beauty | Berries in the Snow

asian cosmetics beauty I'm from Wishtrend

Cruelty-free Skincare Favorites from Wishtrend

24. May 2021

//PR SAMPLES / KBEAUTY / SKINCARE //

Wishtrend is currently having its annual Cruelty-Free Brand Week with many discounts and offers, Therefore, I want to show you my current cruelty-free skincare product favorites from Wishtrend, and a quick impression on each of the products and why I love and use them in my skincare routine.

If you don’t know Wishtrend, but love Korean or Asian cosmetics and skincare products I can recommend you to check out their online shop. Many of their brands and products are so potent and are loved by many within the skincare and Asian beauty brands community. For their Cruelty-free Brand week, they offer sales up to 40% from 24th May to 30th of May 2021. Free shipping is also offered for all purchases of 100US$ or more, and a free goodie bag for all purchases. There is also an additional 20% off of orders from 180 US$ or more using the code PAWPROMISE. This brings me to another point: the #PAWPROMISE challenge. This challenge is brought into life by Wishtrend in order to bring more attention to cruelty-free through social media, and Wishtrend is hosting a giveaway alongside this challenge. Here are the details for this giveaway and the #pawpromise challenge (unfortunately, I cannot join myself, because I don’t have any cats or dogs, or other pets with paws :D) :

HOW TO ENTER
1. Ask for a high five to your animal friends and film their reactions. (High five success or failure does not matter!)
2. Upload the reaction video post or reels on your public Instagram account. (No stories)
3. Tag @Wishtrend in the video & caption.
4. Make sure to use the hashtag #PawPromise in the post.
5. It’s a bonus if you are following us @Wishtrend and @WishtrendTV

PRIZE
ONE WTL routine box of your choice + ONE elmt product of your choice

RULES
1. Challenge entry can be made from May 21st to 30th (CST)
2. 10 Winners will be announced via Wishtrend Instagram story tags & DM on June 2nd.
3. Your IG profile has to be public in order for us to see the video.
4. Giveaway is open for those living in our shipping countries. Please check https://wishtrend.com/shipping-delivery for details.

Currently, I’m using some products from Wishtrend in my regular skincare routine, and I enjoy them a lot. So, if you need some shopping inspiration, here are my current picks for you. Of course, all of these are cruelty-free:

I’m from Rice Toner (currently on sale for 18.20$)

The number one pick, that I can recommend really a lot, is the I’m From Rice Toner. I will review it this week on my blog, too, because I’ve almost finished using it. This milky toner is a staple in my skincare routine, and I will probably repurchase it on the next occasion. It contains 77.78% of rice extract from Jeju which helps with your skin’s elasticity. Apart from rice extract, it contains Niacinamide and other plant-based ingredients like rice bran extract, Japanese elm bark extract, common purslane extract, and amaranthus caudatus seed extract. The texture differs from the typically watery toners, not only because of the milky appearance, but also it feels slightly creamy, too. I’m using it as the second toner in my morning routine.

Klairs Fundamental Watery Oil Drop (currently on sale for 24.80$)

This oil-like moisturizing serum combines Jeju Green Tea Water, Bifida and Rice Ferment Extract and Peptide and feels rich and nourishing, without being greasy or sticky like a facial oil. I think, this is especially great for oily skin types, who have dehydrated skin, and don’t want to use facial oils. I think it is also great for the summer season for dry skin types, for additional hydration in the daytime routine. It gives a subtle but healthy glow, too.

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream (currently on sale for 20$)

This calming and soothing cream containing Guaiazulene is not only famous for the signature light blue color of the cream, but it is also a very thick and rich texture and can be greatly used as occlusive cream as the last step of your nighttime skincare. In the official instructions, it is said, that you can use it on the desired areas in a thick layer. I love using this cream all over my face. It has a wonderful effect and I also reviewed it previously on my blog >>here<<.

By Wishtrend Natural Vitamin 21.5% Enhancing Sheet Mask (currently on sale for 2.25$ per mask)

Hands down, I love the by Wishtrend Vitamin C line. I’ve used 3-4 bottles of the serum already and you can find my (old) review >>here<<. But I can also recommend this Vitamin C mask from the same line as gentle in-between vitamin kick for your skin. It’s a very thin sheet mask soaked heavily in essence with 21.5% of a natural vitamin complex (Vitamin Tree Water & Boseong Green Tea Water) and provides a simple and gentle vitamin care for sensitive skin types, for those avoiding the highly concentrated vitamin C serum. The mask has only 12 ingredients, too, which I love.

I have used many more products from various brands sold on Wishtrend and you can also browse through my archives for more reviews and impressions. Also, although I use my affiliate links, which give me a small commission if any purchases are made through these links, I would not write this post, If I’m not really loving these products. Through my skincare journey within the last years, Wishtrend and the products they offer have always been really great for my skin and I enjoyed trying out new products from their brands. They have so many innovative ideas and have developed and improved so much through all the years, and they definitively deserve to be known all around the world. So head over to Wishtrend and have fun shopping!

