metamorph-me
metamorph-me
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when i went to japan to watch coldplay, it was right after i went to korea, so i had a bag full of skincare and makeup already. i also made a mistake while in japan. i intended to go to cosme store, but i ended up at ainz tulpe so i didn't see many products that pique my interest. however, i spotted mini size products of astalift. the full size ones are very pricey, so the mini size gives me the chance to try it before committing to full size. i am actually interested in the red ones, but i knew i didn't need them so i tried their brightening serum instead. 

this is the translated description from their marketplace page: newest product from the serum series, astalift the serum brightening comes with exclusive liposome technology from FUJIFILM that helps maximize active ingredients delivery to the targeted skin layers thoroughly. the serum brightening also uses main ingredients that have been proven scientifically to take care inflammation and brighten the skin. this serum helps protect the skin from the inside, inhibit melanin production which is the cause of dark spots, fade dark spots in 4 weeks, make skin look bright and healthy.
active ingredients:
- to brighten skin: tranexamic acid, stearyl glycyrrhetinic acid
- to inhibit melanocyte growth: sanguisorba officinalis (great burnet root extract)
- to protect skin from oxidation damage: vitamin c derivative
astalift the serum brightening can be used day and night after lotion. press 2 pumps onto your palm and spread it around gently to the whole face.
recommendation: maximize soothing and cooling effect from the serum brightening texture by keeping it in the refrigerator (don't keep the product in the freezer).
the box
the packaging: it comes in a reddish pink metallic box with description at the back in japanese. there's a picture of the full size product at front, just beside the picture of the mini size product. the serum itself comes in a pink-white plastic tube and it's a bit metallic as well. there's a small spout to dispense the product. the mini size comes in 8 ml which is not much for a serum, especially if you follow the direction at the back. fyi, some japanese brand gives recommendation on how much you should use for each product. they give visual at the back of the box, so it's easy to follow the instruction, but with this 8 ml, i think i'll just finish this in two uses if i follow it to the T. 
the tube
the scent: this one smells fragrant but no overly annoying. in fact, i quite like the scent. it's a bit uplifting and relaxing. however, if you're sensitive to fragrance, you might want to skip this one.
description at the back
the product: it's a white lotion-like serum. it's easy to spread around but not overly runny that it comes out dripping from the tube. as i've said, i don't follow the recommendation mainly because i found that i don't need that much for my whole face and neck. since i use less, i'm able to use this for a few days, almost a week or so? 
left: how it looks like
right: after spreading it around
the result: it's moisturizing for a brightening serum but still feels lightweight. it works well with my other skincare products and i don't have any problem with my sunscreen. since i use this less than two weeks, i can't say anything about the brightening effect. however, i do notice that it makes my complexion look more radiant. so i believe if i keep using it, it will definitely help brightening my skin.

i do like this serum. it's lightweight, it works well with my other skincare products and the scent is heavenly. however, this serum is quite pricey. even though i like this, i'm still not sure about the price though. however, if you think you like a brightening serum that's lightweight and has light floral scent, then you could give this a go if you have the budget. i think it'll be suitable for all skin type. even though i bought this in japan, they're available here as well, but maybe the price will be slightly more expensive than in japan. 

when i knew we were going to korea, i had a hard time to put up a list. there are a lot of stuff that i want to try, but i have no one to share with. my sisters don't live here and they don't share the same interest as me. anyway, since i only have one face, i decided to make sure the ones i bought are the ones that i could use. some didn't make the cut, but some ended up in my basket. anyway, one of them is the famous torriden dive in serum. 

this is the description from olive young website: this product is something that makes you truly understand the meaning of 'deep hydration'. it provides long-lasting hydration from the inside out. it replenishes moisture from within, leaving the skin moisturized and greatly improved. real moisturization that builds with use. addresses the #1 serum trifecta of plumping, hydrating power that increases with use. you can feel the deep moisturizing without stickiness, filling only with moisture and refreshing without burden on all skin, and you can charge moisture without stickiness. low-irritation formula that keeps a healthy and calming skin environment. 

