7 Days of Beautiful Skin...#CGSFaceMaskChallenge

Last week I started up a fun Instagram challenge to help us combat the icy cold Korean wind and the havoc it wrecks on our skin. It's not just the outside elements that lead to dry skin, but even more so, it's the air-conditioners in our classrooms and apartments that leaves our skin feeling tight flaky.

I started a facemask challenge to make use of all those facemask most of us have lying around at home. I created the hahstag (#cgsfacemaskchallenge...the CGS stands for CityGirlSearching, the name of this blog) and then asked everyone to snap a photo of themselves with their face masks, and tag their photos with the hashtag for the challenge. I really didn't expect so many of my friends and followers to take up the challenge, and was blown away by all the photographs everyone uploaded. It was so much fun to see everyones different poses and to hear their views of the different face masks.

South Korea is famous for their 10 Step Beauty Routine (blog post to come soon!) and one of the steps that Korean women advocate is the use of a face (or rather, sheet) mask. You can buy these masks in every beauty store here in Korea, and they are so affordable, with prices ranging from W500 (+- US$.50) and upwards. The skincare stores here often have specials where you can pick up a pack of 10 for a few KRW1000. I used a mixture of masks from Innisfree (around W800 a pop) and my new favourite brand for sheet masks, Mamonde (each mask was about W1500). 

At the start of the challenge I was worried that I would end up breaking out from using a different mask every night, but that didn't happen at all! Instead, the few pimples I had from recently changing my skin care routine cleared up dramatically and my skin felt baby soft and full of moisture every morning! I was shocked! Before this challenge I had used a sheet mask maybe once a month or so, but after using them every night for the past week I think I am going to start using them regularly, at least 3 or 4 times a week. I was worried about the time it would take to apply the masks, but after the second day I was in a good routine and simply popped one on at night, carried in with whatever I was doing (watching series, doing he washing, eating dinner) and then took it off just before bed. 

My skin definitely looks brighter and I have no more annoying flaky bits of skin around my nose area. Another thing I have noticed is that my foundation and BB cream no longer 'sits' on top of my skin, but rather sinks in properly like it's supposed to. I was having to use a primer to prevent the foundation from streaking and and sitting in my pores, but now it goes on effortlessly and looks far more natural. I was even able to use a BB cream I had long ago cast aside because it was so thick and I was never able to get it to blend into my skin. These sheet masks are just the best thing!

Thank you to all the ladies below who took part in this challenge. I hope you all had as much fun as I did and that your skin loved the masks too. I think this needs to be an ongoing challenge, especially in winter!

Klairs Vitamin Drop Vitamin C Serum Review - Currently Testing

For the past few days I have been trying a very exciting new addition to the Dear Klairs range of beauty products. Dear Klairs is a Korean beauty brand established in 2010 in Seoul, South Korea, and what I love most about them is that they do not test on animals! I have tried out a number of their products (courtesy of WishTrend) and have been most impressed with them.

Here are my own (always honest) reviews for the products I have tried out so far.

Just click on the images below to see the full post:

You can shop for the Klairs range of products on WishTrend, a Korean beauty platform which stocks lots and lots of Korean Beauty brands.  A little bonus for my readers, by using this code 052313605 you'll get $5 off your first order. 

I am currently testing out the much talked about Klairs Vitamin Drop (which you can buy as a set along with my favourite BB cream, the Klairs Supple Illuminating BB Cream for only $34 on WishTrend) .

And now back to the review.

So what's all the fuss about Vitamin C I hear you say?

Now I'm no scientist, just a lowly ol' beauty blogger with a love for any and all things beauty, and so I enlisted the help of Korean Beauty Guru blogger Charlotte from Soko Glam to help me out here. 

Many studies have proved that Vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid or l-ascorbic acid) is one of the most effective ways to help fade pigmentation -- those pesky brown spots from sun damage or even uneven skin tone from acne scarring.

It also improves the overall health of your skin by protecting it from free radical damage! Think of it as an anti-aging shield for your skin so you’re not only reducing what damage has already been done, but also preventing future damage.

To understand the science behind Vitamin C, let me breakdown how and why pigmentation occurs:

UVA/UVB, pollution, and smoking create free radicals that destroy your DNA -- and skin cells. Sorry for the dramatics - but it’s true. Free radicals suck!

The result? Premature aging: mainly brown spots and wrinkles (and a bunch of other health problems besides).

Antioxidants help slow down/eliminate free radicals, so that’s why it’s important to include them in your diet and most importantly for your skin, apply them topically!

And you guessed it, the best of the best for the skin is...Vitamin C.  You can read the full article by clicking here.

I recently raved about my experience using the Innisfree Whitening Pore Serum with pretty drastic before and after photos (click here) and so have really interested in knowing more about Vitamin C. 

This Vitamin Drop serum from Klairs contains a 5% concentration of Vitamin C, meaning it is perfect for even the most sensitive of skins. As a rule of thumb, the higher the Vitamin C concentration, the more likely it will cause sensitivity. For those first time users of Vitamin C (like myself), the 5% contained in The Klairs Vitamin Drop serum is the prefect place to start. 

