Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA ++++ Review

Indianapolis, IN, USA

03 January 2019

Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA ++++ Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Hello, lovelies!

How have you been? It's been a hot minute since my last post. Actually, now that I think about it, it hasn't been that long when you consider I post every blue moon.

Sad, but that's the truth.

In any case, I hope you're doing well! And if you're not, I hope you'll be well soon. <3

Let's get straight to the point since you came here for a review on dear Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA ++++.

BACK STORY

I spent a good part of this year searching for a POC (person of colour) friendly sunscreen without much success. Believe me, I combed through blog articles of multiple sunscreens that claimed that x sunscreen was THE HOLY GRAIL for POC only to be left disappointed.

The proof is in the collection of drugstore to high end sunscreens on my teeny bathroom counter.

Sighs.

It's not easy looking for sunscreen when you're a POC. On top of looking for one that agrees with your skin, you have to find one that doesn't make you look like ash was dumped on you.

Deeply sighs.

So when I opened the email from Wishtrend a few months ago and filled out the survey for a product that promised it wouldn't leave white cast, I was skeptical.

It didn't help that it's from an Asian skincare brand either. If I couldn't find a sunscreen from American skincare brands, then how on earth do you expect me to find one from Asian skincare brands? Especially since a lot of them are for whitening the complexion or are for lighter complexions?

Multiple deep sighs.

But I took a leap of faith with Wishtrend. They haven't sent me a product that my skin didn't like, so it's unlikely it would start now!

The Product

Packaging

The shipping was fast, although there were a few hiccups since my apartment complex no longer informs the residents when there's a package waiting for them -- but aside from that, I got it within the week of filling out the survey. It came tightly wrapped in bubble wrap so no damage was done to it!

Unboxing it was a dream, since Klairs' packaging is so simple and beautiful. It comes in the standard glossy white box with a holographic image of the product on the front. On the rest of the box, you have Korean and English translations of what the product does and how to use it.

What I love about this product packaging wise, is that the tube comes to a tip and that fits into a raised circular surface in the cap. This allows for the product to stay fresh

Description

Description taken from Wishtrend.com.

The Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA++++ is an everyday sun protector for sensitive skin. As is it water-based, it holds a gel-type texture to give a soft weightless and light finish. Also with its high SPF and PA level, it completely guards the skin against UVA, UVB without leaving any greasiness or white cast.

Volume: 80mlAll skin types

Containing ingredients that helps to brighten, hydrate, and protect:

• Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil (aka Sea Buckthorn Oil), in Korean cosmetic, the ingredient is listed as 'Vitamin Tree Oil' and it helps to supply the skin with moisture.
• Tocopherol is an antioxidant that fights against free radicals found in the skin.
• Panthenol, beta-glucan, and allantoin soothes, relieves skin irritations.
• Niacinamide is a skin brightening agent and helps to brighten the overall skin tone.

Let's revisit Sea Buckthorn Oil. I learned a little bit more about this powerful and potent ingredient from articles on Into the Gloss and the US National Library of Medicine. According to them, this little berry's oil is full of carotenoids; vitamins A, C, and E; and omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 oils. All of these ingredients help with aging, moisture retention, collagen production, and healing skin damage and scarring.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Butylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Silica, Cetearyl Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Olivate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Panthenol, Beta-Glucan, Disodium EDTA, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopherol, Allantoin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil

Here's a link to the CosDNA page with a full rundown of the ingredients that I uploaded: http://www.cosdna.com/eng/cosmetic_3076402350.html.

Note that there are essential oils, but they're non-irritating. Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil gives the sunscreen an orange-citrus scent while Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil and Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil help retain skin moisture.

Review

Going off of the last section, I didn't notice a scent when I first applied this product, however I read that other reviewers have. I swear, that's the only thing I was looking for in other people's reviews! I didn't notice any scent, so I wanted to know if anyone else did or if it was just me. I guess it all depends on the wearer's nose.

Aside from that, I am madly in love with this sunscreen! Like I said earlier, I've gone through a few sunscreens since this spring/summer, and this is the only one that works for me. It doesn't leave me with white cast, doesn't leave me greasy, and is nourishing and hydrating for my skin.

Okay, let me clarify the greasy part. I have combination skin, so it can't be helped that my T-zone will get oily after wearing this or any non-mattifying sunscreen. It doesn't bother me, but it does bother my mum who prefers the matte look. To get rid of the shine (or dewy look, depending on who's looking), I always keep a pack of blotting sheets in my bag. Sometimes I'll use my setting powder if I pack it -- which isn't often. Usually that's when I'm travelling and have my makeup bag on me.

