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Mario Badescu Facial Spray Review

March 27, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Curious about Mario Badescu Facial Sprays? I am and had been for some time. Actually, I was on the lookout for some good facial sprays and this brand caught my eye. There seem to be a lot of raves about their Green Tea, Lavender and especially their Rosewater face mists. So, I couldn’t help but try them for myself. For starters, I kinda like the ingredients of these facial sprays and they seem to be light on the skin. Since I’m actually not a fan of thick, heavy, and oil-based face sprays because they’ll just emphasize the shine on my skin, I felt like these Mario Badescu mists seem like the perfect fit.

There are a couple of things I noticed about these facial sprays. First, they’re really quite versatile to use. They’re not just simple facial sprays, they can also be used as a toner or as a complement to your favorite moisturizer since these sprays add extra moisture to the skin and soften the dry patches of the face. So, in general, these mists are perfect for layering under makeup. Second thing is that these are perfect for spraying on our favorite facial sponge of the world – the beautyblender. Speaking of that, oh my, I do that quite a lot. I like the convenience of having a facial spray nearby so I could moisten my beautyblender with it on the spot. I tend to get lazy in wetting my beautyblender especially when I may not have access to the nearest faucet and I have to apply my makeup fast. I actually like the feel of my beautyblender that way as opposed to wetting it with water, because it sorta retains a firm texture which makes it easier for me to control my makeup application. Moistening it all over could make the sponge too soft. I love to smack that beautyblender on my face so I could have a more even, natural, and less cakey foundation on the skin. Lastly, as a facial spray, these really add moisture to dry skin, and they’re great as a finishing spray since they make the foundation look less harsh and more even. Also, these provide for a nice facial refresher during the day.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater (4 oz: $7, 8 oz: $12) – This face mist is great for all skin types, but actually all Mario Badescu Face Sprays are. This one, in particular, has a nice rose scent and it’s meant to rehydrate, clarify, even the complexion, and add a glow to the skin. For me, I didn’t notice the glow part at all, but I guess because my skin is already glowing in oil anyway, LOL. This facial spray actually did quite the opposite. It did kinda control the excess oiliness of my skin even though the effect is very subtle. This spray also moisturizes the skin and it feels light, non-sticky, and it didn’t give me any breakouts. So this is really nice for those with oily-prone or with problematic acne skin. Also, there are no harsh ingredients in this, like Sulfates, SLES, Parabens, etc.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea (4 oz: $7, 8 oz: $12) – Smells fresh just like Cucumber and Green Tea, I like leaving this face mist inside my refrigerator, and I use this to hydrate my skin throughout the day. Try it, you’ll love it. This spray is also great for all skin types and I believe, apart from delivering extra moisture to the skin, this pretty much adds an invigorating effect, the type that wakes up the senses.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Chamomile, and Lavender (4 oz: $7, 8 oz: $12) – Talking about relaxing and soothing face mists, well, this is the one. Just like the calming effect of Lavender, I love using this spray at night especially before going to bed. My face tends to get dry at night so this spray helps a lot. I find this to be quite comforting and surprisingly very hydrating, probably even more hydrating than the Rosewater one above. This is also great for all skin types and free of any harsh ingredients.

In general, though the effects of these face sprays are very subtle and there’s really not that much difference among them, the important thing is we hydrate our skin and these deliver. So I highly recommend these facial mists. I like that they help to invigorate our senses, they’re mild on the skin, and that they’re pretty much affordable. The bottles are large enough for daily use and they could last for some time. The spray nozzles could use some improvement, but I’m cool with that.

The Mario Badescu Facial Sprays are currently available at Sephora, Ulta, Anthropologie, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth, Urban Outfitters and Amazon

Are you a fan of these? What’s your favorite Face Mist?

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Clear Lotion, Cleanser, & Mask Review

July 11, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 1 Comment

When it comes to skincare, there is one brand that I keep coming back for, and that’s SK-II. Though I’ve never really tried all their products, I find that their basic lines like the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, and the Facial Treatment Cleanser have really worked wonders on my skin. Some people may disagree on this, but there is just something really magical about this whole Pitera thing.

If you know the whole story of this cult-favorite Japanese skincare brand, then you’d be amazed. As per Wikipedia, “a group of Japanese scientists had observed the sake brewery workers to have smooth young-looking hands after years of submerging them in fermented yeasts even though their faces obviously showed their age.” After further research, the particular naturally-occurring yeast was isolated for use, thus the birth of Pitera.

Much has been said and disputed about Pitera. Some experts said it doesn’t really work or that it’s not worth it, or even that there’s not much proof of its benefit and effectiveness, while some also said that Pitera is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which improves the skin’s renewal process, thus making it youthful and glowing. As for me, I do not know if it is a placebo or for real, but ever since I’ve been using these SK-II products, I know my skin started looking fantabulous, no kidding.

My skin is pretty resilient but it gets crazy whenever I subject it to stressful environments or situations, like going to another planet, I mean traveling. Also, it tends to breakout whenever life’s stresses happen. I have tried different products but none of them really sort of prevented my skin from getting confused. Enter SK-II and I could not be happier. I do not know when exactly I started noticing the difference, I think perhaps a month, and my face does not seem to act out as much, no matter the situation or the condition I am in, be it hormones, pollution or dryness. I may have small bumps from time to time but it does not go into full-blown cystic calamity anymore. It is like my skin is more resilient and better protected. Also, my face looks glowy and my skin’s texture looks smooth and even.

