Review: Etude House Real Art Cleansing Mild Soap

I have always gone for products that are quality over packaging. However, this time, I was intrigued by the lovely packaging that Etude House had. I bought this while on holiday in Seoul last April, and it came in a set of cleansing soap and cleansing oil. The cleansing oil was rubbish so I disposed of it after using 1/4 of it. Yea, it was that bad that I didn’t even want to pass it to someone else. However, the cleansing soap was lovely to use.

It was a basic cleansing liquid that cleansed my face well without leaving it dry and tight.It was clear and runny and only needed a pump to lather up sufficiently. That being said, I didn’t feel that it would be strong enough to clean off the day’s dirt, grime and makeup so I only used this in the morning. My skin was always smooth after using this. And since only a pump is needed each time, the 200ml bottle lasted me from ~Nov 2011 to May 2012.

I would love to repurchase it since it’s a simple cleansing liquid that does what it’s supposed to do, but I guess the Korean brands always have something new to offer. And I’ve still got 3 of those Holika Holika egg soaps to try… *oops, totally went crazy in Korea!*

Review: Etude House Hydro Wrapping mask (Refreshing)

Item Reviewed: Etude House Hydro Wrapping Mask (Refreshing)

Price/pack size: S$2.90/piece

Available at: Etude House

Description: Mask sheet’s special hydro coating essence contains botanical extracts to effectively nourish complexion. (Active ingredients: Bamboo extracts & Phytoncide).

Usage: Apply mask sheet to cleansed face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Remove mask and massage remaining solution into your skin with hands. Recommended interval for mask application is every 2-3 days for maximum efficiency. *Hold and apply according to diagram*. (I remembered to take a picture of the entire back of the mask packaging so you can see it now! The extra tab should be on the right side of your face)

Review: The entire range of Hydro Wrapping masks feature the same unique special coating on top of the mask sheet. It definitely helps lock in the moisture essence so that your skin will absorb all of it, and none of the essence will evaporate into the air. The scent is very soothing and green, probably to suit the bamboo extract. It’s not strong and did not irritate my sensitive nose. After 20 minutes, the mask was still very wet with essence and I followed instructions to massage the remaining solution into my skin. The essence took only less than a minute to absorb into my skin and I applied moisturizer after that. Initially it was a little sticky as my face was overloaded with moisture goodness but it soon became matte and smooth after 10 minutes.

I used the mask last night, and this morning, my skin was smooth and bouncy even after I washed my face. It would usually be a little dry! 2 thumbs up! The mask sheet did not really fit very well around my jaw, with a lot of excess. I did what I usually do with extra large mask sheets: tear the mask in 2 around the mouth area to make it fit nicely.

Rating: 5/5

Would I buy again: Yup, I love the unique mask coating! So interesting.

Review: Etude House Hydro Wrapping Mask (Nourishing)

Item Reviewed: Etude House Hydro Wrapping Mask (Nourishing)

Price/pack size: S$2.90/piece

Available at: Etude House

Description: Mask sheet’s special hydro coating essence contains botanical extracts to effectively nourish complexion. (Active ingredients: Honey & Caviar Extracts).

Usage: Apply mask sheet to cleansed face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Remove mask and massage remaining solution into your skin with hands. Recommended interval for mask application is every 2-3 days for maximum efficiency. *Hold and apply according to diagram*. (I didn’t take a picture of the said diagram, but there is an extra tab on the right side of the mask. Place mask on face with the tab on the right side. The mask is made from a special material to contain the special moisturizing essence, so it is important that you don’t use the mask on the wrong side!)

Review: It is no secret in the office that I’m obsessed about skincare and cosmetics, so it was very apt that my boss gave me a pack of 5 Etude House Hydro Wrapping masks as a Christmas present last year. The pack consists of 1 firming mask, 2 refreshing masks, and 2 nourishing masks. The nourishing mask has honey and caviar extracts, which sounded like a real treat for tired skin. The fragrance of the mask was very strong, almost to the point of hurting my sensitive nose but I managed to persevere for that 20 minutes. It didn’t smell bad, but it was just too strong for me… almost like an old lady’s perfume!

The texture of the mask was very intriguing and unique… the top layer reminded me of those foam net packing that fruit sellers use to wrap the apples in, whilst the bottom layer (the layer that touches your skin) is tightly woven together and very fine. I guess this helps to lock in the essence to be absorbed into the skin and not get evaporated into the air.

After 20 minutes, the mask was still very wet with essence and I followed instructions to massage the remaining solution into my skin. However, this is where the pleasure of masking stops. The solution took forever to absorb into my skin and was EXTREMELY sticky. I mean, it was like “my face is a piece of scotch tape” sticky. I thought I had to let the solution slowly absorb and it would be better, but 30 minutes after removal of mask, it was still sticky like before. I guess, the nourishing part was really true to its name. But the aftermath of the mask was that my skin was a little plumper with moisture. It might be better for dry skin types.

