since i've bought almost all lululun masks on my previous japan trip, i decided not to buy the same 7 masks type from lululun again. before i went there second time, my sister also came back from japan and she gave me some masks. it was babyish mask, the white one. and i remember it's also a pretty famous one. so when i was there, i saw the pink and gold one, so i grabbed them all to make sure i got them all covered.

this is the description from their website: brings resilient baby-like skin with carefully selected formula intended for users in their 20s. control of the acne-prone, easily changing condition of the skin is the first step to baby-like skin. safe delivery of hydration deep into your skin, with daily care. the moisturizing mask: formula with hyaluronic acid, lipidure, trehalose derivative, amino acid, glycerin (moisturizer).

the packaging: since this is a pack of 7 masks in one sachet, all the masks are cramped into one pouch. for this one, the size is bigger than lululun's. it has baby face at front, and it's colored according to the type. pink one is moisturizing one, similar to lululun. you can see the sticker that indicated best selling award from cosme at front, and all description at the back is in japanese. it's double zipper pouch so you can completely seal it back to keep the mask fresh.

packaging (who wouldn't want skin as soft as baby?)

the scent: it has subtle floral baby powder scent. or baby wipes. it's very mild so you won't have to concern about the scent.

the product: all masks is cramped into one pouch, which is a 50-50 thing. one side, it's good for environment since you're not throwing much waste. on the other side, there's a contamination probability, especially if you're not closing the pouch properly or using dirty hands to pull the mask out. the mask itself is made of cotton, thin and stretchy. it has big eye holes, big mouth holes and too many slits, which make it wrinkle easily and take a lot of time to put it correctly on my face. i think the slit on the chin is useless. unnecessary bottom eye flaps too. but i appreciate the longer nose flap than other japanese mask. i totally forgot how the fit is really similar to kose black mask. the essence is clear and watery. it distributes evenly all over the mask, but i always make sure to flip the pouch upside down couple of time so the essence will distribute evenly. by the time i was finished all seven, there are plenty left in the pouch. the first i used it, i took too long to adjust it on my face and the forehead always dried up first. i put it on for about 10-15 minutes and it will almost dried up.

left: before middle: mask on (see all that big holes and useless bottom eye flaps?) right: after one use

the result: the first time using it i almost didn't feel anything. but after using it almost every day until i used it all up, i can feel my skin is hydrated and there's no sticky feeling afterward. i think it has similar effect as lululun pink one.

left: after one use right: after 7 uses

this is designated as daily mask, so if you're hoping something more heavy duty like papa recipe or my beauty diary, then you'll be disappointed. but if you like daily mask, something light to use every day, then you can try this one. as for me, i like lululun fit better but the thickness of this mask better. this mask is more comfortable and more adherence than lululun. i totally forgot the price comparison, but i don't think they differ much. i think every skin types can try this mask, but perhaps dry skin might not benefit much from this mask.

just before i went to japan, i saw this picture of cute face wash. the top of the packaging makes it possible to whip up a beautiful rose foam. so when i saw it on some shelves in the store, i immediately grabbed it in a flash. i know it will be just an ordinary foam, with a beautiful gimmick, but it's so pretty.. i have to try it myself. and i was trying this for about a week when i finally got the chance to take pictures of it. and then, my husband saw me taking picture of it and he became curious. he saw the whole process and he was amused. he said that this is a good marketing strategy to attract chicks to buy it. hahahhaa...

this is the description from japantrend's website: you'll feel fresh as flowers with the kanebo evita rose cleanser beauty whip soap, an anti-aging cream with a floral twist. this face wash is designed to combat the effects of aging. apply it regularly to leave your skin feeling refreshed and looking younger. but what makes this product unique is how it smells like a bouquet of roses, leaving a pleasant scent on your face. even better, the actual foam comes up in the shape of a rose when you push it out of the tube. talk about coming up smelling of roses!

the packaging: it comes in a white can with a plastic striated top so the foam that comes out of it in the shape of a rose. there's a transparent plastic cap to cover the top. on both side of the top, there are two pink lids that you can push to whip out the foam. as usual, all description at the back is in japanese. the packaging is not travel friendly considering that it comes in an aerosol can.

the packaging

the scent: i'm super happy that this one definitely smells like a rose. not too overwhelming, not too rosy, just perfect rose scent for me. my mamonde rose toner is too rosy and a bit too fragrant, and so does my previous TBS rose mask.

at the back of the can everything is in japanese

the product: like i've said before, the striated or patterned top of the can make it possible for the foam that comes out of the can comes in a shape of a rose. it's really pretty. white rose foam. the height of the rose foam depends on how long you push the button. if you push it really quick, then it wouldn't have enough time to get very tall. i usually hold it about 10 seconds and it's not too tall and not too short for me. if i hold it longer, then it will be too much and i'm afraid i'll finish it sooner than i want to.

