g l a m b u r g e r

June 16, 2013
by L
5 Comments

Review: Etude House Missing U I Can Fly! Hand Cream

It’s not often I do a review on hand creams or lotions… I just never need to use them. Let’s be honest–I bought these because they were unapologetically cute. Look at them. No review needed. But I’ll elaborate a bit. Just for you.

How adorable is this packaging? I’ll tell you exactly how adorable: I bought these months and months ago and still have the empty boxes hanging out in my apartment. But maybe I’m just a hoarder…

Besides being way cute, the packaging is super eco-friendly, being made out of recycled materials and printed with soy ink. Apparently they also donate a margin of the profits to the UNEP Korean Commission, which in turn allocates them to various worldwide animal protection agencies. Yay Etude House!

The facts:

Moisturizing
Paraben-free
Sulfate-free
Ethanol-free
Mineral Oil-free
Lots of organic ingredients
Available in 4 scents/colors
30ml

From the box:

Formulated with Shea Butter and Herb Water rich in certified organic nutrients, this eco-friendly hand cream not only moisturizes dry hands, but also helps to save our endangered flying friends.

Well, it’s hand cream! Made of shea butter and lots of other organic wonders, it’ll make your hands moist and super soft. It’s a pretty thick cream that felt a bit oily upon first contact, but it absorbed into my skin quickly and wasn’t sticky or oily in the slightest. As you can see, I have the Sweet Cotton Candy (Cerulean Warbler) and Peach Peach Peach (Eastern Grass Owl) scents. I thought the Cotton Candy would be super sweet and overpowering, but it’s really subtle and kind of soapy… it’s quite nice. And if you like peach, you get not one, not two, but three peaches in the Peach Peach Peach scent. Three. That’s a lot of peach. But that scent too is very subtle, so worry not.

There are two other scents in this series: Very Berry Cherry (Eagle Owl) and Sunny Sunny Apple (Kakapo). Etude House has new Missing U sets every season–I got these last year, so there are new series available now, but you can still find these floating around on the internet.

Pros: Cute. Oh, and it gets the job done. Eco-friendly and helps wildlife! Relatively cheap too–you can find them for around $5-10 USD online.
Cons: Nothing. Small amount of product, but come on, you want these because they’re cute.

Final Verdict: Well… it’s inevitable that I’m going to cave and get the other two owls. How could I not?

June 9, 2013
by L
2 Comments

Review: b•liv by Cellnique

If you’re a regular reader of Glamburger, you probably know that above anything else, I like to whine about my pores. Back when I was a teenager they were just fine. Then I discovered that wondrous little tool known as an extractor. Little did I know, that despite how fun this was to play with, it would destroy my pores. My pores used to be fine; smooth and invisible. Now they’re huge and stretched out and broken from so many needless extractions, and my poor nose looks like a couch cushion. You know, the kind with little puckered buttons? No? Well, like this:

Those are my pores. Except they’re not connected together in a grid. But you get the idea. It sucks, and I’ve grown so tired of trying countless products only to find them all hopeless.

But now? I might just have some hope. Maybe? We’ll see.

Cellnique has been the leading paramedical brand in the professional skincare industry for over 15 years. In order to extend its solution to the younger generation, Cellnique decided to bring its effective and proven salon formulations out from closed environment to retail specialty store. In 2006, Cellnique introduced the world’s first beauty-salon-formulated blackheads and whiteheads remover gel, off with those heads, under the new skin care line, b•liv to the mass market. Though intended for younger, on-the-go consumers, b•liv has the impeccable pedigree of being the creation of Asia’s most effectiveness paramedical salon brand, Cellnique.

b•liv products are formulated with the potency of exclusive salon-based solution. b•liv is formulated to tackle the most severe and stubborn blackheads & whiteheads, and large pores with noticeable results.

b•liv is about confidence as we are seeking to inspire young people to believe in themselves and motivate them to make a difference not only in their skincare but also in their lives. The name “b.liv” is not just a contraction of the word “believe” but also a union of the words “be” and “live” aiming at forming a life style motto that encourages b•livers to “live the moment.

Cellnique, a Malaysian-based skincare company, sent me some products from their b•liv line. My biggest concerns are my pores and combating oil, of course, so they chose products for me that they thought would be most effective. I received four products in all: a sebum gel, a pore serum, a smoothening mask and an oil-controlling moisturizer. They also sent along some nice directions on how to incorporate them into my nightly routine!

Order recommended:

1) Cleanser
2) Toner
3) Glow and Shine (once a week)
4) Shrink and Tighten+
5) Off With Those Heads
6) Soothe and Matte

Wondering what those things are, what they do, and how to use them? Read on, lovelies.

Glow and Shine

Skin smoothening mask

From Cellnique:

Reveal your smooth and flawless complexion with this scrub mask. Glow and Shine deeply cleanses, polishes and moisturizes your skin. It also lightens and brightens the dull and uneven skin tone and brings out the inner glow and shine. Scrub away flaws and imperfections!

The facts:

Whitens and lightens skin
Exfoliates & unclogs pores
Minimizes the look of pores
Controls oil
Fades scars
Keeps acne under control
50ml
Available for $29 USD at Cellnique

I love this mask. I might goes as far as to say I’m borderline obsessed with it. Why? Because it smells SO GOOD. I can’t even explain. It’s like… citrus-y grape. And it’s wonderful. This mask is to be used only once a week, after toning. I would much rather use it every day, at the very least just to smell it. However, only once a week is necessary. To use this mask, you apply a thick (or thin, since I want it to last forever) layer evenly on your face and leave it on for ten minutes. Gently massage your face for ten seconds with a wet hand before rinsing well. Is this product effective? Well, my skin certainly feels softer and smoother after using it. I’m super pale already so I can never tell if any ‘whitening’ products actually work. As for pores and oil, well… my skin is my skin. No miracles here. However, on a positive note, my skin has cleared up dramatically since starting the b•liv line. I don’t know if it’s the mask, all the products working together, or the new diet/exercise routine I’ve begun. Whatever it is, I like it.

