Exclusive in Asia? L'Oreal Lucent Magique Cushion Foundation

L'Oreal Lucent Magique Cushion Foundation  3,200yen
L'oread just came out with their version of Korean Cushion Foundation in Japan. It's already sold in Hong Kong and Thailand I suppose, and might be coming to other countries soon considering the fact this kind of foundation is getting more and more popular over there.

The case and refill come separately. The case is 1,000yen, and the refill is 2,200yen. Meaning once you've used it up, you can repurchase the foundation for 2,200yen which isn't too bad. The shade I've got is N2, which is the lighter shade out of two and another is N3.

You can see how liquidy the texture is, but the puff controls the wetness of it by absorbing the excess water (or whatever it is making it liquidy). It evens out the skin tone when applied on the skin by the cushiony puff, but it has very little coverage that you definitely need a concealer if you have blemishes or dark circles. I don't personally think this is a downside because I don't want my foundation to cover literally everything that I don't even need a little bit of concealer. That would be a scary look as if I am wearing a 'face mask made with foundation'.  Foundation is to even out the complexion, not to mask everything.

If you have dry skin, you will like the finish of it because it makes your skin look naturally healthy and dewy. If you have oily to combination skin like me, you might find it a little too shiny even if you set it with a powder.

This foundation is for those who have normal to dry skin, have no concerns and troubles with it that a foundation isn't even needed -but want something to even out the skin tone to make it look slightly better than bare skin. It also has SPF29 PA+++ which is perfect for a daily use.

Cushion foundation gives this beautiful and natural glow to the skin without making it look heavy and cakey. The texture is pretty unique that you might need some time to get use to -I was like 'EW!' when I tried for the first time because it feels cold and wet, which in't necessarily a pleasant feeling. But I definitely recommend it to younger people in their twenties, including my younger self at the age of 18.

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Oil Jelly

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Oil Jelly 
During the cold season, I sometimes feel my skin needs intense moisture. As I have combination skin I don't suffer from dry or chapped skin, but when I was younger -until the age of 25- I had really dry skin that sometimes I couldn't even laugh as my skin felt so tight because of the dryness. Whenever I had really really dry skin that none of my moisturiser worked, I applied a very thin layer of Vaseline to protect the skin. But it felt awful on the skin. Very greasy and sticky. Since then, I haven't had a good impression about Vaseline that I hadn't owned it even...until I got Hada Labo Oil Jelly.

The base of this 'jelly' is something called Super Vaseline which melts at 35 degrees which is about the same as our body temperature. It's so soft that you might be able to tell from the photo above, I put my finger in and it instantly started melting that it literally felt like jelly.

It doesn't feel heavy and tacky like normal Vaseline, it's more like a gel consistency when applied to the skin. It contains polymer that makes the skin feel smooth, and it works amazingly that you cannot tell that you just applied Vaseline 30 seconds ago. I was expecting it to be sticky, but I was completely wrong. It's not sticky AT ALL! Also it doesn't have any scent to it which is perfect for those who are sensitive to fragrances.

It's easy to carry it around in your makeup bag as it's compact, and you can apply it on the skin on top of your makeup as it's so light. You also can use it on your hands, nails, hair and lips! It completely changed my perspective about Vaseline. Well done Super Vaseline, you really are super!

I repurchased OPERA Sheer Lip Color!

OPERA Sheer Lip Color / Nude Pink  1,200yen
 Do you remember this post I wrote in October? I was really obsessed with this beautiful product which is like a hybrid of lipstick and lipgloss over last summer - autumn. I wasn't using it as often during winter, just because I preferred deeper shades in the colder season, but I finally used it up last month. It lasted longer than I expected, and I started missing it so much that I had to go back to SHOP IN where I purchased the first one, to get another one. 

I really loved the shade Salmon Pink, but this time I decided to pick up the intense version in this pink packaging, in Nude Pink. I used the word 'intense' to describe it, but it's not THAT intense to be honest. But compared to the one in the white tube, this one gives a little more colour.

Nude Pink looks like baby pink on their website, but I think it's more like a beigy nude pink. I tried all of the shades at the store, and all of them looked very pretty. I almost repurchased Salmon Pink, but I decided to go for a little more grown-up shade.

