Review: Lioele Products + PrettynCute Store

I posted a pic in September of my Lioele haul and at long last here are my reviews of the products :D  I picked these up during Janie's store-wide 20% off sale at Pretty & Cute.

Freebies: Lioele lotion, sticker gems.  Brush (free with coupon code)

And here is my video review of the Lioele items :)!  It's pretty long considering I only go over 3 items but I had a lot to say ^^;;; Hopefully, it's informative.

Fyi, you can't "stack" coupon codes (duh, I know >_<).  I got greedy and typed in both 'ekilove' (a bunch of samples. $50 minimum) and 'frmheadtotoe' (foundation brush, $30 minimum) in the coupon box.  A minor quibble: I would've really preferred eki's stuff (I even spent more to reach eki's $50 minimum :P) but they sent me the foundation brush instead which goes to a purchase of lesser value *sigh*  I really should've specified in the comment box (or not be so greedy heehe).  Regardless, it's a really nice foundation brush (I'll review it below) and it was free so it's all good. 

Anyway! The stuff arrived very quickly I recall - less than a week after my purchase.  It was regular shipping too so I was quite impressed.

If came exactly like this - I like how they placed the brush on top all aesthetically :D nice attention to detail.  Really cute business card, it has a sparkly sheen to it. 

Packaging/Shipping
Packaging was excellent, came in a box full of peanuts not just a bubble wrap + envelope.  I paid $4.95 for regular S&H and I'd say it was very fair. I got my package really fast, 2-3 days after I ordered and everything was in perfect condition when it arrived.

Cost
Some of the products on P&C are a little overpriced and you could probably find individual items for cheaper on Ebay.  However, P&C definitely has is a wide range of items, they practically carry every Lioele product there is including a lot of hard-to-find Lioele items!  This is very helpful if you're new to the Lioele brand and just want to browse and see what Lioele products are available.  Also the vast majority of the Lioele items are priced very fairly such as the AC Trouble Control Patch.

P&C is particularly good at picking up "trends" quickly, now they're selling the famous Koji Dolly Wink lashes, R&R etc. So the convenience of being able to browse and buy many trendy items on one site balances out with the extra cost since sometimes it really can be a hassle to bargain shop for items one by one.   I think that in the end, everything evens out and you'll probably end up with a fair deal when you're buying more than one item.

Customer Service
Their site design is simple and easy to navigate and like I said before, it's great having such a large range of Lioele items at your fingertips among other trendy items.  The checkout process was simple and easy.  I received a detailed receipt of my purchases in the box too. Great communication as well, when I emailed them about the coupon codes, they responded within 24 hours.

Silky Highlighter BB Touch

First impression: I'm glad it's not baby pink and white.  I like cuteness as much as the next person but some of Lioele's packaging can get way too saccharine for me.  I think this deep pink + black just looks a lot more upscale and elegant.  It's a nice twist on the typical bubbly princess girl look.  The packaging is excellent, the tube is made of a heavy plastic that feels and weighs almost like metal.  And boy you get a lot of this product - this thing is huge O_o 20mL~

I'm not complaining though, I really like this product so the more I have of this the better.  I think it is cost-wise actually a steal considering the quality of the contents.

The brush is super soft :D  The product gives you glowy/dewy finish.  Fuzkittie uses this as a makeup base to give herself a dewy finish but since I'm very oily, I just use this as a spot highlighter.  It comes out kind of gray-ish peach but once it sets on your face it matches with your skin tone (in that respect, I'm reminded of Skinfood's Mushroom BBcream).  I do not think people who are NC25+ can use this - this highlighter does not set clear but as a semi-opaque dewy beige.  It actually covers up blemishes a bit (altho that's a bit useless since you don't want to highlight random bits of your face ^_~).  I love the silky finish of this highlight, it feels so smooth during application too.  The brush is a little big for the nose area but it's all good :)

Now that I think of it, my only criticisms are of the packaging - I have no complaints about the actual makeup, it's really quite perfect for me.  Smooth, silky, long-lasting and does it's job.

Help Me Dark Circle Eye Cream

Gahhh...I wanted the concealer not the cream xD!  I need to learn how to read ><

This is more indicative of Lioele typical packaging.  I don't have much to add beyond what I said in the video.  I'll add Before & After pics around the end of October so show if this has actually been working at all or not.  At the moment....I don't know. I still have under-eye bags :\ At least it feels good going on my face :)

10/26/2010: UPDATED WITH BEFORE & AFTER
 

So, basically....it doesn't work. If anything my eye bags got worse ~_~  I used this for 2 months and no change. So, confirmed - waste of money.

