when i went to korea, obviously i've warned my husband that i would buy a lot of stuff from olive young. i have this long list of products that i want to buy, but since i only have one face, i only bought stuff that i think will be suitable for me. however, there are some brands that i really want to try. torriden is one of it. luckily, when i try the tester, i quite like some of their products, so i end up buying several stuff from them. i've tried their famous dive in serum, so now let's try the balanceful serum. i like the balanceful cream, so hopefully the serum will work for me too.

this is the description from olive young website: the balanceful cica soothing serum is a sensitive soothing serum that uses complex cica to help with intensive calming for sensitive and upset skin. reviews of torriden employees show high satisfaction, since those with sensitive skin felt it was very mild without being sticky, and the soothing effect could be felt even with sensitive skin; those with oily skin felt it absorbed quickly and felt fresh and moist, and the skin texture was smooth the next day; those with combination skin said that the firm and moist formulation applies gently and fills in the skin moisture, comforts sensitive skin, and clearly calm any skin troubles. it features intensive soothing, low irritation to sensitive skin, and patented calming ingredients. it is a product for solving problems for sensitive and combination skin, which can get easily sensitive from excessive sebum and wants a solution that can calm the skin with little irritation.

torriden focused on how to deliver ingredients effectively for sensitive skin without irritation or stickiness, and created a product that allows seamless permeation and soothing. it removes sebum, which causes sensitive skin, and makes mild care possible. it has a fresh water serum texture created with torriden's own formulation technology. with a refreshing formula that spread moistly and the formula full of moisture helps with daily soothing care without stickiness all year round. it has completed the sensitive skin irritation test in all four seasons, making stable soothing care possible.

it has completed a damaged skin soothing test for easily irritated skin, proving its efficacy by confirming a 3.1 times improvement of skin soothing effect by chemical stimulation and a 17 time improvement of redness soothing effect by chemical stimulation. as a product with torriden's soothing effect with a difference before and after use, it proved to effectively help calm and balance sensitive skin by completing a calming test on skin damaged by chemical stimulation.

the balanceful cica soothing serum is an intensive calming care product. since healthy skin is mildly acidic, the balanceful cica calming serum helps maintain a healthy and comfortable skin environment by applying a mildly acidic formula that maintains the pH of healthy skin. 

the packaging: since i bought this as a set, the box is quite big. it comes in a light green box with the picture of the products inside. this is a set of a full size serum and a mini size of moisturizer. there's description at the back but everything is in korean. the serum itself comes in a transparent light green plastic bottle with dropper to dispense the product. the dropper is quite long so it can reach most of the product. the serum is 50 ml in size, which is slightly more than usual serum (30 ml). but i think it's a normal size for a serum in korean. they tend to go big size. 

the scent: as described this one is scentless. even though i have no problem with it, some people said that this smell awful.

the product: it's a transparent gel type serum. it's slightly runnier than the dive in serum. but only a tiny bit. it's easy to spread around. i usually use one drop for each area, so total 4 drops for my whole face and another drop or two for my neck. 

the result: afterward, i can say that it gives significant glow to my skin. it's moisturizing and hydrating but it's a tad more lightweight than the dive in serum. at first i think it's the same as the dive in. but after awhile, i notice that this one is slightly more lightweight than the dive in. ever since i use vitamin c twice a day and only use exfoliation pad, i notice my skin doesn't break out as often as before. even if i got acne, it isn't as worse as before. i can't say for sure for the soothing part, but i notice i don't experience redness as bad as before even when it's super hot.

i do like this one as well. i think it will be suitable for all skin types since it's lightweight but still moisturizing. however, if you have dry skin, you might like the dive in serum better than the balanceful serum. but if you live in hot and humid weather, then the balanceful serum would be a better pick. even though some torriden products are available here, but none of the balanceful line yet. if i can get my hands on this one again, i will surely buy this one again. price wise, i can't say for sure since i don't have this habit where you convert the price to KRW to my country's currency. 

i never saw a farmacy set before so when i saw one, i immediately bought it without thinking twice. after i bought it, i just realize that i have ever heard two of their products. the honey halo and the honeymoon glow serum. but this set is such a steal. some of the products can be considered as full size and they even come in glass packaging! talking about luxury. anyway, i've tried most of the products in this set, the last one is the moisturizer. i tried this last because actually i wanted to bring this with me during my trip to somewhere colder, however, i realized that it was made of glass. it's quite heavy, so i changed my mind and just tried this at home instead. i just hope that it won't be too rich for me in this hot weather. 

this is the description from their website: an ultra-hydrating ceramide moisturizer clinically proven to visibly plump, improve the look of fine lines and replenish dry, distressed skin. 

