PR Sample | Berries in the Snow

asian cosmetics beauty Honeysu Official PR Sample review

Review: Leaders 7 Wonders Biocellulose Masks

26. June 2017

Those who follow me on Instagram know that I love masks, especially sheet masks. I have a huge stash of sheet masks that seems to be never-ending :D Lately, I discovered my love for biocellulose sheet masks. and I’ve become obsessed especially to the Leaders 7 Wonders Biocellulose Masks I received kindly from Honeysu.

The Korean brand Leaders is one of the most popular brands for sheet masks. It is almost a shame that I have to confess that I hardly ever tried any of their sheet masks. The brand has a long history of more than 10 years founded by dermatologists of the Seoul National University.

Not long ago the brand launched a new sheet mask line called 7 Wonders. These sheet masks were using biocellulose material instead of the regular cotton sheet mask fabric for the sheet masks. There are 7 different masks available, targeting various skin conditions and problems.

The biocellulose fabric is made from fermented coconut juice and the masks are dedicated to different regions od the world, using characteristic key ingredients. I had the chance to try 3 different kinds of the Leaders 7 wonders Biocellulose Masks and apart of the beautiful and colorful packaging design there is more to say about the masks:

Leaders 7 Wonders Amazonian Açaí Revitalizing Mask

AMAZONIA DESTINATION: Immediate boarding for dull skins!
Re-vitalizing mask – enriched in Acai mask

Pollution, stress, fatigue… Every day the skin is subject to external aggressions related to urban life. A real sponge, it absorbs everything and reacts negatively: dull complexion, acne, premature aging…

The Amazonian Acai mask protects the skin while bringing freshness. The skin is rehydrated and recovers its original suppleness. The invigorating benefits of Acai oil restore radiance in just a few minutes. A great escape in the Amazonian forest and a breath of fresh air from your bathroom!

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Perfume (Fragrance), Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ledum Palustre Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Propylene Glycol, Citrus Lemon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Fumaria Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Alcohol, Buddleja Davidii Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf/Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Fumaric Acid, Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid.

Leaders 7 Wonders Mediterranean Olive Brightening Mask

MEDITERRANNEE DESTINATION: Immediate boarding for a flawless skin!
Radiance mask – enriched in Olive oil

With excesses and hectic lifestyles, the skin often show signs of fatigue. The complexion looses its radiance and blemishes may appear. And, since we can’t just be on holidays all year round, a solution must be found!
The Mediterranean Olive mask is the beauty essential for a radiant complexion. Thanks to its olive oil extracts, the skin is smooth and refined. Used since ancient times, olive oil is recognized for its revitalizing action. Full of essential fatty acids and vitamins, it protects the skin and participates to cell renewal. Let’s embark immediately for a flawless cruise!

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Betaine, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ledum Palustre Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alcohol, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Primula Veris Extract, Veronica Officinalis Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate, Disodium EDTA, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Oligopeptide-68, Sodium Oleate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid.

Leaders 7 Wonders Oriental Camellia Calming Mask

ORIENT DESTINATION: Immediate boarding for irritated skins
Soothing mask – enriched in Camellia oil

With the cold weather, all skin types – dry, combination or oily – is subject to aggression and responds to protect itself. The result? Redness may appear and give a sensation of tightness. With stress and pollution, the complexion becomes duller… SOS skin in distress!
Keep calm ! The Oriental Camellia mask was specially developed for the most sensitive skins. Formulated with camellia oil, (recognized for years as the “miraculous oil” of Asia) it relieves and soothes the skin. Redness is reduced and the complexion restores its freshness and radiance. A well-being excursion in no time!

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Betaine, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Xanthan Gum, Parfum (Fragrance), Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Ledum Palustre Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Ecklonia Cava Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alcohol, Linum Alpinum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citric Acid, Lecithin, Retinyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid.

The 3 masks were really a nice experience and what I especially loved was the nice fit. The material is soft and yet elastic and can be folded perfectly onto the face. It is layered with protective paper sheet, which you can see above, but on the pictures below you see how the actual material looks like. The biocellullose also adheres nicely to the skin and doesn’t fall or slip around while wearing it.

After using each of the masks my skin felt always hydrated and more bouncy. Of course, by using the masks once each it is difficult to say something about their specific effects on the skin, though.

All in all, I’m heavily in love with these masks: wonderful fit, very adherent and super nice effect in terms of how they act on the skin. Additionally, the packaging design which is simply gorgeous! I can highly recommend you to try these masks, despite the fact that they are a bit more expensive. Each mask retails for 5 €, a set of 5 masks retails for 19.90€.

