Etude House Soon Jung Hydro Barrier Cream and Golden Child Bomin Endorsement Photocards Review

Golden Child's Bomin has really built a name for himself with his various individual schedules and endorsements. I blogged a bit about Bomin's individual merch here, but I've added to my collection since then so I figured I'd make a quick post. I won't actually be blogging about the skincare product itself, but rather on the packaging and photocards.

Bomin has been an endorser for Korean beauty brand Etude House. In a previous post linked above, I blogged about Bomin standees that were included as freebies from purchasing the various versions of the Play Color Eyes Hersey's Kisses Brush Kit. There are specific other skincare products that also include 2 Bomin photocards.

I didn't really have any interest in any skincare moments, but this one really caught my eye and is applicable for the bonus 2 Bomin photocards via Ktown4u. From Etude's Soon Jung line, this is their Hydro Barrier Cream that comes in a cute milk carton packaging.

Information and instructions are printed in both English and Korean. You can open the packaging on this backside.

Opening the flap reveals two samples, along with the jar of cream.

The hydro barrier cream comes in a minimalist plastic jar, and the pH5.5 Relief Toner and 10-Free Moist Emulsion samples come in plastic bottles.

And here are the 2 Bomin photocards! I like how the photocards are a set instead of a random inclusion. These photocards have a glossy finish. 

The backsides of the photocards have Etude's logo.

Here is my updated mini Bomin collection! Included are the Ateen 2 Photo Essay Book and Peripera lip tint, My Dahlia fabric perfumes, and Etude House standees and photocards.

Overall, I'm so happy for Bomin and how he's been branching out in various fields! I'm excited to see what else is in store for Bomin!

The Face Shop Smim Radiating Moisturizing Essence

The Face Shop has a mini line called "The Smim" with various products to improve skin elasticity, provide energy, whiten skin, and more. Here I'll be reviewing Smim Radiating Moisturizing Essence, with more information from its webpage.

The tagline on the front and back state "Flawless skin with moisture radiance" and "An essence restoring moisturized radiance from inside the skin with deep moisturization by naturally fermented kefir."

According to the webpage, this product uses Tibetan mushrooms, cloudberries, shea butter, and more to whiten, moisturize and make skin more resilient. It also suggests that after using the product for two weeks, you should notice that your skin is significantly more glowing and radiant than before. I won't be using this product for two weeks straight, so I won't know if this is true or not.

The instructions online state that after using the Smim Toner, every morning and evening, pump two to three times and apply in an outward direction, then lightly tap in the product to absorb. I never understood the importance of the direction to apply creams, but I won't question it.

Here is the product itself. It smells like the Tony Moly Snail Essence, a slight scent of lemon. It has an interesting consistency, as it is runny like watery congee. It's also really pretty, as it's translucent white with metallic flecks. The amount pictured above is enough for the bottom of my eyes downwards.

The Pros

• The product goes on very thinly on the face, since it's so watery. Therefore, a little goes a long way.

The Cons

• It feels like the product is just on top of my skin, like a film is on my face, and not really penetrating into my skin. It took two hours for it to fully absorb into my face.
• The smell did bother me a bit, but eventually I got used to it. It is very subtle though.
• This product is suggested for normal skin types, and I completely agree. It's watery so it won't help to rid grease nor will it help heal dry skin.

Overall, I don't think I'm a good person to be reviewing samples at all, since they're only to last a few days, and these products are meant for a long term effect. I'm the lazy type, so I'll only use a product if I have a skin problem that I want to fix (acne, dry, greasy, etc.), so I probably won't use this product again since it's to perfect already normal, healthy skin. I would like to just stick to my Kpop unboxing posts, but I have all these samples that I can use for blogging...

The Face Shop Olive Essential Cream

Back in February I wrote a review here about my Olive Essential Cream, a sample I got from The Face Shop. Though I've tested so many samples, this is honestly the first sample that I've loved so much and felt such an improvement after only one use, that I bought the actual product for myself!

