End of Summer Products - Part 2

In this post, I will be featuring products purchased from Jolse that are fit for summer.

Without further ado, here's a picture of the products we will be discussing today:

I also bought the One Step Pimple Clear Pad from COSRX (not pictured), but we'll save that for a skincare post later.

*The green towel is a free gift--an Italian/Korean exfoliating wash cloth. I haven't used it in the shower yet, but apparently it helps get rid of dead skin cells if you rub REALLY hard with it... =_="

The first product we'll discuss is:

The Cotton Veil Primer by Mamonde

This primer provides a beautifully healthy glow to your face, with tinges of pink and pearl to create a great skin-tone that isn't as yellow-y (for us Eastern Asians). Here are the swatches:

I spread it out just a little in the center of my hand, so it may be hard to see. But in real life, it really makes your face look lovely. However, I cannot say that it made my foundation last longer and nor can I say it controls sebum (this is more of a hydrating primer). Also, the fragrance is VERY STRONG. It's a lovely flowery smell with tints of fruitiness to it and smells similar to Japanese cherry blossoms. However, the smell is so strong, it will linger on your skin for about 30 minutes before disappearing (or maybe I just don't notice it at that point...). So if you don't like fragrance-laced products, skip this one. If you're searching for a Hera Magic Starter, Becca Backlight Primer, or VDL Lumilayer Primer that is much more affordable and you don't mind fragrances, this primer is for you.

Rating: *** 3/5

Next up: Mamonde's Natural Cake Eyebrow Kit

*Sorry for the change in lighting--the sun set and I had to turn on my yellowy room light.

Mamonde's eyebrow kit is really just your average old eyebrow powder, nothing too special. The colors are nice and natural, and the brushes work excellently to apply the product. However, as is with all powder, the longevity isn't that great.

Rating: *** 3/5

And now, we have an eyeshadow pencil from Mamonde:

The color I got was #5 Rose Gold. The color is coppery with specks of sparkles. I prefer smaller sparkles to large glittery particles, and the glitter from this eyeshadow pencil is definitely on the large side. But when you smooth it out, it creates a dewy sheen on your eyelids. Longevity is mediocre (5 hours with primer). 

Rating: *** 3/5

Finally, the last products are: 

Etude House Berry Delicious Color in Liquid Lips (#RD305)

Mamonde Cream Tint Color Balm Light (#26)

These lip products are both moisturizing and have good pigmentation. The both last on the lips about 3 hours without eating. However, Etude House's product leaves a tint that will last for the day while Mamonde's doesn't. If you are interested, leave a comment about swatches and I will swatch these for you.
Rating: **** 4/5

Here are the gifts Jolse sent me in addition to the washcloth:

They were very generous this time, and so I received a lot! Thanks, Jolse! Until next time, readers!

End of Summer Products - Part 1

Hi all! To make this post less than the length of a full thesis, I will get right to the point: products purchased from Beautyboxkorea (part 1) and Jolse (part 2).

Here is an overview of the purchase from Beautybox:

Once again, Beautybox is definitely the deity of packaging. Everything was so securely wrapped in their bubble wraps--to the point no boxes were dog-eared, no papers were bent, etc. Leave it to Beautybox to give the most excellent packaging service. Your products will arrive in top-notch condition, I assure you.

First off, you might spot some non-beauty products. I recently discovered the Korean brand Marymond, which sells various products with beautiful pressed-flower patterns. These pressed flowers were created originally by Korean "comfort" women (victims of sexual slavery by Japanese troops during 1931-1945). Marymond redesigns these pressed flowers into gorgeous patterns with an ethereal feel to them. The brand also supports and donates to these "comfort women" through their profits. When you purchase from this brand, you not only buy a unique fashion piece--you are also supporting their cause.

If you are interested in more of their brand story and cause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh6IOkfw2CY

Here is their website's link: http://marymond.co.kr/index.html

(If you keep up with Mamonde, one of their cushion designs was a collaboration with Marymond.)

Anyhow, I was drawn into buying some bags from Marymond:

The black clutch on the left is made of a faux leather material that is quite sturdy. This clutch is very useful for when you just need to grab something on the go for errands or any casual lunch date. It is quite big, as I can fit my big and long wallets into it with much ease. There are two more little hidden pockets inside, which are good for sliding your phone into or putting some small makeup products (lip balms, oil blotting sheets, etc.). I bought the black one, but they also have a lovely pink and grey one. The quality and practicality of this clutch is definitely beyond its price for just $18.49.

