My Current Skincare Routines ♡ AM & PM ft. Kylie Skin, Caudalie, IT Cosmetics, Rawkanvas, The Ordinary, Glow Receipe + More!

I came across the Routine Megathread in Reddit's SkincareAddiction and it gives me an idea to share my own skincare routine on the blog.

 CAUDALIE GRAPE WATER (AM + PM), this is probably the best facial sprays that I have ever purchased. The mist is so fine and it makes my face feels very hydrating and refreshing. I used to (and still do...) think that facial sprays are overrated and it's not a must-have product, but ever since I tried the Grape Water, I haven't stopped buying this product. I use it both in the AM and PM, and whenever my face is feeling heated and/or itchy, the grape water immediately calm down my face and I love it.

 RAWKANVAS PURIFIED: PURIFYING CLEANSER (AM), I started seeing this brand all over my Instagram feed and I decided to give it a go. I have a lot of mix feelings about this product, it's not awful and I don't regret the purchase, but I don't love it.

First of all the packaging is very simple, which is something I like, the bottle is made of glass, it's heavy and it feels high-end. I've had a problem with the pump, where it drips down the bottle every time I push the pump and it's suppose to squeeze out the products onto your hands. I have contacted Rawkanvas and they have suggested to twist the pump a bit, which fixed the problem for a few days then it went back to being annoying again, eventually I gave up trying to fix the problem.

Secondly, the cleanser itself is so average and it definitely does not match up to its' price tag. (NZD $55 for a cleanser is consider expensive to me). It cleans like any other cleansers that you can buy from the supermarket, but it does not removes makeup.

I like the smell and I like the jelly texture. It doesn't leave my face feeling tight or dry after cleansing, which I like as well. I use this mostly in the AM and usually I would get rid of products that I don't like as much, but I decided that I am going to use this up completely and share with you an updated review on this cleanser in my next beauty empties.

 KYLIE SKIN VANILLA MILK TONER (AM), I bought this bottle in May 2019, I use it every morning before applying makeup and now nearly a year after my purchase, there is still plenty left! I love this toner, it has a milky texture that leaves my face feeling soft and clean.

 THE ORDINARY CAFFEINE SOLUTION 5% + EGCG (AM), this is definitely overrated in my opinion! I have read many reviews where people says it reduce their dark circles and puffiness, so far I have been using it for months (a tiny drop under my eyes every morning) and I don't see any results?!

 THE ORDINARY ALPHA ARBUTIN 2% + HA (AM), I have been using this for months and I used to think that it is overrated. Until recently, I have been using it every morning before makeup applications, for two months now and I start to see the results. Although I don't have any scars on my face, I sometimes have uneven skin tone and I find that after using it every day, it visibly improves the pigmentation of my skin. My face looks much clearer now and I am more confident going out without wearing any makeup.

 BLISTEX INTENSIVE REPAIR LIP BALM (AM + PM), I use this mostly before bed time and it hydrates my lips throughout the night. I also use it in the day time and whenever my lips is feeling dry. I love the refreshing mint scent and the texture is not too oily, nor too thick.

 GLOW RECEIPE PINEAPPLE-C BRIGHT SERUM (PM), I never thought I would like this product, apart from the smell, but now I absolutely love it! My face feels smoother and looks brighter after continuously using it every night before bed and I have been using it for six months now. A lot of people may not like the smell, but I love it! It reminds me of eating pineapples with soy source haha.

 IT COSMETICS CONFIDENCE IN A CREAM (PM), this is my favourite moisturiser of all time and I only use it at night time because the texture is very thick and the formula is a bit heavy. I like that it absorbs fairy quickly and it keeps my face hydrated during the night, my face feels so soft every morning.

 MARIO BADESCU GLYOLIC EYE CREAM (PM), I don't have much to say about this eye cream as it didn't feel as luxurious on my under eye area as it claims. Although I didn't get any irritation using this product, I feel like this eye cream didn't do anything at all.

 ETUDE HOUSE WONDER PORE FRESHNER AND MONSTER MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER (AM + PM), I received a sample of these to try along with the Etude House Bamboo Charcoal Cotton Pads, one of them is to be used in the AM and another to be used in the PM. I have previously tried the Monster micellar water and I thought that it's average because I am not a big fan of micellar water. I have always wanted to try the Wonder Pore Freshner and I thought that it's just okay. The charcoal cotton pads are pretty amazing though.