featured ingredients: dive in's hyaluronic acid provides moisture replenishment without the stickiness or heaviness often associated with it. the sky-blue serum containing hyaluronic acid gently penetrates the skin, filling the skin with moisture without clogging the pores, for a soft and moisturized skin without tightness. to ensure better absorption of hyaluronic acid into the skin, 5 different hyaluronic acids with varying molecular sizes are mixed, providing high, medium, and low molecular weight hyaluronic acids that hydrate the skin from the surface to the deep layers. contains a 300KDa polymers to form a moisturizing film and protect moisture. contains a 1600KDa polymers to form a moisturizing film. contains a 100KDa polymer for intense moisturizing. contains a 10KDa small molecule to enhance moisture retention in the skin. contains a 10KDa low molecular to maintain inner hydration. with the moisturizing and soothing effects of panthenol and allantoin, it provides a comfortable calming effect to the sensitive skin while maintaining moisture deep within the skin.

the packaging: since i bought this as a set, the serum and the refill one, it comes in a box with the picture of everything inside at front. there's description at the back but everything is in korean. the refill is packed inside a plastic pouch, while the serum comes in a transparent bottle made of recycled plastic with a dropper head. the dropper is quite long but it works well. the serum coms in 50 ml which is more compared to other regular serum. usually they only come in 30 ml.
the bottle
the scent: again, scentless and somehow it doesn't have foul scent. well, maybe it has, but not as noticeable as the moisturizer.
a bit description at the back
the product: the serum looks light blue. transparent light blue in the bottle. but it looks transparent when you put it on your face. it's a runny gel type serum that's easy to spread around. it's not too runny that it goes dripping when i pull the dropper out of the bottle. but it will travel downward after i drop it on my face while i'm standing up. i like to drop one onto a certain area and spread it around before moving on to other areas. this one works well with my other skincare products. it layers well, it doesn't pill. i need two dropper full for my whole face and neck.
the dropper
the result: i really like this. it's lightweight, hydrating as well as a bit moisturizing. it's absorbed quickly and doesn't leave tacky feeling afterward. at first, i think it's too light for my skin, but lately, i can see that it's enough. it can counter the dryness effect that might be caused by retinol. anyway, lately, i don't measure how much i use, i just put a little bit more if i think my skin is a bit dry. i also love a bit of glow that it gives afterward. 
left: how it looks like on my hand
right: after blending it
luckily, this one is not a flop despite being so viral. i like how it's lightweight but still delivers its purpose. i think it will be suitable for all skin types. it works well with my other skincare products as well. i do like how they offer big size and a refill. that way, i can enjoy using this serum longer. i do like this one, however, since the price is crazily high here, i don't think i'll repurchase unless i can get it within reasonable price. 

i've been hearing about skindoze for a while but i have a bunch of stuff that i haven't used, so i have to wait for awhile before finally being able to buy some of their products. one of their products that i want to try is obviously their facial wash. it's no brainer. it's a foam cleanser, which i like. so definitely when i'm running low on cleanser in my stash, i quickly put it into my cart. long story short, it's finally time to use it and see whether my skin likes it or not.