The texture is amazing and sinks into my skin without any problems. With other sunscreens, I notice that I'm sticky for quite some time after application, but with this sunscreen, I don't notice any stickiness after a couple of minutes!

And as for white cast? I love that there isn't any! Oh my gosh, YAS THERE IS NO WHITE CAST! None when you apply it, none when it sets in. Absolutely no white cast.

And on top of all of this, I haven't broken out since I started using it back in September.

Yes, I've been testing it out for that long.

(Again, I'm sorry, Team Wishtrend!)

Not once did I break out because of this product. Usually it's because of poor diet, lack of sleep, hormones, or some combination of all or two of those. (I may have forgotten to wash my face in the evening more than a couple of times -- okay frequently. You caught me.) Anyway, I can say for sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that this product did not break me out.

All in all, because this is the only sunscreen that has won my seal of approval this past year, it definitely deserves a solid rating of

5/5

because it has little to no scent, the wealth of nourishing ingredients, amazing texture, zero white cast, and no breakouts!

YouTube

And, hey, definitely check out my video down below! I swatch the product on my face and include a few other points that aren't included in this post.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading and/or watching! I'd love to know if any of you have tried this, and if you have, what are your thoughts? OR are you going to try it? I'd love to know either way!

I hope you guys have a great one! If it's not a great one, make it a great one, and I'll talk to you in the next one!

Love,
SamiJoie

Links

• dear Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA++++, https://www.wishtrend.com/home/1827-soft-airy-uv-essence-spf-50-pa-klairs.html?a_aid=heysamijo
• Ingredient to Know: Sea Buckthorn Oil by Victoria Lewis, https://intothegloss.com/2015/05/sea-buckthorn-oil/
• Abundance of active ingredients in sea-buckthorn oil by Aleksandra Zielińska and Izabela Nowak, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5438513/
• CosDNA breakdown of Klairs Soft Airy UV Essence SPF 50 PA ++++, http://www.cosdna.com/eng/cosmetic_3076402350.html

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Scrubbing my face with my matcha latte feat. Wishtrend's Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash (Review)

Indianapolis, IN, USA

11 November 2017

Scrubbing my face with my matcha latte feat. Wishtrend's Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash (Review)

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Hold on a minute there. Before you lose your mind thinking I washed my face with matcha latte, I'd like to tell you that I did not. But what I did do was wash my face with the star ingredient of that earthy flavoured drink that some people find utterly delicious while others think they're drinking grass.

Today, however, we're not going to launch into a talk about matcha lattes. Instead, we're going to have a lovely chat about Wishtrend's latest product, the Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash!

The product and concept...

As the name implies, this wash comes as a powder. The granules are pretty big; they're not small and fine like matcha. They're little clusters of matcha exfoliating goodness! The wash comes in a muted pastel green bottle with white text and a flip top cap with a wide opening to make pouring the product out easy. 

The idea behind this product is that it's a gentle, moisturising, low pH scrub. It was made for all skin types, but is especially beneficial for oily and acne prone skin. It's perfect for those who want a gentle exfoliator since it isn't too abrasive in comparison to the dear Klair's scrub.

Note that not only is it a physical scrub, it's also a chemical scrub since it's slightly acidic with a pH of 5.5 These clusters will help get rid of those stubborn blackheads!

What's in it...

Ingredient list: Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder(2%), Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Sorbitol, Papain, Betaine, Cellulose Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate

You can copy and paste the list into cosdna.com or follow the link here for my analysis! In a nutshell, this product is extremely safe to use. In the end, it all comes down to you and your skin and how it reacts to it.

Let's break this list down...

...by the notable ingredients, starting with green tea powder (a.k.a, matcha). We already know that green tea is great for our bodies because it contains powerful antioxidants (we're talking vitamins A, C, and E) that detox our systems. The same goes for our skin! The biggest organ we have is abused daily when it's exposed to pollution. We can help cleanse our skin using matcha because it contains these powerful antioxidants.

The second notable ingredient is papain, an enzyme extracted from papaya that is extremely popular in Asian skincare (not just Korea!) This enzyme breaks down protein bonds that bind dead skin cells along with whatever waste material is accompanying them to your skin. Yuck. 

Sodium bicarbonate, a.k.a baking soda, is the third ingredient and a tried and true one in skincare. This ingredient can go north or south for people, so make sure to do a patch test with this product before committing. This ingredient works as the scrub in this particular wash.

