last christmas we went to singapore and my husband told me to get anything that i like. before he said that, i already wanted to get a set of mask, either from origins or pixi. unfortunately, at my first visit to sephora, i couldn't find any origins, which is number one on my wishlist. so i got the pixi one instead. although i was hesitating because the size of each mask is too small. but at the end i got it anyway.

this is the description from their website: a purifying, glow-revealing clay mask to purify and balance skin - it's our signature 15-minute facial! stimulate, clarify, and brighten skin with this revitalizing mask. the mineral-rich treatment absorbs oil, draws out impurities, and fights breakouts while giving an energizing boost to the complexion. kaolin & sea salt purify while ginseng & aloe vera balance.

the packaging

the back of the box with all the description

the packaging: since i bought this in a set, it comes in a box and on the inside, there's a plastic slider where there are all three masks is placed. there's a transparent plastic at front so you can see all three from the outside. at the back, there's a description for every masks in english and french. at the top of the box there's a three boxes that indicates which one is which mask from the top. on the side, there's an ingredients list for all the masks.

the masks all places in a plastic slider

the scent: okay, this might be weird, i thought it would be unscented or smell foul, but it has this lightly floral scent, but very subtle.

top of the box and the ingredients list

the product: the mask comes in a tiny light green plastic tube with screw cap. at the back there's a description about the mask. the tube is similar to the full size tube, but this one only has a third from the full size weight, about 15 ml while the full size is 45 ml. see.. this is where i'm disappointed about. it is so tiny and the price is sooo expensive. there's an aluminium foil covering the opening of the tube so you don't have to worry about it being exploded in your baggage. the mask is thick grey cream that easily spread around my face. it gives instant cooling sensation from the moment i spread it out. it will harden after a couple minute and it takes 10 minutes to dry completely. afterward it will look like dried mud on my face.

the individual tube

the sealing

the result: it washes off easily and afterward i can see my face is brighten. i can feel my face is smooth and soft and my pores looks clean. but this one is a bit drying, though it's not as drying as innisfree or face shop clay mask, but it's not moisturizing unlike peter thomas roth one.

left: before middle: mask on me right: after

i've tried this a couple times over the past month, and i have to say i like this one. it works well as mud mask. it cleans my pores but not super drying on my skin. it also gives cooling sensation which is heavenly feeling on hot days. but i don't like how the full size is only 45 ml with that hefty price tag while i can get freeman mud mask which is about 100 ml with lots of affordable price. which makes me think to compare them both. fortunately, i have a freeman mud mask in my stash, so i will make another mask battle after this, so stay tune. i can definitely see this will work on every skin tone, even on dry skin since this one is not so drying. but if you're tight on budget, i'd say don't waste your money. you can get other product with more affordable price and gets the similar result. but if you want to try something from pixi and you have the budget, you should try this one.

the packaging

the tube

back of the tube

the spout

product on my hand

after blending it in

after 3-4 hours, i don't see extra greasiness on my t-zone

when i was going to japan, i knew that i'm running out of my etude cushion, and i thought i don't need another cushion. i just have to clean the old cushion sponge and then fill it up with another bb cream and i will have a new bb cushion. so, i decided to search for bb cream in japan. i stumbled upon sana bb cream. there are bb cream and cc cream, and i think i should try bb cream. there are 3 types, moist, natural mat, and bright up. since i think i need matte finish, i decided to get the natural mat one.

this is the description from kirei station website: SPF 50+ PA ++++. this bb cream covers problem areas without a concealer for a long lasting beautiful skin throughout the day. the secret is in its 4D fit formula and skin stress block technology that completely covers visible pores. while covering the pores, it absorbs excess sebum and prevents dryness, stopping your makeup from wearing off poorly. it also protects the skin from uv exposure, dryness and other environmental stress. the ultra-fine powder stays in place, locking into position within 5 seconds of application. it locks the pores and will not crease when layered while holding coverage equivalent of a concealer. with a natural shade and a smooth, matte finish. combined with hyaluronic acid. all you need for your base makeup is in this product.

the original packaging

the packaging: it comes in sunscreen-like packaging. with cardboard backing that has a picture of cute japanese girl at the back and the tube is covered by plastic cover. at the back, there's description at the back and everything is in japanese and there's no telling about the shade, so i just assume that it's only one shade available.

