if you read my other posts, then you'll know that i'm currently obsessed with body shop masks. when i tried the rose one, it seems ordinary. but somehow it grows on me. then my sister got me both the acai and rice one. i was hoping she would give me the rice one since it was always sold out here. but she bought me both. and i didn't know that both are exfoliating mask. hahaa.. anyway, i'm glad now i almost get everything. i bought the honey myself using the birthday discount from body shop.

this is the description from their website: give your skin a new lease of life with our chinese ginseng and rice clarifying polishing mask. inspired by chinese traditions, we have blended ginseng extract, rice extract and sesame seed oil into out 100% vegetarian creamy exfoliating mask, that has been formulated without parabens, paraffin, silicone or mineral oil. use two or three times a week to reveal brighter-looking, even and supple feeling skin.

the packaging: it comes in a cardbox, and i think just like the rest from this line, it's made of recycled paper. the mask comes in a big glass jar. oh it's dark as the rest of the mask in this line, the jar is dark but you can still see the remaining mask inside. it has screw top. without any spatula though.

the scent: okay, upon getting this mask, i've read many reviews about this mask. and everyone seems to praise about the scent of this mask. while me, when i first open the jar, i can smell mix of mint and ginseng scent. and it stings me. after used it couple times, i can't still understand how people said that the scent is marvelous. but, everyone is different, so you might like it like other people do.

the product: the mask is a white cream with grains, rougher than the acai one but not as rough as scrub. it's cooling when freshly applied on skin. but immediately i can feel the heat in about 5 minutes. don't worry though, it's not burning hot. after 10 minutes, i put a little bit of water in my hand and start massaging it. it's not so rough, but i can feel the gritty texture more than acai. no wonder though, since the grainy stuff in this mask is bigger than the acai one. after i finish massaging it, i wash it aff with water and it's easy to wash off.

the result: after washing it off, i can see the brightening effect almost instantly. the brightening effect is temporary of course, but it can hold until the next morning. i also feel that my skin is softer and slightly moisturized.

overall, this is a good exfoliating mask. i can see why people love this mask. it works well as the way it should. but i think it's similar to freeman diamond mineral rinse, so for fun sake, i decided to use the two of them together side by side for comparison. but i will put it on separate post. honestly, i think everyone can try this mask, but you have to be careful if you have sensitive skin. on the other hand, you might want to save your money for something similar since this one is quite pricey, or for me at least. but, if you love exfoliating mask, wash off mask, fond of the body shop, or even vegetarian or cruelty free lover, try this mask.

the outer box

the jar

left: the seal right: the mask

left: before middle: mask on face right: after

when i was testing and using several wash off masks, i notice that some of them feel similar. and i take a look at the description and some of the serve the same function so i decided to try them together, side by side.

claims from body shop: minimize pores, reduce imperfections, smooth skin. works to brighten, even and revitalize skin while removing dullness and unevenness. 
ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit, Kaolin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil/Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, PEG-100 Stearate, Alcohol Denat., Decyl Glucoside, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire dÕabeille, Perlite, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter,Parfum/Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Menthol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract/Panax Ginseng (Ginseng) Root Extract, Disodium EDTA, Citral, Citronellol, Linalool, Menthoxypropanediol, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Eugenol, Dextrin, Oryza Sativa Extract/Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide.

claims from freeman: fight off environmental assaults to enhance skin's look and feel over time. clarifying clay mask, polish away dullness to reveal multi-faceted radiance. unique mask rinses clean for a lasting, super-cool finish.
ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Pumice, Polysorbate-60, PEG-100 Stearate, Diamond Powder, Vaccinium Arboreum Extract, Bentonite, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Menthyl Lactate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Diazolidinyl Urea, Xanthan Gum, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polyurethane 33, Tetrasodium EDTA , Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Propylene Glycol, Water/Aqua/Eau, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Maranta Arundinacea Root Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Extract, Macrocystis Pyrifera Extract, Nasturtium Officinale Extract, Aleurites Moluccana Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), Mannitol, Cellulose, Talc, Polybutylene Terephthalate, Aluminum Powder, Acrylates Copolymer, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Ethylene/VA Copolymer, Benzyl Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ultramarines (CI 77007).

as you can see above, they share some ingredients, including the oil-absorbing ingredient, kaolin. i don't know if body shop write their ingredients according to the percentage in the product. but if they did, then it's disappointing since both ginseng and rice, which is the main stars are listed down below. while diamond powder, which is the main star from the freeman's mask is listed quite on top of the ingredient. and it's surprising that freeman has more extract than body shop, especially considering that body shop is marketed as cruelty free and even vegan.