And, finally, the last noteworthy ingredient is an amino acid sufractant derived from coconut! An amino acid sufractant is the cleanser in the wash. An amino acid sufractant's pH is close to skin, making it the ideal cleanser. 

Fun note, the word sufractant is a short term for surface active agent. They work by "degreas[ing] and emulsify[ing] oils and fats and suspend[ing] soil" so that they can be easily washed away (thank you, Paula's Choice!)

Please note that you shouldn't use this with other chemical exfoliants (such as retinols, AHA/BHA, etc.) since this product is one itself.

How to use it?

If you're new to using powder washes, then all you need to know is that it's super easy. Don't over think it. Just pour some product onto your hand, I use about the size of a quarter, and add a few drops of water. It'll be a little clumpy, but that's fine since you want those clumps to exfoliate your skin. It starts to foam as you keep massaging it into your skin.

My thoughts...

When I was asked if I wanted to review this product, I pretty much jumped with joy and knocked a table over in the process. I was sent the ingredient list and the papaya extract spoke to me since that's a popular skin whitening ingredient in the Philippines.

Yes, I'm aware skin whitening is frowned upon (and I agree with it), but as a girl composed of four different shades of tan, I was eager to see if I could lighten my face since it's the darkest part of my body. This does include my hands -- as in, my hands are lighter than my face. Don't ask me how that is, but it is. I dunno. It's weird.

Having green tea as the headlining product was a plus (haha, I know -- where are my priorities?) since your girl loves her matcha frapp or latte!

So what about the product itself?

This product reminded me of Tatcha's Rice Enzyme Powder Wash except Tatcha's is a finer powder in comparison to Wishtrend's. In terms of physical exfoliation, I didn't notice that much of a difference between the two products. What I did notice is that I felt like I needed more of Tatcha's product in order to have enough to exfoliate my skin. Also, it didn't seem like Tatcha's had a lot of foaming action in comparison to Wishtrend's, but that's probably because I didn't grab enough. (I was trying to be frugal with my Sephora sample!)

While massaging it onto your face, your nose is immersed in the smell of matcha. It's matcha heaven, but on your face. Because of it's earthy scent, I felt somewhat grounded. I know, weird, but for some people, skincare is a ritual, and I totally felt that way when using this face wash. It's the perfect scrub to use in the evening when you want to scrub away the day's stressors.

After rinsing it off, I noticed that my skin didn't feel dry or tight. I believe that's because of the amino acid sufractants since they help retain moisture. (If not, please comment down below. I'm a new student in the world of skincare.) My skin definitely felt a lot smoother and looked better overall due to the superstars of the wash, papain and green tea. The next day, however, I noticed that the skin on my nose was flaking, so I would be careful with this wash. Definitely go by the recommended usage on the box which is 2-3 times a week especially for those with thin, sensitive skin. This amount, though, is the typical amount for any scrub anyway!

As for the whitening aspect of this wash (really, papain is to help with skin tone, let me make this clear), I didn't notice that much but I haven't used it for long! We shall see how this works out after continued usage.

Final verdict.

All in all, I really like this product! I love the idea of using a powder that turns into a foam wash especially in terms of transportation. I don't have to bring a full sized pump bottle if I'm travelling. Instead, I can bring a little packet of this powder and I'm good to go! (Although, I might bring the bottle in order to avoid odd looks at the airport.) I also LOVE that it has the detoxifying properties of green tea, moisturiser from coconut-derived sufractant, and enzymes that rid the face of blackheads and dead skin cells. It's such a triple threat, and I love that!

And the final kicker is that it's a fraction of the cost of a popular powder wash (*cough cough*look above*cough cough*), so you're not kicking yourself after going on a shopping spree!

TAKE MY MONEY!

Starting yesterday, Friday, 10 November up until Thursday, 16 November, 2017, you can get this wash on Wishtrend at a special price of $17.60 USD instead of $22 USD (click the first image below for the wash only.) 

Yes, it's an affiliate link (the first image, not the last two)! It would be a great help to my blog and channel if you use it since any revenue from it goes back to them which in turn goes to creating awesome content for you.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can always opt for one of the sets that Wishtrend came up with composed of products that work well with this wash (click the second or third image below).

