i'm quite lucky that i don't have sensitive skin which mean i could try any type of face wash. usually i will buy anything that's popular around the time i need to buy a new one or just finding something affordable to try. lately i've been buying lots of face wash from japan whenever i went there. so i would probably get two or three face wash at once. last time i saw this face wash popping on my feed. first i saw it on @vanityrex, then @the_lost_duck. but i couldn't find it the first time. so i reached out to @the_lost_duck and she told me to try tokyu hands or ainz tulpe. and she's right! i found it on tokyu hands. so let's see what's so special about this face wash.

this is the description from cosme website: this non-foaming face wash contains 97% beauty serum ingredients. with every wash, it thoroughly moisturizes dry, dull skin suffering from enlarged pores. it rinses off to leave your skin touchably firm and hydrated.

anything that comes with big sticker is usually a best seller

the packaging: it comes in a white plastic bottle which has similar shape as mayonnaise bottle and red flip top cap. there's a text at front to differentiate the face wash and the lotion. although the lotion has pump, but still they looks similar. at the back there's description but everything is in japanese as usual. the bottle is quite big, about 180 ml. the opening is big enough to get the product out without me having to squeeze the bottle.

the bottle

the scent: just like the other japanese products that i've tried, this one is also scentless. another great option for those who have sensitive skin and sensitive nose.

back of the bottle

the product: this is a transparent gel wash. at first i have no idea about the no foam statement since almost all face wash that i've tried are foam wash. they do make foam even the cosrx one, although it's very little foam. but this one.. it's literally no foam! and yes, i've read vanity rex's review. she said that it does foam, and it takes about three times the amount of face wash to make it foam and it's very little and doesn't hold well. but i guess she's using the foaming net, the one that will make abundant foam when your regular hands can only make little foam. so, since i'm not using any foaming net, i don't make any foam at all. another great news for you who can't use foaming face wash.

the opening

the result: well, for me it feels just like any other face wash. i do agree that this one is suitable for sensitive skin. i don't feel my skin drying after using this face wash. it works well as second face cleanser.

again, i do agree that this one is rare. it's really a non foaming face wash that is also scentless. i do agree that this might be suitable for sensitive skin. it's not drying at all either. unfortunately, i do have difficulty when using this face wash. i don't know how much i should use to get maximum effect. sometimes i feel like using too much, but sometimes i feel that if i use less, i don't feel like it's cleaning my face well. since it's not foaming, there's no telling whether it cleanses my skin well or not. so, that's why this face wash doesn't last that long for me. and that's suck. from price point, the price is average, but seeing that i finish this bottle faster than usual, it might not be affordable anymore. as for availability, if you have access buying this online, i highly suggest you do that since it's not that common either in japan. it's not drugstore-ready product, so even finding it in japan is not that easy. try looking for it in ainz-tulpe, tokyu hands (beauty section) or cosme stores. don't waste your time trying finding it in donki or matsumoto kiyoshi. as for me, i think i like my foaming face wash better. but it doesn't hurt putting this one in my rotation products.

i got myself a pack of several mask samples along with cute bunny headband from bodyshop on my birthday and i'm glad that the mask trio is something that i haven't tried yet. it has the new japanese matcha mask, the himalayan charcoal mask and the one that i like, the rose mask. i've tried the japanese matcha one, and this time i decided to try the famous himalayan charcoal mask.

this is the description from their website: refine and revive your skin with our Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask. inspired by Ayurvedic traditions, this 100% vegan tingling clay mask is infused with bamboo charcoal, green tea leaves and organic tea tree oil. and it's been formulated without parabens, paraffin, silicone or mineral oil. this invigorating charcoal face mask draws out impurities and refines the appearance of pores for healthy-looking skin with a glow that shows. complete your facial at home expert by applying this purifying blend with our facial mask brush.

the packaging: the full size comes in a dark brown jar with black plastic screw cap. there's a colored label that indicates what type of mask it is. but for the sample, it comes in square black sachet with the picture of the full size jar at front and description at the back in multilingual. the sachet is enough for one use only.

the sachet

the scent: i don't know why but this mask is more fragrant than the rose one. it smells fresh and minty and also fragrant at the same time. honestly, it doesn't seem overwhelming for me, but this morning, when i open my garbage bin after cleaning up the contents, i can still smell the remaining scent. so perhaps if you have sensitive nose, you might want to consider getting a sample or decant first.

