Review: Mascara Showdown - Clinique, Missha, Revlon

I have very short, straight lashes, no matter how I curl them, they end up sticking out straight. Kinda sad. I've tried out numerous mascaras, here's a few that I'm currently trying out. Just want you all to be clear, I don't always praise the things I review. I can complain too. =P

Mascara Showdown - From Right to Left - Revlon Double Twist, Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume, Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara, and Clinique Lash Definition Mascara

1. Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume & Professional Volume $5.99 - I got these during one of my Missha hauls. It's actually not that bad. Volumizes and extends my lashes pretty well. Formula is not too dry. Did not smear/smudge on me at all. Lasts me all day long. I really like it, except it's hard to wipe off. This is not a waterproof mascara, so generally I would think it'll come right off with warm water, it actually leaves residue when I try to wash it. You will definitely need makeup remover to get rid of it. Both the Setting Volume and Professional Volume seem to have the same effect on me. They have the same brush comb too except the Professional Volume one is a bit bigger. <3<3<3
   
   
   
   
   Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume & Professional Volume
   
   
   
   Missha The Style HD Viewer 270 Mascara Setting Volume (top) and Professional Volume (bottom)
   
   
2. Clinique's Lash Doubling Mascara $14, High Definition Mascara $14 - I have a bunch of Clinique sample mascaras, (thanks to my mom and her friend's shopping sprees). I've tried these both so far and I really love them. Not that I see a difference between the two. I think they have the same exact effect on me. Don't really volumize, but they extend my lashes and really spread the individual lashes out. Very long lasting also, but it smudges a bit through out the day. Easily washes off with warm water, so don't cry! <3<3<3<
   
   
    
   Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara
   
    Clinique High Definition Mascara
   
   
3. Revlon Double Twist Mascara $9 - I got it as part of a special 2 pack deal at CVS for $9. I thought it was a  great deal and w/ Jessica Alba's picture on it, I bought it right away. It has a huge comb to supposedly thicken lashes and the longer bristle sections to define individual lashes. The result: clumpy eyelashes with smudge spots all over the eye area. The comb was way too big and oddly shaped, by the time I have one side touching the roots of my lashes, the other side of the comb already smeared all over my eye lids. Horrible mascara and it leaves clumps. Needless to say, I got rid of the other one right away. I think it would probably work for those who already have long lashes.
   
   
   
    Revlon Double Twist Mascara (the bristles look scary!)

I finally found my holy grail eyelash curler! I've tried out numerous curlers and haven't found one that I really liked. This curler I actually got during my sasa.com haul. It's the Kai Teeny’er Lash Curler ($2.60). It's a Japanese brand, and sasa.com don't seem to sell it overseas anymore. At first glance, I thought this was a horrible curler because the arch was just sooo curvy. Little did I know, it fits my eyes perfectly. It doesn't pinch my eyelids and it covers my entire lashline with 1 curl. I guess I have curvy Asian eyes.=P

 

Kai Teeny'er Eye Curler

 

Kai Teeny'er Eye Curler's Curve Arch

Taiwan/Japan Trip Beauty Haul

Back to the home sweet home, though I do miss those 2 countries already. Definitely will be going back, everybody was so polite! How come people in NYC isn't like that? =P

Did quite a lot of shopping in those 2 major cities (Taipei and Tokyo). Everything was so pretty/cute/cheap! Yes even in Tokyo! Now I realize how much people jack up the prices on Asia-imported beauty online stores.

 

Beauty Haul from Taipei/Tokyo

Here's my beauty haul from the 2 countries. I actually didn't get a lot, nothing was too appealing to me. But I definitely saw BB creams everywhere! Most pharamacies in Taipei had a special beauty section just on BB creams alone. I didn't find any Kevin Beautymaker products! Grr.. that was one of my planned must-buys. Sigh. It's ok, next time. ;)

1. Rosette Hello Kitty Collagen Face Wash (500 yen = ~$5.00) - Found this at Tokyo's RanKing RanQueen (they sell the top 3 products of various item types). This face wash was voted #2 face wash in Tokyo. =)  Plus it was so cute! I tried checking some US based beauty websites and they are selling this exact face wash for US $12!
   