striated/layered top

the result: since it's already come out in the form of foam, you definitely don't have to worry about it not foaming. you can easily spread it on your face and wash it with water as usual. now the aftermath is depend on how much foam i put on my face. if i put too much, then i will get the squeaky clean face afterward. but if i put just enough, i can feel my face is clean but there's a layer of moisture still covering my face. in fact it doesn't feel as drying as my previous japanese facial foams.

the rose foam

i have to admit, this is just a fancy facial foam. the one that comes in a beautiful rose shape foam. it's just an ordinary foam, but the rose shape makes it prettier than other foams. but, among other japanese facial foam that i've tried before, this one is the least drying. it doesn't make my skin squeaky clean and very dry afterward. even though it's designated for anti-aging, i think everyone can try this foam. as for me, i would buy their strawberry version if i got the chance.

another view of the rose (look how tall it is)

when i was in hong kong, i didn't know whether or not i could buy skincare stuff. but i had hope that at least i could buy some sheet mask and perhaps a little makeup. unfortunately, my window shopping was very short, so i only got a chance to visit sasa once. then i saw that they were having papa recipe masks on sale. i had to buy them. i was dying to try them. everybody seems love it, so i had to try it myself. i bought three types, the original one, the black honey, and the rose gold. the first two came in a box of 10, while the rose gold only had 5 masks in a box.

this is the description from imomoko website: bombee rose gold mask pack moisturizes the skin with a gold infused honeycomb sheet mask generously soaked with richly hydrating propolis extract and 24K gold. bombee honey mask pack for the sweet radiant skin everyone's buzzing about! the bombee honey mask pack is designed with all natural ingredients that are full of nutrients to replenish, rejuvenate, and hydrate your skin to protect & prevent from irritants. made with papa recipe's gold complex formula of organic extracts, the bombee honey mask pack is made only with organic ingredients directly from nature, without the use of artificial preservatives, making it safe to use for everyone. the organic pulp mask sheet is excellent for delivering the essence, hydration & nutrients directly to the skin while increasing the absorption. experience the sweet burst of nature and see what a touch of nature can do for your skin.

the packaging: the mask comes in a box that has the same design as the individual packaging. it has pink background with a big picture of honey jar in the middle of the front side. they put the name of the sheet in front, under the korean letter, in english fortunately. at the back you can read the description and instructions in korean and english.

the packaging

the scent: it has the same scent like the other two, sweet scent of honey. a bit thick of a scent for my taste though. but it's okay, at least it really smells like honey. the scent dissipates quickly though.

the product: the mask is similar to the original one, except this one has gold beehive pattern at the front of the mask. it's made of cotton, and very comfortable. doesn't feel papery at all. it comes with plastic backing and i appreciate it since the mask is quite flimsy so the backing helps hold the mask better and make unfolding it easier. the mask is soaked in clear essence and there's a bit left in the package, but not enough to soak a tablet mask. there's slit to help adjusting the mask. the mask has wide nose bridge that it pokes my tear duct a little bit, but i don't have any complaint about the rest of the fit. the mask adheres well and i use it for about 30 minutes.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

the result: after i take it off, i massage the remaining essence for about 5 minutes until it's absorbed completely. afterward i can feel my skin is well hydrated. my pores appear smaller. and the plumping effect lasts until the next day.

i have to say i like this one too, especially this one has pretty packaging. i like how it moisturizes my skin well until the next day. it makes my skin plump and bouncy. perhaps with regular use it will help more. i would say that every skin type can use this mask, although oily skin might want to proceed with care. it might be too rich for them. unfortunately, i don't see any significant difference with the original one. if you can't get this one promo, perhaps you should try the original one since the effect is quite similar. but if you want to try them all like me, then go for it.

when i went to japan the second time, i decided not to repurchase my previous lululun masks, mainly because i think there are still a lot of other masks that i haven't tried yet, so better not make any repurchasing just yet. so i decided to buy lululun mask that i haven't tried, like the gold one. then i saw these new lululun masks that i haven't seen before. and it's written "weekly mask". i was intrigued and i grabbed couple of them, oh perhaps almost all of the varieties that's offered there. when i got back to the hotel, i browsed about it and found out that it's their new type of mask, intended to use weekly, unlike their usual one that's intended to use daily. basically there are two groups, the aroma care masks and nature care masks. each group has 5 different types of masks, so there are 10 types in total. the arome masks have significant aroma essences to fit every mood. 5 of them being rose, sage, lavender, lemongrass and yuzu. i didn't get any of them. the other group is nature care, which use natural ingredients for skin benefit. the 5 of them are homeo age, smooth gold, sweet drop, fresh red, and sunny day. i didn't get the sweet drop one because it wasn't available there.

