Tag Archives: Korean Skin care product review

Skincare

My New Holy Grail Sunscreen? A Quick Review of Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh

Hey there! Let’s be honest, finding the sunscreen, the one you actually look forward to wearing every single day, can feel like a never-ending quest. It needs to be protective, non-irritating, play well with makeup, and not feel like a greasy mask. A lot of expectations, right?

Well, after seeing a lot of good reviews online (seriously, it’s a K-beauty superstar), I had to try the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh: Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++). Did it live up to the hype? Let’s dive in!

A Little Bit About Beauty of Joseon
Before we get to the product, I love the brand’s backstory. Beauty of Joseon takes inspiration from the skincare routines of the Joseon Dynasty era in Korea, known for its elegant and simple beauty principles. They focus on harnessing traditional, skin-loving ingredients (like rice, ginseng, and green tea) and combining them with modern science. It’s all about effective, gentle, and elegant formulations. A+ for concept!

Price & Quantity
This sunscreen is a total sweet spot in terms of affordability. You get a 50ml tube for around INR 1570 at Nykaa,however, you will almost always get it at a 10-20% discount depending on where you shop. While it’s not drugstore-cheap, it’s incredibly reasonable for a high-quality, high-SPF Korean sunscreen. Even with generous application, one tube lasts me a good couple of months with daily use.

The Texture & Sensation (The Best Part!)
Okay, this is where the magic happens. If you hate thick, white, sticky sunscreens, prepare to be amazed.

  • Consistency: It’s a lightweight, milky lotion. It glides onto the skin effortlessly.
  • Absorption: It sinks in incredibly fast. I’m talking seconds. There’s zero white cast (a godsend for all skin tones), and it doesn’t leave a shiny film.
  • Finish: It leaves the most beautiful, dewy-but-not-greasy finish. It feels like a soothing, hydrating serum rather than a sunscreen. It does justice to the “aqua-fresh” part! My skin just feels plump and happy.
  • Scent: There’s a faint, clean, almost rice-y scent that disappears immediately. It’s fragrance-free in the traditional sense, so it’s great for sensitive noses.

My Personal Take: The Good & The “Meh”
The Love:

  1. Invisible & Comfortable: This is its superpower. I forget I’m wearing it, which is the highest compliment I can give a sunscreen.
  2. Hydration Hero: With ingredients like rice bran water (brightening) and B5 (panthenol, for soothing), it doubles as a moisturizing layer. On lazy mornings, I sometimes skip moisturizer and just use this.
  3. Perfect Makeup Base: It doesn’t pill under any of my products—foundation, tinted moisturizer, you name it. The slightly dewy finish gives makeup a healthy glow from within.
  4. Gentle: My combination, sometimes fussy skin has had zero issues with it. It’s calming and never stings my eyes.

The Considerations:

  • For Oily Skin Friends: If you have very oily skin, the dewy finish might be too dewy for you. You might prefer a more matte sunscreen or need to set it with a little powder.
  • Water Resistance: It’s not marketed as water- or sweat-resistant. So while it’s perfect for daily, city-life wear, I’d opt for something more tenacious for a beach day or intense workout.

Final Verdict
The Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun has earned a permanent spot on my shelf. It has successfully removed the chore from sunscreen application. It’s a phenomenal daily sunscreen that focuses on skin health, comfort, and wearability.

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for an elegant, gentle, high-protection daily sunscreen. It’s especially great for dry, combination, normal, and sensitive skin types.

Who might skip: Those seeking a fully matte finish or a sport/water-resistant formula.

Ultimately, if you’ve been curious about the K-beauty sunscreen hype, this is a fantastic, no-regrets place to start. It just makes sun protection feel good.

Have you tried it? What’s your holy grail sunscreen? Let me know in the comments!

Disclaimer: This is based on my personal experience. Always patch test new products!

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Product Review, Skincare

COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster: Review

Let’s set the scene: It’s 7 AM. You’ve hit snooze three times. Your face looks like it just lost a pillow fight. You need a miracle. Enter: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum, the skincare equivalent of a triple shot espresso, but with peptides instead of caffeine.

