Review: Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ & Gel

I have used both of these products not because I'm rich, but because I already had the gel formula but my boyfriend, knowing that I love skincare/makeup products, asked a lady at Sephora for recommendations for dry skin. So he ended up getting me a skincare set from Clinque for Dry Skin.

★★★★ out of 5
Price: $26

This formula is definitely thicker than the gel formula and is suited for those with dry skin. I usually only need 1-2 pumps to moisturize my whole face so little goes a long way. Clinque claims that it "helps strengthens skin's own moisture barrier by 54%, so more moisture stays in." After using it for couple of months now, I can attest to that statement. I use this during the colder months and the gel formula for warmer months. It keeps my skin hydrated from the moment I put it on to the moment I wash it off at night. It doesn't leave my face feeling oily/greasy, like many moisturizers formulated for dry skin. I think one thing to watch out for is that Clinque is known to use harsh chemicals, which could irritate the skin. I've, personally, never encountered this problem. I gave it a 4 out of 5 rather than a perfect score because I didn't really like the scent. 

★★★★★ out of 5
Price: $26

This is my go-to moisturizer. It's lightweight and leaves your skin super soft and smooth. Compared to the lotion+ formula, gel is a lot lighter because it's more water-based. I like this better because, weight-wise, I feel like I'm not wearing anything on my face. I leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft and little goes a long way for this too. I just use 2 pumps to cover my entire face. I never made me break out. Bottom line - I love it.

< it basically looks the same but the gel is more translucent >

Review: Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil

★★★★ out of 5

Price: $46

Size: 1.7 fl oz ( 50 mL)

Active Ingredients + Purpose:
Tsubaki Oil - firms, hydrates, and protects against free radical damage (damage from the sun)

Wakame (Japanese Sea Kelp) - replenishes essential proteins and increases collagen production

Rice Bran Oil - reduces dark spots and increases micro-circulation for soft and glowing skin

Their Claim: 
Tsubaki Beauty Oil hydrates and replenishes, leaving skin smoother, softer, and more supple. An excellent source of fatty and omega 3 acids, this soothing oil prevents premature signs of aging by defending the skin against free radical damage. Wakame (Japanese sea kelp) repairs past damage by replenishing protein and helps support natural collagen production. Rice bran oil restores the look of skin for a glowing, gorgeous complexion with its lightweight, non-greasy texture.  After 4 weeks of use, 83% reported an improvement in skin moisturization, 83% reported their skin looked and felt smoother, and 78% reported their skin was more hydrated.

Why did I pick this product?
Since we were approaching dryer seasons, I wanted something that would keep my skin hydrated. However I didn't want something that was too concentrated because I am in my early 20's. Also, I'm not gonna lie... I was quickly drawn to this product because of it's pretty packaging. I love pink. 

Where to buy it?
I bought it at Sephora.

Pros:
- didn't cause breakouts
- my skin soaked up the oil really well therefore it didn't leave me feeling like i had a slab of oil on my face
- sufficiently moisturized my skin whenever I had flakiness

Cons:
- it's expensive
- when i first tried it on, my skin became a little bit flushed. however it went away quickly and it never happened again.

Bottomline:
If you want smooth, well-hydrated skin and you don't mind splurging, go for it. I don't know if it makes a huge enough difference to make me wanna spend another $46 on this product... however, it did what it was supposed to do so I'm satisfied. 

Review: LANCOME Tonique Confort for Dry Skin

★★★★★ out of 5
Price: $25

YES. This is it. 
I love this toner to death. I expected it to be a lot more expensive than it was because it was Lancome. But for $25, it's does its job.


Initially I was a bit hesitant because it was milkier and thicker than most toners. However I decided to buy it because Lancome is known to have good products and I really like pink. I have normal-dry skin so during the colder months, my skin dries out really quickly due to the harsh winds and temperatures. Even after one use, this left my skin as soft as a baby's bottom. No joke. It didn't make me break out or have any redness. 

Review: Freeman Feeling Beautiful Facial Peel-Off Mask (Cucumber)

★★★★ out of 5

Price: $3.99

The mask is very thick and gooey so it's a little difficult to evenly distribute on your face but it's not bad. It takes about 5-10 minutes to completely dry. Once it's dry, you start from the edge and easily peel it off.

I gave it a 4 out of 5 because while I was peeling it off, it felt very refreshing. If you don't like even the slightest pain, you might not like this product because it kind of feels like you're peeling off a thin sticker. It's satisfying to see all the white, dead skin cells on the mask once you're done peeling it off. Also, it leaves your face feeling really soft. I didn't give it a 5 out of 5 because my skin initially turned a bit pinkish/red when I put it on my face. So I was worried that it might be irritating my skin. My skin isn't particularly sensitive so people with sensitive skin might not want to try this out. The description on the back says that it's good for those with normal to combination skin.

< thick & gooey >

< a little bit of redness >

< left: after it dried | right: closed my eyes to show how it wrinkles >

< this is how you peel it off >

< what the mask looks like peeled off >