this is the translated description from their website: hydrate away! mild microfoam cleanser is a facial cleanser that's formulated with swiflet bird nest extract 1000 PPM (by realfood) and enriched with niacinamide 2%, phytosqualane. 4 types of hyaluronic acid that can clean the face softly as well as maintain moisture, skin elasticity, and brighten the skin. for sensitive skin, this cleanser is free of alcohol and free SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and the chamomile extract in this cleanser can help soothe the skin.
benefits:
- helps clean dirt and makeup residue, dust, and excess oil on skin.
- brighten the skin
- makes skin feel supple and hydrated
- maintain natural skin moisture after cleansing the face
the box
the packaging: it comes in a light green box with description at the back and sides in indonesian. there's an ingredients list printed at the back as well. they wrap the box with plastic sealing. the cleanser itself comes in a transparent plastic bottle that looks like frosted because of the cleanser. there's only a bit description at the back so the design is really clean, mimicking the box. it has a pump head which is covered by an opaque white plastic cap. the cleanser comes in 100 ml which is the normal size for a cleanser. 
the bottle
the scent: this one is targeting sensitive skin, so there's no scent at all. no foul scent either.
the back of the bottle
the product: as i've said before, this is a cleansing foam. so once i push the pump head, the foam will come out from the pump. the foam that it produces is quite fluffy and doesn't easily disperse. it holds on for a bit until i spread it around my face. i can control the amount of foam that i want to use by adjusting the strength that i use to push the pump head. i can also use it with my foreo. however, the technique is different. with foreo, i will dab the foam to several parts of my face before turning the foreo on. 
pump head
the result: the foam is really soft and cleanse my face well. i don't feel any tightness or dryness after washing my face. but that's if i use toner afterward quickly. if i don't use toner or anything after washing my face and just let it be, then i will still feel the dryness.
how it looks like on my hand
this foam is really economical. i only need to use a little for my whole face and neck. slightly more if i use my foreo, but not much. and it works just as advertised. it cleans my skin well without making it dry. as for the brightening effect, i can't say for sure as i'm currently testing a brightening serum as well. i think this cleanser will be suitable for all skin types, especially the sensitive skin as this is really gentle and unscented. since this is a local brand, it's easy to find them here. but you might not find them from beauty seller as this one is produced by realfood, which is in the food industry but expands their business in the beauty industry. anyway, i do like this one so i might probably repurchase them again, especially their travel size cleanser. 

when i went to korea, i had this long list of wish list that i slowly filed through since i only have one face to try stuff on. and it's not just skincare and makeup. i have some tools as well. one of them is this heating eyelash curler. i saw some youtube videos that korean people like to heat their eyelash to make the curl hold longer. veteran makeup artist does it the old way, by burning a stick and then stuck it under the eyelash. however, there's a new and simpler way to do it, with a heating eyelash curler. when i got there. there were two types. one looks regular like other eyelash curler, only there's a USB hole at the bottom so you can recharge it. the other one has a straight end. one side has the heating element. however, that one is not rechargeable so i decided to pick the old regular type rechargeable one. 
the box
this is the description from oliveyoung website: neat-looking white las curler that can be quickly rechargeable. with universally-loved 20R curvature, this heated curler helps create a longer-lasting, natural-looking lifted curl. this heated eyelash curler provides a longer-lasting curl effect that can counteract sweat, humidity, and even heat! hand-friendly design helps easy and convenient use without professional makeup skills. its quick heat-up only requires about 30 seconds for your busy morning makeup. this KC mark and CE certification-obtained curler provides safe use. this heated curler is ideal for those who desire to create naturally-curled eyelashes, and keep the look of beautifully upswept eyelashes for longer hours, regardless of eyelash types.
all description at the back in korean
the packaging: it comes in a white and green box with the picture of the product at front. there's the product name along with smaller description, whether it's battery-operated or USB charged. description at the back is in korean. the curler is placed on a plastic tray and you can find the USB cable underneath. it's the good old USB to USB C one.
how it looks like on the tray
the cable charger
the product: there's a small booklet inside about the instruction on how to use the curler. the curler is made of plastic and there's only one button. you have to press the button for several seconds to turn it on. there's three circles underneath the on/off button which indicates the battery life. if there's only one button left, then it means that you have to charge it to keep using it. i never measure how long it takes to heat it up, but i can feel that it doesn't take long. the other indicator is the color of the rubber. if it's heated, the color will turn from yellow to white-ish. 
how it looks like
when you turn it on and it's full, all three buttons will lit up
the result: i totally love it. sure it takes a few uses to learn how to do it properly. you have to be careful not to hold it too close to your lid or it will burn your lid. i did it once so i can tell you that it does feel hot, but not scorching hot. anyway, once you've learnt on how to do it, you will get the hang of it. another thing to remember is that if you don't hold it for a specific time, then it won't work. but if you hold it too long then it won't look natural. for me, it's easy to get used to it so now i know how long i should hold it to get the result that i want. then the curl will hold all day without any problem.
left: how it looks like after turning it on
right: after awhile, the rubber will turn turn white
i truly think that this one is a good investment. among the tools that i bought, i was very interested in this one. unfortunately, i can only try it when i was finally home since i have to charge it first before using it. anyway, after getting used to it, i always use this one and ditch my manual eyelash curler. unless i ran out battery, i don't use my manual eyelash curler anymore. i truly recommend this one if you have straight eyelash and can't seem to use regular curler to hold your eyelash longer. however, i don't think this type is available here, so if you see it, grab it. there's another type with battery, but i prefer the rechargeable one since it's more practical in my opinion. this is definitely a yes from me. i'm glad i'm able to get it.               
disclaimer: i bought this before the whole chaos regarding project S came out. so far, skintific products are just so-so to me, so when i made the purchase, i've promised myself that this will be my last purchase from them. so probably you won't be seeing more skintific reviews here. anyway, i was hesitant right before using this serum because one of my friend had bad experience with this serum. i had a feeling that this one wouldn't agree much with my feeling either. but still.. i've already bought it, so i didn't want to waste it and try it anyway.

