L'Oreal - Lineur Intense - Carbon Black

Description: “Stand out with a dramatically bold or sleek look. Lineur Intense Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner has a tapered natural brush that gives you the control to create the most precise lines for your desired eye looks. All-day wear up to eight hours. Water-resistant. Smudge-proof. Fragrance-free. Ophthalmologist-tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.”

Review: Bought this one at Wal-Mart for $7.

This is actually the only eye liner that works with my oily lids. I have an unfortunate case of oily skin so any pencil liner, gel liner, or liquid liner usually smudges, both on my lid and under my eye. This liquid liner successfully lasts a whole day without smudging, it is highly pigmented, and the consistency is very smooth.

Unfortunately, it flakes in my crease (I have typical Asian mono-lids) but it is not noticeable unless I close my eyes. I’d have to say though, this has been my HG liner for a long time now. 

Quality of product: The consistency is very smooth, very crisp, and very pigmented. A pretty good liquid liner that is department store priced. Only thing is that it can flake, and it is not waterproof. It`s actually very water soluble.

Quality of packaging: It comes in a tube with a brush tipped applicator. I would`ve rated this 5 out of 5 if it wasn`t for the brush. I prefer a felt tip applicator because this brush is simply not thin enough for me for those delicate strokes, although I`ve grown into it and I can use it efficiently, I`d still prefer a different applicator.

Pros:

• smooth, consistent, highly pigmented formula
• washes off very easily
• lasts all day
• will not smear or melt

Cons:

• brush applicator tip was okay, but not the best
• may flake due to contact to sebum or water

Rating: 4.5/5

Peter Thomas Roth - Lips To Die For (Pink Bombshell)

Description: “Protect and maintain soft, supple, sexy and kissable lips with this invigorating daily lip conditioner.”

Review: Okay, seriously, I just love this lip balm so much. I wanted to just post a picture of this and say “holy crap, best lip balm ever!”, but then I wanted to be consistent and decided to write a proper review instead.

My mom also got this PTR product from a retailer, but I think this is sold for $20 CAN.

Once the lip balm is applied, your lips will feel much more supple, smoother, and softer. It is a really nice, light fragrance. I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s like a minty citrus fragrance. Your lips will also be treated to a soothing tingly sensation provided by menthol in the product (my favourite lip balms often contain menthol). The slight pink in the lip balm will give your lips a natural rosy glow, or can be used to enhance lip colour. 

Quality of product: Great product. Contains aloe, Vitamin E, mango & shea butter, all very moisturizing and nourishing for the delicate skin on the lips. Lasts for a very long time.

Quality of packaging: This lip balm comes in one of those little pots where you have to unscrew the lid to use the product. Although not many people are usually fond with the idea of dipping their finger in the pot to use the lip balm, I’m pretty satisfied with it. The quantity is larger than if it was in stick form, and if you’re worried about hygiene, use hand sanitizer. 

{ Overall }

Pros:

• extremely moisturizing
• cooling sensation
• high quantity of product
• enhances lip colour
• refreshing fragrance

Cons:

• packaging may not please everyone
• expensive
  

Rating:

Peter Thomas Roth - Beta Hydroxy Acid 2% Acne Wash

Description: “This gentle yet effective oil-free acne wash deep cleans without over drying. Helps eliminate the breakout cycle while it removes excess oil, makeup, and bacteria. Soothes and conditions the skin, leaving it “squeaky” clean, oil, and residue-free.” 

Review: I’m not exactly sure how much my mom bought it for (since she’s an esthetician, she bought it for retail price) but on sephora.com, it is priced at $35 CAN. 

It comes in a clear, liquidy gel form and foams up. It worked really well for me when I used it the first time, and I’m almost finished my second bottle (one bottle lasts for months). It really did keep my acne down and the gel is great for those with oily skin. However, it does dry up your skin because of the salicylic acid (2%) so always remember your moisturizer!

You only need to use about a dime sized amount and it will lather up nicely.

I’m not sure why though, but after a long time of using it, it doesn’t seem as effective as before. I do switch cleansers/exfoliators after a number of months though so my skin won’t be “too used to it”. It is recommended to change/rotate your cleansers once in a while. 

Quality of product: Peter Thomas Roth products are usually very high quality and very effective. Salicylic acid is proven to reduce and prevent acne, and this cleanser is formulated with the highest concentration of salicylic acid. It is oil-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, alcohol-free, and is animal cruelty free. 

Quality of packaging: This cleanser comes in a clear plastic bottle with one of those pop-up caps. Very durable bottle, though not recommended for travelling because of the size. 

{ Overall }

Pros:

• contains 2% salicylic acid
• great for oily skin
• lathers easily
• exfoliates
• oil/fragrance/dye/alcohol-free
• one bottle lasts for long period

Cons: 

• may be too drying
• expensive

Rating:4/5

Laneige - Sliding Pact_Ex (No.1)

Description: “The new UV protecting Sliding Pact lightly slides and fits on your skin, effectively absorbing excess sebum to portray long-lasting powdery skin.”

Review: I also bought this at the local Asian mall in my area. I don’t remember the exact cost, but it is probably about $30 CAN. 

One thing I love about this Sliding Pact is the SPF! I bought the No. 1: Translucent Skin Tone one (I’m not sure why I was told to buy this one), it has an SPF of 35 PA+++. A pretty decent SPF. So I can just spread some powder on my face and I’m protected from the UV rays. It claims to control sebum and shine, although I think it did it too well since it made my skin look a bit dry, and sometimes cakey, especially in the summer. But afterwards my skin still got oilier :/ 

However, this powder was not the greatest for me. The skin tone was too fair for me (especially since I’m getting tanner in the summer), it somewhat controlled sebum, though not as great as I’d thought it would be, and made my skin look a bit cakey. I guess it was really useful when my skin was a lot oiler than before, so that the powder will make it look matte and not so flaky. The powder also iodized as time went by. It has a slight floral fragrance too which didn’t bother me at all.