the product: the mask is quite thick. looks like mud with charcoal bits in it. feels coarse due to the charcoal bits. and it makes it slightly harder to spread it around my face. at first, it will appear like dark mud on my face, but a bit later, when it's drying a bit, it gets lighter. it dries up pretty quickly too. i can also feel the burning hot sensation within minutes after putting this mask on my face. the tightness feeling is similar to those that you will get from clay mask. after about 10 minutes it feels too tight for me so i wash it off while massaging it in circular motion. again, it feels too harsh because of the charcoal bits. and the washing process is not easy as well. if you're using washcloth, then it will be easier. but since i'm using my bare hands, it's quite troublesome washing it off my face.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

left: when freshly applied right: before washing it off

the result: i can definitely say that this one is brighten my whole complexion, which is a normal result from clay or mud mask. but this one doesn't feel as drying as my previous TFS clay mousse mask, which is a good thing since usually mud mask or clay mask is too drying for normal to dry skin.  but for super oily skin, i think it will help reducing sebum problem if being used regularly.

honestly, i'm glad i'm having the chance to use this sample first. i can finally say that i won't purchase the full size jar because it has too strong scent, and too burning hot sensation like other exfoliation masks from body shop that i've tried. and not forgetting the mess when i wash it off my face. but if you have oily skin and you want to try this famous mask from body shop mask line, then you should try it. from price point, i wouldn't say that this one is affordable. so if you don't think you can spend that much money easily, i recommend trying a sample first.

if you've been reading my blog, then you might know that i have this obsession with my beauty diary masks. so everytime i go on holiday and i find my beauty diary masks, i will grab them instantly. last time i went to singapore i managed to find several variations of my beauty diary masks. turns out it is their newer version than the one i bought in japan (the one in slimmer sachet packaging). i've tried some of them, and perhaps this is the last one that i try from this bunch. and then i got another version which turns out to be the newer version. so let's see about this one.

this is the description from the back of the box: leontopodium alpinum blossoms in the severe cold weather in the alps. its strength and resilience has intrigued scientists, prompting its application in skincare. experiments have discovered that leontopodium alpinum boosts skin protection and reduces skin damage caused by environmental irritants while soothing and brightening the skin. the premium essence of leontopodium alpinum, a precious flower found in the alps, is extracted to help repair fragile and damaged skin. it is blended with rapid infusion factors aquaroad X tinysome X cosphingo for the added benefit of extending hydration, restoring healthy and flawless skin tone. the formulation contains centellae herba, scutellaria baicalensis georgi, licorice, and various high-altitude plant extract to manage skin comfort, relieving redness and itchiness caused by dehydration. it completely and continuously regulates the skin's condition, relieving it from irritations while brightening the complexion. recommended for dry, rough, and dull skin. ultra repairing and restoring, calming and regulating.

the packaging: as i've mentioned before, this one has wider sachet. i thought the slimmer one from japan is just regional thing, but apparently, because they're from different version. the box has the same design as the individual packaging. it's light purple with alps mountain in the background and edelweiss flowers at front. there's description at the back. the one behind the box is written in english, but the one on the back of the individual packaging is written in mandarin.

the packaging

the scent: it smells floral but very subtle. and i don't think the scent lingers around that long. i only can smell it in the beginning only so you don't have to be worry about the scent.

the product: the mask is made of thin silk which comes with a plastic backing. the plastic backing is highly appreciated since the mask is very flimsy. it has no slit but i have no problem adjusting it on my face. and it adheres well to my face too. the fit is a bit too small but i doesn't mind. it has tall forehead but narrow jaw. i only wish it has bigger jaw part so it can cover my whole face better. it has milky white essence that's a little bit viscous but still a bit runny as well.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

the result: i put this mask on my face for about 25 minutes and it definitely moisturizes my skin. a bit brightening as well. because this is moisturizing, i can feel that it's a little bit sticky afterward. but it doesn't pile up under everything else that i put on top of it.

definitely like it as well as the other, but this one is on the more moisturizing side, so it might not be the one that i would reach to every other day. it might be too rich to use this mask that often. so definitely recommend this one to dry skin gals. normal skin can get benefits from it, but oily skin.. perhaps should use this mask with caution. perhaps skip one or two steps of your skin care routine when using this mask. again, i've not yet to try all the MBD variations, so i won't be repurchasing anything yet.

