Vanity is only fair

You must love yourself before you love another. - Unknown Reviewing everything and anything

[vanityfairness]

March & April 2026 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. IOPE Bio Conditioning Essence (48ml/1.62oz) x2 source: Amore Global gift w/purchase thoughts: I really enjoyed using these. They are perfect travel size companions. It is layer-able and is light. I used it mainly as a toner and at times I would use it as both a toner and an essence. rating: ***

2. K-Secret Seoul 1988 Serum: Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng (30ml/1.01oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This was okay. I didn't really notice much of a difference to my skin. I did like that it was a cream serum so it made applying it on very easy. rating: ***

3. dear, klairs Maple Energy Infusing Serum (30ml/1.01oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I really like this serum. It has a nice consistency and it hydrates my skin well. It's light and absorbs really well. rating: ****

4. dear, klairs Maple Energy Infusing Cream (60g/2.11oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I definitely like the serum more than the cream. I found the cream a bit on the thicker side and it took some effort to spread and have it fully absorb into my skin. rating: ***

5. treecell Collagen Boost Scalp Pack (200ml/6.76oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This smells really nice, but it didn't really go well with my scalp. My scalp just didn't really like it. I just used this more like a conditioner. rating: **

6. Pyunkang Yul 1/3 Cotton Pad (160pcs) source: Stylevana thoughts: I bought these because they were inexpensive and I thought they would be nice to have. I just wasn't expecting it to be as thin as it was. However, these are very versatile. They are great to use for a quick mask, but I wouldn't use them to apply toner as they are too thin and can not stand the sweeping motion when wet. rating: ***

7. Shiseido Urea 10% Cream (100g) source: Gift thoughts: I love this cream as it's great to use especially on my hands and feet. I always have this on hand. It absorbs well and my skin feels hydrated without feeling greasy afterwards. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

8. Parnell Cicamaru 92 Serum (30ml/1.01oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I wanted to like this serum, but it just didn't work for my skin. I feel like this made my skin break out, even though it does not contain hyaluronic acid. The consistency is nice and is a gel kind of serum, which I do like. rating: **

9. Holitual Care Lift Activating Serum (5ml) source: Amore Global Sample thoughts: I really enjoyed using this sample. It was moisturizing and it absorbed easily. But I would say I have to use it longer to determine, but would definitely want to try this in the future. This sample lasted me a week using 4-6 pumps each morning. rating: ***

10. Sensodyne Clinical White Enamel Strengthening Toothpaste (75ml) source: Real Canadian Superstore thoughts: This was new on the market at the time of my purchase. I didn't notice much of a difference, but I do feel like it did strengthen my teeth. rating: ***

11. ViveLab Revive Therapy Hair Brow Lash Serum (10g/0.35oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I liked this product but I would prefer if the wand was curved for lash application. This has a straight wand but it is a great multi-functional product. I didn't notice much of a difference to my lashes but I do feel like it helped strengthen it, but not much in lengthening. rating: ***

12. ONE THING Centella Soothing Cream (100ml/3.38oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I really like this product as it's soothing and moisturizing. Its a gel-cream which is a texture I love. The only thing I don't like too much is that it's in a plastic tube. At times I do feel like it smells like plastic, which I'm not a fan. rating: ***

13. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI (8ml/0.27oz) source: Part of a gift set thoughts: I've mentioned before that I do really like this product but I would not buy the full size, because it's expensive and gets consumed fast. This is a light weight product and my skin feels nice after using this. This small sample lasted me a week and a half using it every morning with 4 pumps. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

January & February 2026 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Daewoong EasyDerm Quick Calming Magnesium Patches (10 patches) source: Amazon.ca thoughts: I absolutely love these, as they really do work and help reduce the size of those bumpy pimples that don't have a head. I definitely feel like it works better at night compared to during the day. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

2. treecell Day Collagen Shampoo Morning of Resort (360ml/12.17oz) source: Olive Young Korea thoughts: This brand has been on my list for a while. I finally got around to purchasing this and I absolutely love the scent of this. I decided to get the morning one rather than the night because I typically wash my hair in the afternoon. It has a subtle floral scent that almost smells like a kind of tea to me, which I don't mind at all. If they sold a perfume of this scent I would totally get it. I do find that this does clean my hair well and doesn't strip it too much. rating: ***

3. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil: 04 Pitaya & 08 Strawberry source: Sephora thoughts: I got this in a mini trial set. In the bottle the Pitaya color is a very bright pink that I thought it wouldn't look that great. But to my surprise it was actually really nice. It was a my lips but better kind of tint on my lips which was really nice. The same for the Strawberry, but gave my lips of a more deeper red color. rating: ***

4. Unleashia Shaper Defining Eyebrow Pencil: No.2 Kraft Brown source: YesStyle/Stylevana thoughts: My all time favourite eyebrow pencil. I like the color and the formulation. It goes on really easily plus the fact that you don't have to sharpen it at all is a plus. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

5. Vichy Dercos Dermo-Soothing Shampoo (200ml) source: London Drugs thoughts: This shampoo was okay. It didn't really relieve my condition but it also didn't agitate it either. A little does go a long way as I typically use this as my second wash. I do double cleanse my scalp which I find helps with my dandruff/flakes situation and get rids of most of it compared to just cleansing once. This also smells really nice. rating: ***

6. Flexitol Scalp Relief Serum (60ml) source: Shoppers Drug Mart thoughts: I got this on a whim as I was searching for a shampoo that would help relieve the itchiness on my scalp. This does temporarily relieve it and provides a cooling sensation due to the menthol. However once that cooling sensation subsides I find that my scalp starts itching again or I feel discomfort. rating: *

7. Glamfox Rice Niacinamide Toner (500ml/16.9oz) source: Winners/Home Sense/ Marshalls thoughts: This was okay. I bought this because it was inexpensive. $10 CAD, and for the amount you get. This lasts me about half a year using it day and night. I felt like this didn't do much for my skin. This has a very light floral scent to it. I have seen this a few times at Winners, the packaging is a little different but still says 500ml but to me it seems less, as the bottle is shorter but also slightly more wider/rounder. rating: **

8. Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner (1.5ml) source: sample thoughts: I thought this sample wouldn't be enough to soak up my cotton pad, but surprisingly it was enough. This did have a slightly thicker texture compared to toners I usually use. It was nice and moisturizing and I would like to try this toner more in-depth in the future. rating: n/a

9. Mediheal Collagen Ampoule Pad source: sample thoughts: I actually have the full size of this and can't wait to use them especially after trying this sample out. I love the pad of this one and it was very nicely moisturized. rating: n/a

10. IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot (50ml) source: Amore Global thoughts: I don't know why I repurchased this. It wasn't the best, I didn't really see much of a result, as I was looking for something that would hydrate my skin. However, it did feel smoother and more elastic and possibly less swelling but my face rarely swells. I shall see when I try it again. rating: ***

11. ILLIYOON fresh moisture lotion (350ml) source: Stylevana thoughts: I've had this in my stash for a while and it was coming close to it's expiration date. I wished I tried it earlier instead of using aloe. This was thin, light, and gel-like similar to aloe and it smells nice and refreshing. I find it has a light citrus scent which I love. I really like this product and even though this lotion is thin it provided enough moisturization, even for the colder months. I would love to try this during the warmer months and see if it can be an all-year product for me. rating: ****

12. Holitual Radiance Firming Ritual source: Amore Global Sample thoughts: This was a sample set that contained the whole ritual of Holitual, unfortunately I wasn't able to use one of the steps. Other than that it was a pretty good ritual, it kind of felt like a routine you would get at a spa. But I can't say if there are results since it does take more than one application or continuous use to see results. rating: ~

13. Missha Time Evolution The First Essence 5X (150ml/5.07oz) source: Costco Korea thoughts: I do like this product and I decided to get this because I saw it at Costco in Korea for a really good price. It is a nice essence and one of the original K-beauty product. But I do like exploring products most of the time, hence I like rotating favourites along with new products. rating: ***

14. Marvis Toothpaste: Classic Strong Mint (75ml/3.8oz) source: T&T Supermarket thoughts: So far I think I like the taste of this one more. The Jasmine Mint one does have the jasmine taste to it but I don't think I really like it as a toothpaste. Overall, I'm really liking this brand of toothpaste. rating: ****

15. Hanyul Pure Artemisia Calming pH-Balance Toner (18ml) source: Amore Global Sample thoughts: This one has a scent that reminds me of a type of candy that I've had before but I can't recall what exactly. The texture of this is also different from most toners. It has a very slight gel texture to it. It's like water runny but with a slight hint of gel, almost the texture you get when jello is slowly starting to set. I do like the texture of this but I'm not a big fan of the scent of this. rating: **

[vanityfairness]

Yearly Clear Out

I'm going to split this into two sections. 'Expired & Old' products and 'Disliked' products.

Expired & Old Products

1. Acropass Trouble Care Microcone Patches

2. Acropass Soothing Q Microcone Patches

3. IOPE Bio Intensive Essence

4. Carenology 95 3-Active Defense Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

5. Purito AHA BHA Refreshing Solution

6. moonshot Micro Calmingfit Cushion: 201

7. mude Inspire Longlash Curling Mascara: Black

8. Judydoll Curling Iron Mascara: #01 Black

9. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed: Champagne Pop

10. VDL Expert Pencil Liner: 06 Peach Quartz

11. CLIO Twinkle Pop Glittering Eye Stick: #2 Shy Me

Disliked Products

1. Suzuki Herb Laboratory Pineapple and Soy Milk Hair Remover & Lotion reason: These worked but I rather use a laser hair remover device instead. I have tried other hair remover creams and this one is very gentle compared to other ones. There was also not much of a scent to this as well which was nice.

2. 3CE skin fit cover liquid concealer: Soft medium reason: I did not like the formulation of this. I found it kind of too thick for my liking and it wasn't the easiest to blend out. The coverage I would say is full. There is a slight scent to this which reminds me a bit of candy, but I can't figure out what kind.

3. CLIO Kill Cover Founwear Concealer: 4-BO Ginger reason: I would say this is medium-full coverage. The color match is pretty good especially if you blend it enough. What I don't like about this is that it creases and at times can look cakey. I feel like if you have a base that covers up your pores first it might fix the problem but I don't like using those kind of products.

4. Hera UV Protector Tone-Up SPF 50+ / PA++++ reason: I'm just not a fan of tone-up products. I found this one to give a slight white cast. Overall, I just don't really like the feel of tone-up sunscreens and the finish.

5. Mary & May Vegan Peptide Bakuchiol Sun Stick reason: This did not sit well on my skin, it flakes on my skin and makes any makeup I have on look cakey. I also don't like the feel of this product on my skin. It also got kind of gross around the rim of the product as I was using it.

6. CartaLyar Biotin-peptide Complex Lash Serum reason: This was inexpensive hence I thought I'd give it a try. I hate the applicator of this. The wand is so hard to pull out and the brush is so hard and doesn't have any good angles to apply the product. There is a little brush at the tip which can be used to apply the product but I'm not a fan of it. I'm not sure if the formula is good or not as I wasn't really able to apply the product itself.