Etude House Happy With Piglet Collection ♡ Review + Swatches

Today I am sharing with you a review / first impression of the Etude House Happy With Piglet collection. This is a collaboration between Etude House and Disney and it contains a wide range of products including eyeshadows, lip tints, primer, blusher, skincare sets and makeup tools.

I am already using some of these products in my daily makeup routine and I absolutely love this collection! Everything from the product quality to the packaging is amazing. The piglet theme is totally adorable and worth buying as collective items.

I bought two primers (Face Blur and Face Liquid Blur), two single eyeshadows (Look At My Eyes), one blusher (Jelly Mousse Blusher), one lip tint (Color In Liquid Lips Air Mousse) and one SoonJung Skincare Set.  

 Etude House Happy With Piglet Face Blur is described as a light cream that provides multi-blurring effect for instant smooth, poreless and brightening skin. 

 Etude House Happy With Piglet Face Liquid Blur is described as a liquid makeup base that brightens, blurs and smooth the skin.

Both the Face Blur and the Face Liquid Blur works the same, they both live up to their smooth and brightening skin with blurring effect claims, they work well with all of my foundations and both of them keeps my makeup on all day. The only difference between the two is, Face Blur has a thicker texture and Face Liquid Blur is more watery.

Etude House Face Blur used to be my all time favourite primer, I have mentioned it a few times on my blog, including my 2015 end of year beauty favourites. I love that it brightens up my complexion, it makes my skin looks poreless and absolutely flawless after foundation applications. Although it has a thick, creamy texture, Face Blur blends like a dream! Comparing the two products, I must say that I am more a fan of the Face Liquid Blur. This is my first time using the liquid version and I love that it just melts into my skin, it makes my skin looks glowy, not oily.

 Etude House Happy With Piglet Color In Liquid Lips Air Mousse is described as a lip tint with a feather-light texture that will provide a silky finish. There are five shades available and I want them all! First of all, the packaging is SO ADORABLE! The lip tints features three piglets, one tiger and one Winnie-the-Pooh, each lip tint is designed with rubber ears sticking out and the colors range from red, orange to pink.

I bought the shade #09 Big Smile To Piglet and it's a bright berry pink. It has a very thin texture and lightweight formula that applies smoothly and evenly and it almost have an airy finish. The color is pigmented, but it can be build up to your desire intensity and the stain effect lasted hours on the lips even after lunch or dinner. This one wore well on me for approximately six hours and if I don't re-apply, it will just leave a rosy pink stain throughout the day. Although the formula dries down quickly, it does still transfer to cups within the first two hours of application and it is a little bit drying during wear.

 Etude House Happy With Piglet Jelly Mousse Blusher is described as a lightweight cushion jelly mousse blush that provides a soft and bendable finish.

I was never a fan of cream blushes, from memories they are very pigmented and hard to blend, therefore, I tried to stay as far away from them as I can; but I HAD TO get the Happy With Piglet Jelly Mousse Blusher because of the packaging! Surprisingly, I LOVE THIS BLUSH! I apply this blush mostly with my fingers and I have also tried it with a blush brush, both blends like a dream! The texture is lightweight, the pigmentation is sheer, but buildable and most importantly, it is SO EASY to apply!

There are five shades available, featuring four piglets and one Winnie-the-Pooh. I have the shade PK001 Gloomy Piggy and it gives me that natural flushed look that wears for hours.

 Etude House Happy With Piglet Look At My Eyes are single eyeshadows that I assume every makeup junkie is familiar with. With this collection, they have released a total of ten shades, including seven sparkling ones that can be used as eyeshadow toppers and three normal ones that can be used as base or crease.

I have the shades PK018 I Like You and BR429 Of Course! Rabbit, I use them both as eyeshadow toppers and I use the BR429 on a daily basis. I dab the eyeshadows on my lid with my fingers, it's quick and easy, it's sparkling, but it's not over the top and the sparkles literally stays on all day and I am talking about 12 hours long! These are absolutely gorgeous and the staying power is amazing.

 Etude House Happy With Piglet SoonJung Skincare Set is designed for sensitive skin. There is already a whole line of SoonJung Skincare from Etude House, I heard that it's really popular amongst Korean skincare junkies, every review I have come across recommends the toner and the moisturiser and with such cute packaging, I decided to try it myself.