this is my last lululun mask pack that i have in my stash right now. and honestly, i like lululun. it's great for forcing me to use the whole pack daily for a week. i have terrible record on using my mask regularly. this type of mask pack forces me to use them regularly. and the mask usually pretty lightweight, hence really suitable for using it daily. i like their pink and blue one so let's see about this one.

this is the description from their us website: anti-aging skin care white - for the ultimate translucent skin. brighten and lift mature skin with the lululun face mask in precious white, a luxurious daily treatment developed in japan to deliver anti-aging benefits while evening out skin tone with long term results. packed full of multivitamins, including vitamin c derivative, vitamin e, vitamin b3 and provitamin b5. also contains plenty of asai extract from nature, avocado extract and rose apple leaf extract. these ingredients bring noticeable brightness and translucency to mature skin. a water tank full of moisture, full of beautifying is gently sandwiched between "skin absorption support layers" to create ultra thick, plump sheets that help moisture penetrate your skin. we design a special package so you can easily pull out a mask in just five seconds. serum is distributed evenly through all masks, and they also do not dry out easily.

the packaging: i bought the 7 masks in a pack one. the packaging is similar with all the other type from lululun. the difference is only about the color. for this precious white, it's a light yellow gold one. it has double zip lock at the top so all the masks inside stay fresh. there's description at the back but everything is in japanese.

the packaging

the scent: as usual, japanese products is unscented or has subtle scent. this one too. the scent is so subtle, barely undetectable.

the product: the mask is thin cotton but stretchy, which adheres well to my skin. it doesn't have any slit but it has that weird lit near my tear duct, which almost poke my eyes. so i rather not to pull it all the way on my nose, but leave it to make a little tent-like shape on my nose. it fits me well, except for the narrow jaw.

left: before middle: mask on right: after this is only after one use. i forgot to take the one week result

the result: as usual, i skip one day of two, so i don't get to use the mask all week straight. but i really try using it regularly. it does moisturize me skin and a bit brightening too, but as usual the brightening effect is temporary. it doesn't leave sticky feeling, and it doesn't feel heavy too.

i think i have another favorite. i like this one better than the red one. i don't know why, but i think this one is moisturizing and brightening, totally different from the regular lululun white. all lululun mask is affordable and they have different packaging ranging from 7 masks in a pack to 42 masks in a pack. although some people concern about the risk of contaminating the mask with germ as you open and close the packaging, on the other side, it's good for the environment since they cramped all the masks in one pack, which means less packaging to throw out. less garbage. for me, getting lululun here means having to preorder them through some online shop and as usual, the price will be different from the price in japan. i also think people start to know lululun more so there are more website that you can purchase it from. so if you get it online, then you should try it. i think it will suit most skin types, not necessarily for those aging skin, since it's pretty lightweight. so definitely do try them if you are concern about the waste from mask packaging or you like daily masking. as for me, definitely will get more if i go to japan again, and this time i will only buy new version (i spot the green one which i never saw before!) or my favorites.

i really need to write my review as soon as possible. i've finished a few items in my skincare routine and i haven't written my review yet! i usually wrote them halfway testing it, and this is so not me. i'm really behind schedule. and i'm planning to catch up with my reviews. so, now let's discuss about makeup for a little while. colors makeup is my weakness. lip products, eyeshadows, and blushes... i have to curb my urges not to buy them instantly. but when i went to japan, there were displays everywhere. and on my last days, i decided to cave in. i was supposed to get another shade of canmake cream cheek blush, but there were no other shade that i like. so i shift my attention to cezanne. it seems another affordable brands that i never tried before. so i decided to take a look. and i regret my mistake. their blushes looked good. i decided to pick two of their powder blushes, although i realized that both had pearl in them.

this is the description from their website: adds luster and dimension, just the way you like it. contains pearl. a blush containing pearl, it highlights the facial contours for a lustrous look while maintaining the skin's fine texture.

the packaging

the packaging: it comes in a small plastic compact, sealed with plastic sealing. there's a little label at the back with a little bit description and shade number. all texts is in japanese. the plastic is transparent so you can see the floral-pattern pan from outside. you can also see a little brush at the bottom. considering the price, i'm not sure the packaging is sturdy enough, so i'm not recommending you to bring it for travelling.

