Review: BeautyBlender PRO Black

I finally got one, I know I am super late but I used mostly brushes up until now.  I purchased the BeautyBlender PRO Double Blenders Set from Sephora. I found out the only difference between the Pro and and original beauty blender is the color. They now have a Pure Version (white) available which is dye-free.

It's $20 a sponge which I thought was a bit pricey for a make up sponge, You save a little by buying the set of 2.  There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there, which is one reason I decided to buy the beautyblender. I wanted to use it as a baseline to review the other brands and sponges.

When I first got it , I didn't realize that it doubles in size when you run it under water. I thought I had accidentally purchased travel sized versions until I read the directions lol. Anyway make sure you read the instructions!

Here you can see the size difference after the beautyblender is damp and fully saturated

What's good about it?

It's Latex-free, Non-allergenic, Odor-free

So it should be great for sensitive skin

The Egg-like , Tear drop Shape is convenient for application

The Pointed end can reach the nooks and crannies of your face and is great for spot application.

The BeautyBlender can also be used with Loose-Powders and Mineral Make up

I definitely don't regret getting  it, I love the quality and I use it almost everyday.

It makes applying liquid foundation or BB Cream  much faster for me. I really try to avoid using my hands or fingers when applying make-up and the beautyblender makes this much easier for me. I will be trying out other Make-up Sponges out there and see how they compare.

Side note: I recently converted to Google+ i'm not sure exactly how it works yet haha

Skin79 Super+ Triple Functions BB Cream (Pink) Updated Review & Swatch

It's time for an updated look at the SKIN79 Triple Functions Beblesh Balm BB Cream (pink). It has since improved since my last review so let's take another look!

Skin Background, I got a bit tanned-ish due to all my recent garden projects. I just started a hydroponics garden as well as a mini garden with some veggies (my way of starting to eat healthier) but more on that later..

any way current foundation is Urban Decay Naked Foundation in 4.0

My Arms and Hand is a bit lighter than my face.

Here is some info before the review...

What is BB Cream?

Beauty Balm? Blemish Balm?

I'm sure most of everybody and their mama knows what a BB Cream is by now, but once a upon a time it was Asia's little secret. For those who haven't discovered BB Cream yet.. it is basically make-up and skincare all in one. It provides coverage, protection from the sun, and helps improve your skin as you wear it. Magical isn't it? 

Each one has special ingredients and function for your skin so go out there and discover the BB Cream for you!

What's New about the Skin79 Triple Function BB Cream?

Upgraded Ingredients: 

Tangerine Oil for Lively Skin

OSMOPUR (Sunflower, Rice Bran, Ivy, and Green Tea) Protects the Skin

Ceramide 3  Provides Moisture to the Skin

Phyto-Complex Provides Nutrition for Skin

Still Contains:

Arbutin to help Whiten Skin

Adenosine for Wrinkle improvement

What Are the Functions of Skin79 Triple Functions BB Cream?

Whitening, UV A and B Protection SPF25 PA++, Wrinkle Improvment

Arbutin extracted from the bearberry plant (safer than Hydroquinone) Helps brighten skin and even skin tone.

UVA and UVB Protection, this is very important, I cannot stress sun protection enough, maybe it's because I'm from a tropical place (aloha!) but the sun can do irreversible damage to our skin as well as speed up aging. I know sometimes I get lazy and forget sunblock plus sunblock smell is usually bleh. 

I really love the fact that my skin is protected when I have my BB Cream on.

Wrinkle Improvement, now this doesn't mean that BB Cream is only for grandmas. It is more of a prevention, prevention is the best cure. It's recommended that people start using anti-aging in their 20's or even earlier. It's easier to preserve youth than to turn back time!

Skin79 BB Cream also Functions as both make-up base and foundation, lets not forget the sebum-control properties.

Why only one shade?

It is from Korea and usually matches many skin tones there.

I understand that some people may find it too light on them, but there is a solution.

Tip 1: Use it as a base, and then apply your preferred foundation over it.

Tip 2: Mix it with a darker foundation then apply

On to my Swatches and Review:

Here is the Skin79 BB Cream on my Arm, I chose a spot with a scar I got from cooking  >.<

The Scar actually appears darker in person. The BB Cream does a well-enough job of blending it in.

I'd say the coverage is light to medium but you could always  build it up or put concealer and foundation over it, if you really need more coverage

Here it is on my hand with flash, as you can see it subtly blends and evens the skin-tone, the green veins are less visible.

The Cream looks grayish / neutral but don't be alarmed it does well with blending in the skin, and if it's too light for you follow the tips above.

It feels very light ,I actually put this on half of my face and after a while I forgot it was on, but that is without foundation or anything else just the BB Cream.

Recommended:

I recommend this for daily use, it's very light on its own and provides skin protection as well as helps improve skin over time.

You can still use it as a make-up base for nights out or big events but I would highly recommend this for everyday use instead. It's made for daytime , casual, easy light make-up and it does well at that.

Please be careful when buying this online as there are a lot of fakes of this product out there.

you can read my other post on How to spot a Fake and Authenticate your Skin79 BB Cream

Pay attention to the item price and location

Also be careful when buying locally, I saw one of these for sale at a local korean store for $50-$60.

