TSF

Watching Our Planet on Netflix made me realize that there are far worse things to worry than Covid-19. I highly recommend that you watch the documentary so you can be more familiar with the beauty of our wildlife, at the same time, the ongoing imbalance. It makes me love the environment more and hope for a better world. So I just finished the documentary and now, I couldn't think of any productive thing to do. Long story short, I'll just make a review about Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream to ease my boredom. LOL.

Like most (if not all) Laneige products, this particular moisturizer right here comes in a sapphire blue cardboard box with very little information about the product, oops, scratch that! Upon opening, there's a mini paper flyer that has all the information about it. I only remembered now but I must've thrown it away since this post is long overdue. I've finished this product about a month ago prior to writing this so. Anyway, my experience is still fresh like it was only yesterday. LOL.

The packaging is very beautiful, I would say. It comes in a blue glass jar and makes it vanity-worthy. It has a weight to it so I would say that this is non travel-friendly. I would advise to decant a small amount in sanitized, small plastic jars if you would like to bring it to travels. For sanitary purposes, it comes with a tiny plastic spatula - as always, I end up throwing them. I think having a spare applicator is less sanitary because it get exposed to the air more frequently and it takes extra effort cleaning them more than using our own bare fingers.

The cream has a thin gel-like texture and a clean, fresh scent. It applies evenly on the skin and is very absorbent. A little would go a long way so I'm sure that you are getting your money's worth. If you run out, I believe that there are sample sachets available which you can purchase for less.

Instead of oily skin, you will have a fresh, dewy finish with Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream. This is perfect if you are aiming for a glass-like skin. I like that this cream isn't thick at all and it doesn't warm up my skin even more in this scorching weather. My skin can breathe freely from underneath, my pores aren't blocked and I also did not break out from using this product. This is a moisturizer that you can layer under makeup and won't make you base patchy/cakey.

For what it's worth, I think this product is popular for a reason. I use this cream as my day time moisturizer in conjunction with Maxipeel Exfoliant #3. I think they are a good combination because I did not experience any adverse reaction. The first thing I had in mind when I chose my moisturizer during the 2-month exfoliation, is that it should be alcohol and acid-free. Why? Because I have oily skin and I believe that using too much drying products won't do any good. Also, it's a rule of the thumb that you can't use 2 exfoliation products altogether.

So with this, I have to be more cautious and make sure to use gentler products whenever I'm using something infused with stronger chemicals. Aside from its drying nature, I noticed that skincare with alcohol causes my face to sting more. Using Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream makes the whole redness-purging-peeling process a lot more tolerable. For that, I'm thankful that I have it in my stash.

The only thing that I am contemplating about as to whether or not I would repurchase is the fact that it's only best to use for skin balance and hydration. Other than that, this product has not much use for me who have oily, pimple-prone skin with large pores. You cannot expect it to lighten the skin or your blemishes nor heal existing pimples and acne. It won't prevent them from coming either. However, one thing I can say is that this would do as a good maintenance cream for non-textured, less problematic skin. It definitely will keep your skin hydrated for long, suppleness restored without the greasy look.

Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Brush Set

Bought for: P1,100 | SRP: $19.99

Bought from: an online retailer

So this whole new blogger look is pissing me off. Now, I don't even know how I would enlarge my photos or even customize paragraphs!!! Hmf. Anyway, I'll just go and proceed with writing because I'm sure I won't be able to do anything about it. Today, we'll talk about my recent haul from Shopee which is the Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Brush Set. The set is composed of 5 makeup tools for a complete makeup look - a miracle complexion sponge, a blush brush, setting brush, expert face brush and a deluxe crease brush. Absolutely not bad at all for the price 'cause if we do the Math, it's like we're paying for only $4 a piece!

The item was well packed in a plastic box and since I'm biased towards eco-friendly packaging, I just wished that Real Techniques will limit their plastic use. But I'm still happy that it was able to protect the brushes inside as none of them was damaged during transit.

I have the old versions of these brushes and there's not much difference on the brush heads (we'll talk about it more later) but it's kind of refreshing to see them in an updated and new looks. I can't exactly tell what the handles are made of - probably brass or something - but it's actually pretty cool since they come in different shades. I like that they are sleek and sturdy but lightweight too so they are perfect for travelling. I'm not gonna lie though, I still prefer the old version just 'cause.

Just like the old versions of these brushes, I'm happy that no matter how many times Real Techniques revamp their brushes, they still make sure to have names printed on the handles. It's very helpful for beginners who are just starting out their makeup careers. I know that we don't normally use a brush merely for what it's suggested but it's nice to give them names and characteristics for aesthetic reasons, don't you think?

RT 400 Blush Brush - tapered, soft and fluffy bristles that blend powder blush evenly for a smooth, natural look. This blush brush, just like the rest, comes with a two-toned brush head with fluffy bristles that disperse blush very effectively. It is ever-so-slightly less dense than the original one but still works just fine. However, I'm just not a fan of long, tapered blush brushes like this because it's too big for the apples of my cheeks. Still, this one right here is very versatile as you can also use it to apply setting powders or bronzers.

RT 402 Setting Brush - soft, and fluffy bristles and is used to dust on highlighting or setting powder precisely for a natural looking illumination. I have the old one for like years now and I keep it with me because it is one of the brushes that I reach out most often. I think the brush head is so soft and is perfect to set my under eye area because of it's small size. It also blends highlighters effortlessly wherever I'd like to have some glow.

Overall, I really love this Real Techniques Everyday Essentials Brush Set. The name truly stands for what this set is all about. I can go anywhere with just this 5 tools to complete my makeup look. They are also pretty inexpensive and durable. You really would get what you are paying for. Now, I'm too excited by just planning my next purchase from Real Techniques!