7. Judydoll Traceless Cloud-touch Concealer: #02 reason: This was very nice. It has a nice finish and it has medium coverage. The color match to my skin is also fairly close to my skin tone. However, the scent of this is just so bad. I can't get over the scent of this, it almost smells like nail polish to me.

8. mude true eyelash serum reason: This was my go-to eyelash serum until I started noticing discomfort after using it. I have stopped using this one now and started trying other brands which are also slightly cheaper than this one.

9. Mary & May Blackberry Complex Multi Sun Balm reason: I also didn't like this. This didn't sit well on my skin. It was flaky and it doesn't always glide nicely either. This was my first time trying a sun stick in a round format and I can say I much prefer a rectangular shape.

[vanityfairness]

November & December 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Davids premium toothpaste: natural herbal citrus mint (5.25oz/149g) source: well.ca thoughts: After trying out a few other toothpastes, I found this to be only okay. It wasn't the best but it worked better than other ones I have tried at the time. I prefer the Marvis brand more compared to other ones. rating: **

2. bhab Slowchaga Hydra Calm Face Eye Serum (50ml/1.69oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This product intrigued me, as you are able to use it on all areas of the face. However, this was way too liquid to be used as an eye product. The serum is also not as hydrating as I was expecting it to be. The packaging is really nice and substantial, but I don't think this product was worth the price. rating: **

3. Ayunche Enrich Bonding Cream (150ml/5oz) source: Amore Global thoughts: I really love the scent of this product and it helps with the texture of my hair. It makes it very smooth and soft. This tube lasted me a whole year and I wash my hair every other day. rating: ***

4. STF Sweat & Oil Clear Film (70 sheets) source: n/a thoughts: I've had this in my stash for a long time and finally finished it. I had stopped using blotting film for a long time but have started using it again. These are like an actual film kind not like the paper, both work well but I feel like the paper one absorbs better. rating: ~

5. Daewoong EasyDerm Quick Calming Magnesium Patches (6 patches) source: Korean Pharmacy & Amazon Canada thoughts: I absolutely love these. They have spikes and it really helps those very bumpy pimples and also the ones with white heads which aren't really on the surface but you can see it forming. It's actually cheaper to purchase through Amazon for this brand. There are now a lot of brands that carry the patches with spikes but this is the only one I've found that doesn't have sodium hyaluronate in it as of right now. If the composition doesn't matter then you can definitely find cheaper ones. Daiso in Korea has them as well for 2000 won and 3000 won, the more expensive one has more spikes, if you are not sensitive to any ingredients this would be a good alternative to try. rating: ****

6. Carenology 95 Be:Fine The AC Spot Treatment (10g) source: Jolse thoughts: I absolutely love this for spot treatment. Sadly a lot of places I shop at now don't carry this. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

7. Clarins Lip Comfort Oil: 01 Honey source: Sephora thoughts: This was my first lip oil until I tried other ones. I do like this but I feel like the applicator gets a little sticky on the full size version and kind of gross. I did not have that issue with this small size though. I also like how compact and convenient this size is. It is great for travel. The formulation for this is great as I find the hydration on this is probably the best compared to the other ones I've tried. I just don't like how the applicator feels when you get close to using it up. rating: ***

8. Round Lab Vita Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum (30ml/1.01oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This was very nice. I bought this for the purpose of lightening areas of my skin that tend to be dark, like the underarm area. I do see a difference but definitely need to use it more often to see results quicker. rating: ***

8. One Thing Centella Soothing Cream (100ml) source: Jolse thoughts: I really liked this during the warmer months. It's light and absorbs quickly. There isn't a scent to it either. I also like that it comes in a squeeze tube so I can dispense and apply it quicker. rating: ***

9. Beauty of Joseon Pine Grove Body Cream (400ml/13.52oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This body cream was okay. It had a fragrance that I had to get use to, as I tend to like citrus and fresh kind of scents. This does take a bit of work to absorb into the skin, but it does make my skin feel nicely moisturized. rating: **

10. IOPE Retinol Super Bounce Serum (50ml/1.69oz) source: Amore Global thoughts: This was my first time trying a retinol serum and I find it to be okay. This is kind of expensive but I feel like it does work. My skin does look different, but I feel like the one I'm currently using may be better for the price. I did notice a scent to this compared to the other retinol serum I'm currently using. rating: ***

11. Vussen Extra Whitening Toothpaste (80g) source: T&T Supermarket thoughts: This was okay but I prefer Marvis brand toothpaste more. I feel like it does a better job at whitening my teeth and maintaining the shade. This was also consumed a lot faster than my other toothpastes. rating: **

12. Hera Black Cushion Foundation: 21N1 (5g) source: Amore Global Gift with Purchase thoughts: I love the size of this as it's great for travel compared to the regular size. It's also a great size to sample a cushion. I'm so glad I was able to get this sample with my purchase. I might purchase this in the future but I will have to see as it is quite expensive. rating: ***

13. Hera Rejuvenate Ampoule Cream (50ml) source: Amore Global thoughts: This cream was very nice. I don't know if it's really worth the price though. The texture of this was nice and it spreads and absorbs nicely. It's also not super thick which is nice. rating: ***

14. Heimish RX AHA+BHA Facial Exfoliator (130ml/4.39oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This was nice but I'm not a big fan of this kind of exfoliator. It's more of a chemical one and I like to have physical ones more. I used this every morning since it was gentle enough for it. It definitely kept my skin soft and smooth. rating: **

15. Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam (50ml/1.69oz) source: Part of a gift set thoughts: I would say this is probably my go-to gel cleanser. I just like how it's in a pump and typically the product doesn't harden at the tip compared to other pump cleansers. rating: ***

16. Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray (50ml) source: Shoppers Drug Mart thoughts: I just love having a spray on hand at all times as it's versatile. It helps relieve itching at times and also provides a bit of cooling during the warmer months. It also provides a refreshing feeling when used on the face. rating: ***

17. Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream (30ml/1.01oz) source: gift with purchase thoughts: This cream was nice and I see why it's a best seller. However, for my combination skin I felt like it made it even more greasy. I see why this is a great cream for dry skin though. rating: **

18. Pyunkang Yul Calming Clear Spot Patch (Intensive Care) (165 patches) source: YesStyle thoughts: This is a very nice set of spot patches. They come in 2 sizes, 8mm and 10mm. It contains 60 of the 8mm and 105 of the 10mm, which is nice. I mentioned before that I tend to like the 12mm one size the most but the 10mm wasn't bad. I like that this pack doesn't contain super small ones which are 4mm/5mm I believe. That size I rarely use and I find they don't really work for me. The 8mm is like the perfect small size for me, I don't think I would want anything smaller than that. Within the pack, the patches come in individual packages which contain both the sizes. It was easy to use and remove from the strip. rating: ***

19. make prem Safe Me Amino Refresh Cleansing Balm (100ml/3.38oz) source: Olive Young Korea thoughts: I got this on a whim and also because it was a cleansing balm that was in a tube rather than a tub/jar. I really enjoyed using this as I feel like it helps remove my sunscreen off well. Plus the dispenser hole is like a flower shape which makes me happy when I use it and it comes out easily too. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

September & October 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. The Sunrise Golden Osmanthus Body Cream (150g) source: Gift from China thoughts: This was very light and lightly fragranced as well. I did like this but at times it would have a grainy feeling, especially when the skin is wet. It absorbs very well on my body but not as well on the hands and feet. rating: **

2. Dermall Matrix Epidermal Detoxifying Mask source: Olive Young thoughts: I bought this on my trip to Korea and was going to use it during my time there but never got around to it. I was pleasantly surprised out how my skin felt after using this. My face felt so refreshed as if I just went and got a facial. Really enjoyed this but I do want to try this a few more times to see how I truly feel. rating: ***

3. Heveblue Penta Berry Panthenol Repair Peel Pad (70pcs) source: Hemeko thoughts: These were okay, nothing really stood out to me. I feel like these were kind of basic compared to the Mediheal ones and also more expensive too. This product contains a lot of liquid, enough for me to make my own pads with cotton pads. I also don't like the packaging of this. There are tweezers on the top and most of the time when I close the lid it just falls off which is annoying. It also is difficult to get the pads with or without the tweezers. The pads itself are nice but hard to separate majority of the times. rating: **

4. The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Tissue (70 wipes) source: Nature Collection/The Face Shop thoughts: I absolutely love these. If you have followed along you know that these are a staple in my stash. However, these are a bit hard to find now and are usually out of stock when they are on sale. I did see them in Korea when I went back in October 2024 but didn't grab any, as I was thinking I could get them here. But unfortunately, the stores closed down and I'm not sure exactly when that happened. If I knew I would have stocked up. I have purchased an alternative to see if they would be similar or not. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

5. hince Vita Barrier Nourishing Lip Oil: 02 Mandarin (4.5ml/0.15oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I do like this and how big the applicator is. However, I did find it to be a bit sticky. Also, closer to the end of finishing it I find that it gets even stickier and it doesn't feel as nice. I have noticed that it happens mainly to the doe-foot type applicator ones. I did not have that issue with the Petitfee which has a silicone applicator. rating: **

6. ISOI Natur Rose Hand Cream (30ml) source: Stylevana gift w/ purchase thoughts: I'm not a big fan of rose scented items. This was okay, I find that it wasn't very moisturizing as it didn't last. I had to apply it multiple times to feel like my hands were moisturized. rating: **

7. Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Clear Soothing Cream (70ml/2.36oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This cream has been on my list for a while and I finally got around to trying it. I love how it's a gel-cream type and it is soothing. I am able to layer it after I use my gua sha. I really enjoyed using this and it's really affordable as well. I was able to get it for a 1+1 deal on Jolse. This cream typically is priced at about $25 CAD give or take. I finished this in two months using it every night. source: ****

8. Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X (30ml/1.01oz) source: Costco Korea thoughts: I got this at Costco in Korea for a really good price. This is really nice and absorbs nicely. This was my favourite essence when I first started using Korean skincare. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

August 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Ayunche Derma Calming Shampoo & Mask (30ml/1.01oz) source: Amore Global thoughts: I just love the scent of this. It has a light floral scent to it. It did provide a bit of soothing/ calming effect but I don't know if I like it enough to get it again, because I do like the soothing shampoo that I'm currently using. rating: ***

2. Caudalie Grape Water (75ml/2.7oz) source: Caudalie thoughts: I got this because it was such a great deal and I thought it would be similar to the Avene Thermal Spring Water. In a way it is similar, but this has a strange scent that I do not like and I found that it wasn't as cooling/refreshing as the Avene one. This smells nothing like grapes to me. I can't really describe what it is but it's just not a pleasant scent. rating: **

