REVIEW: Missha (US) Order: a few glitches...

Missha is a Korean make-up/skincare company that *does not test on animals*
They now have a US order site, and since there are some incredible sales, I had to order.
Here is a summary...

Ease of online shopping: Site is in English and divided into categories for easy searching.
Ease of ordering: click ordering, credit cards accepted
Shipping speed: Ordered on 3/19, shipped out on 3/22, received before 7 days +4 stars
Shipping costs: free shipping on orders +$40 ^_^ +5 stars
Sign-up discount: yes - but for some reason mine was never applied and I had to e-mail them about it (see ordering problems) @_@ -4 stars
Sign-up gift: yes, free deluxe sampler ^_^ +5 stars

Free gift: yes - with +40 order. Lip-gloss ^_^ (Different gifts for $60 & $90 orders) +5 stars
Free samples: ALLEGEDLY but mine were missing. When I e-mailed them, they said they"ran out" @_@ -3.5 stars
Ordering problems? Yes ...
1. I qualified for the "new sign-up % off, but it was never applied. I had to e-mail customer service, and they replied that it would be credited to my card...and it was after I alerted them to their error... #_#
2. I didn't receive my free samples!! (The samples are actually mini size, bigger than typical trial size)

Photos...

REVIEW: Missha (not cruelty free) Super Aqua Detoxifying Peeling Gel

This is my very first peeling gel...

Usage: (directly from site) 1.Wash face & dry with towel 2. Spread appropriate amount onto face (avoiding lips & eyes) & massage gently until dead skin & impurities fall off and wash off with lukewarm water.

This is where I had my only problem... So let me emphasize MASSAGE GENTLY...As you rub, dead skin really does immediately come off and I apparently rubbed my left cheekbone a little too enthusiastically... I didn't notice until I had finished (and washed off with lukewarm water), but I was left with a red bumpy rash on my cheekbone of all places. Three days later it still stings. @_@

I received the 20 ml sample in the Missha Deluxe Sampler



Review: Missha Super Aqua Detoxifying Peeling Gel

Packaging: It's a cute little tube (sample) and I really like the colors... +3 starsScent: Clean scent +3 stars
(Color: Milky white )
Texture: Silky with tiny grains +4 starsEase of Use: Just rub into face and wash off -no drying time +5 stars
Results: Soft smooth skin with a painful rash on my cheek... +4 -1


In conclusion, I like the scent, it was easy to use, and it made my dead skin (eww) peel right off. Afterwards I had noticeably smoother skin. The rash was a little traumatizing especially since this is supposed to be specifically for sensitive skin, but all in all it was my first peel attempt. I am reserving giving it a rating just yet until I have tried other peels, but I would definately like to try more products in the Aqua line by Missha. FYI, the full-size product is 100 ml and retails for $20. It comes in different packaging; ie not a squeeze tube.

REVIEW: Missha CURRENTLY TESTS ON ANIMALS AND I CANNOT RECOMMEND THEM- Luminous Color Lip gloss *Mobile* (PK06 mini)

I DO NOT RECOMMEND MISSHA PRODUCTS

Since I first started getting into Korean cosmetics, I was unsure which companies tested on animals and was going on information provided by other reviewers and bloggers that turned out to be false 99% of the time. As of January 2014, Missha DOES test on animals and I cannot recommend them or their products due to that. On their website they claim to be "against animal testing" but as we know, many companies say this, but still test. KARA Korea has a list of all Korean brands that have registered with them as a cruelty free brand. Missha is one of the brands that has refused. If you send them a question about it, they will say that they do not test and then proceed to not answer any other questions. 

