Review: Nature Republic Snail Solution Mask Sheet in 20g

It’s time for another review!

Today, we’ll be talking about… UGH… snails and snail slime in particular.

In case you haven’t heard, snail slime is a trend in the beauty industry, particularly in Japan and Korea. Search all over the internet, and sources will lead you to information about such. 

Who would have thought that snail mucus could help moisturize the skin and reduce wrinkles?

If you’re not too keen about using ‘pure’ snail mucus on your face, but you’re very much interested in improving your skin’s appearance, don’t fret. Our favorite Korean brands are in the process of improvising some of their skin care products with snail slime, one after another. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the yucky stuff – you won’t even know snail slime is there. 

Having said all that, let me introduce you to:

Nature Republic Snail Solution Mask Sheet

This is actually a sample. A few months back, I was given 10 of these for purchasing quite a number of Korean cosmetics online. I was skeptical, too, but I figured that it was worth a try. It’s from Nature Republic, after all, and so far, I've been loving products from Nature Republic. I needed facial masks, too.

I have been using these sheet masks for about 1-2 times a week in the past few months. This is my last piece, by the way. I just think that it would be a waste if I won’t be able to share this with you. 

How to use (as indicated on the packaging):

1)      After applying toner, pull out mask sheet from package and unfold

2)      Apply the mask sheet onto the face from the lower (chin) part of the mask and move upward towards the forehead

3)      Remove mask sheet after 10-15 minutes

4)      Gently pat any remaining formula into skin.

Caution: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and mouth. Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rashes appear. Keep out of reach of children.

MY EXPERIENCE/IMPRESSIONS

Packaging

Obviously, there’s nothing special about its packaging. The sheet mask pouch is a common choice among sheet mask manufacturers, but I really appreciate that it contains text in English, too. Also, they printed the expiry date and batch code on the pouch. I have no qualms whatsoever. Despite its simplicity, the packaging has served its function well - no spills and completely airtight.

Formulation

Imagine a sticky gel. Yep, the essence is similar to that of a sticky gel, but I don’t think the appearance of the essence comes close to snail mucus. The essence looks artificial to me. Also, the scent is very pleasant and doesn't smell gross at all.

The mask is cool to the touch, and feels somewhat refreshing when applied.  If you’re in for a quick pampering, then, I think this mask is perfect for you! A word of caution, though, you might want to fall asleep when you put this on, because it is very relaxing and refreshing.

Effectiveness

For a sample, this product has done quite a lot for me. For one, it moisturized my face really, really well. Turns out that every time I use this, I get that extra smooth skin texture; your stressed skin would definitely transform. Mine did! Yours might as well. Also, the effect lasts for about two days! I often get compliments because of this!

Honestly, this mask has improved my skin a lot since I first used this; my skin has become extra smooth and firm, thanks to this baby!

Did I mention that it improves your face for the long term?

Yes! Use this once to twice a week for months, and you’ll definitely see improvements. I did, even for a measly 10 sheets of masks. I’m definitely buying more of these!

Is it really worth buying?

In my opinion, yes! I’m in love with this thing, and I don’t really mind spending my money on this. It relieves my stress, too. For around Php 100 each, it does quite a lot. It’s effective on improving the appearance and texture on my skin, and it gives me temporary relief from stress. I’ve tried a lot of masks before, and this is simply one of the best there is.

RATING:

·         Packaging 5.00 out of 5.00

·         Formulation 5.00 out of 5.00

·         Cost Efficiency 5.00 out of 5.00

Average Rating: 5.00 out of 5.00

Pros:

·         Significantly improves the texture and appearance of my facial skin

·         Scent is mild and pleasant

·         Very refreshing and relaxing when applied on the face

·         Regular use of this mask could help improve the skin for the long haul

Cons:

·         None

Repurchase?

Yes! Not so many masks out there could live up to what this mask could do, at a very affordable price.

Obviously, the Nature Republic Snail Solution Sheet Mask would go to my list of HGs as well.