What is your opinion on biocellulose masks? did you try any already?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.honeysu.com which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty lovemycosmetics review

Review: Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

3. June 2017

A while ago I was contacted by a Germany-based retailer for Korean cosmetics called LoveMyCosmetics to be part of their ambassador program for the Korean brand Klairs. By now those who are reading my blog for some time know how much I love the products from this brand. I almost tried all their products at least once and they never disappoint me. A good thing is also that Klairs frequently updates their products regarding their ingredients or their packaging and volume. I did review the Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil in the past, but I thought I might still retry it and see whether my opinion on this cleansing oil has changed or not:

Klairs is a Korean brand sold and by Wishtrend. It is eco-friendly, producing products which are animal-testing-free, vegan, alcohol-free, paraben-free, and artificial-color-free. Their products address people with sensitive skin and people who want to moisturize their skin. I reviewed some of their products before, like the Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C Serum or the Klairs Midnight Blue Cream, which both convinced me in their effects. I also love the Klairs Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner, which by the way has been updated and improved, too. Their saying “Simple but Enough” really nails it and I think that many people will agree in that point with me.

If you never have heard of cleansing oils you surely missed out a thing. I love cleansing oils especially for removing makeup efficiently without making your skin dry. Especially people with dry skintypes are recommended to use an oil cleanser. I do use the double cleansing method when I wear makeup, which means that I use a makeup remover, like a cleansing balm or oil first and then wash again using foam or gel cleanser. The Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is perfectly fit for the first step.

The product comes packed in a cardboard box which is designed very minimalistic, typical for the brand Klairs. The brown colored plastic pump bottle of the cleansing oil has the same design. The descriptions on the product and packaging are written in Korean and English.

The Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil doesn’t come with many ingredients. The few are listed below and can be checked via COSDNA, too:

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Isononyl Isononanoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate , Isopropyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil , Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil , Tocopheryl Acetate , PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate , Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil

One glance on that list already reveals that the product mainly consists of different plant-based oils, like (black) sesame and black currant. Hence also the name “Deep Black”. Black Sesame oil is rich in antioxidants whereas black currant contains a bunch of vitamins and minerals. Apart from the oils there is shea butter included, too. Since it contains so many oils it may be irritant to people with sensitive or acne prone skin. Please be sure to do a patch test of the product before starting to use it regularly.

Since the product comes in a pump container it is super easy to use, too. Just take 2 pumps of the oil and apply it over your face and massage it gently. Afterwards wash it of with lukewarm water for 2 or 3 times until the oil emulsified and is washed off. You can use a foam cleanser or cleansing gel afterwards. The oil is quite runny, but has a nice scent. To me it smells like sweet black tea and I really love the scent a lot and loved it two years ago as much as now.

The pump comes with a clip to prevent the pump from being pushed down. I love this clip, especially if you want to take the bottle with you on vacation for example. It makes it much more secure to take along without spilling.

Since it is a cleansing oil it is super effective in removing makeup. Plus afterwards the skin doesn’t feel tight or “Squeacky Clean”, but still nourished.

The Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil is a very good and gentle makeup remover and I can recommend it for dry skintypes and people who prefer the double cleansing method. The oils prevent the skin to feel dried out and the scent is also really nice. The oil retails for 23,95 € from LoveMyCosmetics. Oh, and here is a little bonus for my lovely readers: You can get a discount of 10% using the coupon code “misslavenklairs” while shopping on LoveMyCosmetics!

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://www.lovemycosmetic.de/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty Naruko PR Sample review

Review: Naruko Snail Essence Intense Hydra Repair Mask

23. May 2017

I’ve heard so many positive opinions about the products from Naruko that I was feeling so blessed when I was send a couple of sheet masks to test out for myself. The first mask I tested was the Naruko Snail Essence Intense Hydra Repair Mask, because it contains snail extract, which is always something you cannot go wrong with. Here is my opinion about this sheet mask:

Naruko is a Taiwanese brand and it has a steady amount of followers that love their products. I guess that many people simply do not know the brand because they are not as well spread as other brands like Etude House for example. Yet, Taiwanese sheet masks have always had quite a good reputation in my eyes. And this mask doesn’t let you down either.

Let’s first appreciate the packaging design. The pink color pops up directly and the snail illustration is really crazy and cute on the same time. It shows a big snail with a whole town inside its shell and even a small snail-like a crane building up new houses…You will directly know what the key ingredient of this mask is supposed to be: snail! I talked about the benefits of snail extract several times and it helps wonders for irritated and damaged skin and acts very moisturizing.

No wonder the Naruko Snail Essence Intense Hydra Repair Mask is directed towards replenishing moisture and repairing damaged skin. The ingredients list of the mask is listed in english on the backside of the sachet:

Purified Water (Aqua), Algin, Snow Fungus (Tremella Fuciformis) Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Butylene Glycol, Carbomer, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit extract, PEG-45M, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Snail Secretion FiltrateAllantoin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Avena Sativa (OAT) Kernel Extract, Triethanolamine, Beta-Glucan, Sodium Polyglutamate, Fragnance, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

You can also check the ingredients via COSNDA. The list contains some potential acne triggers and irritants but I personally didn’t observe any breakouts or irritations. On the contrary, I was pleasantly surprised about the texture first. This mask has the thickest and most chewy texture, that you really believe it is some snail slime you are putting on your face. Actually, the texture is mostly influenced by the algin, which give the essence that viscosity. Then there is so many moisturizing goodness in this list: snow fungus extract, sodium hyaluronate, glycrin, aloe extract, cucumber extract...no way that this mask won’t deliver moisture to dry skintypes

My only personal downside was the fit of the mask, which wasn’t perfect, but this downside is negligible. The moist and chewy texture makes up for all of it and leaves the skin perfectly pampered. Naruko Snail Essence Intense Hydra Repair Mask is definitely worth a try. You can get a box containing 10 pieces of this mask from the official Naruko store for 22.99 US$ with free shipping or from Amazon.com for 16.15 US$ plus shipping costs.