Photo: ACTUAL COLOR :

Review: Missha Luminous Color Lip Gloss *Mobile*
This was only like $2 with a soompi order, which is good because this "mobile" lip gloss is TINY! (2.5 g)
Retail is...wait for it...$6.99 (7 color options)
It is however, adorable, the strap attaches securely to the bottom, and apparently, like many Korean beauty products, contains SFP (10)

Color: Pink shimmer/glitter -PK06
Ease of use: Screw off top with spongey lip applicator brush
Actual color: Almost completely sheer, the glitter shows up subtly as super shine.
Effect: Shiny, very natural looking, pretty much no color but alot of GLOW
Texture: Not sticky! ^_^
Size: Tiny tiny tiny...won't last long! Sized as a sample, priced as a regular size lip gloss.
The regular size is $19.99 and comes in 14 color options.

Conclusion: Very cute, gorgeous shiny effect, but waay too high priced for something Missha gives out as a free *sample* with a $40 order.
If you're looking for a gloss with color, this isn't it, and I have to imagine with all the products out there, you can get this shiny effect for much less...

REVIEW: Missha CURRENTLY TESTS ON ANIMALS- I CANNOT RECOMMEND SUCH A BRAND- ACEROLA facial mask (Botanic Gardens) -1 star

I DO NOT RECOMMEND MISSHA PRODUCTS

Since I first started getting into Korean cosmetics, I was unsure which companies tested on animals and was going on information provided by other reviewers and bloggers that turned out to be false 99% of the time. As of January 2014, Missha DOES test on animals and I cannot recommend them or their products due to that. On their website they claim to be "against animal testing" but as we know, many companies say this, but still test. KARA Korea has a list of all Korean brands that have registered with them as a cruelty free brand. Missha is one of the brands that has refused. If you send them a question about it, they will say that they do not test and then proceed to not answer any other questions. 

Review -
Missha - Korean brand skin-care

What is a sheet mask? It's like a make-up wipe texture mask that has eye,nose, and mouth holes. No washing off, no messy applying required.




creepy... (Hollow Man??)
Packaging: Easy to open, new design graphic...
Mask Scent: light scent, not harsh chemical or alcohol scented
Mask Texture: Wet, smooth
Ease of use: Just put it on and pat

Experience: Unpleasant slight burning sensation. def not a tingle...<>_<>
Results: No change, 4 or 5 tiny breakouts appeared in the morning...
Summary & Conclusion-
I tried this one last night -my first sheet facial mask...
The instructions dictate that you apply to clean skin, leave on for 20-30 minutes, then remove and pat skin. I set my plush kitty kitchen cooking timer (one of the best things I ever got!) and went to play some Phantom Hourglass. soon after, it started to burn slightly. Not tingle. Burned. I waited the required time, took it off and patted my skin. The burning feeling went away. The next morning my skin didn't feel any softer and I had 4 or 5 tiny new breakouts. I won't be getting this again... <>_<>

REVIEW: Skin79 currently tests on animals and I cannot recommend such a brand...

I DO NOT RECOMMEND SKIN79 PRODUCTS

Since I first started getting into Korean cosmetics, I was unsure which companies tested on animals and was going on information provided by other reviewers and bloggers that turned out to be false 99% of the time. As of January 2014, Skin79 DOES test on animals and I cannot recommend them or their products due to that.

REVIEW: Skin79 Diamond Collection Luminous Body Bronze Balm




I got this one in the mail two days after I got my first Skin79 BB cream on Saturday, (see review) and this one came with a sample for VIP Gold Collection Super BB cream. I'll get to that one...
This also came in a shiny light pink box, and the product is a little light pink (as is everything in the Diamond Line) tube (45 g).

Packaging - very pretty & shiny - print is silver instead of rainbow hologram like the other pink collection (Summer Collection)

Color - It IS bronze, but it blends into the skin really well so you don't end up looking orange. It also has some shimmer/sparkles.


Scent -A nice clean smell that disappears and leaves behind a slight make-up meets suntan lotion smell.

Texture - Smooth, creamy, not oily

Effect - It's really pretty - not sure how long it lasts yet, but you can safely put it all over without looking "fake" and it loks amazing on cheekbones as well as the upper eye arch.

Overall -
Subtle enough to use all year round, no bad effects on skin, and SPARKLY!