The link to the clutch on Beautybox: http://beautyboxkorea.com/product/MARYMOND-Square-Clutch-BagYellow-Roses-1ea/7438/?cate_no=185&display_group=1

Rating: ***** 5/5

The eco-tote on the right is just as it seems--a sturdy eco tote excellent for carrying books around in. I was a little afraid that the size wouldn't be big enough for my books, but this tote can fit even the largest of my college textbooks with no difficulty at all! The material was another source of concern when I was ordering it, but the material is quite thick and very sturdy. I do not have to worry about my heavy books ruining and ripping the bag. An excellent catch for just $12.08. 

On Beautybox: http://beautyboxkorea.com/product/MARYMOND-Eco-BagYellow-Roses-1ea/7439/?cate_no=185&display_group=1

Rating: ***** 5/5

So, if you recall, I said that I found these wonderful products first. Then did Beautybox just happen to carry these products? No! They in fact, helped order them and added them to the website so I could purchase these products. I present to you the wonderful "Product Request" section they have on their website! If you have anything you would like to order from Korea, you can just write a post on that forum stating your product name, the option you'd like, the quantity, a description (optional), and a link to the product you want to buy. This option is eons better than trying to order things through other purchasing websites such as Avecko and Korean Buddy. Beautybox won't charge that ridiculous extra fee in addition to the high shipping price. Much love to Beautybox for helping make our dreams come true <3

Anyhow, here are the rest of the products I purchased:

 

An adorable White Milk Cream from Stylenanda 3CE. 

Lately white/tone-up creams have been all the rage, and I have tested quite a few. The Cloud 9 Whitening Cream (see my review here: http://globalexpressreviews.blogspot.com/2016/03/cloud-9-whitening-cream-review.html) and Banila Co White Wedding Dream Cream are two other whitening creams I have tried. As you can tell from my Cloud 9 review, I loved that cream the most. But when I used it in the blazing summer heat, it did not last nearly as long on my face. But it is the most economical option out of these three at $14.45 on Amazon.The Banila Co White Wedding Dream Cream is another popular whitening cream, but I feel it lightens my skin tone a lot less than the other two creams do. It provides your skin with a naturally lightened and luminous sheen. If you do not need as much lightening and just want a beautiful glow, this one is the one for you at around ~$20.

The most expensive one out of the bunch is this 3CE White Milk Cream (~$30). But I assure you, the whitening effects and its longevity are paralleled with the increase in its price. Take a look at before and after:

The before is the right half of my hand, and the left is after applying the 3CE White Milk Cream. **Just for reference, I like using these creams not because I want to look like a ghost or a Chinese Peking opera singer but because my face tends to oxidize throughout the day (my face is a lot lighter right when I wake up, and also right after my shower). If I do not apply anything, my face actually becomes darker than my neck... 

Anyhow, even though this cream drastically whitens, it makes it look very natural on the face. It is also very hydrating without becoming too oily for me. It lasts a lot longer than the Cloud 9 one does, even in summer heat. Most of all, this baby is WATERPROOF. I washed my hands after swatching everything, but the white milk cream did not come off. Thus, this cream is great for my lazy days when I don't feel like putting on base makeup. There is no fragrance when you put it on, but if you smell the whole can of product, it smells amazingly like whipping cream! 

Rating: ***** 5/5

Next, is this stick blush from VDL: 

*Please excuse my leg in the background of the swatch photo =_="

I actually rarely put on any blush usually, because I have a boxcar scar left by acne from the good old days of puberty. I feel like sometimes it makes my cheeks just look oddly reddened and enhances the scar's appearance. But this color was just too pretty and natural to resist. The formula is smooth and creamy, and the blush lasts around 3-4 hours before disappearing. 

Here is how I apply blush now to avoid my old problems (works only with stick/cream/liquid blush):

Before foundation and after primer, apply blush on (don't worry about being too lighthanded). Then, apply the foundation over the blush to create a blossom from within look.

Anyhow, other than the longevity, this product is great.

Rating: **** 4/5

And finally, last but not least, these eyebrow pencils from Aritaum.