It's a very pretty nude pink that goes with any makeup looks. Especially when I put a bold shade on my eyes such as blue or green, I put this lipstick to tone the whole look down. 

I love the formula because it just melts on the lips instantly and gives shine and colour at the same time. It puts on beautifully even when my lips are dry, which is another good thing! I always keep it in my handbag, and apply it while waiting for a train, or in the lift, or sometimes as walking down the street, because I don't need a mirror to apply it. How convenient!

I will definitely repurchase it when it's run out, but maybe in a different shade just for a change!

MAIHADA CC Cream

MAIHADA CC Cream  3500yen
As my skin has been in a very good condition, I do not wear a foundation when it's not necessary. On most of my day off, I don't wear makeup at all, but this CC cream is what I wear when a little bit of makeup is needed. This CC cream is from a brand MAIHADA, a Japanese skincare brand which came out from KOSE in 2012. They investigated the secret of 'Japanese Beauty' and came to the conclusion that it's rice which has been supporting Japanese people's health and beauty for more than 2000 years.

The rice extract encourages the skin to create more ceramide which holds and locks moisture. Natto Gum, another key ingredient contained in their products, holds moisture on the surface of the skin. 

First of all, I love the packaging. It looks like a normal squeezy tube, but it's got a pump on it. How convenient is that? It dispenses the perfect amount of CC cream that covers the whole face, and it keeps the content fresh for a longer time.

 It works as a face cream, sunscreen, primer, foundation and face powder (really?). I usually prep my skin with a day cream and eye cream ignoring the claim it works as a face cream too. I blot with a tissue paper gently, then apply this cream on my face. I use Real Technique Buffing Brush or my fingers to blend in. 

It's got this gel-like consistency which makes it super easy to blend. It's not cakey nor drying, it melts into the skin while covering the pores and discoluoration. 

The reason why I love this CC cream so much is that it looks like I'm not wearing makeup at all, but it creates such a beautiful and smooth looking skin. It covers up the pores and prevents my skin to get shiny throughout the day, while adding a healthy glow to it. You know how difficult it is for a shiny girl to find a perfect foundation / BB or CC or whatever cream, that makes the skin look dewy and not oily?

I like the fact it's got SPF50+ PA+++ as well, because I hate piling up a face cream, eye cream, sunscreen, primer and CC cream during summer, because my makeup tends to come off easier during the day when I've got so many layers on my skin. I still need a little bit of concealer after applying this cream, but it covers the majority of my skin imperfections.

Apparently this cream contains 'air-in powder' which keeps the skin to stay smooth, as well as 'pore-lock polymer' which covers the pores, and 'oil-absorbing powder' that does what the name claims to do. And yes, it really does all that. They're not just making it up to make it sound attractive, it really does all that.

Well done MAIHADA, now you are one of my favourite skincare brands.

VALANROSE Hair Essence Oil

VALANROSE Hair Essence Oil  1850yen
So, it's been a while since I posted a product review on this blog. I'm updating my Japanese blog almost every day but when it comes to this blog, I tend to be a little bit lazy just because writing in English is much harder than writing in Japanese of course. I know I should be consistent, but it's just too hard! Today I decided to write something as I've been in bed all day because I had my wisdom tooth pulled out yesterday (it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, and the pain afterwords was insane) and I wanted to function my brain a little bit! haha

Anyway, let me write about this hair oil that I've been absolutely loving. You know when you have thin and limp hair, hair oils can be the worst enemies? I have come across some hair oils that weighed down my hair, or made my hair looking super greasy. But this oil from VALANROSE, a Japanese brand that I had never heard of until I actually tried this oil, makes my hair shiny and soft without a greasy feel. And also, why I love this oil so much is that it defines my curls! I naturally have really straight hair that emphasises how limp my hair is, so I have to perm it once or twice a year at the hair salon. Some oils do the opposite, and make my hair look less curly, but this one actually defines my curls which I have never seen any hair oils would do.

The texture is pretty thick that I first thought it may be too heavy for my hair. It's got argan oil, camellia oil, olive oil and sunflower oil that moisturise the hair, and jojoba oil, baobab oil, rose hip oil and olive oil that mend the damaged cuticles. It also contains squalene and shea butter that coat the hair. But most importantly, it contains some different types of silicones which my hair definitely needs.