I think if I had bought the darkest skin tone available for this product (and it’s still pretty light) it would make me look less of a Geisha.

If you have oily, fair skin and want instant sunblock and a mattifyer, then this is a great time saver.

Quality of the product: The procedure of the making of this product is, “purified at 1000 degrees Celsius and have gone through recrystallization cycle through porcelain glow method, it is thin, has no darkening phenomenon, and glows like transparent, clear snow.” Sounds cool right? Laneige is known for their extensive research and use of natural ingredients, and how the products are made with exceptional care, which is why I love Laneige. The powder mattifies my face well, and protects my face from m

Quality of the package: The packaging though.. I love it. It looks like a cell phone, the mirror slides up to reveal the powder, with the sponge tucked underneath. How cute is that? The mirror also angles itself to your face so you can use it effortlessly. It is really easy to break though, so try not to drop it! (like I did)

Pros: 

• absorbs sebum pretty well
• has hygienic and unique packaging 
• very fine powder
• great for mattifying small areas
• great for oily/combination skin
• can last for a very long time

Cons:

• can be a bit too drying for some people
• packaging breaks easily
• a small selection of skin tones (mainly aimed at Asian skin tones)
• pretty expensive

Rating:  

Laneige - Professional Makeup Remover - Multi Cleanser

Description: “Makeup removing, foam cleansing, and micro-scrubbing 3-in-1 effect providing soft and clean feeling after wash.” For all skin types.

Review: A product from Korea. I purchased this at a local Asian mall (Pacific Mall, more specifically, Market Village). It was about $29 CAN.

This product claims to remove makeup, cleanse the skin, and to have an exfoliating effect with its Micro cellulose bead particles, which also breaks apart makeup. This cleanser really did leave my skin “squeaky clean” literally (which would be bad, except this product contained many natural ingredients to deliver nutrients to the skin) and left my skin exfoliated and makeup free.

This product also contains AHA mixtures (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) which penetrates the skin to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, increases skin cell renewal/turnover and increase collagen production. Great for any skin type. The AHA mixture comes from 5 plants, orange, lemon, bilberry, sugar cane, and sugar maple. It also contains Vitamin E Acetate and Ivy extracts.

What I loved is that it foamed up really easily, and you don’t need more than a dime size amount to use it, which makes it last much longer. The micro beads are my favourite property of this product. Its a daily exfoliator that removes makeup. When I’m too lazy to use makeup remover, I can just lather this cleanser onto my face, and there will be no traces of makeup left on my face afterwards, which save time and prevents pulling on the face when removing makeup. 

Quality of product: As with all Laneige products, this cleanser contains a light, but pleasant fragrance. The consistency of the cleanser is not drippy at all, which I like. It foams up very easily and completely removes makeup and residue on the skin. I’m quite fond of this cleanser because of its natural ingredients, and its ability to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. It also gives a brightening effect because of the citric acid from the orange and lemon it contains.

Since it does sort of dry out the skin after you rise, it is imperative that you apply moisturizer, though you should do that anyways, even if you have very oily skin. 

Quality of packaging:  This cleanser comes in a squeeze bottle form, which is hygienic and portable and the little snowflake design is really cute :P (part of the Laneige - The Secret of Snow Crystal line).

Pros:

• cleanses and exfoliates skin very well
• completely removes makeup (though be really careful around the eye area, it will sting you!) 
• brightens the skin
• leaves skin feeling fresh and supple
• high quality product
• very little needs to be used

Cons:

• may dry out the skin
• pretty expensive, though you don’t need to use much every time you cleanse

Rating:  4/5

Body Shop - Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream

Description: “Community Trade seaweed and oil-balancing technology condition and mattify where and when skin needs it, to control shine throughout the day. Skin feels soft, supple, matte. Oil-free.”

Review: This day cream is supposed to be for combination or oily skin, and is supposed to control shine and sebum production in the skin.

For the most part, my skin does look mattified when I first put it on, but within a few hours, it looks shiny and oily again unfortunately. I have the type of skin that seems to get oily in every kind of circumstance, especially in the T-zone. 

The consistency of the product is like in a lotion/gel form. It is very light and absorbs quickly. It also has a slight fragrance & smells very fresh. However, I usually try avoiding products with fragrance.

I was very excited when I first bought it ($16 CAN) because my friend told me how great it was at mattifying. The product didnt “wow” me, though I really liked the consistency and freshness of it. 

Quality of product: I really liked the consistency and the fresh fragrance of the product. It does mattify my skin, but I still need to use blotting sheets/powder to keep sebum away after several hours. The day cream moisturizes pretty consistently and my skin does not feel dry or flaky at all.

Quality of packaging: I didn’t like the packaging very much. You’d have to unscrew the lid and then dip your fingers in to use the product, which I found to be unhygienic as opposed to a pump bottle. 

{ Overall } 

Pros:

• moisturized skin very well
• kept skin mattified for several hours
• absorbs quickly
• very light and smooth texture
• would be great for skin that is not too oily
• fresh in the summer

Cons:  

• only mattifies for a few hours, then skin gets oily again
• contains parabens (way to contradict the Body Shop image)
• unhygienic packaging 
• much too overpriced

Rating:   3.5/5