Aritaum's matte formula is known for being a dupe of Shu Uemura's hard formula eyebrow pencils. However, I've never tried Shu Uemura's so I can't really tell you about the comparison with Shu Uemura. All I know is that these pencils are GREAT. They look extremely natural on your brows, and can definitely make your brows look as if they were just born that way. I use the blonde one on the right (light brown case) for the heads of my eyebrows, and I use the pointy dark brown pencil on the left for any areas that are sparse and need drawing in. When I draw the hairs in, it looks really as if those hairs were alive. It's that wonderful.

Unfortunately, longevity isn't that great. I have used some other eyebrow pencils in the past (Innisfree's brow pencil) and though they don't draw as nicely, they last the whole day with no problem. But these will wear off towards the end of the day (~8 hours) and can be wiped off easily when you are feeling oily or sweaty.

Rating: **** 4/5

Well, that's all of the products I bought from Beautybox this time! Until next time!

*Note: all of the products are bought with my own money, not sponsored by Beautybox--so these are all of my most honest opinions :)

Oh, and mustn't forget the lovely samples batch they sent me <3: 

Very Late Beautybox Review Number 2!

Ah, this is such an overdue review... I traveled to China for a month, where anything vaguely related to google is blocked. Thus, I was unable to post this review. I have returned, and so, here is this haul/review!

This time, I was purchasing right before leaving for China. I was quite worried about whether or not my package would arrive prior to my departure, so I emailed Beautybox about my dilemna. They politely offered to expedite my process as much as possible within their power, and that they would ship out my package as soon as possible. I am constantly touched by how polite their customer service is, and if I could I would give out 5 stars just to Jay (customer service and owner of Beautybox). How often do you see a manager/owner replying to all of the customer service emails personally? His dedication definitely deserves the biggest star of all.
This package came with a lot of samples as usual, but I do not have pictures as I used them all up during my trip to China... Woops!

Anyhow, here are the products without further ado! This time I didn't have an opportunity to take a picture of the packaging, but on the bright side, I have been using these products for a month already and will supply you with a review based on a month's usage!

First product: Aritaum Idol Lashes

In case you forgot, I reviewed these in my last purchase from Beautybox. They are probably some of the best affordable lashes out there, and are way more natural than what you find in our typical drugstores. Furthermore, they're quite sturdy so you can use them multiple times. Each set comes with it's own adhesive glue, but I just use Darkness glue.

On to the next product: Too Cool for School's famous Artclass by Rodin Contouring Palette

This palette is quite well known, and if you've been following any of the korean makeup gurus, you'll know this is a popular favorite. At first, I wasn't sold because I was afraid it wouldn't last or the shade seemed to be more orange than I can take (I have a cool undertone, so I need more taupe-colored contours). However, after applying it I immediately changed my opinion. This product is very natural, yet still manages to make your face look slimmer and your nose taller. Of course, for those that like a bronzey type of contour or a contour that's very noticeable, this will not be enough for you. I use 2 to shade the sides of my nose, and all 3 to apply on the corners of my face. As for its lasting power, it lasts for a decent amount of time. Not too long, but not short either. Maybe about 3-4 hours depending on how oily I get?

Third product: Laneige's Two Tone Lip Bar (No. 11 Juicy Pop)

This is the popular two tone lip bar that was featured in "Descendants of the Sun" when Song Hye Kyo was applying this in the restroom. From looking at her in the episode after applying this product (and from some youtube reviews), I assumed it would be a natural corally shade. However, this lip bar is a LOT more pigmented than you may assume. When blended out, it can become that natural coral color you want. The versatility of this lip bar is astounding in the aspect. You can just not blend it as much and apply more heavily if you want a vibrant look, or apply a light layer and blend it out. The yellow color doesn't usually show up unless you go heavy-handed, and in my opinion, if you don't blend out the yellow, it won't be as trendy or attractive as you may think (yellow lips? Come on!). Its lasting power is so-so if you eat or drink. But if you don't eat or drink right after applying it, this lip bar can actually last for quite a while (tinting your lips). Even though its application is very smooth and creamy, because of its pigmentation, it will highlight dry lips. I recommend applying lip balm prior.