If your skin feels tired, rough, or just… meh, this might be the glass of peptide-powered hydration your routine’s been missing. So let’s dive into this bottle of Korean skincare goodness and see what it’s really all about.

What Is It?

Name: COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
Price: ₹2,050 INR (depending on platform)
Skin Type: All skin types, especially dull, tired, or aging skin
Texture: Lightweight, watery, essence-like
Key Benefits: Smooths skin, improves elasticity, hydrates, preps for better absorption

This is not your average serum. It’s actually a “booster”, which means it’s designed to be the first layer after cleansing — prepping your skin to absorb the rest of your products more effectively, all while delivering its own skincare punch.

What’s Inside? A Peptide Party

The magic lies in the 6 types of peptides packed into this little bottle. If you’re new to peptides, think of them as tiny protein messengers that tell your skin to get its act together — increase collagen, repair damage and hydrate better.

Here’s the list:

  1. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (a.k.a. Botox in a bottle) – Smooths fine lines
  2. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 – Boosts collagen
  3. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 – Reduces inflammation and dullness
  4. Hexapeptide-9 – Improves texture and firmness
  5. Oligopeptide-29 & Oligopeptide-32 – Overall skin conditioning and rejuvenation

Plus, it contains panthenol, allantoin, and sodium hyaluronate — three skin-soothing heroes that hydrate and calm like a mini facial in 10 seconds.

Texture, Feel & Absorption

If you’re expecting a thick serum, surprise! This one has the consistency of a hydrating essence — think watery, fast-absorbing, no stickiness. It glides on effortlessly, almost vanishes in seconds, and leaves your skin feeling fresh, hydrated, and plump.

It plays well with others, meaning it won’t pill or clash with your moisturizer, retinol, or sunscreen.

Pro tip: If you’re in a rush, you can layer this under just moisturizer and sunscreen and still feel like you did something good for your skin.

The Results: Does It Actually Do Anything?

After 2–3 weeks of using it morning and night, here’s what I (and many others) noticed:

✅ Softer, smoother skin — that “baby cheek” feel
✅ Visible plumpness — your skin looks less tired
✅ Fine lines slightly blurred — especially on the forehead
✅ Better absorption of serums/moisturizer — skin just drinks them up
✅ No breakouts or irritation — it’s incredibly gentle

The effect isn’t dramatic like a retinol, but it’s the kind of change that sneaks up on you. One day you just realize your skin looks… healthier.

Who Should Use It?

This serum is for:

  • Skincare newbies who want anti-aging without harsh actives
  • Barrier-repair lovers who use too many exfoliants
  • Peptide enthusiasts
  • Anyone with dehydrated, dull, or stressed skin

Not ideal if:

  • You want immediate, drastic transformation
  • You prefer rich, creamy textures
  • You’re a skincare minimalist who sticks to 2 products max

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Lightweight, fast-absorbing formula
  • Contains 6 powerful peptides
  • Plays well with any routine
  • Fragrance-free, cruelty-free, and gentle
  • Good price for the ingredients

Cons:

  • Might be too light for very dry skin (layer with thicker cream)
  • Results are subtle and build over time
  • Not a replacement for retinol or stronger actives

How to Use

AM & PM Routine (after cleansing):

  1. Dispense 2–3 drops into your palm
  2. Gently pat it onto your face
  3. Follow with serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen (AM) or night cream (PM)

Bonus: Try layering it twice if your skin feels extra thirsty.

Is It Clean Beauty?

Yes! COSRX prides itself on being cruelty-free, with minimalist formulas that skip fragrance, essential oils, and known irritants. It’s also hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested — ideal for sensitive skin types.

Final Verdict: 9/10

COSRX 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum isn’t flashy, but it’s quietly effective. It’s the introvert of skincare: low drama, high impact.

If you’re looking to introduce peptides into your routine in a non-intimidating, hydrating, and budget-friendly way, this is your go-to.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely.
Would I use it on days when my skin is screaming for a break? Definitely.
Would I gift it to my friend ? 100%.

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Product Review, Skincare

An Honest Review of Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum: Glow Goals or Nah?

Let’s talk about something we’ve all been chasing since our teen years—clear, even-toned, glassy skin. If you’ve ever stared at your reflection and muttered “Why is my face a patchwork quilt?”, this one’s for you.