3. Skin U Inno:Scent Shower Gel in Deep Musk (5.29oz/150g) source: Sample w/ purchase thoughts: I really enjoyed using this. It is highly scented and I found that it was a thicker consistency compared to others I've tried. There are 3 other scents as well. This wasn't drying and it foams and cleanses well. Musk typically isn't a scent that I would gravitate towards but I didn't mind it too much. This is definitely not for people who are sensitive to scents. rating: ***

4. Carenology95 Re:Blue Regenerating Serum (50ml/1.7oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This has like a marine/seaweed kind of scent to it. I didn't mind it. I had to use about 3-4 droppers full in order to feel like my face was hydrated. It is very light weight and non-greasy but not something I would get again as it is kind of expensive for something that wasn't that great. I got it for about 44CAD on Jolse and I finished it in 49 days using it at night. rating: **

5. Charley Imagination Bath Salt & Herbs: Lemonade On Weekend source: YesStyle thoughts: I really enjoy using these tea bag style of bath salts, as it makes cleaning easy. I have found that Japanese bath salts make cleaning very easy and don't typically leave any residue on the tub. This one smells like the dried sugared tangerine peels that you can get at Chinese markets. I feel like this bath salt is more for the fragrance rather than muscle relief or for skin conditioning, compared to other ones. rating: **

6. The Saem 99% Jeju Fresh Aloe Soothing Gel (300ml/10.14oz) source: T&T Supermarket thoughts: I got this because during the warmer months I just love using aloe gel on my body rather than a lotion. I like how light and cooling it is and it doesn't feel sticky but is still moisturizing. I finished this in 2 months using it once a day, mainly on my arms and legs. rating: ****

7. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI (15ml/0.5oz) source: Korea thoughts: I've mentioned this before that I love using this but would not purchase the full size, as it is expensive and I consume it so fast. This is light and absorbs well into the skin. It does have a light ginseng scent which I don't mind and like. rating: ****

8. IOPE Stem III Cream (15ml/0.5oz) source: Amore Global, part of a set thoughts: I love the texture of this cream. It's a gel cream which I love and it spreads and absorbs well. I don't know if you can purchase this or not as I don't see it on the IOPE website nor amore global's website. However, I do see that you can purchase it on Sokoglam and other third party sites. rating: ***

9. CURESYS Heartleaf Acpair Spot Patch (90 patches) source: YesStyle thoughts: In the beginning, I didn't really like these because I bought them thinking they were hydrocolloid patches but they are not. However, these do work well for soothing pimples and itchy spots. They also stay on very well. I had a massage and forgot that I had it on and it stayed on the entire time without any shifting either. These hold out very well especially on clean skin. I can't remember when I bought these but this pack lasted me a very long time. rating: ***

10. Purito Bakuchoil Timeless Bloom Revitalizing Serum source: Sample thoughts: This was okay but I'm not a big fan of bakuchoil. And this was a sachet sample so it's hard to say if it was really good or not but the texture was nice. This is an old sample as they have rebranded/ renamed this product. rating: ~

11. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Multi Balm (9g) source: Jolse thoughts: I really like using this as it streamlines my skincare routine. I use this on my smile lines, around my eyes and between my brows. I would pretty much use this any where, where wrinkles would typically form. I really do like using this product and it would be great for travel since it is compact and can be used anywhere. I have seen this at Costco in Canada, for $54.99 for 2 before, however the Costco website does say it's out of stock, and I don't know if they would be bringing it back or not. rating: ****

12. Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA ++++(50ml/1.69oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This is nice and light, but it didn't really go well with some of my products in my routine. It made it peel a bit. It does say to put this product as the last step in your skincare routine which is usually what you would do with sunscreen. However this is a serum and one that was very light too. So it's a little confusing on when to use this exactly. I've tried it under my moisturizer and also after my moisturizer. Both didn't really work that well. What worked the best was actually not using a moisturizer at all and just using this on it's own, which didn't give my skin enough moisture. I've also used it on my body which was nice since it's lightweight. The pump does make it hard to dispense a large amount but if it's just for the face the amount needed works just fine. It does have a ginseng scent to it which is quite strong and noticable. rating: **

13. Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X (30ml/1.01oz) source: Costco Korea thoughts: This was probably my first Korean essence. This was also the OG essence/ Korean brand that was very popular back when Kpop and Korean skincare started to gain popularity. Their BB cream is also an OG product as well. This was great and still is. It's soothing and hydrating. I love having it in a spray bottle and using it as a mist as well. I got this because it was such a good price at Costco, about 20CAD you get a full size (150ml) plus 3 minis (30ml). This will always have a place in my heart. rating: ****

14. haruharu wonder Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream (40g/1.41oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I love the texture of this. However, I'm not a fan of the packaging for this size of the cream. It was hard to dispense out, that I just ended up squeezing it into another container. This is a light-weight cream that spreads and absorbs nicely. It's a cream that's for uneven skin tone, and I definitely do see a difference in my skin. My dark spots/ hyperpigmentation have noticeably lightened/ disappeared. I would love to try this again along with the serum next time. I also like how minimal the ingredient list is. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

July 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. vegreen Nature Mucin Cream by. wild Yam (50ml/1.69oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This is a great cream especially during the colder months. I did leave it at a friends house and it was expired by the time I went for my next visit. I still used it on my body and although it was moisturizing it did feel a little sticky. I'm not sure if it's because it was expired but from my memory it was not sticky when I used it on my face prior to it expiring. The product is a gel-type cream. I just checked and it seems Vegreen no longer makes this product instead they have a different cream, which seems to be similar. I would love to try their new cream as it's advertised as an anyone, any where, and any time kind of cream which sounds like something that would be good for travel. rating: ***

2. Round Lab Soybean Panthenol Cream (10ml) source: sample thoughts: I can't really remember how this cream was, but I do remember that the texture of this was good. It spreads nicely and if I recall it was moisturizing. I can see why it would be good for people with dry skin or even for the colder months. I probably won't get this since it isn't really a texture that I really like. I like gel-type creams or something more light in texture. rating: ***

3. Kose CoenRich Q10 Night Renew Moist Repair Hand & Finger Cream (80g) source: Gift thoughts: At first I wasn't a big fan because of the capsules/beads in the cream. However, the more I used it the more I didn't mind it. You really have to rub it and make sure that the beads have popped or else it will stay on. I found that this cream does hydrate my hands well, but I still prefer the urea cream that I usually use as it works for hands and feet. I tried using this on my feet and it didn't work as well because of the capsules. rating: ***

4. Daewoong EasyDerm Quick Calming Magnesium Patches (6 patches x 2) source: Korean Pharmacy/ South Korea thoughts: I really like using these especially on pimples that can't really be popped and are bumpy. You do have to use these over a span of a few days before the bump would decrease or to the point where it's about to pop. These are quite pricy and I have been trying to find cheaper alternatives but haven't found any yet. I believe it was 20,000 won at the pharmacy I went to. These are available on Olive Young Global as well as Amazon. rating: ****

5. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Renewing Age-Defying Face Exfoliator (60g/2.1oz) source: Sephora thoughts: I really like using this and it has really helped with the texture of my skin and also my skin's condition. I feel like after I stopped using this my skin has been a little whacky, but it can also be because my products have all been changed all at once. Typically it takes me a while to finish products, but these few months I have been going through them rather quickly it seems. This is expensive but a little goes a long way. This tube lasted me about 2 years and I was using it twice a week. This product is no longer sold in stores and can only be purchased online if you're in Canada. I did purchase the advanced version (white packaging) and we shall see how that one fairs because this version (black packaging) is a gentle version. This is a pricy product but it works and it lasts a while so I find it worth it. I haven't found anything that can compare to it as of right now. rating: ****

6. medicube Deep Vita C Daily Quick Mask (30 sheets) source: Stylevana thoughts: These masks aren't the softest. They were very paper-like especially if they are not saturated with the essence. These weren't bad but I do prefer the Skinfood ones more as of right now. I'm also not a fan of the packaging. The box has a small hole for you to get the mask out, it is a good thing because it will help keep the masks more hydrated but sometimes it would be difficult to get. Which is why I prefer the Skinfood ones because its fully opened and the container is see-through so you can see where the masks are. I also think because the mask sheet itself isn't a very absorbent kind, hence the essence travels downward faster compared to the Skinfood ones. I do store these upside down until I open and use them and I had no issues with the Skinfood ones being more drying on the top layer over the days, compared to these ones. rating: **

7. dear, klairs Daily Skin Softening Water (500ml/16.9oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I really like using this. This is my go-to for a toner. It's soothing and it works how I want it to. Plus this lasts a really long time about 6 months. It's a very versatile product. Sadly this product is now discontinued. rating: ****

8. Nard Himalaya Herb Shampoo & Treatment (100ml/3.38oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: These were okay. The scent was wonderful but I don't think the formula worked well for my hair and scalp. The packaging reminds me a bit of Aesop. rating: **

9. sioris Cleanse Me Softly milk cleanser (30ml/1.01oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: The formulation of this is nice, but I don't like the scent of this. I think it's because of the macadamia oil. It cleanses well without stripping my skin. I'm glad that there was a sample size that I could get to try. I really didn't like the scent of this and it did make me not really enjoy it because of that. I finished this in 42 days using it every night. rating: **

10. heimish All Clean Green Foam (30ml) source: Stylevana gift thoughts: I really enjoyed using this. It's actually a gel-type cleanser which is what I prefer. My skin felt clean and refreshed but not dry. I wished I could get this size again as it would be great for travelling. I finished this in 53 days using it day and night. rating: ***

11. Skinfood Rice Brightening Cream (60ml/2.02oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This was nice but I also feel like it had a bit of a stickiness to it afterwards. But overall it's a nice light gel-like cream. I finished this in about 2.5 months using it every night. This is an inexpensive cream and is hydrating. Skinfood is a brand that always has a place in my heart as it was the first Korean skin care brand that I purchased and also because of it's delicious scents and products. I'm a little sad as they no longer carry my favourite cream but it is quite similar to this one. rating: ***

12. ISOI Blemish Care Up Serum (35ml) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was nice but I didn't find it hydrating enough and I'm not a big fan of rose scented items. This is a fairly popular product and also the reason why I got it but it's just not for me. I finished using this in 39 days using 4 pumps each morning. rating: **

[vanityfairness]

May 2025 & June 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Village 11 Factory Will Invigorate Hand & Body Wash (35ml/1.18oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I can't really remember how this was but it smells pretty good. If I remember correctly it was moisturizing enough. rating: **

2. Village 11 Factory Will Invigorate Hand & Body Lotion (35ml/1.18oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: It's the same scent as the hand and body wash. The lotion spreads easily and wasn't too thick. rating: **

3. Village 11 Factory Miracle Youth Double Cleanser (30ml/1.01oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This was okay. It's basically a gel type cleanser. I'm not sure what it means by double cleanser, maybe that you can use it as a first and second cleanser. I just used it as my first cleanser at night and used a different one for a second cleanser. I felt like it cleansed pretty well that sometimes I would just use this and not a second cleanser. But that's only if I have a light layer of sunscreen/I haven't left the house. Overall, this travel kit is very nice and is a good kit for travelling. rating: **