As Vitamin C is highly de-stablilized by Oxygen & light, it is usually kept in dark coloured bottles and it is advised to store it in a cool dark place. What is great about the Klairs Vitamin Drop is that has been stablilized and therefore has a longer shelf life. That's why it is packaged in such a pretty clear bottle. You can see the full ingredient list below:

I have only been using it for a few days so I can't speak on the effectiveness yet.

What I have noticed so far in the few days of use is a faint, warm sensation when applied to the skin. Nothing unpleasant, it actually feels like I am applying a warm towel to my skin. I have also noticed that my skin is being purged (small pimples are coming to the surface that were obviously waiting for the right moment to pop up). I was very worried about this and though perhaps I was having a bad reaction to the product, but have since realised it's normal.

I apply the serum after cleansing, toning and applying essence. I leave it on for about 10 minutes before applying my eye cream, day/night cream and sun cream. I have noticed that my skin is a lot more mattified since I added this serum into my routine, and I have also been very pleasantly surprised to notice that I no longer have flaky skin on my nose area. I am very excited to see more results and will report back after a few more weeks of use.

You can buy the Klairs Vitamin Drop serum on Wishtrend for $17.25 by clicking the button below.

I have also recently added the much talked about Misha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence & Toner to my skin care routine and will be making a video on them very soon. 

{This review and all the reviews on my blog are honest and my own personal experience with the product. Please note this post contains affiliate links which means that should you purchase something though one of these links I receive a very small commission}

Innisfree Whitening Pore Synergy Serum {Review}

Innisfree established itself in Korea in 2007 as the first natural beauty brand to set up shop in Korea and it markets itself as an authority on eco-friendly skincare. Their products feature extracts of pure ingredients from Jeju Island and are packaged in eco-friendly materials, making me, and a lot of other women, huge fans of this skincare brand. 

I have been using the Innisfree Whitening Pore Synergy Serum for a while now and I'm really excited to share my thoughts on it with you.

One of my biggest skin concerns is pigmentation. When I was younger I had pretty bad skin (lots of pimples and my skin was always inflamed from my constant touching and picking) and I tried a host of lotions and potions, eventually resorting to Ruaccutane which sorted my skin out after the second round of use. Since then I have been lucky to have pretty clear skin.

But, I do suffer from pigmentation, which I'm sure is a direct result of the contraceptive pill. I don't view my pigmentation as a dehabilitating thing, I know it's more of a vanity issue than anything else, but I am always interested in products that are specifically catering for this skin issues. I wear a factor 50+ sunscreen everyday, and wear a hat most of the time that I am outdoors to combat any further damage to my skin. It's the summer months when I am outdoors more and the sun is stronger, that my skin really suffers. I know there are more permanent options out there, like laser and peels but they scare me a bit and as I am pretty sure my skin is due to The Pill I am planning on waiting until after I have children before venturing into the realms of laser.

This serum claims to offer the combined goodness of an ampoule & an essence (if you're not sure what the difference is between the two click here) for an intensive whitening treatment. It claims to diminish dark spots and brighten uneven skin-tone.

On that note, here is a before and after of 4 weeks of use of this serum. All these photographs are unedited and I am not wearing any makeup in either of them. Although the lighting is a bit different, the results are quite drastic. These shots were all taken on my iPhone in the early morning after a light walk with my dog. I really hadn't noticed an actual difference in my skin tone until I put these photographs next to each other. Although the pigmentation is still noticeable on the right, my skin tone is much more even and looks a lot smoother and now after seeing these photographs together I think I am going to go and purchase ALL the other products in this range! 

I use this serum both day and night under either my  Innisfree Whitening Pore Cream (review to come soon) or my Innisfree Eco Science Cream (when I need more moisture) both of which I use at night. I wear this serum under my Nivea Q10 Day Cream for day time use. 

The serum comes in a pump dispenser with 50ml of product. The pump is great for measuring out the right amount of product without unnecessary wastage. I always seem to apply too much product to my skin and end up wiping my hands on my towel and wasting too much. The fact that this serum also comes in a pump means it is far more hygienic than sticking your fingers in a tub. 

I really wasn't expecting much from this product and have been quite shocked at the before and after photographs. The serum isn't cheap though and will set you back W28 000 at your local Innisfree store. You might want to wait until Innisfree has their monthly sales where most of their products are on sale for 30% - 50% off. This serum should last anywhere from 2 - 3 months with daily use (both morning and night) as you only need one pump of product per application. 

Have you used any of the Whitening Pore range from Innisfree? Did you notice any results? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Etude House Play 101 Eyeliner Pencil in #3 & #18 {Review}

I recently picked up these eyeliners on sale at Etude House for only W3 000, 50% off their regular price of W6 000. I must say that I really wasn't expecting much from them considering they were on sale for so few pennies. I picked up the first one #18 by mistake. The saleslady gave me the wrong pencil by accident and I didn't realise until after I had used it. I was rather annoyed, until Farmboy commented on my makeup, saying how pretty it looked, and then I decided it was actually rather a nice new addition to the dark shades I already own.