Two thumbs up for Nature Republic! J

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think!

Love,

Newbee

[DISCLAIMER] This is NOT a sponsored or paid advertisement. NEWBEE (the author of this blog) obtained the said products as free gifts for purchasing several products from one store. Please note that the reviews are not by any chance made by an expert on makeup and skincare; these reviews are all based on the author’s limited knowledge, thoughts, and opinions. 

If you have beauty products that you’d like me to review, let me know!  

Need advertising space? This blog is also open for advertising. Please send me a message to: newbeeworld31@gmail.com

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Review: Nature Republic Snail Solution Mask Sheet in 20g

Review: The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Extreme Moisture Gift Set

The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Extreme Moisture Gift Set comes with a Tonic (20ml), a Serum with Essential (10ml), a Daily Moisturizer (20ml), and an Essential Cream (10ml). I got this as a freebie, which is why I have no idea how much it really costs. Sorry about that.

Let’s start with the review, shall we?

First Impressions

When I first opened the package, I actually considered throwing it away. The box looks worn out, and the contents look old, too. I don’t know about you, but when I first saw it, I had this bad feeling that the set must at least be an old stock, or worse, expired stock. I bet you can’t blame me; the box was not sealed, and contents weren’t also.

Plus, the contents look peculiar. Who would think at first look, that these solutions look normal? It’s obviously a demulsification of a liquid from oil. Normally, if you have a cosmetic, which shows some sort of demulsification after a considerable amount of time, you’d throw it away – right away.

But, the expiration date at the bottom of each container implies otherwise…

The printed expiration date led me to believe that the contents and the packaging looked old, because they are in-line with the eco-friendly campaign. However, because of its peculiar looks, I tucked it away for a couple of months and decided to try other skincare sets from Etude and Skinfood. I admit it; fancy packaging does influence my decisions on which skin care products to use. Etude’s and Skinfood’s are much fancier than the eco-friendly themes.

After I exhausted my Etude House and Skinfood Skincare Sets for about four months, I finally found myself ready for The Face Shop’s Arsainte Skincare products. Certainly, I had my doubts, but these were finally dispelled when the Internet disproved my suspicions. The demulsification and the ‘old-stock-look’ are part of the norms of the Arsainte set. Search it several times over the Internet, and you’ll definitely know what I mean.

Scent

One look and you’ll probably think of bamboo when you see the Arsainte Set. That’s what I first thought of, too. However, the scent is much closer to lemongrass; sorry, but I think it’s somewhat disgusting, because it’s overwhelming. Bamboo would have been much better. If you don’t have issues with lemongrass scents, then, it’s probably for you. The scent lingers for a while on your face though; so, think it through before finally deciding to purchase it. I hate the scent but I figured it became tolerable for me in the long run. In case you’d like to know, I have been using this set for almost a month now.

Formulation

Tonic with Essential

It’s water-like, except for the obvious traces of oil on top. When I tried applying it to my face, it was very easy to do so. Surprisingly, the ‘demulsified’ solution doesn’t create problems at all. It creates a pleasant texture on my face, making it softer and suppler. I figured that this particular tonic has some sort of cooling effects, too.

Serum with Essential

I love the container that it comes with. It’s easy to dispense, and it’s foolproof.

The serum comes in clear and watery foam. It’s easy to apply too. All you need is about a pump or two, for each facial application. I couldn’t exactly tell what it does, but it improvises the appearance of my skin.

Daily Moisturizer

It’s a white cream and the consistency is like runny lotion. It moisturizes well, too.

Essential Cream

If you have extra dry skin, this should do the trick. Its consistency is somewhat similar to a combination of a lotion and a cream. It takes a while to dry though, possibly 30 seconds or more, but it creates an extra dewy and flawless look.

Effects

I was actually surprised by how well this particular set works. It surely reminds me of the Collagen Skincare line by Etude House.

Repurchase?

