Author: The Beauty Wolf (Page 11 of 28)

Coco Park, mismiki nashoba

WHAMISA ORGANIC FLOWERS NATTO GUM WATER CREAM REVIEW

December 9, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

This is a continuation of my review of the absolutely stellar products I was recently sent by Glow Recipe, an online store showcasing small Korean brands with a focus on natural ingredients. Like I said in my previous review of this cream’s sister product, I haven’t been this excited for a brand since Benton. Keep reading to see why!

I’m very picky about face creams. I’ve got a mindset that someone dating a model might have, “I’ve got something hotter at home, what in the hell could you possibly do for me?”. Between my Benton Steam Cream and my Sulwhasoo Ginseng Cream, it would take a lot to get me to stray. Fortunately for Whamisa, they’ve got a lot to offer.

Let’s go to the Glow Recipe website for a description:
“The Gist:
An organic hydrating yet lightweight cream with Natto Gum extract (fermented soy beans) that leaves skin soft and moisturized. For all skin types.

How it works:
Formulated with 95% organic ingredients, which are naturally fermented to preserve maximum efficacy. This unique cream is water-free – instead it relies on a blend of moisturizing and antioxidants, including Natto Gum, Organic Rice Extract, Organic Aloe Vera Extract and Organic Olive Oil to help rehydrate and calm dry, depleted skin. BDIH Standard Certified.

Free of:
Parabens, Mineral Oils, Synthetic dyes & fragrances

Our Insight:
Warm a pea size amount between fingertips before applying to skin in a gentle patting motion for best results. During dry winter months, we love to add a drop of our favorite facial oil to this cream for boosted hydration.”

I think the first part really touches on why I love this cream so much, it is such a powerhouse for something so lightweight. Both me and my extremely oily skinned husband can comfortably use this cream, and it performs like such a dream! The ingredients gave me some insight on just why:

Whamisa Organic Flowers Natto Gum Water Cream (50ml, $35)

*Oryza sativa (Rice) Extract, *Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, *Lactobacillus/ Rice Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Aloe Barbadensis Ferment Filtrate, *Camelia Japonica Seed Oil, *Olea Europea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, ***Cetearyl Olivate, ***Sorbitan Olivate, **Natto Gum, *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, *Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract, *Lactobacillus/Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Rhizome/Root Ferment Filtrate, ***Scuterllaria Baicalensis Root Extract, ***Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, ***Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Xanthan gum, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Fragrance (natural)

* Certified Organically Grown, ** Natural Origin, ***Natural Preservative

The first ingredient is Oryza sativa (Rice) Extract. According to some research I’ve found online:
“The extract stimulates the synthesis of filaggrin, a protein involved in the structural integrity of the stratum corneum, therefore reinforcing the barrier function of skin, promoting collagen synthesis and increasing skin suppleness and firmness.

The material is said to increase synthesis of collagen I and collagen III, the major components of the extracellular matrix that support the epidermis. This increase of collagen and synthesis of filaggrin are said to contribute to better skin moisturization”

Whatever the case, oryza sativa extract is also the main ingredient in one of my other favourite products, Hanyul Essential Rice Softner, so to me it’s already proved itself and made me a big fan. You’ll also notice from a glance at the ingredients that there’s a distinct lack of fillers and absolutely no water. Instead they’ve used aloe leaf extract and rice ferment filtrate, another two main ingredients in two more of my favourite products, Missha First Treatment Essence for the rice ferment, and Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence for the aloe leaf juice. Another notable ingredient, natto gum is another great skin care ingredient with some wonderful benefits. Some research has said
“natto gum moisturizes skin by capturing and retaining moisture, by enhancing and extending critical hyaluronic acid functionalities, by increasing the levels of natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), by contributing to maintaining and improving the structural integrity of the skin, by enhancing skin moisture, elasticity and reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and by moderating undesirable immune responses in the skin.”

This cream comes in a nice substantial glass container that’s not exactly travel friendly since it’s breakable, but will certainly look pretty on your counter. It weighs in at 1.7 oz/50ml of product and very thoughtfully is packaged with a plastic spatula so you won’t contaminate your cream by having to dig it out with your fingers. If you are wanting to use this on the go, it could easily be scooped out into a screw top travel container.

