One Brand Focus⎮Top TROIAREUKE Skincare & Beauty product picks you should TRY!

Today I will be doing a "One Brand Focus" on Troiareuke, and this will be my very first post under this segment! I have decided to add this segment to my channel/blog since I had a few people asking me in the past to focus my review on specific skincare/beauty brands..so yeh if you guys would like me to do reviews/skincare routines or tutorials on specific brands then please let me know!

I am sure if you are a k-beauty fan, you will most likely have already heard of and is obsessed with Troiareuke. I myself jumped on the Troiareueke bandwagon at the beginning of this year, so it was not too long ago actually and for sure I can see why so many people are obsessed with this brand.

So let's back up a little a talk a bit about the company and the brand itself before diving in! Troiareuke is a professional prescription skincare brand, with a promise to provide the perfect solution for "Today's skin condition". Since our skin needs differ from day to day due to the everchanging conditions of the environment as well as our personal habits, our skin problems can be neverending! And that is the reason why I became an avid fan of this brand after trying it out the first time this year- "Troiareuke provides personalized skincare prescription to give the best solution to different skin type and disorder accordingly."

Now that you know a little bit more about this brand's concept and approach to tackling skin problems, let's get started with the main focus of this blog. I will be reviewing seven Troiareuke products that I have been using for a period of time (1-2 months approx) some may be longer than others, but you can rest assured that I have personally integrated these products into my daily skincare routine in some way or the other.

ACSEN Oil Cut Cleansing

As the name suggests, this is a cleansing gel without oil. It is an all in one cleanser that removes dirt, excess oil and makeup without skin irritation. It can also function as a makeup remover and most people will either wipe off or wash off the product after the cleansing session. I personally like to remove my eye makeup with it using cotton pads to get the most stubborn waterproof makeup off first before working the product to cleanse the rest of my face. I find the gel to be very soothing and it does dissolve and clean all traces of dirt and makeup nicely. Since it is gel form, I like to wipe off the gel with a cleansing sheet. The one I am using now is from Bifesta. 

This cleansing gel contains papaya, aloe vera and lotus extracts which is nonirritating for sensitive and super dry skin making it an ideal cleanser for people suffering from skin eczema and acne prone skin.

Ingredients: Papaya extract, Portulaca oleracea L, Aloe vera extract, Selemix An (for acne)

Others: Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-8, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/ C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Edetate Disodium, Usnea Barbata Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carica Papaya Fruit Water, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, perfume

P.I.T Cleansing Milk

The second cleansing step I like to use is the P.I.T Cleansing Milk, and this is an all in one cleanser (point makeup remover/ oil cleanser & foam cleanser). This cleanser also doubles up as a quick masking session which is great! Just leave a thin layer on your face for 3-5 minutes after massaging the product into your skin and rinse or wipe off. The result is an amazingly smooth and fresh clean skin! I usually do another quick wash off with my regular foam cleanser after applying the mask to wash off any makeup residue left behind. It leaves the skin moisturized and does not feel stripping at all which is great for my dry skin.

Ingredients: Water, Mineral oil, Glycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetearyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate, Ceteth-20, Steareth-20, Tocopheryl acetate, Triethylhexanoin, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Lonicera japonica(Honeysuckle) flower extract, Zanthoxylum piperitum fruit extract, Pulsatilla koreana extract, Citrus paradisi(Grapefruit) fruit extract, Stearic acid, Sorbitan stearate, Prunus armeniaca(Apricot) kernel oil, Camellia japonica seed oil, Butylene glycol, Rosa centifolia flower extract, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) flower extract, Jasminum officinale (Jasmine) extract, Rosa canina fruit extract, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Saururus chinensis extract, Houttuynia cordata extract, Castanea crenata shell extract, Salicornia herbacea extract, Carbomer, Potassim hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Perfume

H+ Healing Cocktail Skin Complex Formula

After cleansing I apply my favorite toner(s)! Currently I am alternating between these four H+ Healing cocktails depending on my skin's need on that particular day! I have a more in depth review on all four colors up on my channel so if you would like to know my direct reviews on them you can watch the video here.

Troiareuke truly prides themselves in these toners! Dubbed as the "Prescription Boosting Ampoule" this toner step is used as the secondary cleansing process in the skincare routine. Unlike normal toners, these H+ healing cocktails directly address your skin's specific needs by letting you choose amongst the four colors to help correctly target your skin's real needs. The green one is the "Anti-Trouble Ampoule" and addresses sensitive and dehydrated skin. The yellow one is the "Mela C Formula Ampoule" and it helps to address hyperpigmentation and give brightening effects to the skin. The red one is the "Cell Repair Formula Ampoule" and it addresses anti-aging and cell rejuvenating issues. Finally, the blue one is the "Akne C Formula Ampoule" and this one helps target acne and excessive sebum production problems. 