The scent is a little bit strange -I imagined it to be rose scented, but it's actually a mixture of geranium, tea tree and rose. I have never seen a beauty product that has a scent of tea tree and rose. A little bit odd, isn't it? It smells of rose indeed, not so much of geranium, but it also has this herbal, a little bit bitter scent to it. But it doesn't matter as it doesn't linger too much.

I apply one pump of the oil on my semi-dry hair, scrunching to define the curls. My curls look the best when the hair is wet, and as it dries it loses the curls. But when I apply this oil before my hair is completely dry, it holds the curls very well when it's dry if that makes sense! Apparently it's good for straight hair as well, I saw their advert says 'An oil straightener'.

I believe it's only sold online, which is a shame because not so many people would buy a product without trying especially when the brand is still small and not well known. But this oil is incredible that I'm using it every single day. I wish the scent was a bit different, but other than that it's a perfect oil for my hair!

The most unique cleanser ever! ettusais jelly mousse face wash

ettusais jelly mousse face wash  1,500yen
Though I love skincare and paying attention to my skin, washing my face had never been my favourite thing to do especially in a cold winter morning. But this product, came out in Feb 2015, actually made this boring process enjoyable. 

If you don't know, ettusais is a Japanese beauty brand that has both makeup and skincare ranges. I have tried some of their products in the past, but had never been a huge fan as I always thought their products were too expensive for its quality. However, this product is worth the price and I might repurchase it once I've used up my current one.

This unique face wash comes in a aerosol can that dispenses gel cleanser. You apply this gel on your face -it can be used on both dry or wet skin-and the gel gets into your pores to draw impurities and dirt.

Then as you massage your skin, it instantly lathers and creates rich and dense foam. This thick foam does not only feel great on the skin, but suitable for sensitive skin, since it works as a cushion to prevent your hands to rub your skin too hard. Washing your face with a rich foam has been a popular method among Japanese women for ages, but I had never been a fan because 1) I couldn't be bothered to lather up a cleanser 2) It never felt like my skin was clean afterwords for some reason. But with this product, my skin feels completely clean without feeling tight and dried up. You might also notice its refreshing grapefruit scent relaxes you while washing your face which I really like.

It's also perfect to use in conjunction with a cleansing brush. I use one from Bellissimo, an Italian brand, and though I only use the softest brush, it sometimes feels very rough on the skin. Using this brush with this cleanser makes it feel less harsh and actually, it works brilliant together. Are you on the hunt for a new cleanser that is actually fun to use? You've got to try it ;)

Don't buy them! Disappointing Products

Today I'm going to talk about some products that disappointed me. They all are new launches that just came out in early 2015. I hope you find it helpful!

Rimmel Maginal Stay Lip Coat  1200yen
Let's talk about Japanese Rimmel first, shall we? If you see a Rimmel stand in Japan, stay away from it. Well, I have one lipstick that I like from Japanese Rimmel, but most of their products are rubbish. They are completely different from the original Rimmel that I love, that I even wish they didn't call the brand Rimmel in the first place.

This product just came out in the end of Feb, and I got to try it out last month. It's basically a top coat for your lips, that makes your lip stick lasts for a long time. There are several reasons I dislike this product. 

First of all, it feels disgusting. It's basically a silicone primer kind of formula that feels a little oily and slippery. I applied it on top of my lipstick without dragging it, and voila! It made my lipstick look so patchy! And it instantly changed the texture of the lipstick. On top of a glossy lipstick, it makes it look like a patchy semi-matte lipstick. On top of a matte lipstick, it makes it look a little shiny (oily, in other words). It changes the colour of the lipstick as well...it makes any lipsticks look so dull. Do not waste your money on it, it's so rubbish that I cannot even cope.

SUGAO AirFit CC Cream Pink Bright  1380yen
I always wanted to try out SUGAO. Their original CC Cream was a big hit and everyone and their dog was raving about it. I tested it out at the drugstores a few times, but I always put it back in the shelf because it didn't look that attractive. Then the opportunity came, when they launched the brand new Pink Bright version in March. I was given this tube to review, and I was very excited to finally be able to try it out.

