Mizon WaterMax Moisture BB Cream

I have been on a hunt for a BB Cream as my skin has improved and I dont need 6 layers of foundation.
Here in Australia BB creams are, shall we say, orange.  Great for tanned skin.  I dont tan.
I tried Garnier (got it in a subscription bx that shall not be named), Nivea (let down city), samples from Maybelline (but Maybelline foundations always oxidise on me.  Not their concealers however..) and swatched Australis and my beloved Rimmel.
All were "Nopes", not even a "if I work it into my skin really well can I make it work?".  Oh and Australis oxidised like hell - my hand looked like someone had drawn a line in fake tanner.

So when I did my large haul from RRS I saw that Mizon had a BB cream that was also in their "free Shipping", and it was a respectable price, so I put it in the order.

Ingredients: Aqua, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, cyclomethicone, titanium dioxide, glycerin, butylene glycol, cetyl ethylhexanoate, sodium hyaluronate, cyclopentasiloxane, dimenthicone, crosspolymer, cetyl peg/ ppg-10/1 dimethicone, dsodium chloride, trehalose, natto gum, rosa hybrid flower extract, biosaccharide gum-1, sodium pca, sorbitol, glycine, alanine, proline, serine, threonine, arginine, lysine, glutamic acid, iris florentina root extract, viola mandshurica flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, glacier water, sea water, betula platyphylla japonica juice, hydrolyzed coralline officinalus extract, butyrospermum parkii(shea butter), mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, olea europaea (oluve) fruit oil, helianthus annus (sunflower) seed oil, oenothera biennis (evening primrose) oil, disodium edta, polymethyl methacrylate, Ci 77492, Ci 77492, Ci77499 , phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, fragrance

It is a hydrating BB Cream - I have not found a BB cream for dry skin in my search from Australian shops.  They were all (the ones I tried) for normal, or even oily skin, essentially containing salicylic acid and mattifying ingredients.  So that in itself was another point towards this product.

I am please with how it has turned out.  It is a close colour match for my Rimmel foundations, just a touch greyer but that does not faze me overly as once you do the rest of your makeup you cant see any grey.  This BB cream doesn't inflame my skin at all (giving dark looks to a Nivea BB cream) and it doesn't dry out over the day so I still have a nice soft dewy look.  If my skin is a little flakey it will "catch" on the flakes, so use this on moisturised skin so it has a smooth base - or use a primer.

I cant use it when my skin is inflamed however, as it is too sheer for that even when layered and I think it oxidises if I layer it under my Rimmel foundation, but by itself it works very well.  I will definitely use this up.  If I cant find a better one (also trying out samples of Etude House Precious Minerals BB creams) I might repurchase it.

What BB Creams have impressed you recently?

Random haul from the City

I dont go to Melbourne CBD very often.  Maybe once or twice a year.

I had a mission in mind - to hunt down some physical AB Shops that had been listed in the AB and Australian Makeup Reddit forums.  Just to see what the prices were like compared to the online stores.

Walking past Haighs (one of the other missions of the day...) a few shops up I spied some sheet mask packets from the corner of my eye.  Wandered over into the shops - I initally thought it was an Asian Grocer because there were boxes of food and such.
There was a small section of the aisle that had Mamonde and Sexy Look masks so I was stoked to see them and picked up a few.  Went down the aisle and up the next one and realised that this was an AB store!  It had a range of products that I had eyeballed online and new some of the prices.
Some prices were quite comparable to online and shipping together.  Some I'm not sure of.  More research required.

THEN I went to the back of the shop where there was an aisle FULL OF SHEET MASKS.

SHEET MASK HEAVEN.

I was able to read the ingredients and make a choice easily - unlike online where I have to google the ingredients or hope for the best.
Most prices were quite reasonable as well! So nice to buy things and have them immediately and not have to wait 3 weeks or more and not have to convert the US$ to AUS$.

