticity, increasing water retention, and preventing moisture loss. it accomplishes all this with flying colors! i can especially attest to the skin regeneration part. earlier this summer, i sunburned my shoulders the day before i got on the plane for vacation. at first it was just tender, but by the time i arrived at my destination, it had become painful. i mixed a few drops of Anti-Aging Repairing Oil into my aloe body lotion, and it felt much better the next day! all that remained was a little bit of tenderness in the morning. i applied another few drops, mixed in with my body lotion, before i left the house for the day and reapplied when i got home at night. the next day all the tenderness was gone! i’ve never had a sunburn stop hurting that fast!

because of it’s great ability to increase water retention and prevent moisture loss, Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is also a great travel companion! having this in your arsenal while you’re traveling gives great flexibility to your skincare routine. you can add a drop or two extra if you need an extra boost in moisture or mix it with your serum and skip your lotion/cream if you need to lighten up your routine. i have dehydrated skin that usually needs the wax in lotion/cream to help seal in moisture; otherwise products tend to evaporate quickly, leaving my skin to feel dry again. this even happens in humid, asian weather! however, my skin was happily moisturized when i used only Anti-Aging Repairing Oil mixed with a serum during the 3 weeks i was out there this summer.

Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is really a product that plays well with others. curious to see how powerful it’s ability to retain moisture was, i’ve used it just with a very thin, non-hydrating serum, and my skin was happily moisturized. then i tested it with a rich cream to see if it would be too much, and again, my skin was happily moisturized with no extra grease. best of all, over time, i’ve also noticed an improvement of the fine lines on my forehead.

Anti-Aging Repairing Oil works great as a day time moisturizer under makeup too! after cleansing my face in the mornings, i’ll mix some serum and oil together and slather all over my face. by the time i’m done brushing my teeth, my skin is ready for my makeup. how’s that for fast?

it’s not just me who loves this stuff too! a close friend complained that her pregnancy gave her patches of flakey skin that nothing was helping. i introduced her to a sample of this, and shortly thereafter she told me the flakey skin was gone and that she was ready to commit to a full sized bottle. my aunt, who has lots of high end products in her bathroom, including la mer, asked me to bring her back two bottles of it for her own use after just a few days of trying it out while we were traveling together.

Readers, are you a fan of facial oils? what will you be doing to get ready for the drier winter weather? please share your tips with me!

Iope Air Cushion XP is a total game changer

October 13, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 3 Comments

i hadn’t really paid attention to the whole cushion bb cream craze that’s been going on because usually the complaint is that there’s not much coverage. however, when i was gifted with Iope Air Cushion Compact, i figured it was a sign to give it a shot. i’m so glad i did. it’s a total game changer.

Iope Air Cushion XP

foundation soaked sponge

as you can see from the pictures, Iope Air Cushion Xp is a somewhat thick compact where the foundation is soaked into a sponge.

a nonabsorbent sponge is included for application

you press the included blue applicator sponge into the foundation soaked sponge and apply it to your skin. if you dislike the thought of using the included applicator, i’ve also had good results using my beauty blender, both damp and dry. however, if you use your own sponge, there will probably be a bit of wastage as the included applicator is nonabsorbent. the coverage is about medium. i’ve lightened the coverage by using a damp beauty blender, and the coverage is somewhat buildable to a medium+. on my good days, i can skip undereye concealer. it’s very easy and fast to apply and almost impossible to streak. the only thing faster in my arsenal is if i just slapped on some powder. the finish is very natural. i get compliments on my good skin all the time when i’m wearing this, and the complimenter is always shocked when i tell them i’m actually wearing bb cream.

Iope Air Cushion on half my face

you can see how my skintone is evened out and my age spots somewhat hidden.

here’s how it looks outside in natural light.

just to show you how good the coverage is, the picture below is half Iope Air Cushion and half Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation

can you tell which side is Iope Air Cushion and which side is MUFE HD? are you ready for the answer? left side is MUFE and right side is Iope. MUFE is a little better looking but i think the effect is pretty close.

though the spf protection is provided by physical blockers zinc and titanium dioxide, it photographs well. it goes on like a second skin, and soon you’ll forget it’s there. in addition to the spf protection, it also offers some vitamins for the skin in a somewhat moisturizing formula. most days, i mix a serum with 1-2 drops of facial oil instead of my usual cream when i’m wearing Iope Air Cushion. in asia, i can even do without the facial oil. it does very well in hot and humid weather. if you’re careful not to touch your face and wipe away the bb cream along with your sweat, the coverage will meld back with your skin after you cool back down. the coverage doesn’t evaporate away or break down like some foundations. the compact is also purse friendly so you can take it along and reapply as needed. i apologize in advance for the poor quality of pictures below, only my iphone was available that day.

the left is a picture of me sweating under the heat of the afternoon sun at farmer’s market. my nose is looking extra red because my sunglasses have pushed aside some of the Iope Air Cushion. the right side is what the coverage returns to after i’ve cooled down. i think how the coverage reforms is pretty magical!