- hydrates + soothes: our antioxidant-rich, ultra-hydrating buckwheat honey renews the skin's appearance for a dewy, healthy-looking glow.

- restores + locks in moisture: potent plant-based ceramides replenish the skin barrier while shea butter and vitamin e lock in moisture.

- plumps skin: fig fruit extract leaves skin smooth and supple.

key ingredients:

- potent ceramide blend: prevents moisture loss and replenishes skin barrier.

- buckwheat honey with propolis and royal jelly blend: provides long lasting moisture and antioxidants while soothing and hydrating

- fig fruit extract and osmolytes: binds and restores moisture, leaving skin looking plump and supple

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 moisturizer itself comes in a frosted glass jar with white plastic screw cap. there's a bit description at the back, in english and french. there's another plastic lid so the product inside doesn't come in contact with the air directly. the moisturizer comes in 30 ml which is a full size moisturizer for some brands, but apparently for farmacy, their moisturizer can come in bigger size. 

the scent: at first i thought it's scentless. but after giving it a good whiff, i can detect a subtle honey scent. it''s sweet but not too much. in fact, after awhile, i can't seem to pick up the scent if not sniffing it up close.

the product: it's a pale yellow thick cream. it's thick but when i scoop it out, it looks like i'm scooping some butter. very creamy. plus it's easy to spread around and it doesn't take much effort to blend. at first, i was worried when i tried the texture for the first time. i can feel that it's rich and thick. i was afraid that it might be too much for my skin. especially since i live in hot and humid country. however, i also fully aware that i'm not getting any younger and my skin is changing. i think it gets drier. more over, since i'm using retinol and stuff, i need to pay more attention to counter attack the dryness effect. anyway, i think i should start using richer moisturizer, but i'm still wary. looking at the ingredients, it's packed with all the good stuff, so hopefully my skin will agree with it.

the result: at first, i was afraid since it's rich, so i only use a little by little. and when i see that my skin is okay with it, i use more each day. and soon, my face looks glowing at night. and it lasts until the next day. however, when i wash my face in the morning, i don't feel any residue or moisture film on top of my skin. i can definitely say that this cream works well since i don't experience any dryness whatsoever. even though i use retinol almost every night now.

i'm glad i tried this cream since this works well for my skin, even though i thought it would be too rich for my skin. but turns out, it's perfect. i do think this is more suitable for dry skin as it's quite thick and rich. however, if you're using actives like acid and retinol that might dry your skin, you might want to try this cream as it might help fighting the dryness effect. farmacy is just available here, if i'm not mistaken so if you want to try this, it's easier now. price wise, it's on the expensive side, so if you have the budget, then you should try it. as for me, i'm glad i got the chance to try it, but i don't think i'd repurchase it again.

this is the description from olive young website: this powerful scalp cleanser contains no silicon-based oil, animal derived ingredients, mineral oils, artificial coloring, sulphate surfactans, triethanolamine, or imidazolidinyl urea for safer use. this scalp cleanser cleanses ultra-fine dust particles to prevent pore blocking and build-up of dead skin cells on scalp.

featured ingredients:

- sea salt and sea silt absorbs sebum and removes body wastes to deeply cleanse and leave scalp clean.