Did you try products from the brand Naruko already?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://www.narukoboutique.com/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty beauty boxes Glossybox PR Sample

Unboxing: Glossybox April 2017

7. May 2017

// PR SAMPLE/ UNBOXING /BEAUTY //

It’s been a long time since my last Glossybox unboxing. I think my last one was in 2014, if I remember correctly. There are so many new beauty boxes and subscription boxes on the market these days that it is hard to decide for a favorite one. Glossybox was probably the first beauty subscription box, at least to my knowledge. I remember how excited I was when I received my first bundle of surprises back then. I’m also happy that I can share their latest box, the Glossybox April 2017, with you today, which was provided to me for reviewing purpose.

Glossybox is a monthly beauty subscription box containing a selection of 5 beauty and wellness products packed in a box and delivered to your doorstep. The box was founded in 2011 and has spread in over 10 countries all over the world.

The topic of the German Glossybox for April 2017 was “Frühlingserwachen” (engl: spring awakening) and the products selected for the box are revolving around the first warm sun shine and colorful flowers.

My box contained 6 different product, although I only expected 5. This was a nice surprise! The products were well-balanced between, skincare, bodycare, and make-up and below you can see the content of the box. Unlike with the past boxes there is no product description card any longer, but a small magazine, containing descriptions for all the possible products that were included in the April boxes. Apart from the product information the magazine also includes a recipe and a preview for the next box.

Merci Handy Hand Cleansing Gel

Merci Handy Hand Cleansing Gel is probably one of the highlights of the box. The small and colorful bottles of the hand cleansing gel/ hand sanitizer fit into a small hand bag and are perfect for taking them along with you. For the application you apply a drop of the gel into your palms and rub it into the skin. The blue pearls inside the gel provide moisture and prevent the drying of the skin. There are seven different versions available: Chérie Cherry, New Wave, Flower Power, Oh my Lemon, Lollipop, Coco Rico, and Black Vanilla. I received Black Vanilla in my box, which would not have been my first choice, but the scent reminds me of vanilla candy and is not too overpowering. By the way, the size and the blue pearls inside remind me of the hand sanitizer of Nature Republic, which I love!

full-size product (30 ml) retails for 3,00 €

La Roche-Posay Micellar Cleansing Water Ultra

La Roche-Posay Micellar Cleansing Water Ultra is my personal highlight of the Glossybox, although it only comes in a 100 ml travel-size. I’m using cleansing water very frequently and if you have dry skin it is one of the better ways to prevent your skin from drying out and still cleansing it effectively. The cleansing water from La Roche-Posay removes make-up and eye-make-up and also soothes the skin by using thermal water. When using cleansing water you do not need to wash your face afterwards, which makes it a great companion for camping and outdoor vacation. Personally, when I’m using cleansing waters at home, I still use water afterwards.

full-size product (200 ml) retails for 12,50 €

travel-size product (100 ml) retails for 6,90 €

Icona Milano Beautyfing Touch Mattyfing Primer Base

Icona Milano Beautyfing Touch Mattyfing Primer Base is a paraben- and scent-free primer with a creamy formula. It reduces the appearance of pores and wrinkles, evens out the skin-tone and prepares the skin for the upcoming make-up. The weightless and resident-free formula is perfect for spring and summer and doesn’t make your skin feel greasy.

full-size product (30 ml) retails for 24,50 €

n.6 Beauty Experience Colour Studio Super Gloss

n.6 Beauty Experience Colour Studio Super Gloss is a long-lasting and moisturizing gloss with a soft texture and five different available vibrant colours. It has an applicator made from natural hair and is supposed to last up to 6 hours. I’m not the type that wears lip gloss a lot, so I didn’t try this product yet, but the vibrant orange colour (shade 2 “Techno Orange”) that was included in my box looks like a nice colour for spring.

full-size product (6 ml) retails for 14,90 €

Betty Barclay Fragrances Pure Pastel Mint Cream Shower

Betty Barclay fragrances Pure Pastel Mint Cream Shower makes your skin soft and refreshes with a floral fruity scent. It moisturizes the skin and keeps it silky soft. The product included was a 75 ml travel-sized tube. I’m looking forward to take this with me on my next short vacation.

