Review: Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream

This is my second Mizon product after the Snail Recovery Gel Cream.

The Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream contains 90% Black Snail mucus filtrate for healthy skin and 20 plant extracts for additional nutrients. It also contains Niacinamide to help with brightening.

The jar feels very sturdy. From photos online, I thought it was made of plastic, but upon receiving I felt better knowing that it wasn't. I'm not so sure what it's made of, but it's heavy. It looks like it's ceramic or glass with a demi-matte coating.

The product itself is a light, gooey cream. Although a bit sticky at first, once absorbed by the skin it doesn't feel heavy at all.

I find that if I use this consecutively, I would develop some sort of breakout. So what I do now is use it only for two or three nights on small areas, like a spot treatment. I like to apply this on areas where it needs healing, such as a freshly popped pimples, hyperpigmentation, and dry patches.

I'd like to try the original Snail Repair All In One Cream next, as it has fewer ingredients. Hopefully that one I can use all over my face and not break me out.

Review: Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream

It was because of my impulsiveness that I got to own the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream, and boy, am I glad for having done that impulse buy! It's rare that I thank myself for those moments.

This is my first Mizon product, but I have been hearing about its reputation in the Korean skincare world for quite some time now.

I did not have much expectations about this gel cream, like I said, it was an impulse buy.

Containing 74% of snail mucin, it's supposedly great for skin repair, hence the name 'Recovery Gel Cream'.

It's also alcohol-free!

Cute packaging, nothing too fancy or princess-y. I like that the nozzle came with a seal when I first got it.

The texture is that of a gel. Not a cross between a gel and a cream. It's gel.

It blends in smoothly and absorbs well into the skin.

I use this day and night. It's perfect for mornings because it feels light yet it moisturizes well, and doesn't make my naturally oily skin any oilier (unlike the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturing Gel). On nighttime, it's still better to use a heavier moisturizing cream along with it.

I haven't noticed any of its skin transforming abilities, probably because I am so fixated on trying out new products and on the lookout for their effects instead.

Regardless of whether the benefits are apparent or not, it's still a wonderful moisturizer with bomb ingredients. Overall, I love this gel. I'm already on my second tube.

Mini Haul: Laneige (My 3rd Althea Box)

My 3rd Althea box contains a bunch of Laneige products and one Skinfood item that I got as a giveaway. This is my third gateway to the world of Korean Skincare.

The Water Sleeping Mask (!!!), Multiberry Yogurt Repair Pack, Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel, Skinfood Rice Wash-off Mask

I'm planning to use these three Laneige products altogether on nights when I won't be using tretinoin, probably twice a week. I will do in-depth reviews of them soon. Ciao!

P.S: If you're planning to do an Althea haul yourself, you can use my voucher code for a PHP 200 discount on your order. :) Use the code beautybud200

Missha The First Treatment Essence Review

Aren't we all excited when we have a new skincare product to try, even more when that product is highly raved and very much talked about in the beauty world? That, and the fact that it's my very first essence-type skincare product, shoots my excitement for the Missha First Treatment Essence up the stratosphere.

Once I got my Missha FTE, which was included in my Althea Box, I immediately used it later that night.

The packaging is so, so luxurious. Those silver and grey markings, that shiny cap, and. that frosted glassss. This is probably the most elegant-looking, out of the many similar essences in the market. Even more than The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, I dare say. It's hard not to keep staring at, standing tall and proud on my bedside table. (It is begging to be displayed).

The product itself is very watery, colorless, and has a faint smell. Most people describe the smell to be slightly of yeast, but I will disagree. I say, it smells like Cheetos. Nothing to worry, it's not that strong. You won't smell that cheese puff snackon your face.

Once applied and pat on, it absorbs quickly into the skin. You can proceed to your next step as usual.

On to the claims and promises, here's what Missha has to say:

The very FIRST step to your skin care regimen.

Back to the Basics, a Stepping Stone to a Healthier and New Skin.
Contains 80% Fermented Yeast Concentrate, which absorbs into skin instantly to energize your skin. Also contains Niacinamide, a Vitamin B3 component, to improve skin elasticity, enhance skin barrier function, and revive skin tone and texture. DN-Aid, made from Cassia-Alata Extract, provides vitality to aging skin, protects DNA from aging caused by UV rays, and promotes restoration of damaged DNA.

THE FIRST TREATMENT ESSENCE improves fine lines and skin tone. The miracle water hydrates, restores, rejuvenates, and gives you a glowing complexion. 

Now comes the sad, sad part.

After using it for two nights, one morning I just woke up with red, burning, itching and blistered skin. It was an allergic reaction. It was the first time I experienced something like that. I do have sensitive skin, but usually when my skin doesn't agree with a product I put on my face, I would breakout in cystic pimples, tiny bumps, or nodules. But rashes and flakey skin-- never. Until I tried the Missha FTE.

One more painful thing that adds to my anguish, is during those two nights and a day that I had applied the essence, I actually saw slight improvement on my hyperpigmentation. Yessss! Noooo! So I tried to convince myself that it wasn't Missha that had caused the reaction: how could something that seems so good and promising, actually be so bad? I continued using it, but only on the areas where I had pigmentation, and where I formed acne due to the reaction. Of course, the reaction never stopped, while I kept seeing improvement on the marks and healing of pimples... bittersweet. After two weeks of using it on and off, it was clear that FTE was causing my skin to react badly. So I finally, totally stopped using it.

Well, I'm back hunting for the essence that will be compatible and have good effects on my skin.

Ciao!

MAC Cosmo

MAC describes Cosmo as pink coco. It has an amplified creme finish.

Under fairly clouded natural lighting

Cosmo is a lovely mlbb (my-lips-but-better) shade, flattering on almost all skintones. It's a warm, mid-tone pink that's perfect for everyday use or anytime you want a subdued/minimal makeup.

Warmer, natural lighting

Review Roundup: MAC Cosmo

Pros:
non-drying
great coverage

Cons:
Not long wearing

Overall:
4/5

Would I repurchase? Yes
Would I recommend? Yes