- organic green tea leave ingredient boosts scalp barrier to alleviate hair-loss symptoms.

the packaging: i honestly forget the original packaging. but the cleanser comes in a dark green plastic squeeze tube with dark green plastic screw cap. the body is see through so you can see the remaining product from the outside. there's description at the back in korean. they use spout to dispense the product, which is very convenient to use. it comes in 120 ml which is quite a lot, compared to the previous scalp treatment from a local brand that i used before.

the scent: this has a fresh ocean scent, which is probably to match the main ingredients, which is sea salt.

the product: it's a white grainy balmy cleanser. it's easy to squirt out of the the tube and since it has spout, it's easy to direct the product on where we want it to be. however, at first i didn't know what to do, so i think it works just like my previous product. i put it on dry scalp. but it's difficult to scrub around. so i google translate it and apparently, you need to wet your hair and then put it on your scalp. that way, it's easier to massage it around and it even foams a bit. i only use it on areas where i know it can get flaky sometimes and not my whole scalp area.

the result: it feels grainy at first, but as i keep massaging it onto my scalp, it melts and turns foamy? just like face cleanser. anyway, even though this feels grainy, it doesn't feel harsh like a face cleanser. during my first two tries, i didn't see much result. i suffer from scalp flakiness in korea even after using this cleanser. however, as i continue using it, my scalp was getting better when i was in japan. and as i went back home, i keep continue using this once a week and i have no problem with my scalp anymore. 

i have to say this cleanser, in combination with the hair brush, is a great duo. my scalp has never been better. if you have problem with your scalp and you can get this one, then you should try it. price wise, i'm not sure since it's not available here, but judging from the currency, this one is not that cheap. maybe mid price? anyway, i definitely won't repurchase if i can't buy this one straight no matter how good this one is. 

this is the translated description from their website: around menstruation period when there are changes in hormones in the body, skin needs specific care. PMS series is specially crafted for you who has oily or acne prone skin. this cleanser helps to treat skin to keep it clean and oil free. 

benefits: clean the skin from clogged pores, light exfoliation without irritation

what makes it special: low pH cleanser to balance skin natural pH, time released salicylic acid to lift dead skin cells without irritation, safe for teen's skin and sensitive skin

key ingredients: panthenol, mugwort extract, time release salicylic acid, natural enzyme (papaya and pineapple)

the packaging: the facial wash only comes in a pink plastic squeeze tube. they do seal the outer with plastic sealing, but there's no box. there's description at the back of the tube in indonesian, as well as the complete ingredients list. it comes in 100 g which is a decent amount of a face wash in full size. the whole PMS line up comes in pink packaging, so if you're someone who's a sucker for cute packaging, then this might tick the box. 

the scent: i don't think this one is scented, but at least, it doesn't smell awful.

the product: it's a transparent gel type which is a bit thick. i've used this with my bare hands and my foreo and it works well either way. with my bare hands, i have to rub it to get it to bubble up. but as usual, with my bare hands, i can't make it bubble up as much as my foreo. with my foreo, it tends to bubble up a bit more. though not as bubbly as a foam wash, but it still bubbles up a bit. 

the result: even though it bubbles up and a gel type face wash, it doesn't leave any residue once i wash it off. sometime with gel type face wash, i can feel a layer of residue on top of my skin. but this one, nothing. it doesn't strip my skin as well, so i don't feel any dryness afterward. however, you have to use your toner right after shower to prevent the case. if you let your face dry without using any toner or essence right after, obviously your skin will feel dry. 

even though this works well, i don't see any superiority compared to other products that i've tried. there are other gel type cleanser that gives the same result as this one. i do think this is suitable for all skin types, but if you have really dry skin, maybe you should consider this one. since it has salicylic acid and natural enzyme to help with light exfoliation. on me, i don't notice any redness nor dryness as time goes by. but if you have dry skin, you might want to be careful with it. the price is really affordable and since this is a local brand, it's easier to find them, especially if you buy them straight from their website or their official marketplace channel. as for me, i do like this one, so maybe i will put it in my list if i ever run out of products to try. 

this is the description from their website: multiplies the number of hairs with daily use. scalp is skin, but a much more complex one. sebum oxidation and micro cracks on the scalp surface can create numerous issues. it's a vicious cycle and you want out. 

- ultra potent actives: enriched with magnesium, it helps to purify hair roots from buildup that can impact healthy hair growth

- addictive fragrance: made with hair pros, approved by dermatologists. 1st co-innovation with 3 scalp pro experts, balayage and color expert. a fresh composition, enveloped in a refreshing breeze with a clean-feeling heart and a pro-caring base.