Fourth product: COSRX Acne Pimple Mater Patches

I used to always have a ton of acne, especially in middle school and high school. Just enough that it made a tom-boy like me start to apply heavy foundation to cover it up. I prominently used Proactive's spot cream to keep those little rascals under control, and it would always take at least 4-7 days for the pimples to go away. I started running out of my spot cream and bought one sheet as a back-up (and to give this product a try). Just as it is heavily raved online, I found it to be very effective against acne. You simply take off one sticker and put it on the acne, sleep, wake up, and peel off the sticker. Of course, you can leave it on as recommended by COSRX (they recommend you keep it on until the bump goes away). There shouldn't be a big problem with leaving these on, as they are skin-colored and actually hide the redness of super-angry acne. **Note: these work best on cystic and pustular acne, not so much on nodular acne. The concept is to extract out the pus and nasty stuff within the acne, so you can imagine it would be quite difficult for the patch to extract it when it's deep in the skin (nodular). When you peel off the patch, you will see a gross yellowy-white spot in the middle of the patch (the pus). The bump usually goes down quite quickly this way, within about 3 days. I loved this so much I went and bought 4 more in China.

Now for the final product: Espoir's Nude Fit Liquid Foundation

**Note: This is NOT the Nude Fit Powder Foundation, which has a very similar name and nearly identical packaging. In case you aren't as familiar with Espoir, they're a Korean cosmetics company that's the equivalent of MAC in Korea. Their most famous products are their Tailor foundations, which are so popular that many stores constantly run out of stock of them in Korea. Why the hype? The shade. For Asians here in the US, it's so hard to find a foundation shade with a yellow undertone. The shades of the Espoir foundations are absolutely beautiful, and brighten up your complexion very naturally. I didn't get the Tailor or Tailor EX series because I have oily-combination skin, which will melt off any hydrating makeup within hours (except for Sulwhasoo's Brightening Cushion). This foundation is the more long-lasting version of Espoir's foundations (other than the powder foundation). I haven't used the powder version, but I heard it looks cakey and doesn't perform that well. I can imagine, as powder can look cakey very easily. This one doesn't though. It looks like a your own skin (but better), sits on the whole day, and never oxidizes. Literally my dream and holy grail foundation. It's perfect for the summer, and I cannot imagine not having it. The only downfall is that if you have any dry patches, this will highlight them (it will cling to the dry patches). That is why, moisturize well beforehand or avoid places with dry patches. 

I loved absolutely every product I bought this time, and definitely have been using them (and will keep using them) day by day. 

Overall score for Beautybox's haul? ***** 5/5!

Beautyboxkorea.com Review

*Note: since this is a review on a website, it will be more lengthy.
**Disclaimer: I was not sponsored by them, and definitely burned holes in my pockets.
Recently, I purchased quite a few items from a somewhat-new korean cosmetics site: Beautyboxkorea. Overall, this was a great experience and I will definitely purchase from them again (already eyeing some more items, haha). For more details about this website, read on!

Just a  snapshot of what their website looks like.

Interface: The interface of this website is quite easy to navigate around. Everything is clear and labeled well. The only downside is that it was somewhat hard to find basic info about their policies, shipping, etc. If you are curious about the such, I will include some basic info in this post for reference--or you can just go on their forums (namely, "News and Events" link on the sidebar).

Product availability: Quite abundant. I also shop from places like Jolse, Stylekorean, and Beautynetkorea. But I have to say, Beautyboxkorea is probably in 1st place for product availability among those other sites. It's definitely on par with Testerkorea and Koreadepart.

They also have a "Product Request" section where you can request certain items (they're pretty good about adding the items, but there's never a guarantee that your requested item will be available).

Prices: Ahh, the most concerned issue I suppose other than shipping for you readers out there. Luckily, the prices are not jacked up a lot (pretty much the same as what you get when you convert Korean won to USD on the brands' own websites).

Shipping and Handling: I will be honest here and say their shipping prices are definitely somewhat high. About the same as Testerkorea and Koreadepart (maybe less than Koreadepart because they tend to overestimate). They offer standard and EMS shipping. I chose standard for this haul. Some others on the forum mentioned their shipping costs were double the price of their haul. That must be because you have chosen EMS--EMS has always been that expensive, so if you're getting a small/medium haul I don't really recommend EMS as that may be what tends to happen (unless you're in a rush).

They have also added a $2.70 to the cost as a handling fee--so you will see that they are one of the more expensive shippers. BUT. This can be compensated for by the following section.

