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Review: May Coop Raw Sauce

29. July 2015

I’m super excited to review the May Coop Raw Sauce today, which was featured in ‘Get it Beauty’ by Secret’s Song Ji Eun. This is my first time trying a product from May Coop, but apparently this brand is getting more and more attention lately. Time to take a closer look at this toner, emulsion and essence 3 in 1 product:

As I said above, the Korean brand May Coop is really new to me and until it was featured in ‘Get it Beauty’. I had never heard from that brand before. It seems it is a more high end brand according to the very beautiful packaging and the materials used. It also seems that they are focusing on natural ingredients.

The May Coop Raw Sauce is a multifunctional essence that combines the effects of a toner, an essence and a emulsion/lotion in one. Unlike most cosmetic items that are made of water, this one contains acer maple water instead. It is quite a trend in Korea right now to use products containing other liquids as replacement for water. The description of the product packaging says acer maple water, but the translation of the ingredient list says maple sap. I think they mean the maple xylem sap, because 93 % maple sap/ syrup would be super sticky and sugary. You can find the ingredients on COSDNA. Apart from a whole bunch of plant ingredients it sadly contains alcohol. So if you have sensitive skin be aware of this point. On the other hand, the main ingredient here is maple tree sap, which makes 93 % of the total volume. All the other ingredients fall into the remaining 7 %.

The design of the cardboard box of the May Coop Raw Sauce is like a wooden box. It has the key points of the essence listed on one side, shaped like wooden rings. The features of this multipurpose essence are: Humectant, Nature 701 Complex, Organic Grain extracts, Natural Moisturizing Factor, Eco-cert Certified Fructan, and Acer Maple Water. Maple xylem sap is mainly a watery solution of hormones, mineral elements and other nutrients of the plant. The maple xylem sap is a very effective moisturizer as its rich in glycerin and reinforces skin’s immunity. The similarity to the water molecule size of the skin allows the maple xylem sap to penetrate deaper into the skin than regular water. Another key ingredient seems to be the skin-nourishing fructan powder (eco-cert certified), which is supposed to strengthen the skin.

The May Coop Raw Sauce comes in a 150 ml frosted glass bottle. The cap is from plastic, but has the same wooden pattern as the cardboard box. The bottle comes separately packed in a canvas, which gives it another high-quality touch. the regular drop dispensing opening of the bottle is sealed by a plastic in order to prevent leaking.

The glass has the same description in wooden rings like the cardboard packaging. According to the official site May Coop Raw Sauce fulfills these three points: intensive moist supply, intensive nutrition supply, constantly strengthening. The May Coop Raw Sauce is a watery liquid (a tiny bit thicker than water though), which has a light yellow color. It has a fragrant smell to it, which is stronger than most of the other toner/essences I use atm, but the scent is nice and doesn’t linger long. Apart from that, the May Coop Raw Sauce feels moisturizing, and is not sticky after absorption. although it contains some alcohol it doesn’t feel drying (probably since the amount is not much). Although quite moist and labeled as multi-function product I still use many other products in combination and I do not skip my usual moisturizer. I’ve only used this for 2 weeks so far, so I cannot make any remarks about long-term effects like strengthening, but I think it fits nicely into my skincare routine, doesn’t give me any breakouts and feels like an extra hydration boost for my face.

I enjoyed trying the May Coop Raw Sauce very much and I’m happy it found a place in my skincare routine. I yet don’t know if I will repurchase it again and if it will replace any of my other steps in future, but it will be used up to the end for sure. The May Coop Raw Sauce is available at Peach and Lily for 42.00 US$ or at Koreadepart for 38.27 US$. From the official May Coop page you’ll find it listed for 36000 Won. Although it is a multi-purpose product it is more on the expensive side. On the other hand, the detailed packaging and material makes up for the price. Also the volume is more than enough to last for a long time, since not much product is needed. So probably, it will take some time before I’ve used up this precious product.