- scientifically proven efficacy: after only 1 use, +22% instant and 24 hr long-lasting volume

the packaging: i bought this online and this shampoo doesn't come in any box. for the serioxyl series, everything comes in a dark blue bottle. for the shampoo, it's a dark blue plastic bottle with black flip top. you can read the description at the back of the bottle. it comes in 200 ml which is quite a lot, that's why it lasts me for quite a while. i have no problem with the packaging, but maybe it takes awhile to be accustomed to the size because it's quite heavy and there's no curve at all so it's a bit slippery at first.

the scent: yeah sure this one is scented, but i can't describe it. it's noticeable but not annoying. for me, the scent makes it more enjoyable to use this shampoo.

the product: okay, i know the packaging is blue, but i don't expect the shampoo will be blue as well! the shampoo is a blue gel type shampoo that's quite thick but still runny enough to spread around. it bubbles up quite easily, so if you're looking for a non-foaming shampoo, then this one is a big no for you. 

the result: after using it regularly, i find this shampoo is a bit weird. you know.. there's a face wash that makes your face squeaky clean? well, this shampoo does the same for your hair. after i rinse it off, i feel my hair is squeaky clean. honestly, it makes my hair feel dry but since i use hair treatment or hair mask afterward, it's okay. as for the multiplying effect, i think it's slightly work. the last time i cut my hair, the hair dresser told me that i have a bunch of baby hairs so i bet it must be because of the shampoo. however, this doesn't help much with the hair fall.

well, this shampoo does what it's supposed to do so it's my fault for not reading the description carefully. if you're looking for a shampoo that can promote hair growth, then this is a good option. however, this one is quite pricey so maybe wait for some discount before purchasing it. as for me, i think i will try the aminexil line after this one since my problem is the hair fall, and not thinning hair. but maybe if i have the budget, i will combine them both to see how it will turn out. 

this is the description from their website: a breakthrough bronzing stick that creates an instant sun-kissed glow and blends seamlessly for a second-skin finish - just swipe on, blend, and go! innovative liquid-like cream bronzer stick melts into skin for a believable, sun-kissed warmth that does not fade. weightless, smooth-glide texture makes it easy to softly sculpt cheeks and eyes, and all over the face. ultra blendable and buildable, this formula goes on smooth and seamless with a natural finish. non-greasy, water-resistant formula won't cake, crease or clog pores. available in 8 shades.

happy sol - light brown with cool undertone.

(when i purchased this, the only shade brighter than happy sol is power boost)

the box

the packaging: it comes in a cream box made of recycled paper (i think it's recycled since it has some texture that most recycled paper has). you can read the name of the shade at front of the box, written in italic. there's description on one side in english, and in french on the other side. they seal the box with sticker. you can also read the shade name and the color prediction of the bronzer on top of the box. the bronzer itself comes in a light pink pen shape with gold combination at the bottom and gold cap as well. there's a tiny sticker with shade name at the bottom. when you twist the gold bottom, the bronzer stick will come up. however, the cap is a bit loose so be careful especially if you carry it around while you're traveling. it might come loose. this bronzer stick comes in 7 g which is a lot for a bronzing stick. 

the shade: there are 8 shades to choose from now. at first, happy sol was the second lightest shade. however, they add one more shade before happy sol, so now it's the third lightest shade. the power boost is the lightest. however, when i swatch it, it's too orange for my skin (i only swatched it on my hand though..). anyway, happy sol is described as light brown with cool undertone. since it's cool tone, i can use it as contour as well. but i think it's still has that red/orange undertone that might look reddish on me if i'm not careful.

the product: this bronzing stick is really creamy. even creamier than milk makeup. with milk makeup, once you open it up, somehow it feels a bit dry as time goes by. but rare beauty? it's still creamy even after a while. it glides over my skin easily. with milk makeup, i rarely put it on my skin directly. usually i will use my brush or my sponge to put it on my face. but with rare beauty, i will just put it on my face and blend it with my brush. i have no problem with the mechanism as well. i can twist the bottom to twist the product up without any problem.