ACSEN UV Protector Essence

If I am not really going anywhere or just running around doing errands then I usually just apply sunblock and I am good to go! This Troiareuke ACSEN UV Protector Essence has been my go-to sunblock so far and what I love about it is that it feels more like skin care to me which is great! Most sunblocks in the past that I have tried were either too thick or too greasy and I absolutely hated layering it in with the rest of my makeup. This UV protector has SPF 50+ PA+++, retains moisture in the skin and has an "anti-pollution effect" to protect the skin from environmental pollution from dust and pollen. Its main ingredients are Centella Asiatica and Portulaca Oleracea extracts.

Ingredients: Papaya extract, Portulaca oleracea L, Aloe vera extract, Selemix An (for acne)

Others: Water, Butylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-8, Olive Oil PEG-7 Esters, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/ C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Edetate Disodium, Usnea Barbata Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Carica Papaya Fruit Water, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, perfume

H+ BB Cream & H+ Troipeel Cushion

For days when I do need more coverage as well as protection, I like to choose either my H+ Cream or H+ Cushion. The H+ BB Cream is an aesthetic spa recovery BB cream which acts as both a recovery/resurfacing cream and coverage in one. Contrary to what many believe, this cream is not really a BB cream since unlike the normal BB creams, you can actually sleep with this one on while going through the resurfacing period.

When I had my Troipeel treatment this was what they applied on my face straight after, and I had it on me for three days straight while my skin went through the recovery period! My face felt and looked so great after! It was hard to believe that this cream alone did the trick! The consistency is light yet buildable and can be used as a base as well as a cover-up. I use this on days when I need to look decent but not necessarily needing the full coverage. 

On days when I do need full coverage, the H+ Cushion is what I find myself reaching for the most. This cushion has somewhat become "the perfect cushion" amongst many kbeauty lovers and frankly, I can definitely see why! This cushion contains 99% skincare and 1% makeup giving it the perfect go-to solution for both coverups and skincare needs. Your skin can still breath and heal itself from the cushion's skincare benefits while getting the coverage it needs on days when you need it. This cushion is designed for people with dry and sensitive skin, and is an ideal cushion for when you need all day coverage without irritating your skin. The shade actually blends in well with my complexion, and it gives a nice "brightening" effect to the skin while I am out and about!

Ingredient: Water, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Niacinamide, Octocrylene, Zinc Oxide, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Sodium chloride, Quaternium-18 bentonite, Centella Asiatica Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Vitex Agnus Castus Extract, Chamomilla Recutita, VINYL DIMETHICONE/ METHICONE SILSESQUIOXANE CROSSPOLYMER, Mica, Silica, Ozokerite, Copernicia Cerifera wax, Chlorphenesin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, CI 77002, Adenosine, Perfume

ACSEN Pore Control Mask

Last but not least is one of my most recent purchases from Troiareuke and this is their ACSEN Pore Control Mask which I absolutely adore! I like to use this mask at least twice a week and one great thing about it is that it requires only 3-5 minutes of your time! It is definitely one of the fastest masking sessions I've done but man is it effective. This mask contains Kaolin Clay, Gumtree and Grapefruit extracts which all contribute to giving your skin that additional protective barrier against everyday pollutants, making it so necessary for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It also helps to tighten pores, minimize skin inflammation and skin allergies. My skin felt really nice and supple even after the first use!

Ingredients: Water, Kaolin, Propanediol, Bentonite, Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Dimethyl sulfone, Xanthan Gum, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Betaine, Allantoin, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Poncirus Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Sophora Flavescens Root Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Citrus Paradisi Fruit Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/ Vine Extract, Fragrance

So there you go, this was my quick review and experience on some of my favorite Troiareuke products! I absolutely love this brand and every single product I have used so far has worked really well for my dry skin. Which of these products would you try? Don't forget to comment which "One Brand Focus" you would like me to explore next!

See you in the next post guy x

Pony Effect Metallic Matte Lip Swatches ⎮Memebox

Good morning! Today I want to share some fun swatches with you all, and these are the metallic matte lip colors from MEMEBOX Pony Effect collection. This collection has been around since July 2017, so it is not exactly new but it is still a beautiful and fun collection :) I was kindly gifted these by Memebox, so if you are interested to trying these for yourselves you can click here (FYI not affiliate link)

So there are altogether 8 fun shades in the collection, and the one thing that surprised me was that despite the bold, loud colors, some of the shades appeared quite wearable after swatching them on my lips! You can build up on the color for a bolder look.

So let's kick everything off with the first color! This one is the lightest out of the bunch and it's called "Gold Digger", which is a pretty milky metallic peach shade that I personally thought was quite wearable.

Next up is "Unicorn" and this is a bright pop of pink with a tinge of salmon undertones to it. This color looks to be more of a shimmery shade than a proper metallic compared to the first one. Nevertheless it is a very pretty color.

The third shade is "Lovesick" and this is a nice sultry burnt garnet sort of shade that is very fitting for fall. I do like that it has a slight hint of copper to it. Very unique and pretty.

Next is "Bae" which is probably one of my favorites! It is a beautiful pop of iridescent red that gives a hint of fuchsia whenever the light hits it. A great accent color for any makeup look.

 "Surreal" is a fun deep purple grape sort of shade with a beautiful blue metallic sheen. This is another gorgeous and unique color for when you want to go all out.

"Possessed" is the shade that I was least expectant about, but once swatched I actually ended up liking it. It gives me that brick brown 90's lips vibe which is so cool.