   
   
   
    
   Rosette Hello Kitty Collagen Wash
2. Shiseido Majolica Majorca Honey Pump Gloss Neo (NT 150 = ~$5.00) - During my studio picture shoot (yes, I took them in Taipei!) my makeup artist was putting on this beautiful lip gloss on me, so I had to go get one for myself. It's in a nude beige color. Very nice lip gloss, not sticky at all. <3<3<3 I saw this selling here for US $15! (crazy)
   
   
   
   
    
   Shiseido Majorca Majolica Honey Pump Lip Gloss
   
   
3. Laniege Water Sleeping Pack_EX (NT 798 = ~$20.00) - Saw this at the Taipei International Airport's Duty Free shop, I've been wanting to try this brand out after seeing Bubzbeauty Youtube channel. A more detailed review to follow later (I know, I owe many), worth the money!
   
   
   
   
   
    Laneige Water Sleeping Pack_EX
   
   
4. L'egere Whitening Anti Dark Circle Eye Roller Pen (NT 300 = ~$10.00) - Saw this in the Queen show and I wanted to try it out. Can't reallly find L'egere products here in the US, but Taiwan's very big with them.
   
   
   
   
   
    L'egere Whitening Anti Dark Circles Eye Roller
   
   

Got a few beauty magazines. Yesasia really jacks up the price on the magazines. The Japanese Beauty magazines I saw in Tokyo like Nonno was only 698 yen (~US $8.00)! I can't read Japanese, so I got the magazines that gave out the best goodies. Most of the beauty/fashion magazines give out bags! =) Got 2 really cute ones, bags that is.

 

Japan Beauty & Fashion Magazine

The With Magazine even shows you how to use the bag!

Though the Taiwanese magazine I wanted most is the Queen Magazine, I couldn't find it anywhere, except the really old editions =T  Oh wellz, Yesasia it is! The Japanese magazines I picked up were mostly fashion magazines, the Taiwanese ones had more beauty and makeup how-tos.

 

Taiwanese Magazines w/ celebrities I know

 

Taiwanese Makeup How-To

Review: O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask

As most of you know, from my first cosme-de.com haul, I got a bunch of what they call "sleeping masks". So what are sleeping masks? Well, they're basically masks that you can use in your sleep. Haha =P  Okay, so some more detail, sleeping masks usually come in a cream/lotion form instead of paper masks and you can leave it on your face for a much longer period of time than the usual 10-15 mins. Perfect for lazy people like me that just can't ever find the time to chill out for 20+ mins with paper masks.

First sleeping mask I tried: O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask USD $13.00 for 2 jars.

 

O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask

 

Seriously "Clear" Spa Sleeping Mask

 

Jello like Sleeping Mask in the Jar

Mask Description

• Brand - Not sure, but it looks like a Chinese/Taiwanese brand. Only available overseas.
• Specification - For purifying, hydrating, relaxing and anti-oxidant
• Size - 50mL (1.75 oz.) size in a plastic cream jar.
• Directions - Use 2-3 times a week
• Ingredients - Aqua, Rosehip extract, Allantoin, 1,3 - Butanediol, Glycerin, Lubrajel LG, Proteasyl, VB5 Vitamin E, Licorice extract, Humecto Am-20, Triethanolamine, Germall plus, Perfume.  (all gibberish to me except the first 2).

Mask Review

• Scent - Rose scent. I think this is the brand's iconic scent. All their products have Rosehip extract. But I don't like the smell, haha mostly because it reminds me of the air freshener my mom uses in the bathroom. It's just a very plain rose smell. 1 star *
• Mask Essense - The mask is more like a gel. It looks really clear, but as you can see from the inside of the jar, it's blue. Very pretty just by looking at it and cool to the touch.
• Overall Experience - I apply the mask on my face after cleansing. I'm not sure if I'm using too much, but I realize I need to get about half a ring finger of the mask 3 times in order to cover my entire face. It applies very smoothly and feels really nice and hydrating. My entire face becomes all shiny because of the gel. I put my hair up with my Dariya Hair Pads to keep my bangs and hair away from my face. When I wake up the next morning, most of the gel is gone (probably rubbed it all over my sheets since I move around so much in my sleep), but when I wash my face, I can feel the slimy essence on my face. My skin looks very radiant afterwards! This is definitely a hydrating mask, I don't feel the need to put on any lotions or creams after I wash my face. My face doesn't feel tight like it usually does when I just wash it with plain water.
• Will I buy it again? - Probably, but I'll like to try the brand's other line first. =)

On a Personal Note~

I'm going to Taiwan & Japan next month! In less than 3 weeks! I'm so excited. I've been so busy planning and trying to find hotels and places to visit. BUT one thing for sure, I'm packing an EMPTY suitcase with me! Haha, can't wait to bring all those beauty goodies back from those 2 countries. =P

Sasa Beauty Shopping Haul Mar 2010

 

Sasa.com Beauty Shopping Haul Mar 2010

My sasa.com haul finally delivered today! >.< UGH....  Waited for it for almost 1 FULL month! I ordered on March 14! Funny thing was, it was supposed to be on US grounds on March 21! So what was it doing just sitting there at the airport?! THIS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!!!!!

