Friday, October 30, 2015

Beauteque October Mask Maven Subscription Unboxing & Review #beauteque #maskmaven

About a week ago I received the October Mask Maven bag from Beauteque. This months' theme was "Beauteque's Brunch: A Dining-Out Delight":
This month's theme focuses on foods from a typical Western brunch. From honey to yogurt and egg to tangerine, there is an array of ingredients that will be sure to nourish your skin. Some different functions from the masks this month include firming, moisturizing, and soothing which will make it a gourmet meal for your face. 

What is Beauteque?
Beauteque is an online Asian beauty retailer based out of the US, but they ship to other parts of the world as well. Not only do they have a shop offering a wide variety of Asian beauty products for all skin types and people of all ages, but they also offer two monthly subscription services; the BB Bag and Mask Maven.

What is Mask Maven?
Mask Maven is Beauteque's monthly mask subscription service (there is a monthly BB Bag subscription as well that you can learn about here). Mask Maven offers 9 to 11 sheet masks - including face masks, wash-off masks, hand and feet masks, hair masks and more - each month at varying costs based on how long you sign up for in advance; $15 if you pay month-to-month, $15/mo for 3 months in advance, $14/mo for 6 months in advance & $13/mo for 12 months in advance - these prices do not include shipping, which is based off of what country you reside in. You are rebilled each month on the same date you subscribed (i.e. if you subscribe January 4th, you'll be billed again February 4th) unless you prepay for several months in advance or cancel.
You can save 10% on any Beauteque Monthly subscription with code 'THEGLITTERCHIC'

Mediheal: ADE Cocoa Mask
ADE-Raw cacao is an anti-oxidant that helps to fight free radicals. The ingredient also provides hydration to the skin.
To Use [for all masks]: Apply mask for 15-20 minutes, then remove and massage remaining essence into skin.
I shared this mask with a friend and she reported back to me that this mask really did smell like cacao! This mask had a unique pattern (like the Skinfood yogurt mask below) that helped the mask hold onto the essence, and prevent excess dripping. This mask was thick but adhered to her skin well, and she said it was easy to get a good fit.

Botanic Farm: Green Tea Mask
The mask sheet is infused with green tea extract which soothes the skin and can reduce inflammation.
This mask had a perfect amount of essence, which smelled a bit like alcohol at first but quickly disappeared. This mask fit my face well, and gave my skin a cooling sensation. My skin felt cool and hydrated afterwards.

Skinfood: Beauty In A Food Jeju Tangerine Mask
Jeju tangerine peel extract enlivens dull skin. The fruit ingredient also provides hydration. 
This mask was soaked with a citrus scented essence. The material was a bit thick, but it did stick to my face well.

Beauty Friend: Tomato Mask
Tomato can reduce dark spots and help fade acne scars. It can also help control oil. 
This mask had a watery essence that smelled like fresh tomatoes. This mask was hydrating, and left my face moist and plump.

Esfolio: Egg Essence Mask
Mask contains egg yolk extract which will moisturize the skin, and leave it feeling soft. 
This mask smelled pretty strongly of alcohol, but I don't think it contains alcohol. The essence was thick and creamy, and made my face feel very cold. The material was thick and squishy, but dried out pretty quickly.

Skinfood: Everyday Facial Yogurt Mask
This mask is rich in essence and will provide deep moisturization. Also softens and improves skin texture. 
This mask had a sweet fruity cream scent and a lotion-type essence. The mask itself was thick and textured, and hugged my face pretty well. It was very comfortable, and delivered some nice hydration to my skin.

Skin9 Village: Panda Honey Elasticity Pack
Honey can fight signs of aging, as well as acne. It keeps skin firm and elasticized.
This mask comes drenched in a lilac-honey scented lotion-type essence. The scent lasted the duration that I wore the mask, but it faded the longer I wore it. The cut wasn't too great - it was small and awkward around my nose, and seemed too small around the edges of my face. The essence felt very cooling on my face, and when I removed the mask my skin felt plump and hydrated. I love how cute this print is too - the panda is just adorable!