can't find decent description but this is the best that i can find from blog.dejapan.com: claims to both brighten and even out skin tone. extracts from swiss sunflowers, lilies, and something called "strawberry geranium" give the mask a hint of floral scents. it's also high in vitamin C. lululun calls it "osmotic" means it's designed to easily absorb into the skin.
*update: i find another description from their usa website: uniform brightness - blend of sunflower seed extract from switzerland. sunflowers  are emblematic of sun's vibrant rays. extract sourced from new sunflower buds is a ripe natural source of components that create soft and glowing skin. the extract permeates dull, drab skin to restore the appearance of vitality and create a uniform, sunny glow. sunflower sprout extract from switzerland permeates skin dulled by dryness and fatigue for radiant moisture and brightness. yukinoshita will soothe and smooth your skin texture for remarkably soft and bright bare skin. oil soluble vitamin c derivative that also contains lily extract and hydrolyzed yeast extract to smooth rough skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

the packaging: i bought a box of 5, so i got 5 masks in one box. each individual packaging has the same design as the box. sunny days come in light blue box/sachet with picture of the sun up front in the middle. the name of the mask is printed up there in english, and "weekly face mask" description at the bottom. as usual, the description at the back is in japanese.

the packaging

the scent: i was hoping that this would smell different, with all the new grouping and stuff. but no, it just smells like wet tissue. not too overwhelming as usual.

the product: the mask is definitely thicker than usual lululun mask. perhaps because it's meant for weekly use. even though it's thicker, it's soft and doesn't feel papery at all. it doesn't have any slit, and it has wide nose bridge, which cause the essence to leak a bit into my eyes and stings them for a while. the fit is okay for me, but a slit or two won't hurt to make better adjustment. the mask is soaked with clear essence and it doesn't leave any excess. the mask adheres well and i put it on my face about 20-25 minutes. it's still wet when i took it off.

the result: when i put it on, i can feel the cooling sensation longer than usual. afterward, i can feel my skin is hydrated, like when i use my usual regular sheet mask. my pores also appear smaller for temporary time. i don't see the brightening though.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

i have to say that this weekly mask is definitely a little bit more than daily lululun masks, but it still feels like regular korean sheet mask. taiwanese masks are even more hydrating than this. so, if you want variety in your sheet masking session and wouldn't mind regular sheet mask, then you can try it. but if you're used to being pampered with taiwanese masks that have more essence and more plumping effect, then you might feel disappointed with this mask. i think every skin type can try this sheet mask, but again, adjust it to your preference. from price point of view, you don't need to worry, this is still affordable and won't break your wallet.

when i went to japan, i wanted to grab a serum or essence, mainly because my stash is running out. but nothing seems within my budget. so when i found daiso serums, i grabbed 3 of them instantly. i've tried the other two, and i like the green one better than the pink one. and honestly, i'm saving the last one because i have high hope in this serum. i've read that people like this as it's multipurpotional serum, but i strictly use it as face serum. if you never heard of daiso serum before, don't worry.. i didn't hear about them until last year, around the time i was going to japan. apparently, i can't find the serum outside japan, not even in singapore. so perhaps it's only sold in japan. now, let's see how this serum works.

description form alphabeauty website: an anti-aging moisturizing essence/serum contains moisture rich royal jelly extract for skin nourishment and helps avoid dryness. this is the best choice for value among those moisturizing essence with similar main ingredient.

the packaging

the packaging: it comes in a plastic bottle just like the other serum from daiso. they only seal the cap with plastic sealing. once you removed the plastic, you can see the clear plastic cap covering the pump head. and the body of the bottle is made of plastic, colored according to the serum type. for this type, it's yellow. there's description and ingredients list printed on the body in english and japanese.

the bottle

the scent: i was hoping this would smell different (please note that the other two has similar scent, with a bit of alcohol scent in it), but it's not. it smells similar, like wet tissue. perhaps because the alcohol comes in second in the ingredients list. people should stop making product that doesn't smell like the name they put on. it gives wrong impression.

description at the back of the bottle in english and japanese

the product: the serum is clear like the other type. it is viscous, more like jelly like texture. watery jelly. i've read one person mentioned that it feels like hand antiseptic gel, which i think it's true. it spreads easily on my face and absorbed easily too. it doesn't leave sticky feeling afterward.

pump head

the result: as i've mentioned before, this serum could be used on different parts of your body, from eyelashes, face, neck and even hair. but i used this strictly on my face. it is hydrating just like the other serum, but it doesn't give any effect. it layers well under other serum.