Maybe. I’m sticking to Etude’s Collagen line for now, but this would be a good alternative, should I encounter problems with my all-time favorites from EH’s Collagen Skincare line. I guess Skinfood will have to be the second alternative.

Rating

4.50 out of 5.00 – Good, but not good enough to become my HG.

That's all.  I hope you'll find your HGs soon.

Love lots, 

NEWBEE 

[DISCLAIMER] This is NOT a sponsored or paid advertisement. NEWBEE (the author of this blog) chose to buy the said product at her own expense. Please note that the reviews are not by any chance made by an expert on makeup and skincare; these reviews are all based on the author’s limited knowledge, thoughts, and opinions. 

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Review: The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Extreme Moisture Gift Set

Review: Skin79 Special Clear Set (Moisture Body Wash, Creamy Foam Cleansing, and Gentle Peeling Gel)

I love bath products, and I would love them even more if they’re from my favorite Korean brands. So, if you’ve been following my blog for quite some time now, you would notice that I just love Skin79! This time, I’ll review on Skin79 Special Set, which consists of Peeling Gel, Body Wash and Facial Cleanser.

I bought this particular set online at Php 860.00, which is pretty expensive for three different products in ‘mini’ 30-ml tubes. I bought it anyway, hoping to find something good for my skin. After all, it’s the only Skin79 product which has a body wash in it, and I needed a good ‘travel set’.

A body wash, a peeling gel, and a facial cleanser in one set sounds good enough.

If you’re familiar with Skin79, you will notice that it doesn’t carry brands other than makeup and facial care products. Well, this particular set is an exception. This is the only Skin79 body wash, why would I skip this opportunity?                

Let’s start with Skin79’s body wash, shall we?

Skin79 Special Set: Moisture Body Wash

Apologies if I can’t supply you with photos of this product. I already ran out of it, like ages ago.

Based on what I remember, the body wash lathers well; better than most body washes in the market, but I believe it’s not the best there is. Its texture is close to typical Korean facial cleansing foams; think of Missha and Apieu.

I also found out that it is extremely moisturizing and mild to the skin. It also gives your skin a luxurious feel to it.

Yes, the tube is tiny. As a matter of fact, I only used it for about three times. Yeah, that’s the sad part. (Explains why I don’t have an actual photo of it). So, I couldn’t say much about this stuff only that it’s moisturizing. Not much.

Skin79 Special Clear Set: Gentle Peeling Gel

The first peeling gel I’ve ever used was the Skin79 Crystal Peeling Gel, which promises to remove the impurities and dead skin cells from your face after every use. I loved it and used it weekly for a little more than a year. I think it significantly reduced my acne. I also think that it made my skin clearer and brighter.

Skin79 Crystal Peeling Gel

The Peeling Gel, which was included in the Skin79 Special Set, is very similar to the Skin79 Crystal Peeling Gel. Truth be told, I think this is the Crystal Peeling Gel in a different packaging, but unfortunately, I have nothing to compare it with. I mean, I ran out of Crystal Peeling Gel years ago. However, just like the Crystal Peeling Gel, I love it so much and it’s is so effective in improving the appearance of my face. Also, I think a little of this product could go a long way as well.

Honestly, I was very happy to have this in my ‘Travel Kit’.

Skin79 Special Clear Set: Creamy Foam Cleansing

I haven’t tried any cleansers from Skin79, because normally, they could cost twice as much as those other Korean cleansers. However, thanks to the Special Set, I was able to try one. I must say that I’m pretty impressed with this cleanser. Just like the body wash, it’s moisturizing and mild to the skin. Honestly, I feel like I’m a notch prettier whenever I use this. Most of all, I think it prevents acne as well. I’ve been using this for months now. Meaning, a 30-ml tube such as this could go a long way as well.

Way to go Skin79!

My Verdict

Overall, I think this is a good product, only that it’s a bit pricey. I think I should rate it a 4.00 out of 5.00.