Iope Air Cushion actually comes in 3 finishes: N for natural, C for Coverage, and S for shimmer. i’m wearing C21 Cover Vanilla. unfortunately, the natural and coverage finishes only come in two shades. however, Iope is a brand under Amore Pacific. Amore Pacific has brought these cushion compacts over to the states in a slightly larger color range (4 shades). here in la, i’ve seen Iope carried in asian beauty stores. the price ranges from $40-45 for the compact and includes 1 refill. i’ve been using mine almost daily since mid-july and i haven’t needed to pop in my refill yet.

Readers, what do you think of the air cushion compact trend? is it something you’re interested in?

Lazyproof Pampering For The Face: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

September 7, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 4 Comments

today, i would like to introduce a cult classic, Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. i’ve been curious about this product for a couple of years. i always see it at the duty free counters and catalogs on the plane, but i’ve always passed thinking that i don’t want a two-pack of something i’ve never tried. now that i have, i regret not picking up the 4 pack that i saw offered when i passed thru shanghai. seriously, i love it that much! admittedly, i don’t want all 4 jars for my face. i’m thinking it would work great on my scaly lizard legs too…i recently dropped by Target for some random home necessities and saw that Target now offers some core Laneige products, including this mask, so it’s easily accessible now if you’re tempted.

Laneige at Target

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask has a gel like consistency and is lightly scented. the scent is supposed to be help soothe you into sleep. while i find the scent pleasant, it’s not a blend that triggers feelings of being soothed, comforted, or sleepiness. to use, simply cleanse and tone your face then apply Water Sleeping Mask. how fast it is absorbed depends on how thick of a layer you apply and how dehydrated you are. i’ve applied a thin layer and had it completely absorb in 45 mins, but i generally like to slather on a medium thick layer for a bigger boost in hydration. you can wait for it to fully absorb, or you can go to sleep with it still slightly tacky. rest assured you will not wake up with sticky pillow cases. i think the convenience of this product is genius. i don’t have to lie flat and not move so a sheet mask won’t slide off my face. it’s meant to be left on all night, so if i’m feeling lazy or tired, i can skip my entire skincare routine and still know i’m doing something good for my face. i don’t have to set aside special time for it, so i’m inclined to use it more consistently. in the morning, i wake up with smoother, softer skin that feels very hydrated and more plump. the instructions do say rinse off in the morning, but to be honest, my skin completely absorbs the mask leaving nothing to rinse off. there isn’t any of that slippery film feeling like when your skin hasn’t fully absorbed an overnight product. sometimes i forget to rinse off, and there’s not a problem with absorbtion of my daytime skincare routine nor with my foundation. if you don’t feel like rinsing, i’ve also done a cotton ball swipe with toner. the effect of the mask is most obvious when i’m applying my makeup. fine lines from dehydration are smoothed away so that my foundation blends out easier. concealer in the undereye area goes on especially smooth, since there’s no creases for it to settle in. .

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is also an excellent product to travel with. i depot a small amount into a sample pot and take it on the plane with me. we all know how dehydrating being on the plane is and how it wrecks havoc on our skin. after the first meal is served, i brush my teeth and apply my Water Sleeping Mask. i’ve seen people do sheet masks on the plane, but i’ve always felt too embarrassed to do that. it just seems too high maintenance/girly/vain for my comfort zone. Water Sleeping Mask allows me to subtly pamper my skin, and i don’t have to get back up to rinse or worry about what to do with my sheet mask after i’m done using it.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask isn’t quite as hydrating/plumping as some of my favorite sheet masks, but it comes pretty close. since i do use it more consistently, due to ease of use, the accumulative effect is very similar. because i’m using it more often, my dehydration lines aren’t as deep so that it doesn’t need as much plumping. if you don’t need other corrective properties of a sheet mask and are just looking for some extra hydration in your routine, i highly recommend taking a second look at Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. at $23 for 2.7oz, it’s highly more cost-effective compared to sheet masks and just as effective as most.