4. LuLuLun Kyoto Mask Sheets source: T & T Supermarket thoughts: I think this version is my favourite out of all the LuLuLun mask sheets I've tried. This is nice for travelling as well, however I found that once this is opened it does tend to leak a bit so you will have to be aware if you have it opened and will be moving around. Great if you will be staying at a place for a week or so though. rating: ***

5. Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Eye Cream (5ml/0.16oz) source: Sephora, part of a set thoughts: I really enjoyed using this eye cream, plus this sample lasted a while as well, maybe 6 months. I typically don't purchase full size products of Sulwhasoo unless it's a good deal, and I only purchase the creams for my mom. But I really do enjoy using Sulwhasoo products. Honestly for this eye cream it's best to purchase a kit/set where it contains the eye cream because you would get a better value. The ones in the sets are typically a 5ml one and the full size is 15ml. The price of just the 15ml one is almost equivalent to a set depending on which set you get. As I'm linking items I've noticed that this packaging is the older version and since then Sulwhasoo has changed their formula for this and also the name. It's now called the 'Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Eye Cream'. rating: ***

6. LuLuLun Tokyo Kouji Mask Sheets source: Japan thoughts: I bought these last minute at the airport, also for souvenir purposes. I feel like these masks may have broke me out a bit but once I stopped using it my face did seem to clear up. These smelt nice and were okay. I feel like these weren't as moisturizing as the Kyoto ones. rating: **

7. mude True Eyelash Serum (8g) source: YesStyle thoughts: The more I use this the more I'm not a big fan of it. The applicator is nice, as it's like a mascara kind of wand which I much prefer rather than a doe foot or a brush. At times I feel like the formulation stings a bit and irritates my eyes. I will test my other one and see if it does the same. I have been using this serum for a while now but I do have my eye on other ones to try out. rating: ***

8. ma:nyo Proxyl AC Rescue Spot Patch (42 patches) source: Stylevana thoughts: These had three sheets, 1 sheet of the size 12mm and 2 sheets of the 10mm size. As you may or may not know I tend to like using the 12mm more compared to any other sizes. These work well like any other spot patch and they stay on. These do feel better than other ones I've tried before. They are the perfect thickness for me, compared to some as some are too thin or too thick. rating: ***

9. unleashia Sharper Defining Eyebrow Pencil: No.2 Kraft Brown source: YesStyle/Stylevana thoughts: I don't think I have ever finished a make-up product before, this may be my first time. I just love this eyebrow pencil as it has a very thin tip and it does not need to be sharpen either. It also has a spool on the other end to brush out the product, which helps make it more natural looking. rating: ****

10. dear klairs Maple Energy Infusing Cream (60g/2.11oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This cream was nice, at times I feel like it doesn't spread or absorb well. It may be because of my serum or essence that hadn't been fully absorbed before I applied this. This didn't really have a maple scent to it, which I was not expecting. The cream claims that it deeply moisturizes and provides rich nourishment to dry, saggy skin resulting in firmer, smoother, and healthier-looking complexion. My skin definitely did feel better, definitely moisturized. I finished this in 3.5 months using it every night. rating: ***

11. Shiseido Urea 10% Cream (100g) source: Stylevana/YesStyle thoughts: I love this cream, but now buying it online can be quite expensive. I find this moisturizing and it doesn't leave a sticky residue. I love it especially for my feet. I always have this in my stash now. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

12. The 7 Virtues Lotus Pear Eau de Parfum source: Sephora Sample thoughts: I'm not a big fan of this. It's kind of a weird mix to me. rating: *

13. O HUI Age Recovery Emulsion (140ml) source: Jolse thoughts: I really enjoyed using this as it was very light and spreads easily. It does have a scent to it which I don't mind. This took a really long time to finish and I feel that is with all emulsions for me. The only complaint I have about this product is the packaging. It's really hard to tell how much product is left in the bottle, with the softener you can see it as it's more of a tinted bottle. rating: ***

14. Biore UV Aqua Rich Aqua Protect Mist SPF50 PA++++ (60ml) source: Japan thoughts: I bought this on a whim while I was in Japan as it was hot and I didn't want something thick, but I also wanted something that was easy to apply. So I thought a mist sunscreen would be good. I really like this as it's quick and easy to apply and not very sticky. It's very convenient to reapply as well. rating: ****

15. NARD Mild Whip Pore Cleansing Foam (40ml/1.35oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was pretty good. It lathered and cleansed well. As for it helping with pores, I didn't notice much of a difference. rating: ***

16. Purito Oat-In Calming Gel Cream (100ml/3.38ml) source: YesStyle thoughts: This was a very light gel cream. I did like it but once again I noticed like a kind of plastic kind of scent to the product. I don't know if it's just me or something else. I've noticed a lot of my products that are in tube packaging tend to have a plastic scent especially products that are scent free or are for sensitive skin. Hence, why I like creams that are in jars more but I do know that this is more hygienic. I may try this again as I did like the formulation and the packaging was pretty good as I was able to get every drop out of it. rating: ***

17. Alive:Lab 02 Scalp Water Shampoo (350ml) source: YesStyle thoughts: I actually like this scalp shampoo more compared to the Steambase one. Not a fan of how much space the bottle takes though. I feel like this worked better at soothing my scalp compared to the Steambase one. I'm not sure if I want to try another scalp shampoo, most of them haven't really helped with my situation. rating: ***

18. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI (8ml/0.27oz) source: gift w/ purchase thoughts: I absolutely love this product as it really helps moisturize my skin and is a great layering piece. Although I love this I would not purchase the full size as I would consume it very quickly and it's just not worth the price to have that constantly. I am satisfied just getting the mini versions through the sets and using that. It's like a little treat. rating: ****

19. dear, klairs Maple Energy Infusing Serum (30ml/1.01oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I actually really like this. It was light weight, spreads and absorbs wonderfully. Now this product I can actually smell a hint of maple compared to the cream which didn't really have a scent. This works really well with the cream, but I would have to try them together again to really see. I feel like the cream might be better for the colder months. I finished this in 1.5 months using 4 pumps each night, although I did start using a retinol twice a week about half way through this product. I feel like this product will be good for year round use. I got this at a really good price, 1+1 during one of Jolse promotions, same for the cream as well. rating: ****

20. Charley Bath Salt & Herbs - A little bird told me, Yuzu will be ripen soon (30g) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really like using these as they come in like a tea bag format so it's easy to remove. To me these are more of a sensory and for relaxation kind of product, rather than for relaxing the muscles. The scent of this reminds me of the Chinese dried tangerines/ dried citrus fruits that you would nibble on. rating: ***

21. 107 Beauty Scalp Purifying Microbiome Shampoo (500ml/16.9oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I have tried a few scalp shampoos now and I found this to be okay. It did not help with my scalp condition. I have heard and seen a lot of influencers comment about this but for me it just didn't really work. They have also renewed the product not sure what specifically was renewed aside from the packaging and it containing less product. It was 500ml before and now it's 380ml. rating: **

22. Sulwhasoo Essential Comfort Balancing Water, Balancing Emulsion, & Firming Comfort source: Gift w/ purchase thoughts: I just love this line. I feel like you can never go wrong with this line by Sulwhasoo. I love when I get these deluxe sample kits, because they are also very good for travel. I would definitely recommend this line for people who want to try Sulwhasoo, it also isn't as heavily ginseng scented compared to the other lines. However, this is an expensive brand hence I usually don't buy them for myself. I typically buy it for my mom and I would take the samples from the sets. rating: ****

23. IOPE UV Shield Sun Protector & Tone Up Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ (10ml/0.33oz) source: Amore Global samples thoughts: I really enjoyed using these sunscreens. I haven't used a tone up one for a long time now. The tone up one was nice but I'm still not a big fan of it. I feel like it makes me more oily and sometimes it would pile. I do like the regular version one but what I really want to try is the ampoule version by IOPE cause that has been talked about quite a bit and it would be lighter as well. rating: ***

24. MARVIS Jasmin Mint Toothpaste (75ml/3.8oz) source: well.ca thoughts: I have seen this toothpaste for a while now and decided to try it because David's toothpaste wasn't always the one I really liked. The taste of this was something that I definitely had to get use to. This scent/flavour was definitely unique but once you get use to it, it's not bad. I feel like this toothpaste has maintained the whiteness of my teeth compared to others which bounce back and forth more. I did purchase a few other flavours to try. rating: ***

Samples Used

it's skin Power 10 Formula LI Effector Fighter 10

Purito Defence Barrier pH Cleanser

vegreen Nature Mucin Serum

[vanityfairness]

March & April 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. atrix Beauty Charge Honey & Yuzu Hand Cream (80g) source: n/a thoughts: I love the scent of these hand creams, but they aren't the moist moisturising. rating: **

2. heimish All Clean Balm: Mandarin (5ml/0.16oz) source: sample thoughts: I really like Heimish's cleansing balms, but I prefer the original one more. I feel like this one was more oily. I like the consistency of this, as it wasn't too thick to the point that it becomes hard to spread. rating: ***

3. steambase Tea Tree Scalp Water Scaler (250ml/8.45oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I feel like this did help with my scalp condition. My scalp isn't as itchy compared to before when I use this in combination with a regular shampoo. I like the packaging of this, as it's a skinny bottle and has a cap that I can easily determine if the bottle is opened or not. This product also comes as a refill so you do not have to buy the bottle again. The refill allows you to fill the bottle up at least 2 times. rating: ***

4. O HUI Age Recovery skin softener (150ml) source: Jolse thoughts: I really like this. It is hydrating and very light. It also absorbs really well. I used this during the day and would pat it into my skin at least two times. rating: ***

5. Davids natural mint+charcoal toothpaste (149g/5.25oz) source: well.ca thoughts: I did really like this toothpaste, but as I use it more I feel like it doesn't do that great of a job in helping me whiten my teeth or keep it white. Plus this is an American product, which I want to try to lean away from. I just checked and it seems that this is now discontinued. rating: ***

6. I'm from Supul Body Scrub & Wash (300g/10.58oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really love the look of this, a simple glass bottle with what it is on the bottom in black font. It's a very minimalistic look. However, the product itself wasn't that great. I didn't find it that exfoliating and the product was kind of hard to dispense, compared to the lotion. But I do love the scent of this. I got this for about $30CAD on YesStyle. rating: ***

7. AYUNCHE Rebalancing Mask (200ml/6.7oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I don't know if this really did anything for my hair or scalp. This has a herbal kind of scent to it which my mom did not like. I did not mind the scent at all. It was okay but at the price of $74 it was a very steep price for an okay product. At the time when I purchased this it was a brand that was hard to find, but now you can find it for about $25-30CAD. Stylevana has also added additional AYUNCHE products now and this mask is at a much much lower price point now. rating: ***

8. The Saem Perfumed Hand Shea Butter: Garden Rose (30ml/1.01oz) source: Gift thoughts: I found this to be very thick and it wasn't moisturizing enough. It does smell very nice though but not something I would get. rating: *

