Decanted Sample Restocks

Some restocks arrived today, and I thought I'd share a small update for anyone interested!

Nature Republic Bee Venom Bio Cellulose Mask Sheet | First Impressions Review

The Nature Republic Bee Venom Bio Cellulose Mask Sheet claims to be an anti-acne mask. It contains been venom to soothe irritated skin, as well as willow bark and tea tree extract to help treat active acne and control excess oil.

Build a Skincare Routine to Fit Your Needs | Learning What Products Are Beneficial To You, and Which Are Not

Something I've discovered as I hit my 30's and my skin started aging, is that my skin responds better to less product. I love Asian skincare products, and I enjoy a lengthy routine sometimes, but my skin does not need a 10 step routine on a daily basis. Even as my skin has changed from oily to combo, it all comes down to layering the right products together to get results, not the number of products in your lineup.

In this post I want to show my favorite products that work well with my combination acne-prone skin. I don't use these products or steps daily - I pick and choose what I want depending on my mood and what I feel that my skin needs. Sometimes that means three steps, sometimes that go all out and apply 10 or more steps. But no matter what, I only use what I want to use, and never allow myself to feel obligated to have a large routine, or like I need to use a vast assortment of products (no matter how much I enjoy them). Note: a few links in this post (marked with an asterisk) are affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using them.

Holy Snails Camo Shark Sauce

I've been slowly trying different products from Holy Snails over the past couple years, and while I enjoy using many of them, I've never actually posted a review of anything here. Why? I have no idea. I know my blog has really taken a back burner since our family moved a year ago, and now that life is starting to fall more into place I plan to give my once favorite spot for thoughts and opinions much more love and attention with the start of 2018 than I have for pretty much all of 2017.

#Klairs Mid-Day Blue Sun Lotion SPF 40/PA++

I very rarely review sunscreens. You know why? Because I hate sunscreen. I mean, I love it due to the fact that it protects me from skin cancer and all that jazz... but I hate most sunscreens on a more personal level. They're either too greasy, too drying, break me out, irritate my skin, or just plain don't offer good enough coverage. My solution? Wear a hat. And of course keep searching for something that I love.

I'm a fan of most Klairs products, but how did this one fare?

Please note that this post does contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This is what helps fund this blog and everything I do here - including purchase review items and host giveaways. This item is a press sample, received in exchange for an honest review.

#GentleMask T-Tox Cleanser

My favorite cleanser for a long time standing has been the Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. It's great for my acne, but in the winter months I can find it drying. So the search for a hydrating cleanser that still helped combat my acne was underway, and this was my first stop.

#Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser Review

I am a skincare junkie. There - I said it. For me, having just one type of product, say a cleanser for instance, isn't enough. Give me three or more to play around with, and as I rotate using them I'll find some content (until I find another one that piques my interest, that is). I guess you could say that it's hard for me to choose favorites. I may like the texture of x, but the scent of y, and the packaging of z - so they all stay in my routine because I couldn't possibly choose just one that works best for me. The Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser has become a favorite of mine over the past few months, but will it be one to finally cut down my addiction and completely fall in love with?

This post contains affiliate links. This item is a press sample, received in exchange for an honest review.

#ManyoFactory Skin Renew Vita-E Ampoule Review

Do you ever feel like you're constantly looking for something better? Each time I post photos of my skincare stash I get a lot of flack about how many products I have, but I can't help it! Nothing feels "perfect" to me, so the best results I find are from changing up products regularly. For the past six months, however, I've found one constant in my routine - the Manyo Factory Skin Renew Vita-E Ampoule.

Asian Beauty Inspired Skincare Routine Video | Live for 2017

Once a year I put myself, in all my awkwardness, out there to create a visual example of how I put together my skincare routine, using some of my favorite products. If you're a visual learner like me, and feel more comfortable after seeing someone perform a task, then this video may be helpful to you!

#Elizavecca Milky Piggy Egg Pack [Dalgyal Bareun KangsiPack] #Review

I few weeks ago I saw Elizavecca posted photos and videos of their Dalgyal Bareun Kangsi Pack on Facebook, and I thought it looked so fun. I recently received a package from them, and I literally squealed with excitement when I saw this mask pack was inside!