The smell is kind of hard to describe. It’s not unpleasant, but it certainly has that natural ferment smell that’s the hallmark of a lot of fermented products out there. Anyone who’s used Hanyul essential Rice softner or emulsion will now what smell I’m talking about. It’s not bad, just, very earthy. The texture is what’s the real star here. It’s so smooth and rich, yet leaves your face absolutely velvety, not greasy. Really, the words “like velvet” has crossed my mind every single time I use this cream. It’s so luxurious feeling and I’m completely addicted to it.

My skin is on the dryer side so I do sometimes end up adding a few drops of oil to this at night, but my oily skinned acne prone husband uses it as is, and he really enjoys it. In fact I’ve got another jar on it’s way to my house since he keeps stealing it! I think this cream can safely be recommended to just about every skin type. Normally when I’m testing a cream I only use it night, I love this stuff so much that I’ve taken to using it during the night and day, so it’s earned a spot on my permanent skincare lineup! That’s really saying something for a beauty blogger!

Five out of five turtles, plus one for impressing the ever loving hell out of me and getting Mr Beauty Wolf on board!
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At a very reasonable $35, you really can’t go wrong with this cream and I highly encourage you to check it out! More good news, Glow Recipe has offered to give you 15% off your order if you order through my link! Get in on this great stuff with this great deal 🙂
http://i.refs.cc/Mxk05ta7

WHAMISA ORGANIC FLOWERS OLIVE LEAF MIST REVIEW

December 8, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

Let me start off this review by saying I haven’t been this excited about a product line since I discovered Benton. Last month I was contacted with the opportunity to review a new product, normally I pass on these types of solicitations but they caught my eye with the words “fermented” and “natural”. As my long time readers and people familiar with my articles might know by now, I swear by ferments and love to go as natural as possible with skincare. First treatment essences, serums, emulsions, masks, anything with ferments usually ends up on my favourites list. Out of all the popular ingredients, my skin reacts best to ferments and absolutely loves them. They impart a glow like nothing else does, fitting, since the name of the company that contacted me was Glow Recipe.

Glow Recipe is an online store co-founded by two women with nearly 20 years combined experience within the US and Korean beauty industry in marketing and product development. Glow Recipe aims to showcase smaller brands that prioritize natural ingredients (Hello, are you speaking directly to me? I think you are, because YES, I’m so here for that!).

The two products sent to me were from a brand I’d never heard of, but have certainly become a fan of since. The brand is Whamisa and the products are Organic Flowers Fermentation Olive Leaf Mist and Organic Flowers Water Cream. I’ll start with the mist review first.

(note, that is about three weeks worth of use in the picture, one spray is enough to cover your entire face)

The Glow Recipe website gives us a rundown of Organic Flowers Fermentation Olive Leaf Mist:
“The Gist:
An organic refreshing mist that instantly hydrates and soothes skin. For all skin types.

How it works:
Whamisa utilizes a natural fermentation process to distill and preserve the potency of selectnatural ingredients. This refreshing mist is formulated with 92.5% organic ingredients, which are naturally fermented to preserve maximum efficacy. This unique mist is water-free – instead it relies on a blend of Olive, Green Tea Extract and Aloe Vera extract to help rehydrate and calm dry, depleted skin. BDIH Standard Certified.

Free of:
Parabens, Silicones, Mineral Oils, Synthetic dyes & fragrances

Our Insight:
This is a must have for Glow Recipe offices, as skin becomes sensitive and dry from air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter. Keep it on your desk and pamper skin throughout the day.”

Once I read that I was impressed, I asked Glow Recipe if they could send me over an ingredient list just to make sure this product was going to be up to snuff, once I received this list I wasn’t just impressed I was blown away!