Shrink and Tighten+

Large pores diminishing night complex

From Cellnique:

Formulated with L-ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, Shrink and Tighten+ stimulates collagen production at night thus helping to tighten pores and regenerate nutrients for firmer and brighter skin. This magic potion leaves you looking flawless and makes sure your large pores stay out of sight! Best for open pores, all ages.

Shrink & Tighten+ is a specially formulated concoction for large pores. It is intended to be half filled because of its delicate content, this is to ensure that its content is allowed to breathe and not compressed down. It has been clinically tested that if it is packaged in a higher volume, it would turn into a slightly darker color.

The facts:

Reduces the appearance of pores
Promotes a firming effect on the skin
Unclogs pores
Heals damaged tissue
Controls oil
Smooths & softens skin
15ml
Available for $49 USD from Cellnique

The first few times I used this serum I definitely noticed an effect on my pores. They seemed to tighten up and be less visible in the morning. Then… then I made a horrible mistake. Yes. I did it. I… I extracted. My nose was BEGGING me to, and I couldn’t refuse. I need to learn how to say no, because I think I messed everything up. So, once I extracted, my pores cried and went back to their prior grotesque self. I’ve been using Shrink and Tighten+ every night with NO EXTRACTING following that nightmare, but now I’m not seeing as much as an effect. But I won’t give up–I truly like this product and I’m waiting to see how it works over a longer period of time. I’ll keep you updated, don’t worry. Also, b•liv has a similar product for day use. I didn’t receive it, but I’m wondering if it’d make much of a difference if I used both products. That one’s definitely on my to-get list! Anyway, apply the Shrink and Tighten+ at night after toning. You only need a very little bit–just a few pea-sized drops will cover your face. Since I’m only focusing on my nose at the moment, I use barely one. Proceed to gently massage it into your skin until fully absorbed. As this product is for night use, it’s a bit more oily than its daytime counterpart (so I’ve heard). Just something to keep in mind! It also has a pleasant, herbal-minty scent that dissipates quickly. A few other things worth noting–this product comes sealed with a metal thing that you have to remove before putting the rubber tip on. It has a thing that you pull to remove it easily, but I suck at everything and messed that up, and ended up cutting the shit out of my thumb trying to get it off with a knife. So be careful! Also, this product arrives half-full. At first I was like whoa, they really wanted to give me a sample with this one, but the b•liv website says that it’s packaged that way to allow the contents to breathe.

Off With Those Heads

Blackheads sebum gel

From Cellnique:

Say goodbye to painful squeezing! This light cooling gel promises to easily remove stubborn blackheads and whiteheads in just 14 days of daily application. It keeps excessive oil secretion under control while preventing future irritation and breakouts. Best for oily skin with blackheads and whiteheads (all ages).

The facts:

Removes blackheads and whiteheads
Keeps acne under control
Controls oil
Unclogs pores
Provides a gentle exfoliation
Has soothing and hydrating properties
30ml
Available for $49 USD at Cellnique

I thought this sebum gel would be a good deterrent for extracting… I was mostly right. After continual usage, my ‘blackheads’ have been greatly reduced or at the very least minimized… which makes me not as prone to reach for that evil extraction tool. This product is applied directly after the Shrink and Tighten+. You use roughly the same amount of product, too. Off With Those Heads is a nice little gel that melts and becomes more watery upon skin contact. It absorbs fairly quickly, and has a cooling/tingly sensation. If you have sensitive skin, be careful with this one. Also, the bottle warns that your skin may become more oily during the beginning. Was that the case for me? Come on… when is that NOT the case for me? For application, massage it gently into your skin and let it absorb. It has a soft minty scent… not unlike toothpaste. Except, well, it’s not toothpaste. It’s sebum gel. Don’t forget.

Soothe and Matte

Anti-sensitive & oil-control moisturizer

From Cellnique:

Soothe & Matte is designed for oily, sensitive skin – it soothes overly-reacted skin and restricts oil-production to restore your skin’s natural appeal. So moisturize and claim your prize – healthy, evenly-toned, smooth and clear skin! Best for oily skin types that are breakout and acne-prone.

The facts:

Hydrating, soothing & oil-control moisturizer designed for sensitive and oily, acne-prone skin
Soothes and calms skin discomfort and sensitivity
Nourishing non-comedogenic moisturizer
Reduces excess oil shine
Restores skin’s balance to prevent further skin irritations
Minimizes dryness & skin irritation from intense acne treatments
Helps restore hydrolipidic barrier often altered by acne treatments
45ml
Available for $39 USD at Cellnique

I was so excited to try a new moisturizer! Up until earlier this year, I didn’t use moisturizers at all. Ever. My skin is always super hydrated so I didn’t think it was necessary. Wrong! But I digress. Lately I’ve been experimenting with oil-free and oil-controlling moisturizers. I was pumped to receive Soothe and Matte, and super surprised to find that it’s in a clear gel form! I wasn’t expecting that. You apply this product after Off With Those Heads is absorbed. Soothe and Matte absorbs quickly, but dries a bit tacky… I found my face sticking to my pillow afterward. Not very pleasing, but if you can look past that, it’s a decent moisturizer. I found my face wasn’t so oily upon waking up, and on a few days when I was unable to do my skin routine, I found it became a lot oilier without it. So… there you have it. This product has a very light scent, and it’s not the most pleasant, but you’ll hardly notice it.

