Beauty surprises from thePinkPanel

Every now and then I get sent beauty samples to review, and while I do end up falling in love of some of the products, most of the time they were complete misses, so I don’t even bother reviewing them

This time, I was sent 3 beauty samples from thePinkPanel, and while the Nailtini nail polish was a total flop¹, the other 2 ended up being delightful surprises

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 anti-aging primer with sunscreen (spf 50)

I’m not a fan of Western sunscreen formulas – they’re sticky, oily, and leave a whitish film. Gross much? But this one was nothing like that:

(But wait, there is more! Read on…)

Shiseido serums quick review

Remember when I received 3 Shiseido serum samples from CN Style Society?

Well I finally got around to using all 3, and while I haven’t finished them just yet, I feel like I’ve used enough (the sample size is quite general) to give a quick review of each:

Bio-performance super corrective serum

Claim: A time-fighting serum that delivers revolutionary solutions to counteract wrinkles, sagging, and dullness. Immediately, skin becomes smooth and radiant, and results are enhanced with daily use.
Reality: Felt more like a night cream than a serum. I had to use at least 3+ pumps to be able to cover my face because the consistency was so thick. It’s a bit too rich for me, though dry or mature skin might appreciate this. It does make my skin feel very hydrated, but also a bit oily.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Future Solution Lx Ultimate Regenerating Serum

Claim: A luxurious serum that dramatically counteracts all signs of aging, restoring vitality and radiance to the skin. Signature Skingenecell 1P decreases the amount of cell-damaging Serpin B3 that compromises skin’s natural ability to maintain optimal cell turnover and restore DNA damage. Exclusive Condensed Capsule Technology creates a unique texture and allows for a higher concentration of Skingenecell 1P for maximum benefits. Skin is made resistant to signs of damage, stress and age. Formulated with Soft Glow Powder using photo-luminous technology to immediately even skin tone for flawless, radiant skin.
Reality: This was definitely lighter than the Bio-performance serum, yet not too watery like the White Lucent one. It hydrates without the oiliness, and my skin does feel softer the next morning. Not sure about the flawless, radiant skin part though. Would’ve loved it if it weren’t for the outrageous price for a full sized product – $225! D:
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

White Lucent Intensive Spot Targeting Serum+

Claim: A super brightening serum created to diminish stubborn dark spots in 10 days and prevent future pigmentation from appearing. Formulated with smoothing and re-texturizing ingredients to enhance clarity and radiance for flawless, perfectly even-toned skin.
Reality: Hated this one. It was the first one I tried, and oh the disappointment. For one, it smelled strongly of alcohol, which is a big no-no¹. Second, it was so darn watery. My skin didn’t feel one bit moisturized after using it – it even felt dry sometimes! Lastly, it didn’t do squat in terms of evening or brightening my skin tone.
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

As you can tell, I didn’t like these serums at all, and I certainly wouldn’t purchase a full-size in the future. There are way better options out there.

Summer skincare essentials: moisturizers and sunscreen

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, which means…summer is almost here The summer solstice is on Wednesday June 20th this year, but it doesn’t mean you have to wait till then to switch to your summer beauty routine. Here is part 1 of my summer skincare essentials:

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I have normal/combination skin so the summertime means extra oily t-zones for me, which means bye-bye rich winter moisturizer, and hello light ones! This is what I’ve been using as my night cream, and while it’s very hydrating, it’s not oily or heavy at all.

Product ♥♥♥♥♥
I fell in love with this when I tried a sample, and that’s when I proceded to get the full size product. I love the texture – gel-like, yet very moisturizing. My skin feels very soft and supple after applying this, and when I wake up the next morning, it’s still hydrated and supple. Clinique is great for people who have sensitive skin or prefer fragrance-free products.

Price ♥♥♥♥♥
As with most department store products, this is a bit on the expensive side. However, I think it’s definitely worth it, especially if you buy it when they’re having a promotion. I got mine along with 2 makeup bags and lots of full-size and trial-size samples (But wait, there is more! Read on…)

Neutrogena makeup review: eyes & lips

Recently I received my Neutrogena makeup samples from BzzAgent: nourishing eyeliner in Cosmic Black, healthy skin brightening eye perfector in Buff, and revitalizing lip balm in Healthy Blush, Petal Glow, and Sunny Berry. Without further ado, here are my reviews:

Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner

Packaging ♥♥♥♥♥
The packaging is absolutely brilliant! One end you have the eyeliner, which you twist to get more, and the other end, you have a smudger + sharpener!  I can’t tell you how many times I bring my pencil liners with me on vacations but can’t apply them because they’re too dull and I left my sharpener at home.

Product ♥♥♥♥♥
The eyeliner itself is very average. It’s very creamy and applies nicely, though it may be problematic for people with oily lids. I do like how thin the liner itself is, so you could potentially use it for the water line. However, I find that it smudges on me too easily and doesn’t last very long

Price ♥♥♥♥♥
For USD$7.99, I think there are better eyeliners available. I’m personally a fan of Milani’s Liquif-Eye pencil liners

Overall ♥♥♥♥♥
The only thing that really stands out to me is the packaging. But other than that, it’s a very average product, and I won’t be purchasing it in the future. (But wait, there is more! Read on…)

My room smells like cheesecake!

Ever since I’ve been living on my own, I’ve become obsessed with home decor. But not only do I want my place to look nice, I also want it to smell nice. I considered candles, but then I decided against it:

1. I’m stupid with lighters and matches. I always manage to burn myself
2. I have cats, and quite naughty ones at that
3. Cats + burning candles = disaster

So what’s the alternative? Scented wax melts and electric candle warmers of course! My candle warmer is from Scentsy, and I bought some wax melts/tarts from them as well. The scents were nice, though a bit strong in my opinion, and they were expensive. I also tried Yankee Candle’s wax tarts¹, but those weren’t strong enough, was no way to store them if you wanted to switch scents, and it too big for the warmer².

While searching for some good wax tarts, I cam across Eagle Rock Candle. For $2-$3, you can choose from a wide range of scents and get a brick which contains 6 tarts. My goodness, I’m in love with these!

There are just so many things to love about these wax melts that I don’t even know where to start:

• These are 100% natural soy wax, which is much better for you than paraffin wax
• There are 50+ scents to choose from, and they are adding more each month
• One tart lasts a LONG time. I still haven’t burned through one yet.
• The scents are divine, and just the right intensity

My favorite scents so far from Eagle Rock Candle are their cheesecake scents. It smells so delicious, just like real cheesecake! I have one burning in my living room in my candle warmer, and one sitting in a tray by my window in my room.

Letting your wax tarts sit on a tray by a sunny windowsill only works with soy wax. This is because the melting point for soy wax is lower, so when it doesn’t take much heat for soy wax tarts to start releasing its scent All in all, I highly recommend Eagle Rock Candle if you’re looking for an alternative to candles. They offer free (and super fast) shipping for all purchases.

Do you like using candles or wax melts? I’d love to hear your experiences with them!