Skin9 Village: Super Puppy Whitening Honey Pack
This mask offers the breakout and wrinkle-fighting properties of honey, and well as brightening effects. 
This mask comes drenched in a pool of highly scented essence. It smells kinda floral-like, not like honey or sweet. The scent lingered for a few minutes, and I ended up removing it early because it was irritating my sinuses and eyes. The essence itself was actually very soothing and cooling. It seemed to absorb into my skin well, it was on the thinner side. The fit wasn't the best - the nose was cut oddly, and it was a bit smaller than most masks. I would say the highlight of this mask was the cute puppy print.

Rainbow L'Affair: Vitamin 3-Step Mask Pack
Three steps to dream skin that is nourished with vitamins can be achieved with this pack.
To Use: Use the cleanser packet first. Next, apply the ampoule all over the face, not rinsing off. Finally, apply the mask for 15-20 minutes. Remove and massage remaining essence into skin. 
The cleanser was thick but cleansed my face well and smelled like citrus. The ampoule was a thick gel that felt like it was full of silicone.
The sheet mask however is very nice! The material is like a cellulose, very squishy and soaked with essence but not dripping at all. It fits my face well and is very hydrating.

I really liked the Beauteque Mask Maven for October. The brunch theme was very cute and brought in a lot of new masks I've never tried before, and several brands I've not tried before either. I found a few masks that I would repurchase, and ended the week with my face looking great and feeling hydrated.

Connect with Beauteque: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Beauteque October BB Bag Subscription Unboxing & Review #beauteque #BBbag

Last week I received the October BB Bag from Beauteque. The theme this month was "Life of Luxury":
Settle into a crisp, cool autumn with one of the most exquisite collections ever curated by Beauteque. Fragrant body lotion, invigorating facial wash, and a luxurious hand treatment are among the products you will delight upon finding in this beautiful bag. The BB Bag was designed with the deserving recipient in mind, you.


What is Beauteque?
Beauteque is an online Asian beauty retailer based out of the US, but they ship to other parts of the world as well. Not only do they have a shop offering a wide variety of Asian beauty products for all skin types and people of all ages, but they also offer two monthly subscription services; the BB Bag and Mask Maven.

What is BB Bag?
BB Bag is Beauteque's monthly Asian beauty product subscription service (there is a monthly Mask Maven subscription as well that you can learn about here). BB Bag offers 6 to 8 full size products - including makeup, skincare, body care, beauty tools, and more - each month at varying costs based on how long you sign up for in advance; $24 if you pay month-to-month, $24/mo for 3 months in advance, $23/mo for 6 months in advance & $22/mo for 12 months in advance - these prices do not include shipping, which is based off of what country you reside in. You are rebilled each month on the same date you subscribed (i.e. if you subscribe January 4th, you'll be billed again February 4th) unless you prepay for several months in advance or cancel.
You can save 10% on any Beauteque Monthly subscription with code 'THEGLITTERCHIC'

SNP: Cactus 90% Soothing Gel (r.v. $18)
Achieve the ultimate moisturization with this gel. Product contains 90% Opunita Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, which can hydrate, soothe, and firm skin.
To Use: Apply to face and body where skin is dry and sensitive. 
Food and plant shaped gels have been popping up all season, and cactus is one that I did not have in my collection. I love simple gels like this because they are perfect for body hydration, without making my skin sticky or greasy. The bottle is very cute, and this gel has been soothing for the whole families' skin.