Readers, what properties do you look for in a mask? does Water Sleeping Mask sound like something that would be useful in your routine?

Foreo Luna Cleans More Than Your Face

June 8, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 3 Comments

i’ve been lusting after the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove for a while now. it’s this glove with raised ridges and bumps to help clean your makeup brushes more efficiently. i balked, however, at paying $35 for it. then one day, as i was brushing my teeth and contemplating whether the glove would be a worthy investment for my brushes, my eyes landed on my Foreo Luna, and a light bulb went off in my head! it also has raised bumps similar to the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove!

Foreo Luna Sensitive/Normal

i immediate whipped out my solid brush cleanser and gave it a test! the result? faster foaming and pigment release from the brushes and a more effective rinsing. how do i know it rinsed more effectively? my brush cleanser also conditions my brushes, and sometimes the conditioning can be a little too much for my synthetic brushes, leaving excess residue on the bristles you can feel. with the Foreo Luna, those problem brushes came out perfect. i simply wet my brush, swirled it once or twice around the solid soap, swiped it along the wider band of more compacted silicone bumps on my Foreo Luna 3-6 times (depends on how dirty the brush was), then rinsed while continuing to swipe along the Foreo Luna. the device is not on, you’re just swiping along the textured surface. since the Foreo Luna is completely waterproof, this does not pose any harm to the device or myself. lastly, i squeeze out the water from the bristles with my fingers and lay them down to dry. now, i’m more inclined to clean my brushes the recommended once a week, since the process is faster and more efficient.

i’ve always championed that the Foreo Luna is way better than the Clarisonic. the Foreo is more gentle, since it uses silicone touch points (the raised bumps) instead of bristle filaments, but it is just as effective. i couldn’t use the Clarisonic, at the gentlest setting with the delicate brush head, more than once every 10 days, i can use the Foreo Luna every other day. it’s also more hygienic and economical since you don’t need to deal with the brush head. it needs less charging and is easier to travel with. it may even double as a Clarisonic Opal while allowing you to use your own products. the logic seems the same (using sonic pulse to help products penetrate deeper). i’ve loved my Foreo Luna ever since i bought it last winter, but now that i realize it cleans both my face and my brushes, i can safely say that this is probably one of the best beauty investments you can make!

i have the Foreo Luna in Sensitive/Normal but it also comes Ultra Sensitive and Combination. it retails for $199 and can be found at Sephora and other retailers.

Readers, how do you feel about electronic face cleaning devices? gimmick or more efficient? would you invest in one? please leave me a comment down below!

Tatcha Ritual Discovery Kit: First Impressions

May 25, 2014May 25, 2014 / truecolorjoy / Leave a comment

i’ve been eyeing Tatcha for a while now, and i’m so glad they finally revamped their discovery kit. i forget what the complete set had before, but it included a full size of their blotting paper, (which i don’t really use) and a complete sampling of their famous Polished Rice Enzyme Powder. it now offers a more reasonable cross sampling of their products. the kit is $59 and includes deluxe sample sizes of their Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (25ml), Polished Rice Enzyme Powder in packets (14x1g), Radiant Deep Brightening Serum (10ml), and a facial cream. there are four different boxes for different skin types: Oily, Combination, Dry, and Gentle. the difference between the boxes will be how rough the Polished Rice Enzyme Powder is and what kind of facial cream you get. all the boxes have the Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream, except the Dry kit which has Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream. Both the Gentle and Dry kits also have the the Polished Rice Enzyme Powder in gentle. Shipping is complimentary both ways via USPS Priority.

Tatcha arrived in an simple but aesthetically pleasing package. i appreciate that all the different skin type kits are the same price despite the fact there is a price difference in the full size creams.

Tatcha Ritual Discovery Kit in Dry

although the website states that the usual 3 complimentary samples were not available with Ritual Discovery Kit, i was able to add them to my order along with a code for a free travel size sample of their cleansing oil, which you can get by signing up for emails. the travel size is slightly smaller than the deluxe in packaging and lighter in weight but actually contains 5ml more in product (30ml vs 25ml)

the Ritual Discovery Kit comes with a booklet giving you product information and usage instructions, and the samples come with their own information cards. again, everything is beautifully presented, and while i appreciate the aesthetics, the environmentalist in me cringes at the paper wastage. (instructions on packet?)

