the color payoff: it's very vivid, vibrant color in just one stroke. pretty impressive. not one streak.. my latest loreal gel eyeliner, one of them is dry so it gives me streak line when being applied. but this one.. both of them are soft and glide on my skin easily.

the staying power: it takes time to set to dry, but just a couple of minutes, after that, no transferring whatsoever, even on my oily eyelid. but make sure you use eyelid primer for longer staying power. if you have hooded lid, make sure you don't blink or it will transfer on your upper eyelid.

the product: it's soft gel eyeliner, softer than loreal one. so it will blunt easily. so you will need to sharpen it if you want to get thinner line.

the result: a bold color that stays for a decent time, won't transfer after being dried completely. you can use it on your waterline without irritate your eyes, but i can feel my waterline a bit dry after a couple hours. so if you have sensitive eyes or using eye lenses, probably it will irritate you. so use with caution. as for the line, since it can blunt easily, it can't product thin lines like liquid liner, though you have sharpen it. you can make it slightly winged, but not a perfect cat eye though.

for me, it's perfect for daily use to tightline or just regular eyeliner. easy to use and good staying power. a bit drying for waterline though. but if you're more a cat eye person, you might want to skip it since it will be hard to draw perfect cat eye with it. with a good selection of shades perfect for everyday use from black to burgundy, i think everyone will have one for themselves (though i'm still hoping there's a navy in its selection). price wise, it's not that expensive.. so give it a try..

the outer box of jazz

rose gold outer box

there's a shade label on the outer box

rose gold

jazz

left: the tip and the sharpener at the bottom right: on my hand

left: the tip and sharpener at the bottom right: jazz on top, rose gold bottom

the packaging: the sachet of the original version comes in dark brown with the bottle picture in front of the sachet. the full version however, is similar to the new version, the only difference is the label. the original one didn't have the "2x" label.

the scent: the original one has this "sugar alcoholic" scent, while the newer version doesn't. i have to say the original one has that distinctive scent that make it different from the other product, but it might irritate some people, so i guess it's really up to personal preference.

the product: it's liquid like water consistency, but slightly sticky. yellow brown in color just like the newer version. however, the original one is stickier than the newer version. i've read other blogger's review about some residues on the neck of the bottle of this original version. i thought it's because she didn't shake the bottle before each usage, but i was wrong. after i used up all my light version, i clean the bottle and move all the samples to the empty bottle. and i shake mine before using. but it still get residues on the neck. i think it's because of excess of the product that might slipped from the opening after usage and it got build up on the neck. probably because of the sugar.. since it's so similar to the residue on my sugar syrup bottle. but it's just my assumption. okay, since it's slightly stickier, it takes longer time to be absorbed.

the result: okay, it moisturizes just as good as the newer version, it doesn't make my face oily. but please do mind that lately my skin has changed, more to normal side than the oily side. probably the aging progression also does its job, i'm more than 30 now, so i have to put that into consideration. plus i'm also pregnant again, so it might interfere with my skin condition. but i have to say that the glow that i've been experiencing with the newer version is more visible than the original version. actually it's not a surprise since the newer one has added ingredient which, if i remember correctly, can help with brightening, so probably it's the magic ingredient that has to do with the glow.

so, i have to say the newer version is clearly better. slightly better if you're after a brightening/glow skin. but if you only want hydration, then both are good. so, i guess both version is okay for me, but the rate of vanishing product for that price is a no-no for me. if only it could last longer.... oh well, if you're looking for a hydrating toner/pre-serum, then try this one. definitely worth to try.

the sample sachet

if you're new to makeup world, and you think spending your money on brushes seems ridiculous, then get rid of that thought. i once thought that i don't need all that brush, so i only had two retractable blush brush (can't apply powder blush without brush), a foundation brush (from body shop), a concealer brush (don't like it, i think it's from body shop), an eyeshadow brush (the one to pack the color on your eyelid) and a blending eyeshadow brush (i think it's from body shop again), and a powder brush from elf. i've been wanted to buy the studio brush sets, but i always get second thought every time it went on sale, so i missed it a lot. and i like elf brush more than my body shop or face shop.. so i was thinking about getting another brush from elf again. since there's no sales and i think i can still use some of my brushes, i don't think of buying the set anytime soon. so i have to pick very carefully on what to buy. i was thinking of buying eyeshadow brush set, but elf doesn't have that kind of set. so i was thinking stipple brush or angled blush brush which i've already wanted to buy for a long time but kept postponing it since i've already had two retractable brushes. at the end, i decided to buy the angled blush brush, so i can learn to apply my bronzer and blushes better. and oh my.. after trying it, i regret that i didn't buy that sooner.

this is the description from elf's website: the slanted shape of the angled blush brush offers precision application for a sculpted look. the soft dense bristles contours facial features easily. use with cream, liquid or powder blush, bronzers or highlighters for a professional result.