Ingredients: Opuntia Ficus-indica Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Triethanolamide, Carbomer, Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Allantoin, Avena Sativa Meal Extract, Butylene Glycol, Mimosa Pudica Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Flower Extract, Thymus Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Viola Tricolor Extract, Water, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Fragrance. [Cosdna Analysis]

Angellooka: Hand Mask (r.v. $6)
The warm mask softens and comforts skin, heating upon application. The cold mask soothes and refreshes skin, cooling upon application. Shea Butter and Sunflower Seed Oil are among the ingredients that improve skin texture. 
To Use Either Mask: Apply mask gloves to clean hands and wait 15-20 minutes. Remove, but do not rinse hands. Massage any remaining essence into hands. 
Out of the two masks possible to receive in this months bag, I was thrilled to see the warming mask - I'm pretty cold blooded this time of year, and with the temps dropping I thought it would be great to give my hands a little extra warmth while I'm relaxing in the evening. The warming effect was pretty mild, but it was indeed comforting, and this mask was very moisturizing (another ill-effect of the cooler weather) so I'm really happy to have seen this in the bag! I would definitely repurchase one of these!

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, PEG-8, Mineral Oil, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Carbomer, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania spinosa Kernel Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hydroxide, Calendula Officinalis Extract, Natto gum, Hydrolyzed collagen, Royal Jelly Extract, Betaine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Ferment Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Polygonum Multiflorum Root Extract, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Paeonia Lactiflora Root Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Vanillyl butyl ether, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Illicium Verum Fruit Extract, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Arginine, Lysine HCL, Chlorphenesin, Fragrance. [Cosdna Analysis]

Secret Key: Glam Romance Perfume Body Lotion (r.v. $20)
This body lotion is richly scented to not only hydrate and nourish skin but also leave it nicely perfumed.
To Use: Apply all over body after bathing. 
I'm a big fan of this lotion - I've actually received it previously in a Memebox, and it's one of my favorites! It has a nice light scent, absorbs quickly into the skin,  and leaves it feeling hydrated and soft. This is an excellent daytime lotion as it doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy, but also works great overnight as well.

Baviphat Urban Dollkiss: Easy Looks Soft Lipstick (r.v. $11)
This moisturizing lipstick, the essence to a luxurious life, comes in many different shades. 
To Use: Apply from tube or by dabbing a lip brush into product, then stroke onto the lips. Blot your lips once with a tissue.
I haven't been wearing makeup much these days, but I am always a fan of new lip products! I received shade number 4 in my bag, which is a very light pink, which appears to be a semi-matte. The formula is creamy and smooth, but my lips are so chapped right now I was unable to get a good photo of myself wearing it. I personally feel like this is a better spring/summer color than a fall/winter color, but I'll still wear it!

Happy Bath: Facial Yogurt Foam Cleanser (r.v. $12)
This cleanser will help deep clean, refresh, and invigorate skin. It will not only remove makeup but also reduce inflammation.
To Use: Squeeze out a small amount from the tube, and rub it in circular motions onto your face. Then wash off with lukewarm water.
There are 4 different types of this cleanser, and each bag received one at random - I think I received the "Moist" variety, because that is supposed to contain apple, banana & apricot seed (which are pictured on the tube I received). This cleanser foams nicely with a foaming net, and doesn't leave my face feeling dry or tight - even with a bit of higher pH of 8.5. I really enjoy using this cleanser in the evenings because it does an excellent job of deep cleaning my skin and removing any traces of oil or dirt from my pores.

Beauteque: Contour Brush (r.v. $12)
This metallic brush will add nice contours to your complexion.
To Use: Tap excess powder off the brush before applying product. Apply to cheekbones and jaw by sweeping downward. To create the illusion of a slimmer nose, run this strip of product down either side of the bridge of nose using the same technique as above. 
This is a really pretty makeup brush, and it seems to be very well made. The handle is made of aluminum, and the brush bristles seem to be synthetic. It's a duo-fiber brush; meaning it has two different types of bristles throughout, and they are each at different lengths as well. This brush works great for powders, and since the bristles can easily be formed with your fingers it is excellent for contouring as the name suggests.