So, after two weeks, how did my skin hold up? My skin has been slightly less oily, and has cleared up. My pores look pretty much the same, but that’s my fault. Remember. Friends don’t let friends extract. I was going to do a before/after shot for y’all, but there’s not really a discernible difference so I’m sparing you the terror of my pores. And I still love the mask.

Pros: Solid line of products, 30-day money back guarantee, great customer service, and free shipping/samples.
Cons: Nothing really… because if they don’t work for you, you can return them. Not bad. :)

Final Verdict: Would I purchase from the b•liv line in the future? Definitely. Especially the daytime Shrink and Tighten that I don’t have!

Also, I have a limited time offer for my lovely readers! b•liv is giving you 30% off on ALL of their products (not including kits)! This is only good for the next two months, so stop on by at bliv.com and use the promo code BLG30ALL!

Also feel free to check b•liv out on Facebook!

Have you tried any products from the b•liv line? I’d love to hear how they worked for you!

June 2, 2013
by L
10 Comments

Review: Skin79 Dream Girls BB Cream

Dream Girls by Skin79. It’s one of those BB creams you use when you don’t really want to wear any makeup at all. Why? Because it’s barely makeup. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, it’s just best for those with great skin. (Bitches.)

The facts:

UV Protection (SPF 30 PA++)
Super light coverage
Lightweight
Non-oily
Oil/sebum control (not for this girl)
Matte finish (bullshit, you’re gonna glow)
Softens and smooths
Best for juniors (teens and early 20-somethings)
Available in one shade
Yellowish-grey undertones
43.5g

From the bottle:

This is the multi functional beblesh balm for juniors. It is not oily because of O/W shape and has double ultraviolet rays blocking effect.

[KFDA Function Certification]

Functional BB cream with fresh and non-sticky O/W shape that contains Porous Powder which prevents oily skin and keeps the skin soft, dry, and smooth for a long time, and it blocks UV A and B rays at the same time.

It protects the skin from skin irritation and stress with Licorice and Portulaca Oleracea ingredients, and it covers up the blemishes and evens out your skin tone in order to make your skin look clean and beautiful.

… What? What the hell is an O/W shape? Anyone? :(

From Pretty & Cute:

Skin79 Dream Girls BB Cream is a multi functional BB Cream. It is non-oily BB cream providing a refreshing feel after use. It includes porosity powder which is good at sebum absorption. Controls sebum properly as well as keeping the skin matte for a long time. Contains papaya extract which keeps sensitive skin soft and clean by smoothing skin roughness and old keratin gently. Provides sun protection by intercepting ultraviolet rays A & B at the same time so it is an essential cosmetic for young adults.

Well, as you can see, Dream Girls is fairly light with yellowish-grey undertones. However, if you don’t blend it well enough, there are going to be weird dark splotches. Kind of like if you suck at putting on bronzing lotion. And it’s gonna look gross. So blend. Just blend.

Dream Girls is probably the most lightweight BB cream I’ve tried… and I’ve tried a shit ton of BB creams, so that’s saying something. Once it hits your skin, it’s going melt and become super watery. Which is fine, because it’s incredibly easy to blend. This is also the lightest coverage BB cream I’ve used… sort of akin to Western BB creams in a way. Tinted moisturizer, anyone? Yep. This won’t cover your blemishes, and it’ll barely even your skin tone. I tend to use this only on days where my skin is at its absolute best and doesn’t need much help. So yeah, rarely. It is nice, though, if you want to wear makeup without wearing much of it. It also has a pleasant, light scent–think sort of artificially fresh, if that makes sense. It doesn’t? Sit on it, Potsie.

Dream Girls is apparently supposed to have a matte finish… I’m not so sure about that. It’s pretty damn glowy on my skin. Also, the more layers you apply, the more glowy it gets… and you can definitely feel that you’re wearing it after about three layers. I usually only wear one layer, because even with layering, it doesn’t provide much coverage. And that glow! Ugh. Powder is my friend. My best friend. And oil control? Not so much. If I put on just one layer it’s okay, but any more than that and I turn into an oil slick. Even more so than with heavier, more moisturizing BB creams. Remember. Powder.

After applying the rest of my makeup. Please don’t judge my hair, I let it air-dry and I need a cut and dye like no one’s business.

Pros: Light coverage, if you’re looking for a very natural look, lightweight, easily absorbed and blendable.
Cons: Light coverage, if you’re looking to mask blemishes. You won’t. Super glowy. Not great oil control.

Final Verdict: I know I kind of ripped on it, but it’s actually a good BB cream if you’re looking for something with really light coverage. If you’re interested, you can find it at Pretty & Cute for $17 USD.

May 26, 2013
by L
5 Comments

My Boyfriend Reviews Fragrances (Part II)

Here it is, the long awaited second edition of My Boyfriend Reviews Fragrances. Missed the first round? You can check it out right here.

Are y’all prepared for another series of brutally honest reviews, unapologetically scattered with expletives and unintelligible sounds? Then you, my friend, are in the right place. If you’re weak-hearted and/or pure as the newfallen snow, I suggest you maybe not read this. Or do. Whatever, okay?

And 3… 2… 1.

Kenzo Amour: This smells like Asia. Like bamboo, and… dudes with those big ol’ hats and samurai swords, that’s what I think of. This smells like a misty Japanese like waterfall slash bamboo garden. With samurai fighting each other.