Enter: the Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum. Yep, that’s a mouthful. But is it worth a spot in your skincare lineup? I tried it for two weeks straight, and here’s the good, the glowy review.

A hand holding a box of Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, showcasing its sleek packaging design with the product name and size prominently displayed.

The Price Tag

Depending on where you buy it, it usually retails around ₹1800–₹2000 (~$20–25 USD) for 30ml. Not drugstore-cheap, but definitely not wallet-shattering either. And considering the ingredients? It’s pretty darn reasonable. In India, it is available on Nykaa.

Ingredients Breakdown:

  • Niacinamide 10% – A skincare classic. Known for minimizing pores, evening skin tone, strengthening the skin barrier, and basically making you glow like you slept 8 hours (even if you didn’t).
  • TXA (Tranexamic Acid) 4% – A powerful brightening agent. This acid is your hyperpigmentation’s worst nightmare. Great for fading dark spots, acne scars, and melasma.

Together, these two form a brightening dream team. Think of Niacinamide as the chill, hardworking employee and TXA as the overachiever who quietly handles all the tough stuff.

A hand holding a bottle of Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum, showcasing its sleek and modern packaging.

First Impressions

Let’s start with the packaging: sleek, minimal, and no-frills—basically the skincare equivalent of a white T-shirt. It’s giving “I’m not like other serums. I’m focused.”

The texture? Lightweight and watery-serum-ish. Not sticky, not oily. It sinks in faster. One pump covers your whole face, and it layers beautifully under moisturizer and sunscreen.

Smell? None. Which is chef’s kiss because nobody asked for perfume in a brightening serum.

A close-up image of a hand with a drop of clear serum sitting on the skin against a plain white background.

The Experience: Week by Week

Week 1: The Calm Before the Glow

My skin felt a bit irritated on the first two days. There was slight redness. I got a bit scared and waited for two more days before applying again. Since the third day the redness disappeared. Skin felt slightly smoother and a bit more even in tone. No irritation. No drama. Just polite skincare behavior.

Week 2: Pore-less Possibilities

That subtle inner glow started peeking through. A few acne scars on my cheek started lightening (not gone yet, but noticeably faded). Also, my skin looked less “meh” in the morning.

What’s the Catch?

Okay, it’s not perfect.

  • Not hydrating enough on its own. You’ll need to pair it with a good moisturizer, especially if you’re dry or combo.
  • If your skin is very sensitive, patch test first—10% niacinamide can be a bit intense for some.
  • It’s more of a slow burn than a “wake up and see magic” type of serum.

Who Should Use It?

This serum is a recommended option for:

  • People struggling with hyperpigmentation, PIH, or melasma
  • Oily-to-combination skin types
  • Beginners in actives who want a powerful yet gentle brightening boost

Maybe not ideal for:

  • Super dry skin (unless paired with a hydrating routine)
  • Ultra-sensitive skin types who react to niacinamide

Final Verdict: Add to Cart?

Yes, if you want a glow-up that’s subtle, steady, and sustainable.
No, if you want instant results or if your skin gets cranky with active ingredients.

✨ Rating: 4.5/5 — deducted half a point for the slow pace, but this is one of those serums that wins the long game.

Let me share your thoughts in the comments section if you have tried this serum 🙂

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Product Review, Skincare

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch – Review

If you are someone who has got dry under-eye skin, then this review is for you. I have been noticing that my under-eye area became quite dry due to longer hours in front of screens. Eye creams helped definitely but I also tried the Petitfee Gold Hydrogel eye patch and I quite liked it

Price:

One pack(84gms) of the Petitfee Hydrogel Eye patches retails for Rs 1599. It contains 60 patches (30 pairs). I got it from Nykaa. They are also available on the Petitfee website.

Product Description:

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patches contain a blend of premium ingredients focusing on treating dry skin. They actively work on reducing dark circles and wrinkles and provides instant recharging and hydration to your skin while moisturizes it. These gold patches are soaked in the essence of 24k gold powder and ginseng extract and act as your 15-minute nutrition recharge routine for treating dry skin. These under-eye patches improve skin elasticity and help in skin tightening while leaving your skin deeply hydrated. Made with a skin-friendly pure hydrogel containing seaweed, these patches hold a lot of water in them to provide immense hydration and cooling to the skin.