full-size product (150 ml) retails for 10,75 €

Kneipp Pampering Cream Oil Peeling

The 6th product that was added as an extra was the Cream-Oil Peeling from Kneipp. I’ve wanted to try this peeling since they released it in winter, but I always forgot to bring one sachet from the drug store along with me. Perfect thing that this was included in my Glossyboy now. I’m looking forward to try this one soon. This vegan sugar-based peeling removes dead skin cells and moisturizes and nourishes the skin in the same time. It is free from preservatives, paraffins, silicone and mineral oils and free from animal testing, too.

full-size product (40 ml) retails for 1,49 €

How do you like the content of the Glossybox for April 2017? There are some products which I’m really excited to try, like the cleansing water, the hand sanitizer, and the peeling. The other product from my box were okay, but nothing that I would have bought on my own. The total value of the products lies around 56 € which is far more than the prize you pay for a box. Considering the value this box was amazing, especially if you are new into skincare/beauty products and in need of the products shown here. For me personally, the primer and the gloss, which make the most value of the box are nothing that need necessarily at the moment. There were other variations of the products for the April box which would have been more suiting for me personally, but since it is a surprise box, you never know what’s inside. That’s part of the surprise after all.

Glossybox is available as flexible subscription for 15 € per month. There are also other subscription options available, like a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month subscription for 14,50 €, 13,50 €, or 12,50 € per month, respectively. Check out www.glossybox.de for more information.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.glossybox.de/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample review Stylekorean

Review: Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion

2. May 2017

// PR SAMPLE / KBEAUTY / MAKEUP //

You know that I love cushions and I have quite some in my stash, but I didn’t have a sunscreen cushion in my collection until recently. During last summer vacation, I thought that it might be nice to try a sunscreen cushion for touching up the sun protection during the day and therefore I decided to go with the Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion in a first test which was provided to me for reviewing purpose by StyleKorean.

Aprilskin is a Korean natural cosmetics brand which was raved a lot about during last year, especially for their cushion foundation. The brand is fairly young and was founded in 2014, but since then has won a numerous amount of prizes for their products. All though I love cushions I didn’t buy ny of their raved cushions and so I was happy to be asked by StyleKorean and be able to choose a product from this brand. I decided for the Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion.

The Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion is an ultra-lightweight sunscreen that comes in a cushion compact. It is mildly formulated, making it suitable for children and adults according to the description. Furthermore, it doesn’t leave a white cast and yet has SPF 50+ /PA+++. The UV-protection is mineral based and still, it claims to leave no white traces. As you know, sun protection has to be renewed from time to time, but I personally am quite a lazy person. I discovered that I hardly ever touch up my sun protection on my skin and a cushion would make that far easier than a tube.

The Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion comes packed in a cardboard box in a light pink color. The cushion compact itself has also a nice pink pattern on the lid and looks really feminine. The description on the cardboard box is only in Korean, but Aprilskin’s official site offers an English translation, too.

Here are the ingredients of the product, which I also added in COSDNA:

Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Butylene Glycol, Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Triethanolamine, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Octocrylene, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Lavender Oil, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Evening Primrose Flower Extract, Blackberry Fruit Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Xylitylglucoside, Xylitol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Raspberry Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Banana Fruit Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Pear Fruit Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Grape Fruit Extract, Serine, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Pseudoalteromoonas Ferment Extract, Alanine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Proline, Madecasoside

I marked the sunscreens within the list in blue.

Frankly, I’m no sunscreen expert. The field is so complex and until now I never had the time to really go deep into the topic. The product description says, that this cushion only uses physical sunscreen. I spot already two chemical sunscreens from looking at the list: Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) and Avobenzone (Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane)….mh…that’s the first disappointment … Checking the other sunscreens I spot that Octocrylene and Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (Uvinol A Plus) are chemical sunscreens, too. Commonly used physical sunscreens are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, but I do not spot any of these here. I’m quite confused…is this product using physical sunscreens at all?!

Inside the cushion compact is the typical application sponge. In order to use the sunscreen cushion, you dab the application puff on the cushion sponge until the product is transferred. Then you dab the puff on your face in a patting motion. Don’t smear or rub it on the skin.

Of course, the cushion compact comes with a mirror inside the lid, too, so it is perfect for carrying around and use it while not at home, too. Unlike cushion foundations, the sponge in the compact is not soaked with BB Cream or Foundation, but with sunscreen. Therefore the color of the sponge is white.

The sunscreen has a creamy consistency. It gives a visible glow to the skin but doesn’t leave any white cast. While applying it on the skin I can feel a cooling effect of the product. The scent of it is also flowery/fresh. It contains some plant-based ingredients like Lavandula, chamomile, and tea tree oil, which create the scent of the product. I didn’t have any problems with the application of the product and it also can be touched up and layered without any further problems.

Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion has a nice texture and finish, but I’m disappointed that it is not a physical sunscreen as it states on their page. I personally am not someone who refuses any chemical sunscreens, but I prefer it if the description of products are correct. As I said, I’m no sunscreen expert, so if there is anyone who can explain more about the chemicals used here I would be happy to hear about it. Let me know in the comments or write me an email/PN. Oh, and since some of the chemical sunscreens may have effects on hormones and hormonal pathways I would not use this sunscreen on children, despite its mild formulation.