This product was provided to me by BNTnews for reviewing. Don’t forget to visit the other BNTGirls Mary, Celine, Alene, Joanne, Chermaine, Faith, Mitha, Laura and Blair and check out their reviews for the July BNT Beauty Box. And visit BNTnews for the latest Korean news and trends:

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♥ And if you have time please visit my post about the July Japan Candy Box. There is even a giveaway where you can win a Japan Candy Box for yourself ♥

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 beautystar PR Sample review

Review: Tunemakers Original Moisture Lotion

2. September 2014

I introduced the online shop Beautystar in my previous review about Relevance Highlighter Tip and today I will review another item which was provided to me for reviewing purpose, the Tunemakers Original Moisture Lotion. Beautystar is an online shop selling Japanese skincare and cosmetic products which are harder to find in other online shops. Apart from the lotion (Japanese lotion is the adequate to Korean toner or skin) I received a serum with I will review separately in future.

Tunemakers is a Japanese brand, which seems to be featured in a lot of Japanese magazines…unfortunately the brands site is in Japanese only, but according to Beautystar’s describtion, Tunemakers was born through the wish of a lot of people for skincare products which contain ingredients which are part of the skin. I think this means, the use of raw ingredients in a good concentration to be absorbed by the skin and yet have the best possible effect.

The Tunemakers Original Moisture Lotion is a simple waterbased lotion containing ceramide, hyaluronic acid, honey, collagenand royal jelly extract in a ratio of 5:3.5:2:1:1. Water with a weak acidity builds the basis of this mixture. Ceramide is one of the main lipid components of the skin. The content of ceramide declines with age, so ceramide is a skin-identical component and is supposed to help the skin regenerating or balancing the decrease in ceramides. Collagen is also one of these components which occur naturally in our body and thus in our skin. The amount of collagen declines with our age, too. Ceramides and collangens in cosmetics won’t probably affect our skin in a way, that we start building more collagen and/or ceramides in our skin, however, collagen binds moisture and thus does it help to prevent our skin to dry, when applied on our skin. The same for ceramide, which, as a lipid keeps the right amount of fatty acids on our skin. Hyaluronic acid binds moisture aswell and thus helps the skin to stay moisturized, too. Honey and royal jelly extract are both natural ingredients. Honey is one of the ingredients with the oldest history for beauty uses. Both these ingredients contain vitamins, aminoacids and have anti-inflammatory and also antioxidant effects.

The full ingredient list is supprisingly short: water, glycerin, 1,2 – hexanediol, sphingoglycolipids of rice bran , hyaluronic acid Na, honey,water-soluble collagen, hydrolyzed royal jelly extract, licorice root extract, ascorbyl phosphate Mg, lysolecithin, hydrogenated lecithin, BG, xanthan gum, apple acid Na, malic acid, citric acid, citric acid Na, phenoxyethanol. Thant’s it! According to COSDNA almost all the ingredients are green flagged. No fragrance, no coloring, no mineral oil, petroleum based surfactant-free, paraben-free,and alcohol- free. I guess this should be suited to people with sensitive skin, too.

The product itself comes in a brown colored glass bottle. It is real glass, so you have to be careful while using it. Other than this, the bottle looks like a vintage medicine bottle, with a simple ettiquette and all in Japanese. The opening has a drip function, so you won’t spill too much lotion on your hands. I usually apply these moisturising toners/lotion with my hands, directly after washing my face. It has the same consistency like water, it has no scent and feels very light. After applying it absorbs really quickly into the skin and leaves my skin very soft and hydrated.

Apart from the fact that it is a glass bottle, this lotion/toner has nothing I would complain about. It has a short ingredient list, feels like water, but makes the skin feel hydrated. I didn’t have any skin irritations while using it and I’m using it every day since two weeks now :) You can get this from Beautystar for US$ 19.50 and I’m sure, that there will be quite some of you, who will share my opinion.

