REVIEW: Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Mist

Today I'll be reviewing the first item from my mini haul back in July (has it really been than long omg). Introducing the Nature Republic Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Mist. You can find it on the Nature Republic website, though it doesn't offer much information strange enough. If you're familiar with the Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel in the tub, which I've also tried, then this is exactly that but in mist form. The tub formula didn't really do much for me honestly, but I was drawn to just how affordable it was and how much product it offered. I find that most mists rarely contain anything over 100ml, so I was surprised to see that this came with 150ml. I wasn't looking for anything in particular at the time, but kept my eye out for any sort of mist I could use to hydrate my face and or use after setting my makeup.

The actual bottle comes wrapped up in plastic

As expected of something that comes with 150ml of product, it's definitely a decent size. Unless you like carrying around a bulky spray bottle around with you, I probably wouldn't recommend this for travelling if you're one to slip in a mist into your bag or purse. There's definitely the option of decanting it into a smaller spray bottle for convenience, so I wouldn't let size stop you from trying this mist if you do decide to give it a go.

The actual product itself is quite hydrating, nothing special, but it does the job quite well. I like to keep it on desk with my other face products, since that's where I normally do my makeup and spend most of my time on in my room. If ever I feel like my face is a bit dry or just needs some refreshing, I spray it all over and it usually does the trick. I also sometimes use it after my face makeup if I'm not using the Etude House Lock 'N Summer Face Conditioning Fixer. While it doesn't exactly prolong the wear of your makeup, I like that it adds a healthy sheen to my face and gets rid of the cakey look people often get straight after doing their makeup. Since it's still winter here in Australia, I've also been digging the semi-dewy look as opposed to all matte.

The nozzle for this mist is your regular spray nozzle found on most spray bottles. I can get pretty picky with nozzles, only because I don't appreciate getting squirted in the face by a single stream of product. While this does do a pretty decent job at covering the whole face in a few sprays, I have noticed that it tends to squirt out random blobs of product together with the actual mist. In other words, you get big droplets of product on your face sometimes. This doesn't necessarily bother me too much though, and it doesn't seem to affect my makeup after I spray it all over. It's just something to keep mind if you prefer something that offers a finer mist.

The scent of the mist itself is definitely reminiscent of the Nature Republic aloe vera tub version, if I remember correctly. They pretty much smell identical. For those who haven't tried the the aloe vera in the tub and have no idea what I'm on about, I'd say this mist smells somewhat citrus-y and really refreshing. I think it's definitely a scent that most people would like.

Overall, it's a really decent mist. For the price and the amount of product that it comes with, I think it's definitely worth a try. The bottle itself is probably not the most convenient in terms of size if you like to carry your mist with you, though you can always pour some into a separate spray bottle. The mist isn't the finest mist too, so you probably wouldn't appreciate this if you're picky with things like that. For a basic hydrating mist though, it definitely does the job. It's refreshing and it also smells good.

Would you repurchase?
For the price and value, I probably would. I haven't tried many mists though, so I'm definitely interested in trying out some different ones out there. 

HAUL: Roseroseshop ☆

So much for posting more often, let's just admit that I suck at this. In reality though, I just haven't had all that much to blog about. Apologies. I'll try harder, I promise.

In my last post I mentioned that I bought in bulk with my friends. Well, it arrived. Since I wasn't the one who placed the order, my friends and I caught up the other day to distribute our goodies. It totally looked like we were dealing drugs out it in the open, even I'd be suspicious. We ordered from roseroseshop, if that wasn't already obvious from the title. I've only ever bought from their eBay store, though I had only heard good things from the people that have ordered from their site.

I wasn't too fussed with the samples, so I let my friend keep them all.

While I'd love to say that I bought everything you see in the photo above, I didn't want my bank account to start weeping (let's be honest, it's probably already bathing in its own tears). So, in an effort to rule it down to a couple of items, I ending up buying 5 products in total. Despite wanting to buy the whole store, I did manage to control myself. Applause!

I don't think I was looking for anything in particular, so I just went it looking for anything that appealed to me. I bought:

★ Nature Republic Aloe Vera Mist 92% Soothing Gel Mist

★ 3W Clinic Intensive UV Sunblock Cream

★ Innisfree Mineral Shading (#07 Sweet Vanilla)

★ Etude House Dr. Mascara Fixer (Perfect Lash)

★ Secret Key Snow White Skin Booster (for my mum)

Other than the skin booster, I'll probably make a review for each if I can remember. I've also got some other products getting shipped my way, so I'm looking forward to trying those out too. 