But it just wasn't for me. If you have perfect skin that doesn't have any discolouration or pores, then you might like it. But if you have that kind of perfect skin, I don't see why you would need a CC cream anyway. This moussey-textured CC cream just disappears. You cannot even tell, on which part of your face you put this cream. It literally disappears, whilst leaving a stinky sunscreen smell on the skin. It doesn't prevent my skin to get shiny throughout the day, it doesn't cover my pores, it doesn't even out the skin tone....what does it do then? Absolutely nothing.

But the weird thing is that there are people raving about it. I am not sure if they are being honest, or they feel like they have to say that because the product was given for free. Either way, I do not recommend it at all if you are looking for a proper C cream.

Rimmel CC Powder Airy Finish 002  2000yen 
Surprise surprise, another Rimmel product! This CC Powder just came out on 1st April along with CC cream. I tried the CC cream too but the shade didn't match at all -it made me look like an orange. Yes I'm talking about the fruit- so I cannot tell whether it's a good product or not. 

I had high hope for this powder because it looked pretty. The puff is so thick and soft, which alone made me happy. The one I got is 002 shiny, and there is another one 001 natural, apparently. I was worried that 002 shiny contains chunky glitters, but it didn't seem to have any glitters really, and the powder itself didn't look shiny at all.

What it claims to do is that the powder contains oil, squalane and hyaluronic acid which keep moisturising your skin throughout the day while covering the imperfection of the skin.

When I tried it for the first time, it applied beautifully which impressed me. The powder seemed very creamy and didn't dry out my skin at all. And it did something opposite instead. You guess it right, it made my face look like I dipped my face into a bowl full of oil. It was disgusting how greasy my face looked! I had never looked that shiny in my life, it was awful. It might work on really really dry skin, but does not work on dehydrated skin because it wouldn't hydrate the skin but put oily surface on top.

I'm not sure if 001 natural makes the face this greasy as well, or just 002 is shiny as the name suggests...but I can say that I do not recommend 002 shiny.

I hope it was helpful!

New on Beaut in Japan! Leanani 3-way Eyebrow Pencil

Leanani 3-way Eyebrow Pencil
There are some eyebrow pencils hyped up recently, such as Anastasia Brow Wiz and Soap and Glory Brow Archery. But I have never been interested in any imported eyebrow related products to be honest, just because I am satisfied with Japanese ones. My holy grail is definitely the eyebrow pencil from KATE. I don't remember how many times I have repurchased their eyeliner N. 

But recently I discovered this amazing eyebrow pencil from Leanani called '3-way Eyebrow Pencil'. It's got a spoolie, pencil and powder all in one slim packaging. How handy is that? And the quality is pretty amazing.

The eyeliner itself looks like this. It comes in 3 shades; light brown, brown and ash brown. Mine is brown, which I thought would be a little too dark because my hair is pretty light (not intentionally, my hair doesn't hold the hair colour and becomes pretty light naturally) and I always choose the lightest shade when it comes to an eyebrow related product. But actually, brown is pretty light -I wonder what light brown looks like, because this one does look like light brown!

The spoolie is short and wide, and a perfect size for combing eyebrows.

The oval shaped eyebrow pencil makes it easier to draw the line. I use the edge to draw the thin line, to fake the hair, and use the flat side to fill in the sparse areas.

There is powder inside of the lid, that the sponge tip applicator picks up. 

Top : pencil
Bottom : powder

I love the shade so much that I haven't been using the one from KATE since I got it. What's so good about this product is that it creates such a natural look, without making the eyebrows look fake. 

The thin, defined eyebrows like the ones Wayne from gossmakeupartist called 'instagram brows' are very old fashioned. In Japan, the thicker and lighter brows have been on trend for years now. And this eyebrow pencil makes it very easy to create that look.

I'm sure you already have the idea how to use them, but let me show you how well it works. First of all, I comb my brow with the spoolie. You can see how small and thick it is, which fits perfectly. 

Then I fill in the brow with the pencil. 

If I want to make my brow thicker, I can do that easily with the powder without making it look fake. Adding the powder in the end makes it look put together, and it fills in any sparse areas that the pencil kind of missed. Then I sometimes brush it through with the spoolie again.

I decided to carry it on Beaut in Japan as I think it's such a lovely product. I might try the darker shade as I coloured my hair ashy brown which is a few tones darker than before. I will write another review if I have tried any other shades!