So a little haul.  Made even better by its randomness!  This will encourage me to go into the city again because I know where this is easily and found the other shop as well (did not have time to browse there fully).
With a list...

What random hauls have made your day recently?

Product Review : 3W Clinic Fresh Collagen Mask Sheet

Another sheet mask!

This is a simple one from 3W Clinic.  I bought this in a 10 pack off RRS waaaaay back in April and it was 80% so it may depend on how long stocks last (I tried ordering another type, but they had run out when I put my order in - but today 6/7/15, they still had these masks on the website).  I wish that RRS included an ingredients list - sometimes its really hard to find the ingredient list via Google.  Same with Sasa.  Just show a photo of the ingredients even!

This was the first sheet mask that really got me into the whole "lifestyle" of sheet masking - I had used random masks here and there but this was a purposeful bulk buy so I could mask more frequently.  I think I've used around 5 of them thus far.  They're a great go-to mask if you're not sure what your face needs in terms of treatments but really want to sheet mask (like after marking 60 exams in one day).

For me, there is not distinct perfume apart from the scent I now associate with Asian Skincare (like how my "It's Skin green base" smells and my Mizon Snail Ampoule smells).  Kinda sciencey and clinical.  Which I dont mind at all.  Having said that, I have a shocking sense of smell!

I leave this on for at least 15 mins, up to 30mins. I want to find one of the Daiso silicon mask cover to see if that helps at all.  There is a generous amount of essence with the mask which I think helps with it lasting longer and not drying out quickly.  There is usually around 10mls left in the packet after taking out the mask.
As per usual I will have layered some toners and serums/ampoules before putting this on.

I love the moisture I get from this mask.  The collagen is very low on the list, so a "token" nod to collagen.  If it had been labelled as a "Hydrating Mask" probably more apt.  I think the glycerin and sodium hyaluronate do most of the hard work here.  Good thing my skin likes to drink those two ingredients up!  This is a nice mask to use in the morning as well - I wear it while I watch the morning news while I'm waking up and having my coffee (hey coffee masks...ooooh),  My skin can get ridiculously dry during the day and my makeup looks dreadful by lunchtime and I've observed on days I mask in the morning I still look decent by 3pm (end of classes).

I've got a large stash of masks I'm going through at the moment so I'm not in a hurry to repurchase.
What sheet mask got you into the "lifestyle" of sheet masking?

Holy Hyaluronic Acid, Batman

Such science

*sparkles*

I.Love.Hyaluronic.Acid.

I didn't get onto the bandwagon until this year, but hot damn, so glad I did!
I have very dry skin - even when its nice and clear I'll still get a tight, sore feeling if I don't moisturise in the morning.  Usually I'll feel uncomfortable by 10am.

I started off with Indeed Labs Hyaluron serum.  I bought one tube when it was 40% off at Priceline to try it properly (full price is $35 from Priceline), when glamaco had it for $15 I snapped up 5 tubes, and wish I bought more).  The serum itself is a clear and odorless gel that spreads quite far.  I usually use a pea sized amount which does my face, neck, decolletage and any leftovers I rub into my hands. This product is designed to be used after toner and before moisturising.  It in itself is not a moisturiser but enhances the ability for moisture to penetrate the upper layers of the skin.

I tend to use this serum in my PM routine, in summer I also use it in my AM routine, but in winter when I'm at work I don't use it in the AM routine.  I found that because the air at work is much drier and the change from a warm classroom to the cold outdoors amplified the drying out effect that can happen when using hyaluronic acid without enough moisture.

Then the obsession began.  I found that the Cetaphil Restoraderm had hyaluronic acid (sodium hylyuronate) in it so that joined my collection.  The Restoraderm is a body lotion and works well in summer.  Also acquired some Mizon ampoule samples to compare to the Indeed Labs.

  

I found at Daiso a hyaluronic acid ampoule which I will experiment with by adding to moisturiser and a hyaluronic acid spray.  I have been using the spray (pump bottle) by alternating it with the Indeed Labs serum and both seem to have the same effectiveness.