I wish the ‘set’ would just come in pairs – one tube for peeling gel and one tube for cleansing foam. I’d hate to say it, but the body wash was a waste of packaging. I mean, one tube for about 3-5 uses only, then the tube goes to the trash bin. I think each tube delivers what it promises, though. Nonetheless, I hope Skin79 would release a full-sized body wash. I’ll definitely buy it!

Have you tried this particular set before, too? How was it?

Please share your experiences in the comment section.

Thank you and have a great day!

Love,

NEWBEE

[DISCLAIMER] This is NOT a sponsored or paid advertisement. NEWBEE (the author of this blog) chose to buy the said product at her own expense. Please note that the reviews are not by any chance made by an expert on makeup and skincare; these reviews are all based on the author’s limited knowledge, thoughts, and opinions. 

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Review: Skin79 Special Clear Set (Moisture Body Wash, Creamy Foam Cleansing, and Gentle Peeling Gel)

Review: Etude House Collagen Moistfull Skin Care Kit (First Essence, Facial Freshner, Eye Cream, Emulsion and Enriched Cream)

Time flies so fast that it’s already December; Christmas is in the air once again and everybody’s getting into the good mood.

Don’t you just love Decembers? Talk about gifts, bonuses, food, and everything else, and it just happens once a year.

Speaking of Christmas, have you ever thought the perfect gifts for your friends and family? How about for yourself?

In my case, I thought of giving away skincare products to my mom and sisters; and yeah, to my dad, who happens to love Korean skincare products. Don’t get me wrong; my dad’s not even a metrosexual to begin with, but he just saw how amazing Korean skincare products are, especially Skin79’s Hot Pink BB Cream (I know you're surprised, but I know a lot of men who happen to love it!) and Skinfood’s Black Egg Primer. It’s partly MY FAULT, and my MOM’s. I will blog about that story some other date though.

What about a gift for MYSELF? Haha. Yes, how can I forget about my SELF? As a matter of fact, I already bought them all – my early CHRISTMAS presents. I think you guessed it right; I just had a Korean skincare haul, which I will also post soon. And so, included my latest haul, are the full sizes from Etude House Collagen Moistfull Skin Care Line.

What so special about Etude House’s Collagen Moistfull Line?

It’s my favorite! Before I finally resorted to buying the full sizes, I settled with a trial kit first, which was initially given to me as a gift:

Stock photo of the Etude House Collagen Moistfull Skin Care Kit (5 pcs.)

My Etude House Collagen Moistfull Skin Care Set (Trial Kit), after a month of regular use

The trial kit I obtained six months ago contained the following:

·         Collagen Moistfull First Essence (15ml)

·         Collagen Moistfull Facial Freshner (25ml)

·         Collagen Moistfull Firming Eye Cream (5ml)

·         Collagen Moistfull Emulsion (25ml)

·         Collagen Moistfull Enriched Cream (10ml)

By the way, collagen is an anti-aging protein that helps maintain smooth and supple skin. So, if you’re not yet familiar with it, better look it up to see what it could really do for you, because sadly, I’m no expert on that particular topic.

Surprisingly, the kit lasted for months, around 4 months or so; and I've been using it regularly – once a day. However though, I've read somewhere that the Collagen Moistfull Line should be used twice a day.  Obviously, I made a mistake there, but I’m about to make an upgrade – from a trial-sized kit to a full sized kit, hah! So, I think this kit should last for around two months, if used twice a day; but still, it all depends on how much you’d like to put on your face.

Accordingly, basic skin care should include the following (please correct me if I’m wrong):

           Cleanser à Toner à Moisturizer à Eye Cream

I guess the Moistfull Kit I’ve got is more than enough to cover the steps after cleansing; the first essence and the facial freshner serve as ‘toners’, while the emulsion and enriched cream are the ‘moisturizers’.

How was my experience on this?

                The Etude House Collagen Moistfull Line promises to keep your skin healthy and moisturized, and the collagen is considered a plus. So far, I must say that this particular line has delivered what it promised. That’s why I bought the full-sized bottles and jars, remember? Here’s a ‘more detailed’ review:

                  First Essence – The First Essence is in a form of a clear liquid, almost like water. When I first applied it on my skin, my skin instantly became smoother to touch.

