[Review] Juju Aquamoist Vitamin C Toner & Moisturiser

Hello everyone, I know it's been a while since my last review ^_^" I've just been super busy, but I do assure you guys that I have not forgotten this blog. As per requested, in my last "Sasa Haul" I had promised to review the products purchased after testing them out. After using the Juju Aquamoist Vitamin C Toner & Moisturiser in my skin care routine for the past 4-5 months, I can safely say that I have a pretty good gist of how it's affected my skin, and whether or not it lives up to all the "hype". 

I originally purchased it after finishing up my Aloe Vera Toner & Moisturiser, which was also from Juju Aquamoist. I absolutely love Juju Aquamoist's skin care products, and their Aloe Vera line had been a definite HG. My curiosity was piqued after hearing the rave reviews on the Vitamin C Skin Care line. So of course, I just had to try it out for myself. 

First Impression: When I first opened these babies up, the first thing that I noticed was the sleek packaging. It just was of so much higher quality than the Aloe Vera line (since the toner bottle was made of flimsy plastic and felt quite cheap). I think they really stepped up the packaging for this one not only because of the higher price range, but for products that claim to have "Vitamin C" - its 'enrichening' properties can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. 

I did not like the cap for the toner bottle however. I really couldn't control the amount of product I was putting onto my cotton pad, unlike the Juju Aquamoist Aloe Vera Toner. After placing it onto my skin, I felt that the consistency was definitely a lot heavier on the skin than the Aloe Vera Toner. The next day, I noticed my skin feeling so much smoother than the night before. By the second month of using it, my skin was visibly more even and brighter. 

I do have to warn you guys that because it is a Vitamin C product, it does contain citric acid. This means it has whitening properties. For people who have more sensitive skin, or if you just don't like the whole whitening idea in general - then steer clear of these two products. As far as its claims of "whitening" goes, then I did notice a subtle difference in my skin.

It definitely became a shade lighter after consistent use (which I not at all disliked, since I suit pale/fair skin). Overall, then I give the Juju Aquamoist Vitamin C Toner a thumbs up :) 

On the other hand, then I was not so impressed with the Juju Aquamoist Vitamin C Moisturiser from the very moment I opened it. For a gel formula moisturiser, it was incredibly liquidy - almost like water, and not at all in a pleasant way. I ended up spilling half of the contents the moment I opened it, since I hadn't expected it to be so watery. 

Moisturise-wise, then I've definitely used better for my normal-dry skin type. Whilst it does hydrate my skin fairly well, it pales in comparison to the Juju Aquamoist Aloe Vera Moisturiser.

What I Like:

+ The toner helped even out my skin, and after using it for 2 months + my skin is visibly smoother and brighter. 

+ The toner definitely allowed my moisturiser to absorb so much better. 

+ The sleek packaging is a great plus. 

+ True to its word, the products really do whiten your skin after using them over a period of time. For me, then this is a great plus (since I like having pale/fair skin). But for those who do not like whitening - then these two products really won't be the ones for you. 

What I Dislike:

+ The consistency of the toner felt a little too thick for my liking, whilst the moisturiser was just far too watery. 

+ Moisturise-wise, then the moisturiser didn't do too bad. Not bad, but not great either. This would be great for oily/combination skin, but not so much for dry skin. 

Overall Opinion: I'm honestly quite "in-between" or "eh" with my thoughts on this skin care line. They're not bad products per say, but they definitely didn't live up to the original hype that I had been hearing about all this time. If I had to choose between the Juju Aquamoist Aloe Vera line and this one, I would without a doubt choose the Aloe Vera. 

I guess in the end it all came down to the Aloe Vera suiting my skin type more so than the Vitamin C line, for I have normal/dry skin. Not only that, but another additional bonus is that the Aloe Vera line is almost half the price of the Juju Aquamoist Vitamin C line. 

Nonetheless, if you have oily/combination skin and you're looking for something to whiten your skin - I would definitely recommend giving the toner a shot. Whilst the moisturiser did disappoint me, the toner did everything it claimed to do. It really is a great toner, and the only downside was the rather heavy/sticky feeling it left my skin with afterwards. 