Ingredients:

Water, Calcium Chloride, Glycerin, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Xanthan Gum, Methylpropanediol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Bambusa Textilis Stem Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Swiftlet Nest Extract, Chlorphenesin Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract. Betaine, Rosa Centifolia Flower Water, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Limonene, Mineral Oil, Gold.

  • Tidy the skin of your eye rim with toner after facial cleansing.
  • Scoop the patch with a spoon and apply it to fit the shape of your eye.
  • Take off the patch after taking a light rest with a cool feeling for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Gently massage the area after use.
  • Wrap up with a moisturizer if necessary.

Note: This product is a hydrogel type. Be cautious as it may tear off if handled roughly when applied. You can keep it in the refrigerator for an enhanced cooling effect.

My Take on the Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch:

Packaging: They come in a plastic golden tub with a small spatula to take out the product. I store it in my refrigerator for that extra cooling effect. It contains 60 very thin films of eye patch. It may get teared apart while taking out. So, be careful. The patches are super slimy and has a gold shimmery effect.

Ingredients: They contain fragrance. I don’t understand the need of it. I couldn’t smell much of it though. I am not sure of the 24k gold part but overall they contain a lot of hydrating ingredients.

Texture: The eye patches are soaked in a slimy hydrating liquid. I put on the masks and also slowly without any pressure blend the liquid around my eyes. I keep it on for maximum 20 minutes and it leaves a visibly hydrated and bright under-eye area.

Am I going to repurchase this? This is more like a good to have product for self-care. I will probably try out some other eye patches in future but these are also not bad.

Have you tried any other eye-patches? Let me know in the comments section.

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Favorites, Product Review, Skincare

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream – Review

Hello! Here I am with another review of one of the very popular Korean skincare product. I have heard a lot of good reviews about the beauty of Joseon products. A little history here. Beauty of Joseon is a brand that has reinterpreted the unchanging beauty and the traditional methods from nature in a modern way according to the wisdom of Joseon women. Based on the ‘Gyuhap Chongseo’, 100-year-old book which is referred to as the encyclopedia of the Joseon Dynasty, they have included the beauty methods of women from, the uppermost classes of the Joseon Dynasty.People of the Joseon Dynasty regarded flashy adornment to be obscene and low class. As a result, women from, noble families put on makeup with minimal colors and focused more on creating clean and clear skin rather than on applying makeup and adorning themselves. Well, even now Korean products are more focused on creating clean and clear skin. This is what I love about them.

Anyway I have tried the famous ‘Dynasty’ cream from Beauty of Joseon and I am wondering why I didn’t purchase this earlier! Okay, so let me tell you all about it.

Price and Quantity:

The dynasty cream is widely available on Tira, Amazon and on Nykaa. The printed MRP is around Rs 2050 for a 50ml tub but I found it at 10% discount on Tira beauty.

Product Description:

From the brand page, “This all-in-one cream is filled with good-for-skin ingredients like rice bran water, ginseng water, squalane, and niacinamide. These ingredients help to keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and balanced. Its firm texture sinks into your skin, providing moisture and nourishment from deep within.

Long-lasting moisture
Enriched with 2% niacinamide and 2% squalane, it balances oil and moisture and protects skin from external stimuli.

Subtle glow finish
This cream provides a gentle, glowy finish.
It creates a natural and healthy glow when used with foundation.

Key ingredients

Rice bran water 29%
Rice bran is the finest inner bran of milled rice. In the Joseon Dynasty, rice bran water was used like the toner of today. It was called ‘Beauty Water’, used for beautiful skin. Rice bran, rich in amino acids, minerals, and vitamin E, helps to keep the skin moist and healthy.

Ginseng root water 5%
Ginseng is the most important herbal ingredient in Korean history. In the Joseon Dynasty, it was called ‘Shincho’, meaning herb from the gods. The rich saponin contained in ginseng helps to make the skin healthier and more energized.

Squalane 2%
Squalane, which has properties similar to sebum, helps to balance oil and moisture and acts as a moisture barrier to protect the skin from external stimuli.