2       Facial Freshner – As the name suggests, it’s a facial freshener indeed. Don’t you think it should be spelt as ‘freshener’ instead of ‘freshner’? Nonetheless, I love putting it on my skin because it’s cool and pleasant. You might want to use cotton on this one though. The liquid is almost clear and the consistency is almost gel-like.

   Eye Cream – I love this eye cream because it doesn’t feel ‘heavy’ at all; and it easily absorbs into the skin.

The Eye Cream: Up Close

4       Emulsion – Its consistency is similar to lotion, but definitely lighter than lotion. This particular emulsion could give you an instant moisturized look.

5       Enriched Cream – I’ve read somewhere that oily skin and a combination of dry and oily skin need not to put this cream, but I did anyway. My skin’s somewhere between dry and oily, but it worked fine for me. This particular cream is almost like lotion too, but it gives you that extra dewy look.

The Enriched Cream: Up Close

 

(Left) The Enriched Cream; (Right) The Eye Cream

                Ever since I’ve used this, I got compliments from different people, without telling them what I did to my face. I must add: all of these are not sticky at all! That’s a plus! And they are not ‘heavy’ unlike most moisturizers. And these, altogether, could help you with your dewy look, without looking ridiculous. I’d say that this particular kit could go into my Holy Grail, yay!

                Obviously, this is a 5.00 out of 5.00 for me. 

                How about you? Have you ever tried Etude House’s Collagen Line?

[DISCLAIMER] This is NOT a sponsored or paid advertisement. NEWBEE (the author of this blog) chose to buy the said product at her own expense. Please note that the reviews are not by any chance made by an expert on makeup and skincare; these reviews are all based on the author’s limited knowledge, thoughts, and opinions. 

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Review: Etude House Collagen Moistfull Skin Care Kit (First Essence, Facial Freshner, Eye Cream, Emulsion and Enriched Cream)

Review: Skin79 Lemon Brightening Mask

Hello everyone!

Stock photo

Today, I’ll be reviewing about Skin79’s Lemon Brightening Mask in 75 ml. I decided to give this one a rating sooner than every other product I listed, because I guess this will be the first among the products in my list to run out. I think a couple of uses more, and I’m all out of a brightening mask. So, here are the snapshots on what the actual product looks like.

So, here's an up-close shot.

Sorry, a bit messy. Just used some of it earlier today. 

The box, the lid, and the jar. Forgive me for the messy photos. 

The spoon, and the yellowish substance

Notice the packaging; its design is somewhat mature and formal. The yellowish product (the mask pack) is placed inside a jar, which is made of some sort of fiber glass. The jar is kind of heavy, and I think the jar, would somehow break, if anything happens to it. It comes with a small ‘spoon’, which I think is the best beauty ‘spoon’ I’ve ever had. I think I’ll be using this ‘spoon’ frequently until it breaks. The original packaging came with a box; I still have it, but it got a few dents due to shipping and handling. Honestly, I would have preferred the product to come with a tube for easy dispensing, and for more hygienic purposes as well. On second thought, maybe the thick yellowish liquid HAS to be preserved in a fiberglass kind of jar? Maybe, just maybe. Moving on….

I’ve had this one since October 12, 2013 and I’ve been using it once, or twice a week at most. As you could see, I have a little of the product left. In my estimate, I guess a jar would be enough for a little more than 20 uses, and it depends on the frequency and the coverage. So, I think one jar could have you covered a little more than two months. I got this jar at about Php 740. That’s about Php 30 per use. Pricey, but hey! It’s still cheaper than facial sheet masks (around Php 50 each) and more definitely spa facial services (around Php 200) or more.  