Would I Repurchase? No, after finishing these two up I'll most likely repurchase my Juju Aquamoist Aloe Vera Toner & Moisturiser :) 

Rating: ★★★

[Haul 2#] Sasa & Beautybay.com!

Hello everyone, it has been a while since my last haul post. I don't actually tend to buy make up or cosmetics all that often, so these hauls will be at most, once every month or so. I also do have a tendency to lean towards more skin care based products, which is why you'll be seeing them more often ^_^" Without further ado, let's begin with the purchases!

From Left to Right: Juju Aquamoist Foaming Cleanser, My Beauty Diary Japanese Cherry Blossom Sheet Masks (10 Pack).

Juju Aquamoist Foaming Cleanser: I absolutely love this facial cleanser guys, and this is my second repurchase of it. It is perfect for my dry skin, but in all honesty I think it'd be great for all skin types. It's so amazingly gentle, and always leaves my skin looking so much more hydrated and refreshed. I like the pump and foam formula since it's so easy to use and hygienic. It is perfect for an everyday cleanser since it does not leave the skin feeling stripped of it's natural oils. Not to mention the fact that it very affordable, and lasts a long time. A definite must in my skin care routine!

My Beauty Diary Cherry Blossom Sheet Mask: My experience with My Beauty Diary sheet masks so far have been pretty good, and this is my second sheet mask pack that I've purchased from them. The first was the Strawberry Sheet Mask, which I really liked. The packaging of this was so pretty, and I'm an absolute sucker for cherry blossoms - so of course, I had to try it out next. I will let you guys know what my thoughts on it are!

From Left to Right: Suisse Programme Free Sample, Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Peeling Gel (120mL), Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Repair Pack (80mL), Laneige Water Sleeping Pack (80mL), Dolly Wink Pencil Sharpener.

If you guys can't tell, then I'm quite a fan/lover of Laneige skin care products! I have yet to have a bad experience with any of them, and I do have to say that I have a lot of favourite skin care products from this brand.

Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Peeling Gel: I have used this once so far, and I do have to say that I really like it. It's an exfoliator, but a lot more gentle than the ones I've used before (St. Ives Apricot Scrub). The micro beads are very small and fine, and is great for people with sensitive skin. It does not feel abrasive whatsoever, in comparison to the St. Ives one, which can be quite irritating on the skin at times. Not to mention the fact that it smells great!

Laneige Multiberry Yoghurt Repair Pack: I bought this together with the Peeling Gel, since they're suppose to work in conjunction with one another. After exfoliating/cleansing, I apply a thin layer of this stuff, and leave it on for around 20-30mins. I noticed that my skin was noticeably brighter and smoother. Definitely a great product, when used together with the Peeling Gel!

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack: I've already done a review of this product, which I will link here. I won't ramble on about how amazing it is, since I already have in a previous post :) I actually purchased this one for my mum to try, so it sadly wasn't for me this time round ^_^"

Dolly Wink Pencil Sharpener: I was quite intrigued by this sharpener, so I decided to purchase it. It claims to give you a "perfect point" and the packaging was just oh so cute, I simply couldn't resist. It has a little peep hole at the top which allows you to see how much of your eyeliner you have sharpened. I do have to say I'm not impressed so far, as my Dolly Wink Pencil Liner broke twice when using this. I don't want to say this is a bad product, so I'll continue using it and see how that goes.

From Left to Right: Urban Decay Primer Potion (Full Size), Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette.

Oh, the famous and highly raved about Urban Decay products. I live in Australia, so these were quite difficult to get a hold of. After a friend's suggestion, I decided to give beautybay.com a whirl. I do have to say that the site isn't half bad, since it does allow free shipping worldwide. The prices are decent, and the postage of the product is quite fast. However, it took me literally a month to receive my package, but I can't complain since it was free shipping after all.

The package it came in was neatly sealed, which I liked. I have been wanting to try the Urban Decay Primer Potion since forever, because I have monolids and every single eyeliner smudges on me - even the most raved about ones! We shall see if it lives up to its reputation, hm? I had trouble deciding between the Naked Palette and the Naked 2 Palette since they're both so similar and have great reviews.