Niacinamide 2%
Niacinamide is a water-soluble B vitamin.
It helps to prevent excessively dry or oily skin by regulating sebum secretion.”

Ingredients:

Water, Oryza Sativa (rice) Bran Water, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Root Water, Hydrogenated polydecene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Squalane, Butylene glycol, Propanediol, Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disodium EDTA, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Honey Extract, Ceramide NP, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Raphanus Sativus (Radish) Seed Extract, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Dextrin, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

My Take on the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream:

Packaging: Completely fuss free simple packaging. It comes in a white transparent glass tub with a white lid. There is a small spatula to help you take out the product.

Ingredients: The first 4 primary ingredients are water, rice bran water, glycerin and ginseng root water. Just looking at this ingredient list I can say that the focus is on hydration and locking moisture in the skin. It also contains 2% niacinamide and 2% squalene which are again quite nice on the ingredient list. It is a fragrance free product too.

Texture: It has a velvety, creamy texture which feels really luxurious on the skin. It gets absorbed easily without making my skin oily. It blends very easily and can be used as a moisturizing primer. It instantly gives a glow after application! My skin looks nourished and hydrated. I have applied it as a night cream and every morning when I wake up my skin feels amazingly smooth and soft after using this.

Am I going to repurchase this? Absolutely yes! For oily skin beauties finding a good balanced moisturizer is really hard! This one will work for dry, combination and oily skin people across the year. Maybe if you have super dry skin, I will not recommend it for winter but it can be a good product for summer.

If you have tried the Dynasty cream by Beauty of Joseon please let me know in the comments section.

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Product Review, Skincare

TONYMOLY Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel – Review

Almost every summer I buy an Aloe Vera gel as they are very soothing and light weight especially in the hot and humid weather. Aloe has great medicinal properties and works well on skin rashes, itches, redness and in general just to freshen up your skin. My mom even grows Aloe plants at our home and encourages me to just directly cut the leaves and squeeze out the gel. However, being a lazy bum I prefer to buy a ready made Aloe Gel…sorry Mom 😦

Last year I bought the Innisfree Aloe Vera gel and it was really good. I made a lot of DIY skincare and hair care items using that aloe gel. This year I wanted to try the Aloe 99% Chok Chok soothing gel from TonyMoly. So let’s start the review.

TonyMoly Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel

Price and Quantity : So it comes in a 250 ml lovely summer green tube and costs INR 400. Look out for occasional discounts and you may find a good deal on Nykaa.

Description (As mentioned in the packaging) :

TonyMoly Aloe 99% Chok Chok Soothing Gel has been created as an instant soothing rescue for the skin, leaving it feeling calmer, cool and hydrated. This non-sticky formula is made with 99% aloe vera, great for sensitive skin. it can be used on both face and body as it instantly calms and replenishes tired skin with moisture!

Key Ingredients (As mentioned on the backside of the tube):

Aloe barbadensis leaf water (99%), carbomer, tromethamine, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil and fragrance.

My experience with the product :

  • So let me start with when I use it. I store it in refrigerator just to get the cool feeling on my skin. Once I take my shower and apply toner, sunscreen, serum and after that I apply this gel. Sometimes in the afternoon when I look for a quick snack in my refrigerator I also take out a generous amount of this gel and reapply it and it gives me that instant freshness.
  • Coming to the texture, it has a light weight, transparent, smooth gel formulation which blends very easily on skin and does not make skin greasy at all. Its consistency is little watery and simply melts when I put it on my skin. It gives that extra hydration plus moisturizing effect. I found the Innisfree Aloe Vera gel thicker than this. Aloe Vera gels are suitable for all skin types. You can even use it as a moisturizer like I do if you have oily skin. In fact you can use it anywhere in your body. I apply it on my elbows, knees and on summer heat rashes and it instantly soothes the skin. Any Aloe Vera gel can be used as a primer or base before applying make up. It helps create a smooth canvas for application of make up.
  • This product contains fragrance which is sad. The smell is refreshing though. However, I wish they did not use this fragrance. It does not contain alcohol.
  • I will score this 4 out of 5. Minus 1 for fragrance. Overall I really liked this one and simply find excuses to apply it frequently.