First, let me tell you what facial masks are for. Facial masks are supposedly beneficial for the skin. Most facial masks I’ve seen are targeted towards specific skin issues, like acne-prone skin, dull skin, dry skin, and so on. Most people would go to a spa to pay for a good and relaxing facial. Some are trying to find some solutions to their skin troubles. I’ve tried a spa facial a lot of times before, and I personally think that spa facials are good, only that they are really pricey. For instance, the cheapest one I’ve had was worth Php 200 five years ago, and if I recalled correctly, the esthetician used a sheet mask for my face. However, not all spas resort to sheet masks, some also use mask packs. 

Mask packs, like the Skin79 Lemon Brightening Mask, can be considered great alternatives to spa facials. They can be used at the comfort of anyone’s home. There are also mask sheets available for home use; I’ve had a lot of it as well, and most of them are good. So while there are some masks that are for everyday use, there are also masks that can only be used two times per week at most. The Skin79 Lemon Brightening Mask is the latter. However, I never tried using it more than two times, and I’m not really sure what it could do for your skin if you happen to use it more than a couple of times.

As soon as I had the mask, I became so excited to try it on. So, of course, instead of trying it on right away, I had to cleanse and tone my face first, which I did. That is, to remove the impurities first so that the nutrients and other ingredients could easily penetrate the skin. So, here are closer snapshots on how the product would actually look on your skin:

Scooped some using the 'spoon'

My arm prior to application

Initial application of the product using the spoon

Showing you the coverage of the  same product I scooped earlier

First impressions? I felt rather disappointed at first. A few seconds after I spread out the thick yellowish substance on my face, my skin started to feel a stinging sensation, which is a bit annoying to me. I could only speculate that the product touched pores that were previously inhabited by acne. So, if that’s the case, I would NOT recommend this to anyone who has/had troubled skin. I could only speculate that products like this (ones with lemon mostly), could only make your skin more TROUBLESOME.

Since the description suggested putting the mask on for at least ten minutes, I complied. The mask stung for a while, and then the sensation slowly disappeared. As a matter of fact, the mask then felt like a cold gel, which is very relaxing for my part.

The Skin79 Lemon Brightening Mask is a wash-off type of mask. So after ten to fifteen minutes of putting it on, you are recommended to wash it off using lukewarm water. Honestly, I hate it when it’s about time to wash it off. I mean, the cooling and relaxing part ends here, and worst of all, the thick mask is a bit stubborn to take off. In my case, I had to wash it thoroughly, which is a rather tedious thing to do, and by the way, things could go a little messy.

Results? The hard work did pay off. After I washed it off, I felt that my skin has become smoother and silkier; my face looked brighter as well.

Will I repurchase? Maybe. As of now, I feel like I still have a lot of masks to try on; so most likely, I would end up with another one as soon as I run out of it. This product is great, but I think it’s not enough to reach Holy Grail Status.

Rating? I think it’s a 4.00 out of 5.00.

PACKAGING – Packaging is okay; it would have been great if the product came with a lighter jar. Would have been great if the jar wouldn’t break, too. However, I fell in love with the spoon.

EFFICIENCY – Initial product price is pricey and it only takes a while to consume all of it, and the results are somewhat satisfactory;

EFFECTIVENESS – It is indeed effective; the brightening mask lives up to its name;

FRAGRANCE – The fragrance is somewhat citrusy, but some other times, it reminds me of a ‘cheap’ car freshener. So, if you’re not in a healthy mood, you may not like this.

OTHERS – It stung, even for skin with very minimal acne and pimples, like mine. It’s somewhat difficult to wash off.

I guess the review ends here. If you have questions, please post them on the comment section below.

Also, please let me know if there’s a mask that you’d like to recommend.

Thanks and have a nice day ahead!

Love,

NEWBEE

[DISCLAIMER] This is NOT a sponsored or paid advertisement. NEWBEE (the author of this blog) chose to buy the said product at her own expense. Please note that the reviews are not by any chance made by an expert on makeup and skincare; these reviews are all based on the author’s limited knowledge, thoughts, and opinions. 

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Review: Skin79 Lemon Brightening Mask