 

Beauty Formulas FACE & BODY Cooling Mist (75 ml Aerosol Spray) - $1.90

I forgot that the package was shipping from Hong Kong, aerosol cans would have a problem on the plane. =(  I would never have bought this if I realized it'll make my order arrive almost 3 weeks later! Notice the top of the Cooling Mist has a messed up sticker, the spray can LEAKED! And more than half the bottle was GONE! Thank goodness it was nicely bubbled wrapped, so nothing else was destroyed. =(

I bought this Beauty Formulas FACE & BODY Cooling Mist as a cheaper alternative to Evian's Mineral Water Spray Duo To Go (1.7oz for each spray for $12.00). Here's a quick review of me testing what's left of the spray. One pump of the mist actually sprays out too much. The water is lightly scented though the can only lists distilled water as the ingredient. But it does feel really nice after spraying on my face. My makeup/BB cream was already wearing off and started looking cakey when I came home after work, but after patting in the mist water, my face instantly looked nice and dewy and fresh! =) Now I'm seriously considering getting the Evian Duo, even if it means paying $6.00 for 1.7 oz of water in a can. =P

 

SK-II WHITENING SOURCE Derm-Renewal Essence (2.8 g) compared to my index finger!! - $3.70

Another very disappointing purchase from this order: SK-II WHITENING SOURCE Derm-Renewal Essence (2.8 g) $3.70. My goodness I never knew that 2.8 g can be THAT small. There's not that much product in this teeny bottle. Probably only enough for me to sample for a handful of times.

Anyway, the only reason I shopped at sasa.com in the first place was for the Silk Whitia masks that fuzkittie swears on. =)  And with their Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale on these masks, its definitely a bargain.

Overall, the site was very easy to use. Haha, at least it was real English. And they have translations for their reviews too! The packaging was perfect, EVERYTHING was bubble-wrapped. Just make sure you don't buy any aerosol cans! Unless you're willing to wait and want to risk losing half the product.
Coupons/Sales for Sasa.com

• Free Shipping on all orders over $75
• Buy One Get One Free on Silk Whitia Masks!
• Free Samples with orders (I got 20 pcs of comestic cotton pads from the Sasa brand)
• Loyalty program that gets you cute free stuff!

Review: Missha Green Grape Yogurt Sheet Mask

Finally got a chance to review this mask! I got the Missha Yogurt Sheet Mask in Green Grape during one of my January Missha Hauls.

 

Missha Beauty Shopping Haul Jan 2010

I decided to get them because they were only $0.60 on Missha's clearance page here. I've never been much of a mask fan because I have very sensitive skin. I once used a Shiseido mask that ended up irritating my face soooo badly, it got ALL red for a couple of days.
So for $.60 I got a couple of these.

 

Missha Green Grape Yogurt Sheet Mask (1 sheet - $0.60)

 

Mask Ingredients and Directions

 

Missha Green Grape Yogurt Sheet Mask  -- Actual Mask

Mask Review

• Size - This face mask is REALLY big, out of all the masks I've ever used (which isn't many) this was very big. It was too big for my face. The sides of the mask was covering my ears. The slits were off, mostly because the mask was too big. There were no eye covering pieces.
• Scent - Smelled exactly like its name, Green Grape. =P  It was actually a very nice relaxing scent that I enjoyed. 5 stars! *****
• Mask Essence - I think it was just right for my face. No dripping and messy essence overflow. The mask formula wasn't too thick like lotion nor too watery. =P
• Overall Experience - The directions say to leave on for 20-30 mins, so what do I do? Leave it on for 15 mins! (Haha, why? Because I really have very sensitive skin, my face turned red and rashy after 1 bad experience, so from now on, I try to be extra careful.) So for the 15 mins resting with the mask on, it felt very soothing, especially with the grape scent. After washing off the mask, my face felt very soft and radiant, as if I just exfoliated. Although the effects of the mask didn't last more than a day. I'll definitely get it again since it's only $0.60.

P.S. As of the time of this review, misshaus.com no longer have this mask in stock. But you can try their retail stores.