9. NARD Himalaya Herb Body Wash (100ml/3.38oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This smells very nice. It has a very earthy and forest kind of scent to it. The formulation of this was quite nice. It lathered well and I feel like it cleansed my skin well without stripping it. rating: **

10. SKINFOOD yuja C Vita Daily Mask (30 masks) source: Skinfood (Korea) thoughts: I really enjoyed using this. I feel like it really helps with my skins moisture levels. I'm definitely more prone to using these when they are out on my counter in a container rather than a bag. I can't wait to use my other ones. I'm really attracted to these daily masks in a tub and also the overnight gel masks as of right now. rating: ***

11. By Wishtrend Green Tea & Enzyme Milky Foaming Wash (140ml/4.73oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really like using milky or gel type cleansers, hence I did enjoy using this. My skin didn't feel dry and it felt like it did do a good job of cleansing. The only thing that I don't like is the design of the bottle. The product dispenses well however the tip always has a dried/harden part of the product which annoys me a little as I really have to mush that bit to make it into a better consistency. This took me 170 days to finish and I used it twice a day. rating: ***

12. Skin & Lab Clean & Easy Blemish Spot Patch (54 patches) source: YesStyle thoughts: These have two sizes in them. You get 2 sheets of the 10mm with 15 on each sheet and 2 sheets of the 12mm with 12 on each sheet. The concept of these for the application are nice as they are quite thin. They have a step 1 and 2 sticker on top of the patch for easier application. But I found that it didn't always peel properly. Good thing is that the sheet itself still has like a perforated tear so you can just peel off the step guide and then peel the patch off from the sheet. These work just the same as any other spot patch. I still personally like my G9 Skin ones as they are all one size, since I rarely break out in places where the small sizes would be required. rating: **

13. Jo Malone Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne source: sample thoughts: This has always been my favourite scent from Jo Malone since I discovered the world of perfume and fragrances. I have mentioned before that I do gravitate towards citrus scents more but I don't mind this floral scent at all, as this is light. I really do enjoy Jo Malone scents as they are light and layer-able. I never got around to purchasing a full size of this as it is quite expensive plus I do want to go through my collection before buying any new ones. rating: **

14. Petitfee Super Seed Lip Oil (3g/0.1oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I really like this, especially the applicator. I like that it's a plastic applicator and not like the doe foot. Cause the applicator doesn't get as dirty/ sticky as you use it more. As for the formulation, it's not sticky and it absorbs quickly. I do feel like its moisturizing but not as good as the one by Clarins and the one I'm currently using, by Hince. I feel like this one would be better for the warmer months as it's lighter than the Clarins and Hince ones. This smells like honey which is very nice. rating: ***

15. hersteller Wonder Veggie Juicy Treatment Essence (150ml/5.07oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I really like the ingredients in this as it contains some really good ingredients. This essence is said to be made up of 90% kale extract which helps improve skin strength with a slightly acidic formula. I feel like this was quite hydrating and that it did a good job of maintaining my skin condition. I definitely prefer something a little thicker at night rather than having to layer a thin essence multiple times to achieve the hydration I need. I used this at night, patting this into my skin 3 times. I finished this in 118 days. I really enjoyed the Wonder Veggie line by hersteller, but probably would not repurchase again as there are other products that are similar for around the same price point. There wasn't much of a scent to it, very clean and fresh. rating: **

16. Carenology95 Be:Fine The AC Spot Treatment (10g/0.35oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This has been my all time favourite spot treatment. I see results even if it is slow. Especially if you're consistent with it you'll definitely notice a difference. But this is getting harder and harder to find. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

17. Huxley Conditioning Mask: One Moment (5 sheets) source: YesStyle thoughts: I haven't used Huxley products in a while and the scent of the mask really brings me back. I really like using Huxley's oil essence and especially the scent just gives me a sense of calm. I just checked all my usual sites and it seems like they no longer sell Huxley products, but you can still find it if you do a google search. However, the price might be higher now compared to before. And sadly when I went to Korea the store was closed on that day of the week, so I couldn't check out the products nor stock up on certain items. But I really enjoyed using these masks as it provided a really good amount of hydration. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

January & February 2025 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Medicube Soyxidil Shampoo (490ml/16.56oz) & 2in1 Treatment (265ml/8.96oz) source: Medicube thoughts: This shampoo lathers very nicely and a little goes a long way. My hair did feel clean and nice without being too stripping. But it's not a shampoo that I would go out of my way to get again. It has not helped with my scalp condition either. As for the treatment, I do not like it. It stung my scalp badly especially when it was at its worst condition and very exposed. I also feel like it took forever to rinse out. Also the applicator wasn't the best as I hardly felt the product come out so often times I would be dispensing more than I needed. rating: **

2. Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum (60ml/2.02oz) source: Gift thoughts: I do like using this a lot and I also get a lot of deluxe sample sizes from purchasing the creams for my mom. I don't really see much difference in my skin but it is definitely hydrating. rating: ***

3. IsNtree Yam Root Vegan Milk Toner (200ml/6.76oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really enjoyed using this toner. It was especially nice during the colder months as it provided a good amount of hydration. This took me about 4 months to finish and I was using it day and night. rating: ***

4. LAGOM Cellus Sun Gel+ SPF50+ PA++++ (40ml/1.35oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was a sunscreen that I really enjoyed using. It wasn't too thin and it absorbed easily. It does have a slight scent that smells like centella asiatica. It is a very light sunscreen without any white cast. rating: ***

5. mude true eyelash serum (8g/0.28oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This has been my go-to eyelash serum the past few years. I do see results but as I've been using it more I feel like my eyes are getting a little irritated. I do want to try other eyelash serums as this one was never one that I truly liked it was just one that I was able to find that did not have hyaluronate acid or a derivative. rating: ***

6. Daewoo Easy Derm Quick Calming Magnesium Patches (6 patches) source: Pharmacy in South Korea thoughts: I really like using these patches with the microneedles. I find that it helps with reducing the inflammation/bump. These were quite expensive though. I believe these were 10,000 won for 6 patches. On Amazon I do see a pack of 20 for about $37 but I'm not sure if they work the same. It does look the same just American packaging. rating: ***

7. Mediheal Retinol Collagen Lifting Pad (100pads) source: T&T Supermarket thoughts: I really had a hard time getting through these. I didn't really like these, I feel like these didn't do anything. The pad itself is like a gauze style, so it didn't really make a good mask. The pad is very flexible so you can stretch it for a better fit if you were to use it as a mask. rating: *

8. Derma B Mandarin Till Dawn Body Lotion (30ml/1oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was very nice. It was a light lotion and absorbed easily into the skin. I'm not a big fan of the scent, but I don't mind using it. I'm glad I was able to get a sample sized version to try rather than a big bottle. rating: **

9. Clarins 01 Lip Comfort Oil (7ml/0.2oz) source: Sephora thoughts: I really liked using this. This was my first time trying a lip oil. I use it at night before I go to sleep and I find that it's very hydrating. However, I do find that it's a little sticky compared to the one I'm currently using. And another thing, I'm not a big fan of the applicator as I feel like it just gets stickier over time and doesn't apply the product as nicely. rating: ***

10. Avene Thermal Spring Water (50ml/1.7oz) source: Gift thoughts: I really like using this, especially in the warmer months. I also use this as a setting spray when I do put on makeup. I actually purchased a different brand which is similar but I find that it has a weird scent so I much prefer this one. rating: ***

11. Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne source: sample thoughts: This is one of my favourite Jo Malone scents, but I find that Jo Malone scents don't really last. The longevity of the scent is to be expected since it is a cologne. rating: **

12. O HUI Age Recovery eye cream (20ml) source: Part of a kit thoughts: I really like this eye cream as it's moisturizing and spreads easily. It is quite scented, but I don't mind it. rating: ***

13. hersteller Wonder Veggie Hydrating Gel Cream (50ml/1.69oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I really liked this cream. If you have been following along for some time you will know that I love/prefer gel creams over anything. I love how gel creams absorb so well into my skin and I can also layer it as well. I finished this in about 2 months using it once a night. rating: ***

14. Biossance Squalene + Caffine Toning Body Cream (60ml/2.02oz) source: Sephora thoughts: I thought this cream would be really thick when I initially opened it. But as soon as I dipped my hand in it, I couldn't believe how light and thin it was. It absorbed fairly quick and spreads easily. rating: **

15. By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Body Lotion (6g/0.21oz) source: sample thoughts: This lotion was so bad. It smelt a little funky and it was thick and it didn't absorb well either. The concept of the cream is nice. It's "an overnight body lotion formulated with retinal and bakuchiol. It helps to improve rough, bumpy skin texture, for a smoother surface." I only had the sample to try so I can't really say if it did all that. All I can say is that it felt like there was a coating covering my body after applying the lotion. And the next day when I showered I can feel it, I had to really scrub to remove the residue off. It felt like it never really absorbed into the skin. rating: *

16. Banobagi Milk Thistle Repair Sunscreen (1.5ml/0.05oz) source: sample thoughts: This was also another sample that I did not like. I found it thick and that it didn't absorb that well into the skin. It took some effort to spread and have it absorbed. I also noticed that it was kind of making my skin flake whenever I touched my face. rating: *

17. heimish All Clean Balm (5ml) source: sample thoughts: I actually like this version of the balm more than the Mandarin one. This had like a sorbet-like texture. It's a balm to oil to milk, which I really enjoyed. Because some cleansing balms are more just a balm to milk kind. I felt like it cleansed well without stripping the face as well. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

November & December 2024 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. dear, klairs Daily Skin Softening Water (500ml/16.90oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I really like how nice and simple this is. I do use this as a toner and sometimes as a spray during the warmer months. This lasts a long time and I was using this day and night. It took me about 8-9 months to finish this. rating: ****

2. hersteller Little Drops Calming Days Ampoule (45ml/1.52oz) source: Jolse thoughts: hersteller products have been on my list of to-try for a long time and I was finally able to find somewhere that had the products. I did enjoy this but it wasn't spectacular enough that I would purchase this again. It works really well with my guasha/face roller though, as this product does contain oils in it. There is a light scent to it but nothing that is too strong. It has a very neutral scent. rating: **

3. Lador Tea Tree Scalp Clinic Hair Pack (200ml/6.76oz) source: YesStyle or Stylevana thoughts: This has been featured in my posts multiple times now. This is my go-to product especially when my scalp is acting up and nothing else seems to work. I still haven't been able to find a routine or products that have really helped. Although this product does work I don't want to be using this all the time. rating: ****

4. O HUI Age Recovery Emulsion (20ml) source: Jolse, part of a kit thoughts: I like how light this is. I did bring this with me on vacation. I have started using the full size version so I would go more in depth when I finish that. So far I am liking it. rating: ***