The SoonJung Skincare Set contains five products, one 180ml of pH 5.5 Relief Toner that aims to soothes heated skin caused by external stimulation, one sample sized 15ml of the toner, one 120ml of 1-Free Moist Emulsion that aims to delivers moisture to skin quickly, one sample sized 15ml of the moisturiser and one 2x Barrier Intensive Cream that aims to strengthen skin's resistance with protein barrier.

Kawaii eBay Finds #7 ♡ Korean Skincare ft. Etude House, TonyMoly and Labiotte

Today I am sharing with you my latest Kawaii eBay Finds, the products that I am going to show you were purchased months ago. I haven't been buying from eBay since March this year because majority of the stuff I buy on eBay are Korean and Japanese beauty products and these are surprisingly easy to get my hands on in-stores these days. Also the prices are cheaper to buy in-store than online.

I won't be cancelling my Kawaii eBay Finds series, but I probably will not be writing about it as often as I used to be as I rarely shop on eBay these days. Unless if there is a hard-to-get limited edition collection that is not available in NZ, then I will probably source from eBay, otherwise there is no point of spending more on a product that can be picked up and tested in stores, right?!

Anyway, let's start with my latest Kawaii eBay Finds, this one features some really popular Korean skincare products and majority of these I have used for more than six months ~

All the products shown were purchased from RINISHOP.

 ETUDE HOUSE BUBBLE TEA SLEEPING PACK | USD $10.50

When I was first introduced to sleeping mask, I thought it's one of those gel stuff that you apply on your face before bed and you cannot sleep on your side, or else it will smear all over your pillow. I've always had this scary imagination of sleeping masks, so I tried to avoid it as much as I can.

Then Etude House introduced this new product called the Bubble Tea Sleeping Pack back in 2016, everything from its' packaging to its' idea got me really excited. It took me awhile to try this product and when I finally tried it, definitely no regrets. 

Etude House Bubble Tea Sleeping Pack is available in three flavours, Strawberry Tea is made for those with dry skin, Black Tea is intended to firm skin and moisturize, Green Tea is best for oily skin, to help with enlarged pores and excessive oil.

Each jar contains a handful of boba that you are suppose to squash and mix with the jelly before applying on your face. The brand suggested that one to two boba at a time.

The texture of the sleeping pack is like a thick moisturizer, it doesn't drip nor move around while you sleep, it doesn't feel sticky or heavy. In the morning, you simply just wash it off with your regular morning cleansing routine. 

I have used this sleeping pack three or four times now and I haven't noticed much difference with my pores, but I do like that it makes my skin feels soft and moisturized.

 ETUDE HOUSE EXFOLIATING JELLYFISH SILICONE BRUSH | USD $5.60

Etude House My Beauty Tool Exfoliating Jellyfish Silicone Brush is designed to massage and deeply cleanse pores, you can easily turn any cleansers into foams by squeezing the cleanser into the bottom of the jellyfish.

I have this in my shower and I have used it a couple of times. Although the jellyfish is squishy and fun, it's really adorable, but just I don't feel like it's that special. The thing kind of hurts as it exfoliates my face, the massage part on top doesn't do much and I feel like there's always leftover cleanser in the jellyfish that you just cannot squeeze out. I left the jellyfish air-dry after every use, but it just doesn't dry completely and it always feels damp.

 TONYMOLY TAKO PORE BLACKHEAD SCRUB STICK | USD $8.09

TonyMoly Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick is a black mud balm that claims to effectively removes excess sebum and gently exfoliates pores to pullout blackheads, whiteheads and other skin impurities. The packaging is so adorable! 

I have tried this product for two weeks straight and I see no obvious end results, my blackheads are still so obvious and it doesn't improve my problem areas at all. The texture of the balm is very hard and it hurts while rubbing against my nose. 

 LABIOTTE WINE ANGLE MASCARA | VOLUME FIXER | USD $10

Labiotte Wine Angle Mascara is available in two types, Lash Fixer and Volume Fixer.

The Volume Fixer claims to make eyelashes look defined and full with the airy light powder that provides long-lasting curling effect.

Although I know that majority of the mascaras in the market does not work on my super straight eyelashes, I still buy it because of its' super cute wine bottle packaging.