serum on my hand

after spreading it

honestly, for that price, i wasn't hoping much from this serum. not that i underestimate a product based on its price, but certainly a price is set because of certain reason, and one of them is the research behind a product to make sure that it works as it's claimed for. as for this serum, it works to moisturize my skin well, but it's just ordinary. nothing else beyond that. and i believe pricier serum works more than this one. if you have dry skin, this serum definitely won't be enough. but if you have oily to combination skin or like to layer several products, then you could buy this serum, especially if you're on tight budget. but if you're worried about the alcohol in this serum, skip this, you won't miss much. and let me warn you that all daiso serum still contains paraben, you yeah.. you might want to consider it too. as for me, i just bought this out of curiosity. and i have to say i won't repurchase it.

when i first went to japan, i randomly bought their masks without knowing their purpose. i grabbed whatever caught my eyes and had that cosme sticker. then on my second visit, i knew better. i made a thorough research, including the masks. and i was intrigued to try their black mask. i almost gave up, but then on my last couple days, i found it! yayy...

this is the description from kosecosmeport website: penetrating beauty serum bursting with moisture will tighten the skin around your pores, giving you fresh skin with a translucent look. the power of the japanese medical herbs will also nourish your skin. clear turn black mask is made with a soft 100% plant-derived charcoal-black absorbent sheet. made from a compound of fermented soy milk extract, glycerin and scutellaria baicalensis root extract to promote tight, white skin.
(please note that according to their website, the other mask in "clear turn" series is made of beliese sheet except the black mask. and they contain 22 ml of beauty essence while the black mask only has 20 ml)

the packaging: since i bought this in a pack, it comes in a box that has the same design as their individual pack. the box has the picture of a woman wearing the black mask, and it comes in gold background, so you won't make a mistake picking up the mask, even though everything that's written on it is in japanese. the individual packaging looks exactly like the box, and the size is smaller than usual individual mask. although all clear turn series have the same size.

the packaging

the scent: it smells like regular wet tissue, but not too overwhelming. it will dissipates after a minute or two.

the product: the mask is obviously black cotton mask with a lot of slits, too much for my liking. somehow too much slits make it harder for me to put it on my face. it has the usual useless bottom eye flaps and wider temple sides. another useless chin slit. perhaps since this mask doesn't make of beliese cotton sheet, it is thinner than the other mask from clear turn series. the mask isn't soaked well at first, but i put the rest of the essence in the pouch on top of the mask and it solves the problem. it adheres better than the first time. the essence is cloudy essence, and since i put the rest back on the mask, there's nothing left. i put it on for about 20 minutes before taking it off.

the result: the mask stings at first, but it doesn't last long. i'm not sure why it stings though. after 20 minutes, i took it off. it is hydrating enough and my pores appear smaller for awhile, but i didn't notice anything else.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

i have to say that i'm a little bit disappointed in this mask. they touted this mask as best sellers and i can't see why. i was hoping something more, like my beauty diary masks that i always like or my new favorite, papa recipe one. it's standard hydrating mask without any other effect, which any regular sheet mask will do. but on the funny note, i did scare my husband when i opened the door late night for him while still using this mask. thankfully, my baby didn't. anyway, i won't repurchase for sure, but i will try my best to finish them off. anyway, if you're intrigued to try it, then buy it since it is cheap. but if you are hoping wonder masks like MBD or papa recipe, then don't. as for skin type, i think it will work well with all skin types. oh, i have to warn you though.. the website indicates that the black masks contains alcohol, so if that's your concern, you might want to stay away too.

last year, i put together a list of my wishlist items for my birthday. and my sister is so generous. she didn't pick one or two, but mostly she got it covered. unfortunately, she didn't listen well. i was looking for the wash off capsule recipe pack from innisfree, and she got mixed. she bought me several sleeping pack capsule recipe instead of the wash off one. currently i get bored with sleeping masks, but i will try to use them up as fast as i can.

i was travelling for short days the other day with my family, and i convinced myself to still put on some makeup even though i was on holiday. i don't say that not using makeup make me feel bad, but putting makeup make me feel refreshed hence the effect of having holiday and a happy heart are maximized. but then i realized that trying to bring along my eyeshadow palette as well as several brushes is not that travel friendly. i already got too many baggage since i brought along 3 kids (all under 5) so i had a lot of toiletries, mine and theirs, so adding makeup to it is not a good idea.

when i went home, not long after that, body shop was having sale to celebrate national online shop day. plus it was near christmas time, so i decided to stock up my trusty body butter. but buying only one items seems like a waste, especially since i still have to pay the shipping rate. so i looked again at the sales items, and there it was.. an eyeshadow stick. i was thinking on my holiday, that perhaps an eyeshadow stick will be perfect for travelling. it will give a wash of color to my lid and i won't need any brush to do it. the famous one would be laura mercier eye caviar stick, and its dupe, kiko milano (later did i know that my husband is about to go to europe and he can buy me some!). i read the review and it's pretty mixed. some said it was okay, but some said not to bother. considering that i only pay almost half the original price, i thought why not? after all i only bought one. so i did. i added one eyeshadow stick into my shopping cart.