#18 is a soft pastel shade of lilac and is very light. It goes on almost white (which is great for highlighting and opening up your eyes). I have noticed a lot of Koreans use a light shade of eyeliner/glitter dust on their waterline which opens up their eyes and makes them look brighter and larger.

#3 is my favourite of the two and is a smoky, glittery dark purple, grey shade. It's dark enough to finish off a smoky eye, but with the bits of glitter in it make it still very feminine, as opposed to vampy. I use this shade with both light makeup on my eyes as well as for a darker, smokier look.

These pencils are wind up, so no fussing with a pencil sharpener. They are also a gel-like consistency which makes them glide easily onto your eye lid. They are easily removed with makeup remover, but they stay put on your eyelid. I have used them with an eye primer and right on my lid with no base and they have lasted the entire day without smudging or going creasing. Pretty amazing little pencils.

I may return soon for some of their more playful colours (I spied a teal and an emerald green which could be fun to play around with).

Have you tried these eyeliners before? What did you think of them?

Innisfree Color Glow Lipstick in #7 & #11 {Review}

I am rather mad about Innisfree, one of Koreas first authorities on eco-friendly skincare. Innisfree uses extracts of pure ingredients from Jeju Island and  their products are packaged from eco-friendly packaging materials. There is a lot to love about this brand, and my Instagram feed is testimony to my love for their products. 

The Color Glow range of lipstick promises vivid pigmentation with a moisturising formula. They have a buttery texture, and are very easy to apply in their twist up tubes. Due to their moisturising formula, they don't last quite as long as matte lipsticks. I get about 3 hours of wear, a little more with #

#11 (pictured below) is a red shade with a mostly orange tint. It also has little glitter pigment which makes for a pretty sparkle on your lips. I find that the glitter pigment does mean that the texture is a little rough on the lips but because of this I find it has more staying power than #7 which doesn't have the same glitter texture. It's not uncomfortable by any means, but it's not as smooth as the other shades in this range. I like having the option though and use this shade of red when I'm not feeling bold enough for my Innisfree Cream Mellow lipstick in #8.

The bottom of this lipstick shows a very red colour, but the actual shade is far more coral than red. As you can see below when worn on the lips, this is far more orange that the actual tube suggests.

#7 (pictured below) is a soft fuchsia shade that wears down to more of a purple shade after a few hours. The texture of this particular shade is soft and silky, with glides onto your lips, feeling more like a lipgloss than a lipstick. I find I need more than a few coats of, whereas #11 only requires two coats for a strong look. This shade is very moisturising on my lips and doesn't dry them at out at all. I love the colour and find that it goes with just about everything.

Although it looks like a bright shade, it actually is very pretty and not 'in-your-face' like the tube suggests. This is my favourite of the two shades and I wear it almost daily.

You can buy these from your local Innisfree store for W12 000 each. I picked these up during the latest big sale at my local Innisfree for W6 000 a pop.

Klairs Creamy Concealer Natural Fit Concealer Review

Welcome to Klairs' latest addition to their makeup range. This creamy concealer was designed to be used in conjunction with their Supply BB Cream (click here for a full review) but it works wonderfully by itself or under your own choice of makeup or bb cream.

I have been a big fan of Klairs for a while now, because their products are simple (they don't test on animals!), natural and they just work. I am an especially a big fan of their Black Sugar scrub (click here). If you'd like to know more about their products and read reviews of what I have tried and tested so far then click here. I get all my Klairs products from WishTrend who are an awesome online store that deliver world wide so no matter where you are in the world you can get your hands on amazing Korean beauty products.

Klairs Creamy Concealer Natural Fit

The Klairs Creamy Concealer Natural fit is a medium coverage product that works particularly well on my normal to oily skin. It blends seamlessly into my skin with or without my favourite Velvet Skin primer from the FaceShop. It covers up redness and does an okay job of dealing with my pigmentation. I am not into heavy makeup and prefer a natural look, and that is why I love this concealer so much. When I am needing a little more coverage I use this with the Klairs Supple BB cream and top it off with a dusting of translucent powder to set my look. 

My biggest skin concern when it comes to makeup is my pigmentation. I get the odd pimple here and there (and this concealer does a great job of covering them up even with just one payer of product). I know that there aren't that many products that offer full coverage for skin issues like pigmentation so I did not expect this concealer to provide full coverage. I find the products that do offer full coverage sit very heavily on my skin and I don't want to look like a barbie doll. This is why this concealer is just right for me in that it offers medium coverage without looking cakey. 

Depending on how I'm feeling I use this concealer alone, under my Innisfree Mineral pressed powder, and under/on-top my Klairs BB Cream. It has quite a thick consistency, which I really like as you feel like the product is actually going to provide coverage rather than those more liquid concealers which get absorbed into your makeup brush too easily. I use my favourite Sigma F80 flat topped kabuki brush to blend it into my skin. 

I have swatched the concealer below and you can see it's coverage in relevance to the freckle on the right. This concealer has medium coverage that is definitely buildable. The swatch below is from 1 layer of concealer. I have a medium skin shade (Mac NW 25) and I find this shade to work very well for my skin tone. If you have very light or fair skin, this shade would be a little dark for you. I would say it wouldn't be suitable for anyone with a lighter skin tone than NC 25.

