it's skin Archive | Berries in the Snow

asian cosmetics beauty PR Sample q-depot review

Review: It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule

2. November 2016

Another propolis ampoule I’ve been trying since I finished up the COSRX Propolis Light Ampule: I received the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule by Korean cosmetics online shop Qdepot and I’ve been testing it for quite a while now. Actually, I’ve been wanting to try something from the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula line a long time already, so I’m happy I was offered this opportunity.

It’s Skin is a Korean brand made by dermatologists at Seoul University and it was created to recover the natural power of the skin. The brand is not expansive, but on the same level like Etude House. They also have some cute designs for some of their products, so in general it is an interesting brand, especially their Power 10 Formula intrigued me for a long time. There are 12 or even 13 different kinds of ampoules reaching from Vitamins to Q10, and even yeast filtrate. I guess you will find every possible ampoule. I decided to try another Propolis Ampoule since I enjoyed the previous one already so much.

The It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule comes in a glass bottle with an attached pipette as lid. The bottle is yellow colored, but transparent enough to see how much product is left inside. Of course the key ingredient here is Propolis. 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 skincare, especially for troubled skin, but it also has skin conditioning properties and makes your skin feel smooth.

If you check COSDNA you will see that the ingredients list is not too long, which is quite positive. Apart from Propolis the ampoule contains honey, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which are all great and effective ingredients for anti-inflammatory effects, hydration and brightening. The majority of the ingredients is green labelled, too.

The It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule has a milky consistency, which is not totally liquid like a toner but shows some substance. It is easily blended in though and turns into a watery solution once starting to rub it in. It makes the skin feel smooth while applying and glides over the skin– not in the same way as oil, but in a silky smooth way, if you know what I mean. The scent is nice, too, and not overly strong. The ampoule absorbs quickly without a sticky or greasy feeling, but it leaves a nice glow on the skin. I use a few drops on my skin until I feel I have used enough to cover my face and neck.

It is hard to say which ampoule I would prefer, the one from COSRX or the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule. Both are different in their consistency and in the feeling they leave on the skin. The COSRX serum has the shorter ingredients lists and doesn’t contain any potential triggers. Since it is a light ampoule it is probably suited better for sensitive skintypes. The Propolis serum from It’s Skin feels “heavier” without being heavy on the skin, but the texture feels richer. I like both ampoules but if I had both at hands I would prefer the COSRX one for summer season and the one from It’s Skin for winter. You can buy the It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Propolis Ampoule from QDepot for 18.13 US$.

Q-depot is an online retailer for Korean cosmetics. They have already quite a variety of the most popular Korean brands and they keep adding products frequently. The site is easy to navigate, too. And they offer free samples for each order and free shipping for orders above US$ 49. They are committed to contributing 3% of their group’s net profit for social causes in different countries. So you can shop for your favorite Korean products and do something good, too. Also, Q-depot is having a promotion were you can get 5 US$ off your first order by using the code SW5OFF (orders +50 US$) or 10% off your first order using SW10OFF.

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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://q-depot.com/, which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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beauty empties

Graveyard: May – October Empties 2015

7. November 2015

I realized my last product empties post was for March & April! I always took the pictures for the empties posts but never made one, so here is a massive May – October Empties 2015 post! As usual, I didn’t include any sheet mask sachets or sample sachets, because it would simply be to messy. But as far as posible I tried to document the products I used up in the past months.