Cruelty-Free Brand Promotion on Wishtrend

Period: May 24th – 30th (CST), 2021

Sales up to 40% (differs by brands and categories)

Free Goodie Bag for all purchases

Free Shipping: Free Expedited Shipping over $100

Promotion Code: PAWPROMISE (Get 20% OFF $180)

What are your favorite cruelty-free skincare products?

asian cosmetics beauty Jumiso PR Sample

Review: Jumiso Have A Good Cream Snail & Centella

25. April 2021

// SKINCARE / PR SAMPLE / KBEAUTY //

This review of the Jumiso Have a Good Cream Snail & Centella is long overdue, but I enjoyed this moisturizer so much, that I wanted to share my opinion with you nonetheless. It is a deeply hydrating moisturizer suited for all skin types and day and night use.

The Korean brand Jumiso is part of the brand Helloskin and is directed towards meeting all consumer needs. Their brand name is composed of “Ju” for ” to give”, and “miso” for “smile”. This is even visualized in their smiling brand logo. To me, the brand is probably best and widely known for the All Day Vitamin Brightening & Balancing Facial Serum, which has been loved by many within the skincare enthusiast community. But today, I will talk about this wonderful cream called Jumiso Have A Good Cream.

This hydrating and soothing cream is directed towards all skin types and for use during night and day. It is a very simple cream, but this makes it probably so much more worth a try. Noteworthy are the two focus ingredients, that are snail secretion filtrate and Centella Asiatica extract. The snail extract delivers great hydration and anti-inflammatory properties, while the Centella extract also helps to repair the skin.

Snail Secretion Filtrate

Snail Mucus or snail secretion filtrate claims to be rich in hyaluronic acid and antioxidants and thus help our skin to regenerate stimulating the formation of collagen, elastin, and dermal components that repair the signs of photoaging. Also, it claims to minimize the damage generated by free radicals that are responsible for premature skin aging (there is a Wikipedia entry for snail mucus, too). The snail mucus is not obtained by harming the snails, but it is collected in so-called snail farms.

Centella Asiatica

Centella Asiatica extracts have been used in traditional medicine and are still used today, having beneficial properties like wound-healing. Scientific studies have shown that continuous application of the extract can promote collagen-building, act anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. The purified extract of Centella Asiatica is called TECA. It is a standardized extract composed of Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic acid. It is used in skincare targeting wound-healing, scarred skin, sensitive skin, but also seems to be effective on cellulite.

Apart from these two ingredients, the composition of the cream is paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, and free from allergens according to the EU. Furthermore, it contains panthenol and hyaluronic acid, which are both known for their wound-healing and hydrating properties. I also spotted bacillus ferment and oils (macadamia and jojoba) among the ingredients:

Water, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Squalane, Centella Asiatica Extract, Bacillus Ferment, 1-2,Hexanediol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethicone, Trehalose, Arachidyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Arginine, Carbomer, Cyclopentasiloxane, Panthenol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polysilicone-11, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Mentha Haplocalix Extract, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Menthyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Beta-Glucan

The texture of the cream is like you’d expect it to be. A white-colored cream, that is not as stiff as Nivea, for example, but glides softly and feels very moisturizing and melty. It absorbs nicely and doesn’t pill when using sunscreen or BB creams on top. I used up the 50g of cream in such a short time because my skin loved it so much- and of course, it worked great during the day, but also for the night-time routine. Since my skin is dry, I definitely enjoyed all the hydrating properties of the cream, but the soothing properties were a plus during the night. I also mixed drops of oil into the cream for my night routine, to make it even richer.

If you have a dry skin type like me, I can assume, that you will like this cream. Also, if you are looking for minimal skincare products, this cream is a good choice, because it works during morning and evening skincare routines and contains hydrating and repairing properties. I discovered, that the design of the jar has been changed a bit, but the content is still the same. At YesStyle it retails for around 19 US$. You can also use my code BERRIES for up to a 5% discount on your order. Also, check out my Coupons & Discount page for more and up-to-date deals.

Have you tried this cream? What is your favorite product from Jumiso?

asian cosmetics beauty I'm from review Wishtrend

Review: I’m from Mugwort Sheet Mask

19. April 2021

//KBEAUTY/SHEET MASK/SKINCARE//

If you follow my Instagram you know that I love using my sheet masks every other day. Recently, I used this I’m from Mugwort Sheet Mask from Wishtrend, and since it was my first product from the I’m from Mugwort line I wanted to share my impression with you.

I’m from is a Korean brand with the motto “a good cosmetics with a good ingredient”. I’m from is using natural ingredients in their cosmetics, and they want to be an honest and quality providing brand. They have three promises to their customers, being 1. open composition, which means transparent ingredients, 2. Honest Farm, meaning honest ingredients with a true origin, and 3. being free of harmful chemicals.

The I’m from Mugwort Sheet Mask comes in a simple sachet with the signature mud-green color of the I’m from Mugwort skincare line. There is an essence, cream, mask, and spot treatment from this line, as well., but I haven’t tried them yet.