I bought some samples of the Hada Labo Hyaluronic Lotion (heavy and light) from Sasa.com and I use that at night on my dry skin on legs and arms, followed up by Nivea Cream and the results have been great.  I think this combo is more effective in winter than the Cetaphil Restoraderm.

I may calculate the cost per ml between the Indeed Labs serum and the Hada Labo heavy lotion because they are both very effective.  However I have to include the shipping cost for both of them because I cant see myself willing to pay the $30 or so at Priceline when I know I can buy it cheaper online and that's including shipping.

I know that all of these serums have different ingredients in them, and I'm not after the product with the most/best sized molecules of hyaluronic acid in them, but I want to compare them all to see what my skin likes best.  Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV), or even Your Moisture May Vary.  Different external factors will also have an influence on how well these perform.  The Indeed Labs serum was excellent in summer, but not so great in winter which I why I'm trialing different types and combinations of products.

Now this is just a topic application of the acid itself, so it only penetrates the very top layers and keeps moisture (essentially water) there as well which is why the skin is hydrated.  This is a highly effective humectant (humectants hold moisture), but you do need a product to then trap that moisture onto your skin which is your moisturiser and an occlusive layer like vaseline or Dermeeze for really dry skin on top of that.  Otherwise the hyaluronic acid can pull the moisture OUT of your skin (which is what happens in winter to me like I mentioned above).

What skincare technology or active ingredient have you become obsessed with?

High Tea Sandwiches on my face - SkinFood Premium Lettuce & Cucumber Watery Emulsion

This is an emulsion, which is a step commonly found in AB routines, not so much in Western.  Emulsions are similar to light moisturisers, and some people might find this enough as their final step, but this fits into my routine at step number 4 (or 5 if I do a mask) out of 9.  My routine is based around getting moisture into my skin as I have dry and dehydrated skin.

Full Size, 140ml

I bought this as a sample pack first after doing some research on it, because I'm always hesitant to go full on and buy a full sized item straight off the bat.  I started using the sample when I had finished another set of samples and was waiting for an order to arrive.

Its a very light cream, halfway between a serum and a cream.  The bottle has a small opening and you have to top the bottle onto your hand to get some out.  I use around 1/6th of a tspn.  It would be more convenient in a squeezy tube or if the bottle had a pump.  The bottle itself is a clear minty plastic by the product itself is white.  It has a mild fragrance that really does make you think of cucumber, its not an offensively strong fragrance and it disappears after you tap it in.

I think that this product has helped to fill a "layer" in my moisture sandwich.  I now notice when I don't use this product.  My skin will get drier a little earlier and be more prone to flaking. Its not a precious like my Snail Ampoule, but I am enjoying using it currently.  It is budget friendly and cheaper than the Avene Skin Recovery Cream I was using instead.  I dont know if its any better than the Avene, but being a 1/4 of the price (RRS), I am happy to use this.




If anyone has the ingredient list I would really like the link please!  I cant find the ingredients in English.  So I am hoping that this is full of nice and friendly things.

Snails?! Snails ^_^ Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule

One of the items I picked up in my first RRS haul was the Mizon Snail Ampoule sample pack.  At first I used it only at night - I test every thing at night so if things go nasty I can re-wash and treat then sleep through the worst of the flare up.  This was the first AB product I fully introduced to my routine.

Full sized bottle (30ml)

Hello darling

Liquid Gold Magic Snail Stuff

I'd tried a snail mask I'd picked up earlier and was VERY impressed by the results I got from the mask and so decided to dip my toe in the sea of snail products.

I've been able to use this on my skin when it's in various stages of irritation.  It helped immensely clear up the most recent reaction.

Ingredients:

Things that do stuff.  SNAILS!!  Also sodium hyaluronate is very high as well as glycerin and pantenol (humectants doing their things).  Copper peptide is interesting because it is shown to help with healing in the skin and is anti-inflammatory.