this is the description from their website (the canada one): formulated with 2% salicylic acid using ACSD technology that encapsulated the salicylic acid with AGP hence releasing the actives slowly into the skin, preventing irritation while working optimally for the skin. boost the acne healing process with active ingredients, such as pionin and centella as fast as 3 days. contains 4% niacinamide, ceramide and also peptide, this serum prevent future acne formation and prevent any acne scars. targeting acne, this serum still keep the skin moisturized and hydrated with hyaluronic acid. formulated without any SLS, alcohol, paraben, mineral oil, vegan and cruelty free.

hero ingredients:
- 2% ACSD salicylic acid: golden ratio of 2% salicylic acid that works fast and effective but still gentle for the skin.
- pionin: kills acne causing bacteria and prevent acne scars formation by inhibiting melanin production.
- centella: calms inflamed skin and speed up the acne healing process.
- niacinamide: have anti inflammatory nature to control oil and help to brighten up the skin.
- ceramide: repair and maintain skin barrier.
- peptide: reduce inflammation and stimulates collagen production.
- hyaluronic acid: gives full hydration to the skin without making skin oily or greasy.
the box
the packaging: it comes in a light green box with description and ingredients list printed on the back and sides of the box. there's no explanation about where it was manufactured, unlike their previous products. however, it has added sticker label with indonesian description that clearly stated that it's imported and the company name is clearly foreign. the bottle is a see-through green plastic bottle with white pump head that is covered by another transparent plastic cap. the serum comes in 20 ml which is a standard size for a local brand serum. there's no other description on the bottle. the pump works well, even though the opening looks really small. i can control the amount that i want to use by controlling how much i push the pump head.
the bottle
the scent: this one doesn't have added fragrance, but it does have that slightly acidic scent, which is usual for acid serum like this one.
the pump head
the product: the serum is a transparent gel type serum, but somehow in the bottle it looks a bit greenish. anyway, even though it's a gel type serum, it's quite runny so it's easy to pump it out using the pump head. i usually put it on my palm before spreading it around my face. however, lately, i've been focusing on area that needs extra care. like T-zone and my cheeks, which usually get acne or has problem with oil. 
left: how it looks like on my hand
right: after spreading it around
the result: at first, i hate this serum. i don't see how it helps with my skin condition. at that time, my skin condition was not good. i have breakouts here and there, and this serum didn't seem to help with the case. however, as i changed my routine and also started using sheet mask again, i started to notice the difference. even though this serum can't help preventing the acne, in combination with BHA toner that i use, this serum reduce oil production, thus i don't have any problem with my makeup melting as much as before. and somehow, after using regular sheet mask again, the dryness problem that come when i se this serum regularly, even though i use it every other day, vanish. in fact, i start to notice quick recovery in my acnes.