I really liked the entire Beauteque BB Bag for October. The bag itself was beautiful (clear with a handle and black lace print/texture), and will definitely be reused for samples I have floating around my bedroom. I have a use for all the the items included this month, and this the products fit the theme of "Life of Luxury" fairly well - since they all either look beautiful or make your skin look/feel beautiful.

Connect with Beauteque: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest

Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Sponsor Spotlight: Beautibi

I was so lucky to have a couple sponsors for my upcoming giveaway; All I Want For Xmas Is AB - which is also a blog hop! Today I'm going to share a little info about one of those amazing sponsors; Beautibi!
What's a blog hop?
Well, in a few weeks I'll be posting a giveaway here on my blog, and other bloggers will also be hosting a giveaway at the same time. All of us who are hosting an Asian beauty related giveaway will have our giveaway link on a linky at the bottom of each blog post. We're still looking for more bloggers to join in this fun event, so if you're interested in hosting a giveaway, check out this info form.


What is Beautibi?
Beautibi is an Asian Beauty Company which curates boxes filled with the latest skincare and cosmetic trends of Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Not only does Beautibi offer amazing themed boxes (usually filled with surprises, which one or two spoilers) but they also have a wonderful shop to pick and choose individual products from. Beautibi offers free shipping on orders $75 or more, and includes free samples with every order.

Giveaway Sponsor.
Beautibi has offered an amazing bundle of products that will be included in The Glitter Chic's giveaway grand prize (oh my, does that mean there's going to be more than one winner for this giveaway?). This prize package includes:

This bundle of prizes from Beautibi has be so excited for this giveaway to begin, and there's even more to come! 

P.S. This giveaway will be open worldwide, so everyone can start getting excited now =)

A new sponsor spotlight will be coming up in a couple weeks! 


Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

#Elizavecca #MilkyPiggy Elastic Pore Cleansing Foam

Clean skin is the base of any good skincare routine. Without clean skin, your beauty products aren't able to penetrate your skin and they won't be able to give your skin the benefits they're designed to. Elizavecca recently sent me their Elastic Pore Cleansing Foam to try out, and I was thrilled because I've actually tried this product in the past with great success.


This cleanser contains collagen and spider web extracts for elasticity. It also contains charcoal for deep cleaning. I wasn't able to translate the ingredients off the packaging, but I was able to find them already inputted on Cosdna.
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Charcoal powder, Myristic acid, Polyethylene Glycol 400, Lauramide DEA, Glyceryl Stearate & PEG-100 Stearate, Hydrolyzed collagen, Polysorbate 20, Beeswax, R-SPIDER POLYPEPTIDE-1, Allantoin, Sodium Polyacrylate, DL-Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Rosemary Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower/leaf Extract, Soapberry, Fragrance.

I love the adorable packaging - this is totally Elizavecca's style, complete with the cute piggy!

The tube packaging makes this cleanser easy for home or travel, no leaks!


The cleanser itself is black in color, has a faint scent, and has a pH of 9.5.

It's a bit thick, but creamy/sticky in texture. If you look at this photo, you can see the stringy-ness of the spider extract in the cleanser. It will foam up if you add enough water or use a foaming net, but it doesn't get too foamy when you just massage it onto your skin with your fingertips.

The Milky Piggy Elastic Pore Cleansing Foam washes away very well, and while it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry, it does feel a little tight afterwards - but that's nothing a quite facial mist or toner doesn't fix! This cleanser leaves my pores clean and tight, and my skin incredibly clean.

Find this product on Elizavecca, KoreaDepartRoseRoseShop, & Memebox*.

Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Happy Pets are #PinnacleHealthyPets | A Review of Pinnacle Pet Foods #sponsored

[This post is sponsored by Pinnacle and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Pinnacle’s reformulated Grain Free Dog Food but Baby and the Chi's only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Pinnacle is not responsible for the content of this article.]
A few weeks ago I shared with you about our chihuahua-mix, Venus, and her nutritional needs. Venus has a grain allergy which makes it difficult to find a food that she can tolerate and will enjoy eating. For the past three weeks Venus has been trying out a new line from Pinnacle® Pet Foods, and today we're going to share our thoughts on the food itself and how it worked for Venus.