the description from their website: designed to make your natural eye colour pop with sparkle, our eye colour sticks are enriched with community trade babassu oil and beeswax. show your true colors and stand out from the crowd with this part season with high-definition eye colour lasts. we love the chunky stick design for creating the perfect eyeshadow shapes, shading, flicks and wings. high-definition metallic eyeshadow stick in plum. intense long-lasting colour. waterproof. 100% vegetarian makeup. 4 shades: nevada gold, siberian quartz, cairo granite, cyprus bronze.

the packaging: the eye color stick (that's what they call it) didn't come in any box. they only put lots of bubble wrap around it, so no worry about it being broken during shipment. the body of eye stick is a black doff plastic and it has a color label on the side. they also printed the name on the side of the body. the cap is colored according to the shade so you don't have to store them upside down.

the packaging

the shade: mine is cyprus bronze, which is actually a bronzey brown, no glitter, but a bit shimmer. not too metallic too. on swatch it looks very pigmented, but on my lids, it is slightly toned down.

mine is cyprus bronze

the product: it's an eye stick pen, so all you have to do is twist the pen to get the eye stick out. the eye stick itself has dome-shaped tip, which is not so great for making sharp lines so honestly i'm quite confused why they would advertise it as something that will work to do "flicks and wings". but it works well to color the entire lid. the eye stick glides easily on my lid. usually i will swipe a layer or two on my entire lid and the use my fingertip to blur the edges. i never layer it with powder eyeshadow, because most of the time, i don't have time!

the dome-shaped tip

the result: the color is not as bold as i thought it would be. on my hand swatch it looks bronzy brown and quite metallic. but on my lids, it looks more like a bronzy brown with tiny gold shimmery shade into it. not too metallic and not too shimmery too. if i didn't use any base on my lid, the color is barely shown. i know it might sound bad, but somehow i like it since it's perfect for daily use. it gives just a slight wash of color on my lid without being too overboard. even though it's a bit dark, but i like to use it all over my lid on my quick fix days. the staying power is quite standard too. if i don't

swatch on my hand

overall, at my first impression, i'm not impressed with it, especially since if i don't wear anything underneath, the eyeshadow will be gone in about two hours or so. if i put something underneath, like bb cream and powder, the color will last a bit longer, about 4 hours or so. it doesn't crease though, considering that i don't put any powder eyeshadow on top of it. but i'm not complaining since i already knew that this won't be a superstar product. i've had a couple of hit and miss with body shop before, so i don't have high hope for this one. but it's okay since i was buying this for a quick fix for daily use or on travelling when i don't want to use any brush, and at that time i hadn't known that my husband would go to europe and he could get some kiko eyeshadow sticks. anyway, i definitely won't recommend this sticks if you can get your hands on kiko one, they are better. i'd have that review coming up soon. but if you want to spend your points and can't get your hands on kiko eyeshadow stick, then you can get this one if you need a quick fix of eyeshadow like me, although you might have to bear with the color selection since there are only 4 shades. have you tried any eyeshadow stick? got any favorites?

top: only used on right eyelid bottom: both eyes, but the left one is more blended you can barely see the color right? note: it's used without any base

before i went to singapore, i'm checking my stash. i'm pretty sure i almost run out of any essence or serum and also sunscreen, so i'm planning to get both of them while i'm in singapore. i've been using daiso job's tears serum at that time and i almost finished it. and then, when i was in singapore, i went to guardian near my hotel and i spotted naruko. i was so excited since i never expected to find naruko in singapore. i took picture of the whole display and then went back to hotel, put the kids back to sleep and did a little research and decided to buy the raw job's essence. then when i was home, i realized that it has similar main ingredient as my daiso one so i decided to do a side by side comparison, just like what i did with several wash off masks.

i use daiso serum on the right side of my face, and naruko essence on my left face (it's easier to remember, daiso on dextra.. med geek, i know... can't help it). i use it every afternoon and night and take picture of comparison every week. unfortunately, the daiso serum didn't last until a month, so i only got 3 weeks comparison here.

the packaging: daiso comes in a plastic pump bottle, not too big. naruko one comes in a red glass bottle, also provided with a pump that's also covered by a cap. if you're travelling a lot and didn't like to move it to other container, then daiso is safest since it's made of plastic. me, myself, personally, i like daiso better since it's made of plastic. i have 3 kids that are very curious, so having glass bottle around is not ideal. both essence and serum come in 30 ml, so daiso one is definitely hell lot cheaper.

the scent: both has subtle scent. perhaps that job's tears has significant scent. all i can remember is the daiso one somehow smells a bit more alcoholic. the naruko one a bit more fermented. since both are subtle, i don't have any problem with both.