This concealer only comes in one shade, which may be frustrating for some, but I have found that is similar to the Klairs BB cream which also only comes in one shade but suits a multitude of skin tones. But do bear in mind that my skin tone is an olive shade and I wear Mac NW25.

The Ingredients list:

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Silica, Sodium Hyaluronate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Yellow Oxide Of Iron, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Bentonite, Sodium Chloride, Black Oxide Of Iron, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Red Oxide Of Iron, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Chlorphenesin, Talc, Xanthan Gum, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Piper Methysticum Leaf/Root/Stem Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Fragrance, Tocopheryl Acetate, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Hibiscus Esculentus Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Hibiscus Mutabilis Flower Extract, Corchorus Olitorius Leaf Extract

You can purchase this Concealer online from WishTrend for $14.99.

If you enter this code 052313605 at check out, you can also save yourself $5!

Disclosure: I received the above products for review purposes but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission should you make a purchase using one of the links. 

Innisfree Mineral UV Whitening Pact Powder Review

After finishing my third refill of my favorite Mac Studio Pressed powder I decided I needed to find a local Korean brand instead of forking out the exorbitant prices for international brands sold here. I have tried a few pressed powders but I just haven't been happy enough with them to post a review until I found this one at Innisfree. 

Innisfree is one of Korea's most popular skin care and makeup brands. Their products are made up of natural ingredients harnessed from Jeju Island and their packaging is all eco-friendly. They have been involved in a number of environmental projects like their Eco- Hankerchief Campaign:

 

"If the habit of using a handkerchief instead of tissues 
can save a tree, wouldn’t that make your skin and the Earth smile?

Your small contributions affect 
everyone and save trees, protect 
green forests, and reduce 
global-warming"

Innisfree Eco Hanky Campaign

What first  drew me to this powder pact was the fact that it contains SPF 50+ which means that even though I use a sunscreen everyday, my skin is getting added protection from my makeup too. Along with the high SPF in this mineral powder, it also contains PA+++ which means greater protection from UVA rays (the ones that penetrate deeper into our skin and cause more long term damage). Although unofficial, the more plus signs a product is labelled with, the more protection it offers. This is however not something that is recognized by the FDA but rather just something you would generally find on Asian products. So it goes something like this: PA+ -> PA+++ with PA+++ being the highest (Thank you to A FINE MESS for the explanation of PA+++)

Don't get scared off by the 'whitening' part of the name of this product. Whitening means brightening here in Korea, and doesn't mean that the product is going to bleach your skin and make you look like Casper's long lost girl friend. Clear, bright and luminous skin is highly sought after here in Korea with many women covering up every part of their body exposed to the sun when outside (I'm talking about gloves, arm socks when driving, visors, peaks and even face masks). It's no wonder that Korean women have some of the most youthful looking complexions in the world. They really know how to take care of their skin, and this is particularly evident in their skincare products. 

It's long-lasting a blends seamlessly into my skin, setting my foundation and concealer beautifully without looking cakey. I definitely have naturally darker skin than the majority of Koreans and yet I found this shade (#23 True Beige) is perfectly suited to my skin and doesn't give me a ghost like appearance like a lot of other powders I have tried. This product comes in 3 shades (#13 Light Beige, #21 Medium Beige & this one pictured, #23 True Beige).

 Here is a full list of the ingredients in English:

Talc, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Silica, Nylon-12, Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Trimethylolpropane Triethylhexanoate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Oil Soluble Licorice(Glycyrrhiza) Extract, Mineral Salts, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Powder, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Coconut Oil, Green Tea Extract, Orange Peel Extract, Orchid extract, Camellia Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Magnesium Myristate, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Methicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyapatite,Water, Butylene Glycol, Fragrance, Yellow Iron Oxide (CI 77492), Red Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Black Iron Oxide (CI 77499) 

I paid W12 000 for this powder while it was on sale at my local Innisfree (the pact is usually W18 000). Another great thing about this power pact is that the powder itself is refillable, so you won't be having to pay the full price for the packaging when you repurchase. You simply buy the power insert which is W10 000 when not on sale.

Innisfree Soy Essence Curling Mascara {Review}

Who doesn't love a mascara that actually does what it says? This curling mascara from Innisfree does exactly as promised and curls my lashes to infinity. It doesn't provide much volume, but who needs volume when your lashes reach sky high right? My only grouch with it is just how tough it is to remove. You really need to go to town with your makeup remover, and even then you will probably need to do a double cleanse of your favourite cleanser; mine being this gentle deep cleansing oil from Klairs. 

But, even though it's hard to take off at the end of the day, this means it is most definitely able to stand up to a good cry or even worse, the hot and humid Korean summer which is well on its way.

The brush that comes with this Soy Essence Curling mascara is perfect for reaching each and every lash. You do need to work quickly though to avoid clumps. I find using an eyelash curler first before applying this mascara works best for me.

And now for some blurry Instagram photos to show you just how magical the length of your lashes can be.