I received this product from StyleKorean, but they do not have it listed in their shop at the moment. They have other cushions from Aprilskin though, so have a look if you are interested. The Aprilskin Magic Snow Sun Cushion retails for 26.99 US$ from Amazon.

Did you try any sunscreen cushion already? If you have a favorite let me know. Oh, and what is your favorite sunscreen? I’d be interested to hear about it.

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://www.stylekorean.com/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty Olivarrier PR Sample review

Review: Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream

24. April 2017

Let’s continue my brand introduction for Olivarrier! You might have seen it in my Instagram popping up occasionally and finally I have some time to write up the reviews for it. I received a couple of products, courtesy of Olivarrier, and I already reviewed the Olivarrier Gentle Glow Seed Polishing Mask before. Today, I will be talking about the Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream:

Olivarrier is a new Korean beauty brand focusing on the key ingredient in their product, which is olive squalane. The name is a mix of “olive” and “barrier”, since the olive squalane in their skincare products is supposed to moisturize and penetrate the skin and helping to protect its natural moisture barrier.

Olive Squlane

What is olive squalane exactly? First of all, there is squalene and squalane. Squalene occurs widely within animals and plants, since it is part of the synthesis of sterols. It occurs in our sebum for example. But also in plant oils and in a high concentration it is also found in shark liver. Squalene is unsaturated and therefore it oxidizes easily. In order to prevent oxidization squalene is hydrogenated leading to saturated and stable squalane. Olive squalane is an animal friendly alternative of using squalane derived from sharks for example and has the same benefits for skin. Squalane is a great emollient, humectant and suited for sensitive skins by being non-irritating.

When I heard about the brand first time on Fiftly Shades of Snail I was attracted especially about the word “olive”, but also because of the simple and minimalistic design of the products. They have a beautiful skincare range that you can check out on their official web page (unfortunately, the last days it seems to be not available). It consists of a cleansing bar, a toner, and essence, two different creams, and the mask I’m showing you here.

The Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream comes in a simple white cardboard box with descriptions in Korean and English. It is a skin-barrier strengthening cream designed for dry and sensitive skintypes containing 5 % of panthenol. The cream itself comes in a tube, which I personally prefer over jars.

Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream is weak acid based (pH 5.5), free from chemical preservatives (parabens & phenoxyethanol), moreover, it is fragrance-free, coloring-agent free and dermatologically tested. The ingredients are:

Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Squlane (Olive Sqialane), Cerearyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Madecassoside, Allantoin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Arginine, Ceramide NP, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitane Olivate, Carbomer, Octyldodecanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Oryza Sativia (Rice) Bran Wax, Camellia Sinsenis Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Ectract, Dodecane, Isohexadecane, Isoeicosane, Octodecane, Tetradecane, Dimethicone, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Ectract, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Glucose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Linoleic Acid

You can check the single ingredients >> via COSDNA here <<. Most of the ingredients in this cream are safe to use, but there are some potential irritants marked aswell. Many of the ingredients are moisturizing ones, like panthenol, shea butter, olive oil, avocado oil, camellia oil, olive squalane, ceramide and hyaluronic acid. Apart from all these moisturizing ingredients, the cream also contains Madecassoside, triterpenoid compound found in Centella asiatica. Madecassoside has anti-inflammatory, wound healing, and anti-oxidant activities. It is supported by Allantoin, which also has wound-healing and cell-regererating properties. However, for those avoiding silicons and silicon-based products, the cream also contains Dimethicone, a silicon-based oil.

The texture of the Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream is like you expect from a moisturizer. The white cream emollifies quickly upon application and absorbs, leaving the skin non-sticky and non-greasy. It leaves a cooling sensation behind after it absorbed. The cream is scentless, too. I absolutely cannot say anything negative about my experience with this cream, while using it during daytime. It didn’t irritate my skin, and it works well with makeup, too. My skin feels sufficiently moisturized, too.

The only downside for the Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream which I can thing of is that it contains the silicon-oil Dimethicone, which some people would love to avoid. Other than that the ingredients list is really to the point perfect for moisturizing and soothing skin and I can imagine that sensitive skintypes, and people with dry and irritated skin might love this cream. There is another cream from Olivarrier, called Dual Moist Comfort Cream. I think that cream is lighter than the Emollient Extra Comfort Cream, but I didn’t try it yet. The tube of the cream is grey instead of green and can therefore be easily distinguished from each other. You can buy the Olivarrier Emollient Extra Comfort Cream from RoseRoseShop for 19600Won (~20 US$).

Did you try any of the products from the brand Olivarrier already? What is your opinion about silicons and silicon-based ingredients in cosmetics?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://en.olivarrier.com which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample review Wishtrend

Review: I’m from Ginseng Serum

22. April 2017

// PR SAMPLE / SKINCARE / KBEAUTY //

I’m so happy to present to you another serum that has become a fixed part in my skincare routine. A while ago I received this new I’m from Ginseng Serum from Wishtrend for reviewing purpose and I’ve been using it every day since then. I’ve been so curious to try a ginseng serum since some time now and seeing that I’m from has newly launched products containing Ginseng made me really curious. I’ve been loving the I’m from Honey Mask so I had high expectations and hopes for this product, too.