[BY WISHTREND] Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash
Special launch price $17.60 USD (original $22)

[BY WISHTREND] Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash + Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream
Special launch price: $37.49 USD (original $49.99)

BY WISHTREND] Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash + Vitamin 75 Cream + 21.5 Enhancing Mask
Special launch price: $55.29 USD (original $78.99)

Disclosure: I was sent the product in exchange for an honest review. If I don't like a product, I will tell you straight up, and if I love it, I'll do the same. Just bear in mind, everyone is different and that's why I will still post the affiliate link(s) because it's up to your discretion if you want to try the product or not. 💙

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Valentia Royal Rose Serum | Review

04 July 2016

Valentia Royal Rose Serum | Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Ah, this is a long awaited post since February of this year. I received this product from BrandBacker and Valentia for my opinion earlier this year but couldn’t formulate one within a week of receiving it because I don’t normally wash my face in the evening.

Yes, I know this is bad, but when I came home from school this last semester I was so exhausted. I’m not used to staying on campus till about 9pm or 10pm. We were there this late for activities that my brother got us into. I was primarily in them because I’m his driver (he’s fresh to driving in the busy city) and then became head photographer for one of the events without knowing until the week before.

So I extended my time so I could actually use it consistently for at least a week. Unfortunately, I didn’t take pictures, but my face really didn’t change when using the serum. It did improve but that’s because I changed from a Korean acne regimen to Murad because the Korean one caused some nasty outbreaks about halfway through. (I used it from February to the beginning of May when Jere and I came home from uni.)

Despite that, I’d like to believe that it did help calm my skin down when I used it night, the only time you’re supposed to use it. It had a faint rosy scent and is made of 98% natural ingredients. I’m fine with the scent being faint since strong floral scents give me headaches. When applied to the face, it absorbed after about a minute or less. I lose time whenever waiting; I’m usually impatient! I’m tired and want to go to bed haha!

I stopped using it recently since I’m monitoring my face for now while using Murad and only that until my skin is somewhat normal. I’ll probably go back to using it sometime in the near future. Supposedly, serums are good for summertime since they’re lightweight.

For those of you who are curious, according to Valentia, this serum is nourishing and will

• deeply moisturize skin
• provide antioxidant protection
• soothe & nourish dry skin
• smooth skin tone and texture
• boost skin resilience.
  
  

It goes on to list the important ingredients that contribute to the results listed above:

• Rose Damascene: One of the most nourishing and skin friendly natural oils, providing balance, moisture, and a variety of vitamins and minerals to the skin.
• Niacin amide (Vitamin B): This potent vitamin has been clinically prove to fade away hyper pigmentation, sun spots, and acne .
• Rosehip Seed Oil: Naturally rich in Vitamins C & A, these essential fatty acids work quickly to lock in skin’s moisture.
• Evening Primrose Oil: Provides light, non-oily moisture to the skin, never clogging or irritating the skin.
• Bearberry: Reduces melanin production, thereby lightening the skin, revealing a brighter complexion.
• Lavender: Heals the skin, treating pimples, wounds, and sores.

I’m familiar with all of the ingredients except for bearberry. That’s truly a first for me to hear. I must say, this tiny bottle comes packed with everything good for your skin at any age. It’s moisturizing and nourishing at the same time, helps with acne and scarring as well as fine lines. It’s a little army that works while you rest. If you’re interested in the product and/or would like to learn more follow the links below! 

If you’ve heard of this before and/or have tried it, curious, ask away in the comments! I’d love to hear what’s up!

L I N K S
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AHVGZNMhttp://valentia.com

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Days 2 and 3 with Hask's Kalahari Melon Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Oil | Review

27 June 2016

Days 2 and 3 with Hask's Kalahari Melon Shampoo, Conditioner, and Hair Oil | Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Day 2: Wednesday 15 June 2016, Savannah, Georgia

Happy birthday to me!! Ah, I’m feeling old at 23 with adulthood looming ahead of me. I’ve the victory lap ahead of me at uni since I transferred so adulthood is put off for another year — and I am a-okay with that!

Anyways, I washed my hair, yet again, with the set and moisturized it with the oil. My hair is just as soft if not softer than the first use. I’ve noticed that my hair doesn’t get oily by the next day like it does with other shampoos and conditioners! Another plus for Hask!

Day 3: Friday 17 June 2016, Isles of Palm, South Carolina

FINDING DORY COMES OUT TODAY! And it’s the day we went to the beach. Dory versus the beach. The beach won since we came this far and there isn’t a beach close to us back home.

I’LL SEE YOU SOON, DORY! I LOVE YOU! *tears*

Dad was giddy like a school boy holding a puppy that we were able to swim in the Atlantic. The days leading up to this trip and our arrival at Isles of Palm, he would make mention of swimming in the Atlantic almost every few hours while confusing it with the Pacific. 