Are there any Korean mascaras you've tried that you love? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Innisfree Eco Beauty Angled Makeup Brush & Powder Brush

On a recent splurge at Innifree I spent some time browsing through their range of makeup  brushes. They have quite a large range and I was rather intrigued especially when I saw their Eco Beauty range which has wooden handles (the ones pictured in this post are part of the Eco Beauty range). They reminded me of my favourite Eco Tools Brush set which I was able to buy online through Iherb (click here) and have delivered here to South Korea.

At the time I was buying my favorite Face Designing Duo  highlighter and contour powder (review coming soon) and so was on the look out for a brush to apply it. Angled makeup brushes work really well for applying blush or highlighters as you have a lot more control over where you want the product to go. I bought the Eco Beauty Powder Brush and the Angled makeup brush. Keep reading for a more detailed review of both brushes.

As Innisfree is a one of the more natural orientated skincare brands here in Korea (they use less nasty chemicals in their products) all of their brushes are synthetic and animal lover approved, at least by me that is!

Eco Beauty Powder Brush W12 000

I love this powder brush. The bristles are super soft and very gentle on your skin. I use it to apply my setting powder over foundation and it works really well. I am a little sad that the bristles are white, as it's hard to keep them looking clean and new. This is also one of the reasons why I only use it to apply my setting powder and not as a blusher or bronzer brush.

The wooden handle is one of the many things I really like about this brush as it gives it a very professional and clean appearance. The synthetic bristles are not itchy on the skin like a lot of other cheaper skin care brands and I really like the little cover that comes with the brush to help keep it's shape and to help keep it clean.

Eco Beauty Angled Brush W8 000

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this angled brush. I love it because it works really well to apply my bronzer and highlighter, but I hate it because of the fall out (fall our refers to the actual bristles of a brush coming loose and falling out). Even though I have been using it for a few months, I am still experiencing fall out of the bristles, and it gets really annoying having to constantly worry about bristles going into my eye. It could just be that I got a bit of a dysfunctional brush, but I was very disappointed. As my Korean is rather limited, going back to the store and asking for a refund is more trouble that it's worth to me, trying to explain a dysfunctional brush and then hoping they refund me or give me a new one. 

But even with the annoyance of fall out, the bristles are soft enough whilst still being course enough in picking up a good amount of product for application. The bristle are not as soft as the powder brush though, and might irritate very sensitive skin. I will continue to use this brush until the day there are no bristles left in it, or until I find a nicer looking one. I really like the wooden handles of these brushes and I especially like how they match my EcoTools brushes. It's the small things in life right? 

I wasn't too mad as I had picked up both of these brushes during one of Innisfree's 30 - 50% off sales and so didn't pay full price for either of them. But if I was paying full price I would give the angled brush a skip but I would repurchase the powder brush for sure.

Have you given any of Innisfree's Eco Tool makeup brushes a try? Any others that you would recommend? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

You might also like these:

Elisha Coy 3D Spin Cleaner {Review & Video}

I have been wanting to try out this face cleansing tool ever since I first spotted it on WishTrend. Then when I saw it was on special for only $48 instead of the usual $120, I ordered it right away and haven't looked back since. This little beauty has been an amazing addition to my skin care routine, giving me smoother, brighter and softer skin than ever before.

WishTrend currently has the face cleaner as part of an ElishaCoy Cleansing kit which includes the cleaner, 2 brush heads and the ElishaCoy Vita Capsule Cleanser all for $48 instead of the usual $120. 

The one brush is a large white, soft bristled brush designed for everyday use. It's very gentle on your skin and my skin (which is often very sensitive to new products) has had no bad reaction to either the brush or the Vita Capsule Cleanser. I was a little worried that my skin would be red and agitated after use, but that hasn't been the case at all. The whole experience of using this brush incredibly relaxing. After filming the video below, even my husband wanted to give it a try. The first thing he told me was how surprised he was at the how relaxing he felt using it. If you are still worried about your skin having a reaction, then try using it twice a week until your skin feels used to it. I use the brush every other day, in total about 4 times a week. It is gentle enough to use everyday, so see how you skin feels after the first use.

The bristles are incredibly soft and feel like silk on your skin. The smaller brush is designed to target blackheads and works in the same way as the larger brush head but as it is smaller is able to really get into the corners around you nose to deep clean your pores.

Both the brush head rotate 360 degrees allowing the bristles to thoroughly cleanse your pores and scrub deep down removing dirt and other impurities. The cleaner runs on 2 AA sized batteries which are inserted into the bottom and covered with a waterproof piece of plastic to make sure you don't electrocute yourself in the bathtub. The Cleansing kit from Wishtrend includes 2 batteries so you can get scrubbing right away.

I've used a lot of face scrubs before (my favourite being this one from SkinFood and this one from Klairs) but even these don't clean my skin like this little machine does. What's great about it is you can use it with your regular face cleanser for a much deeper clean. Just squeeze a dollop of your face wash onto the bristles, dip the brush head into water, place on your face and press the on button. Slowly move the brush over your face, being careful not to get any product in your eyes and then after a few minutes, rinse off with warm water. Your skin will feel softer, cleaner and ready for the rest of your skincare routine. The brush has two settings, fast and slow, so you can adjust accordingly to your skin. I started off the slowest setting, and now only use the fast setting.