both are exfoliating/ polishing mask, that's why both contain grits. the diamond grits is way smaller, sand-like on my touch, while the rice one is coarser. after putting it on my face, the rice one is definitely more burning hot than the diamond. the diamond heat is nothing compared to the rice one. so perhaps if you have sensitive skin, you might want to opt for the diamond one. both washes off easily. both give the same brightening effect, but sometimes i think the rice one is slightly more brightening. both give smooth skin, and again, i might be bias but i think the diamond one is smoother. since the rice one is clay-based, therefore it helps getting rid of sebum. the rice one gives slightly more moisturizing feeling. 

so, result wise, both are great polishing/exfoliating mask. so if you're on tight budget, then grab freeman since the body shop is more expensive. if you have sensitive skin, grab freeman. if you don't care, then try both since both are great. 

side by side: left is freeman, right is rice here you can see that rice is coarser than freeman

left: before right: after the brightness is similar, but if i take a look closely, the rice is slightly brighter, and the freeman gives smoother result

when i was in japan, i bought DHC cleansing oil because it was best sellers. i even knew it even before i got deep into kbeauty stuff. then i saw kose softymo cleansing oil. i saw it almost everywhere so i thought it must be good. and i didn't have time to search more, so i grabbed the speedy one. there are two types apparently, the deep one and the speedy one. on my last trip i bought the deep one too, so hopefully i can see the difference between them.

you can read the description from ratzillacosme website here.

the packaging: it comes in pink pump bottle, quite big, coming in 230 ml compared to my innisfree which is only 160 ml. aside from plastic sealing around the bottle, it only have stopper at the neck of the pump. but luckily nothing is leaked.

the scent: again, another scentless product from japan.

the product: the oil is clear and quite runny, i think it has same viscosity as innisfree one, or slightly runnier. it emulsifies easily, though i think the innisfree emulsified more. it wash off easily too, leaving no oily film residue. it also doesn't sting my eyes, unlike innisfree, so yeayy!

the result: i usually use this cleansing oil to cleanse my daily sunscreen and light makeup, which is usually consist of bb cushion, blush, contour powder, eyeshadow and liquid lipstick and eyeliner. it can cleanse them alright. even with mascara it can easily remove mascara. but it struggles a bit with bbia eyeliner. although at the end it can remove it, but still, it need some effort to clean it.

definitely agree with the claims, it can clean mascara. but for stubborn waterproof eyeliner or mascara, better use separate eye makeup remover to be safe. i think this is a good cleansing oil even for sensitive skin and eyes, since this one doesn't sting my eyes. plus they sell the refill, so double yeayy!!

the pump bottle

left: bb cushion - lip/cheek - eyeliner - mascara pic 2: starting to pour the oil pic 3: emulsify it with water pic 4: rinse

i got this when i went to japan. i thought the only place to find a compressed sheet mask or table mask was muji, since it was the only brand that i saw on instagram. but then i got in touch with another blogger (thanks a lot @kaepratiwi) and she explained to me that i can find any brand in almost any drugstore in japan. and she was right. i found daiso one from daiso, and then this one on some drugstore (i forgot which one). i didn't get to muji, so let's hope on my next trip i can find it. unfortunately, i can't find any description about it, but all i can say, it looks like a pill, and then you put it in any liquid and then the magic will work.

the packaging: it comes in plastic wrapping and then another flimsy plastic seashell-look alike. when you open it, you can see 5 tablets inside (probably they want to mimic pearls inside a seashell). when i take out one tablet, turned out there's another 5 under the original 5, so total is 10.

the product: i totally forget to compared the size between this one and daiso one, but i think it's similar, perhaps this one is slightly thicker. when it comes in contact with any liquid it forms a roll. i can unroll it to reveal the mask. from this aspect, it's easier than daiso one since daiso one is folded like regular sheet mask. the mask is thicker and more rigid, it feels like tissue paper. the fit is okay, it has longer nose part which i appreciate, but it also have eye flaps that i deem unnecessary. it's useless, why they put it there? there's also some slits for better adjustment, but don't hope much since it's a little on the inflexible side.

the result: it takes more liquid to soak the whole tablet. with the daiso one, it only need one and a half cap of my hatomugi. with this one i need almost two caps. and it dries quicker too. only takes about 10 minutes to dry out. sucks.
update: i've just read another instagrammer review about a mask sheet review, and she complained about wrinkly result because of the mask she wore. at first i didn't understand her complaining about "wrinkly moisturizing", but then i used this mask again and i finally understood. this mask is wrinkle on my skin that it made my skin wrinkly too.