This sheet mask comes with 91.45% Mugwort essence from the region of Ganghwa in South Korea. Apart from this key ingredient, the ingredients list is not very long either, which I appreciate a lot:

Artemisia Princeps (Mugwort) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methlypropanediol, Cordyceps Sinensis (Caterpillar fungus) Extract, 1,2 Hexanediol, Capryly Glycol, Allantoin, Zanthoxylum Piperitum (Japanese Pepper) Fruit Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Panthenol, Pulsatilla Koreana (Korean pasque flower) Extract, Carbomer, Arginine

Mugwort Extract – Artemisia Princeps Extract

So, what are the benefits of Mugwort extract after all: skincare products containing Artemisia Princeps extract are known to improve dry skin symptoms by improving the barrier repairing effects of the skin by upregulating antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, mugwort extract is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has a long tradition in Asian traditional medicine for all its benefits. A good starting point for further reading might be >this publication< by Hirano et al. from 2017.

The mask itself has a thin fabric, which is thoroughly soaked with the essence. The essence itself is clear with a light green/yellowish color. According to the description on Wishtrend, the product has a pH of ~5.8. Moreover, it is free from ethanol, silicone, steroids, artificial coloring, and artificial fragrance. The mask is vegan and cruelty-free. The mask had good adhering properties and didn’t slide around on my face while wearing it. I used it for 20 minutes before removing it, and though a lot of the essence was absorbed by my skin, it wasn’t dried out completely. There was enough left-over essence in the sachet to be used on the neck and arms. Below, you can see a picture of the mask after I used it for 20 minutes.

My impression was, that my skin soaked up as much as possible and felt so hydrated after using it. Also, I had the feeling the skin was calmed down, as well. The fabric had a nice feeling on the skin and was not bothering me while wearing it. This mask is definitely something that is worth a try and although it might be expensive compared to or sheet masks, I can imagine repurchasing this one. A single mask retails for 4 US$, it is also available in a box with 20 pieces for 40 US$. You can also check my Coupons & Discount page for additional codes to use during your purchase on Wishtrend. They usually have monthly discount codes of 10 %, or you can use my referral code C0D76CCE. You will get a 10% discount on your first purchase.

Have you used this mask or any of the I’m from Mugwort skincare products?

beauty beauty boxes InStyle PR Sample

Unboxing: InStyle Box Spring Edition 2021

18. April 2021

//PR SAMPLE/BEAUTY/UNBOXING//

It’s time for the unboxing of the InStyle Box Spring Edition 2021 that arrived on my doorstep a few days ago and I want to share the amazing content with you! As usual, the InStyle Box is so packed with awesome products, and in my opinion, it is one of those subscription boxes that is worth the money.

It’s spring and we are still in the midst of the Covid-Pandemic, so this time the InStyle Box is dedicated to self-care and feel-good, with a versatile range of products.

Gokos EyeLighter (19.90€/pc)

This EyeLighter Pen is a double-sided pen with a soft broad spongy side and a more pointy one. The color is a bright nude color, with shimmering particles that can be used in an everyday look. The pigments are inside the caps, so it uses the twist-mechanism that many Korean and Japanese brands have used in the past. The name of the brand is made from the English word “Go” and the German word “Kosmetik”, meaning cosmetics, creating products that are easy to use on the go.

Coxir Black Snail Collagen Eye Cream (16 €/ 30ml)

I’m so happy to see a KBeauty brand in this box. Coxir is a rather new brand to me and the Black Snail Collagen skincare line combines snail secretion filtrate, black bean, and collagen as key ingredients for anti-aging and elasticity. And apart from these ingredients, I spotted so many good plant-based ingredients, like sesame, rice, ginseng, honeysuckle, tomato, etc.

Head & Shoulders Supreme Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner (3.95€ each)

I have dry and frizzy hair so every haircare providing moisture sounds great to me and I’m keen to try. This line from Head & Shoulders comes with Argan Oil and Coconut Oil, which are both great for hydration.

InStyle Box Bracelet (24.95€ /pc)

A cute golden bracelet that comes in a red bag.

Avon Loaded Lip Lacquer (11€/ 7ml)

This lip lacquer from Avon comes in a vibrant pink shade, that fits perfectly for spring. The liquid lip paint has a glossy finish and contains oils for extra nourishment of the lips while wearing the lip color.

Elle Decoration Decoration by Crown ( 2.99€ / 0.125 l)

This one came totally unexpected, and I was wondering what it is until I realized, that this is a jar of wall/furniture paint in the color “enchanted ivy”, a beautiful jungle-green color. I will use this for some picture frames or plant pots and I’m happy to see some DIY products in the InStyle box.

acáo Pomgranade Drink (1.65€ / 265 ml)

This caffeine-containing drink with Pomgranade flavor contains mint and guarana makes me dream of traveling with this colorful bird design. I can imagine that this is a very refreshing drink, especially since it contains mint extract.

Maria Galland Nail Polish (22€ / 7 ml)

This nail polish from Maria Galland Paris is the perfect nude color for spring.

Dermaroller Mask and Dermaroller HC902 (mask: 8.39€/pc ; roller: 63.90€)

Apart from the Coxir product, this was definitely one of the highlights. The InStyle Box came with the sheet mask and a voucher for a Derma -Roller from the same brand. The roller was not included in the Box, because it didn’t fit. On my first try, the voucher didn’t work, and I was a bit disappointed. But I tried again on another day and suddenly it worked perfectly. I was totally happy when the roller arrived already on the next day! This was so fast! Can’t wait to use both now.