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 honest and quality provider. They have three promises to their customers, being 1. open composition, which means known ingredients, 2. Honest Farm, meaning honest ingredients with a true origin, and 3. being free of harmful chemicals. The I’m from Ginseng Serum is packed in a brown cardboard box with an imprinted pattern of ginseng. The brown color makes it look quite traditional in my opinion. Inside the cardboard box, you will find a 30 ml glass bottle with a dropper attached to the cap.

The I’m from Ginseng Serum is targeting nourishment, rejuvenation and has anti-aging properties. It gives elasticity to mid-aged skin containing concentrated ginseng extract.

The ingredients of the serum are listed on the cardboard packaging:

Water, Red Ginseng Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Angelica Pubescens Root Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ethoxydiglycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

You can find the ingredients list on COSDNA, too. Red Ginseng Extract is the key ingredient of the serum, but you will also find other ingredients listed, that is always welcome in my skincare: the serum also contains green tea leaf extract, ginseng oil, licorice root extract, and a couple of other plant-derived extracts. It also contains hyaluronic acid for moisturization. There are some remarks for the ingredients list though: the product also contains Cyclopentasiloxane, a cyclic silicon derivate that temporarily plumps the skin and makes it feel softer. It also enables other silicon products to absorb better into the skin and is often used together with Dimethiconol, like you will find here, too. Dimethiconol is a lipid on silicon basic that makes the skin feel soft but doesn’t feel greasy. Although it is on silicon basis it has a positive effect on the skin, because it enhances the moisture content of the skin to keep it hydrated. But, if you are generally avoiding silicons this product is not suited for you.

Ginseng

The I’m from Ginseng Serum contains 7.98 % red ginseng extract. Ginseng extract has the properties to enhance the blood circulation. It contains a large number of phytonutrients which have anti-aging properties and effect on the skin, like stimulating the collagen production. Ginseng also contains many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All these properties act positively on your skin and its appearance making it look more lively and plump and younger.

I received this serum as part of the beauty tester program and I’ve been using it every day since, mostly twice a day. This jelly, golden serum applies nicely and feels moist on the skin. It has a nice ginseng scent with a rose scent undertone. The scent is very present, so it is may be difficult to handle for scent sensitive people. It absorbs quickly but leaves the skin slightly sticky at first, but this feeling vanishes after some time. There is no greasy film left on the skin and the skin feels soft and smooth (due to the silicons). The serum makes the skin feel more bouncy and plump and it also makes the skin appear more glowy and healthy after using it. In terms of anti-aging, it is hard to say if it reduces the wrinkles or not. So far I didn’t see any visible changes here.

I personally enjoy using this serum a lot. I love the scent and the texture of the serum. I also love the effect it has considering the improved elasticity on the skin. I have to point out nevertheless, that the smooth feeling of the skin is mainly caused by the silicons in the ingredients list. Also, for people who are scent sensitive, the scent will be too strong I guess. This is the first serum I used containing highly concentrated ginseng, and to be honest I’m now curious to compare it with other ginseng serum.

If you are curious about this serum, too, it retails for 28.80 US$ and is available at Wishtrend. You will find all the information about the I’m from Ginseng Serum >>here<<. Also keep in mind the friend-referral program from Wishtrend: You can receive a 5 Us$ referral coupon if you use my invitation code 17939205 upon registration and you’ll receive this voucher immediately. There will be a specific field in your registration form called “friends invitation program” where you can put the code mentioned above. This way new customers can save 5 US$ which is a great possibility to save some money. also, Wishtrend has a Free-Shipping Area, where you can find products that can be bought with free shipping. Also, check out my Coupons & Discount page for more deals.

What is your opinion on ginseng? Do you use any products containing ginseng extracts?

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by http://www.wishtrend.com/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty HICKAP PR Sample review

Review: HICKAP Eyeshadow Palette & Brushes

20. April 2017

Here is my last review for the make-up products from the HICKAP. I’m very excited about these reviews since I was send so many products, which I didn’t except and also since some of the products have become part of my daily make-up, too. The last reviews were about the Lip Pencils and Lipstick, and the Blushes & Bronzer. Today, it is about the HICKAP Eyeshadow Palette & Brushes:

Let me start with an introduction to the brand: HICKAP is a Swedish clothing and make-up brand brought to life by Wilma and Emil Holmqvist. These two created a YouTube channel with the purpose to enspire people and they were successful with it. Wilmas Beauty is one of Swedens most popular YouTube channels for teenagers these days. Their newly released brand and its first collection is based on the idea of affordable products boosted with confidence and class. Also, if you are familiar with the online Swedish retailer NA-KD you maybe came across HICKAP, too.