(Shoutout to my swag buddy Natt and her boyfriend for ordering everything, and even taking photos for me)

I'M SEEING BANGTAN!

Breathe in, breathe out. I am calm, no, not really. How do you even calm when you know that you're going to see BTS in July, in your own city?!? This time not just on a screen, but in person. It was a stressful morning to say the least, but tickets are bought and it's confirmed ㅠㅠ

Let me tell you a little story, a situation worthy of making the top 10 worst nightmares a fangirl could possibly experience. It's short, I promise. First, the organisers only gave us 4 days notice of when tickets would go on sale. "It's fine, I have enough in my account" I thought. I then transfer my friend's money into my account the day before the ticket sale, and go home happy. I check my account balance at home that same night and would you look at that, I'm literally $5 short of what I actually need. I then try not to freak out and ask my mum to transfer at least $10 into my account. Mind you, the tickets went on sale this morning at 9AM. Long story short, the extra money didn't turn up in my bank account this morning so I literally had to rush to the bank at my university at around 9.30, looking like a corpse who had just escaped its coffin, and manually deposit money into my account. I then went on to have a mini heart attack thinking all tickets were sold out.

While I did manage to get tickets in the end though, 5 minutes before my 10AM lecture, I wasn't able to get the tickets we wanted and I was only able to get single seats. But ayyyyyy I should be thankful I'm even going. Okay, end of story.

REVIEW: Etude House Lock 'N Summer Face Conditioning Fixer

I'M BAAAAAAAAAACK, HI
I'm reviewing the Etude House Lock 'N Summer Face Conditioning Fixer this time. I first saw it being used by a beauty guru on Youtube, but didn't really pay much attention to it until summer came. I wasn't prepared to have my make-up melt off my face again, basically. It's my first time trying one, so I won't be able to compare it to anything unfortunately. I've been using it for over a month now though so I think I have a good idea of how this product adds up.

According to the Etude House website and actual packaging, "This is a makeup boosting fixer that once applied, provides a cool calming effect and perfects long-lasting smooth makeup". While I might be able to testify to the slightly better longevity of my makeup, I'm not so sure about the "cool calming effect" that it's supposed to give.

You get 80ml of product, so a pretty reasonable amount. I've been using it for over a month now, close to 2 months I think, and I still have around 2/3 of it left. Although I don't use it everyday, I usually spray my face with 5-6 pumps.

 

Directions are as follows: Lightly spray before or during makeup for better makeup application and moisture, or last step of makeup fix.

I've actually tried using the spray both under and over my makeup, so whether you spray it under or over, I think it really depends on what sort of look you're trying to go for. Since I have combination/oily skin, I'm normally really oily by the end of the day so I personally prefer to spray my face after I finish putting on my bb cream/foundation and my concealer, then powder at the end. I did notice a lot of creasing especially under my eyes and around my mouth, the few times I tried spraying my face after I did all my makeup. If you're not prone to creasing and want to achieve the dewy look, then you shouldn't have any problems with this.

The bottle comes with a basic spray nozzle. Luckily it's not one those nozzles that spray in one direction, so it's quite decent. Although one spray probably won't cover your entire face, I typically like to spray 5-6 times on my forehead, chin, cheeks and lastly the centre of my face.

Did I mention the smell? It has a really sweet zesty scent, like a mix of lemon, lime and orange. It somehow reminds me of those all purpose sprays you use to clean, but it's quite pleasant. The scent doesn't linger too long either, so it's great for those who are sensitive to smell.

Conclusion:
I would say that this is a pretty decent product. I've noticed that my bb cream/foundation and concealer tends to set a lot nicer whenever I spray this over, and it also gives a nice healthy sheen under my powder which I don't mind at all. I'm not sure if I can say that it prolongs the longevity of my makeup, but my makeup no longer looks as cakey as it used to at the end of the day. It hasn't broken me out at all too, which is a plus! I've never tried using it throughout the middle of day, though I know most sprays can be used to refresh your makeup if you feel like your skin is dry or cakey. As the first ever setting spray that I've tried though, I can safely give this an overall good review.