Ralph Lauren Big Pony Blue #1: What’s that smell like… Smells like dish soap. I actually like this one. This one’s nice. It’s like pleasant dish soap or something, I dunno.

Ralph Lauren Big Pony Pink #2: Ugh. Ugghhh… Ugh. That smells like when someone tries to do a mock-up of what a fruit smells like but they suck at it. Oh that one’s kinda gross. Oh it says it’s supposed to be fruity. “Flirty mix of cranberry and tonka mousse”. I don’t know what the fuck.

Ralph Lauren Big Pony Yellow #3: Grandma. This smells like a grandma. This smells like a grandma’s kitchen. That’s what it smells like. A grandma’s kitchen.

Ralph Lauren Big Pony Purple #4: Smells like a man cave. Like I picture a dude with a beard and a pipe and a robe and one of those fezes.

Lancôme La Vie est Belle: This one’s alright. Hmm. Okay, you know that store, like the girl store, the um… what’s it called. (“Claire’s?”) Yeah, like Claire’s or Candy Boppers or whatever shit. Yeah, it smells like one of those places.

Nautica Aqua Rush (for Men): Mmmm… eeeugh. I think all men’s fragrances smell the exact same. This reminds me of a 45-year-old guy in a business suit who works out a lot so he thinks he’s really hot but he’s just an old guy. It’s Nautica, so that makes sense.

Playboy VIP (for Her): Smells like a candied apple. Yeah. Candied apple.

Playboy VIP (for Him): Smells like the last shit. They all smell the exact same. Yeah, it’s all the same shit.

Girlfriend by Justin Bieber: I just think of the color pink. Okay honestly, this smells like a teenage Latina girl’s room. That sounds super creepy but like… that’s just what it smells like. I don’t even know.

DKNY Be Delicious Eau So Intense: Oh my God. Whoo, they made THAT smell like apple. Mmmm, ugh. How do I put this. Um… this is like if you were in a Granny Smith apple orchard and all the apples had been rotting for a week. Pungent Granny Smith apple.

Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein: An executive office. With leather chairs. And one of those big boardroom desks.

Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein (for Men): Oof. That’s strong. This smells like my grandpa’s office. He had like an old desk and an old computer and stacks of papers and… some shit like that.

L’Homme Libre by Yves Saint Laurent: Alright. La Home La Bree. Oh, this one’s interesting. It’s got a soapy smell but it’s… oh, it says patchouli’s in there. I don’t know what the hell this smells like, but it’s interesting.

Closer by Halle Berry: Oh my God, that smells like a clean toilet. Like someone just cleaned a toilet. Oh my God. It smells like the shit they use when they clean public bathrooms. Oh, that’s disgusting.

Rebelle by Rihanna: Ri-hanna. Eh-eh-EH-eh-eh. Bleuurgh. Ugh. Ugghh. I don’t know if it’s possible but this smells like rancid chocolate. What the… oh my God. Smells like a forest fire. God damn.

Reb’l Fleur by Rihanna: Oh I like this one. This is like the first one that doesn’t smell like soap. It’s probably supposed to be flowers and shit or whatever but.. oh, you know what? This smells like when I worked at H-E-B (a grocery store) and I had to clean the women’s restrooms sometimes… it’s like that. Except way less pungent. But yeah, sort of like that.

Folle de Joie by Joie: This is a doctor’s waiting room. Yeah. Like, okay, so, there are those fancy doctor’s offices, where there are like five doctors working there, and they’ve got the tile and the super fancy building. It smells like a hallway there.

Escada Cherry in the Air: It smells like gummy candy. Yeah, it smells like obnoxious gummy candy.

Armani Code by Giorgio Armani: This is gym soap. This is soap at the gym. I think of like an old hairy naked man in the shower. And wearing those shower shoes. That almost smells EXACTLY like that. The gym, not the old naked man. That one’s nice though.

Fiori by Vince Camuto: Fiori. Does that mean fire? This one’s probably gonna smell like shit. (notices me typing his exact response) Are you serious. Okay, follow me on this one. I thought of a housewife in a kitchen in the 1950s. Which made me think about gender and equality. So the thing that this reminds me of is the oppression of women. That’s the first place my mind went to after smelling this. Like a woman in rubber gloves doing dishes and a guy in a suit comes home and like yells at her.

Vince Camuto (for Men): Yeah, the same bullshit. This smells like the husband. Let’s just leave it at that. This smells like a guy who doesn’t treat his wife well.

Ivanka Trump by Ivanka Trump: Oh this one’s got patchouli also. This one’s kinda pleasant… I don’t know if Ivanka is making me think this but I get the image of a really rich boring woman wearing this. Yeah, I see a bunch of ladies like… on the porch of a country club by a golf course, talking about yoga or something. And they all wear visors.

Alien by Thierry Mugler: What… is this. Thee-ary Muggler? Oh, Jesus. When you pull it it sprays. Who thought that shit was a good idea. Oh, detach and spray. The people at Alien are morons. I like this one. This smells like a MILF. I don’t know if the ad’s just making me think that though. Because that’s what they’ve got on here.

Beautiful by Estée Lauder: Oh my God. Ughhh. No. Oof. Fuck that one.

Fantasy by Britney Spears: “A magic love potion of sweet temptation that leaves a tantalizing trail of embracing sensuality.” She really wants to fuck, I guess. (notices me typing that) Oh God. Okay, this is going to be weird, but it smells like the vegetable section of the grocery store. I know it doesn’t, but that’s what pops into my mind.