Coupons/Points/Rewards: You must wonder, why would one order from a place that has jacked up shipping when you could order from Testerkorea or Koreadepart? Well, that is plainly because Beautyboxkorea has a wonderful rewards system. To start off, when you register with them, you get a 10% off discount coupon and $6.00 worth of credit (note: unfortunately, you cannot use both the credits and the discount coupon in the same purchase). Still, with the discount coupon, if you are making a relatively medium/large haul this will most certainly help waive a big portion of your shipping costs. For medium/small hauls, the credit will be more helpful in waiving your shipping fees. Should I also mention that for every review of your purchase at Beautybox you get $3 if you post on their forums, or $6 if you post in social media (facebook, twitter, instagram, blogs, etc.)? (note: reward points limited to once per order)

For samples, they definitely are not stingy and give a lot.

For packaging, they are the king of protective bubble wrapping. (Look below in the photos! It is clear evidence they would win in such a contest.)

Customer service/processing speed: I had an interesting experience with Beautybox this time around, so I cannot speak for how long they usually take to ship out items. From the forums/other reviews, it does seem like it only takes 1-3 business days. They are fast. Usually. Unfortunately for me, one of the items I ordered could not be found, so they contacted me immediately and asked if I wanted to switch it out with other products that gave the same value, or if I wanted a refund for that item. (I chose to switch it out) Because of this ordeal, they shipped out my package late by a few business days. However, they compensated for this by upgrading my shipping to EMS and giving more premium samples/gifts. It was wonderful. I received my package within 3 business days and received the best samples/gifts ever. (Although, they say this was a one-time exception--so don't expect to get upgraded to EMS and receive premium samples each time. Unless your product also cannot be located) You'll see what I mean in the photos.

Also, something many care about is the CS attitude. I should say that the Jay, the CEO and CS personnel, was the most pleasant salesperson I have ever worked with. His English is perfectly fluent (unlike many of the other online stores), and he is the utmost polite person. His responses are always very sincere, and you can tell he is trying to do whatever he can to help you.

Now, for the actual products:

All of my items together (minus one product they accidentally forgot and shipped out late--but with EMS, again :3)

Aritaum's idol lash in No. 2. Haven't tried them, but many youtubers have tried them. They look really natural yet gorgeous.

Daiso puff. Heard great things about this puff. It's Ssin's favorite puff (check her channel out! She's amazing and has English subs). Haven't tried this yet.

    

The latest Laneige Two Tone Shadow Bars (Top shade: No. 4 Coffee Bronze, Bottom shade: No. 1 Humming Coral). That was just one swipe, so it may not look as pigmented--but they're gorgeous and natural (kind of the effortless look). They also last long, so they're perfect for someone who's always on-the-go/needs to do makeup quickly. 

A classic. Innisfree's Tapping Lip Concealer. Conceals the lips as it says, and does it without drying them out. Amazing, in that retrospect.

Etude House's new Honey Cera Repair Lip Balm. Sooo moisturizing without being sticky. I cannot stress how important that is to me in a lip balm. You can really see and feel a difference with this lip balm on. It also helps make my lip makeup last longer, too!

Espoir's limited edition Chess x Peace makeup bag. Unfortunately, you can't get this item anymore (from Beautybox, at least). Most of the other sites have also sold out. But it's a lovely bag, with rubber material that is easy to maintain/wash. A bit smaller than originally expected/looks in photos (it's more deep than wide).

Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder. No words for this one can describe its value. Absolutely a holy-grail item for someone with oily skin like mine. Makes makeup last/not melt off much longer in addition to being extremely affordable.

Espoir's Glossy Lacquer (lip gloss) in Rockstar. I wouldn't call this a lip gloss, not with this insane pigmentation. It's more like a liquid lipstick. It's quite opaque, but if you just dab a little on the lips (that's really all you need) and smooth it out, it looks gorgeous. It has a bit of glossy shine that looks non-sticky (and is relatively non-sticky) while maintaining a gorgeous scarlet-coral color. Love this product. The only downside is wear time (not too long), and when it fades it tends to fray from the inside. However, it's so gorgeous on the lips I am willing to overlook that. Plus, to compensate for forgetting it in the original package, they included a sample lip palette from Espoir! It has its own mini-brush, too! So very satisfied and happy--I always had wanted to purchase one of these sample palettes, but they were always out of stock! 

Now for the samples:

A whole packet in the top left corner and two premium gifts. I know that the packet cannot compete with Beautynetkorea's samples amount or Jolse's handy oil-blotting papers, but these premium gifts are something nobody else can compete with:

Laneige was actually having an event with their newly released Two Tone Shadow Bars and new shades of Two Tone Lip Bars, and they had a promo where you get free bracelets with your purchases of these products. Beautyboxkorea was kind enough to buy one of the shadow bars as a promo kit and gave me a bracelet! It's very cute and simple, definitely love this very much. Thank you, Beautybox!