I'll just review the packaging, my comments about the cream itself are in my original post. I bought this jar for somewhere around 10,000₩, or roughly $10USD. It is a little more pricey than their cheaper lines which I tend to buy (because the cheaper ones tend to have cuter packaging and the more high end ones are just for quality products).

This is a tinted olive green glass jar with a sturdy plastic screw lid with one of the brand's logos (I'm not sure if it's for one of their lines or just a general logo?). Every time you screw back on the lid, it always aligns perfectly to the front label. The jar is pretty small, about as tall as a golf ball.

The bottom of the jar has information printed in Korean, as well as the expiration date December 3, 2016. Usually Korean products would list the manufacture date, so it's nice to see the expiration date for once (since that's the date that really matters). It also states that the cream is 50 ml, or 1.69 fluid ounces.

The inside also has a thick plastic cover with a convenient handle. The underside of the lid also has a foam cushion, but it gets dented due to the handle. And I had to include my Infinite mouse pad in the picture, as they're the same color!

While the packaging isn't cute like a fruit or animal, it's simplistic and really high quality. I will definitely cherish this cream as one of my most favorite products I bought specifically not for the packaging!

SkinFood Facial Water Vita-C (Cream) Review

SkinFood has a skincare line called Facial Water Vita-C, which uses Vita C and Alaska glacier water to hydrate skin. Such products include cream, which I'll review here, a gel mask, total fluid and a mist, which was one of the first (and really badly done) reviews I did here.

According to the product's webpage, this Facial Water Vita-C Cream uses Vita C, which is a mash-up of raspberries, acai berries, cranberries and strawberries, all high in vitamin C for great hydration. This product also uses Alaska glacier water, which is very fresh and has a high concentration of oxygen, minerals and ions.

The directions on the back state to use this after the mist or essence. Then, apply the cream on your face and gently pat it in so the cream can absorb. Online also suggests to refrigerate beforehand for a cooling effect. Also if under exhaustion and stress, you can apply more of the product like a hydrating mask pack.

This facial cream is translucent with a hint of white, and has a very light cream consistency.

The Pros

• This cream has a subtly sweet summer floral scent; it's just slightly milder than the fragrant Facial Water Vita-C Mist.
• It feels very light on the face and doesn't irritate or disturb my skin.
• It retains moisture in my face and I can feel it still on my face in the morning.

The Cons

• Rather than moisturizing and hydrating my skin (which the product's name kind of implies), it more so keeps the face hydrated and healthy looking.

Overall, this is like a light face cream for normal skin to retain moisture and keep the face hydrated, rather than moisturize dry skin. Therefore this cream doesn't seem like a necessity, but maybe more for summer months to refresh your face or to use it daily to retain healthy moisture.

Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Skin Treatment Review

Missha has a line of skincare products, Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail, that uses snail slime to heal and strengthen damaged skin. Here I'll review the Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Skin Treatment. This product's US webpage states that this product is "a soothing gel that contains 30% snail slime extract for glowing skin," and is a "skin awakening booster and toner to firm skin foundation."

The page continues to state that this gel can be used for day and night by applying an adequate amount directly after washing your face. Then you can follow up withe the Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Essential Moisturizer for further cell regeneration.

This product is clear and has a very water consistency, yet it's slightly smooth, like highly diluted gel. Therefore, it's easiest to apply on your face by first pouring a bit into the palm of your hand. The scent is like that of high end perfume...full of musk and flowers. It isn't noticeable once on the face though.

The Pros

• This treatment feels very light on my face.
• I have no reaction, no stings, nothing while applying this on my face.
• Within seconds it dries and leaves a sticky residue, but within minutes that stickiness fades.
• My skin feels a bit smoother the next morning.

The Cons

• There is nothing negative to say...but I'm neutral on the product. It doesn't actually seem like there are benefits to using this, just that I'm adding an unnecessary extra step to my skincare routine.