Stylenanda’s 3CE Water Wrapping Facial Mask – I reviewed these before and I absolutelly love how soft the cotton of these sheet masks is and how soft and nice the essence hydrates the skin. One of my favourite moisturizing sheet masks so far. Click for the review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes!
Innisfree Jeju Bija Anti Trouble BB Cream – This was past expiration date and had to be tossed. I used it mostly mixed with other BB creams because it was to drying for dry skintypes. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? No.
Heart Face Ultra Pore Care Sleeping Pack – I was super Excited to try this Sleeping Pack since it smelled so amazingly of Rose Water. Unfortunatelly, my skin didn’t like one of the ingredients, so I ended up using it on my dry body parts like knees and elbows. Worked fine for them, a pitty though that I couln’t use it as sleeping mask. Repurchase? No.
Innisfree Eco Safety Perfect Waterproof Sunblock – This was a lovely sun cream after all. I would think about buying the fullsize or one of the other versions of it. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Maybe.
Skin House Face Calming Galactomyces Cream – I loved this cream! It absorbed nicely and made the skin feel bouncy. I used it up so quicly after all. click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes.
Forencos Selene Project Silk Mask Series – I liked some of the sheet masks from this series and I also made a second in depth review on this set of sheet masks. I didn’t like the ampoule which was included for each sheet mask though. Click for my reviews >>here<< and >>here<<. Repurchase? Probably not.
Merz Special Beauty Talent – This cream was a complete dissapointment. I didn’t like the scent and it didn’t do anything for making my skin less dry, bumpy or anything it was promised to do. Repurchase? No!
It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleansing Foam – Unfortuantelly, this Foam Cleanser was too drying for my skin. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? No!
CosRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid – I did like this, although I do not have any Whiteheads to begin with. But for a AHA product this one is great. I can recommend you to check out the COSRX products in general because they do a nice job. Click for my reviews on the other COSRX products >>here<<. Repurchase? Maybe.
Skin79 BB Cream Miniatures – This were past expiration date, too. I used all of them from time to time, but I cannot say that one of these was my HG BB cream. click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? No.
Etre belle Liplift Peel Exfoliator – Pretty much an average lip scrub. I like the tube it comes in. Repurchase? No.
Skinfood Rose Shake Point Make-Up Remover – I love this Point Make-Up Remover from Skinfood. It also comes in a Milk version which I want to try next. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes!
Rituals Sakura Scrub – Another product which I absolutely love! It smells so great and I cannot stop smelling my own skin after using this scrub. Same for the complete Cherry Blossom Line from Rituals! Repurchase? Yes!
Alverde Body Butter Vintage Rose – Guess what, I bought this body butter for the pretty design! It had a nice scent, too, but not as rosy as I had hoped. Nevertheless, a good product and also natural cosmetics! Repurchase? Maybe.
Benton Honest Cleansing Foam – This cleansing foam was surprisingly mild and not drying like other cleansing foams. I really enjoyed using this one, although I was really wary, because I had a negative experience with the Benton Snail Bee Steam Cream. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Maybe, if I have used up all my cleansers :D
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Gel – So far my favourite suncream I used. Absorbs fast, doesn’t leave the skin sticky or oily, feels hydrating enough for dry skin. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes!
Rituals Cherry Blossom Body Milk – Also here: I love the scent of this line! Definitively want to rurchase it!
Dermasel Shower Gel Pomegranade – Just a regular showe gel. Had a nice scent, too, but it was not so lingering as the Rituals scents. Repurchase? No.
Johnson and Johnson (Bebe) Beautifying Eye Cream – I like the illuminating eye cream from Lavera much better than this one. This one didn’T absorb completelly and always left kind of a film underneath your eyes. Repurchase? No.
Meishoku DET Clear Bright & Peel Peeling Gel – Another product which I love! I can recommend you to try the MEishoku DET Clear Pelling Gels. They are perfect for using in the shower, too! I’m so sad this one is empty. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes!
Xaivita+ Goat Milk Whitening Cream – This cream is super great! I used it up quickly. It absorbs super fast and leaves the skin nourished. I still have a facial soap from this line and I want to make a review of both products together., so please be patient for more details. I can imagine to repurchase it! Repurchase? Yes.
Banila Co Clean It Zero – This mini jars of Banila Co Clean It Zero cleansing balm are great for travel! I already used the first of them, but I still have a couple more of these. There will be a review about these, too. Repurchase? Yes.
O.S.T C21.5 Vitamin C Serum – I like both vitamin C serums from O.S.T. and I can recommend you again and again to try a vitamin C serum for yourself. These are affordable and effective, too. At the moment I’m using a Vitamin C serum by MapleHolistics, but the bottle slipped out of my hand some days ago, so I will be out of vitamin C serum again…Probably I’m going for O.S.T again. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes!
Coreana SHO EGFactor Eye Cream – One of the best eye cream tubes I’ve had so far. The seringe shape was super convenient and you could close and open it easily. The cream was nice, too. I still have one of these at my bf’s house. See my review >>here<<. Repurchase? No, too expensive.
Shara Shara Fairy’s Synergy Sun Cream – Despite the creepy doll packaging and the defect pump this was not such a bad product. Nevertheless, the packaging puts me off. Repurchase? No.
Schwarzkopf Gliss Kur Ultimate Oil Elixir – I like these large jars of hair packs and treatments. This one smells of cacao. Liked it. Repurchase? Maybe.
Etude House Help My Finger Quick Drop Dry – I love these Quick Dry Drops for Nail polish. I ususally don’t have enough patience to wait ad ruin my nails almost immediatelly. These are great to prevent some of that damage. I bought a similar quick dry drop from Essence this time. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Yes.
Confume Argan Hair Treatment Ampoule – The Confume Argan Oil is one of my favourite hair oils at the moment. These treatment ampoules are great for a more intense treatment after washing your hair. I like them a lot. The review is still in progress though! Repurchase? Yes.
Dear by Eprani Believe in a Bottle Moistfull Booskin – One of the best Korean Toners (Skin) I tried so far! Lovely scent, makes the skin feel great and definitively worth a try! Repurchase? Yes!
Shiseido Hada Senka Hoshitsu Lotion – This Japanese Toner (Lotion) is great for homemade sheet masks or soaked cotton pads. Definitively worth a try, too. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? Maybe.
Nelafantasia One day Whitener Magical Whitening Lotion – This was also past expiration date. This whitening cream contains titanium dioxide and makes the skin appear brighter. The packaging is lovely, but I didn’t use it often after all. Repurchase? No.
Alverde Repair Hair Butter – I didn’t like that at all. It was too rich to be used on dry or freshly washed hair and too hard to wash out when using as a pack before washing the hair. The scent was not to my liking either. Repurchase? No.
Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Omega Repair Hair Mask – Another Hair Pack. I liked the version from above more, though. Repurchase? No.
Ingobeau Perfect Deep Clean One-Step Cleansing Water – My first cleansing water and now I’m eager to try more. I loved this so much and it was super effective in removing all kinds of makeup. It has a nice pH, too. There will be a review, soon. Repurchase? Yes.
Nivea Care face and body cream – This was not as heavy and rich as the regular Nivea Cold Cream, but lighter. If you like Nivea you might like it. Repuchase? MAybe.
John Frida Frizz Ease Dream Curls – I like this conditioning spray from Fritt Ease. This makes my curls look more defined and nice. I bought it in the past and I can imagine to repurchase it in future again. Repurchase? Yes.
Beautiful A.M. Moisturizer and P.M. Revitalizer – A pitty these are empty know, since it starts to get colder here in Germany. Facial oils are great for my dry skin in these times. These were light oils which absorbed fast and were not heavy. Click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? I want to try other facial oils.
O’SUM’s Aloe Vera Soothing Mist – I do not use up many mists, but here I am with one. I tried to make use of the benefits of mists more often this summer. click for my review >>here<<. Repurchase? I want to try other mists, too.