Rating: 2/5

Would I buy again: No, it’s too rich for my combi-oily skin.

Gmarket Haul #7

Once again, Gmarket & EMS did it for me!!! Was really glad that my parcel came within 3 days after Gmarket posted it out because it came just in time for CNY! This time, I ordered some skincare samples for my MAS store, and also a pair of nude heels. Did I mention that I love nude heels? Really like the look!

Starting from left, I have Innisfree Pore Clay mask sachets (I really like this clay mask!), Innisfree Acai berry mask sheets, Innisfree Green Tea seed serum samples, & Innisfree Green Tea BB cream.

We also have Etude House Precious Mineral BB cream samples.

You may get the samples from my Gmarket store (MadAboutSprees).

I got this pair of heels from one of my favourite shoe sellers, Storyshoe by Chloe. It costs me 23,300Won, including shipping charge.

Review: Etude House Baby Skin Base

Item Reviewed: Etude House Baby Skin Base

Price/pack size: S$15.90/30ml

Available at: Etude House retail outlets & Gmarket Korea

Ingredients:

Description: Delicate coverage for natural, radiant complexion and tone. All Day Moisture Rich & Oil Absorbing Base Makeup- Fine, silky powder solution. Promotes smooth, even complexion- baby skin presentation with reduced pore visibility.

Usage:

Review: I have been using this makeup base on and off for some time now… it’s not something that I cannot live without… but that’s not saying that it’s no good. On days where I use the makeup base, my powder does stay on longer than usual. My powder and blusher usually fades off by mid-day without a primer, but my skin still looks good by the end of the day for times where I remember to use it. By good, I mean my pores still look refined, and I still have blusher on. And that happens even when I had a rough day, sweating it out in the hot, humid warehouse. So I believe there’s something good going on with the Baby Skin Base. However, I’m usually in a rush in the morning, and would like to pare down my routine, so I tend to skip the primer and just go straight to powder after sunscreen.

Let’s get on with the rest of the review, shall we? The base is encased in a convenient pump bottle which makes it easy to control the amount you require, and not to mention, hygienic. It is a light coloured peach lotion (note that I chose #2 which is an apricot colour. They also have it in #1, a colour correcting green base) that evens out my skin tone and gives it a little coverage. It smells wonderful, pretty much like its namesake – baby! It does have some oil control since my face is kept matte and doesn’t turn into an oil slick by mid-day. The lotion also dries quickly on skin and preps it for the next step of makeup.

Rating: 3/5

Would I buy again: No, I just don’t have the habit of using a makeup base.

Review: Etude House First Snow Ice Cotton Toner

Item Reviewed: Etude House First Snow Ice Cotton Toner

Price/pack size: S$25.90/150ml aerosol can

Available at: Etude House retail outlets (Sadly, you can’t get this from Gmarket as it cannot be shipped via air)

Ingredients: *all in Korean…*

Description: Solution sprays to form ice cold toner pad for moisturizing, pore constriction and soothing efficacies.

Usage: Shake well and spray onto palm in circular motion until formation of round pad. Press flat and use pad to apply toner to all areas of face and neck.

Review: I was intrigued by this product when I read about it on Mischievous Mack. Tried to save money by attempting to buy it on Gmarket, but unfortunately, this product cannot be shipped overseas due to its packaging (aerosols are classified as dangerous goods). Luckily, it wasn’t too expensive in the stores. The product reminds me of silly string! But it was not silly at all… the product solidifies to form the cotton pad and can be applied to face quickly and easily. I don’t think it can save you money by replacing cotton pads because you won’t get a lot of product in one can, but you’re paying for the novel idea.

The toner is cooling and feels really nice on skin, especially after a hot and grimy day. It smells quite nice, quite like Elizabeth Arden’s green tea perfume. As you wipe the “cotton pad” around your face, it will get smaller and smaller, eventually leaving you with a small piece that cannot get any smaller, and that’s when you know you can throw the lint away. The toner dries quickly on face, and is also moisturizing so oily skinned girls may choose to skip moisturizer if they wish. Having used it 3x so far, I cannot comment on pore constriction, but it is moisturizing enough for me.

Rating: 3/5

Would I buy again: Maybe… not sure if it’s value for money yet.

Review: Etude House Super Aqua Sun Guard SPF35 PA++

Item Reviewed: Etude House Super Aqua Sun Guard SPF35 PA++

Price/pack size: S$?/70ml tube

Available at: Etude House retail outlets / Gmarket Korea

Ingredients: *all in Korean…*

Description: Oil-free sun protection relieves skin with Chlorella extracts.

Usage: Apply sun guard to sun exposed areas of the face/body and massage into skin.

