dear berry

I just went to Korea and it happened to be during my birthday! As a present to myself I bought tons of Korean cosmetics, which are SO CHEAP!!  I went to Myong Dong and was surprised at all the cosmetic stores.  They had the same store like 5 stores away!  They had people standing outside saying things in many different languages so people would come into their store.  I discovered an awesome store called dearberry.  There I found my HG BB cream, eye liner and waterproof makeup remover (which you'll definitely need for their eye liner)!!! I never had an HG eyeliner or BB cream and so I'm so happy I found it!!

The BB cream I got is called Cover Girl BB Cream which has SPF 35/PA ++.  It is suppose to whiten, improve wrinkles and act as a sunblock.  I don't wear this everyday so I can't attest to the whitening and wrinkle improving properties.  Why is my HG? THe problems I had with other BB creams are the texture is too creamy and end up looking very heavy on my face, color doesn't match and I look like an anemic ghost, or it's super matte.  This BB cream is very watery, matches my color and it has a dewy finish.  As with other BB creams when I first put it on it looked too white but after 10-15mins is looked really good.  (Since I get oily I set it with a finishing powder and even at midday my face has a slightly dewy finish.)

The eye liner is called Miss Perfect gel liner.  This is SERIOUSLY waterproof.  Won't smudge AT ALL. I have oil lids and so before I'd use Urban Decay eye primer, Sephora nano eyeliner and then Urban Decay 24/7 liquid eye liner to set it. Now instead of 3 things I just use this eye liner and it stays FOREVER!  Seriously, I don't ever use eye primer (since I dont use eye shadow)!! How cool is that?? Also dearberry was VERY generous with their samples (see below)

 

After I swatched it on my hand in the store I picked up a makeup remover to take it off but it wouldn't budge! The SA said "Oh no, you need to use the one for waterproof makeup" and it just melted the eyeliner away.    To take off my eye makeup before I was using Lancome bi-facial and I had to really scrub to get it off. I actually went back and bought another one of everything.

If you want to see them in action, watch this video:

I also wanted to try this new CC cream so I picked up the Tony Moly Luminous Pure Aqua CC Cream with SPF 30/PA++. I put it on my cheek, thought it looked bad, walked around for an 1 hr and my sister said "hey it looks pretty good!" So we went back and bought it.  BTY, not sure what the difference is between BB and CC. As far as I can tell CC is one color, comes out white and adjusts to your skin tone. [Side note: I've noticed that in Korean most of the stores had these sales or deals where you buy 2 or more and you get a discount.  I think it was Missha and they had 5 BB creams bundled and were selling it for like 100$. At first I thought who would need all that?? But I guess it helps to buy it and then split it with friends. ]

 What else? I wanted to try a pact so I bought the Suri Suri Augmenti powder pact with SPF 25/PA++. Heard great things about Missha BB cream and when my sister bought one she got one free so she gave it to me.  Koreans love lip tints and I heard so much about the Face Shop lip tint and so I got one. It's so cute! The applicator is in the shape of lips~! I love the packaging of Korean cosmetics  - cute and functional!!

Generous samples - tons of samples~!  Dear berry was giving away clear pouches which I love because you can see everything.

 I also bought another Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam and - by accident - BB Deep Cleansing foam (I thought this was the pore one and grabbed it without looking at it too closely - I'll have to see how this one is). I did a review of the pore one in a previous post.  I use this and my Clarisonic twice a day.

Hope these reviews helped. Anyone else use dearberry ??

Coconut Oil Tea - say what?!

Pintrest has sucked up so my of time.  Anyway, I saw lots of pins about coconut oil and read up on the health benefits and millions of ways to use it.  I spotted some in the nature food section of my local Wegmans and decide to give it a go. Not all coconut oil is equal.  Look for virgin, unrefined, non hydrogenated no trans fat, non GMO, organic and expeller pressed ( no solvents used for extraction).

I tried some on may hands and it absorbed well - no greasy or oily feeling.  It does have a light coconut scent which I don't really like (reminds me to suntan lotion) but it's very subtle and goes away with time.  I really only needed a little bit - like 1/2 a pea size. Coconut oil is a solid and melt at 72 degrees. I had burned my finger on a frying pan that morning and didn't realize it left such a red mark.  10 mins later after applying it to my hand it's GONE!!! WHAT?? I think I'm just over excited about the coconut.  Not sure if it was the coconut.  I have burned my hands and arms from baking and it always leaves a mark.  Soooooo could be the coconut.  In any case, I'm sold - I'll take it! Coconut oil win : 1.