The biggest thing I have noticed with my skin after using this cleaner is how much better the rest of my skin care products respond to my skin. Everything I put on after cleansing literally melts into my skin. I no longer have to stand around rubbing my face for ages to wait for creams to absorb and as a result, my foundation goes on better. What this means for your skin is your pores are squeaky clean and able to absorb so much more of the active ingredients in your creams, lotions and serums. I hadn't expected to feel such a difference in the rest of my skin care routine, but I have pleasantly surprised.

ElishaCoy Vita Capsule Cleanser

This foam cleanser works wonderfully with the 3D Spin Cleaner. It leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean without over drying and leaves me with brighter skin after every use. This cleanser is formulated for all skin types and a contains a blend of 10 different vitamin capsules. Although formulated as a thick and rich cream, once mixed with water it becomes a fluffy and light foam. 

The tube contains 80ml of product, and as you only need a little to get a rich foam, it's going to last you a good long time. I love the scent of the cleanser too, it's light and refreshing and leaves me feeling thoroughly pampered like I've just been to the spa. 

Here is a quick little video of me giving you a quick preview of this cleansing brush. As you can see, I'm all about the pink...

Have you ever used a face brush or cleansing tool like this one? Do you want to try one? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream, Rich Moist Soothing Serum & Supple Preparation Toner {Review}

We are nearing the end of winter here in South Korea, and these Klairs products have been amazing in helping me deal with the winter dryness. I use the rich moist cream for day, and use my favourite Innisfree Eco Science Deep Cream (review to come) for night time. This toner, cream & serum work perfectly with the Black Sugar Scrub & Cleansing Oil I reviewed a little while ago (click here).  Another of my favourite products from Klairs is their Illuminating Supple BB Cream (click here to see the review).

And the best part about Klairs: 

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream 50ml ($23.99 on WishTrend)

An ultra light cream for normal to dry skin. This cream leaves skin feeling soft, supple and looking radiant while providing a great canvas for makeup. This cream is particularly perfect for sensitive skin, helping to calm redness while restoring your skins natural balance. I've been using it for the last 3 months and have found my skin has become a lot calmer, with little to no redness after washing and exfoliating my skin. It also absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving any sticky residue.

It has faint traces of lavender perfume which always makes me feel  calm and relaxed. I have really liked using this cream and it has become a firm favorite, especially for day time wear. I have been needing something heavier for night time use, but for day time this cream is perfect!

You can read more reviews of this cream over on the WishTrend website, where over 100 women have left their thoughts on this great cream. 

For the Ingredients list click here.

Klairs Supple Preparation Toner 150ml ($21.99 on WishTrend)

This toner balances the skin’s pH levels, helping to improve the effectiveness
of your entire skincare regime by gently cleansing your pores to allow for full absorption your other skincare products. This toner is gentle yet effective and never once leaves my skin feeling dry or tingly.

Toning is a very important step in your skincare regime no matter what skin type you have. Toner helps to remove excess dirt and sebum from the skin after cleansing. Once your skin as been cleansed (using both your cleanser/wash and toner) it is prepped and ready for your serums and creams. Toners also aid the skin in being less prone to skin irritations from the environment and pollution by closing your pores. This limits the amount of pore clogging particles that can enter the pores of your skin and lead to potential skin troubles like blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.

Some of the key ingredients the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner are:

• Phyto-Oligo ingredients which helps moisture flow evenly throughout the skin to help with dryness.
• Amino Acids which are anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce inflammation in the skin and provide deep hydration.

These anti-inflammatory properties also help to reduce redness in the skin, calm irritation as well as reduce redness in acne pimples (WishTrend).

Read reviews from over 60 women on the WishTrend website.

For the ingredients list click here. 

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Serum 50ml ($22.99 on WishTrend)

This serum definitely lives up to it's name as I found it to be incredibly soothing and moisturising. It literally melts into your skin and leaves no sticky residue. I've ben using it under my cream both day and night and have found my skin looks healthier, but it feels softer too.

Why do you need to use a serum? Serums, are considered to be the most important step in any skincare routine as they contain smaller molecules with higher concentrations of beneficial ingredients compared to regular moisturisers. Serums are intensively infused with higher concentrations of active ingredients that can penetrate deeper into the skin, delivering more targeted results. Serums fit perfectly into every skin care routine to provide you with the optimal results your skin needs, no matter your skin type. 
Serums are also a great alternative for makeup primers. Use a serum to prime your skin before applying your skin makeup to get the most smooth and soft looking makeup application with all the benefits of serum; re hydrate fine lines, smooth over the appearance of pores and create a soft skin surface that is ready for makeup application (WishTrend).

For the ingredients list click here. 

You can read the reviews of over 60 other women on WishTrend.

Do any of these products sound like something you'd like to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: I received the above products for review purposes but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission should you make a purchase using one of the links. 

Easy Natural Evening Makeup Look {Video}

A super easy to do, natural look to wear for evening (or day if you felt like wearing a slightly darker eye during the day). See below for product info.