Review: I was out of my usual sunscreen from the clinic and decided to try a new one. $42 for a 30ml tube didn’t sound very appealing, especially when I was just going to be home and didn’t need a SPF65. Being obsessed with all things Etude House recently, I decided to try the Super Aqua Sun Guard SPF35. I also did a check online and read some promising reviews, thus the deal was signed, sealed, delivered. *Name that song*

As always, the sunscreen came packed in perfect condition and the price was right. The lotion was light as a feather and wasn’t oily to touch. It spreaded very well on skin, needing only a tiny blob (approx less than $0.05 coin for the whole face). It also wasn’t sticky on the face. However, there is a slight sheen to skin, which can be easily fixed with a pat of powder. The sunscreen lotion smelt fresh, almost like a fresh ocean scent. SPF35 was also perfect for days that I stayed in, or wasn’t going to be out in the sun for long.

Unblended - light green colour sunscreen

Blended out... no white cast!

Handy tube for traveling

Rating: 3.5/5

Would I buy again: Maybe… there are many other sunscreens out there, y’know?

Review: Etude House Baking Powder Powder Wash

Item Reviewed: Etude House Baking Powder Powder Wash

Price/pack size: S$16?/60g

Available at: Etude House retail outlets & Gmarket Korea

Ingredients:

Description: Formulated with natural baking powder to supply an exfoliating and pore deep facial cleanse.

Usage: Wet hands slightly and pour a suitable amount into palms. Rub palms together to create lather. Apply lather to skin and cleanse gently. Rinse off with water.

Review: I received a sample of this in one of my previous Gmarket orders… the sample looks really cute. It looked like a stick of sugar! (No. 7 in picture below)

The sample size was also convenient but yet not stingy – I managed to get 2 uses out of it, and believe that I could get a third (but I was on a 2D1N trip, and had to dispose of the balance when I checked out of the hotel). The powder was fine, without being gritty, and lathered up very well with minimal water. It also had a slight milky scent which reminded me very much of Fancl’s washing powder. However, the main difference would be Fancl creates much more thick foam… Etude House’s foam was on the thin side. It did clean my face very well though, without stripping it of its natural moisture. It rinses off cleanly too.

Rating: 4/5

Would I buy again: No… powder washes are too troublesome for me.

Etude House lemmings

I walked into Etude House today. For the 3rd time since they opened shop in Singapore. Yeah… I seemed to have a lot of Etude House products but I’ve only ever paid Singapore retail price for them like once. The 2nd time was when I was in Malaysia (love the exchange rate!!) and thereafter, it was Gmarket Korea (love the online prices!). I passed by the shop on the way to ION this afternoon and decided to check out the products that I wanted to purchase online last night, but thankfully didn’t cos I had a change of mind for some products. I did purchase a toner from the shop though, only because it was aerosol form and couldn’t be shipped from Korea. So anyway, after spending like 20 minutes in the shop, I’ve shortlisted the following items to include in my next Gmarket order.

Petit Bijou body wash 300ml. It smells wonderfully like a baby.

Baking Powder mineral (cleansing) water. Just wanted to test it out and compare with Mandom Cleansing Express.

Pure Joy Cleansing Gel 150ml. It’s a new product that isn’t available in the stores yet, but the toner which I’ve tried feels good.

Pure Joy toner & lotion. I’m getting a little bored with my rosewater toner and need some change. Pure Joy is free from alcohol and other stuff that I don’t usually like in my skincare and it doesn’t stink!

Apricot Stick lipglaze in #6. I bought this as a Christmas present (Tine, have you received it?) but was so tempted to keep it for myself when I received it in my last order. Even more tempted to buy it when I saw it in store again! ^^

My travel kit for Batam

I’m going Batam tomorrow and it’s gonna be a great trip because there’s going to be shopping and a 3-hr spa session! Hair cream bath, body scrub and full body massage, all for just S$75+tax! We’re going for 2D1N so I need to pack some necessities… you’d think clothes would be the first thing I packed, but I was actually more excited about packing my toiletries! Time to get those samples out of the way!

I’m using the free cosmetic pouch I got from a past Elle magazine… it’s really huge and worth more than $6 (cost of the magazine) IMO! Starting from left:

1. Maybelline lipstick (add some colour to my face since I’m not bringing blusher!)
2. Dr  Jart+ detox healing blemish base (black label) – it has SPF25 PA++ too!
3. Sasa regenerating sleeping mask
4. L’Oreal true match foundation
5. Etude House total age repair sample kit – it consists of a toner and moisturizer
6. Watsons wet wipes (to remove makeup)
7. Etude House baking powder powder wash sample
8. Contact lenses!

I’m not going to bring shampoo or body wash cos the hotel provides and I couldn’t be bothered to decant into small bottles… whatever damage the shampoo could do to my hair in one wash, I’m sure the hair cream bath spa session will fix it! HAHA!