I understand they probably need to pay for taxes and shipping, but that's a bit steep for this particular BB cream which sells for about $24.00 to $27.00 USD in Korea or $30 USD on their official american site.

Here is a good online store to purchase it from http://dolcepanda.storenvy.com/

Thank You for Reading 

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Skin79 Pink BB Cream Fake or Real: How to authenticate 2013

As you may know, there are a bunch of skin79 bb cream fakes being sold out there, It's never a good feeling to get duped so hopefully this will help better arm you in your online shopping adventures.

I've noticed people freaking out, thinking they got a fake product just because there was no authenticity sticker on their BB cream. Well, skin79 continually changes the product packaging to help prevent counterfeiting. As of January 2013 they have removed the authenticity label as well as several little changes to help you differentiate real from fake.

Here are some photos of an authentic skin79 Pink Triple Functions BB cream bought recently , straight from South Korea:

Side by side comparison with an old very used bottle from 2010

The new bottle is shorter

Both are Authentic

Description and directions available in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean printed on the inside.

Bottom of the box shows manufactured date and then expiration date

Manufactured on August 19, 2013

Expires: February 18, 2016

The top has a big round button and no seal.

Bottom of the bottle also shows manufactured date and then expiration date

Manufactured on August 19, 2013

Expires: February 18, 2016

Make sure the bottle and box match!

So if your Skin79 Pink Triple Functions BB Cream does not have an authenticity label please do  not panic as they have removed it. If yours has a label and was manufactured after January 2013 it most likely is a fake!

If you want to thoroughly check your BB Cream

Here is a more detailed history of the package changes for the skin79 Pink Triple Functions BB Cream from the official site:

This does not only apply to Skin79's Pink BB Cream but to several other products if you would like to check Skin79 Gold BB Cream or Beblesh Pact please check their notice on the Official Site Check it Out

Now you can check your BB Cream and find comfort in the fact that you have the real deal.
Reap all the happy BB Cream Goodness and benefits!

Not only do they change the packaging they also continually improve the product so a review of the new Skin79 Pink BB Cream will be coming soon.

Thank you 
XOXO Mari

VISS IPL Advanced Hair Removal Review and Results with photos

  I finally spent enough time with my VISS IPL Advanced (silver) System to review it. I purchased the skin rejuvenation lamp with it which came with one tube of pre-treatment conductive gel.

So here is what came in the box:

VISS IPL Silver Advanced System

What's in the box? 

Hair Removal Disposable Lamp Cartridge (mirror)

Skin Rejuvenation Disposable Lamp Cartridge (Green Light)

The box included:

• The VISS IPL Silver System

• Advanced IPL Hair Removal Disposable Lamp Cartridge (mirror)

• Protective Glasses

• Skin Rejuvenation Disposable Lamp Cartridge (Green Light)

• Skin Rejuvenation Pre-Treatment Conductive Gel

• Instructions

So on to my Review and Results...

I followed their recommended use. I did it consistently for 3 weeks about 3 times a week on one arm. Then I stopped and let it grow out for 3 months to see if it worked and compared both arms. Here are some photos of the results after I stopped the treatment for 3 months (excuse the hairiness lol) :

Arms Side by Side

No IPL treatments

3 months after 9 treatments

Results vary with each skin/hair type.

I stopped using it after the 3 months to see if the hair would grow back.

The hair grew back after about 6 months without treatment, although a bit sparser.

SKINFOOD Honey Red Orange Mask Review

I got this a while back, it is an exfoliating scrub from Skinfood. When it first came out there were (i think) 6 types, each one featured key ingredients from around the world that are beneficial to the skin. There was the Acai Berry Mask, Acorn Jelly Mask, Ginseng Mask, Olive Mask, Chocolate Mask, & Honey Red Orange Mask. For some reason I can't find the chocolate mask on the skinfood site anymore but i bought that one too so I will review it soon too.

The packaging is too pretty and is top quality, like most skinfood products it is packaged to look like food. It's contained in a glass jar (see pics) which could pass as jam or honey. I know it looks & smells like it's good enough to eat but try not to.  Although I did get some on my lips accidentally and it had a sweet taste to it, don't eat it, and keep out of reach from children or unsuspecting people that might think it's edible.

VISS IPL Hair Removal & Skin Rejuvenation

UPDATE: I finally got the VISS and posted my review HERE

Permanent hair removal has always interested me, when I was 11... I shaved my arms O.O  I have no idea why I thought that was a good idea. Anyway the hair grew back with a vengeance and I have been thinking of ways to get it rid of it ever since! I have been thinking of getting professional electrolysis treatment, but it is costly and you need multiple treatments.  

A few years back I discovered at home IPL machines.  VISS IPL definitely caught my eye , I did my research and there has been  mixed reviews (mostly good). It wasn't enough to convince me to take the plunge since its about $600.


Then recently they came out with the
Advanced version which is 2x stronger, and now I am really tempted to get it.  It works best on light skin and dark hair. Visit the website to see if you are a candidate to use it.

Another reason VISS caught my eye is that they have a skin rejuvenation lamp cartridge. It is supposed to remove blemishes and encourage collagen production.

I am hoping to get it soon, I mean who doesn't want smooth hairless legs! I will definitely post reviews and follow ups once I get it!!




Heres a link to the website:VISS IPL Advanced