This is What She Saw: wishtrend

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

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

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

19 March 2018

By Wishtrend TECA 1% Barrier Cream -- Review

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: beauty . korean skincare . skincare . wishtrend

Close up of TECA 1% Barrier Cream by Wishtrend

Hello!

It's been a hot minute -- at least, since I last spoke about skincare, and I'll tell you why:

A few months ago (back in December?), Wishtrend sent me another product to try out. I wanted to get a solid review out at least the week after it launched, but I just couldn't bring myself to like the product when I used it.

What is this product? It's Wishtrend's TECA 1% Barrier Cream. Let's dive into some information about this product, shall we?

What is TECA 1% Barrier Cream?

According to Wishtrend, TECA (otherwise known as titrated extract centella asiatica) 1% cream is a cream that creates a protective barrier in order to retain moisture and any active ingredients you apply to the affected area. It also strengthens and calms the skin, making it the perfect post pimple popping ointment.

Now, if you don't know anything about TECA (like I did) know that it is a mixture of the four compounds (asiatic acid, madecassic acid, asiaticoside and madecassoside -- note that madecassoside is omitted from the ingredients list below) that comprise the popular ingredient, centella asiatica. Centella asiatica is a wound healing ingredient common to tropical regions that blew up in popularity in Korea last year.

This popular ingredient also contains vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B3, and carotene. These ingredients contribute to its high antioxidant level that helps brighten skin and fight against premature aging. Among the big four active ingredients mentioned earlier, madecassic acid is great for acne-prone skin since it helps reduce inflammation and redness.

Ingredients List

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethyl Hexanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Tromethamine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA

Packaging

It comes in this slick, metallic teal tube with a white c
ap. It's pretty sturdy, so I don't have to worry about it cracking and product leaking, but the cap cracked in my backpack. It's not a crack to be concerned with, thankfully! This makes it perfect to tote around whenever you feel the need to touch up. (Did you know you can use this product up to three times?)

On a different note, this teal colour is speaking to me and I'm loving it! I hope to see more of this product in the picture.

Thoughts

Well, here it comes! Actually, you were already expecting it since I opened this post: I didn't like this product. I didn't see much of a difference when I used it for both post squeezing a pimple and not squeezing one. I honestly tried and tried again for about two weeks, but nothing happened. So I went without this tube for a couple of weeks until last week.

Last week, a few days before my best friend's wedding, I decided to get my upper lip waxed. I have never had a negative experience with the ladies and gents at the nail shop in the mall until last week. This gent went HAM on me: he used a thick layer of wax and created a handlebar mustache on my face before applying the fabric and ripping it off. He managed to tear skin off under my nostrils (I was bleeding all evening) as well as in my cupid's bow. I typically reach for aloe vera to calm anything down on my skin, but I didn't have it with me during my day trip into the city. What I did have was Vaseline, so I popped that on zealously. When I finally got home, I decided to use TECA religiously and I can say that it reduced any sort of mess that could have potentially happened. I had a little scab in the cupid's bow in the shape of a line that was barely noticeable but, aside from that, no scabs! (I just checked in the mirror and I have no scabs whatsoever, just normal skin.)

So, do I think this works? I'd have to say I'm partial to the idea of it working. About a month ago, I started using pure centella asiatica (the one by Skin 1004) all over my face and neck), so I don't know if that changed the game for me. When I first tried TECA, it was by itself and I wasn't using the Skin 1004, so, again, I don't know if this was the game changer. All in all, I guess I would give this a

3.5/5 stars

because I really like the packaging since I've had issues with tubes getting punctured and leaking in my purse -- that and the colour is speaking to me on some sort of zen/spiritual level.

I had to knock off a few points because I didn't feel like it really worked but maybe just a little bit? I dunno. I'm conflicted here. It's supposed to be for post acne recovery, but I didn't notice anything when I used it for that purpose. I did notice a difference for when I used it for post waxing/tearing off my skin recovery along with Skin 1004's centella asiatica ampoule. When I used it for that, though, it stung like a MOFO, but that's probably because my skin was sensitive after (what felt like) a layer was torn off.

Anyway, have any of you tried this product? Did you have a positive or negative experience? Let me know down below! Also, if you didn't like it, what did you use instead of it?

--s.j.

You can buy TECA 1% Barrier Cream by Wishtrend here for $27.50 USD.

This product was sent to me by Wishtrend for review purposes. This is a 100% honest review. Please note that what may/may not work for me, may/may not work for you! Everybody has different skin even though we may have the same skin type. Also, there are affiliate links in this post. These links help run this blog whenever anyone uses them to purchase an item featured!

By Wishtrend TECA 1% Barrier Cream -- Review

14 May 2017

Graduating? Let's fix your skin, lovely... [part 1]

posted by SamJoy Jordan em: heimish . i'm from . klairs . korean beauty . korean skincare . l'oreal . peter thomas roth . shea moisture . skincare . skincare routine . valentia . wishtrend

Oh my gulay, it's been a hot minute since I last posted. Cue the moment of silence for my dead New Year's resolution every single year to make a post on this blog.

Anyway, graduation is around the corner for me -- okay, she's coming in hot and fast in the next 39 hours according to a countdown app I found on Google. That said, your girl needs to look somewhat decent the day of graduation since it's a day of pictures and walking on a stage while praying to God you don't trip since you're a klutz that can trip on anything. Bottom line, your girl needs to have decent looking skin and that means lightening as many dark spots from acne scars as possible.

So I started on a skincare journey ~~last week~~ two weeks ago, telling myself that I will religiously abide by the routine. A little more than a week later, I have broken that routine by not following through at night. Thankfully, I didn't wear makeup last week. The downside, though, is that since my skin is a bit troubled at the moment, that didn't help either. But, ever since I cut back on makeup, my skin has been looking healthier. Let's take a look at my check-ins, shall we?

Morning Routine
+ Klairs Rich Moist Foaming Cleanser
+ Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
+ Valentia True Glow Eye Cream
+ Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop Serum (Vitamin C)
+ Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer w/ SPF 15
+ Eyebrows

Evening Routine
+ Heimish All Clean Blam
+ Shea Moisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Facial Wash & Scrub
+ Klairs Supple Prep Facial Toner
+ Valentia True Glow Eye Cream
+ Peter Thomas Roth AHA/BHA gel
+ L'Oreal Revitalift cream

First Day: 30 April 2017

Check in #2: 01 May 2017

I decided to add a hyaluronic acid sheet mask since I was feeling it for some reason? I can't remember, it's been a while.

This mask was so thin and saturated with solution that I was so surprised! Definitely loved it and would use it again. (I think I have another on in the refrigerator...)

Check in #3: 02 May 2017

I'm honestly not sure if anything has lightened... This set of pictures was taken with my DSLR -- the same goes for the first set of pictures. The second were taken with my phone camera. (Stupid Samsung and their cursed beauty filter that even though is on 0 still does some correcting. Amirite?)

That said, the following set was taken with my Samsung so there's some correction due to the camera in order to make my camera look a little flawless -- just a little.

Check in #4: 05 May 2017

See? It looks corrected. Anyway, I'll be back with more recent pictures and hopefully some from graduation!