The content of the InStyle Box Spring Edition 2021 is amazing once again! The colors of the decorative cosmetics fit the spring season and I love the skincare products included, I’m looking forward to trying the Dermaroller and the Coxir Eye Cream and I’m happy to see KBeauty in this box. Usually, the box retails for 29.95€, if you only get one box, but it gets cheaper with a subscription. Since the Dermaroller on its own is already worth around 60 €, this box definitely makes up for its price.

What are your favorite items out of this box?

asian cosmetics beauty BemusedKorea PR Sample review

Review: A by Bom Ultra Watery Eonseongcho Cleansing Foam

7. November 2019

//PR SAMPLE/KBEAUTY/SKINCARE//

A by Bom Ultra Watery Eonseongcho Cleansing Foam, a name that is hard to remember for non-Koreans, I guess. I had to doublecheck whether I wrote it correctly. But despite the spelling difficulties, I’m finally here with a review for this gentle cleansing foam.

Do you know A by Bom? A by Bom Cosmetics is another Kbeauty brand from the vast amount of increasing KBeauty brands on the market. Their motivation is to take care of people and nature. A.by BOM Cosmetics is made of natural ingredients of various vegetable oils and extracts such as rice, beans, camellia, jasmine, lotus, black teas, and so on. I reviewed the A by Bom Ultra Time Return Eye Cream before, which was perfect for anyone suffering from dry skin under or around the eyes. The A by Bom Ultra Watery Eonseongcho Cleansing Foam on the other hand, which I’m talking about today, is a very mild foaming cleanser suited for everyone.

The A by Bom Ultra Watery Eonseongcho Cleansing Foam promises a dense foam with non-irritating micro-bubble that cleans the pores and keeps the skin hydrated. Therefore, two key ingredients are used: 1. Phyto-Oligo complex and 2. Eoseongcho Extract. You might be wondering what Eoseongcho is after all, and if you are a skincare addict you have stumbled across this extract under another name: houttuynia cordata extract! Houttuynia cordata is great for skin conditioning and purifying. The foam cleanser contains 10000 ppm of the extract. The Phyto-Oligo complex is a patented substance that contains Aloe Vera and Hollyhock. It has calming and moisturizing properties.

The full ingredients are listed below:

Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Laureth,Sulfosuccinate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Pteris Multifida Extract, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglycerl-10 Myristate, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-39, Potassium Cocoate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, Polyquaternium-51, Beta-Glucan, Fragrance 24

The product is paraben-free, sulfate-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free and free from EU allergens.

The A by Bom Ultra Watery Eonseongcho Cleansing Foam comes in a pump bottle containing 145 ml of product. The design is simple and yet cute with the green leaves all around. In order to use it, you have to apply the foam on your damp skin and massage it. Afterward, you can rinse it off. I used this foam cleanser as the second cleanser in my double cleansing routine. This means, that I used a cleansing oil or balm in order to remove make-up first. In a second step, I’m using the foam cleanser to remove the remaining dirt. You can see the foam in the pics below.

You can see from the pics that the foam is not as dense as I thought, to be honest. Also, I had to pump more than 5-6 times to get a decent amount of the product into my hands. I’m suspecting, that the foam dispenser was somehow not working properly. I’m wondering whether the product has a denser consistency with a regular pump. If you tried this product yourself, let me know if you had the same problem with this product. On the other note, the foam itself was indeed very gentle and didn’t feel drying on the skin. The skin was feeling clean without feeling stripped of all its moisture. I also love the short ingredients list and the two key ingredients used here. Despite the defected pump, I emptied this product to the last drops-or foam :D

You can get your hands on the A by Bom Ultra Watery Eonseongcho Cleansing Foam for 24 US$ on BemusedKorea.

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asian cosmetics beauty Glimyu PR Sample review

Review: Glimyu GlimBase Set

3. November 2019

//PR SAMPLE/SKINCARE/KBEAUTY//

I’m very happy and excited to introduce a new K-beauty brand to you named “Glimyu”. I will introduce you to the Glimyu GlimBase Set, a K-beauty skincare regimen cut down to three products to be more appalling to the western market. Yet, all the products are made in Korea and contain aspects of the typical Korean multistep skincare routine and provide you with daily skincare essentials.

Glimyu calls their skincare routine a SKIP care routine, meaning that you can use the multifunctional products to skip certain steps of an elaborate skincare routine, without feeling that you have missed them. The advantage is a simpler skincare routine that makes it even suitable for lazy people. Each of the products has several purposes. The Glimyu GlimBase Set I’m showing you here consists of three products as your daily skincare essentials: there is a Jelly Cleansing Balm, a Toning Essence Spray, and an All in 1 Cream. There is also another set called the Glimyu Glimroutine Set, where a Sun Shield Primer and a Sleeping Mask are included on top.

Glimyu GlimClean Jelly Cleansing Balm

Let’s start with the first step in everyone’s skincare routine, which is cleansing. The Glimyu GlimClean Jelly Cleansing Balm is the dedicated product for this skincare step. It combines Cleansing, Moisturizer, and Care in one step. This cleansing balm is what you expect if you have used a cleansing balm before. If you never have used a cleansing balm you might be skeptical first, but I assure you that it works great in removing makeup and dirt.