honestly, seeing that this one comes from famous brand (shiseido is famous in japan), i was hoping this one does better job than daiso. but i like daiso one better. it's thinner and it absorbs liquid better. plus it takes longer to dry out so i think it gives more hydration to my skin better than the shiseido one. definitely won't buy it again.

the packaging

the plastic clamshell and 10 tablets

left: the tablet mask right: mask on my face

i bought this last year from japan. there are two types of face wash, the other is in standing pump bottle, which is rather fatty than this regular tube, but i decided to pick the tube since i don't know what kind of face wash is the other one. turn out it is the foaming type. oh well, no big deal anyway.

so, this is the description, google-translated from rohto japan website: "gokyujun cleansing face series" is super hyaluronic acid that can hold about twice as much moisture as hyaluronic acid known for its high water holding capacity, and even after shedding in water, skin adsorption type hyaluronic acid which remains adsorbed, blended with high-moisturizing vaseline. i am particular about moisture and comfortable washing. "hyaluron cleansing foam" is a cream type facial cleanser. a resilient foam cleanses the skin gently.

the packaging: it comes in white tube with the similar design from other hada labo gokyujun series. it has flip top but again, just like the other japanese products, it doesn't have any seal on the opening. they only seal the flip top with plastic, and that just it. usually when i open a korean product, even though they seal the other tube, they still put aluminium sealing on the tube opening. oh well, luckily it doesn't leak out during travelling.

the scent: as you can guess, it is scentless. but luckily it doesn't smell slightly bad, it's just scentless.

the product: it's a white cream foam type that lathers easily on my hand. i don't have any washing tools, so i don't know how it will lather up if being used by washing net or konjac sponge. update: as i'm finishing it, i have trouble getting it out of the tube. i have to shake and tap the tube to get the product slide down so i can squirt it out the tube. apparently, the creamy foam is too thick so it needs more than just pressure on the body to get it out of the tube. and i hate it. i have to tap it like crazy before getting out a little product.

the result: actually, this is the first japanese facial foam that really isn't stripping. i've tried sana one, and even though they claim it's gentle, it still give that stripping clean feeling which is usually come hand in hand with high pH. with this foam, i can feel the moisture film that leaves behind. now, you might think that i don't rinse it well enough. well, i do think that at first, but i keep on rinsing my face, even at some point put some pressure, but the film is there. i know this might concern some of you since it might get you thinking that there's some product left behind, but for me, i don't experience breakouts or any other reactions. so i think it really is gentle and moisturizing, just as it claims to be.

this is a nice cleansing foam. i think it will suitable for any skin types, even though it comes from the gokyujun line which is a moisturizing line. and it really is gentle. but i don't have any pH strip test so i don't know about the pH. but if you don't mind about the pH as long as it's not stripping your skin, then grab one. have i mentioned that it's super affordable?

the face wash tube

the opening

i got this travel size mask along with several other freeman's travel size mask. i like travel sizes. since i'm easily bored, travel size or sample size is perfect for me. i can try different stuff. i don't even have to make up my mind and pick one to go full size. this pear one is the last clay mask in travel size that i have. the other mask that i haven't tried from freeman are their pineapple and their sleeping pack.

the description from influenster (turned out freeman didn't sell their own product anymore so i can't get any description from their website): whipped clay helps wipe out pores with sparkling pear. skin clearing clays are whipped to an ultra-light consistency, enhancing their ability to coax impurities out of skin all without the dramatic tightening effects of traditional clay masks. willow bark extract, a natural source of salicylic acid, exfoliates and clears pores to reveal smoother, fresher skin. pear extract has astringent benefits to help minimize pore visibility for a perfected surface, and refreshing tea tree removes impurities without over-drying skin. perfect for oily and combination skin.

the packaging: the full size comes in a big tube, while the travel size comes in irregular sachet, it's bright lime green this time. as always, there's description at the back. the size of a sachet is quite big, enough for several uses, but since i only use it on my t zone mostly, it lasts even longer.

the scent: usually freeman masks have quite fragrant but pleasing scent. but this one... i can't say for sure. it has scent alright, but i can't categorize it. i think it's more subtle than the other too.

the product: okay. i have no idea what whipped clay is. and even though some said that this one is lighter in consistency, i feel this one is the same as the other clay mask. just like the other masks, this one also is colorful. it's lime green just like the color of the tube. it's easy to spread on my face like usual. and like the other masks, it stings my eye when i open the sachet. i don't know what ingredients that cause it. all i know it makes me teary. after about 5 minutes, it will start to harden. it's easy to wash off too. since some masks stain my washcloth, i wash it manually with hands, so i don't know whether this one will stain my washcloth or not.