AC Trouble Control Patch

AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGG! It's so simple yet...effective.  I originally got this just to spend at least $50 to get the eki package so I had almost no expectations of this item.  When I opened the package I was like...uh, I got 5 nose pore strips wtf

Tea tree oil and salicylic acid are the key ingredients here.  I'm mildly allergic to Benzoyl peroxide so salicylic acid is actually one of the few acne treatments I can use.    When you open the packet, you can smell the tea tree oil too ^_^

I did a little research on the main ingredients because I was a little troubled by how much preservative is in this :\ So just to let you know Acrylates copolymer and Propylene glycol, two main ingredients in here are preservatives that have caused contact dermatitis in some people (very few). I don't normally research this much into my products btw ^_^ I only do this for acne treatments because I basically went through one of those "horror stories" you read about on the Internet - aka you have perfect skin one day, get a pimple, go to the derm and take meds then BOOM, next day you're covered in acne (well, in my case just pustules and cysts) because you're allergic.  One day I'll toss up some pics of what I looked like.  I'm really not one to complain over my skin (believe it or not) nor am I the irritating type to freak out over anything less than four pimples.  Just to give you an idea of what I went through - I was left with 3rd degree chemical burns and dead skin that had to be lasered off.  So yeah, it always makes me laugh when someone says to me I have no idea what it's like to have bad skin.

Back to the topic!   Unless you are sensitive to preservatives I highly recommend this product:

I had two pimples show up on my cheek literally the day I got this so I got to do the purr-fect experiment!  The last pic is the next day when I removed the patch (the circle around it is just the print the patch left ^^) and omg!  The whitehead came out, there was no blood and the pimple healed very cleanly.  The pimple next to it is healing on it's own.  Ever since my skin fiasco, I stopped "treating" any pimples I had - I would just let them grow, pop and heal on their own - all of which normally takes 1-2 weeks.  But this patch cuts the popping and healing down to 4-5 days for me!  It heals cleanly too with no scars.

Be sure to follow the directions exactly.  Make sure your face is clean and don't put any products (no toner/lotion etc) and put the sticker on first.  You can wash you face with the sticker on and put lotion around the sticker.  When removing the sticker, use clean tweezers to lift off the edges instead of picking at your face with your fingers. You'll want to use clean tweezers to peel and remove the patch from the strip anyway, it's very sticky.  It doesn't leave a sticky residue on your face though, so no worries.  I literally have no complaints about this product.  You get 60 patches per box (16 patches/sheet) and I've used two sheets already because I just stick this on as soon as I see a pimple about to form.  If I catch the pimple early enough, sometimes the pimple just goes away without forming the whitehead.  For larger pimples, sometimes the whitehead won't come out with the sticker but it definitely still heals faster and cleaner than it does on its own.  And don't be afraid to leave on the patch for 12+ hours xD On weekends I just leave this on my face all day ^^;; I don't want to waste any precious patches and I haven't had any adverse affects at all :D  Very, very recommended and totally worth $8.

Dariya Hair/Fridge Pad

Comes in Pink or Blue with 2 pieces.  It's really a glorified piece of velcro if you look at it xD but it's totally worth the money cuz it does it's job perfectly.   Besides you get two in one packet and they last forever.  It holds back hair/bangs as you're doing make up without leaving a crease :) 

P&C Foundation Brush

This brush very soft and dense; it does not shed hairs during application.  I haven't washed it yet so I can't comment on what it's like after washings though.  Comes in a nice plastic pouch covering.  The handle is a nice iridescent pearl white and quite sturdy, a bit on the heavy side actually.   My favorite aspect of this brush is how it's tiger-striped ^_^ It's pretty~  Anyway, this is definitely not a cheap item and it's a very nice freebie (use coupon code 'frmheadtotoe'.) 

I also got a little sample of Lioele Beyond the Solution BBcream sample + tiny diamond stickers~

I haven't actually used this BBcream sample yet but when I do I shall post swatches and my thoughts about it in another post. This one is getting way too long xD

*whew* That's it!  Overall, ordering from Pretty & Cute was a great experience and the products I bought were worth the money (except the eyecream :\); I recommend the Silky Highlighter and AC Trouble Control Patches particularly.