REVIEW: Nature's Gate Light Switch Brightening Serum

Review: Nature's Gate Light Switch
*Organics, Advanced Care, Lemon Skin Brightening Serum for day & night*

NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS! ^_^

Ingredients:
*Lemon
Contains Vitamins B & C; toning properties
*Japanese Mandarain


*Grapefruit
High in Vitamin C
*Black Mulberry


*Lemon Verbena
Softens and soothes
*Licorice
Anti-irritant, soothing properties



I've been hunting this thing down for YEARS now -ever since I first tried a mini sample pack at my local Outpost store. Of course, the packs were there and then gone the next time. >_< The reason I didn't buy the full size then was that it was $25 for a tiny 32 mL bottle @_@.
Alas, this month I randomly found 2 boxes (just 2, believe me I looked hard!)at TJ Maxx for the amazing price of $9.99!
Here's what it claims to do...
*Helps even out skin tone
*Helps diminish problem spots and discolorations caused by environmental exposure
*Softens appearance of age spots
*Brings out skin's natural radience

On to the review...

Packaging: (pictured above)The box is pretty enough that I'm keeping it. ^_^
The actual bottle itself is made of cool frosty glass, and the cap is almost as tall as the actual bottle - therefore leading one to believe that there is more in there than actually is. it is a pump bottle.

Scent: 5 out of 5 stars. It's an intoxicating lemon scent, not to strong, and not too sweet. This is the reason I stalked this product for so long...The scent lingers and reminds me a little of lemon Fruity Pebbles...The box says it's a mix of lemon & Japanese Mandarin.

Texture: Smooth, not oily. Blends right into your skin

Effectiveness: It really does brighten, although i haven't tested for how long.

Overall? I love this and I would buy it again at said discounted price although I wish it came with more or they made another size...

Review: Skin79 currently tests on animals and I cannot recommend such a brand...

I DO NOT RECOMMEND SKIN79 PRODUCTS

Since I first started getting into Korean cosmetics, I was unsure which companies tested on animals and was going on information provided by other reviewers and bloggers that turned out to be false 99% of the time. As of January 2014, Skin79 DOES test on animals and I cannot recommend them or their products due to that.

Skin79 Water Drop BB Balm

I know I'm a little behind in this, but my first BB cream arrived in the mail yesterday...
BB cream is a popular Korean cosmetic product that -like fashion to the midwest- just hasn't arrived in the US as of 2010.
BB cream is the term used for "Blemish Balm" which was actually copyrighted by a Korean company.
*The origins are Germany -it was used as a therapy moisturizer for the irritated skin after skin treatment (microdermabrasion,laser,etc.) It was picked up by Korean actresses, singers... and manufactored by several different Korean companies(Skin79, Skinfood, Shills, Missha...)for the masses. *The general uses are skin brightening, oil control, wrinkle improvement, and sometimes whitening complete with built in UV protection.
it is a foundation/concealer of sorts with a light sheer look and feel which also evens out skin tones (red spots,etc.)

The one I got was under $10 shipped but they sell in online import make-up stores for $23 +.
Skin79 Water Drop BB is part of the Hot Pink line -also know as the "summer collection" and comes in a 45.3 g squeeze tube(see photo). The outside packaging is a pink box. It is oil free and contains plant extracts.
The back reads: *pic coming*


On to the review:

Color: The color is a nice neutral light nude color with shimmer - it looks much too fake just out of the tube, but it absorbs into skin flawlessly and leaves behind sheer coverage and shimmer.

Texture: Creamy, not at all greasy or oily, and after it absorbs into your skin it is weightless. Does leave behind a slight cooling feeling, not sure if it moisturizes as my skin was pretty soft today prior to use...it also did not feel any tighter(?)

Coverage: It does even out "red spots" but won't make dark or bright ones disappear - I haven't tried it on my under eye circles yet because mine are much more severe than most and generally blow even specially formulated eye concealers away. >_<

Scent: Good, but does not smell like "aqua" as stated...?

Protection: Unsure - the weather is not warm here and the sun is in hiding...