PROS:
- Refreshing
- Sets makeup nicely
- Gives a healthy sheen
- Prevents makeup from looking cakey
- Pleasant scent

CONS:
- May accentuate fine lines if you're prone to creasing

Would you repurchase?
I probably would to be honest, if I can't find a better setting spray perhaps. I would like to try out other brands after I finish using it up though ^^

REVIEW: Clio Waterproof Kill Black Brush Liner

I'm reviewing Clio's Waterproof Kill Black Brush Liner this time. I first got it around 2 months ago, but only now am I getting around to reviewing it #slack. I've been using it a lot since then so I can safely say that I really like this product. I was originally on the hunt for a new liquid eyeliner, since I wanted an alternative to the Missha Super-Extreme Waterproof Eyeliner I had been using. After reading many good reviews on it, I thought I'd give it a go.
According to the packaging,

"Brush liner helps you to draw clear eye lines with deep black (Included in Carbon Black) color. It is waterproof and no smudge formula so you can enjoy clear lines for a long time. Flexible brush is easy to draw fine and delicate eye lines without stimulation around eyes."

I actually wasn't aware that the eyeliner came with a makeup cleansing oil when I ordered it online, so I was surprised when I got the package. I haven't tried the cleansing oil yet since I keep forgetting I have it, so I can't say if it's any good. You do get 20ml of cleansing oil and 6ml of eyeliner though, which is isn't bad. I may or may not make a separate review on the cleansing oil, if and when I get a chance to use it.


The eyeliner pen itself is really light and slim, making it really easy to use and manoeuvre. You can also make sure the cap is put on properly, since you need to push it on hard enough to hear a snap. This is something to appreciate since eyeliners in pen or brush form usually tend to dry out much faster if the cap isn't put on properly. Probably one reason why I usually stray away from these sort of products.



Ignore the fact that my hand looks hella scaly ㅠㅠ Moving on, the actual brush tip is super duper pointy, as you can see, which makes it super easy to create crisp winged eyeliner. It's especially ideal for those who like rocking the thinner, more natural liner, though it's just as easy to create thicker lines. I also like that the brush is somewhat flexible, as opposed to some liners that come with a really stiff applicator.

The eyeliner formula itself isn't bad either. Though I've never worn it in the water, I've heard that it's very water resistant and I usually have a hard time rubbing it off the back of my hand, despite running it under water. I haven't had many problems with smudging throughout the day either, so I can safely say that it stays put for a majority of the day, though it may just be my eye primer working its magic.

The finish isn't entirely matte, but not super glossy. The colour is really pigmented too, because who doesn't love a deep black liner?!

Conclusion:
I may have just found the (almost) perfect liquid eyeliner. I love it. I did have a problem with not enough product coming out at first, but the trick is to have it standing upside down, with the brush facing down so it can absorb the liquid liner. Being so light and slim, you can practically take it anywhere with you and the formula is great. After my first horrible experience with pen/brush liners, I was really hesitant about this product but I'm really glad I gave it a try. It's definitely worth all the hype.

PROS:
- Waterproof and smudge proof
- Pigmented
- Sleek packaging
- Easy to use

CONS:
There aren't many, as long as you wipe the brush clean every now and then like advised and make sure the cap is on properly to avoid the brush drying out.

Would you repurchase?
Yes, definitely! I'm probably going to buy it again once I feel like my current liner is running out. I'd really like to try the brown version too, since I've never tried brown liquid eyeliner.

REVIEW: Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Primer

First of all, I hope everyone had a lovely christmas! I'm finally reviewing Innisfree's No-Sebum Mineral Primer, after much delay. I've had it for a while now so I think it's safe to say I know how I feel about this product. I hadn't used a Korean primer before and I had read some good reviews about Innisfree's No-Sebum line and the primer itself, so I thought I'd give it a go. According to the packaging,

"This sebum controlling primer smoothly refines pores and fine lines as it presents you with a shine-free complexion".

Ever since I started wearing primer under my make-up, I've truly appreciated its purpose and I've never gone back. I've actually forgotten to wear primer countless times by accident, then I've gone to check my face afterwards and realised how patchy my make-up up looks. But by then, it's too late to start over. The moral of this? Primer makes a difference.



The product itself comes in a squeeze tube as pictured, with a little nozzle ideal for controlling the amount of product that comes out. You get 25ml of product, which is quite reasonable honestly since you don't need very much for every application. Forgive my fail attempt at focussing, I didn't realise until I uploaded the photos ㅠㅠ


The actual primer itself is clear and easy blend, leaving a nice satin-like finish much like your typical silicone based primer. I couldn't find the ingredients written anywhere, unless it's the bunch of Korean written on the packaging, that I can't understand #fail.