Enjoy!

PRODUCTS SHOWN IN THIS VIDEO 
-L'Oreal True Match Foundation in R3 C3 Beige Rose
-The FaceShop Dual Veil Concealer in V210
-Maybelline The Colossal Volum Express in Blackest Black
-Innisfree Mineral Single Shadow in #1,#38, #38, #41
-Mac Matte Powder Blush in Harmony
-Revlon Just Bitten Kissable in 015 Cherish Devotion

-Eco Tools Brushes (Mineral Powder Brush & Crease Brush bought on iHerb: http://bit.ly/1Fcex1A
-Innisfree Diagonal Cheek Brush
-Sigma F80 Stippling Brush: http://bit.ly/1Fcex1A 
(the following online store ships Sigma Makeup brushes to South Africa: http://bit.ly/1AZxG09)
-Blistex Daily Conditioning Treatment

I hope you enjoyed this makeup video, let me know in the comments section below what you'd like to see in my next video!

x

Video: How to make your Nail Polish Last Longer & a *GIVEAWAY*

Hello everyone and welcome to my first Youtube nail tutorial. In this video I will be showing you how to make your nail polish last longer.

All you need is

-a base coat

-a colour polish

-a top coat

 I'll be using Innisfree's Eco Base Coat, Innisfree's #108 colour polish, The Face Shop's gold glitter colour polish & The Face Shop's Gel Touch Nails top coat. 

Click on the video below to start watching.

*Make sure to watch till the end for the GIVEAWAY!!

You can enter the giveaway by either commenting on the video above (you might need to open the video up in Youtube itself to comment under it) or you can leave your comments here on my blog in the comments section below.

Rules:

-Giveaway is open internationally!

-Giveaway closes at midnight on Thursday February 12th & the Winner will be announced on Friday February 13th!

-Share this post on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram for more entries (please make sure to use the #citygirlsearching hashtag and tag me in your posts so I can keep track of all your entries).

GOOD LUCK!

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil & Gentle Black Sugar Facial Scrub {Review}

Last week I received a wonderful package from Wishtrend to review and share my thoughts on. It was a package of products from Klairs ; The Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil and Gentle Black Sugar Facial Polish.

My last experience with Klairs was with my favourite BB cream, the Illuminating Supple BB Cream (click here to see the review). And the best thing about Klairs:

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil 150ml ($22.90) 

Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is made up of a number of various vegetable oils that are super great for your skin. The easily washable texture of this oil cleanser allows a mild yet effective cleansing of dirt and makeup without causing any irritation. I've even found it was able to remove my 'impossible-to-remove-but-incredible-for-your-lashes' mascara from Innisfree. All of this without making my eyes sting or itch. I've only tried one other oil cleanser (it was of the home made variety) and I must say that I am beyond impressed. I'm sure I'm not the first person to think that cleaning your skin with an oil would leave my skin oily, but this is just not the case. In fact I have found my skin to be cleaner using this oil cleanser than with my regular cleanser. How I can tell is by looking at the cotton wool after toning. There are only tiny traces of makeup left on my skin after using this oil cleanser, compared to the amount that is left after only using my Cetaphil cleanser. 

The three black oils that make up this product are:

Black Bean to control sebum production and leave you with smooth skin

Black Sesame Oil which is a natural antioxidant, helping to remove nasty toxins from teh surface of your skin

Black Currant Seed oil which is rich in minerals and vitamins to leave your skin glowing from the outside.  This seed oil strengthens the skin by providing a protective layer to prevent the evaporation of moisture from the skin and promotes skin cell regeneration .

The bottle has a pump dispenser with a little plastic stopper to prevent the product from spilling when you travel. Thats also very handy if you're like me and have a lot of products in your bathroom, as I tend to knock things over all the time. You only need one or two pumps of oil. Using warm water, simply massage the the oil onto your face (it becomes a milky white liquid) that is easy to rinse off, along with any dirt and makeup on your skin. It has a very pleasant, fruity fragrance and leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean without being tight. 

**Wishtrend is currently offering free (international) shipping with this cleansing oil, so no matter where you are in the word you can get your hands on this cleanser!

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate , Isopropyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil , Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate , PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate , Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil

Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Scrub ($18.99)

This gentle sugar facial scrub keeps your skin soft and supple by providing a deep (yet gentle!) exfoliation. The scrub has anti-bacterial & anti ageing properties that help take care of your skin while removing those pesky dry and flaky bits. This product contains no alcohol, no parabens and no artificial colourants.

The scrub contains the following active ingredients:

Black Sugar which exfoliates away dead skin to leave your skin soft and glowing

Shea Butter which providse extra moisture and comfort for your dry skin

Cranberry Oil which helps to prevent your skin from aging

Vitamin E which enhances your skins elasticity and ability to retain moisture (essential for those of us currently going through winter!)

Andiroba Oil which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and is an anti-inflammatory due to the presence of compounds known as limonoids. This helps to calm any signs of redness that you may have.