In the picture's right corner, you will also see a nail sticker pouch. That set of nail stickers was also a part of the Chess x Peace promotion, and was worth 10,000 Won ($8.68). Wow, talk about full sincerity and generosity just for not finding one of the items I ordered. I will definitely treasure this nail sticker set and use it for special occasions. Thanks again, Beautybox! 

And here is all of the packaging that was used for this haul:

This was all of the bubble wrap minus the products! So much bubble wrap...

And here is a photo all of the packaging for the late Espoir Glossy Lacquer they sent with EMS, also:

All of that packaging for just one item (and it's gift/sample). Man, Beautybox. You truly deserve this crown for king of packaging.

So as you can all conclude, this haul was a very happy one to yours truly, and I will definitely support them by purchasing from them again in the future!

Rating: (do I even need to post this? You should be able to guess by now) 5/5 ***** 

The Face Shop Jeju Aloe 99% Fresh Soothing Gel

Dang, what a long name for an aloe gel. Aloe gels are well loved all across the world, and so it's quite easy to find one in your local grocery or drug store. I previously tried a Nivea one myself. So what's different about this one?

First of all, it's in a tub. This actually makes things so much more convenient than your regular squeeze bottle. Especially when you're using this gel as more than just your skin/body moisturizer.

Second, the texture. It's different from the others I've tried, especially different from the Nivea one (in a good way). I'll go into detail about this in the texture section.

Third, it's 99%. How often can you find a gel that's  99%? I know other brands such as Nature Republic also make these aloe gels. But they're all 92 or 95%. That just cannot compete with this 99% gel. It's about as high as you can get out in the market.

Well, here are some images of the king of aloe gels.

 Texture: Lightweight, a little sticky at first but it miraculously turns into a watery texture after a few seconds of rubbing in your palms. Feels so nice and cooling...

Fragrance: Well, what else could it smell like? It smells like aloe. The scent is a little strong, though, for those whom are really sensitive. And this smell will stay on your skin for a while (30 min-1 hr) depending on how much you put on.

Moisturizing Properties: Of course it does. But bear in mind, dry skin peoples, this will not be enough. It makes oily skinned people like yours truly very happy, though.

Different uses: I use this also as a leave in conditioner (don't slather on a lot, just a little will do). You can use as after-sun treatment and after-shave, though. There are a ton of other ways you could use it, I'm sure. Oh, and it is important to note that no matter how I use it, I always rub it in my palms until it turns watery and then apply it. Otherwise you may feel a little sticky.

Price/Where to buy: I got this on sale for $7 at an actual The Face Shop store. If you search their website, there are various The Face Shop stores scattered throughout the US and the world. Amazon also seems to carry it. And of course, the k-beauty vendors.

Rating: 5/5 ***** Versatile and cheap. $7 for 300ml really lasts long... Stamp of approval!!

Miss 21 Korea Hair Barrette

*Note: This post isn't about makeup/skincare.* I bought this hair clip from Miss 21 Korea a few months ago, for the price of $21 + $10 shipping. You must think, "This girl is nuts. $31 for a hair clip!?" That's what I thought about myself, too... but I just couldn't get this hair clip out of my mind...

Using rationalization to reason with my superego and satisfy my id, I convinced myself that this would be the only hair barrette I would ever need for a very long time. (But we all know that "long" time is actually until we spot another one we like...)

When I received this hair clip, the rationalization turned into truth. This hair clip is definitely worth every penny and I won't be needing other hair clips because they are all too pale in comparison to this one. Don't believe me? Here are the photos:

                                                      
What beauty... *swoon* It may look a bit too decorated, but against one's mane, this clip is very beautiful and absolutely screams elegance. It's also very versatile because of its color (well, you can't really wear this with sweats or athletic shorts tbh).

And the ultimate question is: Will this actually stay in my hair? If you're like me and have slippery hair where almost every clip seems to slide off within 10 minutes, this is a very important factor. And the answer? Yes, this clip will hold onto your hair like a piranha in the amazon.  It is very strong and sturdy, definitely of high quality. It's even better than the clips I found in Nordstrom.
Although, it is important to note if you don't have a ton of hair, this clip may be a bit too big for your hair (will slip off because there's not enough hair in it). Well, you could always use this to clip your ponytail if that's the case! I have too much hair, so I can only do half-ups with this baby.  