This mask is an egg pore pack. For exfoliation, whitening, and pore cleansing and tightening - you mix the powder and liquid together and apply it to your face and allow it to dry to get results. We're going to jump right in on this review, because pictures are going to do a lot of my talking...


Start with a freshly cleansed and gently dried face.

You'll take your Dalgyal Bareun KangiPack powder.

And add three "scoops" with the included spatula to clean mixing dish.

Then you'll need your Dalgyal Bareun Kansi Jjwa Jjwa Ack.

You'll add in roughly 20 pumps of liquid solution.

And you'll mix them together.

Until you get a whipped egg consistency.

Spread the mixture on your face with a flat brush.

When applied evenly (trying to avoid hair and eyebrows, as well as eye area) just sit back and wait.

After about 10 minutes your mask will look glazed over as it sets on your face.

Around 15~20 minutes the mask will be hardened, and you will feel it pulling on your face as it firms and tightens everything up.

At this point you will wash off the mask. You can use a gentle exfoliating brush if you wish, but I find that it washes away well with some warm water and massaging with my hands. Gently dry your face, and... TAH-DAH! Brightened, tightened, and refreshed!

I mean really, look at these pores...

This is a great mask that really does what it claims, is fun to use, and even helps control my oil too! This has quickly become a favorite wash-off mask of mine.

This mask is available directly from Elizavecca (Korean site).
You can connect with Elizavecca on Facebook & Instagram.

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.

White Snow Tea Brilliant Essence from A.True | #Cupidrop #Review

A little over a month ago Cupidrop sent me my first A.True product. I've heard about the brand in the past, but have never had the opportunity to try anything made by them, and was very excited to try such a luxurious product on my humble face.

Who/What is Cupidrop?
Cupidrop is an online Asian beauty retailer based in New York City, offering products from Korea and Japan to help with most any beauty solution to fit your needs. They offer products that fit the latest trends and innovations of the Eastern beauty realm, which is what really made them stand out to me. They offer free US shipping on orders over $50, and are currently offering 10% off orders of $30 or more with code 'CHACHACHA'.

About A.True:
A·TRUE is the True brand represented from “a cup of the finest black tea.”
The ‘Compagnie Coloniale’ brand is the First and Oldest premium black tea brand in France - it delivers absolute value.
A·TRUE presents “True Personal Care,” with its unique textures and outstanding benefits, all of which are formulated with various prescribed blends, proven to be very valuable in France for the past 200 years.
Here at A·TRUE, we wish to revive the Premium Beauty of the 17th Century European Royal Courts. We aim to have our customers experience lavish lifestyles and exquisite teas and to have them transported back in time via a single sip.

The White Snow Tea Brilliant Essence is supposed to stop the over-production of melanin in the skin, leaving your skin bright without dark spots. While whitening and moisturizing your skin, this essence will leave you with a luminous, smooth, clear complexion.

The essence comes in a pearlized plastic bottle with a handy pump top.

The ingredients list is pretty nice! Only two tiny comedogenic risks, but are both a low 1 out of 5, so no real threat. [cosdna analysis]

The thought of using black tea (camellia sinensis) water instead of plain water in skincare intrigued me. What are the benefits?
Polyphenol: anti-aging, anti-bacterial, anti-viral
Vitamin B1: radiant
Vitamin B2: natural barrier
Vitamin B Complex Niacin: whitening, skin elasticity, strengthen skin barrier
Vitamin E: moisture, anti-aging,  environmental protection
Vitamin H: skin reactivator
Minerals [potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc]: moisture, elasticity
Catechin: antioxidant, anti-agin
Theanin: maintain moisture level
Caffeine/Tannin: detoxification, sterilization
-black tea also eliminates toxins and heavy metals from the skin.

The essence looks like a thin lotion or emulsion [1.] but melts once you start rubbing it into your skin [2.]. Once applied to the skin it leaves a moist layer as it absorbs [3.] but after just a minute or two it fully absorbs and leaves no residue or tackiness behind [4.].

The photos below are showing changes due to a number of products, but one of them is the A.True White Snow Tea Brilliant Essence. The first photo was taken on August 7th (right before starting use of this essence) and the second photo was taken on September 15th. With the help of this essence, my skin is noticeably brighter and lighter (ignore my acne please, that is a different story all-together). 