the tube

the back of the tube (notice there's "natural mat" written at the back)

the shade: like i said, i don't know about the shade, so i assume it only has one shade available. there's also no information anywhere, so again, i keep assuming there's only one shade. which is more sucks than korean shade system. unfortunately, it is darker than my skintone, so i have to use lightening drop with it. however, if i'm super lazy, i can get away with a super thin layer of this, although if you're looking very closely, you can definitely see my face will be darker than my neck. it doesn't have greyish tone like most bb cream, and i think it's a bit on the yellow side.

spout to dispense the product

the product: the bb cream comes in a cream plastic squeeze tube with a screw cap. there's this colored label at front which differentiated all the bb cream from sana. pink is for natural matt, orange is enriched moist and blue for bright up. at the back there's another label with all japanese, but you can see the type of the bb cream and SPF 50+PA++++. the cream is not too thick and not too runny, i think it is similar with skin79 bb cream's consistency. it spreads easily and set quite quickly so you do really have to work fast.

swatch on my hand

the result: it has sheer to medium coverage. it can cover my redness and make my skintone a little bit more even, but it couldn't cover acne scars completely. this does have matte finish, so if i'm just running errand for a while, i won't set it with powder and i won't have problem with it. it lasts on my around 3-4 hours, but since don't have good powder in my stash right now, sometimes it will melt away especially around the tip of my nose and on my chin. i can see the base cracking under my powder. i don't experience any breakouts either. this one also fills up pores, so it's better to use sponge than brush, but using sponge will lessen the coverage. and i don't like to add more since it might get cakey.

left: before right: after bottom: jaw test

left:before middle: half face (right side of my face has bb cream, while the left side of the my face is bare) right: full face

i do like how this one give enough coverage for daily use and leaves matte finish, but i don't like how i need to mix with lightening drop to make it work for me. i also don't like seeing it gets cakey around my nose and under my chin. if only there are more shade option, i will gladly repurchase this. but since i don't think there will be any, i won't repurchase. as for availability, this is not a well-known brand, so i don't know whether you could get this online or not. i bought this when i was in japan, so definitely not available here. i don't see any online shop selling this either. as for the price, it's quite affordable considering you could get it on drugstore. if you're around medium skin tone, and like matte finish, you could try this one if you could get it easily. but if you couldn't, don't bother. there are a lot of other good bb creams out there. also if you have dry skin, you might want to skip this. if you're looking for full coverage, you should skip this too. as for me, i think i have enough japan base product.. i won't try again.

when my husband was in the US, i asked him to buy me stuff. and he said he wanted to go to target or something. i asked him to buy me one more thing, added thing, which is an eyeshadow palette. at that moment, i already had 5 palettes in my collection, so actually an eyeshadow palette is not what i need, but i'm super curious about milani eyeshadow palette. everyone seems sing praises about it and i had to try it. i was torn between the most loved mattes or the new pure passion, but since i had the ABH dupes in my hand, pure passion seems similar with that berry and plum tones. so either the smokey one or most loved mattes. but my husband couldn't find one. and he went home. and i still curious. so i searched at my local online shop, and it only had the last most loved mattes. so i bought it. so let's see whether it deserves the rave or not.

this is the description from their website: for endless multidimensional looks, reach for our most loved mattes eyeshadow palette. this compact features 12 full color matte eyeshadows that deliver maximum pigment payoff. from neutrals to alluring, deep hues, this expertly curated makeup essential includes 3 duos + 3 trios + 3 quads for a variety of fun and flirt, on-trend looks.

the palette

back of the palette

the packaging: it comes in a cardboard box and the palette itself is a sturdy plastic palette. it has this shiny gold cover at front so it seems like a luxury palette. when you open it, immediately you would think of stila eyeshadow palette. 4 pans in a row, 3 columns to the right. exactly like stila. inside there's also a full size mirror. now, i do appreciate all mirrors in my palette and so far, the size of the mirror is enough. not too small like huda's, and not too big like MUR's. unfortunately, they don't print the shades name inside. they put a label at the back with the palette name, shades name and how you should use it in english and french. no brush inside, which is a good thing since most people don't use the brush anyway.

full size mirror inside

the color selection: just like the names, all shades are mattes. the color selection is very neutral. the first column is brown neutral, a bit cool toned. middle column is more on the plum side. the last column is more warm, a bit orangey brown and peach. but on one look, this is a neutral palette, slightly warm tones. now if you have lots of warm toned eyeshadow palette in your collection, this might not be the one for you. but if you only like matte eyeshadow and neutral color is your alley, then you should pick it up.

close up on the pans

the product: the problem with matte eyeshadows are they usually powdery and doesn't give enough color payoff. especially for drugstore brands. on finger swatch, the color payoff is good. but since i'm quite fair, all the lightest shades are too light for me. it's barely shown on one swipe. but the rest is okay. all the eyeshadows are bit powdery, but you just need to tap off the excess and you're good.