Rating: 5/5 ***** Of course, who didn't see that coming? Stamp of approval!

Where can I buy this? I bought this off of Miss 21 Korea's own website (korean). You'll find it if you google it. Don't know if it's still in stock, though. Yesstyle also carries this brand, but they're out of stock for this hair clip. They have other selections, though, and shipping is free with a $35 purchase.

Too Cool for School Perfect Day Makeup Fixer

This product is a setting spray made by Too Cool for School (a Korean cosmetics company). Interestingly enough, this spray won famous Korean beauty show Get it Beauty's setting/fixing spray product ranking contest. Lured in by this fact and the clearance price of this product from Stylekorean.com, I bought this spray for $2-3.

What can I say? I'll just make this brief and say that it did not work for me. It only gave my face the "dewy" look, and possibly even diminished the time of wear for my makeup. I gave it several chances these past few months, but each time my makeup seemed to melt off faster than usual. So if you want an extremely cheap (maybe not anymore) and fixer that gives you the dewy look, go for it. Otherwise?

Rating: 1/5 * Skip it.

The Face Shop's Face It Oil Cut Pore Balm

Another holy-grail item of mine. Ahh, how beautiful and essential this is to my oily skin. It really does reduce my oily secretions.
The product comes in a teal, tin can that seems to be plastic. It's a little smaller than the size of a cushion refill.

Application: I just have to address this first, because my mistake in application made me cast this product aside for months thinking absolutely did not work. First off, a picture of what it looks like inside the container:

As you can see, there is the balm and a blasted sponge. This particular sponge is supposed to be used for application--but if you want the full effects of "oil cut" don't use the blasted sponge. I just could not pick up product with this sponge yet could smell it on the sponge, so I mistakenly thought I was applying it to my face. Alas, I was not, so I did not see reductions in sebum secretions.
Solution: use your blessed fingers. Just rub some fingers on the balm and directly apply onto the face. If you're gasping about sanitation problems, just make sure you wash your hands before every time you use it...

Texture: Just as its name suggests, this is a balm. It feels like you're putting a balm on your face, but it's not sticky at all. It's a little silicon-y, but all weight on the skin of this balm will disappear within seconds of application.

Fragrance: It smells quite minty and fresh, and is very noticeable when you open the container. However, you shouldn't notice this fragrance on your skin past the first few minutes of application.

Pore Cover: The product is called a "pore balm", so I guess it is fair to assume there should be some pore-covering properties. Unfortunately, I didn't see any pores being covered--although some other bloggers did mention seeing pore cover. Perhaps it depends on the person. Well, this is also a relief to me because I really don't like it when primers clog up your pores when trying to reduce their appearance.

Effectiveness: Even though it doesn't cover your pores, it will greatly increase the longevity of your makeup. Before, cushions (especially the Hera one) would just slip off my face and melt off. Now, they stay on happily for nearly the whole day. I can even wear more moisturizing cushions such as the Sulwhasoo cushions without worrying about looking like a grease-ball!

Rating: 5/5 ***** Mainly because of its ability to make my makeup more long-lasting and superbly control my sebum (especially when used in combination with Innisfree's no sebum powder).

Where to buy: Online ebay or korean makeup stores , Amazon

Mamonde Creamy Tint Color Balm Intense (#16 Velvet Red)

An extremely popular lip product in Korea 2015. Said to be a dupe for MAC's lipstick in Chili, produced by the Korean cosmetic company Mamonde.

Color: The shade I purchased was the hottest shade, #16 Velvet Red. As you can see from the swatch above, the color is not as red as MAC's Chili. That does not mean that it is inferior in any way, however. I personally prefer this to MAC's Chili because it is much more natural than having my lips look like a traffic light at daytime. It creates a red lip version of MLBB's (my lips but better). Absolutely beautiful and natural.

Texture: Glides on like a dream, but can be drying (I have perpetually dry lips) so make sure to wear a lip balm underneath if you want it to last and not emphasize any flakes.

Longevity: 2-3 hours, or until you eat. This leaves a very, very slight tint (nearly unnoticeable for people that have naturally pigmented lips like me).

Rating: 4/5 **** One taken off because it could be somewhat drying, but the color is just too beautiful...