You can find the A.True White Snow Tea Brilliant Essence on Cupidrop.com for $40 [40ml]

Connect with Cupidrop: 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.

Adding New Toys To My Skincare Game | Playing With A Skin Moisture Analyzer

I recently made a decision to add a skin moisture analyzer to my skincare routine. Why, you may ask? Because masking every day, and sharing my thoughts about those masks is a big deal to me. When most people are going on with more serums and creams after their sheet masks, I'm peeling my mask off my face and climbing the stairs to go to bed. About one night a week I slather on a sleeping pack, but I'm just not back into a complete groove yet. So this means that if I'm stopping my routine after my sheet mask, my mask better be giving some good hydration for my skin to love on while I sleep. 

The skin meter I picked up was under $20 on eBay - obviously not a top-of-the-line model, but good enough for me to get a feel for what condition my skin is in, and what products are really helping it out. If you have Amazon Prime, this is a great option.

I just received it in the mail today, and thought today would be the perfect time to try it out and get a feel for how the device works and what my skin is currently like the way I've been caring for it.

The device arrived in a small white box with a stand and a space for batteries (which did not come with it - a bit disappointing). At this point in my day I had just grabbed it from the mailbox after getting my son on the bus, and had not even washed my face yet. So the readings below are of my face after sleeping all night and going about my business for an hour. My skin was sadly dehydrated this morning.

I used my Hada Labo Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Foaming Cleanser this morning, and waited 5 minutes to allow my face to dry before testing my skins' condition again. The results I saw were surprising. This cleanser with the water I used to wash my face added a tremendous amount of moisture back to my skin, and also increased my oil level as well. I imagine the cleansing removed any debris and dead skin cells, and was able to help my skin replenish a healthy amount of oils so my skin did not dry out. My skin did not feel oily at this point.

Next I applied a vitamin c + hyaluronic acid serum. This serum always makes my skin feel tight, and judging by the results I received, it does look like the vitamin c probably dries my skin out a bit each morning. For the remainder of the day I only took readings from my cheek.

Next I applied my LJH Tea Tree 90 Essence. This essence never feels moisturizing to me, I use it to help clear up and brighten my skintone. However, it does actually appear to add a small amount of moisture to my skin.

Lastly I applied my Shara Shara Honey Bomb. This is usually where I leave my morning skincare routine unless I'm wearing bb cream (bb cream adds enough moisture to my oily face, so I depend on that moisture instead of adding more and making my face greasy). I'm very pleased to find out that the Honey Bomb ampoule is not as greasy as I thought it was, and it really just a thicker product adding moisture to my skin. (2pm)

I checked my skin again after an hour. My skin seems to hold onto the moisture from the Honey Bomb well! (3pm)

2 hours later... (4pm)

At 9pm I started getting ready for my evening routine. So, 7 hours after I completed my "morning" routine. I'm impressed with how well the Shara Shara Honey Bomb kept my skin hydrated throughout the day.

I can't wait to try this little dude out some more with sheet masks!

UPDATE:
A lot of people had asked what the normal ranges for skin are, and I didn't know so I went back and checked the listing I purchased this from for additional info. Sure enough - everything was there! So the following images are not mine, but may be helpful!

Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog purchased 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.

It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream #Review

It's not too often that I feel compelled to revisit a product on my blog. Most reviews I've done here are of products I've received in subscription boxes, where I write up a brief review of my thoughts in the short time I've used something, or a mask of some kind. In this case, I decided to bring up a product I received in the "Winter Skin Revival" Memebox back in February - which is the Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream from It's Skin.

I'm not one who commits to a moisturizer easily - I prefer to shop around and try new ones every chance I get because, lets face it, if it's not working out, why not try something new, am I right? Moisturizer and my oily acne-ridden have never gotten along. I briefly found pure argan oil to work well overnight, but after a while even that stopped "doing it" for me and I stopped using it completely.

When I first started using this Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream I admittedly felt a bit underwhelmed by it, but continued to use it because it didn't seem to break me out. That's an instant win right there as far as my relationship with moisturizers go. Since I cracked this jar open I've gotten a few other moisturizers and sleeping packs that I wanted to try, but the story with those was the same - I used them a few times and simply didn't like how they worked with my skin, and I'd return to the HAMC. It was roughly six months of using this cream on a semi-regular basis before I realized I'd nearly finished the entire jar.