Coming up next --- a NYX Haul review! I've also been putting together a Halloween look...lots of flowers ;)

Review: SkinFood Products, Part 1 of 2

I almost tore my hair out because the first time I recorded I had this static sound in the background :(  So I gave up for a few weeks ^^.....and then just finished it yesterday. I had to leave some of the old static-y bits in though because I threw away the packaging accidentally before I could re-record :P

This version has music in the background but someone commented it was distracting,

so I uploaded a Music Removed version, which you can view here :)

Skinfood Product Reviews, Part 1 of 2
1.) Mushroom Multicare BBcream ***recommended***
2.) Peach Sake Pore BBcream
3.) Peach Sake Toner
4.) Agave Cactus Prime Gel
5.) All Over Muffin Cake Finish

In Depth Reviews + Pics
1.) Mushroom Multicare BBcream 

Shade 1: Bright Skin

That's a pretty accurate look at the color of this BBcream.  It has a gray tint to it and I've heard some people say "who the hell would want a gray-tinted foundation?" To which I say, because it oxidizes into a perfect yellow-undertoned color.  I get a nice dewy finish and I have plenty of red acne scars so I shie away from foundations/bbcreams that'll make me look "rosy" because they inevitably seem to make me look blotchy.  On top of which, this BBcream provides solid medium coverage, decent oil control (must blot after 5 hours), and lasts for 5-6 hours flawlessly (unless you are sweating and stuff).  It lasts longer if you top it off with a setting powder.   This is a staple for me and is actually the BBcream I use daily. I highly recommend this BBcream, as it is my favorite, especially for those seeking more than light coverage, a slightly dewy finish, and have a slight yellow undertone (I am a NC20-25 for reference).

Good:
- Very natural, perfect for yellow-toned skin.
- Does not oxidize orange.
- Medium coverage, could possibly build to heavy coverage but looks a little cakey.
- Decent oil control.
- Dewy finish.
- Smells clean - like fresh cut grass.

Bad:
- Squeeze tip can get messy. 
- Tiny color selection.

A little side note: This BBcream looks exceptionally light/almost ashy when you first put it on your face but give it 3-5 minutes to "set"/oxidize and the color will darken - this is the BBcream's true color.  This BBcream also doesn't oxidize orange (at least in my experience) and stays a nice yellow-undertoned color all day. Most BBcreams tend to be like this, they come out of the tube a shade lighter than the actual shade and darken a bit as it's settling.  So when you're testing out BBcreams, makes sure you wear it longer than 5 minutes to get an accurate color match.

2.) Peach Sake Pore BBcream

Wonderful scent but despite the description, I really think this BBcream is suited for people who have pretty good skin to begin with (aka with minimal acne scars and only want to perfect what they already have rather than complete coverage).  Good for filling in enlarged pores and adding a nice glow to your face.  I feel like there are faint gold glitters in this BBcream but that could be me hallucinating xD In any case, it has a warm peachy base.  This definitely does have better sebum control than the mushroom but that's kind of a must considering this is called Pore BBcream.

This is overall a good product but it honestly is a bad color match for me.  This has a warm peachy, gold undertone to it and I look like I am wearing a mask even with the sheerest coverage.  I would only recommend this to those with warm pink undertoned skin and looking for light coverage.

Good:
- Decent (though not amazing) oil control.
- Slightly matte-dewy finish.
- Good for those with warm peach-pink undertoned skin.
- Smells excellent.


Bad:
- Expensive as other Skinfood BBcreams go.
- Very light coverage.
- Tiny color selection.

3.) Peach Sake Toner

For those curious, that's not the expiration date. Korea stamps products with the manufacture date and it's up to the consumer to know when it's expired (generally 1-2 years max).

Not much to say, great scent.  I find toners and primers to be a little gratuitous.  Nonetheless, if you're looking for a sweet scented primer, this is for you.  I commented that I didn't see any change in my face using this, however, my mom told me it may be because I don't even have enlarged pores in the first place :\  I guess I'm my own worst critic, I thought my pores were huge O_o  Anyway my mom (early 50s) has been using this and she says she thinks it works well on her ^_^ And I must admit she does have enlarged pores (at least larger than mine).  So if you legit are troubled with pores then I reckon you should try this out, it may work well for you :)  But personally, I will not be re-purchasing this.

4.) Agave Cactus Prime Gel

I love the scent (aloe candy!) and the sponge :] It's utterly ineffectual in terms of makeup priming but it sure feels good on your face, all cool and clean feeling :]

5.) All Over Muffin Cake Finish

The second picture is a pretty accurate look at the color of the muffin. Really pretty in the pan :)

LT: No flash/fluorescent lighting RT: Flash.