Miss Dior by Dior: Uh dee parfoom. Hmm. Okay, this is like that one [Beautiful by Estée Lauder] except it doesn’t suck. I like this one. No, I really like this one. This is one of the few ones that doesn’t smell like soap or a fucking Hot Topic or something. Yeah. I like this one.

Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani (for Men): Same shit. They just bottle the same shit into 50 different bottles. This one’s like the last one except it smells like cedar or whatever a little bit more. Same shit. Men’s cologne is stupid. It even says the New Intense Fragrance. It’s not… new. God I hate men’s cologne.

Classique by Jean Paul Gaultier: Smells like old lady perfume. I think this is actually what my grandma wears or wore. Smells just like her, like this smells like a grandma. And a hint of lemon.

Burberry Brit: Smells like rubbing alcohol, but like feminine rubbing alcohol, if there is such a thing? Yeah, it does. Feminine rubbing alcohol is the smell.

Coco by Chanel: It smells like aftershave. It’s nice, like I like it. Is this a dude one or a girl one? Oh. It’s weird, they got Brad Pitt in front of it. That’s weird. It smells like aftershave and also root beer candy. It smells like root beer candy, yeah.

L’Eau D’Issey Florale by Issey Miyake: Smells like soap. Basically just… hand soap. Like a bar of soap in a bathroom. Or a plane bathroom.

Ed Hardy (for Women): It smells like a sauna. It smells like a sauna and a bunch of old, rugged bearded dudes sitting in it. Talking about sports.

Pure Poison by Dior: Puh. This smells like… like the default perfume. Like this smells like what you would wear if someone said ‘perfume’, and it was kind of like, I don’t know. This is like default perfume. This smells exactly like I would expect just like, perfume with no label on it to smell like it was just, perfume. Like a simple noun. That’s as close as I can get with that one.

And there you have it. I hope y’all enjoyed this edition of My Boyfriend Reviews Fragrances, and didn’t get too turned off to any of the featured scents. But if you did, it’s cool. I can’t blame you. And right now I never want to smell anything again. Will there be a Part III? Stay tuned… and keep it fragrant.

May 19, 2013
by L
5 Comments

Review: Spa Sonic Skin Care System

There’s nothing quite like a nice deep clean to revitalize your skin. If you haven’t tried a facial brush yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. The fine folks at EpiCare Ltd. sent me their wonderful Spa Sonic Skin Care System to review, and now I get to share my experience with you!

I was lucky to receive a Clarisonic Mia 2 as a Christmas gift, and I love it. However, as you may know, the Clarisonic line is oh-so-spendy. The cheapest model retails for $119 USD, and replacement brush heads run about $25 a pop. Ouch. The Spa Sonic, on the other hand, is super affordable, with a lot of added bonuses. You can find it for $60 at Target.com (with a HUGE SALE on May 28th–check the end of the post for more details!) It comes with a variety of brush heads, which also have cheaper replacements (a 2-pack of facial brushes is only $9.95.)

The facts:

Five attachments (2 small facial brushes, 1 large body brush, 1 facial buffer, 1 pumice stone)
Battery-operated (4 AA, included)
One speed/One directional
Available at Target.com, Costco.com, Walmart.com, Drugstore.com, Walgreens.com, CVS.com, MySpaSonic.com, and other major online retailers

From MySpaSonic.com:

The Spa Sonic Skin Care System Face and Body Polisher is a waterproof device which is ideal for use in the shower, bath and sink. It operates with 4 attachments: a big brush for the body, small brush for the face, pumice for rough areas and a facial sponge for microdermabrasion. The Spa Sonic’s dermal penetrating action promotes rapid absorption of skin care products.

The Spa Sonic tested comparably to the Clarisonic® Plus Skin Care System in an independent study conducted by the leading consumer testing laboratory. The Spa Sonic has been exclusively sold in the finest Spas and Salons all over North America until now! The Spa Sonic is now offered to the general public, which allows you to “Bring the Spa Home” and treat yourself to a Salon level experience.

Some quick instructions for those just entering into the realm of facial brushes: wet your face, apply your favorite cleanser, and buzz away for 1-2 minutes. Rinse off your face, your brush, and you’re done. Simple.

The facial brush. Note: this is not a blurry photograph. The brush is literally that soft. I love it. It is great for sensitive skin. After a couple of uses it gets slightly less soft, and it gets a bit discolored from makeup… so make sure to keep it clean!

The body brush. About the same softness as the facial brush, but… bigger.

The facial buffer, which is supposed to be for microdermabrasion. This feels so pleasant on my face after using the facial brush. I’m not totally sure if it has much of an effect on my skin yet, but I like using it.

The pumice stone. Is it weird that this might be my favorite attachment head? I love pumice stones but they can be such a pain in the ass to use, especially with tough calluses. With this, the Spa Sonic takes care of everything for you. How did I not know about this before?

Overall I’m a fan of this facial brush. I love the fact that it’s so versatile. As the only other brush I’ve used is my Clarisonic Mia 2, I’ll do a quick comparison. The Spa Sonic is not as intense as the Mia 2, which is fine for us sensitive-skinned folk. The head only spins in one direction, as opposed to the dual directions on the Mia 2, so you really have to hold on to the tool, otherwise it’s gonna take control and spin itself all around your face! Haha. It’s pretty easy to master, though. The Spa Sonic runs on 4 AA batteries, as opposed to the Mia 2, which is rechargeable, but that can always be solved with rechargeable batteries. The Spa Sonic has one speed/intensity, controlled by a simple off/on switch, whereas the Mia 2 has two speeds, and is also controlled by a one minute timer. I really like the fact that the Spa Sonic DOESN’T have a timer, because I always go past the one minute mark. Always. Thank you for the freedom, Spa Sonic.