We had a great time at the beach, spending a good two hours in the water. Mom and Dad would switch out to watch our things on the beach while my brother and I jumped through some waves. We played with how far our parents would let us go out, noticing how the water changed in temperature quickly and their concerned looks. (Only Dad dared to go out as far as Jere and I did.) It was all good and fun until my throat started hurting from the salt water that got into my mouth on the few occasions I slipped underwater after getting caught by a wave.

That was about 10 minutes in.

*sigh* 

As you can tell, it’s been a while since we last went to the beach. Actually, I haven’t swam since elementary school, but that’s a story for another time.

About halfway through playtime, I felt my hair. It was chunky and weighed down by the water. The texture completely changed. It dawned on me that I should have read up on how to take care of color treated hair at the beach.

I so should have. Once we got out of the water, I tried my best to separate my hair with my hands careful to not pull anything out. That was a chore that became worse with a proper hair brush. Ugh. My hair felt nasty.

And I had to sit with it through lunch and the 30 minute drive back to the hotel.

I showered after my brother and Dad, relieved that the Hask set was able to restore my hair to a more normal state. I think after another round of shampooing my hair will be back to the softness that I’m familiar with when I first started using this set.

See ya, guys, soon!

Sponsored

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The smell of Kalahari melons in Georgia | Hask Beauty Shampoo Review, First Wash

16 June 2016

The smell of Kalahari melons in Georgia | Hask Beauty Shampoo Review, First Wash

posted by SamJoy Jordan

So the family is out on vacation this week to Georgia! The last time we ventured down south, we passed through Georgia briefly therefore only catching a glimpse of this beautiful state. This year for our family vacation, we decided at the last minute to venture down to Savannah where the beautiful Gone with the Wind was set. (Although, a four hour movie isn’t an ideal movie to watch, but you have an interlude, right? Haha! Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable are gawgeous together. Same with the set design and costumes! I need to re-watch it…😍)

Since we’re traveling, I was a little weary as to what kind of shampoos and conditioners we would get in our hotel rooms since my hair is colored now as of January this year. Not only that, my scalp is finally feeling somewhat normal since it’s usually dry. I was able to remedy this by using Head n Shoulders consistently the past couple of months. Anyways, when traveling I don’t typically bring my own shampoo and conditioner until this trip since Brandbacker and Hask sent me a sample of Hask’s Kalahari Melon shampoo for color treated hair to review. In the package, they sent me a full size of the shampoo and conditioner, a packet of deep conditioner, a tube of hair oil, and a bristle brush. Just so you know, I started using the hair oil last week and it smells so so soooo  good! The shampoo and conditioner is no exception since I tried it last night!

Having said that, last night I took shower at the hotel when we got into Georgia — mind you, not Savannah. I used the wash set and OH MY GAWD it smelled so good! Afterwards, I kept my hair wrapped in a towel for about half an hour to soak up any more moisture before applying the hair oil and letting it air dry to about 75%. Right before bed I tossed my hair up into two buns so I would have some sort of wave action the next day. I removed the buns this morning after dressing and cleaning up and my hair was so soft and smelt so good. I was honestly surprised that it was still soft since whenever I put my hair in buns after letting it air dry and applying x oil or x leave-in conditioner (the x’s are there because I don’t remember what I use — I just kind of grab them, y’know?), my hair comes out oddly textured — almost wiry in feeling.

After using the wash set, I noticed that my hair looks more vibrant in color than it has been the past few months while using Head n Shoulders. Also, when I used it, I noticed that it cleansed my hair and scalp thoroughly. I was skeptical at first since the label said it primarily uses oils. How can oil cleanse? Then again, people use oil as makeup remover so I guess it could work with hair then to remove dirt.

I’m glad I’m given the opportunity to review this set since Hask promises that their products are “free of sulfates, paragons, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colors” (HaskBeauty.com). On top of that, they include that Kalahari melon is “known to thrive and retain moisture in the driest conditions.” I guess this is why my hair is so soft! Below is the full description for the products from Hask’s website.

Shields & Replenishes With Color Shield Complex A UV absorber to protect colored
hair from damage & fading. Free of: sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colors.Preserve and nurture color treated hair with HASK Kalahari Melon Oil Color Protection Shampoo. Found in the African desert, Kalahari melon oil is known to thrive and retain moisture in the driest conditions. This natural color-locking, damage-blocking powerhouse ingredient counteracts dry-out and fading, leaving hair nourished and shiny. With Color Shield Complex, cranberry and sunflower oils, this shampoo delicately cleanses to help maintain long-lasting vibrant color.

I’ll keep you guys posted on how the rest of the week goes with my hair and momma’s! She colored her hair last night at the hotel. My apologies to the hotel staff for the maroon colored towel. :( Come back later in the week for another post or two since I was my hair 1-3 times a week.