5. Colgate Elixir Toothpaste: Luminous White (80ml) source: Real Canadian Superstore thoughts: I'm always on a hunt for a good and effective toothpaste, that will help brighten my teeth. I love the concept of this toothpaste and how every drop is pretty much used and that there is not much waste. However, I'm not so sure if I like the formulation of this toothpaste. I would love to try this again in the future. I did use this mainly as my travel toothpaste and I have had it opened for over a year so I don't know if that has anything to do with it being not as good. rating: ***

6. Missha Time Revolution The First Essence 5X (30ml/1.01oz) source: Costco Korea, part of a set thoughts: This leaked on my journey back home, hence I decided to use it. I do like this, and it has been reformulated since the last time I've tried it. I haven't used it for a very long time now. This product use to be on constant rotation for me. It was such a good deal that I decided to buy it even though I didn't really need it. It was 19,900 won at Costco in Korea. You get one full size bottle and 3 miniatures at 30ml each. Typically the full size bottle runs about $30-40 dollars, so I just had to grab it seeing the price. I wanted to get more stuff but the Costco I went to didn't seem to have that much. rating: ***

7. PESTLO ourecipe Oil to Foam Cleanser (30ml/1.01oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I'm not sure if it's because this has been travelling with me for a while now and has been opened for over a year, but it did smell a bit plasticky to me. But I have also found that a lot of my tube products tend to have like a plastic kind of scent to it especially when it's unscented. I feel like it did a good job at cleansing my skin. But when I was in Korea it did feel like it dried it out a bit. it also says oil to foam but it's more of a gel to foam. I basically used it like a regular cleanser because when I placed it directly on my face it felt like I was tugging on my skin and I had to emulsify it in order for it to spread better. rating: *

8. hersteller Little Drops Calming Days Ampoule Cream (100ml/3.38oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I did enjoy using this cream. It wasn't too thick or thin and it went well with my other products. It has a light scent of calendula, which I don't mind. But definitely not something I would go out of my way to find again. rating: ***

9. The Face Shop Oil Blotting Paper (70sheets) source: The Face Shop thoughts: This is been in my stash for ages and I have finally used it up. I rarely use blotting papers but recently I have noticed that my face has been producing more oil and I can feel it. I think it's because my routine hasn't been moisturizing enough, hence why I'm producing more oils. rating: **

10. G9 Skin AC Solution Clear Spot Patch (60 patches) source: Stylevana thoughts: These are still my favourite pimple patches, as I tend to like using the 12mm sizes most of the time. I just like how it covers more area and that when it absorbs it has more room as well. rating: ****

11. GAP dream Body Mist (50ml / 2oz) source: GAP thoughts: This mist says its "a soft mix of white freesia, orange flower, and pure cloud." I do like it but as you may know I'm not really a floral kind of gal. I did purchase a larger bottle of this a long time ago which has not been opened and I will be selling that or giving it away. i also just checked and GAP doesn't even carry fragrances anymore. rating: **

12. I'm from Silky Body Lotion: Supul (290g / 10.22oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This has been on my to try since it's been released. However, the only place to purchase it was on the Wishtrend website which had a high free shipping cost and I didn't really want anything else or an excess of all the body care. Thankfully YesStyle started carrying them. I decided to try this one because it also had a body scrub in the same scent plus the scent profile seemed like something I would like. The scent is comprised of grapefruit, peony and labanum. The scent of this is suppose to be a reminder or give you the imagery of "a walk along a secluded creek in the forest, with the scent of fresh grass and fragrant flowers." I do like it as it was light and absorbed quickly into the skin. However, because it was light it didn't really provide that much moisturization especially in the drier colder months. This took me about 4 months to finish. I'm not that great at being consistent with putting body lotion but I am trying to. rating: ***

13. HERA Rejuvenate Ampoule Cream (5ml / 0.16oz) source: Amore Global Mall thoughts: I did purchase the full size of this and will give a more in-depth review when I finish that. But so far I am liking this cream and can't wait to try it on a more regular basis. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

September & October 2024 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Soohanbang Sooryehan Chunsam Radiant White Emulsion (130ml+15ml) source: Jolse thoughts: I felt this took me forever to finish. I did enjoy it at first but later it got a little tiring. I did use this as a moisturizer except it didn't provide enough moisture, even though it was during the warmer months. I think that's one of the reasons why I didn't really enjoy using it, especially closer to the end of the product. This was very light and watery which is typical for an emulsion. It does have a light floral scent to it. rating: **

2. Soohanbang Sooryehan Chunsam Radiant White Essence (5ml) source: Jolse (Part of a gift set) thoughts: This was definitely nice and light. It definitely goes well with the emulsion. It's hard for me to say if I really like this product as the amount was quite small. rating: ~

3. HYGGEE Natural Repair Serum (30ml / 1oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I really like how light this is and it provides me with a good amount of hydration. This goes well under makeup as well. It also absorbs quickly without any residue. I think this would be a go-to serum for me if I'm too lazy to find something else. This is also inexpensive. rating: ****

4. Mediheal Vitamin Brightening Pad (100pads) source: T & T Supermarket thoughts: I really am enjoying these toner pads. I love using them as a quick mask rather than using a mask sheet. However, in order to cover my full face I would use about 7-9 sheets. I didn't notice much of a brightening effect but it has definitely helped with hydrating my skin. On the box, it does say its a "daily blemish pad that brightens dull skin and smoothens skin." Like most pad items I did find that the top layers seemed to have less liquid whereas the bottom ones were really saturated. Hence, I'm going to try storing the unused ones upside down to see if that will help saturate the top ones more. I also like that you could buy refills for this except refills are hard to find. I'm not sure if that was the intended purpose of the packaging, but these containers could also be reused for organizing as well. rating: ***

5. mude true eyelash serum (8g / 0.28oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I have been using this serum for a few years now. I haven't found anything that I really like aside from this so far. It's not my favourite but it works for now. It's also very hard to tell how much product is left in this, I also feel like as there is less product in the tube the coating on the applicator becomes less even. I also feel like this never fully gets used up even if I was using it everyday for 6 months. rating: ***

6. Off & Relax Hot Spring Water Spa Scalp Essence (45ml / 1.5oz) source: T & T Supermarket thoughts: At first this seemed to help with my scalp but overtime it didn't work again. This makes my hair and scalp smell nice though. I almost feel like I need to be changing my routine every so often. I just can't seem to find a routine that works for my scalp aside from washing my hair everyday but I do not want to do that. rating: **

7. innisfree Green Tea Lip Balm (3.6g / 0.12oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was okay. I found that this didn't provide me with enough hydration compared to other lip balms that I have tried before. I have also noticed that it has a funky scent to it now. I only have a little left, hence I am discarding it. rating: **

8. Acropass Soothing Q Patches (12 patches) source: YesStyle thoughts: I found these in my stash and noticed that they have expired but they still do soothe itchy spots for me. I do find they work and prevents me from scratching as well. rating: ***

9. atrix Beauty Charge Hand Cream: Peach Tea (80g) source: Tokyo Beauty thoughts: This smells amazing exactly like what it says like peach tea. It's a nice hand cream but its not that moisturizing. It absorbs quickly and does not leave any residue. However, after putting it on a while later I feel like I need more. rating: ***

10. Shiseido Urea 10% Hand & Foot Cream (60g) source: YesStyle or Stylevana thoughts: I really love using this as a foot cream as I find it moisturizing and over time it even helps with cracked skin and any dry spots. rating: ****

11. The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Tissue (70 wipes) source: The Face Shop thoughts: I still love using these and they remain as a staple in my stash. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

12. LAGOM Cellup Gel to Water Cleanser (170ml/5.74oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I enjoyed this cleanser. It was simple and goes on the skin well and it emulsifies nicely as well. It didn't dry up my skin, and it felt clean. rating: ***

13. Carenology95 Be:Fine The AC Spot Treatment (10g) source: Jolse thoughts: I really like using this spot treatment for my acne. I find that it helps heal and fade the scars, but it does take time. rating: *HOLY GRAIL!*

14. O HUI Age Recovery Skin Softener (20ml) source: Jolse (part of a set) thoughts: This was nice but did not especially absorb quickly or well into my skin. It made putting on the next step a little difficult as I really had to work the product into my skin to have it fully absorbed. rating: **

15. A'pieu mint scalp hair vinegar (200ml/6.76oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I have tried a sample of this in the past and it seemed fairly good at the time, hence I decided to purchase a full size to try. I actually didn't really like this. I prefer my Lador Treatment more than this one. I felt like this didn't really help with my scalp condition, but it was definitely cooling. rating: **

Samples used: "I'm from Beet Energy Ampoule" & "Purito Glacto Niasin 97 Power Essence" & heimish Matcha Biome Gel Moisturizer. These were nice but hard to say if they were really good or worked since it only lasted one/few uses.

Throw-Away

1. Laka Soul Vegan Lip Balm: Rosy - This started smelling funky, it is also past it's expiration date plus it was a lip balm that did not glide very nicely if you don't have even lips. Best used on top of another lip balm or something.

2. NEOGEN Extra Volumecurl Metal Maxicara: Black - I bought this cause I saw that people using it were able to create a good curl and coat on, but for me it did not work. I'm not a really make-up kind of gal, so the applicator did not work well for me either as it was a straight applicator. I also bought this because there were refills available instead of constantly buying the whole thing again.

3. peripera Speedy Skinny Brow Mascara: 03 Natural Brown - I do like using brow mascara as it is a quicker process when I do my brows but this one was not good. It does not stay and rubs off really easily. The color was good and the applicator is also angled which makes applying it on to be easy, but other than that the formulation was just a no for me.

4. fresh Sugar Caramel Hydrating Lip Balm - The formulation for this is nice, but I'm just not the type of girl who likes to dip there finger in a pot to apply lip balm. I need some kind of applicator that is attached. The color is also very nice and natural. It also smells amazing.