Purchase it on Beaut in Japan >> HERE

Kind of gimmicky? Legaly Hand Mask

Legaly Hand Mask  267yen
In Japan, 'hand care' is a part of body care. Japanese girls apply hand cream often to make their hands feel soft and look polished, not just because they are dry. Some people protect their hands from UV damage by wearing special gloves while they are driving. I feel embarrassed when my hands and fingers, especially around the nails, are dry. That makes me feel very sloppy, so I try my best to get rid of excess cuticles, and maintain my hands hydrated. 

I wouldn't say I was super excited when I got the hand mask from the brand called Legaly, which I believe is available only online, but I'm telling you, it's surprisingly good!!

It looks like a glove made with this paper-cloth kind of material soaked with moisturising lotion with 3 different kinds of collagen along with 3 kinds of hyaluronic acid. The best part of this mask in my opinion, is the scent. It's got this fresh floral scent that made me sniff my hands over and over again. It's not overpowering but strong enough for you to be able to enjoy for more than 30 minutes after using the mask.

 The glove isn't too wet which makes it easy to work with, but there is another pair of plastic gloves that you wear on top so that you can carry on doing whatever you want while waiting for the lotion to sinks into the skin.

 And it comes with this sticker to secure the plastic gloves.

Waiting for 5 minutes with the gloves on wasn't as painful as I imagined. I actually left them on for about 20 minutes, as I wanted to get the most of it, and it was too good to bin after 5 minutes! 

Besides my imperfect nails (it was the 3rd or 4th day...), I don't see anything special in both photos to be honest. My hands were not extremely dry before use, and it didn't become like silk after use. But it definitely made my skin softer and replenished, and left the amazing scent to it -the scent is seriously addictive. 

If you have very dry hands, you might find it effective. If you have normal hands like me, you might think it's nothing special. If you'd like something extra to use in your pamper session, I highly recommend this mask because it smells amazing, and it's definitely a pampering product.

Now Beaut in Japan carries my favourite Japanese mascara!

Do you remember Kiss Lash Wonder Curl Mascara that I blogged about last month? (If not, you can click HERE to read my review!) I decided to carry this amazing mascara on Beaut in Japan, although I didn't film a video nor I'm not planning to, because it's such a good mascara that I cannot live without! 

I also love Leanani and Heroine Mascara, but they both are waterproof that sometimes is pain in the butt to remove. My lashes hold curls pretty well, so I do not need waterproof mascara unless I'm going to the beach which happens once a year or less. This mascara doesn't smudge at all, yet super easy to remove with hot water. 

I realised that I use this mascara every single day since I got it, over beloved The Rocket from Maybelline, False Lash Effect Mascara from Max Factor, and those two Japanese ones I just mentioned. 

So I thought, if I love it so much, why not carry on Beauty in Japan so that you guys can try out as well? If you like separated, sleek looking lashes, you will enjoy this mascara!


Purchase the product on Beaut in Japan >>HERE

Amazing CC Cream! Esprique Pore Cover Perfect Base CC -available on Beaut in Japan

Esprique Pore Cover Perfect Base CC
This CC cream just came out on 16th Feb in Japan, can be worn as a primer or on its own. At first I thought it was a normal CC cream that you cannot tell what it does, that I would never be able to wear on its own. CC stands for Colour Control, and I was expecting it to even out the skin tone and that's it. But it's more than that! 

It reduces the appearance of enlarged pores, and create a veil on the skin that makes you look like you are wearing foundation or at least tinted moisturiser though you are not. The other day, I applied this CC cream as a primer and forgot to apply foundation on top because it looked so good on the skin that it made me look like I've applied foundation already. I moved on to concealer, then realised what I skipped. 

Actually, I only wear this and powder on top on my day of recently. It's got SPF50+ PA++++ which is so handy as I don't need to apply sunscreen separately, so after my morning skincare routine, I apply this + concealer to hide my dark circles + loose powder on top to control the shine. Nobody, even my mum doesn't realise I'm not wearing foundation.

So it looks like a normal CC cream. Nothing special. It's not silicony, but not watery either. It's pretty thick and kind of sits on the skin and set quickly once applied. 