the packaging: elf brushes comes in a plastic packaging with a piece of cardboard at the inner back with descriptions on it. since this one is an angled brush, it doesn't destroy the brush shape if they squeezed it into the package. but my previous powder brush was supposed to be fluffy, but it got pressed that i have to wash it several times before the shape went back to normal.

the brush: the bristles is super soft. oh my... just like the powder brush. the handle is firmer than the powder brush one. there's no loose black connecting part like my powder brush. for me, the length of the handle is just right, but everyone has their own preference.. so i don't know.

the performance: my body shop retractable blush brush packs too much color but if i tap it before swiping it on my face, most of the powder will gone. so annoying. but this one.. it doesn't pack a lot and if i tap, only the excess will lose. so it's a very good brush to apply color lightly. easier to control. works well with blush and bronzer.

so yes, i regret i don't buy this sooner. after buying this brush, i almost never use my retractable brush anymore. though i have to admit it's not travel friendly, but i almost never do any makeup while traveling, so it's not a problem. if you're a beginner in makeup world, then try this brush. it will make your blush/bronzer applied better. and it doesn't cost much.

left and middle: the packaging right: the brush on my hand

actually i've used two of these couple months ago, but i forgot to take down any notes regarding this mask, so i save the last mask sheet to review. and a couple days ago somehow i got extra me-time alone... kids were exhausted by school graduation party, so they slept early. and i can watch tv series while putting this mask on my tired face.

description from etudehouse.com: this mask sheet contains mango extract (manigera indica (mango) fruit extract) known for its variety of vitamins and fiber, helping to provide firm and healthy skin with its sweet and gentle touch.

the packaging: just like the rest of this line, the sachet is simple with the main ingredients written in front and the picture displayed on the sachet too. this time it's mango, but somehow the mangoes on the sachet are different than the mangoes that i used to know.

the scent: oh, it's nowhere near mango scent. it's ordinary wet tissue scent, slightly more fragrant even. but it doesn't bother me. perhaps i'm already used to it, but if you like something more subtle, then skip this mask.

the product: i have no memory whatsoever about the previous masks in this line, but i will compare it to the lemon one, since i've used lemon recently. okay.. so the thickness of this sheet is thicker than the lemon one. the essence is also more generous (there's still some on the inside of the sachet after i take the sheet out). the essence is also thicker, milky white and not that easy to absorb. i think it takes approximately half an hour after taking the mask off to be absorbed. the fit is so-so, the eye holes are small, but everything else is bearable.

the result: this one is supposed for nourishing and firming. one thing for sure is this one is very moisturizing. it leaves slightly sticky feeling afterward. and after it's being absorbed and i put on serum and cream, it still feel slightly sticky, even until the next morning. when i wash my face in the morning, i can feel a layer of moisture on my face. i bet this one is very nourishing. as for firming, i think most firming products is very moisturizing, so i think if you use this frequently, then it will help firming your skin.

i think i will keep one or two of this mask for my dry day.. but honestly, i prefer lighter mask sheet. slightly thicker than lululun, but thinner than this one. i'm lucky this one doesn't cause breakouts since it's quite heavy. i can't even sleep sideways (i'm 5 months pregnant, and lying on my back is not an option nowadays), my face will stick to my pillow case if it touches the pillow case. but somehow i managed. so, i think this one will suit dry skin better than oily skin. if you don't have aging sign or dry skin, i think you'd better stay away from this. find another moisturizing mask sheet that doesn't this heavy if you have combination or oily skin.

the packaging

the excess essence inside the sachet left: before, middle: mask on face, right: after using the mask

since my lululun experience, i haven't used my usual etude masks again, so i decided to use up all remaining etude mask. i've used some of them but i forgot to take note and review it, so i decided to beat the laziness out of me and write a review before long holiday come. so, let's start with the lemon one.

description from amazon: etude house lemon mask contains lemon extracts which helps to brighten and revitalize dark and dull skin. presence of lemon extract, being rich in vitamin c, will soften dead skin cells, brighten dull skin, lighten scars and dark spots and even skin tone, giving excellent clarifying results.

the packaging: just like the other masks from this series, the mask comes in sachet with the main ingredient pictured in front of the sachet. so, no wonder you will see lemon on the sachet. and there's english text at the back of the sachet so if you're new to mask sheet, you can read the instructions at the back.

the scent: ugh, obviously another wet tissue-scented with a hint of lemon. it will linger for awhile but then i don't smell anything half-way going through with it.

the product: again, i'm wondering why the cuts of each mask is different. this one has small eye holes (so it will stink a bit while i was placing the mask around my eyes area), but everything else is okay. the cheek area are always bigger, but it's no big deal. the essence is a clear type essence, which is similar to lululun's but more generous. i still have some left in the sachet after using the mask. i was lying down when using this mask, so i have no idea whether it will drip if i sit or not.