The Spa Sonic is also available in these adorable pastel colors. Ahhhhh. I want them all! I’m a sucker for pastels…

Pros: Great variety of brushes, super affordable at $60 USD ($38 USD on May 28th at Target!)
Cons: Battery operated, one-directional head.

Final Verdict: I’m very pleased with this system, and I think it’s a steal for what you’re getting. If you’re in the market for a facial brush but don’t want to shell out the big bucks, I highly recommend investing in this.

The Spa Sonic normally retails at $60 at Target.com, but on May 28th it will be the Daily Deal, available at $36, about 40% off! Mark your calendars! (Or add me on Twitter and/or Facebook, as I’ll be sure to remind you!)

Make sure to check out Spa Sonic on Twitter and Facebook for more upcoming deals!

Have any of my readers tried the Spa Sonic yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

May 12, 2013
by L
7 Comments

Review: Mizon Hyaluronic Acid 100

I’ve only had the pleasure of experiencing one Mizon product ever (Snail Recovery Gel Cream), so I was elated when Peach and Lily sent me some of Mizon’s Hyaluronic Acid 100 to try out. Hyaluronic acid is something that has been arousing my curiosity for awhile now. It sounds super scary, right? Why would anyone put acid on their face? But worry not, this stuff is what dreams are made of. Hydrated dreams.

First things first, here’s the lowdown on Peach and Lily!

Peach and Lily is an e-commerce site focused on introducing hard-to-access Korean and Japanese beauty products to the US. They currently ship to the 48 contiguous states, but if you’re in Alaska, Hawaii, or abroad, there are plans in the works for shipping your way in the future. Also, they have free shipping for orders over $50!

The current brands Peach and Lily are offering include Aromatica, Be The Skin, Caolion, Clio, Mizon, Morihata, Sua Young, and Tatcha.

The facts:

Hydrating
Absorbs quickly
Firms and plumps skin
Increases skin elasticity
For all skin types, especially dry skin
Paraben-free
No artificial colors or fragrance
30ml

Ingredients:

Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Copper Tripeptide-1, Butylene Glycol, Sclerotium Gum, 1,2-octanediol, Ethylhexyl-glycerin, Tropolone, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Carppyl/capric Triglyceride,Hydrogenated Lecithin, Stearic Acid, C12-c20alkyl Glucoside, C13-22 Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cholesteryl Hydroxystearate, Cholesterol, Ceramid 3, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Betula Platpyhlla Japonica Juice, Portaluca Oleracea Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Amica Montana Flower Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Rasberry) Fruit Extract, Beta-Glucan, Adenosine, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA

From Peach and Lily:

Filled with hero-ingredient hyaluronic acid that holds 1000 times its weight in water. Extremely popular ingredient in Japan and Korea for its ability to drench the skin in moisture that is retained deep in the skin. Lightweight and silky absorption. Experience hydrated, firmed, supple skin. Ideal for all skin types, especially dry types.

You know something is good when your cat decides to hunt it.

The hyaluronic acid is a super lightweight, runny liquid. A bit heavier than water, but not as dense as your typical serum. A little goes a long way–just a few drops will cover your entire face. And this stuff absorbs super quickly, leaving you feeling refreshed, and yes, hydrated. It’s not odorless–but the scent is fresh and so mild you won’t even notice. It’s also super easy to throw into your nightly skin routine–after cleansing and toning your face, apply a few drops and pat to absorb. Follow with moisturizer (I personally don’t, but that’s because the hyaluronic acid itself is moisturizing enough for me) and sleep tight.

If you’re still put off by the ‘acid’ in the name, don’t be… because surprise, your body manufactures this stuff itself, to boost cell growth and renewal. As you age, the amount produced decreases, which is why this is such a lovely lovely product. Although it’s good for all skin types, it will be most effective on dry/dull skin. My skin is combination/oily, and although this product makes it feel healthier and alive (and incites that natural glow), it probably isn’t the most effective for me. Don’t get me wrong though, I still adore it. But if you have dry skin? You will adore it even more. And with time, I’m hoping it’ll help regulate oil production on my T-zone. Keep you updated? You bet I will.

Pros: Super hydrating and refreshing, quickly absorbed, makes skin feel radiant. Also, the bottle may be small, but it’ll last you a long time.
Cons: Nothing. Really.

Final Verdict: I totally recommend this if you have dry skin. It will make a HUGE difference. You can find it at Peach and Lily for $55 USD.

Thanks again to Peach and Lily for all the wonderful products! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for your company!

May 5, 2013
by L
9 Comments

Review: Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner

Just when I think I have a favorite eyeliner, a new one comes along. A perfect one. Along with the Clio Eye Guard Waterproof Liner and the Clio Friday Glow Liquid Shadow, Peach and Lily sent me the Clio Gelpresso Waterproof Pencil Gel Liner. In all honesty, this was the one I was least excited to try. Why? Because the color they sent me was called Golden Khaki, and I never usually go outside the realm of black with my eyeliner. However, rest assured that this color is awesome, like nothing I’ve tried before, and WAY better than I expected. And yes, it is my new favorite liner. I am obsessed.

Just in case you’ve been totally ignoring everything I write, I’m going to fill you in on the wonderful Peach and Lily.

The current brands Peach and Lily are offering include Aromatica, Be The Skin, Caolion, Clio, Mizon, Morihata, Sua Young, and Tatcha.