First of all, this orange/yellow colored jelly balm smells amazing! It has a citrus scent that doesn’t remind you of toilet or bathroom cleaning products, but of something to eat. You can scoop out some products and you will feel how smooth and melty it feels. Apply the balm on your dry face and remove all your eye makeup and facial makeup, or simply massage your skin with it. Since it melts easily upon touch it is also very easy to distribute. In a second step wet your hands and massage once again over your skin. This will emulsify the balm into a milky/soapy product. Afterward, using lukewarm water wash off the product. Your skin will be cleansed. Moreover, since it is an oil balm, your skin will not feel stripped or dried out.

The ingredients are listed below:

ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, HYDROGENATED POLY (C6-14 OLEFIN), PEG-20 GLYCERYL TRIISOSTEARATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) PEEL OIL, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, DEXTRIN PALMITATE/ETHYLHEXANOATE, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE

The list is short and it’s a cocktail of ingredients like coconut, orange and almond oil. These oils will also help to keep your skin moisturized. Moreover, avocado and macadamia seed oil are added. And a Vitamin E derivate is included aswell. This will have anti-oxidative effects and protect your skin.

I definitely love cleansing balms in my skincare. This balm is very effective in removing my make-up, including my eyeliner and mascara. I also didn’t have a sight blurring effect on my vision, despite using it around and in my eyes. It didn’t sting either and was altogether a pleasant feeling to use. The scent is amazing and makes it a joy to use. My downside is, that it didn’t come with an included spatula to scoop out the product. The balm contains 120ml and retails for 22.95€ on the official brand page.

Glimyu GlimFresh Toning Essence Spray

The Glimyu GlimFresh Toning Essence Spray will be your second step in your skincare routine and is used after cleansing. This toning mist combines priming, balancing and care in one step. It comes in a convenient spray bottle, making it very easy to use. The mist combines toner and essence in one step using lotus flower extract, Centella Asiatica, rice extract ginseng extract and many more, and helps to balance out the skin’s pH after cleansing and provide it with moisture and vitamins.

The ingredients are listed below:

AQUA, GLYCERIN, NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DICAPRATE, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, CETETH-20, STEARETH-20, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, NELUMBO NUCIFERA FLOWER WATER, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, CERAMIDE NP, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, FICUS CARICA (FIG) FRUIT EXTRACT, RETINYL PALMITATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, ASCORBIC ACID, TOCOPHEROL, BIOFLAVONOIDS, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, HESPERIDIN, SODIUM CITRATE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) EXTRACT, CARICA PAPAYA (PAPAYA) FRUIT EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, PARFUM, CITRIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL

I love all the plant-based ingredients here, combined with ceramides and vitamins.

The application is super easy, as said above. It comes in a spraying bottle with a super fine nozzle. Honestly, it is the finest mist I’ve ever used. It says to use it at 20 cm distance and spray it on your skin. It can be repeated several times, too. I especially love the scent here once again. It reminds me of a typical soap scent. Very refreshing and clean. And as said, it is such a fine a delicate mist, almost a fog, too!

The Glimyu GlimFresh Toning Essence Spray contains 150ml and retails for 18.95€ from the official brand page.

Glimyu GlimCare All in 1 Cream

The last step in your simple skincare routine with Glimyu is the Glimyu GlimCare All in 1 Cream. This daily moisturizer preps the skin, perfects it, provides moisture and nourishment. The cute pumping bottle contains the multi-purpose cream that can be used during day and night and for all skin types. It’s an allrounder when it comes to the daily moisturization of the skin.

The moisturizer comes in a pump bottle that dispenses a good amount of the product. One to two pumps are enough for me, for example. It’s a cream type moisturizer with a flowery scent. It absorbs very quickly and leaves a fresh feeling on the skin, but no stickiness or heavy feeling. The key ingredients are camelia oil for natural glow and elasticity, jojoba oil and sunflower oil.

The ingredients are listed below:

AQUA, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CETYL ETHYLHEXANOATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, NIACINAMIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL, PEG/PPG-17/6 COPOLYMER, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, CENTELLA ASIATICA EXTRACT, CERAMIDE NP, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, FICUS CARICA (FIG) FRUIT EXTRACT, BETAINE, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, TRIDECETH-6, CAMELLIA JAPONICA SEED OIL, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, PARFUM, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ADENOSINE, POLYSORBATE 60, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER

The Glimyu GlimCare All in 1 Cream contains 50ml and retails for 24.95€ from the official brand site.

My impression of all three products of the Glimyu GlimBase Set is very positive and they definitely exceeded my expectations. I’m always a bit skeptical when Korean skincare tries to appeal to western consumers, but I think Glimyu did a great job here. I can imagine that people who never thought about their skincare will have a good starting point here. My favorite out of the three products is the Glimyu GlimClean Jelly Cleansing Balm. I have used a couple of cleansing balms before, but I really enjoyed the orange scent and that it was not irritating or stinging when used around the eyes. It even didn’t cause a blurred vision as most other cleansing oils or balms do. Moreover, I also love that all products by Glimyu are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. The key ingredients used in the products are very typical for Asian skincare products, which I love a lot.

Would I change my more elaborate skincare regimen, now that I have tried this easier routine using the Glimyu GlimBase Set?