ingredient: let's take a closer look at the ingredients list. same ingredients found in both are marked yellow.

daiso ingredients: water, alcohol, glycerin, sorbitol, butylene glycol, coix lacryma, jobi ma-yuen seed extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, hydroxyethylcellulose, carbomer, PEG-40 hidrogenated castor oil, sodium hydroxide, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben

naruko's ingredients: purified water (aqua), sclerotium gum, snow fungus (tremella fuciformis) extract, gluconolactone, taiwan's job's tears (coix-lacryma ~ jobi) extract, niacinamide, sodium hyaluronate, butylene glycol, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, taiwan coix lacryma ~ jobi (jobs tears) seed oil, ethylhexyl stearate, lecithin/ crambe abyssinica seed oil/ meadowfoam seed oil, phragmites kharka extract, poria cocos extract, pentylene glycol, tranexamic acid, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/ vp copolymer, glyceryl polymethacylate, job's tears (coix lacryma-jobi) water, kalanchoe spatulata extract, galactoarabinan, vitis vinifera (grape) leaf extract, alcohol, yeast extract, thiamine HCl, ptridoxine HCl, enantia chlorantha bark extract, oleanolic acid, phenoxyethanol, ethyl ascorbic acid, methylisothiszolinone, phenoxyethanol, iodopropynyl butylcarbanate, malic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, pyrus malus fruit extract, citric acid, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, scutellaria alpina flower/ leaf/ stem extract, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, artemisia umbelliformis extract, lentopodium alpinum extract, epilobium flesheri extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, chamomilia recutita (matricaria) flower extract, solicyloyl phtosphingosine.

you can see that daiso one is more simple, but it contains alcohol and methylparaben and castor oil, which i'm pretty sure not many people will like it. the naruko one on the other hand has long list of extracts and also contains alcohol, but it's in the middle of the list. the main ingredient also found in 3 form, extract, oil and water. naruko one also has yeast extract (fermented stuff), glycolic acid and lactic acid (both are AHA), citric acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate (one of vitamin c derivative), licorice extract (brightening agent) and other extracts which i think will bring good stuff to your skin.

as for ingredients, definitely naruko wins considering it has so many good stuff in it.

the result:

you can see here that the redness of my face is decreasing a bit

no lines on my forehead, which means it's moisturizing adequately

closer on my cheek: redness is reduced, no significant effect on pores.

redness reduces, and acne scar is healed quickly and the scar is faded quickly too

again, no lines on my forehead, so it's moisturizing enough

close up on my cheek: you can see that in one week my acne scar is healed and lightened

naruko essence also works well. it's moisturizing enough as i don't develop any fine lines on my forehead. but the most visible effect is the healing property and brightening effect. i have this nasty acne scar (well, it's my fault, i popped the zit.. my bad..) and somehow it's healed within a week. the scar is pretty lightened too. please notice that i also use vitamin c serum aside from this serum, so i think it must work well in combination with the vitamin c serum.

here's side by side comparison week by week:

both works well in reducing my cheek's redness

both works well in moisturizing my skin

again, notice the redness reduction but the star is the acne scar: notice how it's lightened quick enough on the naruko's side

both serum works well in moisturizing my skin and reducing my redness. i believe raw job's is meant for anti inflammation and soothing the skin, so i guess it works. as for naruko, since it has added vitamin c derivative and brightening agent, i think that helps in lightening the acne scars faster. if you're only looking at moisturizing and soothing serum, then daiso is a cheaper option. it delivers well. but it also contains alcohol quite high in its ingredients list and paraben, so if you're concern about it, you might want to skip this.

as for naruko, it delivers well, and i think the price is quite reasonable for a serum that works well. plus it doesn't contain paraben. if you don't mind paying more to get extra result, then you should buy this serum. as for me, although i like naruko better, i don't like the glass packaging, which is causing my reluctance to repurchase it. but naruko is definitely the winner in this battle for me.

i was running out from my night cream when i was going to japan, so i put a wish list, mainly consists of toner, emulsion and night cream, then face washes, mascaras and eyeliners, a few false eyelashes and eyelid tape plus an eyelash glue mainly because those items were popular in japan. as for night cream, i decided not to buy a lot of hada labo, mostly because i'm bored, so i ventured more into sana nameraka. i bought two of them, the haritsuya one which contains q10 and this one, which contains retinol. i've tried the haritsuya one and didn't quite like it. so let's see about this one.

description from tokiwayakuhin website: anti-wrinkle cream containing fermented soybean milk and retinol derivatives. luxurious and rich on your skin. gives your skin a firm and elastic feel and diminish the appearance of fine wrinkles due to dryness.