The facts:

Waterproof
Smudge-proof
Crease-proof
Long-lasting
Shimmery
Smooth and easy application
Talc and paraben-free
Available in two colors from Peach and Lily: Golden Black and Golden Khaki

From Peach and Lily:

Clio does it again with the beauty innovation. This gelpresso eyeliner was snatched up by makeup artists, raved about by beauty editors and repeat purchased by consumers. Why? The colors are gorgeous with hints of shimmer, and best of all, this has all the benefits of creamy, inky gel eyeliners without the hassle of separate brushes that need to be dabbed in water and cleaned. Long-lasting, smudge-proof and gorgeous on.

Both colors being offered by Peach and Lily are fantastic. I’m in love with the Golden Khaki, which is a dark earthy tone. I didn’t think it would work well with my skin or eyes, but I was wrong! It’s so unique and beautiful. Of course, the Golden Black is on my to-get list as well.

Application of this product is so incredibly easy. I’ve always preferred using gel liners to liquid, and this is no exception. Actually, it’s probably the easiest eyeliner I’ve ever applied. Ever. And I’ve used plenty of liners in my time, believe you me. It goes on SO smoothly and effortlessly, and once it’s on, it’s on. No smudging, no streaking, nothing.

There’s a sharpener attached to the end as well, but I don’t use it. Why? Because with a liner as rich as this, I love how it looks applied with a blunt end. And also, sharpening wastes liner, and that, my friends, is a precious commodity. Friends don’t let friends sharpen liner. Unless they want a really precise line, I guess.

I love love love this color. I’m super grateful to Peach and Lily for sending me this one instead of black. Breaking out of my comfort zone, one golden khaki at a time.

You can see the waterprooficity here. Is waterprooficity not a word? Who doesn’t care? It’s me. This was after a vigorous scrub with water. It hurt my hand and didn’t remove everything. It’ll come off easily with some makeup remover, though. Fret not.

Pros: Great colors, easy application, long-lasting and waterproof.
Cons: Absolutely nothing. I want more. Please donate to the Glamburger Gelpresso Fund.

Final Verdict: I plan on purchasing both Golden Khaki and Golden Black in the future, of course. Check it out for yourself at Peach and Lily for $20 a pop. You won’t be disappointed.

April 27, 2013
by L
12 Comments

Recipe: Mustard-Fried Butter Burgers

You can tell by the title of this recipe that it’s not the healthiest burger on the block. Sometimes that’s okay. Sometimes you have to give a little. Make sacrifices. I’m talking to you, kale-eaters. I promise you’ll have no regrets (and if you do, go back to your kale). This is my signature burger, and truly one of the best I’ve ever had. Delicious, moist and tender beef with a hint of yellow mustard, topped with some aged sharp cheddar on a toasted bun. Perfection. Just call me Paula Deen.

Ingredients

2 lb ground beef* (I use 80/20)
1/4 cup of butter (half a stick)
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Aged sharp cheddar, sliced (or your favorite cheese)
Buns for toasting
Burger garnishes (optional)

I used fresh, non-frozen ground beef for these, but used some frozen stuff in the ingredient photo for presentation purposes. Why? Because I had my ground beef in ziplock bags and it just didn’t look cool.

*This recipe can easily be halved. Or doubled. Or whatever.

1) Season that beef. Put your ground beef in a bowl, season with salt and pepper (as much as you see fit), and add the onion powder and Worcestershire sauce. Mix together thoroughly.

2) Make those patties. 2 lbs of ground beef will make roughly 8 patties, depending on what size you make them. Make sure to pack them solidly so they don’t fall apart when you begin to cook them! That’s bad.

3) Melt that butter. Slice up half a stick, throw it on the skillet and turn that heat up to medium-high (I keep it on 7-8). Don’t turn it too high, you don’t want your precious butter to burn. Once your butter has melted…

4) Place your patties gently in the skillet, giving each one a cute swirl of yellow mustard. Fry for about 7-8 minutes, occasionally swirling the butter and moving the patties around to ensure they don’t begin to stick.

5) It’s flippin’ time. The time limit I gave above was a rough estimate, because ~*each patty is a unique snowflake*~. Using a spatula, lift the patty a bit to see what kind of progress it’s making. If it looks like it’s getting too dark, flip that shit.

6) Once you flip the patties, the mustard will start to disperse, dancing around with its new BFF, butter. It will eventually turn an interesting brownish color if you continue cooking with it, especially if you have another batch of patties coming up. It’s okay. Trust me.

7) Remove the patties after another ~8 minutes and smother them with some cheese. I usually stick my patty+cheese into the microwave for 20 seconds to make things magical.

8) Toast your buns. Place your sliced buns in an oven at 350F, keeping them in there for around 5-8 minutes, depending on how toasty you like your buns. Haha. I never really time this, I just check to see if they’re getting crispy. Not too difficult. Toasted buns make all the difference.

9) Time to burg. Top with whatever garnishes you like. I usually keep mine simple, just adding a little more mustard and some ketchup on the side. Honestly, you don’t even need anything else with these. Enjoy. Because I can’t, since I’m on a diet. And it pretty much destroyed me typing this up and editing photos. I hope you’re satisfied.

10) I did not want to end this on an odd number.

April 20, 2013
by L
5 Comments

Review: Clio Friday Glow Liquid Shadow

There is quite a large possibility that I may be an eyeshadow addict. Lately, more often than not, I’ve been experimenting with a bunch of earthy neutrals to play up my blue eyes. I started with powder, moved along to cream… but this was a first for me. Liquid shadow. Clio Friday Glow Liquid Shadow, to be precise. It comes in a cute little tube and is applied with a cute little brush. And yes, it’s pretty incredible, and I was lucky enough to get sent two colors I’ve been wild about.