That was quite a lot! I hope it’s useful for some of you nevertheless. Sorry, for the long and boring post! :’D

Do you know any of these and did you try them yourself? What is your opinion on these products I showed above? I’d be happy about your comments ♥

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asian cosmetics beauty BNTnews PR Sample review

Review: It’s Skin Prestige BN Gel Mask EX

7. June 2015

// PR SAMPLE / KBEAUTY //

Another sheet mask review! I hope you’re not getting bored, but here I have another hydrogel sheet mask, the It’s Skin Prestige BN Gel Mask EX. This hydrogel mask contains Bird’s Nest and Gold as key ingredients. If you remember, I talked about Bird’s Nest as ingredient in my SNP Bird’s Nest Aqua Eye Patch review >>here<<.

It’s Skin is a Korean brand made by dermatologists at Seoul University and it was created to recover the natural power of the skin. The brand is not expansive, but on the same level like Etude House. They also have some cute designs for some of their products, so in general it is an interesting brand, especially their Power 10 Formula bottles intrigue me and I heard positive reviews about it. The only other It’s Skin product I tried so far is the It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleansing Foam, which I didn’t like. With the It’s Skin Prestige BN Gel Mask EX I’m giving the brand a new chance :D

The masks come either in single sachets or in a cardboard box with 5 sheet masks, like the 3CE sheet masks I reviewed yesterday. The design of these sheet masks looks super elegant and has a golden color, which also can be referred to the Gold mentioned as one of the key ingredients. The material of the cardboard box and the sachet is a reflective paper, so it was hard to take the pictures to be honest :’D. The pictures almost don’t show that the color is golden. The backside of the cardboard box and of each sachet contains the Korean and English description and a small picture on how to use the sheet mask.

This mask is separated into two sheets, one for the lower part of your face (mouth/chin) and one for the upper part (forehead/butterfly area). Each part of the gel mask is folded into a plastic and a paper sheet, and both parts are covered by another clear plastic (not really environmental, but it makes the separation of the gel sheets easier). The sachets are not dripping with essence and also the sheet mask is not soaky/wet, but typically for a hydrogel mask the material feels cooling and moist. The gel sheet has a fine grid structure which helps to fit the mask and to keep it on the face.