What is Pinnacle?
Pinnacle was started in 1998 by it's parent company, Breeders Choice, which has been in business since 1947. Breeders Choice started production of Pinnacle to offer a more holistic option to consumers from a known and trusted brand. Pinnacle uses limited, high quality ingredients and carefully prepares them to preserve their nutritional value and fine flavors. Pinnacle strives to offer natural and wholesome foods that are rich in everything your pet needs to thrive, and to be free of anything that may cause harm. Pinnacle is also manufactured in our California plant right here in the United States.
While Pinnacle has always had holistic health ingredients like quinoa, pumpkin, kelp, flax seed, blueberries, sweet potatoes and cottage cheese, in May 2015, they took all dog recipes Grain Free to facilitate easier digestion.

Pinnacle Grain Free Chicken & Vegetable Recipe
Like mentioned above, this recipe is grain free, which means it's free from rice, wheat, corn, and other grains commonly used as filler or can be common allergens.


Chicken in the main ingredient, and the only animal protein in this recipe. It also contains sweet potato (which is high in antioxidants), quinoa (which supports muscle development) as well as omega-3 rich flax seed and kelp meal to support a healthy immune system.


The feeding guidelines given are perfect for dogs already at their optimal adult weight, but because Venus is overweight, we fed her according to what her optimal weight should be to make sure she's not overeating and to help her to loose weight as well. We fill in her hunger with fat free yet healthy foods like carrot sticks.

Venus transitioned to Pinnacle from her old food with great ease! She experienced no digestive upset, and even picked her new food out of her bowl and left her old food for when her new food was all eaten. It was pretty funny, and very reassuring that she did in fact enjoy the taste of Pinnacle as well.

Over the past three weeks I've noticed a great increase in Venus' energy - she has started running around again and has much more endurance on our daily walks, to where she can walk further and faster each day! After a small bout of shedding, Venus' coat is much more shiny and soft, and smells more clean too. Her poops are smaller and more regular, indicating that her body is able to use more of the nutrition she's digesting vs her old food.

Venus is an overall more happy and healthy dog since beginning a Pinnacle Grain Free diet.
Pinnacle has a retailer locator on their website to help you find a store near you that carries the new grain free pet food line, but you can also find it at the following online retailers:


You can also connect with Pinnacle on Facebook & Twitter, and find more info on their website.

Disclaimer: Baby and the Chi's blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. Baby and the Chi's blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at babyandthechis at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. Baby and the Chi's is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

My Skincare Allergy Revelation | AKA I Finally Figured Out Why My Face Hates Everything I Love

I've been playing around Asian beauty products and techniques for over a year now, and along the way I made some interesting discoveries about myself, and my skin. What started out last year as a realization that my alcohol allergy extended beyond ingestion, turned into a revelation about what my alcohol allergy really is, and the fact that I've had other allergies my whole life and never knew it.


In The Beginning, There Was Memebox...
It started with Memebox: those pink boxes delivered dirt-cheap Korean cosmetics to my doorstep and I couldn't wait to layer them all onto my skin fast enough. My skin would go through phases where it would be clearer than it had ever been before, then turn into the most painful, demon-ridden, slab of irritation I've ever experienced. It was about that time that I heard many people talking about sensitivity to alcohol and how it can damage and dry out skin, and even cause more acne for acne-prone/oily skin. After hearing this, it dawned on me that I was allergic to alcohol when consumed, so it was very possible that my skin could not handle absorbing it either.