If you guys want to check out this product and/or where to get them, here's the link: Kalahari Melon Oil.

Written on 14 June 2016

Sponsored

EDIT: Read days 2 & 3 here.

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Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon Review

04 June 2016

Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan

If you guys have been watching my videos, you might have come across a video with me without my eyebrows. If not, just know, ladies and gents, that I barely have any eyebrows and fill them in every day. If there is one thing I cannot leave the house without doing makeup-wise are my eyebrows hands down. They’re just not full enough!

When I received the e-mail that I was chosen for the Maybelline Brow Drama Voxbox through Influenster, I was over the moon! Through this voxbox, I was sent two samples of Maybelline’s new pomade crayon, one in soft brown and the other in deep brown. These crayons are chubby little things clocking in at 0.04 ounces with a little bit of product. You can’t push it up by turning the bottom clockwise. They deliver on the crayon aspect in that they’re truly crayon like when you use them to fill in your eyebrows. According to the packaging, you only need one swipe to fill in and shape your eyebrows. With my eyebrows, this was not the case as you can see in the video. My eyebrows came out extremely thick and shapeless. With my resting bitch face, this is not ideal. These bushy brows would have made me look even more pissed off than usual. I went back in with both of my Nyx and Innisfree eyebrow pencils to reshape them, adding more time to my routine.

From my experience, I would give this a 2/5. It could be a 3 or 3.5 if the stick was a tad smaller allowing for more control. This is especially necessary for gals like me who have thinner eyebrows. 

I would definitely recommend these, however, to gals who have thicker eyebrows than mine that also have more shape. This would be an awesome product for you guys!

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First Impressions| Indian Healing Clay mask

17 September 2015

First Impressions| Indian Healing Clay mask

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Hello, lovelies!

I hope all is well with all of you reading this. I've been dealing with a crazy schedule since the beginning of classes, and I'm unfortunately still trying to strike a balance between schoolwork and sleep.

Yes, sleep. I hope none of you are having this problem! If you are, let's figure it out together? Send me suggestions!

Before I kick off this first First Impressions post, I would like to take a moment to say that the pores on my face feel like they're being suction cupped one by one to an extreme level--and that's a good thing! (It's like having tiny octopi on my face...) With all the stress I've had the past few weeks, this deep clean is a treat that I welcome with open arms.

So, how did I come by Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals' Indian Healing Clay mask? A few months ago, I received a $60 Amazon gift card for participating in a study at school. I thought to myself, "What could I possibly get with this money?" First thought was KOREAN COSMETICS in flashing neon lights. I hopped onto Amazon and added two items to my cart that I've been wanting to try after watching Jenn's (clothesencouters) vlog on YouTube. I'll talk about them in the future since I'm still waiting on them to arrive.

After I added the Korean cosmetics to my cart, I looked into Skinfood's Black Sugar Mask. I was so close to buying it but stopped myself because it occurred to me that maybe I could make my own--maybe. That said, I looked at the recommended products that others bought and this Indian mask popped up on the list. I clicked it and it had a 5 star review from over a thousand users. It also had a subscription option since, I guess, it's so popular. Because of how cheap it was, I decided "what the hey?" after I kept coming back to it over the course of last week up until last night.

And into the cart it went.

First package of two or three!

It shipped in one day and is now sitting on my face as I type this post. I probably should have done more reading because I did not know that it would come in powdered form and that I would have to mix it with water in order to form the mask. I followed the instructions on the container and began to mix away in a disposable cup with a disposable spoon since I had the feeling I would screw up the first time.

Be careful when opening!

I did.

The first mask came out too thick and adding more water did nothing to the hardened ball of clay in the center of my cup. I tossed that out and started again using a smaller portion than the first attempt. This one didn't work, either. Third time's the charm when I eyeballed everything and scored with a decent mask! I massaged the mask onto my face and washed my utensils.

When I first applied to 20 minutes later.

Final thoughts...

This mask is doing wonders right now. I'm past the recommended 20 minute mark and can still feel the little octopi sucking away at my pores. Once I get the hang of mixing the clay properly, I know I'll enjoy this more since I'll be able to apply it quicker than tonight. And by apply I mean smearing mud all over my face as if I was a little kid and having fun with it!

Five minutes later...

Washing this mask off was easier than washing, say, Queen Helene Masque Mint Julep. You could tell that you were washing actual bentonite clay without anything added off of your face. This just proved to me that this is the real deal and that the label on the container is 100% true. My face definitely feels softer and smoother, my pores smaller before I rinsed off today's sweat and makeup. I'm extremely happy with this purchase! Yay, impulse buys!