Overall, I'll probably have to use this product over a period of time to actually see cell regeneration and stronger skin. While my skin does feel a bit smoother afterwards, I'd rather use a thicker face cream that will more quickly moisturize my skin and guarantee instant results.

The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Crystal Water Super Gel Review

The Face Shop's Arsainte Eco-Therapy Crystal Water Super Gel contains one part iceberg water from Canada and one part phyto-hyaluronic acid, according to the description on the back. This product's webpage adds that this gel cream seeps into your face for lasting moisture.

The directions online say after using toner and emulsion, use an adequate amount of product and apply onto your face from inside outwards. I see no difference as to where you apply this gel first, but if they say so...

This product is a gel that spreads easily and feels like I'm glazing my face. It is a translucent white hue with metallic flecks that turns completely clear once spread around, so there isn't actually glitter on your face. The scent is like that of grass jelly you'd have in boba tea.

The Pros

• The scent is pleasant and not overbearing.
• It spreads easily on my face and feels light, yet effective in providing moisture.
• My face has no reaction to this product: no stings, no burns, nothing!
• A few minutes after putting a layer on my face, it feels like a light layer of wax (in a good way, like moisturization). This smooth layer even lasts until morning, when I applied it the night before.

The Cons

• Nothing!

Overall, I like this water gel. It's light on the face and creates a smooth texture that lasts the following morning. In a way, the results of using this Water Super Gel is like a milder version of using The Face Shop's Olive Essential Cream; this gel could be used for the hotter months while the cream could be used for the colder months.

The Face Shop Baby Face Sleeping Mask Aqua Drop Pack Review

Update: Read the last paragraph for my latest (and pretty gross) thoughts about this mask.

The Face Shop has different masks in the Baby Face line that are meant to give you healthy skin, hopefully comparable to a baby's. Here I have a sample of the Baby Face Sleeping Mask Aqua Drop Pack, which may also go by Baby Face Hyaluronic Acid Pack.

The description from this product's webpage states that this mask uses aqua drop massage to moisturize, shine and improve blood circulation while lavender is used to calm the nerves and induce sleep. The directions on the back of this sample say to use at night, after cleansing and toning, by gently massaging the mask onto the face and neck. It is implied to leave the mask on and then go to sleep.

This mask has a tart lemon scent that reminds me of Tony Moly's Intense Snail Care Essence. It is white that easily turns transparent as it's spread, and is very smooth and runny.

Sleeping masks seem very similar to night creams, but with sleeping masks you put on more product (maybe a thin, but still visible layer on your face) so that it can seep into your skin overnight. This is the general idea, but I'm not too fond of it. I put on one layer, which was very wet and smooth to the touch, and it easily absorbed like thick face cream such as The Face Shop's Olive Essential Cream. Since it's a sleeping mask, I put on a second layer that will hopefully penetrate my skin overnight. Surprisingly the product doesn't make my hair feel sticky or gross since it's more watery. When I woke up, there was a layer of cream that remained, which felt a bit gross. My face did feel smooth and a bit waxy (like using those thick night creams), so it would be a good base layer for BB cream, but the amount of mask still on my face was too much. I didn't want to wash it off either, because it would be like washing off lotion.

The Pros

• The citrus scent is quite pleasant.
• It feels soothing on the face (except for on my zits).
• As a sleeping mask, it wasn't messy while sleeping. Definitely a plus!
• My face was smooth the following morning (but there was way too much excess mask still left on my face).

The Cons

• Using this mask did sting my zits, but after about 10 minutes the sting was gone.
• It just feels like I'm putting on too much night cream...which is why I'll just use one layer next time, as a night cream.

Overall, I see this sleeping mask more as a light night cream. I really don't like waking up with goop on my face, so that was a turn-off, but if I were to put just one layer on like a night cream, then it'd be much better.