the result: i put this on for about 15-20 minutes. afterward i can feel my skin is soft and smooth and clearer. the sebum control is pretty standard. as for the other property, i use this mask when i have breakouts. the acai one helps purging it and then make my skin clearer. usually only in one go. but this one, i have to use twice to get the same result.

i don't know whether it's me or the masks, but somehow it starts to bore me out. i don't get excited again using this mask. unlike the acai one, which makes me want to use it frequently. so far, the acai one is my favorite.. but this one delivers same result like the avocado one. so if you have combination and oily skin, you can try this one too. it works just as well. as for dry skin, moisturize afterwards since this quite drying especially if you let the mask dried long enough.

left: the sachet right: the mask moved to clean container

left: before middle: using right: after

when my husband went to japan the first time, he just bought the gel version. then we went together and i got my hands on the essence version. i've finished the gel one, so now i'm finishing the essence so i can make good comparison about them both. i know that many people have compared them both already, but still.. i would like to try it myself. some prefer the gel version, some prefer the essence version. so let's find out which one is mine.

description from kao.com (this is google translated, so don't be surprised that it might sound ridiculous): it firmly protects the skin from strong ultraviolet rays, and prevents spots and freckles due to sunburn. fresh and fragrant fresh fruit aroma. or face and body.

the packaging: it comes with cardboard backing just like toothpaste packaging. there's descriptions at the back but everything is in japanese, so i don't understand anything. the sunscreen itself is in blue plastic tube with screw top. it has spout to dispose the product, and the opening is just fine, not too big not too small. compared to the gel version, this one is smaller since it only comes in 50ml, while the gel version has 90 ml of product. this one is also upside down just like any other sunscreen, but the gel one is upright.

the scent: although it's said that it has fresh fruit scent, but for me, i think the gel version has a stronger lemon-y scent. the essence version does fruity scent, but very subtle.

the product: the essence is pearly white just like the gel one, but it's more viscous. the gel is runnier. somehow it makes me use a little less with the essence since it's thicker. it absorbs quick too, just like the gel one. it's sticky but after it's completely absorbed, it won't be anymore. it doesn't leave white cast.

the result: as makeup base, this one works fine. it won't pile up under makeup, and it leaves dewy finish. some said that the gel one is more matte than the essence one. for me, i don't feel the difference. if i use powder, my nose will start to shine after 3-4 hours. but the rest of my face is okay. and that works for both the gel and the essence one. so i will say both the essence and the gel one works on my combination skin. as for the protection property, this is a daily sunscreen, which means that you should put other sunscreen when you are outdoor or having sport. and i have bad experience with both the gel and the essence. when i went to hongkong, i thought using the gel one on my face and my body is enough since it's cloudy, but i was wrong. i got sunburn. and it happens again when i went to japan. i only use the essence and some other sunscreen that i bought there and it was raining but i still got sunburn when i was back home. so definitely indoor only sunscreen.

i know this might be an old news for you, but i don't think i can ever pick one over the other. i like them both, the gel and essence version. as for the newer version, since so many people dislike it, i didn't try to buy one and try it myself when in japan. instead, i pick anessa and kose suncut. hopefully i can find other sunscreen that i like just like this biore uv aqua rich watery gel and essence.

the outer packaging

the bottle

the opening and the product on my hand

since i've use most of the products that i bought last year, i already found out which that i like and don't, so i tried several new products and repurchase some favorites. i also finally can get my hands on my last year wish list, things that i didn't find last year so it keeps on my wish list. i'm glad i got everything this time. so, just like previous post, i will track everything here so i can find out which one i haven't tried and which i have.

hair products:
1. liese prettia bubble foam hair color in elegant peach and rose tea brown. can't find raspberry brown, but it's okay.. i finally get to try the rose tea one. here's the link.
2. liese straight hair mist: i finally get it just to find that the right product that i want to try is the frizz free one! and i found it there but i didn't grab it. next time will read reviews first so i know the product better. here's the link.
3. ichikami kracie hair treatment: want to buy it last year but finally i found it. read here.

beauty tools:
1. shu uemura eyelash curler: best sellers. finally find it!
2. shiseido eyelash curler: another best sellers. just for the sake of proving which one is better. actually i find the koji one, but i have no idea which one to get and i'm afraid i won't use it, so i hold back and not buy it.
3. daiso egg sponge: husband rip the packaging off, so i hope it won't get ruined. will update it here. toss it since it won't get bigger even when it's damped. not bouncy at all.
4. daiso stuff for hair coloring
5. daiso hair band: unfortunately it's too small for my head, so i will only use it when i wash my other hair band.

body care:
1. baby foot: repurchase, this one is their 30 minutes version.
2. DHC hand cream: i didn't bring my body lotion and the hotel didn't provide one, so my skin was screaming and my hands get dried because of washing my kids clothes and bottles, so i use it immediately. read it here.

