The Face Shop Chia Seed Sebum Control Moisture Water & Cream Sampler Review

   Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious plant-based foods. It's not just make us healthy. Since it's packed with loads of nutrients that are good for our skin, The Face Shop incorporated the benefits of chia seeds to several of their beauty products thus the Chia Seed line.  

   The Chia Seed line is divided into 2 types of sets: sebum control (for oily skin) and another for dry skin. This line uses 100% chia seed water which is extracted within 24 hours via Fresh method instead of water. Today, we will have a look at 2 products from its sebum control line. 

   First, we will talk about the Chia Seed Sebum Control Water. This is the toner.  It claims to treat excess sebum while providing 100% moisture to the skin. It is ethanol-free and contains persimmon extracts to care for sebum and pores. It is clear and runny so I wasn't able to take a good photo of it. It has a fresh scent. It cleanses skin deeply ans has no sticky after feel unlike some toners I have tested. To use: apply moderate amount on a cotton pad after cleansing and gently wipe skin. Pat excess amount on skin for better absorption.

  Next up is the Sebum Control Moisture Cream. This replenishes moisture while preventing excess sebum. It has a gel like consistency and is easily absorbed by the skin without the sticky feel. It doesn't have an overempowering scent to it. 

   I find the Chia Seed (sebum control) line okay. It is light on skin. Perfect for people with oily skin yet want a boost of moisture. This is ideal for this kind of weather we're having. It didn't cause me any breakouts but it didn't control sebum production that much. About repurchasing a regular sized product. Maybe not. I still prefer Innisfree. This line is readily available in any Face Shop stores. The toner costs around 900+ and the cream 1000+. Kinda pricey. It is better buying online. Just look for sellers selling any of these at a reasonable price. My verdict for these samplers....a 3.5 out of 5. 
   

Etude Beauty Shot Face Blur Review

   From BB Creams to CC Creams to Face Cushions, I can say that Korea is an innovator when it comes to make up product trends and no matter how other countries immitate them (make up), nothing beats the original. Face blurring make up is now the latest trend in Korea. They vary from primers to face powders. One of the brands that offer such products is Etude House and this blurring primer is one of their sought-after product to date. It is the Beauty Shot Face Blur (or just Face Blur).

   The Face Blur is a lightweight cream that provides multi-blurring effects for instantly refined and smooth skin. It has 3 claims: smoothened skin, minimized pores and brightened skin. Later we will find out if it can live up to its claims. 

   

   The product comes in a sturdy plastic bottle with pump which dispenses a modest amount of liquid. The liquid is pinkish beige and is a bit creamy in texture. It has a light floral scent. It costs PhP 898 when purchased at Etude House but fortunately I was able to purchase it at a more affordable price (the cheapest one online) at Margarita Shop, one of my favorite online stores. 

   Here is my before and after picture with the Face Blur on one side of my face. As you can see I have dark spots (pimple scars) and huge pores. After applying a decent amount of the product, you can notice that it brightened my skin (100% no photoshop). It's like I applied CC cream on my face. The dark spots on my nose have disappeared and my pores were barely visible. I have used this product alone with my ever-reliable 3W Clinic powder and it gave me awesome results. With BB cream after, it made the BB cream adhere better. Etude recommends using this with their Precious Mineral Any Cushion (but it is expensive so I'll stick to my BB cream).

PROS:

- affordable (online)

- lived up to its claims

- has SPF 15

- doesn't cause breakouts

- doesn't make oily skin oilier

- conceals pores

- brightens skin in an instant

- makes makeup last longer

- 2 to 3 pumps is enough to cover the entire face

- can be used alone or as a primer

CONS:

- the box does not have a seal so it can be easily tampered

   Overall, Etude's Face Blur is one heck of a product. No wonder it is a hit in Korea as well as in our country. You get 3 benefits in one product and it is really worth buying. Of all the primers I have in my stash, this one is definitely my favorite. I give this awesome primer a 5 out of 5!!!! 

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Scrub Foam Review

   Hello dearies! I'm back after 2 weeks of lazy sickness. Today I will review one of the products included in Innisfree's Jeju Volcanic line- Jeju Volcanic Pore Scrub Foam. This scrub foam claims to remove dirt from inside the pores and dead skin cells with volcanic clusters in 1-2 uses per week. 

   The packaging is made of a sturdy recycled plastic tube with 150ml contents inside. The actual product is colored ligh brown and has some volcanic scoria clusters. It has tiny beads that you can feel once you apply the product. The scrub beads melt easily and is not abrasive. It turns into a foamy lather when mixed with water. It has a light fresh scent that I like. The whole jeju volcanic line smells the same. I seldom use this product because I prefer a more abrasive scrub hehehe. This product doesn't dry skin and is mild. It never caused my skin to have bumps or whiteheads. Anyway, I might use this as a substitute for my Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam when it runs out since it isn't abrasive at all.

PROS:

- nice fresh scent

- mild

- doesn't cause breakouts

- a little amount goes a long way

- perfect for oily skin

CONS:

- it didn't feel like my skin was exfoliated after use

- little sebum control

- blackheads are not reduced 

- the scrub particles melt easily so it didn't reach other areas of my face

- can be purchased online (in the Phils.)