Whamisa Organic Flowers Olive Leaf Mist (80ml, $38)

*Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Olive, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, *Alcohol, *Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract Olive, *Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, *Saururus Chinensis Leaf/Root Extract, *Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, *Dioscorea Opposita (Wild Yam) Root Extract, *Centella Asiatica Extract, *Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, *Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment, *Lactobacillus/Oat Ferment Extract Filtrate,*Lactobacillus/Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Ferment Filtrate,*Lactobacillus/Nelumbium Speciosum Flower Ferment Filtrate, *Lactobacillus/Dandelion Leaf/Root Extract Ferment Filtrate, Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss) Extract Oakmoss, Cetraria Islandica Extract, **Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, **Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, **Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Natto Gum, ***Propanediol, Xanthan Gum, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil.

Look at all of those amazing natural ingredients! Antioxidants everywhere! Emollients, astringents, loads of organic ingredients with soothing properties! This is why I haven’t been this excited since Benton, I haven’t seen a list this natural and impressive since then. Honestly this both meets their ingredient lists (especially with their first ingredient being Aloe Leaf Juice instead of water!) and exceeds it with this long list of skin loving elements that score an absolute zero on the scale of potential acne triggers or skin irritants!

The mist itself is 80ml , 2.7 oz so not too unwieldily to travel with if you’re so inclined. I love the inclusion of actual olive leafs in the bottle, and the mist nozzle does a nice fine spray. Little details like that are great. It has a very natural pleasant earthy scent that I love. Personally I’m crazy for earthy scents and don’t care much for the cloyingly sweet perfumed smell that’s popular with a lot of other skincare, so I really appreciate this feature. It’s very soothing and hydrating and not at all sticky and doesn’t leave you with a film. It’s perfect to mist yourself with if you’re in an office building or apartment building with dry recycled air like I am. I feel like beef jerky by about mid-winter so something like this is quite welcome. I also love to use it to mist my face right before applying my bb cream if I’m wearing it, or after I’m done with my makeup to set it. My absolutely favourite way to use it is after I’ve let my vitamin C serum and BHA or AHA set for 20 minutes. Once that’s done I’ll mist myself with the Organic Flowers Olive Leaf Mist to prepare my skin for my serum, emulsion, and cream steps. I am now addicted to this mist, it’s my absolute favourite I’ve ever used! I love it! I think this could totally double as a toner, the ingredients are that awesome. It’s on the pricey side but after a look at that ingredient list and it’s lack of fillers and crap that a lot of other brands use to cheapen their products, I totally understand and accept that price. You get what you pay for, and in this case you’re getting a lot.

Definitely a well deserved 5 out of 5 turtles, plus one for being so great!
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If you’re interested, Glow Recipe has offered to give you 15% off your order if you order through my link! Yay for saving money! http://i.refs.cc/Mxk05ta7
Next up I’ll be reviewing the Whamisa Organic Flowers Water Cream!

MY BEAUTY DIARY BIRD’S NEST SHEET MASK REVIEW

December 5, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

Ahh sheet masks, something that I hope by now everyone is using on the regular. Both a lovely excuse for some personal time and relaxation, and the most inexpensive little workhorses of skincare, a sheet mask should be an integral part of your routine. My Beauty Diary sheet masks have gone from cult favourite to just plain ole’ favourite. These are arguably the most well known sheet masks since they’re carried in huge chain stores like Wal Mart in North America, My Beauty Diary has a whole selection of sheet masks available but today I’m reviewing the Bird’s Nest mask.

If you’re familiar with or a part of Chinese culture, you might have had bird’s nest soup, which contains the same kind of bird nest as this product, which is how I’d heard of it. If not here’s a short education via wikipedia:

“Edible bird’s nests are bird nests that are prepared and eaten by humans, particularly prized in Chinese culture due to their rarity and exquisite flavor. They are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans, with an average nest selling for $2,500 per kilogramme for end-consumers in Asia. The nests have been used in Chinese cooking for over 400 years, most often as bird’s nest soup.
The most heavily harvested nests are from the Edible-nest Swiftlet or White-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the Black-nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus). The white nests and the red nests are supposedly rich in nutrients, which are traditionally believed to provide health benefits, such as aiding digestion, raising libido, improving the voice, alleviating asthma, improving focus, and an overall benefit to the immune system.

Most nests are built during the breeding season by the male swiftlet over a period of 35 days. They take the shape of a shallow cup stuck to the cave wall. The nests are composed of interwoven strands of salivary laminae cement. Both nests have high levels of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.”