face products:
1. bcl clear last powder pact: want to try this last year but can't find it. i bought the compact one since i have no idea which one to choose between the three version of the loose powders. read here.
2. canmake mermaid powder: best sellers, can't resist not to try. read it here.
3. sana nameraka haritsuya cleansing wash: the other version that i want to try. read here.
4. sana nameraka haritsuya emulsion: this time sana is dominating. kind of bored by hada labo. read here.
5. daiso puff detergent: heard good stuff so bought two instantly. reviewed here.
6. kose suncut: grab it and have no idea which version that i got. read it here.
7. shiseido anessa sunscreen: best sellers, have to try since biore one didn't get much love anymore (many people complains about the new version). read here.
8. hadalabo alpha milk: looking for a night serum, so i think the anti aging essence will act more like serum for me. turns out it was a milk which is an emulsion.. oh my bad..
9. kose sekkisui travel set: this is their beauty and the beast collab! although i don't think i will buy kose sekkisui (it is expensive!) but trying their travel version won't hurt. read it here.
10. rossette face wash: got the pink (here)and yellow one (here).
11. evita whip foam: new best sellers, grab it the moment i saw it. read it here.
12. sana nameraka honpo emulsion: again, want a change from hadalabo. read here.
13. daiso serum in green (read here), pink (read here) and yellow.
14. hada labo perfect gel
15. sana nameraka retinol cream: not sure about the haritsuya or retinol so i grab them both. read here.
16. sana nameraka haritsuya cream: i'm looking for an affordable night cream, and i can't decide which one to pick so i grab almost all of them. read my review here.
17. refill of kose softymo deep and speedy cleansing oil.
18. kose suncut sunscreen spray: read my review here.
19. rohto melano cc for my sister
20. canmake cream cheek: this is a bestseller. although i just redeemed a lip and cheek stain and own another powder blush, i want to try this cream cheek, particularly since they say that it's suitable even for oily skin. read here.

masks:
1. daiso tablet sheet mask: repurchase.
2. daiso tablet sheet masks in other version, there are two of them.
3. lululun gold mask
4. kose black mask (read here)
5. my beauty diary in black pearl (here) and sake (here)
6. lululun premium in sunny day (read here), smooth gold, fresh red (read here), homeo age (here)
7. eye patch, i will sell the kose one and try the bear one.
8. babyish in pink (read it here) and yellow. got the white one from my sister (read here).
9. minon amino masks (here)

eye products:
1. dejavu mascara in fiberwig - tiny something for bottom lash, and lash knockout (here)
2. dejavu eyeliner: best sellers and why should i only try one brand? read it here.
3. k palette 1 day tattoo 2 in 1 (here) and 3 in 1 eyebrow (here).
4. excel 3 in 1 eyebrow in three different shades. will give the ones that i don't like to my sister. (my sister pick the PD01, and i didn't get the chance to swatch it before she took it away.. i got the PD07 and PD02).
5. heroine mascara (here) and mascara cleaner
6. majolica majorca lash expander
7. dup eyelash glue
8. some eyelid tape (read here) and false eyelashes (i want to learn to use them so i can put on my own makeup on my sister engagement day)

i also bought some clean spray container and sunscreen for my baby. it's really for baby and it's so tiny. can't wait to try it on my baby.

my 2017 japan haul

in order to track all my reviews from my haul, i decided to make a post that also acts as a list so i can track all my reviews here. you can also click the link of the product that you're interested in this post too. this haul is happened last year, when we went to japan. there are several products that my husband bought me before we went together (he went to hokkaido couple months before we went to tokyo together) but i won't list it here since mostly they are masks.

hair products:
1. liese prettia bubble foaming hair color kit in elegant peach: actually i want to try the raspberry brown or the red brown one, but i couldn't find it so i decided to grab this one. read my review here.
2. liese wave defining foam: at first i didn't know which one that i grab. all i know i want to try their styling product too. when i was home, i found out that this is the wave defining one. i've tried it several times, but haven't take proper picture, so i will update it soon. read it here.
3. tsubaki camellia hair oil: ugh.. this is so famous that i grab a bottle. later i found out that many people also disappoint in this one. if you happened to visit japan, please skip this. will update the picture and post it soon. you can read it here.