the back of each pan

the floral pattern on the pans (ain't it pretty?)

the color: i believe there is quite a color selection in their collection. and matte version too. i pick no 5 and no 1. no 1 is more on the pink side with subtle pearl while no 5 is more like peachy nude with subtle pearl. i won't say that it's very pigmented, but it's decently pigmented.

the brush

you can see that it's thin

the product: the pan is in rectangular shape. it's a bit slim so if you're using big fluffy brush, then you might not like it since the brush will be bigger than the pan. but if you're using angled blush brush like mine (i use elf angled blush brush), then you'll be okay. i do the swatch using my finger and it feels soft.

#05 close up

#05 on my cheek

arm swatch

the result: like i said, it's decently pigmented. the swatch is okay. it doesn't get patchy or anything and the pearls are so subtle. it doesn't look too glittery on my face, just give enough glow. both colors apply well on my cheeks, blended easily too. as for wear time,  i don't use makeup for long time, 4 hours max and the blush is still on my cheeks. but i wouldn't be sure if you're using makeup all day long. for that price, i bet the blush will be gone by the end of the day. especially on hot and humid day.

#01 close up

#01 on my cheek

this is the first cezanne product that i've tried, and i'm pretty satisfied with it. it's pretty cheap and it works okay for me. it's not super pigmented blush, but i don't like super pigmented blush. i like them to be buildable. i have fair skin that's why super pigmented blush will make me look like a clown. so i like them to be decently pigmented and buildable and blendable so i don't look like a clown. again, although they have quite few colors selection, if you're a person of color, i don't think you might find one for your skin tone. cezanne is japanese brand and it's targeted toward asian skin. so you can guess that the color selection is more for light to medium skin tone. recently i found cezanne display in my drugstore but the price is triple from japan, and i don't see the blush. so, if you're going to japan and want to buy cheap blushes, you can put cezanne on your try list. as for me, i have enough blushes for months, so i won't buy anything new soon.

the only place that i knew i could buy beauty stuff in hong kong was sasa. and when i was searching on their website, i found out that sometimes they have sales for papa recipe masks. papa recipe masks have been popular lately. every one seems agree that this mask is a good thing. so i have to try it. fortunately, they were on sales when we went to hong kong. i bought three variants, but the rose gold was at normal price. the bombee and the black one were on sale. let's see if it's up to the hype.

the description from masksheets.com: the papa recipe bombee mask nourishes and moisturizes the skin with honey, propolis extract. the ultimate sweet skin care solution. 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 and prevent from irritants. made with papa recipe's gold complex formula of organic etracts, 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. recommended for dehydrated, flaky skin, parched skin in need of nutrients, people in want of healthier, radiant skin.

the packaging: all the papa recipe masks come in similar design, the difference is only the background color. for the original one, it's yellow sachet with korean alphabet pattern with a big picture of honey jar right in the center. there's a code sticker that some people say will prove whether or not yours is an authentic papa recipe mask. at the back, there's description and ingredients list in english and korean.

the packaging

the scent: it has that sweet honey scent, but it's totally different from the body shop's honey mask as well as innisfree's honey mask. i prefer the scent from this one though, it's subtle and doesn't smell like medicinal honey.

the product: the mask is pretty thin and stretchy and it comes with plastic backing which i always appreciate with thin and flimsy mask like this one. the material adheres well to my face, and although the mask doesn't have any slit, i don't have problem with the fit. although it has wider temples, but everything else is okay for me. the mask is soaked in clear essence and it's pretty generous. i completely forgot to take notes but i think it has some excess left in the packet.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

the result: i put this one for about 30-40 minutes, and after that i can clearly see my skin is well hydrated and a bit brightened as well.

and as you'd guess, i like this one. in fact i like all papa recipe masks that i've tried so far. the original one might be suitable for any skin types and it's a perfect start to get to know papa recipe masks. the price is reasonable and i think it's easier to get it nowadays. but you should be careful though, some people say that some mask might be fake, so you should check before buying it. as for me, definitely will try other types and probably get the original some more. if you haven't tried it yet, you should!