overall, if you have problem with acne, i do think you should use this with extra caution. it can be a bit drying if you're careful. even though it feels moisturizing, it still dries your skin after quite some time. i think it would benefit oily skin rather than dry skin. price wise and availability wise, skintific is everywhere, so you won't have any problem finding it and it's really affordable. however, there's this project S drama that you need to think about. let me remind you that skintific is not a local brand, so it's really up to you. as for me, i won't repurchase this one. i think my skin reacts to BHA toner better than BHA serum. but i won't say ever. if i do need it someday, i think i'll try something else and not this one.
as i've said before, i never saw farmacy kit before, so when i saw one, i bought it instantly because i never tried anything from them. this kit as their best sellers so i'll be able to try them to get the idea which one is good for me. anyway, i've tried their toner and i quite like it, so i decided to try their cleansing balm. fyi, i only ever tried cleansing balm once. it was the famous banila co and i didn't quite like it back then. so i have my reservation. but it will go bad if i don't try it, so yeah.. i decided to just try it. after all, it's been ages since i tried one, so my skin might be different from then, so my response might be different as well. fingers crossed. 
the box
this is the description from their website: our best-selling, award-winning makeup remover balm and face cleanser in one that instantly melts virtually all makeup, removes impurities and gently cleanses! leaves skin hydrated and silky smooth. 100% recyclable jar.
why we love it:
- melts the day away - sunflower and ginger root oils effortlessly remove even the boldest eye makeup and long-wear foundation effortlessly - without stripping, drying or leaving any residue.
- gently exfoliates - papaya extract helps to retexture skin and reveal a youthful glow. never harsh, it's safe for all skin types, including dry and delicate skin.
- smells like vacation! a refreshing blend of lime, bergamot, and orange essential oils is exhilarating and revitalizing.
- TSA-approved - this unique cleansing balm stays a sorbet-like solid in the jar until it makes contact with skin and transforms to a silky oil (then a luxe, milky lather). both sizes can travel in your carry-on, no problem. 
description at the back
what's inside:
- green clean cleansing balm 12 ml
- deep sweep toner 50 ml
- honeymoon glow serum 10 ml
- honey halo moisturizer 30 ml
ingredients list and more description on the sides
all in one tray
the packaging: since i bought this as a set, it comes in a cardboard box with all the product pictures at front. there's description of everything inside at the back as well as the ingredients list printed on the sides. all the descriptions are in english and french. they place all the products on a plastic tray so everything is safe and secure. the cleansing balm itself comes in a small plastic tub. they put a bit description at the back in english and french. the mini comes in 12 ml which is not much. i finish this up in a few days so bear in mind if you want to bring this with you while you're traveling and you are going for more than 7 days, then you need something else as a backup in case this one is done. there's nothing inside so once you screw the cap off, you can immediately see the cleansing balm. no spatula provided, but then again, it's small, so even if they provide one, it won't fit inside. 
the tub
the scent: i don't think i smell anything. luckily, it doesn't smell funky either.
a bid description
the product: the cleansing balm looks solid green at first. the color is light green and it's very pretty. the surface is smooth. it's just like butter. when you scoop or scrape it with spatula, it looks like butter crumbling. when i put it on my hand or my face, it doesn't melt instantly. i need to rub it with my finger before it finally melts. once it melts, it feels a bit like oil so i can rub it and spread it around. it's a bit difficult to rub around my eyes area but luckily, it doesn't sting. however, as i add water to emulsify it, it still makes my vision go cloudy.
and some more
the result: once i add water to emulsify, it feels exactly like how i feel when i emulsify cleansing oil. it truly can wash anything off, including browcara, mascara, and even liquid eyeliner. but obviously, it needs more effort. anyway, it does what it's supposed to do as a first cleansing step. it doesn't strip my skin dry either so no wonder a lot of dry skin people like cleansing balm better. 
how it looks like after i use some
i have to say this one definitely change my mind about cleansing balm. i won't stop myself from trying other cleansing balm in the future. however, even though this is practical for traveling, it isn't that practical anymore since i have to rub it first to melt it before i can use it. with cleansing oil, i can just pour it and spread it around my face. faster. less messy. and i need more products for my whole face and neck. that's why i finish this in a blink of an eye. i think cleansing oil is more economical. i think this will be suitable for anyone who like cleansing balm as their first cleansing step format. all skin type is suitable as this one is not too rich, not drying either. price wise, farmacy is expensive, so if you need much like me, then you really need to think it through. as for me, definitely won't repurchase as it's expensive and i prefer cleansing oil. 
just right before i departed to US, there was quite an uproar regarding charlotte tilbury dupe, both for its blush/highlighter and their liquid contour wand. brands like tarte, milani and flower beauty came out with similar products and everyone wanted to try it first. thus making them sold out everywhere. there was not enough reviews yet so i was hesitated whether to blindly buy it to try it myself or just wait and see. however, i knew that i have to replace my old highlighter stick because it's been in my collection for around 5 years. it's way past its expiration date. honestly, since i've been using makeup regularly, i've found out my preference. i won't buy a powder highlighter because usually it will show my texture, especially now that i'm getting older. and i won't buy another cream stick highlighter because it will take forever to finish. i don't like blinding highlighter and don't like dewy balm highlighter as well. i like something that's still show up on my skin and looks natural. i was particularly interested in flower beauty because i've had good experience with their products. i don't need high end highlighter and the reviews on their liquid highlighter so far was good, so i decided to just look for it. i was lucky when i spotted them on CVS. i quickly snatched the opal and tried it instantly. 
anyway, talking about flower beauty, just after they released the highlighter, they released the liquid contour as well. which is eerily similar to the famous CT contour wand and most people said that it's a dupe. however, unlike the highlighter, the liquid contour doesn't have good reviews. some people are on the fence about this product because it dries down quickly, too quickly even. and it might look patchy. so yeah, i decided not buying that one even though i spotted one when i bought the highlighter.