Update:

Instantaneously after using this mask for the second night in a row, I felt irritation where my zits are, around my chin. Then I noticed that this entire area was completely red, and my skin felt very raw and dry; my skin felt like it was burning...so I guess I'm allergic to some chemical in this mask, as this reaction definitely shouldn't happen. The first photo (which I realize is all red because of the lighting...) is directly after I applied the mask. You can see the redness under my bottom lip. The middle photo is about half an hour afterwards, with aloe plastered on top. The bottom photo is of the following morning, with slight redness and dry, flaky skin. It's been three full days, and my face is still like the bottom photo. I honestly don't know what went wrong or what ingredient I'm allergic to (my face very rarely gets reactions!), but now I have a fear of using any of my products...like the saying goes, if it's not broken, don't fix it. Maybe I shouldn't use so many products anymore...?

Tony Moly Timeless EGF Power Cream Review

While Tony Moly is known for its super cute packaging, they also have more high-end products, such as the Timeless EGF Power Cream, which I'll review a sample of here.

I had to look it up, but EGF stands for Epidermal Growth Factor, which heals and renews skin cells. The sample's front states that this cream is primarily for anti-wrinkle, whitening and skin power. More specifically, on the product's webpage, it states that using this product for one day the product creates smooth skin, 14 days creates firm skin, 28 days creates clear skin and 60 days rids wrinkles. This page also says that it is for all skin types, is an anti-aging cream highly concentrated with vitamins and nutritious oils, has a luxurious jelly consistency to tighten, even, hydrate, relieve and protect damaged and sensitive skin. It also says that this product should be used along with Tony Moly's snail care line and other EGF products. The directions online say to use an adequate amount on your face, then spread it and lightly tap it in for better absorption.

This product is a very thick and white cream with a subtle scent, a bit like Tony Moly's Floria line. Using this is like putting on a thick, transparent layer on my skin that feels silky afterwards. So, it's not as thick, heavy and waxy as the Missha Super Aqua Ultra Waterfull Cream or The Face Shop Olive Essential Cream.

The Pros

• This cream hydrates and moisturizes my skin very well.
• This is great for cold months as the cream feels like a light shield against the cold and dry air.
• When I used this right before bed, it still lasted until morning to create a smooth and even base for right before I apply BB cream.

The Cons

• None!

Overall, I really do like this face cream. It's heavy, but not as heavy as the other face creams I mentioned, so it's nice for the transition months when it's still a bit chilly or for cold winters. It's a great cream to use at night as it keeps my face hydrated until the following morning.

Shara Shara Aloe Soothing Up Pure Girl Review

I admit, the name of this product isn't very descriptive as to what it actually is, and practically all else is written in Korean, but don't be turned off by it! An added bonus is that Myungsoo endorses this product! Shara Shara isn't such a huge brand so it's hard to find much information about their products in English online, but I'll try my best to thoroughly review this product.

This is 200 ml of product, surely enough to last quite some time. Also this product is 92% aloe vera, which sounds very promising for those with very dehydrated and sensitive skin.

If you're interested, here are pictures of the label:

This label has lots of information in Korean (which, sadly, I can't translate).

This middle section includes ingredients listed in English.

This last section has the QR code to prove that this is a certified, official Shara Shara product, as well as logistics about the company.

From the bottom, you can see that this container is full of aloe. The expiration date is also listed at the bottom; I'm surprised that this product has an expiration date printed, because many Korean cosmetics list only the manufacture date.

Surprisingly, I found a lot of information on this product's page on Amazon.com. Apparently, this product in an all-in-one deal. It can be used like a cooling pack, by storing it in the fridge and applying it to your skin for a refreshing and cooling effect. Or you can use it on your face or body to moisturize and hydrate dry skin, or your feet during humid days. Also it may be used as a sleeping pack for you face. And lastly, it can be used to treat damaged, dry and split hair by moisturizing it and creating shine. All of the other options sound accurate, but I'm not really sure if this product can actually be used for hair as well. It seems too good to be true, like the go-to product for any need. I won't actually be reviewing the cooling pack method (my family would mistake this as jello in the fridge), foot method (it's too cold now...this seems more like a summer idea), nor the sleeping pack method (since most of the aloe would end up on my bed sheets than seeping into my skin).

