Beyond - Cleansing Lotion

What is this product you ask? I asked myself the same question as the product labels are all in Korean and I couldn't remember what the sales assistant told me in regards to 'how to use' or 'this product contains'. I had a look online and found the below.

Link below for information about this product:
http://www.beyond.co.kr/meet/product_view.jsp?pid=AHG01471&cid1=B

This is a 'washable cleansing' product.

Description -  This washable cleansing lotion can be used in conjunction with water, or on dry skin it is perfect for sensitive skin.

It contains ingredients such as - green tea, broccoli and other green ingredients to create a refreshing cleansing lotion.

How to use - You can use this on dry skin or you can wet your face first. Once the product is on your face massage and rinse with water. If you looking for a deep clean, gently wipe with a tissue after use. If you have make up you may need to double up on cleaning lotion without water (I'm not sure if I have captured the translation correctly).

Purchased from - Alice's Diary (World Square near the back of V Bar). Alice's Diary is a Korean store where they sell Korean make up, skin care and clothes. You can check out their website - http://www.morningpiggy.com/ContactUs.Asp

Price - AU$48.50 (ouch)

Size - 200mL

Packaging - came in a plain brown cardboard box. Easy to use pump dispenser.

Verdict - I think it's very expensive for what you get. I think it's a good product, but you would probably achieve the same results with Cetaphil cleanser from Priceline. It smells nice and fresh with a kind of herbal smell. The cleanser is not a foaming cleanser and is more of your sensitive cream type. You'll also need two pumps each time you go to wash your face. On average I use 6 pumps per day which means this product isn't going to last very long. I wash my face in the morning (applied to a wet face, massaged and then washed off) and at night (I apply two pumps to a dry face and then I wash it off and then repeat the process but on a wet face). I took me a while (1 week) to get use to use a non foaming cleanser as I'm just not use to them (same goes for Cetaphil) and it leaves your face feeling soft and doesn't have that skin tight shiny feeling (which I kind of like). Having said all of this, it is a great product and cleanses well and I think it has kept my face in balance (oily vs. dry).

Would I buy this again? No way. I think it's just far far far too expensive! I'm sure it's cheaper in Korea or on the net, but when this bottle if finished I won't be buying it again.

Laters,
Ivy

The Body Shop - Lily Cole Lip and Cheek Dome

Yeh! I'm so in love with cream based blush at the moment and The Body Shop has launched these limited edition Lily Cole Lip and Cheek Domes!

They come in two shades - "Pinch Me Pink" and "Crazy for Coral". Of course being me I bought both of them. They're limited edition?!?! That's right, I always get sucked in by that sort of promotion.

Cost - AU$28.95
I think this price is really quite good as the product will last quite a while. It's also not as expensive as brands such a Stila - will set you back AU$40 (I still love my Stila cream blush in coral as well!).

Location - everywhere! The Body Shop is just everywhere in Australia. All major cities have them and most suburban shopping centres have them as well. If not, check them out online at www.thebodyshop.com.au (picture above from the website).

How to use - you can apply the dome directly to the apples of your cheeks and/or lips and then blend with a brush or your fingers. I find it quite nice to use your fingers when blending on your cheeks as they warm up the product. You can really build up the product on your cheeks, but if you do apply too much all you need to do is apply some more foundation over the top. I recommend if you use this on your cheeks to apply it after your liquid foundation. If you want to set the product you can always lightly dust some translucent powder over the top otherwise you can just leave it. When this is applied to the lips, since it is quite matte, you may want to gloss it up a little. You can also add a shimmer to your cheeks if it's too matte by using either a cream or powder shimmer / highligher.


Verdict - truthfully it's been quite a while since I've even considered buying The Body Shop make up. They've come a long way since I was a teen and from the mini make over I received in the George St store today (the one near Market St) it appears that quite a few of their products have improved. They used a really nice liquid foundation on me as well as a nice bronzer and lip gloss.

I love this product. It's long lasting and so versatile. It goes on matte but you can always add a shimmer powder on top of cheeks, or gloss if using the product on your lips. The price is also quite reasonable. I think I'll regularly check out The Body Shop from now on!

Laters,
Ivy

Update - Lancome Genifique

Hi everyone,

This is an updated post on Lancome's Genifique serum.