this is the description on their website: get a fresh, healthy-looking glow with spotlight liquid highlighter makeup. infused with moisturizing ingredients to keep skin hydrated, this revolutionary formula effortlessly blends the finest pearls into skin, leaving a dewy, luminous finish. features a unique, soft cushion applicator to precisely dispense product directly onto skin. 
- radiant, pearlescent glow. dewy, radiant finish.
- infused with moisturizing goji berries and cranberry seeds.
- optical soft focus effect
- cruelty free, vegan, gluten-free
key ingredients: goji berries, cranberry seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, vitamin c

the packaging: there's no box or backing or whatsoever. there's only the tube and they sealed the area around the cap with plastic sealing. there's description at the back of the tube. the body of the tube is color coded according to the shade. glowy beige for the opal, pink and bronze for the other two. there's the name of the shade at the back, but there's no difference in the font size so it's a bit hard to read it. there's a white plastic cap to cover the sponge tip. just like CT, they also use a sponge tip to dispense the product. i don't know about CT, but for flower beauty, you can twist the body near the sponge tip and there's an on/off marker. the product can only come out of the sponge tip if you twist it to 'on'. anyway, the highlighter is 14 ml. i don't know how much it is as this is my first liquid highlighter. i just hope that i can finish this one. a little update: since the highlighter can ooze onto the sides of the sponge as well, it stains the inside of the cap and makes it messy. really messy. i have to wipe it once in a while so it won't mess my fingers.
the tube
the color: as i've mentioned before, there are three shades to choose from. opal which is a white gold highlight. gleam is a rose gold highlight. and gilded is a bronze highlight. mine is opal which is a white gold highlight. on me, it looks champagne gold, and i guess it's made for fair to light skin tone, so it's suitable for me. 
description at the back
the product: as i've said before, this is a liquid highlight. once i squeeze the tube, the liquid highlight will come oozing from the sponge and i dot it on my face directly. since it's liquid, it's easy to spread around before it dries down. i don't know about the contour, but the highlight doesn't dry down too quickly. i have enough time to blend it before it dries down. but again, i only use it one area at a time to avoid the problem, so it might be fast drying for you if you dot it all over first then blend it. however, as time goes by, since every time i squirt it out, there will be some that i can't use, it stains the sponge thus stains the inner part of the cap. then, after awhile, there's nothing that can come out of the top part, so it all comes out from the sides. thus making a mess even more. 
the sponge tip. at the bottom, there's the on/off direction but it's all messy now, sorry
the result: this gives glowy finish without any glittery spark. it's similar to my previous highlight stick, in my opinion. once it dries down, it doesn't budge, but it still transfers to my mask or my finger if i poke it. if you put it directly on your face, and doesn't blend too much, it will give blinding highlight. but if you put some on your hand and then dab it on your face, it will give subtle highlight.
left: how it looks like on my hand
right: how it looks like on my face
this highlighter is just what i hoped for. easy to use and the result if just what i hope for. not too blinding. not glittery, but still gives some glow. anyway, flower beauty isn't available here, so it won't be easy to get. you have to order it from a preorder system. even though there are only 3 shades, i hope there's something for you. but if you have fair to light skin tone, opal will be good for you. price wise, if you're paying in the same currency, of course it will be affordable. but since i'm paying in other currency, it's not so affordable anymore. i believe local brands have more less expensive option. but again, if you're curious, this one worths the money. i'm happy with my purchase and plan to use it until i can finish it or until it's expired. 
of course, i'm buying a lot of stuff while i'm in korea. i went into every olive young stores that i saw though sometimes i didn't bring anything out. anyway, torriden is one of the brand that i was dying to try. it wasn't available when i went there, but now, you can find some of their products in sociolla. only if you don't mind with the price tag, that is. anyway, their famous line is the dive in line, which you can recognized by its blue packaging. but i'm also curious about their balanceful line that comes in green packaging. however, i need to remind myself that i only have one face and i still need to go to japan after korea, so i need to pay attention to the amount of stuff that i buy. so i have no choice but to just buy the serum. luckily, it comes in a set, so i get the 20 ml cream as well. anyway, since i tried the cream first, so let's talk about it.