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

♥Feel free to take parte in my “End-of-Summer”-Giveaway ♥

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asian cosmetics beauty review

Review: Innisfree Green Tea Pure Deluxe Kit

3. July 2014

// KBEAUTY / SKINCARE / AFFILIATE LINKS //

I received this Innisfree’s Green Tea Pure Deluxe Kit a while back during a giveaway and I was very happy about it. Innisfree’s Green Tea line is often talked about within the blogger communitiy and since green tea is a very beneficial ingredient I was especially curious how this would work, especially as a mini version of the complete skincare line, including toner, emulsion, cream, essence and sleeping pack. These kits are always a great way to test a special line if it works with your skin or doesn’t. Here is my impression on these products:

Innisfree is an eco-friendly korean skincare and makeup brand focusing on natural ingredients and recycle packaging. The design of their products is simply and neat and nicely reflects the ideology of the brand. The Green Tea Pure Deluxe Kit is a 4-free product, that means that it is free of 4 commonly used ingredients, which are not beneficial, most likely parabens, etc. I couldn’t find any english ingredients list, so I don’t have the exact information for you, unfortunately.

Nevertheless, the key ingredient in this line is Jeju Green Tea. On Innisfree’s official web page you’ll find the following description:

“Green Tea Pure Line with the clean and clear moisture of 100% Jeju Organic Green Tea Water: The vitality and condensed moisture of green tea grown on the organic green tea field of the pure island of Jeju, refine the skin for clarity and suppleness.”

As I stated above, the kit constists of the Innisfree Green Tea Pure Skin (toner), Innisfree Green Tea Pure lotion (emulsion), Innisfree Green Tea Pure Cream, Innisfree Green Tea Pure Sleeping Pack and Innisfree Green Tea Pure Seed Serum. I used the items for my daily routine as this: toner, emulsion, cream. During my night routine I used: toner, serum, emulsion, sleeping pack. Of course it depends on your skintype how your routine works best. It may be, that cream and emulsion are to much for oily skin for example. My skin is rather dry, so I used emulsion and cream together.

Let’s start with the toner and the emulsion.

These two items come in two miniature plastic bottles, as do also the full size products. The plastic appears sturdy. The Innisfree Green Tea Pure Skin is a gel-type clear toner. It contains tiny particles which disolve while applying onto the skin. This makes it feel grainy during the application first. But the toner absorbs quickly and since the grains dissolve the only thing which lingers is the scent of green-tea mixed with some fruity/flowery scent. It is a nice scent, but if you don’t like scents at all, I wouldn’t recommend you this line at all. In principle all the products have this scent.

The Innisfree Green Tea Pure Lotion is a milky emulsion, which absorbs really fast into the skin. It is not sticky and doesn’t leave a greasy feeling. The skin feels instantly smooth and firmer. It has the same scent as the toner.

Innisfree Green Tea Pure Cream:

The Innisfree Green Tea Pure Cream also contains some grains, but in contrast to the grains in the toner, you don’t feel these on your skin. This cream is a good moisturizer and feels very refreshing. In contrast to the emulsion, the cream takes a bit more to absorb, but once it is absorbed, it isn’t sticky either. The cream gives you really that glow you get after being well moisturized. The deluxe sample comes in a mini jar, which is really nice.

Innisfree Green Tea Pure Seed Serum

The Green Tea Pure Seed Serum is a geltype serum, which is lightly milky. The consistency is thicker than of the toner. After it absorbs it is not sticky at all. It feels like adding some moisture, but not a lot (so this might be good for combination/oily skin?). Again, it has the same green-tea scent of the other products. The set included 6 of these ampoules. Each ampoule was for one usage only. The other products of the kit are more often usable, so it would have been nice, if the set included also more of these serum ampoules. The fullsize product comes in a pump bottle.

The last product is the Innisfree Green Tea Pure Sleeping Pack

The sleeping pack in this kit comes in a tube (the fullsize product comes in a jar). Also here, we have tiny beads. The beads dissolve while massaging the pack into your skin. The sleeping pack doesn’t absorb quickly, but it takes some time, but since you put it on before sleeping it doesn’t matter after all. The skin feels a bit sticky, too, but this is also a minor problem for a sleeping mask. On the next day the skin feels soft and refreshed. Also here, I really like the green tea scent, especially before going to bed. It is so relaxing.