eye products:
1. meishoku whitening eye cream: this is one of the best sellers, and it still is. already repurchase. read the review here.
2. sana nameraka honpo wrinkle eye cream: tested this together with meishoku and repurchase it too. read my review here.
3. kose cosmeport clear turn intensive care eye zone mask: this eye patches are okay. it's good for daily use, but i like eye gel patch better. this one dries quick on me, so i feel this is slightly a waste. read my review here.
4. self heating eye mask: my (now) bro in law like these so i bought some for him and my brother and father, which all like to spend most of their time in front of computer. but i don't think both of them (my brother and father) have tried them. and i awarded myself a box which contains 4 variants at once, but i haven't tried it yet, simply because i have to close my eyes while using this.
5. k palette 1 day tattoo eyeliner: tried it and i like it. but i didn't repurchase simply because there are plenty other eyeliner to try. read my review here.
6. maybelline lash sensational mascara: when i bought it, it's still not available in indonesia. but when i got back, couple days later i found it at shopping mall. love it but again, not repurchase simply because there are other mascaras to try. read my review here.
7. heroine long and curl mascara: haven't tried it but it's on top of my waiting list. i will try it as soon as i can. repurchase it though so if i don't like it, i will sell it. (read it here)

face products:
1. biore uv watery essence: finally get the essence one, and i bought two at once. tried it and i will update the link to the post when i finish writing about it. here's the link to read my review.
2. biore uv watery gel cool: this is the cool version of the gel one. i think it only available on summer only. finished it already and this is the link to read my review.
3. kanebo suisai powder wash: read so many positive reviews about it but i haven't tried it yet.
4. sana nameraka honpo face wash: finished this already and i bought the other version from this brand again. simply because i want to find out the difference with the other version. read my review here.
5. hadalabo gokyujun face wash: i accidentally misplace it and then it didn't make it to the group photo, but i bought it and currently using it. will update the link as soon as i finish it. here's the link.
6. hadalabo gokyujun lotion: finished it already. it does moisturize but nothing special. read my review here.
7. naturie hatomugi skin conditioner: halfway through. it's so cheap and so hydrating yet so light. multifunctional too. read my review here.
8. kose softymo speedy cleansing oil: currently using it. will update with the review link soon. here's the link.
9. rohto melano cc essence: halfway using it, but somehow i don't see visible result, thus pending review.
10. daiso tablet sheet mask: finished one and already repurchase. review here.
11. Kanebo sure up tablet sheet mask: didn't like this one. prefer the daiso one. will update the link. here's the link.
12. kose cosmeport q10 sheet mask: tried it, will update soon. read my review here.
13. kose cosmeport vit c sheet mask: tried it, like it slightly better than the q10 one. will update soon. here's the link.
14. my beauty diary imperial birdnest sheet mask: tried and like it. review here.
15. my beauty diary hyaluronic acid sheet mask: tried it too and haven't write anything yet. will update soon. read here.
16. lululun red sheet mask: haven't tried it. read it here.
17. bunch of pure smile masks. just can't put the link here. most of them are the same.
18. dhc cleansing oil: another best sellers but haven't tried it yet. read it here.

lip product: dhc lip balm. haven't tried it yet.

body product:
1. daiso hand cream: haven't tried it. finally tried it here.
2. baby foot: bestsellers and i like it. although it's pricey compared to korean one. review here.

the only thing that i didn't put it here is the biore sunscreen for mom and kid and the daiso silicon mask.

all my 2016 haul

i also can't look restless so i usually maximize my night time routine to pamper myself. in some way, it helps me relax and i can sleep well. i start my night time routine with exercise. since i'm pretty busy during the day, the only time i could exercise is at night. exercise is good for my health. i have to keep up with wandering toddlers and very active baby so i have to exercise to maintain my stamina. plus, who doesn't want to get their pre-baby body back? i do.. so even though i'm exhausted, i sneek 15-20 minutes of exercise 4-5 days a week. and i do it straight after the kids are all asleep.

after exercise, it's my me-time. time to pamper myself. my daytime routine is short so my night time routine is quite long. i have to fake it so i can look like i get my 8 hours sleep without having my 8 hours sleep. my usual bedtime skincare routine is cleansing, exfoliating toner, vitamin c, BHA, hydrating toner, AIO, serum and night cream. i also use eye cream. twice a week i will use my wash off mask. i like trying new wash off mask, thanks to many travel size and samples. usually one will be clay mask/hydrating mask combo, and the other one will be exfoliating mask. every other day i will use sheet mask to boost my skin hydration level, which is important since we all sleep with air conditioner on all night long. sometimes i also put on eye patches to make sure i don't look like panda (lack of sleep bring out dark eyes as big as you could imagine). another thing: i like my products to have subtle scents. somehow it can help me relax at night. not too fragrant though since i can't tolerate strong scents. but a little floral scent won't hurt. while i was masking, i like to prepare my next day on my bullet journal. it's a great way to schedule my life. from my kids school schedule to any recipe to try, i write it down on my bullet journal. and the only time to update it is at night, so i do all the writing and designing while i put on my mask (talking about multitasking.. any other mom do this too?)