My face is a little red, but that's normal for me. I seem to have a natural blush.

This was not a sponsored post. You can buy the mask here.

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Pure Mud Mask | Review

22 August 2015

Pure Mud Mask | Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan

"Hey, it's face mask Friday!"

Imagine the look on my younger brother's face (last night) when I told him to wash up and slap on a face mask. Hard? Well, he's not one for doing much for his face--he's all about the hair, so when I told him the aforementioned he sighed and went back to his computer games.

That sigh did not stop me from putting on a mask. The mask that I'm talking about today is a mask that I've had in my possession for about four months now. I thought I was going to write a review on it after having it for a month, but I became lazy with putting on my masks since school got in the way of me sticking to a consistent skin routine. And so, four months later, I'm finally writing this review that I have put off for quite some time mainly because I had mixed feelings about this mask--and laziness.

I had mixed feelings with this mask because when I first smothered my face in it, there was an immediate burning sensation. It was to the point that my eyes were watering (see below).

Yes, I'm pouting... It stung quite a bit.

I would have to roll a paper towel around my index finger and gently wipe the area under my so as not to accidentally wipe off the mask. Even though I adjusted how much I applied (as you can see here, I put on a rather thin layer of the mask), it still stung. It wasn't enjoyable. However, as time went on, I could feel the mask drying out and tightening my skin. I didn't notice anything different about my face except for the firmness that normally results after using a mud mask.

So, what is this mask, you may ask?

It's the PURE & Essential Minerals Dead Sea Mud Mask by PURE & Essential Minerals. I was given a code by BrandBacker to use on Amazon to get a free 6 oz (full size) sample of this mask. It usually runs around $25 so getting it for free was a nice plus. 

This mask boasts that it uses mud taken from the Dead Sea infused with essential oils that help make the skin look radiant and blemish free over a few weeks. So, by looking at the ingredients below, we can see that the product is backed by this claim. An added bonus to this is that it's cruelty free! *claps*

So many oils...

Upon opening the jar, you see the mud mask. No joke. It's just mud, so nothing special aside from the fact that it's a little putty-like due to the presence of xanthan gum in the ingredients. When you apply it to the face it honestly feels like you're playing with mud...that stings. There are granules in the mask to help with exfoliation, so definitely adhere to the instructions by rubbing it into the skin when you're ready to remove it. With this mask you get to clarify your skin naturally and get a little scrub action that helps improve blood circulation in your face and neck. I definitely enjoyed the scrubbing once I got over the initial sting.

All in all, I'm okay with this mask. Will it be the first one I would grab for Face Mask Friday? Nope. It really won't. I don't enjoy the stinging and would stay far away from it since I have the option to do so. Would I recommend it? Maybe. It depends on the person I'm talking to, especially how well they can tolerate the stinging sensation for the sake of beauty. If that were anywhere else on my body, that's acceptable but not on my face.

For this, I would have to rate this a 3.5/5.

Ah! I almost forgot about the smell: It smells like men's product to me. I wonder if anyone else thought this?

This was a sponsored post.

Until next time!

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[REVIEW] Drinking my weeds...

04 April 2015

[REVIEW] Drinking my weeds...

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Fear not, Jojo-buns, because I'm not actually drinking weeds...

Well, not the one that you're thinking of!

I drank some tea made with a weed familiar to everyone's gardens: Dandelion! (Well, to be honest, I drank dandelion root tea.) This tea was sent to me by Kiss Me, Organics to be reviewed in exchange for five boxes with 20 bags each. 100 bags of tea. :0 

Based on their Amazon page for their Dandelion Root Tea, this tea detoxes the liver and kidneys from toxins overall helping with digestion and, well, your internal health! Their tea is made from organic ingredients and is very vitamin rich.

Two other ingredients that are not mentioned in the title are hibiscus and cinnamon. They both help to add more flavour to the tea itself, BUT what you didn't know is that hibiscus flower when consumed can help with blood pressure. Honestly, I didn't know that until I read the box. I did however know that cinnamon can help with blood sugar regulation and reduce bad cholesterol. I love placing a stick of cinnamon in my green tea on a cold and dreary day just to warm it up a little bit more. Does anyone else do that or is it just me? It doesn't necessarily have to be green tea... Just tea in general!

Anyways, watch the video for my opinion on the tea! Something that I didn't mention is that it kind of reminded me of chrysanthemum tea even though the flavour profile is different. 