It's pretty hard and tricky to apply evenly with my fingers, thus I use my buffing brush from Real Techniques. It instantly reduces the appearance of the pores on my cheeks, as well as discolouration. 

The only downside is that it clings to dry patches. I have combination skin but for some reason my nose tends to get dry a little, and this CC cream emphasises it and makes it look worse. Though as long as you moisturise and prep your skin beforehand, you wouldn't have any problem. 

Mine came with this mini loose powder which is also AMAZING. It mattifies the skin without making it look cakey, melting on the skin. It also absorbs the oil throughout the day, and keeps the skin matte.

And look how cute this puff is!!! It's so tiny yet really fluffy and puffy, this is when I feel proud about Japanese beauty products. They pay attention to small details, which makes their products high quality in my opinion.

I love using this powder on top of the CC cream, and I must say it lasts so long on the skin. My skin gets a little shiny even in winter usually, but with this powder on, it stays matte all day. And this mini powder is easy to carry around in my handbag! I cannot recommend enough, these are such amazing products!

I wasn't planning to but because I love it so much, I decided to put it on Beaut in Japan as well so that you can purchase it if you are interested in it.

Purchase the product on Beaut in Japan >>HERE

New on Beaut in Japan! Visee Nudy Rich Eyes Palette BE-07

Visee Nudy Rich Eyes Palette BE-07
It took me ages to pick up a new product to carry at Beaut in Japan. I was looking for something affordable, yet great quality. When I saw this latest launch from Visee, one of my favourite Japanese drugstore brands, I didn't even hesitate to pick up because it looked absolutely beautiful. I usually don't like Japanese drugstore eyeshadow palettes, just because they tend to be really sheer, that you can't even tell the difference between the shades. But this one really impressed me.

 As you can find the detailed info on their website, they have 4 different eyeshadow palette ranges. On 16th Feb, they added this new shade BE-07 on Nudy Rich Eyes Palette range.

There are 5 shades in this range. If you have a shade you would like to purchase, e-mail me through this blog or Beaut in Japan, so that I can pick one up for you. 

BE-07 creates a very sophisticated, grown-up eyes in my opinion. I love this kind of taupy brown eyes. I personally don't wear reddish brown eyeshadows much because they tend to make my eyes look a little puffy. If you have hooded eyes, you may want to avoid those too.

It's got a small double ended brush and sponge applicator that you never use. But this particular one doesn't seem too crappy, which I might keep so that I can use it to touch up throughout the day without carrying a brush around.

Now, let's talk about the shades. 
1. A very pretty sheer pink, it has the most buttery texture out of the 5 shades. Metallic finish.
2.  If you like a gorgeous glittery look, you will love it. Beautiful glitter particles with a taupe undertone.
3. A chic, modern brown that you can use as an eyeliner or blend out on your crease to create smoky eyes. It has a little bit of small glitter particles as well.
4. Another buttery textured eyeshadow that glides on smoothly and blend well. This taupe is my favourite shade of this palette, such a gorgeous shade you can wear in many different ways! Metallic finish.
5. It's more peachy and glittery than the shade 1, but still has this metallic sheen to it. I use it as a highlighter under the brows, inner corner of the eyes or the centre of the eyelids to give a little bit of definition.

You might think the shade 1, 2 and 5 look similar. I thought so too, but they have different undertones and texture, which makes it interesting to play with. 

I apply 1 all over the eyelid, 5 under the eyebrow, 4 on the crease, 3 on the outer corner, and add 2 or 5 on the centre of the eyelid depending on my mood.

These photos are taken when I tested this palette for the first time, and I must say I was super impressed. Usually I test a product, play around and see how it goes, and then try again another day. But with this palette, it just created a beautiful look instantly that I didn't need to wait for a day or two to take photos. They are super blendable, especially the taupe shade (4) is absolutely amazing. 

I don't like it when eyeshadow doesn't apply well with a brush and I have to use my finger to apply, but these are pigmented applied both with a finger and a brush. 

As usual, I filmed a video for you to see the swatches on action. The palette is available on Beaut in Japan, and feel free to let me know if you would like another shade!
 



Watch the video on YouTube >>CLICK HERE
Purchase the product on Beaut in Japan >>CLICK HERE

I hope you enjoy!