I’m assuming those high levels of good stuff make it a good bet for skincare. Whatever the case, this mask is billed as being good for

Ultra whitening and hydrating
Hydrating and revitalizing
For all skin types, recommended for dry, rough, and dull skin

I would certainly agree on all points except for the whitening. I’ve never noticed a brightening effect after using this mask, and I’ve used them several times. This scentless mask is very soothing and hydrating, though. Another plus is since it has such an insanely cheap price point, you can indulge in this mask frequently without guilt. It’s a great, affordable, basic sheet mask and you could give them a try with confidence you’re getting a pretty solid little product, and without breaking the bank.

available at ebay here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/My-Beauty-Diary-Mask-10-sheets-1-Box-/221237991608?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item3382cfd8b8

and amazon here with Prime shipping!
http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Diary-Birds-Nest-Maks/dp/B003VWP3VA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433883789&sr=8-2&keywords=MY+BEAUTY+DIARY+BIRD%27S+NEST+SHEET+MASK

3.5 out of 5 turtles!

WHAT THE BEAUTY BLOGGERS USE: FEATURING SHERYLL DONERSON OF GLAMTROTTING AND THE WANDERLUST PROJECT

December 3, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

Continuing with my What The Bloggers Use feature, I reached out to one of my favourites, Sheryll Donerson, the globetrotting, multi-tasking, multi-talented force behind The Wanderlust Project and the new online magazine Glamtrotting. I was so thrilled to discover Sheryll, her writing, photographs, adventures, and reviews. Her updates are always such a pleasure to see. In addition to adding a much needed (and woefully underrepresented) voice to the beauty blogging world as a woman of colour, she’s also one of the most adorable women ever. If you can look at her glowing skin, radiant smile, and insane dimples and not find yourself feeling somehow happier, then I might just need you to preform one of those annoying number tasks to prove you’re not a robot 😉

I caught up with Sheryll just as she was returning from a trip to paradise in Bali (sigh!). I asked her to tell us about her morning skincare routine. It’s always a great feeling to reach out to something through beauty public relations and get a bite at the end!

Sheryll:
“In the morning, I wash my face with the su:m37 rose miracle cleansing stick, then I apply the Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect First serum with a cotton pad. I splash my skin with a little of the Missha First Treatment Essence, then apply the su:m37 watefull gel emulsion. It’s my all time favorite, especially for the hot, humid weather in Vietnam.“

I then asked her to take us through what her evening routine looked like.

Sheryll:
“At night, I remove my makeup with either the su:m37 cleansing balm *holy grail status*, or the sulwhasoo cleansing oil. I then wash my face with the su:m37 charcoal cleansing stick, as my skin is usually pretty grimy and super oily from riding a motorbike around Ho Chi Minh City. I use my Clarisonic every other night. I had cut down to using it only once a week, but with all of the pollution here, I find that I need to exfoliate my skin more often to help it retain its glow and to keep me from breaking out.

After cleansing my face, I apply the Skinfood serum and the Missha essence, and then I apply the su:m37 time energy rebalancing emulsion. I like to use something slightly heavier at night, since I sleep with the air conditioner on and my skin tends to end up dehydrated at night. After my emulsion, I apply the Benton steam cream, and about 3 times a week, I use either the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask, or the su:m37 Overnight mask.“

I also wanted to ask her about what makeup she’s currently into since she always looks like a flawless pixie princess.

Sheryll:
“It’s even more difficult for me to find makeup in Vietnam than it was in Korea, so I’ve been stuck with using a lot of the same products I bought last time I was in the US. The NARS tinted moisturizer is my ultimate holy grail, but I recently bought the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Singapore, and it’s FABULOUS. For a high coverage foundation, it goes on airy and light. It’s waterproof, which is perfect for the sweltering days here. I love NARS blush, my favorites are lovejoy and taj mahal.

My holy grail mascara is the Maybelline Rocket Volum’. It’s amazing. I actually had a blog reader of mine moving from the US to Vietnam ask me if I wanted anything from the States, and I asked her if she could bring me 3 tubes of it. I’ve used a lot of high end mascaras, but nothing holds a candle to this one. It’s not flaky, it makes my lashes look ridiculously long, and it can withstand monsoon like storms in Vietnam. Love.