Directions are as follows: "After your daily skincare routine, apply an appropriate amount and lightly spread onto areas where excess shine is a concern and gently pat to finish."


Probably not the best comparison picture, but you can tell that the primer took away the shine and the fine lines are slightly blurred compared to the side that has no primer. As for smell, it reminds me of the glue sticks you use in school. It doesn't bother me at all though, since the smell disappears after application.

Conclusion:
If anything, I think it's quite comparable to Maybelline's Baby Skin Pore Eraser, which I also use from time to time. Both leave a satin-like finish and the texture is very silicone-like. Having a very oily/combination skin type, I can't say that it leaves me totally matte for a prolonged period of time, but it definitely does it's job in smoothing out the texture of my skin and makes my make-up glide on much smoother. I can say that it does leave me looking less shiny than I normally would be without primer, though I can't say much about it's lasting power given that I get so ridiculously oily. From my experience though, primer is definitely a necessity for me and anyone else who wants their make-up lasting longer and looking flawless. Perhaps not the best primer in my opinion, but still recommendable ^^

PROS:
- Gets rid of shine and excess oil
- Helps make-up glide on smoother
- Leaves skin looking matte for a while

CONS:
- Questionable lasting power (Obviously varies on skin type)

Would you repurchase?
Yes, probably. It's a nice cheap alternative that definitely serves some benefits to your make-up. I would like to venture out and try other Korean primers though, in order to compare.

REVIEW: SKINFOOD Royal Honey Hydro Cream

This time I'll be reviewing SKINFOOD's Royal Honey Hydro Cream. I've been using it for just under a month in conjunction with the Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, which I previously reviewed. This product is "a hydrating treatment cream with royal black honey and royal jelly extracts that replenishes moisture and transforms skin into a nice honey-glazed complexion", according to the SKINFOOD website.

I was initially on the hunt for a good hydrating cream that I could use specifically at night, since I typically like to use more moisturising products for when I sleep. Since it was coming to the end of winter in Australia, my skin was suffering from a lack of moisture. Despite producing a lot of oil on my face, my skin still felt a lot more tight due it being so dry. The struggles of a person with combination skin, sigh.

After doing a bit of research, I came across this page which shows a list of the supposedly best Korean moisturisers in winter 2013. I actually went on to research all products on the list but being the cheapo I am, I went for the SKINFOOD cream since I found it to be the cheapest.


Unfortunately, my order didn't come in its packaging so it was just bubble wrapped when I received it. That was a bit of a let down. The cream itself comes in a thick glass jar with a cute gold lid. The glass is so thick and sturdy that you wouldn't even have to worry about dropping it. When you open it, it comes with a small plastic barrier to keep germs and all things nasty out of the actual product, which I can appreciate. You get 55g of product, which I think is quite alright since a little goes a long way.



The label at the back of jar can be peeled to reveal the ingredients

While the bottom part of the jar is all in Korean, it can also be peeled to reveal the general product information. It basically has everything that's written on the SKINFOOD website, but also gives you directions on how to use it. Not entirely sure why they say "pumps" when it's obviously in a jar. I've learnt to just accept Korean engrish though, so...

How to use: "After essence or emulsion application, dispense a few pumps and smooth over the entire face."


The texture of the cream itself is rather thick and jelly-like. It's insanely smooth when you put it on and spreads really nicely, so you don't need very much of it to cover your entire face. I normally dab 5 small dots onto my face (forehead, nose, chin and cheeks) and apply some onto my neck. I also enjoy the finish it gives. It dries semi-matte and leaves your skin feeling like skin, but better. Since the texture is almost like a gel, it doesn't feel greasy at all and penetrates the skin without leaving a layer of oil. Combination or oily skin sistas can appreciate this, I promise. It does feel somewhat sticky when you first apply it, but goes away after you let it settle. I can't personally comment if it would be good for day use under makeup since I only wear it at night, but I assume it would be fine.

Judging by the name of it, I initially thought it would smell like honey. While it doesn't smell bad, it's as if they tried to make it smell like honey but didn't quite succeed. It's something I'd expect to smell if I were walking through a garden of flowers. I'm not sure how that helps, but it's sweet and not too overwhelming. The scent doesn't linger for very long after it's applied so no worries there.