arm swatch

the result: this one is definitely suitable for daily use. the color selection is pretty safe, with a bit variation toward plum and warmer peach/brown color. the color payoff is not super pigmented, but i guess this is good for beginner since you can add more as you needed. it blends nicely and there's minimal fall out. just remember to tap off the excess before putting it on your eyes. i've tried this and it lasts decently. i don't use eye primer when using this, so i can say that even in hot humid weather, it still last for about 3-4 hours before i remove my makeup. now, i don't use makeup all day long, so i couldn't say that it will last all day. but for me, it's enough.

with shade name

two looks using the palette's suggestion

honestly, i'm okay with it. i get what i expected. it works well, the colors are nice. the eyeshadow blends nicely too. it's perfect for daily use, and for moms like me, who couldn't look like crazy lady when wearing color eyeshadows. unfortunately, i love my shimmers and glitters.. so sometimes i would put my highlighter on the center of my lid as accent. the palette itself is pretty sturdy and suitable for travelling so if you're on work and need to travel, this is a good option for you. from price point, this one, although it's drugstore, the price is quite high compared to other drugstore eyeshadow palette. but i assure you, you get what you're paying for. as for me, i think one palette is enough, i don't think i will buy another milani palette for now.

i don't normally use cleansing water until i went to japan, and since then, i use cleansing water every night after i workout. so there are two brands from japan that i put in my list to try for cleansing water, bigesta and haruhada. unfortunately, on my several visits to japan, i couldn't find haruhada. but when i went to hong kong, here it is on sasa, on sale for buying bundles. so i did. i bought two, the hyaluronic acid and the collagen one. i've finished the hyaluronic, so it's time to try the collagen one.

this is the description from sasa hongkong's website: the fresh cleanser effectively removes face and eye makeups (including mascara and eyeliner), while nourishing your skin. its refreshing texture will not cause any burden to the face. a new formula with soluble collagen, giving skin a deep nourishing effect after use, while enhancing skin firmness and elasticity.

the packaging: just like the hyaluronic one, this comes in a big plastic bottle with a small flip top cap. the bottle has different color, according to its type. the hyaluronic one is blue and the collagen one is red. but other than that, everything is similar. one thing though.. it comes in jumbo size, 500ml. at the back of the bottle, everything is supposed to be in japanese, but since this one is sold in hong kong, there's a label of a bit description in english that they put in a little sticker on top of the original label.

the bottle

the scent: okay, it doesn't seem to have distinctive scent, but when i try to sniff really hard, i can smell faint alcohol or disinfectant scent, but i might be wrong.

the back of the bottle

the product: it looks like any other cleansing water, transparent, liquidy. but just like other cleansing water that i've tried, it still stings my eye when i try to use it to remove my eye makeup.

the flip top cap

the result: this works okay to remove base makeup, powder makeup and eyeliner (non waterproof). but for mascara and liquid lipstick, especially long wearing liquid lipstick. i will need two or three cotton pads soaked up with cleansing water to completely remove it.

left: foundation, liquid lipstick, cream blush, highlighter, eyeliner and mascara midde: one swipe - you can still see a bit of eyeliner and mascara and liquid lipstick right: after two swipe, everything else is cleaned except liquid lipstick

honestly, i don't feel any difference with the hyaluronic one. i don't feel this one less drying than the other one. both works well in removing basic makeup, and both stings my eyes, so i don't have any favorites among both of them. however, i don't like the packaging. the bottle is very big and heavy and it has small flip top cap. i will hurt my hand if i have to lift this bottle in one hand then pour it to cotton pad every time i have to use it. so i transfer it to a clean pump bottle, the one with flat top on it, the one that etude house wonder pore bigger bottle has. it makes it easier to soak my cotton pad. just push the top of the pump and it will automatically soak my cotton pad without make any mess. will i repurchase it? considering that i can't find it online (so far i don't find any online shop selling this one) and only found it in hong kong, then i probably won't. it's easier to get bifesta or any other brands. but if you want to try something new, or you could get it where you live easily, then you could try it.

people know lululun for their mask sheet pack. either for their 7 pieces, 14 or even their 42 pieces of mask in one packaging. but lately, they release a series of what they called a lululun plus, which is their weekly mask. it's thicker and you're supposed to use them weekly, unlike their daily mask which are thinner. there are two types, the essential oil one and the aroma oil one. i've tried all types from essential oil group, but i couldn't find the aroma oil ones. but on my last visit to japan, i managed to see a box of 10 lululun weekly mask so i grab it so i can try the ones that i haven't tried.