P.S. Chok chok means luminous in Korean. Surprisingly there is a similar word with exactly same meaning in Bengali. If you know Bengali you will know what I am talking about :p

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Product Review, Skincare

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence Review

Ok so if you have been following my blog for some time you must know how big of a fan I am of Laneige. I have loved each of their products that I tried in the past and some of them are part of my daily skincare routine. Now I cannot say that Laneige products are affordable. They are definitely pricey, however, they work and that definitely matters. So I bought the Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence from Nykaa almost 2 months back. It was part of their holiday edition. The entire holiday edition contains two Laneige Cica sleeping mask(10 ml each) and two water sleeping mask(15ml each) and the moisture essence (70 ml). Surprisingly this limited edition package costs the same if you would buy only the moisture essence. So if they are still available on Nykaa or elsewhere, I would suggest you to buy the holiday edition for better value.

Price and Quantity : The 70 ml bottle of moisture essence costs Rs 2590. The holiday edition costs the same but we get 4 small sample size sleeping masks as well. Laneige products are hardly on discount but fortunately I got it at 20% off on Nykaa.

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence Review

Description :

WATER ZIPPER TECHNOLOGY FOR SKIN MOISTURIZING AT THE FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL : LANEIGE’s original technology boosts the skin’s moisturizing mechanism from generation to lock-in and purification to moisturize the skin from within, at the fundamental level.

ANTI-OXIDATION EFFECT, GARDEN CRESS : Garden Cress suppresses and removes active oxygen to purify the skin and create a clear bright luminous complexion.

HIGH CONCENTRATION OF MINERAL EXTRACTED, OCEAN BREW METHOD : LANEIGE’s original Ocean Brew method ensures the complete preservation of a high concentration of minerals extracted at a low temperature for five hours.

Ingredients : Water / Aqua / Eau, Propanediol, Glycerin, Squalane, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Myristyl Myristate, Pca Dimethicone, Sea Water / Maris Aqua / Eau De Mer, Saccharide Isomerate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Fragrance / Parfum, Disodium Edta, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Manganese Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Lecithin, Brassica Oleracea Gemmifera (Brussels Sprouts) Extract, Phaseolus Lunatus (Green Bean) Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Lepidium Sativum Sprout Extract, Ascorbyl Glucoside.

How to Use :

So as described by the Laneige product development team, the moisture essence should be used as a toner or emulsion. You can take 2-3 drops and then massage by your fingers or take a cotton pad as well. I prefer to use my fingers. We can also add 1-2 drops of the Essence to our foundation or BB creams to create dewy glowing skin. It will make sure the skin looks flawless and stays hydrated from within. Also, we can soak cotton pad in Water Bank Essence and make our own sheet masks.

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Essence Review

My take on the product:

I will start with my overall verdict first. I just loved this product. This has completely changed the texture of my skin within 2 weeks of use. My skin looks dewy with a subtle glow (exactly what I want). My skin texture has become even. I had to achieve this kind of finish with the help of a BB cream previously but this essence has worked wonders on my skin. I feel confident to go out without putting on any make up on my face. So now you know how much I loved it. My skin looks recharged and fresh after I have started using it.

The essence is not too watery. I think the hydro essence is more water based than this one. The moisture essence does not feel like a lotion either. The consistency is between a cream based toner and a lotion. It will not make your skin feel greasy or oily. Gets absorbed very quickly and instantly gives a smooth and even base for you to apply your make-up on.

The only thing that I did not like about it is the presence of fragrance. It smells somewhat like a shampoo :p. Anyway, people with inflammatory skin condition should avoid it. I have read a few reviews before buying it and some of them praised it a lot and some of them did not like it that much. It obviously depends on personal experience but I will definitely buy it again.

Hope you found this review useful. Please keep following the blog. I will be encouraged to write more. Happy Sunday 😀 !!

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Product Review, Skincare

Tony Moly Magic Food Banana Sleeping Pack Review

I have been trying out well known sleeping packs/masks for quite some time. This is actually the 3rd one in that order. Please check out my review on Laneige Water sleeping mask here and Etude House Moistfull Collagen sleeping pack review here. So I bought the Tony Moly Magic Food Banana Sleeping Pack first for their super cute packaging ; second for the 50% discount I got on Nykaa and third obviously because of the quality standard of Tony Moly products.