being a member from body shop has its own advantage. i got to try some of their products from my points and also a 20% discount on my birthday. i usually use that discount to pile up on my body butter. or buying some skin care to indulge myself. but my sister already gave me all their masks last year so all i decided to get this cute headband with 6 mask samples inside. there are 3 types of sample inside, the deep himalayan charcoal one (the only one that i haven't tried yet), the british rose which i like, and the new japanese matcha mask. i'm excited to try the matcha one, so it's the first one to try.

this is the description from their website: enriched with matcha green tea from kakegawa, japan, dandelion extract and soul soothing community trade aloe vera from mexico, our indulgently creamy, 100% vegan masking formula deeply purifies, gently exfoliates and liberates your skin from the weekly build-up of city pollutants and everyday impurities. helps remove pollutants and impurities, reveals radiant, younger looking skin. formulated without silicones, mineral oil or paraffins.

the packaging: the sample comes in a dark square sachet with the picture of the full size jar at front and the description as well as ingredients list at the back. the full size jar is made of dark glass with screw cap. it has different color label according to the type. for japanese matcha, it's bright green. one sachet can only be used once.

the sample

the scent: it smells like matcha. but i think it's more on the fragrance side.

the mask on my finger

the product: tha mask is a light green cream with tiny orange dots all over it. it feels like putting matcha ice cream on my face when i used this mask. when i spread it all over my face, i can feel tiny grains inside. it starts feeling hot under 5 minutes, and it's burning as hot as the acai or ginseng one. i wash it off after about 10 minutes.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

the result: although it contains grains, it doesn't feel to harsh when i wash it off. almost similar to acai one, except the acai one still feels grainy until i wash it off my face. after i use this mask, i can see that my face is brightened, although i'm guessing the effect is temporary. even though this can be categorized as exfoliating mask, it doesn't feel too drying but not moisturizing either.

honestly, i don't hate this mask, but i'm not head over heels about it either. somehow it falls into that okay category. i love their rose and ginseng mask, but i only feel just okay with their acai and i don't like their honey mask. so this mask is tie with the acai one and i don't think i will get the full size one. have you tried any of their masks? let me remind you that body shop is cruelty free and some of their products is vegan, so definitely check them out if you want to switch to cruelty free skincare products.

aside from being slacked in writing reviews, i also seems to forget about my samples. i've tossed some samples that i think are expired because there's no expiration date on the samples. there are some products that i want to try and i've never heard before. one of them is kicho. i got a bunch of kicho samples when i bought several stuff from some online shops. and somehow it got hidden in the drawer and forgotten. but i found them now, and i'll try to use them up. the first one is their eye cream.

this is the description from glamaco website: phyto natural enriched eye cream brightens and supports elasticity of the skin around the eyes while providing rich care and nutrition. with its beige color reminiscent of its plant origins, this highly concentrated balm reduces the appearance of wrinkle is the eye area. as functional anti wrinkle and skin brightening cream it also provides rich nutrition to elegantly plump delicate eye area skin. patented phyto extracts help to alleviate pigmentation as well as increasing elasticity for more radiant clear and firm skin. dermatologist tested. for all skin types.

the packaging: all the samples comes in white sachet. it has the brand name at front and a little description at the back in english but in tiny text. and the sachet size is deceiving. at first it looks like other samples, but when i open it, it feels nearly empty. i have to push real hard to get the product out. and i thought it was the eye cream, but when i tried another sample, it's still the same.

the sachet

the scent: it smells gingerish, but it isn't too overwhelming. but for an eye cream, i think most people would want it to be unscented since it's applied on sensitive areas.

the product: when i squeezed the eye cream out, i was confused. it was a yellowish thick cream, almost feels like a balm. i tried to spread it around my eyes but it's very hard to do so. it's very thick and all i did was dragging the eye cream around. but then it sorts of melt a little bit so i can tap it around my eyes. it's also a bit sticky which makes it a little bit harder to make it work.

the eye cream on my hand

the result: the eye cream sample only lasts for one use so definitely not enough to judge the efficiency. all i can say that this eye cream has weird consistency and it does moisturize my eyes area.

now i can't say much about this eye cream. all i can say that it has this weird texture that need works to put it around my eyes. somewhere along the way i have to rub it, drag it around my eyes. and it's not a good thing to do with your eyes area. now i don't know much about the price, but from this point, i don't think i will consider buying the full size.