the other thing that i like to do at night: do my nails! yes.. looking at beautiful nails boost my energy and lighten up my days. can't risk having the kids ruin my nail design so i have to do it at night. and while waiting for the nails to dry, i catch up with my tv series marathon or netflix and do some reading before heading to bed.

one more important thing to get a good night sleep (not just for me, but for my kids as well!) is a good mattress. having a comfortable mattress help my kids and i to get a good sleep so we will wake up feeling refreshed the next day. my husband often jokes that when he touches the bed, he immediately feels sleepy since the bed is soooo comfortable. this is important because if the kids are restless, then i couldn't get to pamper myself. then i will be cranky the next day, and no one want a cranky-mommy. if you're living in the US, then check out leesa's website. they're having $75 off right now for all mattress size. and they also have this "giving back" programme. do check them out! and i also want to know, what beauty sleep means to you? what's your night routine? please do share with me... have a good sleep!

my bullet journal - i like to take note of my tasks, tracks my hydration and fitness, and take note of recipes to try on my bullet journal.

me putting on eye patches, and do you see the cute nailart? usually i like to do them at night

my night time routine (i forgot to take pic of my exfoliating toner and my cream though)

some of my wash off masks and sheet mask

if you read my other posts, then you will know that i bought several more pure smile masks, but only a few since i didn't like the ones that i've tried before. i know that this one is meant for daily use, so don't expect any miracles, but still...

anyway, this is the description from japanskin.com: the facial masks contains ceramide 3, vitamin e, collagen and hyaluronic acid which can effectively moisturize and protect your skin, and give your skin elasticity.
so, this one is different from other masks that i've tried from this brand. this one contains ceramide, while the other contains arbutin, but the rest of the ingredients are the same.

the packaging: although the ingredient is different, but the packaging is still the same. it comes in regular white sachet with the picture of the main ingredient at front. description at the back is in japanese as usual.

outer packaging

the scent: the other masks from this brand has very subtle scent, and i think this one is slightly more fragrant than the rest. but it's still not annoying.

the product: the mask has medium thickness, slightly stiff but it adheres well at first. it has okay fit for me, although i wish they didn't put the useless bottom eye flaps. it has slits too to help you adjust the mask to your preference. the essence is clear and just enough.

the result: cooling sensation can be felt the moment i put it on my face. i manage to put it on about 20-30 minutes and the mask will almost dry completely around the edges. after i take it off, it only need about 5 minutes before the essence is all absorbed. i can feel my skin is hydrated. it also soothes and brightens my skin a little bit.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

again, this is a good mask for daily use. so don't expect any miracle from it. just like i always say about other masks from this brand, it won't hurt you to try just one because this one is cheap. you will never know when you just want added hydration in your morning routine or just a quick slap on your face at night before continuing your night routine.

update: talking about hydration, i bet everyone has already knew famous ingredients that hydrates your skin, which is hyaluronic acid. and here i have hannah who will talk more about hyaluronic acid.

How many times have you skipped moisturizers because you think that they’re no good for your
acne-prone skin? If the answer’s too many to count, then you’re committing one serious mistake.
You see, when you don’t moisturize, your skin ends up dry and dehydrated. This causes your
skin to think that there’s not enough moisture to protect itself.

So, what it does is produce more oil than what’s necessary. This is where bad things happen.
Too much oil can cause clogged pores. It can also encourage bacterial growth and even acne.
Now, you might be thinking: What should I do then? The solution is in finding the best moisturizer with the right ingredients for your skin type. One great example is hyaluronic acid.
It’s highly effective in locking moisture into the skin. It’s lightweight, too, so you won’t have to
worry about your skin and pores getting suffocated.

And you know what else? It makes a great anti-aging solution. By keeping the skin plump, it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can help with wound healing and your skin’s cellular turnover, too. Now, to know more about hyaluronic acid and its benefits to your skin, check out this handy infographic here.