So... as per a previous Lancome Haul blog I purchased a 20mL size of Genifique in a Mother's Day special pack where I received other Lancome products for a low price of AU$80.

If you missed out on buying the pack I noticed in Myer (George St store) that they still had these packs left!

The results............

I used the product twice a day after toning - morning and night. I used two pumps each time.

20mL lasted me... 1.5 months. Personally, I think it's quite expensive given how long it lasts. I think the going price in most Australian stores is AU$115 for 30mL.

What does it claim to do? The 'Youth Activator' will make skin at any age appear more youthful. It will leave your skin feeling soft, smooth and supple which is meant to give you a more refined and even toned appearance. Instructions advised to apply morning and night before normal skin care. Yes I think the serum did in fact help with smoothing out my skin and helped with balancing out some slightly red patches I had on my cheeks. My cheeks are classed as 'normal' and I think this fact really helped the serum work its magic in making them appear more youthful. My t-zone is oily and because of this the serum had little to no impact. The oil in my skin naturally provides elasticity and therefore it is normally very youthful looking. I think if my t-zone was normal or dry the product would have had a greater effect. The other factor I have to take into consideration is that I'm in my late 20's. So, I like to think that I still look relatively young. My wrinkles are minimal and I ensure I'm drinking plenty of water every day to really help my skin and overall well being.

Verdict - I think if you have normal to dry skin, this will really help improve your skin. If you have more oily skin, then maybe try it as results are going to vary person to person, but I personally wouldn't buy it.

I think if my skin type every changes to more normal all over and I have cash to spend I'll re-purchase this product. At the moment, I'm happy with my skin and my weekly masks etc.

Laters,

Ivy

Stila - One Step Correct

I really like this one step corrector.

This is a one step corrector, "triple-swirled helix serum that instantly colour corrects, brightens, primes, and nourishes the skin. On top of the immediately gratifying benefits, the infusion of Stila's exclusive Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex—improves skintone, evens out the complexion, and helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles." (from the Sephora website www.sephora.com). This contains 30mL of product and it took me 3 months to use (using it 5 times a week).

Reasons why I like it:
- The packaging is really nice. I like how you can see the serum and the three correcting swirls. You can also see when you're running out as it's a pump and the inside bottom part moves up to the top as you keep using the product.
- It goes on smoothly, since it's a serum, as a nice base before foundation.
- I believe it does make a difference to my skin which is noticeable once I apply my foundation. It helps create a more flawless look.

Areas for improvement:
There aren't too many. If you expect this product to help conceal zits or if you have very red patches on your face then this product won't fix these problems and you should invest in an appropriate concealer. If you have some light uneven skin tone then you'll like this product. I'm not sure if it improved my skin tone in the long run as it claims.

Price: US$36.00. I bought this in Sephora in Hawaii when the AU$1 was something crazy like... US$1.10! So I was super happy. If you buy it here in Mecca (at Myer in Sydney CBD or the Mecca store at The Galleries Victoria just to name a few) you'll pay AU$58.00! Ah! It still amazes me how much we pay on make up here in Australia!

If this product was cheaper in Australia, I'd buy it again. However, it's not and sometimes I just can't be bothered to try and find a cheap one on eBay etc. I've also been told that on some websites, the products aren't genuine.

Laters,
Ivy

P.S - I am currently trying out some South Korean products I picked up from Alice's Diary (in World Square, ground floor near the Pitt St & Liverpool St exit). They sell a bunch of South Korean beauty products, make up and clothes.




Lancome Haul

Yeh! I found my camera cable! I can now go back to uploading my own photos! Yeh!

So as promised a few weeks ago I spent AU$193 at the Lancome counter in David Jones on Elizabeth St Sydney.

Here's what I bought -

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 hour foundation

Shade No. 045

AU$68

I have just finished the 14 hour version which is no longer available and it was a good foundation so I'm looking forward to trying out this new and improved version! I purchased this as a friend of mine from the US recommended it! :)

Lancome Rouge In Love Lipstick

Shade No. 351B

AU$45

I tired this out last Friday and it's a lovely long lasting vibrant lipstick! Love it! It looks quite red in the below photo, however it's more of a really pink red rather than red red.

Lancome Genifique Pack

AU$80

Includes - Genifique Mask, 20mL Genifique, Renergie Multi-Lift and a sample of Visionnaire.