I eventually decided on the Naked 2 since the colours are more subtle and toned down. I don't think I suit heavier eye-shadow, or smoky eyes since it looks as though I just got punched haha. Or maybe it's just me?

But yeah, that brings us to the end of my July Haul :) :)  Please let me know if you guys like reading these, or would like to see more hauls in future. I will be reviewing all of these products individually in future, so be on the look out for them! 

[Review] Lioele Waterdrop BB Cream

If you guys know me, then you'll know that I absolutely love BB Creams! In all honesty, I'm a little addicted to collecting them and comparing the range. I do have to say that I like the Asian BB Creams much more than the western ones, since they're just so much better (in my opinion) and are more suitable to my skin (I'm Asian haha). Now you're probably wondering why I like them so much, am I right?

For me, a BB Cream is everything I really need for my face make up. I wouldn't say that I have perfect skin, but for as long as I've remembered, my skin has always been pretty good to me. I'm hardly prone to break outs, and have had no acne scars whatsoever. If I do, it's usually one or two small pimples here and there. I don't like to use foundation on a daily basis because it's just unnecessary coverage that I don't need.

Also, I don't like the feel of it on my face for 6+ hours a day. It just feels heavy, and suffocating for my skin. A BB Cream on the other hand, is basically a tinted moisturiser with loads of different other skin benefits depending on what brand, or type of BB Cream you choose. The only downside of BB Creams is the lack of shades (most come only in two, or one colour) and more often than not, they're too ashy, grey or light for most skin types.

Most BB Creams also tend to oxidise so the colour you first apply is not the colour it will be throughout the day. Usually after 10 minutes or so, it will adjust to your skin colour - but sometimes, it can be a little off. I was intrigued by the Lioele Waterdrop BB Cream as I had never tried anything from the Lioele brand before, and when I look for BB Creams, moisture is a huge key factor for me (I have normal/dry skin). I do have to say I'm very impressed, and I have been loving it so far.

Claims to be "moisturising, illuminating, and cool". It supposedly also adheres (adjusts) to your skin colour and leaves water drops on application.

First Impression: The first thing that stood out to me about this BB Cream was that it was super moisturising. I have dry skin, and I always have to apply moisturiser before any face make up. It did not leave my face feeling dry or patchy throughout the day whatsoever, which was a huge surprise for me. Although it only comes in one shade, the colour pay off wasn't too bad at all. When it oxidises, it's not quite as grey or as dull as other BB Creams.

I know for sure that for the Skin79 Super Beblesh Balms (The Hot Pink & The Gold Caviar) they tend to be quite grey. Not for this Liole one though, since it oxidises to quite a nice skin like colour. It left my skin looking so dewy and radiant, which I really liked. The coverage is very light, which is perfect for me since it's great for a "go-to everyday product". When wearing this, my skin can actually breathe and I often tend to forget I'm wearing anything on my face at all.

I do have to say that because the coverage is very sheer/light, for those who need heavier coverage for blemishes or dark spots - it will not cover them whatsoever. This product is more so for those who just want to even out their skin-tone, and give it that little "extra boost".

I have to say that I didn't really notice the "water drop" effect it had on my skin, although I'm assuming that's because I have pretty dry skin.

How to use it, and the texture it leaves on the skin. 

What I Like:

+ Very light coverage, great for everyday use. My skin can really breathe when using this product, and it's great for those who just want to even out their skin tone and give it a little boost. It's basically like a tinted moisturiser, but so much more amazing.

+ Leaves the skin looking very dewy, healthy and luminous. It gives me that "radiant glow" which I really like.

+ Very moisturising, perfect for normal/dry skin.

+ It contains SPF 27 ++ so you don't have to worry as much about applying sunscreen in the summer. It's great for both the summer and winter months, as in summer it gives you very light coverage and is super hydrating for the winter time.

+ It blends like a dream. It gives the illusion that you aren't even wearing make up at all.

+ When it oxidises, it doesn't give that kind of greyish tinge that most BB Creams do. It oxidises to a more skin like colour, and complements my skin tone quite well.