Unfortunately, this is very powdery and not natural looking on the skin. The gold flecks are pretty in regular lighting but it looks like flour with flash :( Most disappointing Skinfood product in this bunch.

Part 2 coming up later this week :D!

Forever21 Necklace and Eyebrow Threading

Been feeling pretty sluggish in the last few days - the weather became really cold especially at night and I always tend to sleep more in cold weather ^^ Hibernating I guess ;)  Neway, I was at Forever21 yesterday and I was in more of a window-shopping mood until this necklace caught my eye.

This is a strangely ridiculous picture xD Want a wanna-be sexy it is -____-

It was $7.30 and is the most dramatic piece of jewelry I own.   I've never been drawn to these kinds of necklaces but I dunno, I just really wanted it ^_^! I think the way I'd wear it would be under a blazer to add visual interest to an outfit without it being so in-your-face.  This necklace reminds me of the little mermaid for some reason...the pearls look like bubbles to me :D  Fyi, this is what Skinfood Mushroom BBcream looks like after 9 hours (not the forehead though, that got wiped off during my threading session ^^ ehehe you can see my pimples in all their glory ;) ).  For reference, I am an exceptionally oily person so actually this BBcream's oil control is decent all things considered. I didn't blot at all and it was a warm day so I that little sheen of oil is ok in my book - at least the coverage remained good all day.

Also I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time yesterday ^_^!  At the mall there was a stall doing eyebrow threading for $10 flat so I was like...what the heck, let's give it a try.   I've only ever done my own brows (pretty sloppily now that I look at it) so this was a fun experience for me.  

Notes on eyebrow threading:
1.) It did not hurt for me but I am someone who regularly plucks her lashes.  The girl next to me who had never plucked in her life said it hurt a little.  Hairs are getting pulled out so I suppose that's to be expected.
2.) I don't know if this is the case for every salon (or if I was just wearing too much makeup xD) but the lady had to wipe off the makeup around my eyebrows.  So in the future I'll probably go makeup-less, especially if I decide to do my upper lip as well ^^;;;
3.) Contrary to adverts - I did turn pretty red after plucking.  Actually you can see in the pic (2-3 hours after plucking) that I am still a little red. Given I am on the pale side but if you do get your brows plucked, take a little compact with you to cover up the redness afterwards.  She put lotion on my brows afterwards so I had no dryness but I was very red for about an hour.
4.) It literally feels like a thread rolling over your skin.  To me it was pretty soothing and the process literally took about 2-3 minutes xD At first I was like...what? $10 for 3 minutes O_o?? But it turned out pretty well I think and the lady who was doing my brows was clearly very experienced.
5.) I would definitely get my brows threaded again if I could, totally worth the $10.  I can see why people find this addicting ^_^ and it is relatively painless.  The lady claimed this will last 3-4 weeks but we'll see.  I'm particularly happy how threading removed the errant hairs on my eyelid which I never had the guts to pluck.  I kinda wish I did my upper lips as well :( This is definitely a lot faster and tidier than tweezing one by one or waxing.
6.) The process: Wipe off makeup --> thread above brows --> I hold my forehead and close my eyes as she threads lids and below brows --> got little scissors and trimmed the longer hairs --> showed me what I looked like in the mirror --> put Johnson's baby lotion on a swab and wiped my brows and lids --> that's it :)!

Here's a before and after.  If you want more pics, basically anything before this post was un-threaded xD

There's definitely more of an arch going on and my inner corner hairs definitely look tidier ^^ So yeah, I hope this was helpful for anybody thinking of getting their brows threaded. For $10/month it's not a bad investment considering the time it takes me to pluck/wax on my own. The result is also pretty nice I think, I never knew I could have such an arch in my brow ^0^

UPDATE 10/7/2010: 

Soo...It's been four days and wee little hairs are already coming back that I had to tweeze out :P Overall it still looks good but there's no way these brows would last untouched for 4+ weeks xD Regardless, I think it was worth it just to get "the shape" of my brows...now that I have a shape to work with I can just trim around instead of just...guessing ^^

To answer ash's (who's been doing tons of cute YT vids btw :D) question: The hair are getting pulled out one by one but it's happening so fast it feels like it's being pulled out together...much like waxing (but less painful).  I think the best thing to do is go to the mall or something and just watch customers getting their brows done and see how quickly the Salon ladies can do it :} If they look experienced and the customers look better after then you pretty much know you're in good hands :)