[vanityfairness]

July & August 2024 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Nard Moisturizing Foot Cream (100ml / 3.38oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was okay. It does have like a herbal kind of scent to it which I'm not a fan of. This cream does work very well and I find that my feet do feel very moisturized. rating: **

2. Lador Hydro LPP Treatment (150ml / 5.07oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This smells very nice and I did enjoy using this. My hair definitely felt more soft and smooth afterwards. I typically use the tea tree hair pack as it helps with my scalp issue. This treatment does say that it's suppose to help with dry and damaged hair as well as helping with treated hair. I can't say I noticed anything since I wasn't constantly using this, as this was on rotation for me. rating: ***

3. Lador Tea Tree Scalp Clinic Hair Pack (200ml / 6.76oz) source: YesStyle or Stylevana thoughts: I have been using these constantly as I find that this has helped my scalp to a certain extent. It definitely has soothed it and at times have stopped the itching. I will definitely be purchasing these still until I find a better routine or something that will help my scalp condition. rating: ****

4. The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Tissue (70 wipes) source: The Face Shop thoughts: These are still my all time favourite cleansing tissues for the value and effectiveness. rating:*HOLY GRAIL!*

5. Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel (100ml/3.38oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I really enjoyed this, but I did go through this quickly as I used it as a body moisturizer rather than for my face. It felt nice and refreshing on my body. I would consider this product to be an all-in-one. However, there was a bit of a sticky feeling afterwards but it does go away quickly. rating: ***

6. make p:rem Airy light physical sun stick formulated with zinc SPF50+ PA++++ Calming sun stick (20g/0.7oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was my first sun stick and I really like this. It was not greasy and it did not leave a white cast. Although I did find it hard to apply if my skin wasn't fully moisturized. I also really like the size and shape of this one, although some areas are a little harder to get into because of the thickness. I have been using sunscreen throughout the year because it is so convenient to apply now. On lazy days, I would just use the sun stick and on other days when I'm not as lazy or I know I would be out in the sun for a long duration I would use a sun cream. rating: ***

7. HYGGEE Natural Repair Serum (30ml/1oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I actually bought another one of these without realising I already had one in my stash. To my surprise, this was amazing. There isn't really a scent to this and it gives me a good amount of hydration. I have used this under makeup and it has helped with my application so nicely, it makes my skin and makeup look amazing. This is also affordable but I did go through this quite quick. I would say a month to a month and a half. I was used 4 pumps each night. rating: ****

8. Nard Body Lotion (100ml/3.38oz) source: Stylevana from a set thoughts: I'm not sure why but this lotion smells a lot better than the foot cream. This has like a natural forest/woodsy kind of scent to it. It was also very light, plus it absorbs and spreads really well. rating: ***

9. Juice to Cleanse Grain Water Cleansing Oil (20ml/0.67oz) source: Jolse thoughts: This was okay, I'm not the cleansing oil type of person. I prefer a cleansing balm over an oil. This did take me a while to use up. This product definitely didn't appeal to me nor did I really take note of it's effectiveness. rating: ~

10. heimish All Clean Balm: Mandarin (15ml/0.16oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This had a sorbet like texture and went on smoothly. It did cleanse my make-up off nicely. But I would need to use it more to know. It does say it's a daily cleanser for removing heavy makeup easily, and I'm not a heavy makeup user so it's hard to say. But I will test it out again when I do do a makeup day. rating: ~

11. Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil (50ml/1.7oz) source: Sephora Point Redemption thoughts: This smells amazing but I feel like my scalp doesn't really like this product all too much. It would like it only if I use it like once a month or so. A little goes a long way, and it does take a bit of effort to wash it out. But afterwards my hair would feel so soft and smooth, plus smelling amazing. rating: **

12. COSRX Master Patch: Basic (90 patches) source: YesStyle thoughts: These were the newer patches that Cosrx came out with when I purchased them and I have finally finished the pack. These were thick which I did not like. This pack only contains the 12mm sized patches which is what I like using but I still like my G9 Skin the best still. These do work like any other pimple/spot patch but I just don't like the thickness of these. rating: **

13. Curesys Heartleaf Acpair Spot Patch (90 patches) source: YesStyle thoughts: These were super thin and they stayed on really well. I had a massage and I forgot about it and it didn't even come off when the masseuse was doing the routine. These patches didn't really do much for me, but it does help keep the exposed area clean and reduces bacteria from going in. These patches came in 2 sizes the 10mm and 12 mm, 54 and 36 patches respectively. rating: ***

14. Sulwhasoo Time Treasure Invigorating Eye Serum (25ml/0.84oz) source: Jolse thoughts: I really enjoyed using this and with the little massager/ applicator made it even more enjoyable. It's nice that there were also instructions along with it. This took me 280 days to finish and I was using this every night using two pumps each night. This is expensive and I feel like it didn't really do much for me but it was definitely nice. It was light and not too thick, so it did absorb quickly. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

May & June 2024 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Sooryehan Chunsam Radiant White Cream (10ml) source: Jolse (part of a kit) thoughts: This was nice and light. It absorbs and spreads easily and quickly. However, I'm not a big fan of the scent. rating: **

2. Yehwadam plum flower revitalizing cream (10ml) source: The Face Shop (part of a kit) thoughts: The scent of this is quite strong and floral. I'm not a big fan of floral scented things so this did not appeal to me. The cream was also pretty thick, it would be a good cream for the colder months. I did use this on my body as this does contain sodium hyaluronate. rating: *

3. Huxley Secret of Sahara Conditioning Pad: Every Moment (60pads) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really like the scent of Huxley products. These pads were thicker than the Mediheal Toner Pads. The pads were full of product which was nice as it also transfers when I wipe my face. I typically use these as a quick masks rather than toner pads. When I used these as toner pads I found that a lot of the product does get released and then I end up having to pat my face to have it fully absorb. Overall they are very nice but I believe they don't really make these any more. rating: ***

4. Versace Bright Crystal Eau De Toilette source: n/a thoughts: This is a scent that I do really like but have never ended up purchasing. I really like it, but it is a bit floral as well and I tend to like fruity scents more. It's a very sweet and romantic scent. rating: ***

5. Tony Moly Premium Black Tea London Classic Cream (50ml / 1.69oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really enjoyed using this cream. I do like the Black Tea London Classic line by Tony Moly. So far I've tried this and the serum which have been really nice. I finished this in 95 days using it every night. rating: ***

6. Tosowoong SOS Teeth Whitening Glow Clinic Toothpaste (100g) source: Stylevana thoughts: I read reviews on this and it seemed mixed. I decided to try this but I don't think this really helped bring a whitening or brightening kind of effect. It also has a weird taste which could be because of the Hydrogen Peroxide. rating: **

7. MediFlower Hand Cream: Torreya (75ml) source: PinknBlossom thoughts: I have tried multiple hand creams by this brand, since I bought a set. The set was really worth the price tag and they aren't bad. This scent was nice as well. It's not a super moisturizing hand cream, but it might be also because these are fairly old. rating: ***

8. Before Purifying Toothpaste: Supermint Whitening (100ml) source: well.ca thoughts: This toothpaste was okay. I still like my David's toothpaste and find that it cleans my teeth better. rating: *

9. Carenology95 Be:Fine The AC Spot Treatment (10g) source: Jolse thoughts: I am still loving this product as I do see results. I haven't found anything else that seems to work better than this one yet. But I have seen that there is a Japanese cream that might be good as well, especially for pimples. rating:*HOLY GRAIL*

10. three ships Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Day Cream (15ml / 0.5oz) source: n/a thoughts: I wasn't a fan of this. This smelt of plastic, but I have mentioned this briefly before that I do find that samples that come in a tube format seems to have a plastic scent to me. Definitely not a fan of the scent but the cream itself was fine. It did feel heavy for me as I tend to gravitate towards thinner creams, because I do prefer layering products. rating: *

11. Tony Moly Premium Black Tea London Classic Serum (50ml / 1.69oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: This is my second time purchasing this serum. I really like this, as it's very light and absorbs quickly. I also like that it contains 100% pure black tea ferment extract. I used this every night and finished this product in 70 days. I typically use 4 pumps worth sometimes 3. rating: ****

12. Mentholatum lipIce: Lemon source: YesStyle thoughts: This lip balm is really nice and glides on smoothly. However, the bottom part where you would twist to move the product up is very loose. So a lot of times the balm has hit the top and I had lost a lot of the product due to that. But this lip balm is moisturizing and I believe it has spf15 as well. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

March & April 2024 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Shiseido Urea 10% Hand & Foot Cream (60g) source: Stylevana thoughts: I brought this along on my trip to Asia back in the summer of 2023. I really like this as it works for both the hands and feet. It is very moisturizing and it makes my feet nice and soft. I do like the red one as well but that one is more so just for hands which is also very good but this one is definitely more moisturizing. I haven't seen this one in my local stores but this is available on YesStyle and Stylevana. rating: *HOLY GRAIL*

2. floun carrot blending serum (30ml / 1.01oz) source: YesStyle thoughts: I really liked this serum. It was lightweight and hydrating and I just love how easily it absorbed into my skin. It also leaves a nice cool and refreshing feeling. The only thing I don't really like is the packaging; about half way through it became difficult to pump the product out. I do have a bit left in the container but it's very difficult to get unless you have like a small spoon/ scoop in your stash. Overall I do like how simple the packaging is and I always look forward to using this product. I do want to try other products from this brand as well. I finished this product in 63 days using it every morning. I did purchase my serum on YesStyle but it looks like it's currently out of stock. I don't know if this will come back on YesStyle or not as I do see that they are carrying less products by this brand as time goes by, which makes me sad. This is a really good serum and something I would want to repurchase and really enjoyed using. rating: ****

3. Biossance Squalane + Enzyme Sugar Body Scrub (60ml / 2oz) source: Sephora thoughts: This was okay. I'm glad that I got to try it in a mini size rather than getting a full size. it was nice but if you do remember I'm not a big fan of sugar scrubs as I find that it doesn't give me enough exfoliation. This felt like it would give a good exfoliation at first but it melts really fast upon contact with water unless you have a lot of it on. This is the set I got from Sephora but they do also offer it on the Biossance website. rating: **

4. Mediheal A-zero Shot Trouble Dressing Spot Patch (80 patches) source: Stylevana thoughts: These are 10mm in size and the pack comes with 80 patches. I did not like these at all. They were really thick and I feel like it didn't suck and adhere that well. rating: *

5. Native Deodorant: Sweet Peach & Nectar (75g / 2.65oz) source: Native thoughts: I do really like Native deodorants. They have nice scents and I do find that it works. I do feel a bit sad when I finish one sometimes as some of the scents are limited edition and usually they don't reproduce them again, but this scent is one of their regulars. I feel like I have been using this for a really long time. I do notice that the scent is no longer as strong as when I first used it. I can say it has been a few years, I feel like I might had purchased this back in 2022 or maybe earlier. I do wish that they would offer the travel size versions on their website. When the site first started they did offer a travel size as a freebie and also the option to purchase a travel size for a few dollars if I remember correctly. You can buy travel sized versions at certain drug stores but they can be hard to find. i think Target was the place that I saw that had the most selection of scents for the travel size versions. Here in Canada I typically only can find the Vanilla & Coconut version. rating: ***

6. O HUI Age Recovery soft animo foam (45ml) source: Jolse thoughts: I really enjoyed using this. It foamed and cleansed well without stripping my face. This was definitely great during the colder months. It is a cream type of cleanser and it does also have a scent but not something I mind. This lasted about 3 months with me using it twice a day. I did get this in a set. I sometimes do wish that cleansers came in this size, as I found it to be the perfect amount and size for a seasonal trail. rating: ***

7. Juice to Cleanse Powder Wash (10 pieces) source: Jolse thoughts: I really enjoyed using this. I did find that one packet contained quite a bit of powder for one wash. I feel like 1 packet could be split into 2-3 uses, but of course it would be hard to set aside since the product is in a packet. I found that it cleansed and exfoliated the face quite well. I mainly brought this along on my travels so that I could still stick to my skincare routine of exfoliating twice a week. rating: ***

