Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol Free Toner

My previous toner (Laneige Pore Trouble Skin Refiner) is all out.
During the holiday season my mother bought most of her gifts at Kiehl's and I decided to try out one of their products. I have never used Kiehl's before but I heard many good things so I figured....why not.

I decided to pick up their toner for sensitive skin made of cucumbers. For $11 I figured it was worth the risk.
The first thing I noticed was the dark green color of the product. Kind of ominous huh?

 

You only need a little bit of product for your face. So far I used about a quarter of the bottle and I started using it earlier this month.

I normally use cotton squares and I was relieved to see that the product wasn't dark green when I put it on a cotton square. Instead...its a very light green. The scent is kind of weird. Reminds me of black licorice mixed with cucumbers? I can't quite explain it. Even though the product claims not to contain any alcohol..I feel like I smell it in the product. Hmm...

As for the product itself...I'm kind of leaning towards not liking.
Even though this product is for sensitive skin...it tingles and kind of irritates mine. I get redness on my cheeks after I use it. The bottle says its a mild astringent.
It is not drying, but it doesn't hydrate my skin either.
With products like witchhazel listed in its ingredients, I thought it might help clear up my skin but it hasn't.
I prefer my toners to give me a refreshed and clean feeling, but this toner does not do that.
So after I finish up this product (probably sometime in March or early April) I'm going to continue my search and not repurchase this one.


Cheers!

Clinique Moisture Surge

Hello again from South Korea :)

Sadly I forgot my camera cord (darn it!) but I luckily have my phone which takes pretty good pictures and will serve as my replacement :)

Anyway I wanted to talk about a goooooood friend to have in the cod winter months.
Its currently like 30 degrees here (which I'm sure isn't THAT cold..but I'm from LA!) and my skin wasn't loving t at first. Good thing I brought my Clinique Moisture Surge for this exact reason!

Cold weather can make your skin verrry dry which can lead to dry patches and sometimes irritated skin.
To avoid this..you need a good moisturizer that will provide a barrier between the coldness and your skin.
However, you still want to avoid moisturizers that are oil based because they can lead to clogged pores.

I bought the Moisture Surge last year at a duty free shop for $30.
At first...I never used it because I really had no use. My skin never got dry enough in LA for me to bust this out, but here in Korea its cold enough that my skin needs some relief.

If you can tell from the picture it kinda has a gel-like texture.
You only need VERY little to cover your hold face. I actually never dip my finger into the jar..instead I use whats on the cap.

If you look at the jar the product looks pink...but obviously its not going to turn your face pink. Haha.
I love the texture. Its sooo creamy (kind of like softer hair gel..if that makes sense) and non-oily.
It does moisturize my face VERY well. Leaves my skin very soft and supple (which I love) and makes applying my foundation so much easier.
I also applaud Clinique for how compatible their stuff is with sensitive skin. Never irritates my skin :)

I think this typically runs about $35 at stores. Even with its steep price I think its worth it. You get A LOT of product it'll last you awhile since you don't have to use it all season long.

So if you live in cold areas I highly recommend this!

Cheers!

The Face Shop White Mud Nose Pack

Black heads are quite yucky aren't they?
They form when your pores are filled with yucky dirt and debris.
I remember I used to use Biore nose strips to help take them out...but those are like almost a dollar each and I got too cheap to buy them.

Luckily, The Face Shop totally understood my pain and decided to come up with a cheaper option.
Why buy pre-cut strips when there is a mask that can do the task just as well?!

This is a peel off mask so that as you peel off the product, the nasty blackheads attached to it get removed from your pores.
I loveeeee peel off masks. They are so fun and for some crazy reason I always inspect the gunk that comes off and go "what the heck! that was in my pores?! ewwwww". I am so childish.

According to the label, it is white mud and made of Burdock extract. I had NO idea what Burdock was (just googled it right now) and I guess it looks kind of like a thistle. Anyway, you would totally think that this mask was made of melted marshmallows if it weren't for the label.
The consistency is white and SUPER sticky! It dries in 10-15mins and then you just peel it off. How easy!

sorry for the hello kitty bandaid..i got hurt :(

I like this mask better than the strips because I can decide where to put the product. I like getting under my nose and even under my chin sometimes. Odd I know..but I really think my pores need help there.
Plus, the whole tube costs only $7 and I think about 6 Biore strips costs $6...so this is veryyyy cost efficient.

How I use the nose pack:
1. Wash my face like normal. I try to use warm water to open my pores up a little more. Make sure the skin is dry.
2. Put the nose pack where I want. I make sure to use a thick layer so the peeling is easier.
3. Wait about 15 mins until the product is completely dry.
4. Start peeling from the bottom up.
5. Wash any extra product off of my face using warm water.
6. Follow up with a toner or astringent to help close off the open pores.


**Reminder!: Don't forget to follow me! If I hit 10 followers by Feb 14 I will have my very first giveaway!**

Cheers!

Review: Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

Wow! Isn't the name Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask just toooo long? Lol.

I first heard about this product when I was in Seoul, South Korea this past summer.
I was watching TV and one of the girls from SNSD (a pop group in Korea) was the model for this product.
I am not usually a sucker for advertisements, but this one somehow got drilled into my brain. I had to have it!
I searched far and wide and ALL the stores were sold out! Not only did this drive me crazy...but it also made want it even more!
I left Korea empty handed :(
Luckily, my cousin in Korea came to visit me here in LA and when she asked what I wanted from Seoul...this was at the top of my list!


First some background!
Jeju is actually an island south of South Korea. Its like their version of Hawaii (but not as exotic).
There is a volcano on Jeju island and if you paid attention in grade school you will know that the soil around volcanoes is pretty unique.

I remember hearing that MAC once had a mask made from volcanic soil or something and it was an instant cult classic.




The consistency of the mask itself reminds me A LOT of the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask.
This one is not green and doesn't have that minty smell. Lol.
They pretty much do the EXACT same thing (at least in my opinion). They are for your pores and help your skin in general.
I don't really like the Queen Helene ones cause I feel like it dries my skin out a little too much.
This mask, however, doesn't do that.
As for my pores? Eh..I don't think it has made much of a difference. I do like to use this mask though as a pick me up or when my skin is getting a little too blemishy/pimple-ly. I feel like it helps cleanse my face.....o.O

Now sadly, this mask will be pretty darn difficult to find anywhere but Asia.
If you do get a chance to pick up this product I think its worth trying for the $12 or so.

I have super sensitive skin and this did not break me out or cause any reactions.
I'm also sorry that I cannot read the ingredient list :(

Cheers!