I was originally thinking about purchasing the 30mL of Genifique except the price is AU$115 (from memory) so I told the sales assistant that I would have to give it a miss this time since I had already made up my mind to purchase the foundation and the lipstick. Then they advised me that they have this special gift pack which includes 20mL of Genifique and the rest! I have been using this for 7 days now and I truthfully I can't see a huge improvement... I will stick with it and see.


Laters,
Ivy

Lancome L'Absolu Nu Lipstick

Are you looking for strong colour in your lipstick?
Maybe long lasting?
Or perhaps a lipstick that will condition your lips at the same time?

Well, look no further! Go out and check out Lancome's L'Absolu Nu lipsticks!

http://makeup411.com/products/id/3958/

I love these lipsticks (I really like most of Lancome's lipsticks... but I'm not a fan of their Juicy Tubes). You can use them in conjunction with a lip liner, but they look great on their own as well.

The colour is long lasting and I only need to re-apply after eating. Also, the formula conditions my lips and stops them from flaking and drying out. There is only a slight fragrance, which is fine by me. Others who rather a fragrance free product my find this a little annoying.

I purchased mine from the Myer Lancome counter and I think they're about AU$48.

Also, I thought I'd let you know what I purchased at my last Lancome visit in David Jones (full haul to come).

- One 'Rouge In Love' long lasting lipstick

- Teint Idole Ultra 24H long lasting founding

- Gift pack of Genifique (20mL Genifique, 1 mask, sample size of Visionnaire, and moisturiser)

The gift pack was great value at only AU$80 and is available in lieu of Mother's Day. If you've always wanted to try Genifique but could never justify the +AU$100 for 30mL then this is a great way to purchase it.

Laters,

Ivy

Clio - Waterproof Brush Liner (Kill Black)

Firstly... apologies as I have been M.I.A for the past three weeks. I really need to find my camera cable so I can download my pics... I guess I could use my phone... but the photos aren't as good. Excuses excuses! For the time being I will use some pics from the Internet.

Today's review is on Clio Professional, Waterproof Brush Liner in 1 Black.

Pic used from eBay

http://icyabstract.onsugar.com/Goodies-CLIO-Professional-Contest-win-Girls-Generation-Tickets-20537896

I was previously using some MAC Gel Liner in black however, I then had pink eye and had to bin it in case it contained the bacteria. Sad I know. So when I was at my local Korean make up store I picked up this Clio liner. The liner also contained a mini mascara however, I haven't used it yet.

Purchased from Konad on George St. It's on the same side as the Event Cinemas but a block heading south. They sell lots of Korean clothes and BB Creams etc. You can also buy some Clio products from S A Hair Nail & Beauty Suppliers, level 8 in the Dymocks Building on George St. Other Korean shops along Pitt St and Sussex St also sell Clio products as it's quite popular in Korea. I mean Hyori Lee is the face of Clio (if you don't know who this is youtube her... like now, U Go Girl).

Price - AU$20 approx. I think I may have received a discount when I purchased this so I'm not sure how much I paid in the end however, looking on the net it appears the average price for the eyeliner alone is around AU$20.

Quality - Nice and black, superfine tip, doesn't run out of liquid during application, long lasting (therefore, doesn't fade half way through the day) and it is waterproof.

Usage - I use this every day I apply make up, on my top lid. I usually wing my liner up at the ends.

Verdict - I love this liner. I was almost going to buy the Lancome Artliner however decided against it as many beauty reviews complained about having to drip the brush back into the container to pick up more product. The lid of the Clio liner keeps the brush nice and moist with black liner. Hopefully this liner will last at least 3 months and if it does I'll be happy with that.

I'm still a huge fan of gel liners, however in the morning when I'm applying my liner I want to be super quick cause I've probably woken up late. This is the perfect way to apply liner in a quick and precise way. Not bad Clio!

Laters,
Ivy

P.S - Lancome haul to be posted soon as I just spent AU$193 last Friday at the Lancome counter at DJ's. ^_^

UPDATE - 6 May 2012
I have found my camera cord so I have updated this post with my pics of the product.
Also the packaging has the cost on it! So, this product is AU$28.90 from Konad on George St. This is for both the eyeliner and the mascara.