8. Derma B Body lotion: Mandarin Till Dawn (30ml / 1.01oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: I'm not sure how I feel about this scent. It does have the scent of mandarin mixed with a kind of woodsy-like scent. The cream itself is nice and light. It spreads and absorbs nicely into the skin without much effort. rating: ***

9. Briogeo Scalp Revival (236ml / 8oz) source: Sephora thoughts: This was okay. It smelt nice and I find that it did kind of cleanse my scalp. It did help with my flaky scalp, as I did notice that my scalp was less itchy when I had this in my routine. I used it once a week. The only thing that I don't really like is that it's hard to determine if you really have washed everything out, however I do shampoo a second time. rating: ***

10. The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Tissue (70 wipes) source: The Face Shop thoughts: Once again I finished a pack. These are a staple and are always in my stash. This is probably the product that I have used the longest and on a consistent basis, compared to everything else. rating: *HOLY GRAIL*

11. Watercolors Intense Shampoo: Lilac (250ml / 8.5oz) source: Forme Hair Salon thoughts: I purchased this when I got my hair bleached 2 years ago. It's suppose to help retain the color longer. I feel like it did help for a bit, but eventually it just became kind of brassy. The concept was nice but I didn't feel like it worked for my dark black hair. rating: **

12. Function of Beauty Shampoo (473ml / 16oz) source: Function of Beauty thoughts: I've had this in my stash for a really long time. I can't even remember what formulation I chose for this one or what it was suppose to do. I did mix this with the Watercolors Intense Shampoo as my hair stylist suggested I do 1:1 when using the Intense Shampoo. I actually had another set of these which I ended up giving away as I found that it didn't work for my scalp condition. rating: *

13. Hakugen Iiyutabidachi Turbid Open-Air Spa Inn (12 packets) source: T&T Supermarket thoughts: I really did enjoy the scents of these. The scents made it a nice way to end the night for a relaxing effect. I find that this brand has a stronger scent and less affective on relieving the body but more so the mind. My least favourite one was probably the Green one but overall not bad. rating: ***

14. Tatcha Forest Awakening Hinoki Body Milk (132ml / 4.5oz) source: Sephora thoughts: This was a very light weight cream as well as lightly scented. It goes on so smoothly and absorbs quickly into the skin without much effort. The packaging is also very nice and looks lovely on the vanity. I feel like there may be a good dupe for this, as this is expensive for the amount you get. I do really like the texture of this though, plus I like that it does contain squalene. rating: ***

[vanityfairness]

February 2024 Empties

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. belif Problem Solution Moisturizer (125ml / 4.22oz) source: The Face Shop thoughts: This was a very light moisturizer which I really enjoyed. This took me 285 days to finish using it every morning. I used about 2-3 pumps each time. rating: ***

2. Medicube Soyxidal Shampoo (490ml / 16.56oz) source: Medicube thoughts: I enjoyed using this shampoo and it smells wonderful. However, I don't think it helps with my scalp condition but it works great when I use it as my first or second cleanse shampoo. rating: ***

3. Medicube Soyxidal 2in1 Treatment (265ml / 8.96oz) source: Medicube thoughts: I wasn't a fan of this. At times this would sting my scalp especially if I have an open wound from scratching. I also find that this product needs to be rinsed out a lot. It is also hard to sense how much gets dispensed out. It did make my hair feel nice and soft though. rating: **

4. Amore Pacific Vintage Single Extract Essence (70ml / 2.3oz) source: Nordstrom thoughts: I actually don't find that this does too much for my skin compared to some other products. This does give a good amount of hydration but other than that I feel like I could get something better for a fraction of the cost. I finished this in 117 days using it once a night. rating: **

5. Soohanbang Sooryehan Chunsam Radiant White Toner (130ml+15ml) source: Jolse thoughts: This does have a fragrance to it. I did have to get use to the scent, it has a light floral scent to it. The toner was moisturizing and I used quite a few pumps each time. I finished this in 54 days using it day and night. rating: **

6. DHC Flavoured Moisture Lip Cream: Honey (1.5g) source: Japan thoughts: I heard that this lip balm is very popular and decided to pick one up while I was there. I didn't find this to be that moisturizing compared to other lip balms I've tried. I found it to be a bit hard and I found it to feel heavy on the lips as well. rating: *

7. Kracie Tabinoyado Hot Spring Clear Bath Salts (15pcs) source: T & T Supermarket thoughts: I really enjoyed these. I do like the clear one more so than the other versions so far. rating: ***

8. Carenology95 BE:FINE The AC Spot Treatment (10g) source: Jolse thoughts: This is my favourite spot treatment. I do see results and I do find my trouble spots fading especially if I'm constantly using it. I always have this in my stash now. I do go through these quite a bit and I bring this everywhere I go now. rating: *HOLY GRAIL*

9. The Face Shop the therapy vegan blending cream (60ml / 2oz) source: The Face Shop thoughts: I actually enjoyed using this cream this time around. It definitely was a cream that was better for the colder months rather than in the warmer months. This cream does have refills the last time I checked so you would just need to fill the inner portion of the packaging. I finished this in 106 days using it every night. It's a nice cream but I don't think I would get it again. rating: **

10. Yehwadam plum flower revitalizing toner (32ml / 1.08oz) source: The Face Shop thoughts: This toner is very fragrant and for me I find it too strong. I got this from a set I purchased which came with the serum and now I'm a bit hesitant to use it, since the scent is so strong. The toner itself wasn't bad and in fact was very hydrating. This is definitely not something I would get again, due to the scent. rating: **

[vanityfairness]

January 2024 Empties & Throw Away

* = disliked the product - would not repurchase ** = liked the product - would not repurchase *** = liked the product - might or might not repurchase **** = loved the product - would repurchase *HOLY GRAIL!*

1. Carenology95 Re:Blue Cleansing Gel Balm (1.5ml 0.05oz) source: sample thoughts: I actually kind of liked this. The texture of this is just like what it claims, a gel balm. I did enjoy this but I definitely would probably use this more so in the warmer months when I tend to double cleanse. rating: ***

2. Teaology Green Tea Detoxing and Reshaping Bath Salts (50g / 1.07oz) source: Hudson Bay Company thoughts: This was very nice but very messy as the green tea leaves are just loose and floating. I probably should have put the bath salts into like a tea bag so the tea leaves won't make as much of a mess. Aside from that the overall product was very nice and my body felt relaxed and refreshed. rating: **

3. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Cleanser (2ml) source: sample thoughts: This was a nice cream cleanser, but I wasn't a fan of the scent. I have found that I'm not a fan of mugwort scented items. Overall, this cleanser was nice and it felt like it did a good job of cleansing. rating: **

4. Purito From Green Deep Foaming Cleanser source: sample thoughts: I can't really remember how this cleanser was, but it was okay nothing really stood out to me that I could remember. It was also a cream type of cleanser. rating: **

5. The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Tissue (70 wipes) source: The Face Shop thoughts: These are still my favourite wipes and for the price as well. I haven't found cleansing wipes that are as good as these for a decent price. I usually stock up around the end of year or mid year when they have the big sales. I tend to go through 3-4 packs of these in a year but I will give an update on that next year as I'm thinking of doing a what I've finished for the year post. rating: *HOLY GRAIL*

6. Farmstay Aloe Vera Moisture Soothing Gel (300ml / 10.14oz) source: PinknBlossom thoughts: I've had this in my stash for a while now. This did expire in December 2023 but I decided to finish it anyways because there wasn't much left. For the colder months this was very nice as it provided a good amount of moisture for my body. In the warmer months, it did feel a little sticky but it was very soothing and cooling. It's good and is an inexpensive product. I think I got it for about $5 CAD or less. rating: ***

7. L'Occitane Lavande Moisturizing Hand Lotion (300ml / 10.1oz) source: L'Occitane thoughts: I did start using this as a hand lotion at first but then started to use it as a foot cream. This was not good as a foot cream nor hand cream. I noticed that my hands and feet started experiencing a lot of shedding or peeling. I know this because once I started noticing it more I decided to switch to another cream and it stopped. I don't know if it was because this cream is kind of old and has gone bad or it was generally like this for my skin. I did get this back in 2020, as for how long it's been opened I'm uncertain but I would say its been at least 2 years. rating: *

8. mixsoon Panax Ginseng Root Essence (100ml / 3.3oz) source: Stylevana thoughts: This was the second item I tried by mixsoon. This was okay, nothing really stood out to me. This is very liquid and I used it every morning. I finished this in 102 days, roughly 3 months. I do like this a little more than the bean essence but I didn't notice any difference to my skin. The brand for me is okay, its good if you're someone looking for a more vegan alternative to certain ingredients. This does smell like ginseng and says it's 100% ginseng essence which I don't know how true it is considering the expiration date. Unless there was a special process that makes it lasts longer. It's a little questionable. rating: **

9. skinfood All Day Berry Sun: More Safe SPF50+ PA++++ (50g / 1.76oz) Source: Jolse thoughts: This had a very liquid texture and it did give a white cast. I used this as a body sunscreen. I did find it a bit sticky but it did give a good amount of coverage. Usually skinfood items have a very nice scent to it, however this just smelt like a typical sunscreen to me. I thought it would have some sort of berry scent but it did not. Looks like they renamed and relaunched this line of sunscreen and have repackaged and possibly reformulated these as well. I did purchase this back in 2021. rating: *

Throw-Away

Most of these products are expired and old or something that I no longer use anymore.

essence extreme SHINE top coat

Dashing Diva Core Serum I've used this but did not notice any difference to my nail or cuticles.

Saje safe hands antimicrobial hand lotion

Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam

Labiotte Wine Perfume Bar: Fine Fever

Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon: In The Buff

Shiseido Eyelash Serum

Fruits & Passion The vert eau de toilette

moonshot Micro Settingfit Cushion SPF50+ PA+++ Refill: 201 I'm sad that this expired as this is one of my favourite foundation/cushion that I use.

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask Wash Off x2

A'pieu Mulberry Blemish Clearing Ampoule & Cream x2

Etude House Drawing Show Dot Liner: BK801

moonshot Powder Fixer Special Edition 202 SPF27, PA++ I bought this on a whim because it was limited edition with Lisa from Black Pink's signature on it. I've opened it but have never used it as I typically don't wear makeup. I'm just ready to let go of this as it does not serve any purpose and it's just taking up space.

tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush: paaarty

Aritaum Sugarball Cushion Cheek Color: No.3 & No.5 These were my favourite blushes and they still are. However these are very old and have also passed their expiration dates. I believe I got them back in 2017 & 2018 and they have been expired since 2021. I just couldn't let these go as these were so good and I absolutely love them. But seeing as I can't really use them I have decided to let them go so I can make room for new things.

Troiareuke ACSEN A+ Healing Cushion SPF 50+ PA++++ This is another favourite cushion of mine. However, it has expired and also it is expensive but the finish I get from this is really nice. It makes my face look flawless and glassy. I feel like the color 21 may be a bit light for me and that's why I haven't been using it. I did purchase this limited edition one which I am now ready to let go as it's very scratched up and I believe it came like that as well.