For context, I’ve been procrastinating on writing my reviews and it’s been nearly a year cuz I don’t think it’ll do the products justice. But alas, here it is. I’m so bad with descriptions, but I’ll try my best to answer any questions!
Skin Type: oily, not acne-prone, hormonal acne
Climate: humid, tropical, warm year-round, mild winters
Innisfree Rebalancing 5.5 Cleanser: if you’ve tried the Roundlab Dokdo Cleanser, it has that same thick, soft white pearlescent texture, but unlike the Dokdo, this cleanser did not leave my skin feeling tight and dry afterwards; 4/5 RP
Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Enzyme Cleansing Foam: used in the shower/days I needed something calmer and light; foams up easily, skin felt clean, smooth, and soft after use 3.5/5 WRP
Holika Holika Gold Kiwi Brightening Serum: simple dropper; light serum; dries fast w/out sticky feeling; didn’t see much brightening even with consistent use 2/5 WNRP
YADAH Green Tangerine Vita Tone-up Pad: bought it b/c of clearance lol; good refreshing toner pad; used as a face mask and wipe off toner 3/5 WNRP
farmstay Ceramide Wrinkle Care Eye Serum: gel-like texture; I really enjoyed the rollerball for the cooling feel; hydrating, but wasn’t as moisturizing as other eye creams I’ve used (below) 1/5 WNRP
AHC Ageless Real Eye Cream for Face: used around eyes, forehead, and smile lines; thick, creamy, not tacky 4/5 WRP
AHC Supreme Real Eye Cream for Face: “ “ maybe more richer(?) in texture; more moisturizing feel 4.5/5 WRP
Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Moisturizer: Loved it for when my oily skin was acting UP; quick dry; gel-like, not sticky or tacky after application; HG for oily slick days 5/5 WRP
Mamonde Floral Moisture Cream: bought a travel/sample set and this came with it; I’m notaa rose floral scent fan, so this was meh for me. It did what it needed to do as a cream; mid 1/5 WNRP
Laneige Water Bank Hydro Cream EX: classic Laneige scent which I didn’t mind iykyk; did not feel as moisturizing as I thought it would be?; light gel/cream texture; tacky feeling after drying; not for me 3/5 WNRP
Etude (x Y Artist Project w/ CURVESIGN) Soon Jung 5-Panthensoside Cica Balm: okay, so this and the s. nature were my warriors in healing my skin barrier if I decided to FAFO cuz I clearly am not loyal to any brand and try everything lol. Nice texture; vegan if that’s importaant to you; calmed my skin; b/c it’s a little on the thicker side (to me), I only used in P.M. 5/5 WRP
S. Nature Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream: above commentˆ; amazing moisturizer; used A.M. and P.M.; under makeup—didn’t pill; slight shine on me, but I get oily after an hour of anything Maybe HG? 5/5 RP
Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA ++++: lightweight, slightly scented and contains alcohol, but I like that b/c it stops some of my oils; NO WHITECAST; used on face and body; I mainly used it for outdoor and water activities. I guess(?) it’s a HG cuz I’ve bought the gel, milk, and a peony scented version lol, but I still haven’t found my “THAT’S THE ONE, FOREVER” type of sunscreen 5/5 RP
Roundlab Birch Moisturizing Suncream SPF50+ PA++++: Shame me and judge me all you want…this is the opposite of a HG for me; makes my skin feel superrr oily (think frying pan after you’ve fried an egg); CCs galore on my face after 30+ min.; body use is fine though; slight whitecast, but after short waittime it fades away. I know it’s a cult fav. for many~ so 3/5 cuz YMMV; I’ve repurchased and gifted this many times, but I WNRP for myself
Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm: balmy, soft texture; burned my eyes; lightly scented; film feeling leftover so I always haad to double cleanse afterwards. Again, HG for lots, so 3/5 but I WNRP
belif Aqua bomb jelly cleanser: gel texture—like the name says; lady’s mantle scent is yummm (to me); left my skin feeling smooth and dry, but not tight. I also bought a travel size 4/5 RP
VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot 100: minimal prickly feeling, I see some difference in skin texture being more smooth (depending on what I layer on top of it); currently using the 300 4/5 RP
belif Aqua bomb hydrating body moisturizer: slight tacky gel-like feeling, but dries down normal within minutes; same lovely scent and blue tint color 3/5 WRP only for the fragrance, but I prefer a thicker hydrating lotion
Scinic (SI-nik, not SEE-nik, like science) Propolis Ampoule 95: initally bought this to compare the BoJ glow proplis blah blaah to compare cuz that one did nothing for my skin. However, this was a simple, moisurizing amoule; used it when I needed a glow boost A.M. and P.M.; little tacky, but dry down was fine after a couple of minutes 3.5/5 WRP
Dr. G Red Blemish Clear Soothing Cream: Meh. I was hoping this would replace the Teatreement Moisturizer cuz it’s bigger and less expensive (often has promos/sales), but the gel texture didn’t hold a candle to it. I know they have diff. ingredients, so that may also be why I think it’s mid. It did soothe my skin, but not as the other two mentioned. It also left my skin feeling sticky smooth overnight. If you’ve slept in the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, that kind of feeling if you can relate. 3/5 WNRP
Rohto Melty Cream Lip Rich Honey: HG LIP BALM. Slight honey scent; ultra smooth and not sticky texture; wears well over lip products, but under lip products it doesn’t let whatever formula stay on top. Still a 5/5 RP
Rohto Melty Cream Lip Matcha: bought it cuz I’m a sucker for anything apple, honey, or matcha flavored/scented. Initally my lips had that itchy feeling when I used it a few times. No burning or redness, but something in the ingredients irritated my lips for sure. I still used it sparingly til my lips weren’t affected by whatever it is. 2/5 for initial irritation, 4/5 matcha scent but WNRP
DEWYTREE Urban Shade Anti-Pollution Sun SPF50+ PA++++: Great sunscreen; pink tone up effect BUT! not as whitecasty as others; dry down within minutes, but gives a bright glow effect. Doesn’t make me greasy or pill under makeup 4/5 WRP
*“ ” Sunstick: I know I don’t have a HG sunscreen, but THIS is my HG sunstick! Doesn’t cause pilling and when reapplying over make causes the smallest amount of ‘damage’ to the face; your makeup is still in tact! You don’t see that gross makeup or dirt residue after looking at your sunstick—iykyk. 5/5 WRP
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops: I know it’s not considered AB, but…the watermelom scent is sooo good. I used this A.M. and P.M.; didn’t cause pilling; minimum tackiness. Glowy effect, not an oil slick 4/5 WRP
by rekluusive