the result: it's quite pigmented so i wonder if i will ever finish it since i only need a tiny bit to warm up my face. it's easy to blend as well. i can use either brush or sponge to blend it, but mostly i use brush because it's easy. 

if you're thinking on which rare beauty products to try, i definitely recommend this one. it's pigmented, it's creamy and blends like a dream. i think it's beginner friendly, but it's quite pigmented, so i don't know.. anyway, they have 8 shades to choose from, so i think it's safe to say that you might be able to find one that suits you. as for me, i probably won't repurchase this because it will take me years to finish it even though it's really good. rare beauty is available here now, however, i don't think the shades range is the same as the US, so make sure to double check. price wise, obviously this is high end, so if you have the budget, you should get this. but if you don't, don't worry. there are a lot drugstore products that is as good as this one.

i always confused whenever i was in japan, i didn't know what hair care products to buy. there are a lot of them, and if i don't browse in japanese, sometimes i can't even find the product description. there's also this problem.. people nowadays prefer to review products in tiktok, instagram or even youtube. while i prefer to read a whole length of narration of a product's description. and it's not data saving either if i have to watch a video just to find out which one to buy. anyway, this time, i decided to watch some videos beforehand and make a list of products that i want to try. one of them is this hair mask. i've seen this mask before a lot, but i never try it. i've heard some good stuff about it, so i do hope that it will work for my hair as well. 

this is the description from their website: an elegant, comfortable, transparent grace floral scent. 6 types of serum ingredients. penetrates inside the hair and approaches each hair problem. leads to hair that is filled with the inside of the hair. 

- rich moisturizing royal jelly EX

- continous cohesion trehalose + sorbitol

- cuticle tightening PCA + weak acidic base

- internal repair phytosteryl derivatives

- shiny effect squalane and pearl peptide

- coloring lasts glutamic acid

damage search function - finds even the slightest damage to your hair and repairs it intensively. for smooth hair from roots to tips. 

the packaging: it comes in a giant silver plastic tube with red screw lid. the red-silver color combo is so iconic since all of their products use the same color combo. there's description at the back of the tub but in japanese. the size is quite big.. it comes in 230 gram but the actual weight might be more than that. so if you're buying this online, you must consider the shipping cost. anyway, i have no problem with the packaging, aside from its big size.

the scent: this one is definitely scented, a bit floral? but the scent is very subtle. for me, i don't mind the scent since it's relaxing. it makes the experience of using this mask more enjoyable.

the product: it's a pearly white gel cream type mask. it's quite thick but you can just scoop it out with your fingers. i've read the reviews and there are two ways you can use this mask. one, on damp hair. on towel dried hair, apply this mask evenly especially on the tips and leave it for 5 minutes before rinsing it off. two, on dry hair, mix an equal part of hair mask and hair oil and apply it from mid-length to hair tips and leave it for at least 10 minutes before rinsing it off and shampoo your hair as usual. 

the result: i use this hair mask in replacement of hair conditioner. so i use this after shampooing my hair. however, i can't put it on for around 5 minutes because i don't have the luxury to take a shower for that long. so probably i only put it on for 2-3 minutes top. when i use it after shampooing, my hair feels soft instantly. after blow drying it, the top part (which is all natural) looks better and glowing. but the bottom part, which is the part that is dyed, still looks dry. however, i think the result is better than when using it on dry hair. i feel my hair is still coarse and dry with this method. even though putting it on dry hair ensuring me that i get that 5 minutes time needed before rinsing it off and start shampooing. anyway, i can say that no matter what method i use, my hair goes back to dry and frizzy once i start working out, because of all the sweat. i can say that my hair ends turn frizzy instantly when it comes in touch with sweat.

honestly, i can see how this can be so viral and how it doesn't work for me. like i don't put it on fro 5 minutes before rinsing it off. may if i put it on for 5 minutes, it will tame my frizzy hair better. i do think this mask worth a try. if you see it around when you're in japan, or in singapore (i think there are a lot of japan products available in singapore now), you should grab this. i forgot how much i pay for this one since i tend to just buy in bulk whenever i go to japan but you get a lot of products, so i bet it'll worth the price. as for me, i had just bought a lot of hair care products from korea, so until i finish them all, i won't buy anything new.