Although this is an exfoliating scrub, it is very gentle on your skin. I found that unlike my favourite Black Sugar Scrub from SkinFood, this scrub doesn't dissolve as fast therefore it gives my skin more of a polish. If you find the exfoliation is too much for you, try using it in combination with your cleanser (or even better, in combination with the Klairs  Gentle Oil Black Cleanser). 

The scrub has a wonderful scent (it smells just like sugar!). You take a small amount and massage it with your fingertips using warm water. Then apply it to your face (paying close attention to those areas you may need more exfoliation like your nose and chin). Rinse off with warm water and follow with your toner and moisturiser. 

You only need a tiny amount and so this tub will last for ages, making the price ($18.99) not so bad after all. 

Ingredients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Black Strap Powder, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Candelilla Wax Esters, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Polysorbate 20, Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Powder, Fragrance, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil

Do any of these products sound like something you'd like to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclosure: I received the above products for review purposes but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission should you make a purchase using one of the links. 

Innisfree Mineral Melting BB Cushion Review

This BB cream cushion is another in the line of 'air cushions' being sold by beauty stores all over South Korea. The 'cushion' is essentially called a cushion because the BB cream is in liquid form and you apply it using the soft cushion included in the compact. As the product is liquid, you are able to control the amount of coverage yourself making this my favourite form of foundation. 

I love how easy my foundation routine has become, and the best thing is that the compact is super easy to travel with and there are no worries about spillage as the sponge holds all the makeup in place.

This mineral melting BB cushion contains Jeju green tea water to create what Innisfreee describes as 'dewy and clear skin'. The actual BB cream itself is made up of a 5-in-1 formula for the following:

-Sebum Control (I didn't notice any)

-Whitening 

-UV Protection

-Cooling (I didn't notice any cooling effect)

-Make up

Available in 3 shades: 01 - Pink Beige, 02 - Natural Beige and 03 - True Beige (pictured below)

A lot of people worry about hygiene when it comes to cushion puffs like the one in this compact. As this particular puff is of a higher quality than most, you can clean it (using something like this brush cleaner) without it falling apart. And replacements puffs are available for W1 500 at all Innisfree stores.

To use this BB cream simply dab the puff onto the BB soaked sponge and then dab onto your skin. When I first tried using this I was 'wiping' the BB cream on my skin and found that I ended up using a lot of product for each application. A little goes a long way if you use it with a dabbing, patting motion when you apply it to your skin. This is also the best way to build coverage. The finish is 'dewy' something that is very popular here in Korea, but that can easily be amended with a light dusting of your favourite setting powder for a more matte finish. What I do love about this BB cream is its very high SPF (50+) this means you know your skin is well protected from those harmful UV rays.

The actual coverage is very light, and I would say suited to people with good skin who just want the added protection that comes with a BB cream(moisture, sun protection, primer and foundation) . Even though the coverage wasn't great for me, the wear of it was. The overall glow that it gave my skin lasted throughout the day. Another thing  I loved is the fact that the actual compact itself is refillable. This means that I could try out another of the BB cushions without the hefty price tag of buying another compact. I have started using the Long Wear BB cream refill inside this compact and have found that coverage to be perfect for my skin. 

I would recommend this Mineral Melting BB cushion for the winter months as it is very moisturising, or if you only need a a BB cream to add glow and light coverage to your already good skin (luck you!).

Have you tried a cushion BB cream before? What did you think? 

Innisfree Cream Mellow Lipstick #8

I want to introduce you all to my very first, proper grown up person lipstick. It's a beautiful red from Innisfree, with slightly orange/blue base notes and is part of their CreamMellow range of lipsticks. Don't let the sound of blue or orange scare you off, or the bright hue of the lipstick itself when you see it. This shade is surprisingly adaptable and looked as good on my olive skin as it did on my friend who has fair, pink undertones to her skin. This shade (#8) just works. It seems to effortlessly adjust to the natural colour of your lips and just looks gorgeous and sexy.  

The texture is creamy, and stays creamy throughout it's wear due to it's gel like hydrating formula. As this lipstick is more moisturizing, it isn't as long lasting as some of Innisfree's other lipsticks (I got about 2 hours worth of wear out of it). Even though the wear isn't it's strong point, you aren't left with any flaky bits of lipstick once it does start wearing off as usually happens with the longer wearing formulas. So the fact that it doesn't last forever on my lips doesn't count against this product for me at all.

Here is a super cheesy Instagram pic of me with my red lips:

I have never been brave enough to attempt red lips before, and finding just the right shade of red can be daunting. But after putting all fears aside and forcing myself to try this shade, I am now an avid red-lip-wearer. 

As with all Innisfree's products, the packaging is pretty in it's simplicity. It comes in a cream twist up tube with the colour of the lipstick itself on the bottom. This makes things really nice and easy in your bag or makeup drawer. No more wasting time opening and closing tubes to find the one you're looking for. It's the small things in life.

You can find yours at your local Innisfree store for W12 000 or online at W2Beauty where  you can get a $5 voucher for your first order  by signing up through my link http://w2beauty.com/?s=277629511 and entering code 277629511 at registration. With my discount code (277629511) you'll only pay $11.50 with free world wide shipping!