I must say, that I wouldn’t. While I like all the products on their own for their texture and ingredients, these three steps cannot replace my usual skincare routine, but they can be incorporated into it. I’m a double cleanser believer, that means, if I wear makeup, I do double cleansing using an oil/balm as first cleansing and a second gel or foam cleanser. I would never change or reduce that step. If I do not use any makeup oil/balm cleansers are unnecessary in my eyes. I stick to lighter cleansers like foam or cleansing water. When it comes to toners, I love the fine mist of the Glimyu GlimFresh Toning Essence Spray and it is great for lazy skincare in the mornings, but I love my rich toners and the moisture of a big splash of toner directly on my face. This mist is great for in-between to fresh-ups for me. For a daily moisturizer, the Glimyu GlimCare All in 1 Cream might be great and I can see this product liked especially by oily and combination skin types. I prefer to mix in a few drops of facial oil into the cream, especially now during winter. During the nighttime, this cream is not enough for my skin and I need a richer and heavier product. I recommend the larger skincare set that Glimyu provides (Glimyu GlimRoutine Set) because it also includes a sleeping cream and sun protection, which are both essential steps in my skincare, too. You can get all three products of the Glimyu GlimBase Set for a price of 59,95€ (it’s currently on sale), which is a good bargain comparing it to the single product prices.

What do you think about brand Glimyu? Let me know :)

asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample Purito review

Review: Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner

3. November 2019

//KBEAUTY/PR SAMPLE/SKINCARE//

Hands up if you are a toner addict like me! I simply love toners, no matter whether they are runny like water or thicker and essence like. Today’s review is about the Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner! If you love the thicker toners I have a special recommendation for you here, that may be a competitor to my beloved Klairs Supple Preparation Toner:

Purito is a rather young Korean brand with cruelty-free and 10-free skincare products. The products are free from paraben, ethanol, surfactants, artificial coloring, fragrance, triethanolamine, phthalein, triclosan, petrochemicals, and benzoyl peroxide. Moreover, the products gain a lot of popularity these days because of their short and yet effective ingredients list. Moreover, they are very affordable compared to other brands using similar ingredients. I have reviewed a couple of their products before: the Purito Pure Vitamin C Serum and the Purito Snail Repair Advanced 91 Serum and my beloved Purito Centella Green Level All In One Mild Pads, for example. I was absolutely in love with the Purito Sea Buckthorn Vital 70 Cream, too!

The origin of the brand name and their motto is stated on the brand site:

“PURITO is a combined word of “Purify” and “To”

(comes from a Chinese character, 土 meaning “Soil”).

“Purify” means to purify their natural ingredients to create safe and clean products.

“To” means to go back to basics to strengthen and repair collapsed skin barriers.

Back to the Basics. Just like a healthy root grows a healthy tree, health is

the root of glowing skin. Dramatic short-term results are exciting, but they don’t last.

With PURITO you will enjoy life-long healthy skin”

The Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner is a calming and soothing toner containing Centella Asiatica and hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of moisture. The toner has a mild acidity of pH5.5 and is perfect for use after cleansing your skin and balancing it. The toner is not a watery toner, but a jelly-like essence toner. It comes in a green-colored bottle containing 200ml.

Ingredients

Water,Centella Asiatica Extract,Butylene Glycol,Pentylene Glycol,Dipropylene Glycol,1,2-Hexanediol,Sodium Hyaluronate,Panthenol,Portulaca Oleracea Extract,Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract,Glycerin,Allantoin,Trehalose,Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate,Carbomer,Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate,Arginine,Ethylhexylglycerin,Disodium EDTA,Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil,Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil,Cananga Odorata Flower Oil,Rose Flower Oil

All the ingredients are EWG safe and you can also check the ingredients via Skincarisma. Apart from the key ingredient Centella Asiatica, other noteworthy ingredients are panthenol, hyaluronic acid, butylene glycol, and glycerin. They are all great moisturizing ingredients. Witch Hazel Extract and Allantoin help with soothing the skin.

Centella Asiatica

The key ingredient Centella Asiatica Extract makes 10% of the total ingredients. Centella Asiatica extracts have been used in traditional medicine and are still used today, having beneficial properties like wound-healing. Scientific studies have shown that continuous application of the extract can promote collagen-building, act anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. The purified extract of Centella Asiatica is called TECA. It is a standardized extract composed of Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid and Madecassic acid. It is used in skincare targeting wound-healing, scarred skin, sensitive skin, but also seems to be effective on cellulite.

I especially enjoyed the thicker texture of the Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner. It takes some time to absorb, because it is not like water, and also doesn’t contain alcohol. But once it absorbs after some pats, it will leave your skin refreshed and calmed and kind of bouncy It can also be used for layering, for an especially rich feeling and more hydration, and I used it often for 7-skin technique. This toner was my favorite, when I felt my skin was stressed, or when using exfoliating skincare products during the night, like chemical exfoliators containing AHA/BHA/PHA. While using it, I never experienced any irritations caused by the product.