My total impression about Innisfree Green Tea Pure Line is quite positive. My favourite products are the sleeping pack and surprisingly the emulsion. I’m rarely using emulsion during my skincare routine, only if I’m testing a specific skincare line as a whole like now. This emulsion made my skin so soft and firm, I really enjoyed using it ♥ The scent is also nice if you like green-tea scents. That’s why I like the sleeping pack aswell. It is so relaxing to use. Most important, none of the products gave me any breakouts or irritations :)

Also, Innisfree refreshed their Green Tea Line. The line is now divided into Green Tea Fresh (oily skin), Green Tea Balancing (normal/combination skin) and Green Tea Moisture (dry skin), which is a good idea. I think the former line will resemble most likely the new balancing line. I would suggest you to browse through W2Beauty for all the products.

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asian cosmetics beauty review

Review: Shiseido Hada Senka Hoshitsu Lotion

30. June 2014

A while ago I baught some Japanese skincare and beauty products, but I never found the time to edit the pictures I had taken. Finally, I managed to write the review on Shiseido Hada Senka Hoshitsu Lotion :) This is a basic toner, from Shiseido’s drug store brand Hada Senka.

First of all, as I said, Hada Senka is a drugstore brand from Shiseido. The product range is not expansive and directed towards younger people, since it is a basic skincare line. Also, since it is a japanese brand they use slightly other terms than korean brands do. This product is called a “lotion”, but that doesn’t mean that we have a liquid form of cream here, but it is the equivilant to korean toner or sometimes also called “skin”. That means, that the lotion is used as first step of the skincare routine, after cleansing. This product is also available in two forms, a light version and a heavy version and you can differentiate them according to the color of the cap (pink for the heavy version and white for the light version). I’m showing you the heavy version for dry skin.

I bought this as a promotional kit, which is why it came with travel size samples of the Hada Senka Perfect Whip and the Perfect Watery Oil. Also, the set contained samples of the Hada Senka Milk, which is the emulsion from this skincare line. The description of the product is unfortunately only in Japanese. You can find the ingredients listed on COSDNA, too. The key ingredients for moisturization are hyaluronic acid and royal jelly extract. This is also the main reason I wanted to buy this moisturizing toner, because I love the effect of skincare products with hyaluronic acid, since it provides the skin with moisture. The ingredients are safe to use according to COSDNA, but if you have very sensitive skin be aware that this toner contains alcohol.

The tones comes in a hard plastic bottle, which appears sturdy. It is milky plastic, so you can see how much is left inside the bottle if you see through it against the light. The bottle comes with a simple cap with a small hole for dispensing, but the application works nice and it is not difficult to get the product out of the bottle. The packaging is not very special, I would rather say the packaging is super boring, but it shows the simplicity of the product. Since shiseido Hada Senka is a cheaper branch of Shiseido I can live with the boring packaging on the other hand.

As I said, this is a moisturizing toner containing hyaluronic acid. It does exactly what it claims to do and provides the skin with moisture. The toner is geltype, so it is not completelly liquid. It has a light alcoholic scent when you pour it out, but the scent dissapears quickly and leaves a scentless product. The lotion absorbs quickly and is not sticky after absorbing. The skin feels soft after apllication. I like this toner a lot. I especially liked to put a few drops of the O.S.T Vitamin C serum in my palm and mix it with the toner. This worked very well! Moreover, this toner has a PH of 5, which makes it work gerat together with active ingredients like vitamin C or BHA/AHAs.

Overall, the Shiseido Hada Senka Hoshitsu Lotion is a solid basic lotion with a good pH (weak acidity). It works good with skincare routines containing actives, too! Unfortunatelly, it contains alcohol, so if you have sensitive skin make a patch test before. I bought the promotional kit at Adamsbeauty and it is still available. It costs around 10 US$, which is quite cheap for a japanese product. The great thing is, that there are refills available which makes it very environmental friendly, too. I can totally recommend you to give this affordable product a try!

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