the packaging: it comes in plastic box with description on it, exactly like the haritsuya one. the difference is this one has yellow labelling, which indicate that it belongs to the wrinkle line. again, description is always in japanese. the cream itself comes in a yellow plastic tub, without any sealing or spatula. i'd say if you're concern about hygiene, you might have better luck with korean products since almost every cream is provided with a spatula.

the outer box

the back of the box

the scent: as usual, this is scentless, but i don't think i pick the usual soybean scent.

the tub

back of the tub

the product: the cream is a bit yellowish, pretty thick in consistency. i completely forgot how thick the haritsuya one. compared to the haritsuya, i think this one is only a bit thicker. somehow the texture is intriguing. when i touch it, i thought i touched a gel based cream, but then when i dip my finger deeper, it's more of cream consistency. even though it's thick, i have no problem spreading this on my face and it's absorbed almost as quickly as the haritsuya one.

the cream inside

the result: instantly after, the cream will leave glistening traces on my skin but it will completely disappear after the cream is completely absorbed. it's definitely moisturizing but it doesn't make my skin greasy the next morning. i would say that it gives me that glow from having a good hydrated skin.

a bit on my hand (little goes a long way)

after a minute or two

i've been using this cream for about a month, and i like this one better. somehow i feel that this cream manages to moisturize my skin better, especially when i'm adding acid back to my routine. i like this better then the haritsuya one. i feel that my skin is more bouncy when i use this cream. as for the retinol, i always use sunscreen, and i don't know the exact concentration of retinol in this cream. as far as i know, i'm not experiencing any peeling whatsoever, so probably the concentration is pretty low. i still have another hada labo cream in my stash, but i will repurchase this cream if i didn't like the other one too.

happy new year everyone! i didn't make any resolutions, mostly because i think it sounds cheesy, but since i'm doing bullet journaling, i'm starting to put short term goals in my bullet journal. i wanted to keep being motivated even though i'm living in a quite routine life. most of my days usually circled around my kids, and they don't have many activities yet, so my days are pretty boring. lately my skin is behaving well so i started to play with makeup more. my sister has a big day coming up so i'm also practicing my makeup skill in anticipation of having to do my own makeup on her big day. i've been reading lots of blogger, beauty and makeup reviews, watching lots of makeup tutorials. i've also bought several more makeup (oh well, perhaps more than i should have), and i've been playing with them and i like it. as the kids grow up, i also have several time in the morning to do my makeup. on my hectic days, i still go out bare face in the morning. but when i have spare time, i will put quick makeup and somehow it will make my day brighter. suddenly i will feel prettier. oh well,.. perhaps that's just the hormone speaking (please not that i'm still on pill).

so, i guess no other person is eligible to tell you the 5 minute makeup routine other than moms. and trust me, being a mom of 3 will train you to put on your makeup as quickly as possible. i guess i'm entitled to describe it to you after several months doing it. although i don't time myself putting on my makeup, but i bet if i do full makeup, it will still under 30 minutes. so on super short routine on daily basis, i bet i can make it in 5 minutes.

my quicky makeup menu (forgot to include the eyeliner and contour set here)

base makeup: i only have one foundation at this time, and using it everyday is impossible. i've been used to the practicality of bb cushion and powder foundation, so on daily basis, i still stick to those. although recently i bought a set of makeup brushes that helps me put my makeup faster and better, i still think it's excessive to put on foundation daily. right now, i'm having missha bb cushion (the line version, i got the brown one) and maybelline powder foundation as my base makeup. i will use the cushion with the air puff and use flat top brush or my elf powder brush to put on the powder foundation.

setting powder: bb cushion is highly known for their dewy finish. i have combination skin and am currently living in a tropical country so it gets hot and humid here, therefore i need to put powder especially on my t-zone to make the bb last longer and put the oiliness at bay. right now i'm testing canmake marshmallow pressed powder (although sometimes i think this is a powder foundation that i can use on its own) and i've been using it with my beauty creations powder brush. when i'm super duper lazy, i will use it on its own with the puff that it comes with. i will skip the powder if i'm using powder foundation.

blush, contour, highlight:
- blush: the fastest option is obviously powder blush. right now i'm testing essence matte blush, but the rosy color isn't the best for everyday use, so i use catrice matte eyeshadow in peachahontas which is a peach color as my blush. i also often reach for canmake cream cheek color as it's another peach color that fits me most of the time and i can use it with just my finger.
- contour: i use the contour shade from my catrice contour set and i'm trying to hit the pan before purchasing anything else.
- highlight: right now i'm rotating between elf baked highlighter in moonlight pearl, kiko water eyeshadow in #200 and #208. three of them are okay for daily use, although i will use #208 light-handed because the gold tone is quite strong for my fair skin.