"Hannah Do is the founder of Thank Your Skin, a beauty blog dedicated to providing honest skin care advice and information. She aspires to help her readers achieve their most beautiful skin by sharing personal tips learned through both years of experience and thorough research. Check out her latest article about scar repair creams. You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook" 

i bought several pure smile masks when i went to japan last year. i only grab a few since i don't quite like the other variants that my husband has bought me before. let me remind you that perhaps pure smile might be falls short especially if you have been pampered by taiwanese mask or korean mask. mostly because japanese masks are tend to be use daily. that's why don't expect this mask to be miraculous in one night.

the description from prettyandcute.com: pure smile essence mask in pearl helps to boost metabolism and brighten overall skin tone. containing pearl powder, a key ingredient used in this mask, also helps with discoloration and dark spots. arbutin is included on the ingredient list which is well know for whitening skin complexions! moisturizing and clearing away dead skin cells this mask is great for giving you that radiating glow.

the packaging: it comes in regular sachet just like the rest from this line. it's white and have the main ingredient pictured at front. there's a description at the back, but since it's japanese, everything is written in japanese so i cannot read any of them.

the scent: recently i read someone mentioned it being fragrance free, but in my opinion, it has subtle scent. but very subtle that it won't bother you when you put that mask on your face.

the product: the material is thick cotton, similar to korean mask, but thicker than taiwanese masks. the fit is similar to other variants from this brand. as i've mentioned it probably from other posts, that i admire the consistency of this brand for making the fit is similar for each variants. i've tried several masks from etude and the fit is different for each type. this one just like the rest, have eye flaps which are useless. it has slits to adjust the mask to your face better. the essence is clear and enough for one time usage.

the result: the moment i put it on, i can feel the cooling sensation. after putting it on for about 15-20 minutes, it will dry out and i don't need to wait before continuing to the next step because the essence is completely absorbed. it hydrates my skin but i can still use my serum and night cream afterward. usually when the mask is too heavy, i will skip a step. so honestly, it doesn't feel special. the next morning i can see my face is slightly brightened, but obviously it's just temporary.

again, pure smile masks will disappoint you if you're hoping for one night wonder. it is nice to keep one for daily use, or for hydration boost in the morning. but if you're hoping for something stronger, for heavy duty or special occasion, then definitely skip it. again, price wise, it won't hurt your wallet from trying one or two since it's very cheap.

the packaging

left: before middle: mask on right: after (a bit glowing)

when i found out that body shop is releasing their new masks line, i was excited. but turned out it wasn't cheap. so when my husband offered me to buy something from body shop, i asked him to buy the rose one. and it was good! i almost finished it! and then i wanted to try the other. my sister asked me what i want for my birthday, so i asked her to buy the acai or the rice one. but she was super nice, she bought me both! yay! so, let's see if i like it as much as the rose one.

the description from their website: give your skin a wake up call with our amazonian acai energising radiance mask. inspired by the rituals of amazonian tribes, our juicy 100% vegan face mask is a bouncy blend containing acai berry, guarana, and babassu oil and is formulated without paraben, paraffin, silicone or mineral oil. this vibrant face mask exfoliates and invigorates sleepy skin to help it look wide awake. use with our facial mask brush for an energising facial at home.

the packaging: it comes in a cardbox (i think it's made of recycled paper), and the mask itself comes in a glass jar. when you open it, there's a lid to cover the opening of the jar and then you can see the mask itself. since it's made of glass, the jar is quite heavy.

the scent: okay, many people said that it smells like strawberry jam. but am i the only one that notice there's another scent to it? for me it smells like strawberry jam, but with a hint of some spice, like ginger or something. i can't describe it. all i know it doesn't only smells sweet like strawberry.

the product: the mask has almost creamy texture. it looks like strawberry jam, since it's red and grainy like strawberry jam. but when you poke it, it feels creamy. it spreads easily on my face. i've tried using my finger and brush to use this mask, and both are great, but i like my brush better.

the result: after a few minute, i can feel the burning sensation on my skin. the first time using it, i can't stand the burning feeling. for me, it's worse than rice or freeman diamond one. but second time using it, i start to get used to it. and the burning sensation subsides after a few minute, so probably you might want to hold on when you think you can't handle it. after 10 minutes, some of the mask is starting to dry. so i wet my hand with water and massage it with circular motion, just like the instruction. if you didn't wet your hands enough, you will have trouble in massaging in circular motion, since the mask is quite dry. i've once tried washing it off with washcloth and it instantly get rid of the grainy stuff so i can't feel the scrub. after massaging it, i rinse it with water and it washes off easily. then i can see the brightening skin. as for the awakened effect, i think it probably due to the massaging and the burning feeling that open the circulation so you can feel your skin awakened.

overall, i think it's a unique mask. but honestly, it falls short for me. i have high expectation for this mask since i've read praises about this mask. but when i tried it, it does nothing special. the diamond mask can give me similar result with fraction of price. i think it's overpriced for such an ordinary result. but since i get it for free, i'm quite happy. so, definitely suitable for any skin types, but sensitive skin might want to try it first since it's burning. for tight budget, skip it, or buy and share it with your friends.

the outer box

the glass jar

the lid and mask inside the jar

left: before middle: mask on my face right: afterward