Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion and Milk Review

After trying out Hada Labo's Retinol Lifting + Firming  Lotion and AHA/ BHA Exfoliating Face Wash (you can my review here), decided to try out their Arbutin Whitening Line this time.

The Arbutin Whitening Line boasts of 3 benefits, deep moisturizing, intensive repair and double whitening. It contains their usual does of super hyaluronic acid (SHA), Vitamin C and Arbutin (plant extract). SHA provides hydration, Vitamin C helps to reduce appearance of dark spots while Arbutin helps to fight dark spots and refine skin texture and tone. Kanebo's White C Line also contains Vitamin C, guess its a 'hot' ingredient in Japanese beauty industry?

Arbutin Whitening Lotion (Top)
Arbutin Whitening Milk (Bottom)

The Arbutin Whitening Lotion has a watery texture, unlike the viscous texture seen in Retinol Lifting + Firming Lotion. It is easily absorbed, but the hydration factor is kinda low. So you might want to use an additional emulsion or cream if you are concern about your skin drying out.

The Arbutin Whitening Milk  has a thick viscous texture which needs some work to pat it into your skin. Just think about the infamous Hada Labo Ads where the girl pats very vigorously =) Does gives a little 'boeing boeing' effect...haha~ Do note that the Arbutin Whitening Milk do not contain SHA (wth? but it feels more hydrating that the Lotion?!).

Does includes all three key ingredients

Only contains Arbutin & Vitamin C

Would recommend the Arbutin Whitening Line to normal to oily skin individuals, who are looking for something to brighten their skin tone. Did not observed much whitening on my face, but i do feel that my skin's clariancy is clearer. Despite the emphasis placed on simultaneous whitening and hydration by the Arbutin Whitening Line, the hydration factor from solely the lotion and milk might be little low for dry skin individuals. So do invest in their Arbutin Whitening Cream instead of Arbutin Whitening Milk for better moisturized skin.

You can get the Arbutin Whitening Lotion and Milk at SGD22.90 each at Watsons, Guardians and NTUC Fairprice. For those on budget, there are sellers on Qoo10 who are selling as low as SGD16.90 (exclu. SGD 1.80 shipping), thats like almost 30% lower than retail!! The Arbutin Whitening Lotion and Milk comes in 170ml and 120ml respectively. Used a fifth of the contents (rough estimate with ruler ^^) in a month, should last around 2-3 months.

Hope this post helps and thanks for reading!!

The FaceShop New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack Review

Used to use The FaceShop's Black Head Ex Nose Clay Mask whenever i'm too lazy to spread Shiseido's Naturgo Mask or White Mask for full face exfoliation. My tube of Black Head Ex Nose Clay Mask was running out and i saw that The FaceShop has another nose clay mask on their shelves!! The New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack~!

Initially, I thought that these two nose clay mask are part of two different exfoliation series that The FaceShop is currently hosting. But, after checking their website, The New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack is the new replacement. 

Black Head Ex Nose Clay Mask swatch

New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack swatch

 Texture-wise, both nose clay mask have white and thick consistency. However, the New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack seemed to spread better, covering pores more efficiently giving much better coverage and grip on black heads. Less open pores can be seen on the New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack compared to its predecessor. Other than that, the New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack contains pore clear agent as well as natural mineral to provide smooth skin after usage.

In terms of performance, i felt that both nose clay mask were pretty much the same. Pity that i did not manage to capture a picture of the Black Head Ex Nose Clay Mask with impurities. The New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack does removes a lot of black heads and white heads!! 

 The removal process does pack some punch, so do be prepared, probably a 6.5/ 7 on the scale of 10. The New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack comes in a small tube of 1.76 oz (approx 52ml), which will probably run out fast since thick application of the nose clay is required for better black head removal. Price-wise, i bought the New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black Head Clay Nose Pack at SGD 5.90 during a Qoo10 promotion back then. Now, prices have risen to SGD 6.9-7.2 excluding shipping. You guys can also check out prices at local The FaceShop retail stores if you like to see the product for yourself =).

The New Zealand Volcanic Clay Black head Clay Nose Pack does leave my skin feeling superbly smooth, but it comes in such small volume and gets used up really quickly. I would rather invest in peel-mask that is applicable to the whole face rather than just the nose. Would recommend this nose clay mask to individuals with oily T-zone.

Hope this post helps and thanks for reading!!

  

ElishaCoy Always Nuddy 24 BB cream Review

After i did a review on ElishaCoy Always Triple BB cream last year, decided to do a review on ElishaCoy Always Nuddy 24 BB cream this time round..as promised =)... When i first lay eyes on this BB cream. what caught my attention was the pastel pink and gold printing!! Such girly appeal~

Like all other ElishaCoy products, their ingredient list only includes organic and high quality herb extract.
The Always Nuddy 24 BB cream contains portulas oleracea, allantonin & chamomile to soothe troubled skin. Other than caring for troubled skin, it also provides pore care and sebum balancing... Trouble skin + pore care + sebum balancing? So i guess the main consumer group of  Always Nuddy BB 24 BB cream are teenagers..?

The Always Nuddy BB 24 BB cream is kind of like a tinted moisturizer? Unlike its much more multi-functional counterpart (Always Triple BB cream). As indicated by its name 'Nuddy', this BB cream is meant for the light make-up look. I needed at least 2 layers along with concealer for some coverage, if coverage is what your are looking for, then this BB cream is definitely not it. Despite its sheer coverage, even with 2 layers on....the Always Nuddy 24 BB cream is really light-weighted on the skin and it has a pretty smooth skin finish!! The staying power of this BB cream is not as strong compared to Always Triple BB cream, but i could go without touch-up for 3 or 4 hours max. From my past experience from Always Triple BB cream, i was expecting below average oil control but i was pleasantly surprised this time. Like the Always Triple BB cream, the Always Nuddy 24 BB cream does gives off a pinkish tinge. The texture is fluid and easily bendable.

The scent was a little unpleasant  like.....paint or something? Well, the smell does fade quickly, no biggie...just don't pay too much attention to it =) Other than the scent, do note that the Always Nuddy 24 BB cream do not have SPF!! You will need additional sunblock if you are going under or avoiding the sun.

The lack of SPF was kind of a downer but I do appreciate how light this BB cream is on my skin and the decent oil control, but i'll probably use it when i go to the nearby mall or too lazy/ late to do my make-up. I would recommend the Always Nuddy 24 BB cream to students or oily-skinned individuals. You can also try this BB cream if you are looking for something similar to tinted moisturizer......or something to apply on during your 'no make-up' days without looking too horrific...if you know what i mean...haha...

Price-wise, ElishaCoy's BB creams do not come cheap at retail stores like BHG or Isetean, Always Nuddy 24 BB cream probably retail around 30+ SGD? On a budget? Fret not!!  You can get full volume (50ml) of Always Nuddy 24 BB cream at Qoo10 at only 19SGD++!!

Thanks for reading and hope this post helps!!