What I Dislike:

+ There is only one shade available, so its a hit or miss whether or not it'll work with your skin colour.

+ Light coverage can be a good or bad thing, depending on what you're looking for. This gives little to no coverage at all, so if you're looking for something which can cover any old acne scars, blemishes or dark spots - this product really won't work out for you.

+ For oily or combination skin, you may have to set this with powder or blot throughout the day. I have dry skin, so it gives me that "dewy effect" which I like. Over shiny-ness though, can make the skin look oily instead of glowy. If you're looking for a matte finish, then this product really won't be the one for you ^_^"


Overall Opinion: I am in love with this product, and it does everything it says it's suppose to do. It gives me everything I look for in a BB Cream, with of course added bonuses. I absolutely recommend this for everyone who has normal/dry skin, or if you're just looking for a product that will give a little boost to your skin. It is definitely a great product for everyday use, since it feels as though I'm wearing little to nothing at all on my skin.

I'm now a lot more interested in other Lioele products, and will mostly likely purchase some more in the future. I do have to say that this BB Cream is definitely not something for everyone. Those looking for higher coverage BB Creams, or have oily/combination skin, then this product is either a hit or miss. It's all up to you to try it out.

For me, then this is a great product, and a definite HG. It's a staple for me everyday, and it's one of those products I always tend to reach for. Love, love, love!

Would I Repurchase? That goes without question. Yes!

Rating: ★★★★★

[Review] L'Oréal Paris Hydrafresh Anti-Shine Icy Gel

I don't usually purchase products by L'Oréal, since they are more so aimed at older women and more mature skin. This moisturiser intrigued me though, since it claims to not only be hydrating on the skin, but completely matifies it as well. This really stood out to me, since I do like to apply moisturiser to my face before putting on BB Cream/Foundation. It sounded especially useful for in the summer time, since I do have a tendency to have a shiny/oily t-zone during the hotter seasons. 

On a daily basis, then I like to use the Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion since it is super moisturising on my normal-dry skin. The only con is that it leaves my skin feeling oily/a little shiny if I don't apply anything over it. Overall, then the L'Oréal Hydrafresh was a so-so product. 

First Impression: When I first opened the packaging, I thought it was pretty standard for a moisturiser (the typical glass jar). It's not very hygienic since you have to constantly dip your fingers inside, but it didn't bother me too much since I don't usually break out (or hardly ever). The moisturiser was a surprising blue/green colour, and reminded me of a swimming pool. The gel formula felt quite light weight, and non-sticky. 

It did have a strong scent which I didn't find particularly pleasant. After applying it to my skin, in literally 10 seconds the product had completely absorbed into my skin. I was pretty amazed, since it felt as  though I had put nothing at all on my skin whatsoever. I did notice that the moisturiser leaves a somewhat burning sensation on the face once you've applied it. 

Moisturise wise, then it was "so-so". It wasn't the greatest, but I suppose that's only because I have normal/dry skin. What I didn't like was if I were to rub my face throughout the day, the moisturiser would come off in flaky clumps. I've never experienced this in a moisturiser before, since I usually use cream based formulas. I'm not entirely sure if this is universal for all gel based moisturisers, so please let me know in the comment section below. 

I thought that the flaking was not a pretty sight, since it gave the illusion that it was my skin flaking, when it was just the moisturiser. I did like how it did matify my face and reduce oily shine as it said it would. 

What I Like:

+ It absorbs almost instantly into your skin, giving you that "barely anything" on your face feeling. 
+ True to its word, it completely matified my face and reduced oily shine. 
+ It doesn't feel sticky or heavy on your skin at all. 

What I Dislike:

+ It was not very moisturising, especially for normal-dry skin. 
+ The packaging is not very hygienic (you have to constantly dip your fingers in).
+ If you were to rub your face throughout the day, the moisturiser would come off in flakes/clumps. 
+ On application, it does leave a somewhat burning sensation on the skin.
+ The scent is a very strong minty/chlorine like smell which I found unpleasant. 