This hydrogel mask is thicker than the Mediheal hydrogel mask I reviewed previously (see review >>here<<). It also has a yellowish, lightly shiny color, which is partially from the gold (at least that is what I’m thinking/hoping). The ingredients were written on the sachets and the cardboard box, too, and I added them to COSDNA, so you can look them up >>here<<. The ingredients are safe to use and surprisingly niacinamide is one of the first ingredients in the list. Also, the sheet mask contains titanium dioxide for UV protection. Sadly, the two key ingredients are among the last ingredients on the list, so their concentration will be quite low. Bird’s nest is supposed to be nourishing for the skin and improve the skin texture and gold is having brightening and revitalizing properties. I definitively can say that this mask feels nice on the skin and fits nicely, too. It brings a glow to the skin and brightens and cools the skin aswell, but I’m sure that these properties are mainly due to the niacinamide in these masks. It doesn’t need much time to absorb fully, and leaves the skin almost not sticky. There is a slight tacky feeling though.

It was nice to try out another hydrogel mask and the It’s Skin Prestige BN Gel Mask EX is definitively not bad compared to all the masks I tried. It gives a nice glow, brightens up the skintone and has a cooling effect, but if you are looking for moisture I would advice you the 3CE Water Wrapping Facial Mask instead. Unfortunatelly, the two key ingredients bird’s mask and gold make this mask expensive. You can find a box of 5 sheet masks at testerkorea for ~23 US$ or at W2Beauty for 39.69 US$, so the prices may vary. I’m happy that I could revise my bad first impression from the brand It’s Skin and I will try out other products in future for sure.

This product was provided to me by BNTnews for reviewing. Don’t forget to visit the other BNTGirls Doris, Celine, Alene and Bella and check out their reviews. And visit BNTnews for the latest Korean news and trends:

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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.bntnews.co.uk/ which doesn’t influence me in providing my honest opinion on the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty review

Review: It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleansing Foam

1. April 2015

// KBEAUTY / SKINCARE / AFFILIATE LINKS //

Another cleansing product review, and this time it is my least favourite cleanser I’m using currently, the It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleansing Foam (I still have two or three other foam cleansers to use up, a cleansing water and cleansing balms…I think I have enough supplies for this year :D).

I think this is my first It’s Skin product I’m reviewing here on Berries In The Snow. Unfortunately, I do not really like it. It’s Skin is a Korean brand made by dermatologists at Seoul University and it was created to recover the natural power of the skin. The brand is not expansive, but on the same level like Etude House. They also have some cute designs for some of their products, so in general it is an interesting brand, especially their Power 10 Formula bottles intrigue me and I heard positive reviews about it. The It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleansing Foam is part of 5 different cleansing foams in the It’s Skin Have A cleansing foam line, which are Orange, Banana, Greengrape and Eggshell.

Each of the five cleansing foams comes in a packaging displaying a picture of the key ingredient. The It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleansing Foam has- of course- a pomegranate displayed. The pink colored plastic tube looks kind of cute, too. The ingredients are listed on COSDNA and there are some irritating ingredients used as emulsifiers, but most of the ingredients are safe. Also, the plant extracts, like the key ingredients pomegranate is one of the last ingredients, which is a bit dissapointing. It smells of pomegranate though, but not heavily. The foam itself has a white, shimmery, cream texture. It foams up nice, but not as a super dense foam either. The PH of the cleanser lies at 8, which makes it quite drying for the skin. Below you can have a look how the cleanser performes on my arm with a couple of makeup products. As you can see, this foam cleanser is – similar to the Benton Honest Cleansing Foam I reviewed before- not suited to remover waterproof makeup. It can serve enough as second cleanser, if you remove your makeup previously with a cleansing oil or balm. Unfortunately, it leaves the skin dry and tense, which is the reason I do not like this cleanser.

I would recommend the Benton Honest Cleansing Foam over this cleansing foam, because you can really feel a difference how the two cleansers leave your skin after cleansing. The Benton cleanser is really gentle and leaves the skin hydrated, but the It’s Skin Have A Pomegranate Cleanser makes my skin feel tight and dry. If you want to try it anyways you can find the It’s Skin Have A Foam Cleansers at W2Beauty for 13.14 US$.

What is your favourite foam cleanser? did you try any of the It’s Skin cleansing Foams?