As you see in the pictures above, the bottle comes in a cardboard box in the typical Purito design. What I love most about the brand are their Cartoons inside the cardboard boxes (Puritoons). These cute cartoons give you information or tips on how to use the products. This cartoon will show you the basic use of the toner first. Apart from this, you can also use it to soak cotton pads or compressed sheet masks with the toner and use them for masking. Moreover, the toner can be used to repair broken eyeshadows or compressed powders/blushes. Last, but not least, you can create your own mist, by mixing the toner together with a few drops of your favorite facial oil. I really love this idea of these skincare cartoons!

All in all, I’m very happy with the Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner and definitely recommend to check it out. It ranks among my favorite calming and thicker textured toners, and if you love Centella Asiatica as a key ingredient, you need to check it out! You can get the toner and other products from Purito from YesStyle. Using the discount code BERRIES you will get 5% off your order, too. It’s currently on sale for 15.20€, but even if this sale ends, there are always plenty of other offers at YesStyle.

What is your favorite toner? Do you prefer the watery ones or the gel.type ones?

beauty PR Sample review Wishtrend

Review: By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule

30. October 2019

//PR SAMPLE/KBEAUTY/SKINCARE//

For all those Propolis lovers in skincare: today’s review is about the By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule. If you are curious about this product make sure to continue reading.

Probably, you know that the Korean beauty retailer Wishtrend does not only sell other Korean brands but also has taken a step into the beauty industry itself. Apart from known brand names Klairs or Jungle Botanics they also have products named under the brand “By Wishtrend”. Well-known products from By Wishtrend are the Vitamin C 21.5 Advanced Serum, the TECA 1% Barrier Cream, the Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash, and the Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water. I reviewed all of the mentioned products before if you are interested in more details. The By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule is one of the products that I have used up most recently and enjoyed every bit of it.

As the name of the By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule already states, propolis is the star ingredient of this ampoule. Propolis is a resinous mixture collected from barks of trees by bees to seal their chambers with the larvae. Propolis has antibacterial and antifungal properties and thus protects the larva, but this also makes it useful in skin care, especially for troubled skin, but it also has skin conditioning properties and makes your skin feel smooth. The propolis of this ampule is collected from the Auvergne volcanic region in France and it says to contain two types of polyphenols named Catchin and Quercetin. The polyphenols have antioxidative properties. The propolis makes 15% of the total ingredients. Other key ingredients are Houttuynia Cordata Extract (makes 59%), hyaluronic acid, and zinc PCA.

The full ingredients are listed below:

Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Propolis Extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, Isopentyldiol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Panthenol, Perilla Frutescens Extract, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Betaine, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Zinc PCA, Pantolactone

The By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule is free from parabens, alcohol, sulfates, silicones, and EU allergens. Moreover, it is fungal acne safe. You can check the ingredients via Skincarisma, which I found always very helpful. Other noteworthy ingredients, apart from the ones I mentioned before, are witch hazel extract for soothing, panthenol, glycerin, and betaine for moisturizing and skin conditioning, and a bunch of plant-based ingredients. According to Wishtrend, the pH of the ampoule lies around 5.6 and the product is cruelty-free, too.

This ampoule is perfectly suited for people with acne or irritations, or people with dry or aging skin. Propolis combines effects of anti-aging, soothing and hydration and is therefore perfectly suited for all of these concerns. The ampoule comes in a typical brown glass bottle with a dropper. The packaging design is simple but neat.

The By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule has a light yellowish color and a consistency, that is characteristic of an ampoule. It is not runny as water, but thicker. It feels smooth when applying and absorbs nicely without stickiness. Moreover, it feels hydrating upon application. My skin drank up that ampoule fully and I loved it. I used it up so quickly and enjoyed it during day and night.

I have tried other propolis serums before, like the COSRX Propolis Light Ampoule and the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule. Out of these three, the By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule has been my favorite so far. It feels simply richer and more nourishing and I love the ingredients that are used here.

The By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule retails for $32.00 from Wishtrend. This is the only downside I see since it is more expensive than the other propolis ampoules I tried. But Black Friday is almost here, and in general, Wishtrend has many specials and coupons all over the year for a proper discount. Check out my Coupons & Discount page for saving some bucks here. If you haven’t made any purchases on Wishtrend yet, you can also use my referral code C0D76CCE. You will get a 10% discount on your first purchase.

The By Wishtrend Polyphenols in Propolis 15% Ampoule has my recommendation if you are looking for a good propolis ampoule. It has good ingredients, an enjoyable texture, and hydrating effect, and works well during the day and nighttime routines. Have you found your favorite propolis ampoule yet?

asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample review

Review: A’Pieu x Rilakkuma Air-Fit Cushion Blusher

29. October 2019

// PR SAMPLE/ MAKEUP / KBEAUTY //

Who can resist Rilakkuma? I can’t, that’s for sure :D Here, I have the A’Pieu x Rilakkuma Air-Fit Cushion Blusher in shade BR01 fo you.

The A’Pieu Rilakkuma was published some time ago, and is no new edition. I simply wanted to share this post because of the beautiful pics of this blusher cushion. There were a total of 5 colors available for this cushion blushers. The one here is a brown bronzer-like shade.

If you haven’t used a cushion blusher, it is very easy to use, too. Similar to a cushion foundation, it comes in a pact with a sponge compartment that is soaked with the blush liquid. Using a cushion puff that is pressed onto the soaked sponge, the product is transferred on the puff and can be applied onto the cheecks.