I Finally Thought About It Just A Little Bit More...
It wasn't until recently that I accidentally started reviewing a cream with alcohol, and after a couple weeks I realized I didn't have a reaction to it. At first I was horrified that I had been applying it to my skin unknowingly, but then I was perplexed by the fact that my skin didn't freak out like my son after eating a candy bar. With the help of an amazing soul on the /r/asianbeauty subreddit, this revelation (as well as others) became unbelievably clear: It wasn't just alcohol that my skin was reactive to, it was the type of alcohol that caused an allergic reaction, just like consumption. Alcohols based from grains or yeast, like Ethanol and Ethyl Alcohol, are the same types of alcohol that I am allergic to internally, so it makes sense that those particular types of alcohols cause such negative reactions externally.

Not Just Alcohol, but Snails too?
This idea about alcohol really shed a whole new light on skincare for me. I'm still treading lightly with alcohols, because not all are good, and fatty alcohols (good alcohols) can also be clogging for acne-prone skin too. But allergies in general got me thinking about other products I react to.
The Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence was and still is a much raved about product, that my skin hated with a passion. Deep, painful cysts covered my face and in just a matter of two short days. I had perviously loved products with snail, so this had to be a reaction to the bee venom, right? I'm mildly allergic to bee stings (remember that for later) so this must have been a bad idea. I continued to use other products with smaller amounts of snail mucin until I came across the CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence, which is another highly raved about snail product, and when my skin broke out in cysts again I was left sad and frustrated.
Then I discovered that snail mucin allergies are commonly linked to dust mite allergies from what I've observed online, and dust mites and shellfish are linked allergies, AND snails are mollusks which are shellfish.
I actually am allergic to dust mites, and pollen, but shellfish you say? I actually love seafood, but when I eat it I get bad pains in my shoulder - crippling pains that usually lead me to overdosing on painkillers. It's bad, and it wasn't until recently that I realized I get these same pains when I drink alcohol. I actually am not only allergic to the same dust mites linked to snail allergies, but it appears I have a bit of a shellfish allergy as well. My dreams of bathing in a pool of snail mucin goodness are smashed to pieces.

That Bee Venom Allergy I Told You Remember, That's Helpful Here ;-)
It wasn't until I was 27 years old that I had been stung by my first bee, which didn't quite send me into anaphylactic shock, but did cause me to break out in hives and for my arm to swell at an alarming size. I loaded up on Benadryl and was ok after a couple hours, but this wasn't a very fun experience. This is what let me to think that my reaction to the Benton Snail Bee Essence was due to the bee venom, but was actually from both the bee and the snail (even more sadness).
But this allergy appears to not stop at bee venom - no, friends, it's not that simple. I tested a few products like the Shara Shara Honey Bomb Ampoule, the LJH Vita Propolis Ampoule, and the It's Skin Propolis Power 10 Formula - which resulted in similar reactions to what I experienced with the snail mucin products. Being allergic to bee venom means I'm also allergic to bee products like propolis and royal jelly - honey seems to be ok for me when eaten, but I'm still testing out external application. Another skincare dream down in the mud.

So What Did I Really Learn?
Well, I know I'm allergic to alcohol, but I learned my skin can in fact handle certain alcohols, so this is good news! The tricky part is now narrowing down alternative alcohols to that my skin isn't sensitive to. I learned that because of my dust mite allergy and mild shellfish allergy, and my breakouts from high-content snail mucin products, I am reactive to snails, but can handle mucin in small amounts. I also learned that because of my bee allergy I can't use anything with higher amounts of honey, propolis, royal jelly, or bee venom.

It's a sad day for my skincare wishlist, but it's hopefully a very happy day for my skin!