i will offer a more full length review once i’ve had plenty of time to test out these goodies, but here are some first impressions. Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil has a wonderful floral scent but doesn’t seem to emulsify well. this leads to difficulty in removing the makeup completely. a couple of times i still had dark circles under my eyes after i rinsed off Pure One Step Camellia Oil. Radiant Deep Brightening Serum is a very thin liquid but seems to offer good hydration. Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream is a thick cream that doesn’t feel greasy but takes a long time to fully absorb.

lastly, my kit came with a welcome letter with a handwritten note at the bottom thanking me for my order and offering me a 10% off code for my full size purchase, to be used within 3 weeks (actually just a little under). normally, i’d feel this is a pressure sales tactic, but since Tatcha offers free return shipping and no set time for returns, i’m not put off by the promotional code’s limited time frame .

Readers, what do you think? have you had your eye on Tatcha? what brands are on your radar to try?

Eve Lom Cleanser: The Perfect Multitasker

April 24, 2014May 7, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 2 Comments

with the discovery of my holy grail mascara topcoat, Anastasia Lash Genius, i had to start the hunt for the perfect makeup remover. after 2 months of searching and over 10 products tried, i’m happy to introduce to you Eve Lom Cleanser, another holy grail product.

Eve Lom Cleanser

Eve Lom Cleanser is a balm cleanser. it’s solid in the container but melts into an oil with the heat of your skin. it’s great for sensitive eyes. i’ve rubbed this all over my eyes, right up against the lash line and on my lashes, and continued watching a tv show with no problems (this is what happens when you misjudge the time you have during commercials when watching korean dramas :P) i prefer using an oil based cleanser, as i feel the extra slip from the oil gives me added assurance that i’m being as gentle as i possibly can in the delicate eye area. the instructions include a 7 step facial massage to encourage lymphatic drainage, but i rarely bother with that as i’m usually pretty tired by the time makeup removal comes around. i massage a quarter sized amount on my face. if i have a lot of eye makeup or if my skin is dry and absorbed some of the oil, i take an extra dab, on my clean pinky finger, for my eyes.

the amount i use over my entire face

additional amount i use if needed on my eyes

i gently massage it onto my eyelid, concentrating on my eyeliner and lashes for 10 seconds. sometimes i like to let it sit there while i brush my teeth so my skin benefits from prolonged contact with the beneficial ingredients, but you can, and i have, rinsed it off right away. to rinse off, i soak the included muslin cloth in warm water and hold it up to my face for 3 seconds so that the heat can open up my pores. then, i hold it right up against my eyes and lashes for another 3 seconds to give it extra help melting off the mascara. i repeat this 3 times. i really love this part of my cleansing ritual as the heat is so relaxing and soothing. next, use the muslin cloth to gently rub off the cleanser going in small circular motions to give your face a mild exfoliation. lastly, rinse all the makeup off your muslin cloth, soak it in cold water, and press it to your face to close your pores. Eve Lom Cleanser rinses off cleanly without stripping your face. it’s not squeaky clean but there’s no filmy residue.

of course, Eve Lom Cleanser isn’t the only balm cleanser on the market. Ren, Josie Maran, and Omorovicza are amongst some of the ones that i’ve sampled. Ren stung my eyes. Josie Maran and Omorovicza didn’t rinse off as cleanly. they both left behind a slight oily film on the skin that I didn’t like. Eve Lom Cleanser doesn’t have this problem; in fact, it even rinses off cleanly with cold water.

i love the convenience of Eve Lom Cleanser. because it’s a balm formula, i never have to worry about leakage in my toiletry bag. it’s space saving since i’m carrying one product instead of 3 (makeup remover, cotton pads and cleanser) you don’t even have to pack your muslin cloth if you don’t want to. Eve Lom Cleanser rinses off cleanly without the cloth although it takes a little longer. i take a smaller sized one that came with a sample of the cleanser that i got from Space NK. it dries super fast because of how thin it is, even in very humid cities. i like to wrap the cloth around whatever is most expensive in my skincare routine at the moment to give it a little extra protection.

the price of the cleanser does give a little sticker shock. it comes in 1.6 oz for $50, 3.3 oz for $80 and 6.8oz for $135. you do save some from not needing makeup remover and cotton pads. savings will vary depending on what you used before. i purchased it in the 3.3 oz but now i really regret not springing for the 6.8oz. guess i’ll put it on the list for the next time a sephora sale comes around.

Readers, what do you think? do you like an all-in-one product or do you find that they do not measure up to their separate counterparts?

truecolorjoy

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