Next I spent an hour reading about coconut oil and face.  It seemed to be 50:50. Some people loved it and used it for years with out any problems. Others seemed to work at first and then they broke out and had to stop.  I decided that I won't use it on my face.  I did decide to try it in my tea. Yes, tea!

I used Tazo chai tea - figured it'll cover up any coconut taste if there is any.  I let it seep and then took the tea bag out. 

I scooped out a little of the oil - it's solid and looks like soft wax ... yummmmmy.

Stirred it into my tea and it melted very quickly.  You can see the oil floating on the top.  Man, people - I - will do almost anything if it's suppose to be good for you ...

Thankfully it doesn't feel greasy and doesn't change the taste of the tea when its hot. As it cools down you can taste the coconut.  I did only put a teaspoon. Online, people were putting a tablespoon - don't think I can do that yet.  Others just eat it right out the jar!

Next I'm going to try cooking with it and putting it in a smoothie ... 

Of note, most things I read online advise 2-3 tablespoons a day.

Korean Skincare Haul

Maybe cause it's the holidays, but I want to buy everything! I bought some skincare products on www.momomango.com. This online store is based out of Canada so shipping was super fast! Unfortunately they only have a limited selection, not as much as I'd like <hehee>. The products arrived in a box, packed with brown paper.  I like how they write a message on the inside of one of the flaps - it adds a personal touch.  They also folded the receipt into an origami cup and stuff it with a few sample and candy. 

Here's what I bought:

BRTC Perfect BB Toner  - it's a multi-function toner (hence the "BB" part) that has 4 functions: oil control, whitening, pore tightening, and moisturizing. This is a clear, light bluish liquid that is awesome!! It has a slight apple scent to it.  I've only been using this a few times but I'm convinced that this has made my skin softer, brighter, and whiter!!



 

BRTC Perfect Pore Clean Mini Pore Clean Set - this is a set of 3  products that is suppose, as the name states, deep clean pores. It contains mini sizes of the Pore Deep Cleanser, Purifying Mask, and Ultra Serum. The Pore Deep Cleanser controls sebum secretion and reduces the appearance of blackheads and blemishes.  The Purifying Mask cleans and tightens pores. The Ultra Serum helps to tighten pores and leaves skin looking refined.  I haven't used this yet. 




Skin Food Rice Mask - a wash off mask with rice extract that moisturizes and brightens skin.  After cleansing skin, apply mask, leave it on for 10-15 mins, and wash off.  I think one difference between American and Koreans is that Koreans do a lot more at home facials.  I never really used masks and packs but decided to make an effort. This rice mask was highly rated and recommended on various blogs.  It really does brighten and soften my skin.  I really liked it so I bought this for my mom and sisters.

Etude House Baking Powder Pore Cleansing Foam - it's made with baking powder that gently exfoliate and penetrates pores. It also controls oil and moisture balancing functions.  I've never seen a face wash foam like this! It lathers into a fine foam - like shaving cream! Apparently most Korean cleansers foam like this.  It has a slight lemony scent to it which I love! My skin feels soft and squeaky clean afterwards.

Etude House Wash off pack Honey and Yogurt - a pack with honey and medicinal herbs to soften and nourish skin. The yogurt pack is made with fruit and yogurt. After cleansing skin, wash off after 10 mins. These are so cute!! The packing makes it look like food.  I haven't tried these yet.




Merry Christmas everyone!

Welcome!

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c(")(")

Another year is ending and I find myself reflecting back on how this year went.  I've decided that I need a creative outlet and have started this blog.  This is not the first time.  Usually I loose steam after a few posts.  I hope to post regularly.  So, here it goes!

First, I am writing this at work.  I know work is work but I find it to be *super* stressful. I tend to let little things get to me and overreact.  I'm also a stuffer (just keep the anger inside) and I think it is taking it's toll ... Somehow work has taken over my life and I've neglected hobbies that made me happy.  But one of my New Year's resolution will be  don't let work take over my life and pursue other interests.

Second, I wear basically a uniform so I don't need to buy work clothes and can't really wear makeup at work which I thought I'd like - not having to worry what to wear to work, etc.  However, I think because I have to wear the same thing every day, recently I've found a renewed interest in skincare, makeup, and fashion.

Third, maybe it's the holiday season but I've been spending money left and right!  I love shopping in December.  It feels so cheerful and I want to buy everything! I've bought a whole lot of skincare stuff recently and will review them here. 

I know, pretty random right? Such is what goes on in my head -welcome~!