Packaging : The product comes in a cute banana shaped packaging. The packaging looks super adorable but I really struggled to take out the product out of the tube. It is super hard to squeeze out the product. 85 ml of the product retails for INR 850.However, I got it at INR 425 during a sale in Nykaa. So look out for the sales.

Description :

Hydrate and soothe your skin while you sleep with this nutrient-rich Magic Food Banana Sleeping Pack! Wake up to a supple and brightened face that smells delicious!

Key Ingredients:

  • 10,000 ppm of Banana Extract – Potassium and Vitamin A helps hydrate and protect skin.
  • Milk Protein – Nutrient rich properties help replenish lost moisture in skin.
  • Chamomile Extract – Helps calm and soothe skin.

Full Ingredient List :

Water, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Beeswax, Petrolatum, Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysorbate 60, Musa Sapientum (banana) Fruit Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Betaine, Urea, Peg-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Fragrance(parfum), Caprylyl Glycol, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-7, 1,2-hexanediol, Disodium Edta, Yellow 5 (ci 19140), Yellow 6 (ci 15985), Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract

After Application

My take on the product:

  • Consistency of the product is thick and takes time to get absorbed. It feels heavier on the skin. I have oily skin and I started using it in Winter. So I did not experience any break out but I am not sure how it will feel in hot and humid weather for oily skin. However, this should work well for dry and normal skin.
  • It has a strong smell like banana. Since this is a sleeping pack and supposed to be used before bed I personally don’t like such strong banana smell on my face. It does get fade out after some time.
  • Now coming to the actual result. The skin looks super tight and glossy in the next morning. Did not notice such instant clear result with the other 2 sleeping packs that I tried. So super happy with the results.
  • Am I going to repurchase this? Only in Winters and although I really love their packaging I feel they need to change the tube as it is really hard to squeeze out the product.
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Product Review, Skincare

Innisfree Jeju Cherry Blossom Lotion Review

I always wanted to try the Jeju Cherry Blossom range from Innisfree because of my love for the word ‘cherry blossom’. How silly… I know!! Whenever I think about cherry blossom it transports me into a beautiful picturesque world full of colorful flowers :p

Okay I need to come back to reality and do a proper review of this product.So as many of you already know Innisfree is a very popular Korean brand and I have used many products of them and liked them as well. So I obviously had a certain amount of expectation from this brand.Usually their products are little on the higher price side for Indian skin care market but if you compare it with other luxury skin care brands their products are affordable.

Price and Quantity: This lotion retails for 1200 INR and you get a 100 ml tube.I got it in a sale for INR 870. Also, I discovered a new website Boddess which gives pretty good discounts/freebies on Innisfree products.

Innisfree Jeju Cherry Blossom Lotion

Product Description:

Innisfree Cherry Blossom Lotion delivers abundant hydration to dry and dull skin for a moist and revitalized look.

  • A lightweight creamy lotion goes on smoothly without feeling greasy or sticky
  • Adds ample hydration and glow to the skin
  • Cherry Blossom extract helps heal irritated skin, even out dull skin tone, and lighten dark spots

Ingredients:

Water / Aqua / Eau, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methyl Trimethicone, Dicaprylyl Ether, Niacinamide, Betaine, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydrogenated Poly (C6-14 Olefin), Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, C14-22 Alcohols, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Arachidyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Fragrance / Parfum, Palmitic Acid, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Propanediol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Myristic Acid, Prunus Yedoensis Leaf Extract, Lauric Acid, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil

Innisfree Jeju Cherry Blossom Lotion Ingredients

My take on the product: I am not a dermatologist and have limited understanding of the chemical effect of the ingredients in the product.Whatever I could make out was that this a water based product with Glycerin and it also has Niacinamide and Betaine. I have recently seen a lot of influencers cum reviewers praising Niacinamide a lot. So I did a little research and found that it is basically a type of Vitamin B3 and it is quite a multitasker when it comes to deal with skin pigmentation or inflammation like redness reduction or giving our skin a bit of extra hydration.Some of the researchers actually praised it more than retinols or AHAs/BHAs or even hyaluronic acid because of its diverse skin healing properties.Okay so I am impressed.Also, just a little tip, we can include niacin into our diet by eating fish/meat/pulses which will then be converted into niacinamide inside our bodies.Quite cool!