I've been constantly turning this container over and upside-down, which I don't recommend doing. The aloe has been seeping through the lid and is starting to come out between the lid and the container. There is also a sturdy, clear plastic inner lid to try and stop the aloe from leaking out. Currently the clear lid is still on, yet aloe is still coming out. Here, you can also see the large size of the container, as well as the translucency of the aloe.

Here is the clear lid. You can see the aloe on the lid is actually completely transparent. This may look like it has a jelly consistency, but really it's very watery.

The aloe melts on my skin almost instantly, and it was quickly dripping down my hand. Initially the aloe may feel a bit sticky, but the aloe absorbs into my skin in a matter of seconds and totally disappears. I'm surprised at just how quickly it dissolves and hydrates my skin, leaving my skin looking the same as before (meaning no shininess like from lotions), just more hydrated. The aloe also feels very light and after it's been absorbed, my skin doesn't feel the aloe at all.

I also applied a bit of aloe onto my split ends, but I'm not sure how it'll actually help mend them back together. The aloe only gave my hair that wet effect, like I'm using gel to style my hair.

The Pros

• There's a lot of aloe to last quite awhile!
• Aloe is great for very sensitive and dehydrated skin. It's also great for burns, though I have yet to try this product on a burn.
• I feel no irritation, only a refreshing effect due to the cooling powers of aloe, which can be amplified by leaving in the fridge.
• There is barely any stickiness and no greasy feeling at all, so I can freely use my computer or slip into my bed sheets without getting everything all moist with aloe.
• The aloe is so quick to hydrate!
• There is barely any scent, but if you sniff your skin, there is a refreshing aloe scent.
• When using on my face, it creates a healthy, matte finish.
• This product seems very versatile (for the body, for the face as a cooling pack, for the face as a sleeping pack, for hair repair [?]...).

The Cons

• The first few times may be a bit messy because of the excess product seeping everywhere.
• I'm still weary about using this as a hair treatment...maybe you'll have better luck in this department.

Overall, this is a great product to use when your skin is dry and in need of quick hydration. The super fast absorption time and non-stickiness are also very convenient for those in a rush. I'm not so sure about using aloe for my hair, but I'll definitely continue to use it on my face and body!

The Face Shop Olive Essential Cream Review

The Face Shop has a mini skincare line that focuses on the benefits of olive, called Olive Essential. This line includes three products to use in a skincare routine:  Moisture Toner, Moisture Emulsion and Cream. According to the product's webpage, these three products contain the same ingredients to moisturize skin. While the product works for all skin types, it is recommended for those with normal skin.

The backside of this sample claims that this cream uses olives to deeply moisturize and nourish skin.

This product is opaque white and has a very thick, creamy consistency that easily blends clear. It has a subtle cleanly scent with the slightest hint of lemon. The amount in the picture is plenty for a thick layer on my entire face. Using this cream is like putting on a thick layer of melted wax (in a good way) because it's so thick. I find this cream very comparable to Missha's Super Aqua Ultra Waterfull Cream.

The Pros

• This cream really moisturizes dry skin well! I used it at night right after washing my face, and in the morning I still felt the cream seeping into my skin. It creates a smooth and thick layer over my face, like the cream is protecting me from the cold weather outside. This is perfect for the harsh winter air!
• A little goes a long way, so these sample packs can definitely last me a few days.
• The scent is subtle and refreshing, not bothersome.

The Cons

• Nothing - I absolutely love this cream!

Overall, I really like this Olive Essential Cream. It's thick and creamy texture works well to moisturize my dry skin, which is especially handy for these brutal winter months.

Update: I actually bought this product because I loved the sample so much! Here is my review of just the packaging.

Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Essence Review

While Tony Moly is famous for its affordable line of realistic fruit products, it also has a more high end line of Snail Care.  This line includes different types of skincare products, as well as hand cream, BB cream, lip treatment, and more.  All the products come in streamline and elegent packaging, rather than the produce-shaped packaging.  Here I'll review the Intense Care Snail Essence.