this is the description from olive young website: this 2-day balanceful cica cream provides dense moisture and effective soothing. according to the real reviews, it wraps around the skin smoothly and moisture absorbs into the skin and moisturization lasts for a long time. it is perfect for oily skin as it leaves no residue as it moisturizes and soothes. it feels good on the skin as it deeply moisturizes and sets in nicely. it is deeply moisturizing and also balances the skin well. there may be a unique smell of centella asiatica, but please be assured that it contains no artificial fragrance. it can soothe damaged skin, does not irritate sensitive skin, and moisturizes tightly. you can soothe your skin that gets sensitive every season with drenching moisture that is as moist as water droplets bursting when applying and it finishes without any stickiness or discomfort. an irritation test completed on sensitive skin helps soothe the skin safely. with 4 weeks of clinical trials completed on acne-prone skin, it is safe for those with sensitive skin to use. it shows a 17.6% reduction in sebum in just 4 weeks of use. the test for its soothing effect on damaged skin shows that the skin damaged by chemical stimulation was improved by 2.6 times and redness was reduced by 23 times, helping to effectively calm and balance sensitive skin. the product shows 100% satisfaction after use as it helps to soothe the skin. it feels moisturizing and soothing at the same time. it is good when the skin feels sensitive, and it is even more soothing when serum and cream are used together. low-irritation formula that helps a healthy and calming skin environment. this product is a certified vegan.

featured ingredients: T-TECA, which is smaller than pores, is added to torriden's patented ingredient to help with sensitive skin and stably deliver soothing ingredients. Torriden delivers ingredients effectively and mildly without stickiness for sensitive skin. five cica ingredients (T-percent calming complex, madecassis acid, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid) that are carefully formulated with torriden's patented ingredients soothe various skin concerns. the T-TECA component with a size of 1/10,000 of the average pore size deeply soothes the irritate sensitive skin, providing a deep and effective calming effect. it contains panthenol that helps to hydrate and soothe.