Overall Opinion: Eh, it was an okay product for me. It did everything it was suppose to do, but I guess it just wasn't the right product for my skin type. I especially did not like the flaking issue, since it gave the illusion of my skin being drier than it really is. Moisture wise, then it didn't do so well either. The scent was too strong, and it left an unpleasant burning sensation on the skin upon application. I would recommend this for people with oily or combination skin, since it does completely matify the face. 

I don't recommend using this underneath your foundation or BB Cream, because it does have a tendency to flake. It is more so a day cream for those days when you don't want to wear much face make up. 

Would I Repurchase? No. I think it is a decent product, but it's just not the right one for me, or my skin type. 

Rating: ★★

[Review] Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Make Up Remover

I haven't posted up a review in a while, and since I've mostly been writing reviews for "lower end products", I decided to choose something high end today. 

To be honest, then I am not a big fan of Lancôme. I feel that Lancôme has such a high price range, when really - I can find other products that work better and are only a fraction of the price. I'm not saying that their products are terrible; it's just that I can't find a good enough reason to truly justify the price. Also, Lancôme does aim its products at older women and more mature skin, so it's not entirely "suitable" for my age. 

My mum on the other hand, is quite the fan of Lancôme. She often buys those special "gift pack promotions" they do during certain seasons, but she doesn't end up using most of the products given (which I find is a huge waste ^_^"). She doesn't use eye make up, as she feels her eyes are too sensitive for them.

So, she ended up giving me most of the eye products in the gift pack (which were mostly sample sized). I honestly wasn't expecting much from the Bi-Facil, since it was only about 30mL worth of product. Overall, then I can say that I was pleasantly surprised. 

First Impression: When I first saw this, I thought that the packaging was very sleek and in the typical "Lancôme Style". It's very travel friendly, and handy for on the go situations. You can easily put it in your purse for touch ups throughout the day, or if you're at a special event. It didn't have a very strong scent, and I found the formula was quite interesting. What I didn't realise was that you had to shake the product before use, since the formula does separate over time. 

I was intrigued by it, since it claimed to be "non-oily" and for "sensitive eyes". What I look for in an eye make up remover is for 1. It can do it's job and remove even water proof make up, and 2. If it stings my eyes or not. Your eyes are super important since you only have one set for your whole life, and you don't want an eye make up remover that will harm your eyes, or cause discomfort (especially for contact wearers). 

I tipped a little of the product onto a cotton pad, and sweeped it over my eyes. To my surprise, it removed most of my eye make up so effortlessly. All my eye-shadow was removed in one go, and most of my eye-liner. I had to use a cotton tip to get into the little crevices, but it really didn't bother me so much. It even removed my waterproof mascara! And the great thing was that I only used the smallest amount of product. 

I was very impressed, since it did not sting or cause discomfort to my eyes whatsoever. It left my eye area feeling clean, but it did leave a slightly oily residue. I do have to say that I don't like the opening of the packaging, since when you tip the bottle over - you can't control how much product you want on the cotton pad.

Several times I poured a little too much, which is a waste considering you don't need that much at all. Taking into account the steep price range, you really want to use as much of your product as possible. 

What I Like:
+ Effortlessly removes my eye make up (including waterproof products)
+ Does not sting my eyes whatsoever (great for sensitive eyes)
+ Sleek, great for travel packaging. 
+ A little goes a long way. Using a small amount on a cotton pad will do the job just fine. 

What I Dislike:
+ The steep price range. If you use this on a daily basis, this will eventually take a toll on your pocket.
+ Does leave a slightly oily residue behind. This excess however, can easily be wiped off. 

Overall Opinion: This is a great product guys. It does everything it says its suppose to do, and there's really nothing more I can ask for in an eye make up remover. It removes waterproof make up, its great for sensitive eyes and a little truly does go a long way. The only thing I can really fault it about is the steep price. If you're the kind of person who uses waterproof eye make up on a daily basis, this can become quite pricey to constantly buy over time. 

Other than that, I definitely do recommend this products guys ^_^

Would I Repurchase? I would probably scout around for other more affordable eye make up removers. If I'm unable to find one, then I would definitely go back and repurchase this one. 

Rating: ★★★★