this is the description from their usa website: feminine mystique boost - blend of rose essential oils from bulgaria. the full-bodied fruity rose fragrance provides anti-aging care with aplomb and grace. floral overtones accentuate your air of feminine mystique. the damask rose extract conditions for natural, healthy and young-looking skin.
damask rose essential oil formulation from bulgaria. gentle anti-aging skin nourishment with the rich and fruity scent of rose. the fragrance brings out your natural femininity. damascus rose flower extract enhances the natural beauty of the skin and leaves the face with a noticeably younger looking complexion. rose hips are loved around the world for their use in herbal tea. rose hips are a rich source of vitamin c and are sometimes called a "vitamin bomb". vitamin c extract from rose hips brightens and gives the skin a natural firm appearance.
nature's give to women, angelica (touki) whose name comes from the word "angel" will brighten and even skin tone for a naturally beautiful complexion.

the packaging: it comes in rectangular sachet, and it is color coordinated according to the type. for the rose one it's pink. it also has picture of rose in front of the sachet. at the back, there's description all in japanese.

the packaging

the scent: oh well, when they say that it's aromatic sheet mask, they ain't kidding. it's really fragrant. but it doesn't smell like rose mask from body shop or peter thomas roth. the scent is pretty strong and it stays on for as long as i put the mask on my face. so if you have sensitive nose, perhaps you should think twice before buying this one.

the product: just like the essential one, this one also comes in thicker cotton mask but it doesn't feel papery. it doesn't have any slit but it has those weird inner eye slits. the fit is bigger on the sides and it cover my lower jaw. it has milky white runny essence and there's only a tiny amount left in the package.

left: before middle: mask on right: after

the result: it's definitely hydrating and brightening, but i only have one so i can't say anything about the anti-aging promise.

although it works well, i don't think i will repurchase this one due to its scent. i do like scented products in my skincare, but i like more subtle scent.. more relaxing scent, and this one is nowhere near that kind of scent. so definitely won't repurchase. but if you are rose lover, and you love rose in your mask ingredients, and want to buy affordable mask, then you should try this one. it's affordable and i think aside from being sold in japan, you can find this online. but here, although several online shops sell it, the price is much higher so unless you're sure you like it, i don't recommend buying it online for those who live in indonesia.

last time when i was in japan i bought several hada labo products, one of them was hada labo face wash. i read about people raving about hada labo face wash and i thought the one in the tube is the smaller size. turns out i was wrong. the one that people rave about is the one in the chubby bottle with a pump head. so the next time i got the chance to go to japan, i make sure that i bought the bottle with pump head with extra refill. i might know when i get the chance to go to japan again, so if this stuff is good... i want the refill to enjoy it as long as i can.

the description from hada labo usa website: preserve your skin's natural moisture as you wash. instantly foaming and easy to massage, this wash rinses clean without drying out your skin. use morning and night for a luxurious yet practical start to softer, more supple skin.

they put big sticker at front of the bottle

the packaging: as i've mentioned before, the face wash comes in a white fat plastic bottle with a pump head. no other sealing. luckily, they give stopper so the face wash doesn't spill all around my baggage. now, when i bought it i didn't know a thing about the new formulation. but when i was about to write this review, i found out that the face wash has gone under reformulation and the one that i bought is the new one. so, if you're buying the same product as mine, then you're getting the new formulation.

the bottle (the label is also different from the old version)

the scent: i don't think it has distinctive scent. it just smells like regular soap. no fragrance detected, so i think it's suitable for sensitive skin.

the back of the bottle

the product: the pump is life saver. the face wash itself is liquid. i can hear the liquid shaking when i shake the bottle. but the pump head transforms liquid face wash into foamy face wash. the instruction is to use two pumps. and two pumps are very generous. it produces generous foam that stay in its shape for awhile.

the pump head

the result: i've used the face wash in the tube and although it's gentle, it still feels drying. but this one... after washing the foam off my face, i don't feel it drying my skin. and although i don't feel a layer of moisture on my face unlike the mochitto one, this one really rinses clean without drying my skin.

that's one pump ont my hand

so i'm glad now that i knew i bought the right stuff and i have back up in my stash! oh, and if you're wondering about the changes between the old version and the new one, it has difference in the ingredients. apparently the version that people love is the old one. but despite the changes in the ingredients, it works the same. it still has low pH and both are not drying on skin. so don't worry about the reformulation. if you want to know more about the difference between the old version and the new one, you can read them in mapletree's blog here.