   Overall, I am quite disappointed in this product. I love Innisfree especially its Jeju Volcanic line but I have to make this an exemption to that. It failed to meet my expectations. I have used other face scrubs in the past and this is the only one that I didn't feel any effect after scrubbing my face. Repurchase? No. I give this product a 3 out of 5.

Nature Republic Gel Nail Polish Review

   I haven't tried using a gel polish whenever I have my nails done. The reason- it is pricey for just a few swipes of color done to my nails. I also read some not-so-good stuff about it online. Another reason, I always bring my own nail tools whenever I decide to have my nails done. 

   I was in search for a "mermaid green" or aquamarine nail color but only imported (pricey) brands offer it. During my Christmas shopping at Nature Republic, my daughter asked me if she can try out the nail polish over the shelf. Good thing I went with her over the nail care section of the store and I stumbled upon the "missing piece". Yes! There it was the aquamarine nail polish of my dreams. So without hesitation I grabbed one and placed it inside my basket. The day after, I had my nails done and it was my Christmas nail color of the year. I had no idea that this particular polish from Nature Republic was a gel type of polish because I didn't bother asking. I only found out that it was when I saw it on Nature Republic's facebook page. 

   This gel polish line comes in 30 shades. At the moment I have 4 of them (as seen on the picture above). All colors are not glittery nor matte. It's got the same consistency as a normal nail polish and even smells the same. You can only notice the difference once applied. The shade on the bottle is very attainable with just 2 coats unlike other nail polish. Also you don't have to have a UV lamp or whatever they call it at the nail salon. You just have to have a base coat and a top coat together with it and voila! 160 pesos per bottle isn't as pricey compared to having it done at a nail salon right? The best thing I love about this polish is that it lasts long. The picture above was just taken recently and the nail polish was applied more than 2 weeks ago. I forgot to mention...it dries FAST!

   I definitely give this gel polish a 5 out of 5! So if you ladies want to have a gel polish without breaking the bank this one is the one you are looking for- it's inexpensive, dries fast, have a wide range of colors, and long lasting. 

Skinfood Black Pomegranate Premium Kit Review

   It is another Skinfood review day my dear readers! Not to mention another way overdue product review. The product I will review today is one of the 2 lines from Skinfood that I love...the black pomegrante line. This line focuses on anti-aging and a little on brightening the skin.

   Months ago, I did a review about the Black Pomegranate Emulsion and since I found it effective, I always wanted to have a regular sized of that or a set if budget permits. Anyway, last December, I was sent 2 boxes of this kit by one online seller that wanted to be anonymous hahaha. When I opened the package I was so happy because my wish came true. 

   
  The Black Pomegranate Premium Kit consists of 4 products from the line: a 10ml toner and emulsion, a 5mg cream, and 8ml voluming serum. We use this set in this order: toner > voluming serum> emulsion> cream. I used these at night time because it is moisturizing. They all have this mild fruity scent.

  First let me talk about the toner and emulsion. Both contains 10ml of product. The toner is watery in consistency while the emulsion is a bit thick and white. The toner claims to give soft and supple skin. Apply it on skin using a cotton pad/ball and pat skin for better absorption. The emulsion claims to make skin soft and plump. IMO, there is nothig too special about the toner. It cleanses skin gently and that's it. I can always use my Wonder Pore toner as an alternative. It is cheaper compared to this toner anyway. The emulsion gave me instant soft and plump skin the next day. That's the reason why I fell in love with this line. I saw and felt the difference.

  The voluming serum is contained in a cute bottle with pump. It is a bit thick in consistency but not as thick as the emulsion. I am not sure if the sample serum has the powder content like its big bottle counterpart. This serum claims to hydrate, illuminate and plump the skin. You need to wait a little for the skin to absorb it before applying the emulsion.

   The last one is the cream. It is stored in a tiny little plastic jar. The opening is big enough for a finger to fit in. It has a thick consistency and it is very oily for my skin so I only use this at night and use only a little amount. This cream claims to give one a luminous and resilient skin and has anti-wrinkle effect. This cream is perfect for dry skin. It gives you a boost of moisture while you sleep. 

PROS:
- live up to its claims
- you can see and feel the effects
- divine fruity scent
- a little amount goes a long way
- nice packaging (both sample and regular sizes)
- non-irritating
- did not cause me any breakouts

CONS:
- (regular size) is pricey
- the kit is hard to find 
- the cream is not recommended for oily skin

  Overall, I would recommend this line for mature or dry skin. This is also suitable for people looking for a moisture boost at night. I am sad that I wasn't able to show you some before and after pictures of my skin. I was really convinced by this product's effectiveness. It made my skin look and feel soft and plump. I saw significant changes with my skin's texture and glow. Each product included in this line costs more than a thousand each. (Like I always say) Skinfood is pricey. You can save 200-300 bucks when you purchase them online. The best one to have on this line is the emulsion. A bottle can last for months because you don't need much to cover your face and/or neck. If I were to choose this line versus anti-aging products readily available in stores, I would still choose this. The price may be a bit same so I would rather go with something that really works fast. I give this premium kit a 5 out of 5!!!!!