The best lip balm in the world is the Nuxe Reve De Miel. I keep buying cheap lip balms and they are just awful. Nothing compares.“

After going through her skincare and makeup I asked if she had any other beauty product recommendations for us.

Sheryll:
“The beauty blender is a makeup lover must have. I never understood how a simple sponge was such a talked about item until I bought one for myself. It makes your foundation look airbrushed. Every girl also needs a MAC 217 brush…or 2. I’ve bought 3 myself. It’s the perfect eyeshadow brush.”
(The Beauty Wolf adds: I so agree, I have four 217s and I use them all!)

I then asked her what I ask all the people I interview, what was the catalyst that got her to make the leap from just thinking about starting a blog to actually making it happen?

Sheryll:
“I’ve been blogging for almost 4 years now. It’s crazy to believe! I originally started my blog as a way to write about my “quarterlife crisis”, my struggles with depression and emotional eating, and my yearn to travel. I had a therapist at the time that had me write down 10 things I wanted to do, and travel was the one thing that kept coming showing up in my writings. I went home one day and searched for travel blogs, and my whole world was changed. I found blogs of so many people quitting their jobs and living their lives on their terms, and I was just so inspired, I decided to start my own. I figured that if I started a blog, my feelings would become more of a reality and I’d be forced to live out my dreams, instead of just thinking about it. And now I’ve lived as an expat for 3 years. It’s crazy to think about!“

Wrapping up, I asked Sheryll to let us know where we could find her online and what’s on the horizon.

Sheryll:
“I’ve just started an online magazine called Glamtrotting. It’s for the traveling woman, or the woman who is just obsessed with beauty and wants to learn more about it, outside of the western perspective. We’re launching our second issue this month, and it’s amazing! Our contributors are from all around the globe – the US, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Indonesia, S. Korea, the UK, India… we’re truly a global beauty magazine, and I couldn’t be more proud! We’re always looking for new contributors, so if you’re interested in writing for an kickass magazine, send your pitch to contact@glamtrotting.com.

Of course, I’m still blogging at The Wanderlust Project, bringing more Korean beauty goodness to your computer screens (and awesome travel photos too!)”

Love, love, love it! Here is a young woman living the life a lot of us wish we were, if you’re not already reading Glamtrotting or Wanderlust Project be sure to check them out ASAP and follow Sheryll along on her adventures!

C20 ORIGINAL PURE VITAMIN C20 SERUM BLACK FRIDAY MEGA SALE

November 26, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

Just a quick heads up for those of you that have been on the fence about trying C2o Original Pure Vitamin C20 serum (formerly known as OST Original Pure Vitamin C20 Serum click for review) or even those devoted fans who love it and want to stock up/share the love. Wishtrend is currently having a Black Friday sale and they have my holy grail Vitamin C serum for the cheapest price I’ve ever seen it. They’re offering it for 45% off! Until November 30th, you can snag this citrus scented pore refiner/spot lightener/complexion clearing serum for $13.74 USD, which is insane! If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for any skin type, pick this up and enjoy the thanks and praise you’ll get 😉 Out of all the products I’ve personally recommended to my friends, this is the stuff that everyone raves about the most, hands down. Pick it up here before time runs out! I highly doubt we’ll see prices like this for a long time, if ever!

Sweetening the deal, as always you can get $5 off your first order by signing up for a Wishtrend account with this link and entering the code 022463306 . That would put this serum at a mind blowing $8, I pay more than that for smoothies!

WHAMISA ORGANIC FLOWERS NATTO GUM WATER CREAM REVIEW

WHAMISA ORGANIC FLOWERS OLIVE LEAF MIST REVIEW

MY BEAUTY DIARY BIRD’S NEST SHEET MASK REVIEW

WHAT THE BEAUTY BLOGGERS USE: FEATURING SHERYLL DONERSON OF GLAMTROTTING AND THE WANDERLUST PROJECT

C20 ORIGINAL PURE VITAMIN C20 SERUM BLACK FRIDAY MEGA SALE

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