"Cold Blooded" is this striking cobalt blue color with flecks of iridescent silver to it. So pretty and very mesmerizing! The pigmentation is so rich after 2 coats.

Last but not least is "Witchcraft" which is more of a granite grey color with pretty silver flecks. It looked black at first but in the light it gives a cool granite color.

So there you go! Which of these 8 fun shades would you try? I personally love "Bae" "Possessed" and "Surreal" lol..I couldn't decide between them! Thank you for reading until the end and don't forget to check out my video! See you in the next post.

GIVEAWAY! COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion REVIEW + Longevity Test⎮Does it LAS...

Today I will be reviewing the new COSRX Clear Fit Blemish Cushion that has been the talk of the town of late! I was kindly sent this for review by COSRX themselves as part of the HUGE gift bag we all got from the first Seoul Blogger Brunch, and since my haul video I had many people asking me for a more thorough review.

True to most k-beauty brands, this cushion comes in only two shades. Number 21 & 23. Today I will be focussing my review on the #23 (Natural Beige) and I am also hosting a giveaway on it! If you are interested to enter, please click here.

This cushion contains SPF 47 PA++  and contains 21% Centella Asiatica leaf water & extracts, which is essentially a crucial ingredient in this cushion. It's a type of water plant or herb that has anti aging properties, as it improves the synthesis of collagen and skin tissues. It can also boost antioxidant activities and so is ideal for people with acne prone and sensitive skin.

The one main thing that impressed me about this cushion is its coverage and finish. I really love the fact that a little really does go a long way, the only thing I don't love so much is of course the actual shade itself. I find it to be a little bit too late for my darker south east asian skin tone! Still I tried to make it work by applying a little bit of the product at a time without pressing too hard on my skin with the pad.

So as you can see on the left side of my face the shade appears to be a tad bit lighter compared to the right side of my face. However, once you blend it out properly and apply blush and bronzer the finish looks better and the color will look more blended in. This was me at 10:00 am, about to head out of the door! Don't forget to check out my full video for the longevity test from morning to night!

MY VERDICT

Longevity: 8/10
Towards the end of the day, my skin did start peeking through the cushion due to the humidity throughout the day. For some people, this may look too dewy and thinned out but because I have dry skin I personally don't mind. You can top up with loose powder or touch up throughout the day if you wish. I just decided not to for the purpose of the review.

Shade: 7/10
Although the shade was still light, it is still workable but I would have loved it if they came out with more shades to fit all undertones! This one was very yellow and "ashy" for my skin so it would be great if COSRX could come out with more to fit all skin tones!

Finish: 9/10
Probably one of my favorite finishes! It's not too matte or dewy but a perfect satin finish, suitable for both oily and dry skin textures. Very workable and build-able.

Value: 9/10
It currently retails for $24 on Stylekorean, which I think is a pretty decent price range for COSRX. Interested in trying it out for yourself? Click here.

KOREA DIARY Ep. 15: Seoul Blogger Brunch 2017 ⎮When K-beauty Bloggers meet!

Today I want to share my wonderful experience at my first (but definitely not last!) Seoul Blogger Brunch which was held on 26th August 2017 at "Hearth Seoul", a cute & cosy cafe around the Gangnam district. I was kindly invited by Star Lenges of 87pages blog who was also the host of this great event. I gained so many great insights into the booming world of K-beauty and skincare and met so many inspirational ladies and gents who shared the same mutual love for skincare and K-beauty! Also there were so many great brands there to present the up and coming new products and K-beauty trends, it was really a cool first hand experience!

Many of the ladies I met were either bloggers/vloggers/instagrammers or youtubers, or like myself all of them lol. It was really interesting to hear other people's perspective on their definition of K-beauty and the products they are currently engaged in now. I had the pleasure of also meeting Lisa, the owner of "Be Mused Korea" that was recently launched! She is also a Youtuber and blogger which made me admire her even more. It is also my dream that one day I could have my own line of skincare also ^_^ (still dreaming and saving up money!)

Lisa "Be Mused Korea"

The event kickstarted off with a friendly cheer of wine and chatter before being escorted out for a quick group photo outside. I must say the wine definitely helped as the ice breaker! Many of the ladies knew each other before or have met through other events, but I- being a complete newbie to the seoul blogger scene needed a bit of time before I could ease myself into the crowd. Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself immensely with these lovely ladies!

Group Pic with Bloggers & Brands!

Top Left/Right: Lala/Yo Home Girl
Bottom Left/Right: 7seasonsstyle & 87pages/ Sumomosuki

Top Left/Right: The Soul of Seoul Blog/ Oh My Gloss Blog & Beauty Bemused
Bottom Left/ Right: Luna from "Tiam"/ Suha from "Troiareuke"

Towards the end of the event we were literally LOADED with goodie bags from all brands! and when I say loaded..I mean LOADED! All the brands were so generous and gave us so many products to try. I am really grateful! I have a super long haul for you all to check out if you are interested to see what goodies I got from the event! So don't forget to check it out :) 

PHOTO CREDIT: Soo Choi