Conclusion:
I really like this product overall, it hasn't made me breakout and I enjoy the way my skin feels after using it. I find it especially great for my combination skin, probably due to it's jelly-like formula. It gives a great amount of moisture without feeling heavy or oily, and leaves my skin feeling like I just sculled a whole glass of water. I also like the fact that it spreads so easily and feels smooth when applied. Despite that, I find that while it gives an adequate amount of moisture at night, it does wear off a bit in the morning which you can expect from most creams. It may however just be that it's not specifically made for night, so I'm not going to be harsh based on that alone. I think it's a good product and definitely worth the try if you're looking for something light but hydrating.

PROS
- Quite moisturising
- Feels light
- Application is smooth
- Spreads easily
- No oily residue
- A little goes a long way

CONS
- Wears off a bit in the morning
- May or may not be too heavy for those in warmer climates

Would you repurchase?
I think I would, one day. While I would definitely come back to it, I'd like to see what else there is to offer in order to compare and see what I like best or works well for me.

REVIEW: Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum

You'll have to bare with me since it's my first review. Things can only get better, right?
Today I'll be reviewing Innisfree's Green Tea Seed Serum. I actually received it just under a month ago so I've been using it ever since then, but only now have I had the time to write a review. After hearing so many good things about it, it was meejmuse that got me sold. Taken from the Innisfree website itself, this serum is "a moisturizing & nourishing serum with organic green tea seeds from Jeju to fill the skin with suppleness and clarity". It's one of Innisfree's best sellers and just one from the many products in their green tea line.


If you know me, you'll know that I love anything and everything green tea. This therefore caught my eye for obvious reasons. I had never actually tried a face serum before since I've never really thought much about it, so this was a first for me. Winter may have just ended in Australia, but it still gets pretty chilly in Melbourne now and then which only leads to a dry, patchy face in my case. In other words, moisturiser is my best friend.
I was looking to incorporate a serum into my skincare routine that could give me extra moisture, without leaving me oily. I also wanted something I could use both during the day and at night.

The bottle itself has a pump, which is extremely handy. I know some serums come with eye droppers instead. You get 80ml of product, which in my opinion is really good compared to some serums that only give you half the amount for the same price. The lid is also shaped to fit the bottle nozzle. While this is less bulky, it is pretty difficult to clean if it ever leaks, which happened to me once for some reason, due to the shape of it. Other than that, the bottle is sturdy and not a bad size for travelling.

In terms of texture, it almost looks like goo when pumped out but has a quite watery and slimy consistency when it's spread. This therefore makes application really smooth and I find that I don't need very much to cover my entire face and neck. I use exactly one pump day and night and it seems to do the job. It also leaves a nice finish after applied, due to it's light consistency it dries matte and doesn't look glossy or greasy at all. I instantly notice a difference in the way my skin feels after I apply it.

Okay I'm not going to lie, I freaking love the smell of this stuff. I'd actually wear it as perfume, no joke. You could say it smells like citrus, but sweet and refreshing. It may be a bit too overpowering at first for people who are sensitive with smell, but it doesn't seem to linger after it's applied.

The directions are as shown on the packaging. They even provided a usage order which recommends you to use the serum as the first step to your routine. Since my own routine isn't very complicated, I normally use toner after I wash my face, followed by serum then moisturiser.

By the way, was anyone else aware that you could print with soy milk? I definitely wasn't, um. I know Innisfree is actually know to be an environment-friendly and natural company so I'm not really surprised.

Conclusion:
Overall, I really like this product. I've seen slight improvements in the texture of my skin and it feels and looks a lot more healthier as compared to when my skin was quite dry and dull (No thanks to the cold weather). I think it's quite moisturising for a day serum, but perhaps not as moisturising as I would've liked for night. I normally wear makeup during the day when I go out so it gives the right amount of moisture, but I typically look for something more moisturising for use at night. I honestly think it's a good value for money and you get a lot of product for what you pay.

PROS
- Quite moisturising
- No oily residue
- Light consistency
- Soaks up quickly
- Refreshing scent
- Value for money

CONS
- May not be moisturising enough for night
- Scent may be too strong for some

Would you repurchase?
I definitely would! It's a great serum for during the day and even at night, if you're not looking for something overly hydrating. I personally love the way it smells and you get a lot of product in the bottle. Knowing myself though, I'd really like to venture out and try new and different serums for comparison.