Even the cushion puff has a Rilakkuma print and is so adoreable.

Compared to cushion foundations the pact of the A’Pieu x Rilakkuma Air-Fit Cushion Blusher is much smaller. But it comes with a mirror inside the lid aswell.

The texture of the blush is creamy and it has a nice glow aswell. The brown color is very light and also suited on fairer skin types. It can be blended in very nicely, too.

All in all, despite having a cute design, the A’Pieu x Rilakkuma Air-Fit Cushion Blusher is also easy to use and can create a very natural finish. It also can be layered and provides a nice glow.

Do you like this A’Pieu x Rilakkuma collab? What do you prefer, glow or matte blush?

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beauty beauty boxes InStyle PR Sample

Unboxing: InStyle Box Fall Edition 2019

28. October 2019

//PR SAMPLE/UNBOXING/BEAUTYBOX//

Since it’s fall, it is also time for a new unboxing: the InStyle Box Fall Edition 2019 box arrived on my doorstep a few days ago and I want to share the amazing content with you!

Fall is a favorite season for many people. It’s that time of the year where orange and red hues are all around and we start to enjoy being cozier. pumpkin, chocolate, and a richer skincare routine are some of the things that pop into my mind when thinking about the new season. The InStyle Box Fall Edition 2019 combines some of these and provides us with seasonal favorites.

BioOleo Cosmetics Sweet Almond Oil (50 ml / 13,86 €)

The temperatures are getting colder, so it is the perfect time to introduce some facial oils into our skincare. sweet almond oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins and helps to make the skin soft and smooth. It is also suited for sensitive skin types.

Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream (25 ml / 8,49 €)

I’ve been seeing the body products from Sol de Janeiro all over Instagram lately, so I’m very happy about seeing this product in the Instyle Fall Edition 2019. It’s a hydrating body cream with an oil-in-water gel cream, formula. Fermented sugar and coconut oil nourish and hydrate the skin.

Starskin 7-Seconds Morning and Overnight Miracle Skin Mask Pads (2 pieces / 3,25 €)

These two multipurpose pads combine several skincare steps in one pad. The 7-Seconds Morning Miracle Skin Mask Pad combines massage, peeling, toner, serum, moisturizer, mask and makeup primer in one. The 7-Seconds Overnight Miracle Skin Mask Pads combines massage, exfoliator, toner, oil serum, night cream, sleeping mask and mood relaxer. I’m very curious if these pads will hold up to their claims.

Sante Lip Lacquer Color Gloss (9 ml / 4,99 €)

Sante is a natural cosmetics brand that has been on the market for over 30 years. The brand is 100% certified as a natural cosmetics brand in Germany. The Lip Lacquer Color Gloss is made with a high shine gloss formula and makes the lips appear more voluminous. Vitamin E and shea butter keep the lips nourished and hydrated.

The Humble Co. Humble Brush and Natural Toothpaste (brush: 1 Stück / 3,95 €, toothpaste: 75 ml / 3,99 €)

Sustainability and environmental friendliness can also be transferred to our dental care using toothbrushes that can be recycled and natural toothpaste. The humble brush has a handle made from bamboo and can be recycled. The charcoal toothpaste is the perfect companion for it.

Parsa Beauty Keratin Paddle Brush and Magic Pony (brush:1 piece/ 10,99 €), magic pony: 1 piece / 6,99 €)

This came perfectly in time: a new paddle brush. The Parsa Paddle Brush has natural bristles that are enhanced with keratin and help to brush through the hair more smoothly and give them more shine. The Magic Pony, on the other hand, allows you to make a perfect ponytail.

Hair Burst Chewable Hair Vitamins (30 pieces /13,50 €)

These hair gummies contain zinc, biotin, vitamin B₅, and selenium, which help to maintain healthy hair growth. The box contains 30 of the hair gums, and since it is advised to take two per day, this amount is suited for 15 days.

Great Lengths Heat & Care Spray (50 ml / 7,90 €)

This hair care spray provides moisture to the hair and protects it from heat damage of up to 300°C. It also makes the hair smooth and easier to comb through.

Tony’s Chocolonely Milk chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt (180 g / 3,98 €)

This fairtrade whole milk chocolate is made in Belgium and contains 32% Cocoa. The bright orange packaging makes it perfect for fall, but all of Tony’s Chocolonely chocolates have a colorful packaging design. They are very popular in the Netherlands, by the way.

InStyle Box Scented Candle Pumpkin Spice (1 piece/ 10,00 €)

This pumpkin spice scented candle is perfect for the season. I already used it a couple of times and the scent is really nice, too.

The content of the InStyle Box Fall Edition 2019 is amazing once again! It was packed with so many products and they are perfectly selected for the season once again. Usually, the box retails for 29.95€, if you only get one box, but it gets cheaper with a subscription. The value of this box lies over 90€ in total, which is amazing! I’m especially curious about the Starskin Masking Pads and the Great Length Heat & Care Spray. I’m also very happy about the Parsa Paddle brush and the Sol de Janeiro Coco Cabana Cream. In total, I’m very happy with the box.

What are your favorite items out of this box?

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