the result: oh well, it's moisturizing enough, and it doesn't take a lot of time to wait before all the essence is dried up. as for the brightening effect, i've read other reviews that said that it helps brightening the tone of your skin, but since i'm pretty pale enough, i don't see any difference.

so, i like this one, it's light and moisturizing, not too heavy like the other mask sheet i have in my stash (i will write about it soon). and i bet it will be wise to keep this in my stash to use before certain occasion, like weddings..

the packaging

pic from their website

the packaging: it comes in a tube, like a toothpaste tube, a silver tube with black screw top. okay, i don't know if it's dark enough for a vitamin C since vitamin C can oxidized if the container is too light and the sunshine can destroy the vitamin. but i've tried to peek it under sunshine to see the remaining product inside, but i can't see it. perhaps it's dark enough.. however, it's quite small, 30 ml. since i've gotten used to big size products, this one seems small compared to my other skincare arsenal.

the scent: yes, it has citrus scent, very mild though. once you applied it on your face, you can't smell it.

the product: it's a yellowish white gel cream. it's absorbed quickly, and it leaves slightly sticky feeling afterwards. i've tried using it before my emulsion, and it becomes very sticky afterwards. i don't think i can put on makeup after using that combination. so, i use my emulsion in the morning and this vitamin cream in the afternoon. i've also tried it as spot treatment as well as usual moisturizer. and i don't see any difference in the result. as for the pH, i don't know if this cream can be categorized as acid since i don't have any pH paper.

the result: i've used this cream for about a month, and i can't say about the brightening property yet. as for lightening the dark spots or acne scars, i think it doesn't help much. or it takes a long time to fade the scars.

overall, i still haven't reached any decision about this cream. if in another month or so it doesn't give me any significant changes, then i won't repurchase it again, and probably i will go back to vc effector. but don't lose hope yet, many people like this cream, so probably you will get lucky with this one too.

the outer box (english text available)

the tube

as always, seal on the opening (left) the cream on my hand (right)

top: before using (left) - after using (right) i think my skintone is a bit brighter bottom: (left - before, right - after) i think it fades my acne scars a bit. no effect on dark spots yet

top left: before using, top right: after i finish one tube bottom left: before using, bottom right: after finishing the tube. it helps fade my acne scars but it takes a looonnggg time

the packaging: it comes in a special box, containing all of the hand creams. since it's a limited edition type, the box is in a special theme, around the world theme, with red and gold all over the box, perfect for holidays. the hand cream itself, each one has different animal attached to the top and different ingredients pictured at the top body. the color of the body is similar to the ingredient, like yellow for the mango one, green for avocado, and brown for cacao. just like pictured above. all of them shaped like pear, with a screw top, so sometimes after scooping the hand cream, i close it first before using it on my hand, since it will be very slippery and hard to close the top. however, the packaging is not good if you're in a hurry or very busy, or need to bring your hand creams everywhere. it's quite bulky and the top is a screw top, so the body shop is easier to use and bring since it's a tube, like a toothpaste.

the scent: the avocado one is fragrant but subtle, definitely not an avocado scent since i think avocado is scent-less. the mango one smells like a ripe mango, but not too overpowering. but i did think it was too much when i first used it. but after awhile, i get used to it. the cacao one is cacao. hahaa.. i don't know how to describe it. a fragrant cacao? but more subtle than the mango one. but all of them are relaxing, perfect to use before bedtime.

the product: i thought they will have similar color according their ingredients, but i was wrong. all of them are white cream, slightly thicker than the body shop hand cream, but probably the same consistency as my night cream. it's easy to spread on my hand and absorbed easily too, but i can feel a layer on my hand after applying it on my hand. i don't feel this experience with my body shop hand cream, so i think it will provide moisture longer than my body shop.

the result: oh well, i can say that my hands are well moisturized, but i can't compared the effectiveness with the body shop, since i use them on different time. when i used my body shop, i still pumping, so sometimes i wash my breastpump at night, and due to the exposure of dish soap on my hand, it made it drier. but when i used this hand cream, i gradually decrease my pumping frequency, so i can leave the washing in the morning. so no more dish soap exposure again, and hence, my hands are not as dry as before. but i can say that this one moisturized my hands better than my usual body butter.

so, i will purchase their hand cream set again considering i will pumping again (yes, i'm pregnant again). probably i will try the one in the tube, not in a pot like these. although i like cute stuff, but it will take more space in my vanity. i do hope however that i can buy them on sale.. i know they're already cheap, but cheaper is better, considering i will have another baby to feed. so, if you like cute stuff, hand cream mania, scented-product lover, then buy these! it's perfect for gift, or you can use it yourself.

the outer box and booklet that came with it (it's the holiday edition catalogue)

the cute hand creams