I used this after my toner which my skin was still damp and was able to use a small amount to cover my face, between 1-2 drops (2 drop is a fullish dropper like below) and pat this onto my skin.  It is a bit "gloopy" and heavier than my Indeed Labs Hyaluron serum, but my skin drinks it all up.  I apply this also before I apply a sheet mask, which seems to help amplify the moisture absorption.

I now have 3 bottles of this precious ampoule and am using it both AM and PM.  It is definitely a game changer for me in terms of improving my skin in terms of "bounce", smoothness, and recovery from flareups. I have noticed that a skin flare up now recovers in a matter of days instead of two weeks.  In my eyes that is simply amazing.  

 I purchased it through RRS for around $14 AUS for a 30ml bottle.  After I had decided to buy the full size, RRS was out of stock for a bit and I was sad.  So when it was back in stock I bought up.  From purchase to receiving the delivery is usually 2 to 2.5 weeks (including weekends), which I am quite happy about.  This is also in the "Free Shipping" category at the moment with RRS which is why I bought multiples - its all about making the most out of your shipping "space" as well.
I have not found an Australian product that does the same for skin at such a price.  Even my Hyaluron serum is normally $30.  And don't forget the Dr LeWinns Diamond serum that is $70 (which does NOT SPARKLE, I was very disappointed when I tested it in Priceline.  No Sparkle.  Oh, didn't really do much either)  So to get something that is budget friendly and works a treat makes me very happy.

Mizon has a range of snail items that I am slowly acquiring.  I have noticed that some brands have "bee and snail" together which are very popular on the AB reddit forum, however I am allergic to bees and would probably need my epi-pen if I tried any of those.

So unless I find something better, I will be sticking (heh) with my Snail Ampoule.  If my skin is happy, then I'm happy.

What has been you skincare game-changer?

Product Review: The Face Shop Aloe Mask

I read somewhere in the past week that sebum decreases in the skin during winter.  Which might partly explain why dry skin flare ups can happen more frequently in winter. Also external factors like heating etc.
I have epic dry skin right now.  It is ridiculous.

Today's mask (which I have just had on my face) is The Face Shop's Real Nature Aloe Mask.
I purchased three of these from RRS in my April haul, this is my second use of this "flavour".  It's a very soothing mask and provides great hydration.
Side note - I'm going to start masking every day I think because of how dry my skin is <sigh>

I took about 14 photos.  Only one worked,  I really need to start taking photos earlier in the day with better light and when I am more awake.  My poor little camera tries it best, I'm just impatient.

Ingredients:Water, glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, butylene glycol, alcohol denat, betaine, sodium hyaluronate, xanthan gum, hydrogenated lecithin, dimethicone, phaseolus radiatus extract, betula platyphylla japonica bark extract, rumex crispus root extract, carbomer, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, triethanolamine, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, fragrance

phaseolus radiatus : Mung Bean.  Listed as being good for cooling the skin, helping irritations and removing toxins.  Slightly anti-septic as well.
betula platyphylla japonica bark : Japanese White Birch.  Various studies (1) show that this helps reduce flare-ups of atopic dermatitis (maybe I need a vat of this alone!)
rumex crispus root : Curly Dock (I admit, I read this first as Curly Dork and laughed for a bit - I am in post-exams and post-report exhaustion) Also used to treat skin inflamamtions (like psoriasis and dermatitis)

Again there was around 10 ml of essence left over in the packet.  I'll use that in my routine tomorrow morning.

The scent is mild aloe, very inoffensive.  Soothing, easy to fall asleep with this on.
I left this mask on for 30mins tonight and was just beginning to dry out along the edges, but was still quite damp and I wiped the extra essence on my arms (sharing the love).

Unless I find another Aloe Mask that is better than this one, I will always keep a few of these in my stash.  Lovely times guaranteed!

How do you keep your skin hydrated in winter?