brow: currently using the powder from my k palette 3 in 1 brow pencil since i'm running out the pencil but the powder is still a lot so i'm trying to use it up. although it's not a good option since the sponge is too big to draw a tail on my eyebrow. if i had more time, i will use my angled eyeliner brush to draw the tail.

color scheme from my daily quicky makeup menu

eyeshadow: on my busy day, forget the eyeshadow palette. although i have enough practice to put eyeshadow faster than before, but still it takes time to put the eyeshadow on my eyelid with that brushes. so, recently i found new love in eyeshadow stick. i'm rotating between my body shop eyeshadow stick in cyprus bronze, and my kiko eyeshadow sticks in #5 and #38. they're perfect for giving a wash of color to my eyelid and no fuss too since i can use my finger to blend the edges.

eyeliner and mascara: i rarely use them both together when i'm in a rush. usually i only put eyeliner (k palette eyeliner in brown) rather than the mascara (loreal telescopic mascara) mainly because it's easier to put on eyeliner. but i'm also trying to finish up this mascara so if i got more than 5 minutes, i will try my best to use that mascara.

lipstick: lately i've been using lip cream and liquid lipstick mainly because it's transferproof. but last month i was rearranging my makeup vanity and i realized how i have neglected my colourpop lippie stix, so i was hoping to finish at least some of them this year. i will stick to nudes color for now, so i've been using brink and frida mostly, and nyx smlc zurich mainly.

that's my makeup menu for daily use lately, usually on my hectic day. i'm trying to pan some of my products, so i'm setting up weekly makeup menu to rotate my stuff so i can finish them soon. for this week, i'm using kiko #200 as my highlight and body shop cyprus bronze as my eyeshadow, colourpop brink or nyx zurich as my lipstick. i will take pictures of my pan progression too, and hopefully i can see some progress soon. do you stick to a routine or you wake up each morning and then try to find some inspiration for your makeup each day?

my wish list when i went to japan mostly best sellers products, the one that keeps popping in everyone's buying list when they went to japan. one of them is DHC cleansing oil. usually DHC has collaboration and they will make pretty packaging, and i've been drooling to get one of them, but again, i was out of luck. i only get the original edition.

this is the description from dhccare website: DHC deep cleansing oil makeup remover completely dissolves all traces of dirt and cosmetics - even waterproof mascara and eyeliner - while nourishing your complexion with antioxidant-rich olive oil. using dry hands, massage it onto your dry face, and it immediately goes to work. add water and it transforms to a milky, vitamin-rich emulsion that rinses clean, leaving your skin feeling soft and nurtured, never dry or greasy. one try and you'll understand why it's the ultimate cleanser.

the packaging: like i said before, i didn't get special edition one, so mine comes in original packaging. the box has fruit picture and the picture of the oil bottle at the front and every text written on it is in japanese. the bottle itself is a plastic with white pump on top. there's a transparent plastic cap covering the pump head. again, every text written on the bottle is also in japanese except for "deep cleansing oil" label at the front. apparently there are 3 sizes, and mine is the small size (70 ml). the pump is bigger than my previous cleansing oils.

the box

back of the box

the scent: okay, i've been okay with scentless japan products, but this one... although it doesn't smell too fragrant or too pungent, but i don't like the scent. i think it has olive oil scent, and quite strong that i can feel it stuck on the ceiling of my mouth everytime i use it and breathe through it. for me it's awful.

the bottle

the back of the bottle

the product: the oil has similar coloring as olive oil, dark yellow. the oil has runnier consistency than my previous oils too, although i think it might be as runny as kose softymo. it emulsify decently without much effort and washes off easily too.

close up on the bottle

the pump (i like this version better)

the result: it cleanses off most of my makeup well. it struggles a bit with waterproof mascara (read: the famous heroine mascara) so i have to use separate eye makeup remover everytime i use that mascara but it can clean everything else. i have to mention that this cleansing oil also stings my eyes although not as bad as the other oils. and this is more moisturizing compared to other oils that usually strip clean my face.

the oil on my hand

left: from top to bottom : bb cream - cream blush - mascara - eyeliner - eyeshadow stick - lip cream middle: emulsifying the oil with water (you can see that the mascara and eyeliner is still visible) right: a bit trace of mascara still seen, just tiny bit

overall, i might agree that this cleansing oil is good, it works well cleansing almost everything even mascara (but not heroine mascara apparently) and it doesn't dry out my skin. although it's not that important to me since i have quite tough skin apparently. i totally forget the price of this oil, but considering this oil is a best seller and it comes in several sizes, i bet the price is not cheap. not as cheap as kose i think, since the later also comes in refill package too. aside from the price, i might repurchase this if the scent wasn't that off. but for me, making me almost puke every time i use this oil is a sign of a big no for repurchasing. i will, however, give you green light if you want to try this oil or buy this oil when you're in japan.