Enjoy and comment on what you think!

See ya later, Jojo-buns!



Disclaimer: This was a sponsored post from Brandbacker.

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You have a Radha face!

01 April 2015

You have a Radha face!

posted by SamJoy Jordan

Hello, jojoloves!

Sorry, I’m test driving that nickname. It’s a combination of my nickname growing up (one of many) and loves since I love to call people that!

Now that I think about it, why don’t I call you guys my jojo-buns? ^_^ Either or, huh?

Tossing that aside, let’s get down to business. Recently I joined the site BrandBacker.com—a site that connects bloggers and bloggers to companies that want people to give quality reviews on their products. That said, this is a sponsored post. In this post I’ll be talking about the wonderful Radha Beauty Intensive Youth Eye Gel along with two other products that were sent to me along with it since these two products, when used in conjunction, offered the best results.

Let’s bear in mind that I am in no way, shape or form, a qualified dermatologist, but I do have some knowledge on some of the ingredients used in all three of the products.

First things first: I have bad undereye circles. They’re pretty much set in stone hard to cover unless I have a heavy duty concealer that breaks the bank. Yes, I have some concealers like that. Unfortunately for me, I have a hard time applying concealer. I have a tendency to pile too much under my eyes causing my eyes to look even worse.

That’s how bad my eyes are. It’s to the point that I’m labelled the panda in my group. *sigh*

When I received the eye gel and read the ingredients, I was mildly ecstatic. Mildly because I knew that the darkness of my undereyes wouldn’t go away, but at least other factors of it could be helped. According to the site, the gel will help your eyes by

• Eliminating Dark circles, Puffiness, Dryness and Sagging around the eyes.

• Increasing elasticity and plumps the skin around eyes.

• Providing a youthful texture around the eyes.

• Moisturizing the delicate eye area to prevent premature aging.

• Useful for the entire face. Can be applied all over the face for an enhanced glow and a more radiant looking face.

That’s one hefty list for such a small bottle to live up to, wouldn’t you say?

The effects of the gel are due to plant stem cells, Matrixyl 3000 (firms and tightens skin around eyes), aloe, cucumber, vitamin E, and rosehip oil, and hyaluronic acid. All of these help to nourish and moisturize the skin under the eye. (The stem cells help with aging effects.) All of these ingredients combined form a lovely white gel that you can swipe under your eyes as well as any other parts of your face—which I learned recently. ^_^

After using it for a month, I have noticed that the area under my eyes is plump and no longer looking deflated and dehydrated. The texture of the skin there is smoother than it has been in years. The dark circles still exist since I hardly get any sleep, but overall the product delivered (since I was expecting that my dark circles wouldn’t go away)! I’m starting to use it on my forehead to see if it helps any since it can be applied elsewhere.

Before we proceed, here’s something worth noting: I was suffering from some serious acne for a few months that was caused by the Tea Tree Oil Acne set from The Body Shop. I had HUGE pimples scattered all over my face—some as large as a quarter—that were sometimes painful. When I was given the opportunity to get the following two products for free, I jumped on it because I was desperate to get out of my current situation.

That said...

Next up on deck is the Vitamin C serum!

Ah, what can I say about this serum? Well…

IT’S FREAKING AWESOME! I love it! It delivered on everything it promised. Well, at least for me. The site says that it... 

• Stimulates the production of collagen which makes your skin more vibrant, firm and youthful.• Contains Antioxidants that will greatly reduce skin damage caused by the sun, pollution and impurities in the air.• Enhances your skins rate of exfoliation for a smoother, brighter and more radiant complexion.• Greatly Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles• Has a high percentage of Hyaluronic Acid which Deeply moisturizes the skin to reduce skin problems that occur due to age.”

Considering I’m still a tad too young to have any noticeable wrinkles except for maybe around the eyes, I cannot provide any feedback on that part of Radha’s claim, however the serum DID reduce any skin damage I had—especially all of my acne scars. My skin is finally going back to normal because of this puppy!

Or is it because of the Retinol moisturizer? Oh, this bad boy made my t-zone super oily, but boy did it help with the acne! It softened my enlarged pores and helped with my skin texture and tone as well.

Overall, I loved all three products and would definitely recommend them to other people!

Pictures, because we all love them.

See ya later, jojo-buns!

LINKS:

1. Eye Gel: Eye gel via Amazon
2. Vitamin C Serum: Vitamin C Serum via Amazon
3. Retinol Moisturiser: Retinol Moisturiser via Amazon
4. Main Site: Radha Beauty Products Home 

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