Now the next ingredient is betaine. This is also good for anti-ageing and has skin healing properties.So much knowledge I gathered today! Happy puppy 🙂

But, sadly this product also contains fragrance which I am not sure why they included.I am absolutely fine to use a lotion without any smell and to be honest I did not like the smell at all.It did not remind me of cherry blossom atleast. It also includes various alcohols like C14-22 alcohol and Arachidyl Alcohol but I looked for them and found that these are fatty alcohols and mostly used as an emulsifier or like a waxy material to maintain the natural moisture of our skin. So they are not bad for our skin.

Moving on, let me talk about the product itself.It is a very light textured white colored serum like lotion which blends into my skin easily.It did not make my skin look oily or sweaty even during the hot summer. Even when I am working in an air conditioned environment I did not find my skin to be drying after application. So I felt this will work for both dry and oily skin in summer and in winter. It does not contain any SPF which is good actually. Not every lotion or face moisturizer needs to contain SPF. A small amount is enough for your face. A 100 ml tube will go a long way. It did not give me any acne and definitely I can see a glow in my skin. I haven’t noticed any impact on reducing my old dark acne marks. This range has other products as well which I haven’t tried. Yeah so that’s it.This is a travel friendly tube.You can just throw it in your bag and whenever you feel like a little hydration for your skin you can go for it.

Hope you find this review helpful.Stay safe 🙂

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Skincare

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Berry Review

So I am sure if you love to see the skin care routines of the Supermodels or Victoria’s Secret Models on Youtube there is one product which I have seen a lot of them absolutely swear by for their gorgeous lips and that is Laneige Lip sleeping Mask.Also, this is probably one of those products which I could actually afford :p

Now coming to the product; Laneige is a very well known Korean skin care brand.I have noticed that they do not come up with a lot of products every now and then.They are very specific about a few key products that are actually really popular.So generally the quality standards are really high.

Price and Quantity: It comes in 2 sizes – 8 gms for INR 500 and 20 gms for INR 1150.I would recommend you to go for the 8 gms tub because it goes really long way trust me!

Description: – A leave-on lip mask that soothes and moisturizes
– Has a softening balm texture that closely adheres to lips
– Offers a nutritiously sweet and fragrant blend
– Forms a protective film over the lips to lock in moisture
– For smoother and more supple lips

My take on the Laneige lip mask :

Well I honestly did not have an idea of what a lip mask is before buying this.Also, I am a person who is generally averse of the idea of putting a mask before sleeping.I mean it is kind of weird right ! But to put all your worries away let me clarify this is not like a mask you will generally think of.This product has a balmy texture and has a sweet berry like taste (in case you lick it accidentally,whoops!).It has no color at all; totally transparent and glossy. The texture is thick and sticky; almost like you have put honey on your lips but it quickly melts into your lips.It comes in a cute pink tub and I know it feels kind of gross to dig your finger to take some of the product out but this is actually a mask and not a balm.Hence, the product consistency is not something which you could package in a stick.

Now coming to the main question; did I notice any difference to my lips ?

Yes I did and that is why I absolutely love this product and can’t stop going gaga over this. It actually works.A lot of Korean brands have really conquered the skin care market and out of them Laneige is quite a silent but really steady player.Their product gives you result.I wish I could show you a before and after picture of my lips but I actually forgot to click one before I started using it.I am no experienced beauty blogger 😦

However, I can describe my experience. I got dark outer lip lines due to sun damage.I used lip scrubs but somehow the pigmentation did not really go away.I religiously used this product for 2 weeks; every single night and I could see the darker lip line to fade and gradually the pink soft lips coming out; as if my older pink soft lips getting a rebirth. The product is rish in Vitamin C, shea butter and berry extracts and lots of good ingredients.No paraben and totally cruelty free. Why is it called a mask? I assume if we actually used it as a balm we would end up eating it :p . Using it as a sleep mask helps to absorb it totally while we are sleeping.

Hope you liked this review! Stay healthy 🙂

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