So what is it exactly that I like about the It's Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream?
I Like That It...                                          I Don't Like That It...

...absorbs quickly.                                     ...has a perfume scent to it.

...feels light on my skin.                           ...comes in a jar container.

...doesn't break me out.

...provides light but lasting moisture.

I also like that the ingredients list doesn't have anything too terrible as far as acne triggers or skin irritants, as far as the information I received when I plugged the list into CosDNA (a site designed to analyze product ingredients and give you an idea of what ingredients may cause potential harm to your skin, and what the ingredients contribute to the product itself). 

Dimethicone (a silicone-based moisturizer) comes up as a 1 out of 5 for a potential cause of acne, and Triethanol Amine (a pH adjuster) comes up as a 2 out of 5 - both fairly low. Carbomer (allows the oil and water components of this product to mix) comes up as a 1 out of 5 as a potential sensitive skin irritant, and is far enough down on the list where I don't see this being an issue unless someone knows they are sensitive to this.

image borrowed from ebay seller cosmeticmarket2012

*you can view the cosdna analysis of this products' ingredients here*

This is a great moisturizer that would work for any skin type. You can find the same 50ml jar at Memebox (if you live in the US) for $14. Or you can find it on TesterKorea for ~8,640won.
Find current Memebox discounts here: http://bit.ly/ZUZp6r

Disclaimer: The Glitter Chic blog purchased 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.

Natural AHA Peeling Giant Cotton Swab from Lucy Beauty Market #Cupidrop #Review

In one of my recent blog posts I shared with you all how much I've neglected my skin this summer, but rest assured I'm making a come-back! One of the biggest steps I'm taking right now is finding good "actives" to purge all the grime I've let build up in my skin, and help speed up my skins' turnover to fade dark spots and scarring. Cupidrop recently sent me a couple products to try out, and one of them was an acid!

Who/What is Cupidrop?
Cupidrop is an online Asian beauty retailer based in New York City, offering products from Korea and Japan to help with most any beauty solution to fit your needs. They offer products that fit the latest trends and innovations of the Eastern beauty realm, which is what really made them stand out to me. They offer free US shipping on orders over $50, and currently are offering 10% off your order of $30 or more with code 'HOTSUMMER'.

Today I'm going to share with you the first of two products Cupidrop sent to me, which is the Miss Wang Peeling Bong swabs from Lucy Beauty Market. Cupidrop names them the Natural AHA Peeling Giant Cotton Swab on their website, because personally, if I saw Miss Wang Peeling Bong, I wouldn't know what to think. So - now that we've established what these things are for, lets look a little closer at them!

These swabs (despite the translated name) contain both AHA and BHA. They do contain both lactic and glycolic acid, but they also contain manuka honey as well as many plant and fruit extracts.

Ingredients:
Purified water, lactic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Citric acid, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Kiwi Extract, Honey Extract, Blackcurrant Fruit Extract, 1,2-Hexandediol, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Western Dandelion Leaf Extract, Evening Promise Seed Extract, Western Canola Sprout Extract, Rose Mallow Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
*CosDNA analysis*

The swabs come individually packaged in a foil envelope. This may seem impractical for daily use, but these are very handy when traveling. These are definitely a new favorite when I'm staying the semi with the hubby. They are very easy to use; just tear the packet open, remove the pre-soaked swab, and gently swipe across your face and neck after cleansing and toning. The swab is essentially an oversized, single ended cotton swab with a plastic wand. I give my face and neck a once-over, but go back and rub the solution onto my nose and chin a few extra times since they are my real problem areas. Afterwards I simply just toss it in the trash.

Even after washing my face, I can see all the extra grime these swabs are picking up and cutting through on my face. After use I allow the acids to go to work by letting them sit for 15 minutes before continuing with my skincare routine. But I can tell my face is smoother and looking brighter after each use. With a pH of 2~3, these swabs really do a nice job of exfoliating.

Overall, I think the Miss Wang Peeling Bong cotton swabs are a very easy way to exfoliate your face - whether you're looking for an occasional at-home treatment or for an option while traveling. You can find these peeling swabs on Cupidrop.com for $2 each.

Connect with Cupidrop: 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.