Sources:
1. Food Allergy Information
2. Shellfish Allergy Information
3. Dust Mite and Snail Cross Allergies 
4. Dust Mite and Snail Inhalant Allergies
5. Snail Anaphylaxis During Dust Mite Immunotherapy
6. Cross Reactivity Between Dust Mites and Snails (in vivo)
7. Cross Reactivity Between Dust Mites and Snails (in vitro)
8. Snail Growth Factor Allergy with Micro-needling
9. Relationship of Dust Mites and Crustacean Allergies

Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

SOLVADERM EYEVAGE REVIEW

I recently tried the Solvaderm Eyevage age-defying eye cream.
This treatment was developed by leading dermatologists to address the complex and varied issues most commonly effecting the delicate eye area of maturing skin. This concentrated anti-aging serum is supposed to absorb quickly to improve micro-circulation in the under-eye area, lighten dark circles, and firm the under-eye area with the help of healing antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to minimize puffiness and render skin better protected from environmental damage and oxidative stress. Ultra-conditioning moisturizers provide intensive skin-softening hydration and work to banish fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment claims to make the eye area appear visibly brighter, captivatingly radiant, and radically younger-looking.


I used this product each morning and night for 4 weeks. It has no odor, and absorbs quickly without leaving any sticky or tacky feeling behind. It leaves my eye area feeling smooth and hydrated, and lightens my dark circles while also smoothing out my fine lines and puffiness. This is one of the more effective eye treatments I've used, and plan to continue to use it in my morning and evening routines.

You can find this product on Solvaderm's website.

Disclaimer: Baby and the Chi's blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. Baby and the Chi's blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at babyandthechis at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. Baby and the Chi's is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

SOLVADERM JUVABRITE REVIEW

I recently tried the Solvaderm Juvabrite skin brightening complex. This treatment is designed for those who are looking to lighten dark spots on their skin without the use of harsh ingredients. This product uses a unique blend of ingredients is supposed to fade dark spots, blemishes, and discoloration caused by sun exposure, pregnancy, acne, or oral contraceptives. This product is light enough to be worn under makeup and/or other skincare products.


I used this product each morning and night for 4 weeks. It has no odor, and absorbs quickly without leaving any sticky or tacky feeling behind. It allows additional products to absorb easily afterwards as well. I have noticed my skin has gotten brighter since beginning the use of this product, but cannot say for sure that this product alone is the cause for the lightening and brightening, though I feel comfortable saying this was a nice contribution.

You can find this product on Solvaderm's website.

Disclaimer: Baby and the Chi's blog received the product(s) mentioned in this post for the purpose of review and evaluation. No monetary compensation was received for this post. Baby and the Chi's blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at babyandthechis at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. Baby and the Chi's is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Tosowoong: Pure Blueberry Mask [Review]

I've been sick lately, and I'm having a hard time with my anxiety and depression again, but today I'm finally posting my review of the Tosowoong Pure Blueberry Mask.
 
This mask is supposed to brighten the skin and lighten hyper-pigmentation. The back of the package is in Korean, but I was able to find a translation already posted in Cosdna.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Blueberry, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Polyacrylate, Disodium EDTA, Allantoin, Panthenol, Fragrance. [cosdna analysis]
Notable Ingredients:
Niacinamide: anti-aging, enhances skin barrier, lightens discoloration
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate: anti-inflamitory, anti-irritant
Allantoin: anti-irritant

When I opened the mask packet I noticed the mask really smelled like blueberries, it was a wonderful scent that was not irritating at all, and did slowly disappear by the time I got it situated on my face. The mask had a good fit on my face (I did fold it over because I had just finished coloring my hair), but did leave a tiny gap around my nose - this is very common and not a concern for me anymore. The material was soft and clung to my face well.

This mask felt cooling on my face, and after removal my face did appear to be brighter. I did feel like my face was more hydrated afterwards but after checking my skin, it really didn't add much moisture to my skin.

This mask was nice to wear, and I did enjoy it. While it doesn't add much hydration, I would recommend this mask to anyone looking to help brighten their complexion or any dark spots/scarring.

You can find this mask on Peach & LilyWishTrend & Memebox USA (affiliate link).

Disclaimer: No monetary compensation was received for this post. The Glitter Chic blog will always provide honest opinions, beliefs or experiences on products reviewed. If you have any questions, please contact me at gothickornchic at gmail dot com. This blog contains affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase using one of those links. The Glitter Chic is not responsible for prize delivery. The disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.