According to Tony Moly's website, this product hydrates, moisturizes, repairs and brightens skin.  This essence is targeted at those with pimples and with dry and dull skin.  It contains snail slime, which is very interesting and unique. On the sample, the print states that this essence is for anti-wrinkle, whitening and nutrition. I don't know why the website and sample list two completely different effects.

The essence has a clear gel consistency, but more runny. Like slime, it leaves a slightly sticky residue after applying it. The amount in my palm is enough for an ample layer on my cheeks, nose and chin. I suggest applying the product in thin layers, because the skin doesn't absorb it quickly.

Pros

• There is a subtle, pleasant lemon scent while applying the essence to my face, and it fades quickly so the scent doesn't become overwhelming.
• There is no irritation or discomfort, even on my sensitive areas with zits.
• The essence feels very light on my face.
• The product easily spreads, and a little goes a long way.

Cons

• I suggest using this like a night cream.  I tried using it as a primer, but the essence takes too long to be absorbed and therefore dilutes additional products I use.
• As mentioned before, there is a slightly sticky residue, which may bother people.
• It takes awhile for the skin to completely absorb this product.  I applied several layers and it took around an hour for it to fully absorb.

Overall, this is a pleasant gel to use right before bed.  It does moisturize and my skin feels smooth, but I don't think it'll greatly repair super dry skin.  I will continue to use these samples because Tony Moly tends to offer this one often, but I probably wouldn't buy it.

Etude House: Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit Review

During my first visit into an Etude House, I was drawn by the size of the Precious Mineral BB Cream Bright Fit; the BB creams I see and buy are always travel size, but this one is huge! After testing it and loving it even more, I just had to purchase this BB cream.

Etude has several BB creams within their Precious Mineral line along with Bright Fit; there's also Cotton Fit and Sun Cream., as well as other foundation-like products of the Precious Mineral line, like powder and sponge.

Now onto the actual product!  The cream comes in a light pearlescent pink rectangular box with fancy silver sparkles.  The design of the box definitely matches Etude's girly princess concept very well.  The supposed qualities of this cream are that it contains SPF, it prevents wrinkles and it brightens your skin.  The right side explains that Etude's Precious Mineral BB Cream line's main ingredient is pearl extract, creating a "silky complexion," along with the three qualities mentioned before.  The directions say to apply on your entire face and then "pat to finish."

The left side has Korean information and the back has more Korean information (and a Chinese translation sticker placed over the top because I bought this at a Hong Kong location).  The bottom just has a barcode and number.

The top of the box gives the product name, SPF number (30) and shade.  The shade I chose was Natural Beige W13.  There were several available shades, at least four, to my surprise because many Asian brands I've seen only carry two shades.

Like I mentioned earlier, the size of the bottle first caught my attention.  The box states that the weight is 60 grams, but there is nothing on the volume.  To give more perspective on the size, compare the bottle to this ruler and my SkinFood BB creams that hold 30 milliliters each.

Here is the actual product.  The front looks very similar to the box.  The back has a little Korean information.

The bottle comes with a sturdy cap and push dispenser.

The consistency is creamy and smooth, and there is no scent.  The amount on my finger tip is plenty for covering one entire cheek.

Pros

• This cream offers thick coverage, making me look like I have flawless skin!
• It gives a natural matte finish.
• After wearing it for a few hours, my face doesn't feel heavy, nor do I sense dryness or oiliness.
• A little really does go a long way: just a drop covers a large portion of my face.
• The bottle has a lot of product inside, so you're getting a great deal!  This product will definitely take me quite some time to finish
• There's no scent, which is great for sensitive people.

Cons

• Honestly, there is nothing bad about this product!

Overall, I absolutely love this product!  My skin looks and feels healthy and polished, and I think this is my new go-to BB cream.  While using this cream, I look and feel so much more refreshed and confident.