I was really surprised to find so many products reaching from all ranges of HICKAP’s make-up products. After taking all the pictures I knew that I couldn’t put all the pictures in one post, so I grouped them after all. I started with the HICKAP Lip Pencils & Lipstick, continuing with the Blushes and Bronzer yesterday, and today it is about the HICKAP Eyeshadow Palette and the HICKAP Brushes. But first let’s appreciate the minimalistic and very clean design of the HICKAP products. Black is the main color with a very simply white lettering. The design reminds me of timeless brands like MAC or in kbeauty terms Stylenanda’s 3CE.

HICKAP Eyeshadow Palette

“Simple to blend and simple to use. Regardless if you are going to a party or enjoying the everyday life.”

The HICKAP Eyesgadow palette comes in a black square shape with a sleek and simple design. It contains 4 different colors: white, light brown, dark brown and black. Two of the shades have a glowy finish (white and light brown), whereas the other two shades (dark brown and black) are matte. I love combinations of eyeshadows with matte and glowy finish. It makes the colors much more versatile to use. What makes this palette special is the magnetic lid. The lid is attached to the bottom part with four magnets on the corners and can be removed fully and separated from the eyeshadows. I never saw a palette with such a lid before, so I was more than amazed by this little extra feature.

As you can see all the four shades have a visible pigmentation, with the white shade being the most delicate and subtle shade. It is a super nice color as a base though in my opinion. I love the matte brown and black shade, that can be used perfectly for smokey eye make-up. The eyeshadows create fall-off when used and again it depends on the brushes how strong the pigmentation turns out. The colors are all in all neutral and can be used for most daily and evening eye make-up looks.

HICKAP Brush Collection

I also received 10 brushes from HICKAP of all sizes and shapes, making their Brush Collection. The HICKAP brush collection is a 100% Animal Cruely Free brush set using high quality synthetic hair bristles. These brushes were designed so powder, cream and liquid products are distributed directly to the skin without absorbing or wasting product. Also, the brushes are coated with an antibacterial solution for minimal brush cleansing that makes your brushes stay fresh and clean for longer periods of time.

“With its Vegan makeup qualities from bristles to ferrule this set is a must have in your makeup collection.”

I haven’t tested the brushes long enough to know, if their claim about the antibacterial solution for minimal brush cleansing is true or not, but I can confirm that their bristles are dense and super soft. The bronze metal part around the handle makes them appear high quality too, and also they seem to be sturdy and not easy to get damaged. For applying eyeshadows and blushes these brushes work very well and don’t dissapoint. I haven’t used them for foundations yet (because I mainly use cushions).

I’m almost sad that this is already my last review of the HICKAP products, but I’m also happy that I was able to introduce them to you. I’m definitely not an expert when it comes to eyeshadows and brushes, but I keep learning every day and I’m happy about a set of really high quality brushes to use for learning here. Also the eyeshadow palette contains all the basic shades a beginner needs to have. I like how there are two matte and two glowy shades and I love the special magnetic lid mechanism it has. The HICKAP Eyeshadow Palette is on sale at the moment, too!

The eyeshadow palette retails for 22.23 € instead of 33.40 €, the Brush collection retails for 50.50 €. Below you can find the links to each of the products:

Hickap Eyeshadow Palette

Hickap Brush Collection

Did you hear about HICKAP before? What are your thought? Let me know in the comments below :)

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://hickap.com which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty HICKAP PR Sample review

Review: HICKAP Blushes & Bronzer

19. April 2017

Let’s continue my reviews for the make-up products from the HICKAP. I’m very excited about these reviews since I was send so many products, which I didn’t except and also since some of the products have become part of my daily make-up, too. Yesterday, I showed you the Lip Pencils and Lipstick, and today it is all about the HICKAP Blushes & Bronzer:

I was really surprised to find so many products reaching from all ranges of HICKAP’s make-up products. After taking all the pictures I knew that I couldn’t put all the pictures in one post, so I grouped them after all. I started with the HICKAP Lip Pencils & Lipstick yesterday, and continuing with the Blushes and Bronzer today. But first let’s appreciate the minimalistic and very clean design of the HICKAP products. Black is the main color with a very simply white lettering. The design reminds me of timeless brands like MAC or in kbeauty terms Stylenanda’s 3CE.

I received two blushes and one bronzer, which all come packed in square black & white cardboard boxes. Also the pans of the blushes and bronzer are squere shaped, perfect for organizing them in drawers :D.

HICKAP Blushes

“The Perfect shades for your blushy look. Blush!”

The HICKAP Blushes are available in two shades called “Passion” and “Caramel”. Both are powder blushes that are easily to apply and have just the right amount of pigmentation.

Both shades are rose toned, but “Passion” is a darker shade than “Caramel”. “Passion” gives you a nice rose blush that will give you the romantic look and add some glowy finish on top. “Caramel” is a matte shade, that slightly tends towards coral. Recently, I’ve been using “Caramel” pretty much every day, because the shade is so wearable.

HICKAP Bronzer

The HICKAP Bronzer in “Warm Matte” is a matte bronzer in a light beige color with a slightly glowing finish.