Just in case you missed it from my review on the Clio Eye Guard, let me reintroduce you to Peach and Lily, who sent me these lovely products.

The current brands Peach and Lily are offering include Aromatica, Be The Skin, Caolion, Clio, Mizon, Morihata, Sua Young, and Tatcha.

The facts:

Easily blendable
Works well alone or as a base
Shimmery
Long-lasting
Currently available in Sheer Beige and Deepen Brown

From Peach and Lily:

Clio’s Friday Glow Liquid Shadow is loved by makeup artists for its ability to mix well with other colors and be worn in single or multiple layers without a cakey look. Beautiful wearable shimmer that isn’t tacky but striking. Provides greater dimension to the eyes in a gorgeous, elegant way. Both colors wear extremely well as everyday daytime looks (apply single layer) or dazzling nighttime looks (apply multiple layers). Bestseller shadow. Size: 2.1ml

(Pretty graphics courtesy of Peach and Lily.)

As you can see, Deepen Brown is a luscious, warm brown flecked with gold shimmery sparkles. Sheer Beige is a gorgeous pale nude color, also flecked with gold, and is awesome when used as a base. However, I like it way too much by itself to waste it as that, so I prefer it to stand alone.

For these swatches I literally painted this stuff on thick. You shouldn’t actually do that to your eye, I just wanted to show how deeply pigmented this can be when layered. Of course, you do blend it in…

One thing you must note is that Friday Glow dries and sets VERY fast. The swatches sat on my hand for a bit while I was taking pictures, so by the time I blended it, the colors had already began marking their territory. You can especially see this with the darker shade, Deepen Brown. So once you apply it, get to blending before it’s… too late!!! *dramatic Korean Beauty Thunder rumbles in the distance*

Another important thing: follow directions when applying. I, in all my impatient excitement, failed to see the above graphic from Peach and Lily and tried to paint this on my eye (kind of like my swatches). It did not work. The color was intense, but… oof. So don’t paint. Dab. Dab cute little dots on your lid and drag your fingertip smoothly across. For a deeper hue, use multiple layers.

The Clio Friday Glow Liquid Shadow is also incredibly long-lasting, which is something I look for in an eyeshadow. Without removing my makeup before bed (naughty!), it lasted well into the next morning until I took a shower. The colors also blend super well together (as long as you do it fast enough), as you’ll see below.

Sheer Beige.

Deepen Brown.

Stolen from my Eye Guard review: Sheer Beige with just a smidge of Deepen Brown on the outer edges.

Pros: Long-lasting, gorgeous colors, easy to blend.
Cons: Only that it dries really fast, so if you’re trying it for the first time there might be a slight learning curve… be speedy! :)

Final Verdict: I’m in love with these. Sheer Beige is my favorite, and it’s my current go-to daily eyeshadow. You can check these out for yourself for $22 USD at Peach and Lily.

April 15, 2013
by L
6 Comments

Review: Tous Touch BB Cream

This is one of those products that I enjoy but have literally no information about. Apologizing in advance for that. Tous is a Spanish company that specializes in jewelry and accessories. They also have some fragrances and such, but I can’t find anything about this BB cream on their official website. I actually ran into it accidentally whilst on an eBay adventure. It was affordable, so why not? And so it came to be.

Tous itself isn’t hard to find information on. This BB cream, however, I can only find via eBay… and some bulk-selling Vietnamese sites. If you’re familiar with the Tous Touch BB Cream, I’d love to hear more about it! Including whether it’s legit or not. It’s kind of like another QBic BB Cream in that aspect. The more and more I think about this, the more and more I think it’s fake and nonexistent outside of eBay. But regardless, I like it.

The back, in all its Spanish glory. Apparently it is also Matte Lipstick. Well.

The facts:

SPF something
Moisturizing
Whitening
Neutral undertones
Two shades: 01 Porcelain and 02 Warm Sand

From the Taiwanese eBay seller:

Goods shelf life:3 years
SUPER BB CREAM100%，Effect of the 4 in 1 and designed for skin pores
Vitamin nourish nutrition，let the skin no longer so dry
Repair the damaged skin，Let your skin the original white tender
Powerful block defect effect，let your pores invisible
Pure natural herb extract

Yep.

I, the palest princess on the block, chose shade 01, Porcelain. It is actually super super light and I wasn’t expecting that, especially from a non-Asian brand. It’s a thicker BB cream, but doesn’t feel that heavy on your skin. It’s not the easiest to spread, but absorbs well enough. The most offending thing about this product is the scent. It’s extremely medicinal, which is fine, but for someone who’s used to floral-scented Asian BB creams, it came as a bit of a shock.

I’d say coverage is light-medium, but it can easily be increased by using more product. It evened my blotchy skin tone nicely. This BB cream has a glowy finish, so if you’re not into that, make sure to finish it off with a powder!
It’s not the greatest for oil control… but also not the worst. I usually don’t use a moisturizer when using this BB cream, which I find helps in that aspect.

After powder and everything else.

Pros: Super super cheap at $3-5 USD/~45g on eBay, shipping included. Good coverage. Porcelain is VERY light if you’re looking for a seriously light BB cream.
Cons: Strong medicinal scent. Quite possibly fake or counterfeit. But so cheap that it doesn’t even matter.

Final Verdict: I like the Tous Touch BB Cream. I do. I don’t even care if it’s not real, or if I’m supporting the Taiwanese mafia. I like it, and for the price you can’t go wrong.

If you know ANYTHING else about this product, please let me know!

Remember to check back soon for my next review on Clio Friday Glow Liquid Shadow from Peach and Lily!

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