Laneige Cleansing Moist Cream Cleanser

Bought for: P1,050

Bought from: Althea Korea

How's your day going? Me? I'm still bored to death. I just finished watching episode 10 of Hi, Bye Mama and yup, out of boredom, I even watched Tad, The Lost Explorer lmao. Anway, today, we'll talk about the Laneige Cleansing Moist Cream Cleanser I got from Althea a few months ago.

To be honest, the first time I knew about this cleanser, I didn't expect a lot nor was too ecstatic about it. I just have a great track record with Laneige products and it feels like I will have myself drawn closer to the brand if I get myself familiar with more of their skincare lines. So randomly picking up a Laneige cleanser during a haul way back, I got myself a tube of this cute little guy. Little did I know, it became a favorite of mine for the fact that it cleanses without drying. Anyway, let's know more about this product!

CLAIMS

INGREDIENTS

PACKAGING

I totally forgot whether or not this came in a box but it doesn't matter I guess. It probably is because it comes with a leaflet, otherwise just where did I pick it up lol. I must've thrown it during cleaning. The salmon pink color looks too cute for me because I'm all about that shade. I like that it comes in a tube so it's both hygienic and convenient to use. It displays the expiration date though it doesn't say much about the product itself. Technically, it does...but I just don't read Korean so (haha).

SCENT, TEXTURE AND CONSISTENCY

This has a very subtle floral scent which I really like and it's not in any way off-putting. It has a light, bouncy texture and a little goes a long way. This cleanser foams well but the bubbles created are cloud-like. A small amount cleanses the entire skin evenly without stripping off the skin's natural moisture.

PERFORMANCE

I am honestly liking Laneige Cleansing Moist Cream Cleanser. I was actually expecting that it will be moisturizing but not at all effective in cleaning but I was wrong. It does both and I can't figure out how. It must be because a huge fraction of it are oils that suck out skin's excess dirt and oils and promotes skin balance. Whatever the case is, I am happy because I have found a cleanser that I can use daily without the fear of after-wash tightness. My skin feels thoroughly cleansed and bright after using this.

I would like to add that I was using this when I was chemically exfoliating with Maxipeel Exfoliant #3 and the combination is really great. My skin doesn't feel any stinging sensation or when it does (only during peeling), it's very tolerable unlike when I was using other foam cleansers where my skin would go red and sore.

I would repurchase this cleanser some day in the future but right now, I still enjoy chasing other good stuff out there. If you are a fan of Laneige and is looking for a gentle, moisturizing cleanser without looking at your budget, go and get this. I truly recommend this cleanser whether you have dry or oily skin to prevent skin irritation due to dryness. I have been using this cleanser for more or less 3 months now so it's safe to say that it's indeed a great value for money.

Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask

Bought for: P1,600 (60ml)

Bought from: Althea Korea

CLAIMS

Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask is an anti-aging sleeping mask that improves skin firmness and facial contours overnight for a more youthful-looking face. It has Dynamic Collagen_EX technology or anti-aging elasticity technology that targets 5 signs of aging - dryness, skin texture, fine wrinkles, pore elasticity, and skin tone. It also upgraded from shape-memory content to net-structured shape-memory content. The technology fills sagging skin with elasticity factors with the combination of shape-memory polymer and natural high molecules and firms up for long hours filled-up skin whose elasticity may become poor due to lack of sleep.

This product is advised to be used with Laneige Time Freeze Face Fit Roller which you can buy separately for about twice the price of the sleeping mask. I didn't bother getting one for myself because knowing Laneige, their products are quite on the high-end range. With this saying, I wouldn't be able to tell you how was it with the roller. Ideally though, the product should work on its own. There's just too much information and science vocabularies to take in which I am honestly not good at. However, it all boils down to the fact that this product is intended for those who are aiming for a more youthful skin.

INGREDIENTS

PACKAGING

I've always love the sleek, high-end looking packaging of every Laneige products. They do spend a few extra to make their products aesthetically pleasing and definitely marketable. One thing I do notice is that they are not very travel-friendly because of the frozen glass and thick plastic that is easily damaged when mishandled.

Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask comes with a spatula for hygiene reasons. I always end up misplacing them though so I don't have too many options other than using clean fingers.

SCENT, TEXTURE AND CONSISTENCY

PERFORMANCE

I am using an exfoliant right now so my skin peels every now and then. I couldn't use other products in my stash because they burn probably because they have alcohol or the ingredients aren't that compatible to that of the exfoliant's. I love the fact that Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask is able to tame down irritation and itchiness as it keeps my skin moisturized. It also helps in faster healing of the exfoliated, sensitive skin. Back when I wasn't using the exfoliant, this sleeping mask keeps my skin supple, smooth and elastic. My skin looks renewed after washing my face in the morning and it's able to also lessen puffiness. I'm still in my early 20s but using anti-aging products is one of the things I do to keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay.

You can use this product on your face, skin around the eyes and neck to slow down the skin's natural aging process and to soften the look of every imperfections on your face. It just don't work on acne and pimples so you might want to incorporate a different product to target those problems. You're lucky if you don't grow these bumps on your skin but I do. That's why I am using this product together with stronger acids to balance my routine.

Overall, I really like using Laneige Time Freeze Firming Sleeping Mask though the only thing that bothers me is the pricey tag. I tried checking if there are trial packs of this and great news, there are! That's more economical so I think I'd stock up when I have the chance. If budget is never an issue, go splurge for this product. It truly would help you with dryness and sagging skin.