Korean Brushes!!!

Korean In-Store Brand Brushes (Etude House, Holika Holika, It's Skin, etc.)
So, do you uses make-up brushes??? When I first go into makeup, I didn't, I thought they were stupid.
I was also woefully inept at all things makeup.....

I have since come to appreciate a good brush. My eyes look better with properly applied eye shadow, beautifully rimmed with creme eyeliner. My eyebrows are even straighter, and more dramatic.

So I've purchase a number of brushes from Korean In-store Brands.
I have Etude House, Skin food, It's Skin, Holika Holika, and.... um.... Oh, one from Tony Moly.
To be honest, I'm probably missing some....

Different Packaging 

The thing is, all the brushes are the EXACT same!!! It's so weird. The only difference is the packaging, and the name printed on the handle.
But the brush, the shape/size, texture, same same same!

So I thought I would do ONE BIG review for Korean Brushes....

The prices range from about 3000 won to 12000. The most expensive is the foundation brush.
I have a few different size eye shadow brushes, and a couple of eyeliner brushes.

See! Same same same!!! All the little ones are the same, just different sizes!!!

Honestly, I love them all.....

They are beautiful quality for the price.

I've had this one since 2009! It still looks the same!

I've never encountered any shedding. The bristles hold their shape really well, they are soft, with a bit of structure. I have cleaned them countless times, the labels have worn off, but the bristles and handle are still like new!

The handles are a bit stubby for their height, and kind of soft(a little like rubber). So they are very comfortable to use.

So, if you use makeup brushes, pick up some by a Korean in-store brand. I love them....

It's Skin - Honey Nutri cleansing foam

It's Skin - Honey Nutri cleansing foam

I am in love.
With this cleanser..... (Maybe that was a little bit too dramatic) This really is my favorite cleanser. Of all cleansers. 

What it is a creamy foaming cleanser, with a light honey scent(very light).  The cleanser itself is a light golden yellow. It's thick, and foams into tiny little bubbles.  

Why is it so awesome?

It's so simple.
I like all kinds of fancy cleansers, multiple steps, oils, powders, scrubs, etc.
But when I get up each morning, and sleepily wash my face, I don't have the energy or patience for anything complicated, I just want a quick simple cleansing, that leave my face feeling fresh, clean, soft, not dry and ready to face the day. That's what this cleanser is.

Are you thinking that I could get a simple cleanser from anywhere, any brand? Well yes, basic cleansers are everywhere. But rarely does one do the job so well.
It's not that the Honey Nutri cleanser does anything different or new, it just does things better. When I wash with it, it has a nice texture and is easy to use, it washes away cleanly. When I am done, my skin feels just a bit softer and younger, a bit fresher, than with other cleansers. After days and days, my skin always feels that lovely.

Most simple products are mediocre. This is perfect at being just a simple cleanser!

BB cream swatches!!

BB cream swatches!!

Since I accumulated a number of BB cream samples, I thought I would swatch them for you!!!

Super Magic BB by Hanskin
            Supposed to be whitening and wrinkle preventing
Etude House Precious Mineral - Sheer glowing skin (color 2)
              SPF30
Banilla co - Let me BeBe
           SPF37, and supposed to be illuminating'
Hanskin Control Skin BB
            For less than perfect skin
It's Skin - i code W
              SPF17 PA++, and wrinkle control          
Hanskin Nutritive
              SPF35

As you can see, not a single good color for me in the bunch!!! They are all on the darker side for BB creams

Banilla co's was the lightest, and very yellow.
It's skin and Hanskin's Nutritive we the most neutral toned.
Etude's looked super orange when blended in! Yikes!!!

The broken :(

I haven't had much luck with eyeshadows. Singles tend to be of terrible quality, quads and trios are much nicer, but then, there is always one color I use more than all the others. One color that I always want in a single.

This Trio was finally one that I loved each and every color. They blended seamless, and looked fantastic.

But.... It broke, and It's skin stopped making it....
So There is no EOTD, because I dropped the compact, and it turned to a powdered mess.

But I wanted to show you what once was a lovely compact, and share my woe.....

It's skin - Color play - Trio Eyeshadow

Price : 6000won I think....
 It's a baked shadow, with a light, dark and in between shade. I got a trio of cool bronzes. The compact is super simple, a mirrorless matte black.

The show really doesn't look like much.... But trust me, it was gorgeous....

*sigh*

It's Skin Color Play Sugar Gloss
Price : 3000won (I think)
Color : 08

What's with all the Korean Makeup Brands Having sugar lip glosses? Holika's Sugar syrub gloss,  Skinfood's honey gloss, and more.... It's odd.

Why I picked color 08, an orange pink, I don't know......
Maybe I was trying to find something that goes with my Canmake cream blush that is
really peachy.....

Regardless, the Color is completely different on!!!You can seen in the picture it doesn't look orange (or peach) at all!!!

I do have very pink lips, but still! It basically looks clear with a little bit of sparkle!

It has a lovely taste/scent, it's fruity and lasting.  It's reminds me of some sort of candy. Maybe that explains the name.... Honestly, I love a lipgloss that taste nice, I end up tasting it, it's good if you are getting friendly ;) , and it's just a nice change from lipstick!

It starts out thick, but melts a bit when on. So it applies thinly,  and doesn't last at all. It's also not very shiny. It becomes more matte very quickly.

All in all it's not a successful lip gloss. The color is too ambiguous and weak, the taste is nice, but it isn't shiny and doesn't last.

It's skin - Blackhead clear oil Gel

It's skin - Blackhead clear oil Gel
Price: 6500won/ $6.50
Black heads SUCK.
It's simple. No one wants them, and they are just about impossible to get rid of.
Mine aren't that bad, my nose isn't the prettiest, but with a quick layer of BB cream, and it looks just fine.
Still, I want my nose to be smooth and perfect.

It's Skin's Blackhead clear oil gel, is the best thing I've used to date!
It's a small pot of thick yellow gel. It's not the prettiest packaging, or the most nicest looking product....
But ah well.
You scoop out a finger-full of the yellow paste (or better yet, a spatula full,of course one isn't included :( )

Then you apply it to the area with blackheads.
What you  do next.... I'm not sure. There are no directions. At least not in English.

I've tried it two ways, rubbing it in with little circular motions, or just applying it. Then you let it sit. For 15, even 20 minutes.
After a while, white stuff begins to seep up from my pores.
EWWWWWWWW.
It's basically sweat, carrying along with it dirt, and bacteria.
You then wash the gel off, and all the grossness goes away.

After a couple days use, my blackheads are visibly smaller and lighter :D.

Even after using this stuff for quite a while, my blackheads aren't All gone.... But there is the biggest improvement I've ever seen (better than pore strips!)
Honestly, this stuff is cheap, easy, and gentle.
I completely recommened it to everyone!!!