If you have read my previous comment about SK-II before, (seen HERE), I mentioned that my best skin happens whenever I use SK-II. That is true even until now. Since trying them a few years ago, I have never really gone astray, I have been a loyal customer and had been using SK-II products as my daily skincare routine despite the steep price (I know, right?) The products you will see below are the ones I always use daily as my foolproof skincare go-tos regardless of any situation.

SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser (3.6 oz: $75) – Has a nice rosy scent that is gentle and great for sensitive skin. It’s creamy, non-abrasive, foamy, and non-drying. It feels luxe and it comes in a decent hefty-size container that will last a long time. A great all around facial wash for any skin care type or if you have any skin care concerns. Oh, and great to use with Foreo too.

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion (5.4 oz: $76) – The toner of my life! What am I going to do without you? Yep, that is how much I love and adore this toner. I have repurchased this countless times and this has helped my skin a lot. This may smell and feel like nothing, but it does make a difference. I love that this seems mild but this is a hardworker by cleaning every remaining trace of makeup and calms the pores. The full size heavy frosted glass bottle usually lasts 2 months on me while using a cotton pad.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (Travel Size, 2.5 oz: $99, Standard Size, 5.4 oz: $179, Value sizes: 7.8 oz, $229 and 11 oz: $290) – This face essence, or what I would call and use as a serum, is SK-II’s bestselling product because this has more than 90% Pitera that is ready to get your skin glowing. This is basically the product to get if you want to experience your first dose of SK-II miracle and Pitera goodness. Its consistency is slightly thicker than the Facial Treatment Clear Lotion and its scent is somewhat stronger and could get funkier with time. Some may complain about the scent to be a little fishy, but it’s not so bad, really. I just use my hands to apply the product as I do not want to waste any. This thing is already expensive even for the travel size, but it usually lasts 5 months on me. So it is a great deal. It is even a greater deal if you could find the whole Pitera Essence Set, which comes with the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Travel Size, plus a Facial Treatment Mask and a mini (1 oz) Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, which is great wherever you go.

Last but not the least, SK-II Facial Treatment Mask (1 Mask: $17, 6 Masks: $95, 10 Masks: $135) – This mask is super drenched with Pitera goodness, oozing with moisturization and hydration. This has no discerning scent and this feels cool, soothing, and nourishing. This makes my skin feel smooth and soft, although it is very pricey. But, totally worth the money and this is the most luxurious, most moist, and most non-greasy mask I have ever tried. So great to take with you during traveling or even on the plane.

Whether you are an SK-II fan or not, what matters is you are satisfied with your current skincare and that you take good care of your skin. We only have one face to take on the world. So, put your best face forward!

The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, Clear Lotion, Cleanser, and Mask is available in Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Sephora, Dermstore, QVC, Bloomingdales, Violet Grey, Revolve & Macy’s

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Tatcha Bestsellers Set Review

May 1, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Why Hello There! If you’re looking for the perfect skincare set this Mother’s Day or in any other occasion, I truly recommend this limited edition Tatcha Bestsellers Set. All the products contained in this set are absolutely perfect and are also very useful for traveling.

Tatcha is an American luxury brand that promotes Geisha (Japanese) inspired beauty rituals or beauty products. This is my first time trying out Tatcha’s skin care and my first impressions are very positive. The products are generally mild and innovative. The scents are not overpowering and my skin seems to like their products quite well. Additionally, it has a whole k-beauty feel and quality to it and pretty much neck in neck with Sulwhasoo or SK II. Also, their pricing varies a lot depending on the size of the product. Some are pretty much affordable, while some can be just really pricey. It’s always good to try some starter sizes to see if the product works for you.

Let’s take a look at what’s inside their Bestsellers Set:

Pure One Step Camillia Cleansing Oil (0.8 oz: $15, 5.1 oz $48) – This is a mild makeup remover and facial cleanser at the same time. It’s basically a lightweight camellia oil that totally removes all traces of makeup. Then you add some water to create a foam and it cleanses your face just like a normal facial cleanser would do. It’s basically like double cleansing but with just one product. For me, I really enjoy using this. It saves time and effort on my skin care routine and it’s mild for daily use. Love the pump of the glass container as well.

Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (0.35 oz: $15, 2.1 oz $65) – This product is nothing like I’ve seen before. It’s almost magical. It comes off as a plain white powder that you put on your palm and as soon as you add a few drops of water on it, it becomes a foamy scrub that smells and feels like little bits of rice or rice water. It exfoliates the face mildly and it doesn’t irritate. The result is a smooth skin without the harshness of most facial scrubs. Love it.

Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream (1.7 oz: $120) – This is a gel-like cream that feels like silk and is also non-irritating on the skin. It’s ideal for combo to dry skin, but I think it’s also very perfect for oily skin due to its gel consistency. In fact, this is very similar to Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, both in scent and texture. It’s almost hard to tell the difference between the two. This silk cream is an ideal moisturizer base right before any makeup product and it feels very lightweight. Wish it had Spf though.

Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (1.35 oz: $48) – Probably the best face mist in the market to use during dry or winter season. It’s slightly oily so it’s ideal when you need maximum hydration on the face, like when you’re traveling or during the cold months. It may be too much for the summer as the effect of this face mist could make you look very dewy. The pump feels robust and it releases very fine mists. Also, the scent is divine.

Verdict: Tatcha makes award-worthy products and they’re really fun to use with. Every application of each product is an experience that is worth your time and has a very relaxing feel to it. Their Bestsellers Set is really worth it as each product delivers and their sizes are very versatile. The Luminous Dewy Skin Mist is definitely a holy grail for me, and I could see the Camellia Cleansing Oil and Rice Enzyme Powder as now part of my daily skin care routine for a very long time.

This Tatcha Bestsellers Set is available exclusively at: Sephora.com

Hello May!

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