the packaging: since i bought this as a set, it comes in a light green box with the picture of the products inside at front. you can see the picture of the serum and the bonus cream picture. there might be some description but everything is in korean, so i don't know for sure. anyway, the bonus cream comes in a see-through light green plastic tube with the same light green plastic screw cap. it's only 20 ml. they seal the opening with aluminum foil at first to secure it. anyway, even though at first i think it's enough for a sample size, apparently i finish it too soon. 
the tube
the scent: okay, since torriden promotes natural/vegan, this definitely doesn't have any added fragrance. if i don't sniff it up close, i won't smell anything. but if i do, i can smell a bit of unpleasant scent. like a plastic? i think it's a common problem with unscented products. they insist so much on the 'unscented' part that it can became unpleasant to use. 
what the back looks like
the product: it's a gel type moisturizer. i think the texture is similar to many local gel type moisturizer. maybe similar to true to skin or slightly lighter than somethinc ceramide? maybe also similar to glad2glow blueberry one? since it's lightweight, it's easy to spread around and it doesn't take long to be absorbed as well. it gives slight glow but it doesn't last long.
the opening
the result: i've tried the tester, so i know what to expect. it's hydrating and lightweight so it's perfect for my mornings when i don't need heavy moisturizing cream. since i finish this so fast, i can't say anything about the soothing effect. it's gone before i can see it. 
left: what it looks like
right: after spreading it around
i can see how it will suit oily to normal skin or for those who live in hot and humid weather. it's lightweight so it's perfect to use under makeup. it's hydrating but not too much so i have no problem topping it off with my sunscreen. i do like this moisturizer. it's perfect for my mornings. however, i don't think it's enough reasons for me to buy a full size or repurchase it. especially since it's not available here yet. i do recommend it if you're able to get it first hand, or you're in korean. however, if you can't get it, then don't worry because there are other local brands' products that is similar to this one. 
i didn't realize that i didn't have any other vitamin C in my stash. so i decided to hunt for new ones. the only one that i was interested in and finally became available was the azarine vitamin c and diamond one, but aside from that one, i didn't know what else to try. so i decided to stroll around sociolla and found out that i haven't tried bio beauty lab one so i decided to give this one a go. actually, i didn't try it when it was first launched because i have no luck with their products. so far, there's none of their products that i like. that's why i became reluctant to try their newer products. anyway, let's try this one since luckily, they have two sizes to offer, so i can buy the smaller size to try.

this is the translated description from their website: vitamin c serum with THD ascorbate that has 50x stronger ability to be absorbed by skin compared to other vitamin c in common. formulated with ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid and other quality ingredients that make the formula non-irritating so it can be used by all skin types. 
benefits: brightening, firming, anti-aging, boosting collagen, sun safety, reduce dark spots, treats hyperpigmentation.
use after serum, after phyto power essence, for day/afternoon. don't forget to use sunscreen. for maximal result, use twice a day, morning and night with other bio beauty lab variants.
the bottle
the packaging: it comes in a white box with yellow/orange accent. the design is very clean just like other bio beauty lab products. there's description at the back and sides of the box. the bottle itself has the same design as the box. it's a glass bottle, painted opaque white to protect the bottle with white plastic cap. the cap covers the white pump head. there are two sizes, the smaller one is 15 ml, which i bought. the other one is 30 ml, but the bottle is much taller so it looks bigger than it is. 
a bit description at the back
the scent: this one is clearly has that acidic scent that most vitamin c serums have. it's a bit strong when freshly pumped out of the bottle, but once i put it on my face, the scent is barely noticeable. 
the pump head
the product: i was surprised to learn that this serum is liquid. it's a orangish liquid. since the pump head is short, i can't control the force so i have to be careful or i'll squirt the serum everywhere. i usually use one and a half pump for my whole face and neck. since it's liquid, it's easy to spread it around. i don't feel any tingling whatsoever. 
how it looks like on my hand
the result: it's quick to be absorbed thanks to the liquid format. once it's absorbed, i can feel that it's moisturizing. considering that this is a liquid, i'm quite surprised to learn that it gives enough moisture in the day as i usually use vitamin c in the morning. as for the brightening effect, i can say that it works faster than other vitamin c serum that i've tried lately. i can see that my acne scars fade a bit faster compared to other vitamin c serum. however, it still takes a bit time to fade my dark spots.

overall, i'm quite surprised to learn that i like this. this works better than i expected. oh well, maybe because i have such a low expectation in the beginning. anyway, if you're looking a powerful vitamin c serum that's moisturizing, then you can try this one. price wise, it might be higher than the usual local brand serum, but it works. as for me, i might repurchase this one, but i can't say for sure since i don't like the smell. since this is a local brand, you can get it easily here. 
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