“This bronzer gives your face that perfect contour you just dying to have.”

Below you can see the swatches of all three products. All three shades are pigmented well enough to be used directly on the face, but they all can be blended in nicely, too, resulting in more delicate and natural pigmentations. The products cause some fall-off while using them, but it also depends on the density and stiffness of the brush bristles you use of course.

My final verdict of these HICKAP Blushes & Bronzer is positive. I love how blendable they are and I’m super in love with the blush in shade “Caramel”. It is my favorite blush color at the moment and I’m using it daily. The bronzer might be slightly to orange-shaded for my personal preference for contouring, but it can be used greatly to emphazise cheek bones and gives a nice sunkissed glow. All three products are also on sale at the moment, so I can definitely recommend you to give them a try.

Each of the three products retails for 11.06 € instead of 16.64 €! Below, you can find the links to each of the products:

Hickap Bronzer “Warm Matte”

Hickap Blush “Passion”

Hickap Blush “Caramel”

Did you hear about HICKAP before? What are your thought? Let me know in the comments below :)

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://hickap.com which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty HICKAP PR Sample review

Review: HICKAP Lip Pencils & Lipstick

18. April 2017

Within the next days I’m going to share a couple of reviews introducing make-up products from the HICKAP I’m very excited about these reviews since I was send so many products, which I didn’t except and also since some of the products have become part of my daily make-up, too. Today, I will start with the HICKAP Lip Pencils & Lipstick:

I was really surprised to find so many products reaching from all ranges of HICKAP’s make-up products. After taking all the pictures I knew that I couldn’t put all the pictures in one post, so I grouped them after all. I will start with the HICKAP Lip Pencils & Lipstick today, and continue with the Blushes and Bronzer, and the Eyeshadow Palette and Brushes. But first let’s appreciate the minimalistic and very clean design of the HICKAP products. Black is the main color with a very simply white lettering. The design reminds me of timeless brands like MAC or in kbeauty terms Stylenanda’s 3CE.

As you know, I love lip products and one of my favourite lip colors is classy red. I was more than happy to spot a red lipstick. Additionally, three different lip pencils completed the set of lip products here.

HICKAP Lipstick “Red Carpet”

“Red Carpet”, the name already reveals the classy color of this lipstick: a vibrant red shade, like the beautful people in Hollywood would wear.

“A red lipstick that make your lips pop. Stand out from the crowd with lipstick from HICKAP. Here I am!”

Like all products from HICKAP the lipstick is cruelty-free. Also, it contains different plant based oils to provide your lips with moisture and create that creamy lipstick finish.

HICKAP Lip Pencils

I received the HICKAP lip pencils in three shades called “Sour”, “Plum”, and “Candy Apple”. All pencils come with a cap to protect the tip and have to be sharpened wih a regular sharpener, once blunt. And also here, all of them are cruelty-free.

“Sharping your lips and makes them fleeky. Smile!”

“Sour” is a rose brown color for your lip shape. It has that classy nude shade that is quite liked by many people these days. “Plum” is a light plum color, that has a cool undertone. “Candy Apple” is an intensive red that also fits perfectly to the HICKAP lipstick in “Red Carpet”.

Below you can see the swatches for all four products starting with the lip pencils from the left in “Sour”, “Plum”, and “Candy Apple”. The lipstick is shown on the right. As you can see all the shades are vibrant and pigmented and even the nude shades show up on the skin.

But also on the lips all colors are distinct and show up even on my darker toned lips. The HICKAP Lip Pencils are harder to work with, because they are not very creamy. It is important to have scrubbed the lips before to avoid that flaky skin is emphasized. Especially shade “Sour” works best on perfctly smooth lips. The staying power of the red lip pencil is the best of these three shades, because the stain keeps staying on the lips until eating a proper meal. The nude shades dissapear quite qickly though. All the lip pencils have a matte finish. The lipstick is creamier and easier to apply compared to the lip pencils. It has a classy cream lipstick finish and is easier to work with than the lip pencils. It does not have the same long-staying stain as the red lip liner, but the lip liner and the lipstick in combination do the trick.

I’m always happy to get to know new make-up brands and especially new lip products. I love the three shades of the HICKAP and how pigmented they all are, despite their shade. Also, the staining power of the red lip liner was really convincing. I’d have loved if the bullet of the pencils would be slightly more creamy than it is now, because it would make it better suited for people with dry lips. The HICKAP lipstick is very classy and has a lovely and perfect consitency. You never can go wrong with red lips.

The lip pencils retail for 8.82 € and the lipstick for 16.64 € and you can them via the links below:

HICKAP Lipstic “Red Carpet”

HICKAP Lip Pencil “Sour”

HICKAP Lip Pencil “Plum”

HICKAP Lip Pencil “Candy Apple”

Did you hear about HICKAP before? What are your thought? Let me know in the comments below :)

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Just as a short reminder: All products mentioned and reviewed on this blog are of my personal opinions. This product here was sent to me for reviewing purpose by https://hickap.com which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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