Product Review : VOV Daily Fresh Mask in Ice Aloe, Sake Nori and Sakura Honey

Hello Domokies! Long time no review :/ But but I've been hardworking and taking piccies so I suppose more will be up soon~

For now, I'll be sharing several masks reviews with you, starring the Daily Fresh Masks from VOV. Do note that as I'm compiling 3 different masks reviews in one, it will be quite picture heavy.

First up, the VOV DFM in Ice Aloe.

Basically this is just supposed to be a hydrating and soothing mask. We all know the properties of Aloe by now don't we?

Here you can see how to use it. I personally leave my DFM masks on for 20 minutes. Do take note that this mask contains alchohol and fragrance so if you have sensitive skin you might wanna be more cautious. I did not experience any stinging sensation whatsoever and the fragrance was just a light floral scent.

The mask comes with the eye flap thingy so it's a bonus that you don't have to use a separate eye mask? The mask fits almost perfectly on my face, except for my bulbous nose :(

If you wanna continue surfing the web like me, you can always just fold the flap downwards like so.

Here's a picture of the serum from this mask. It is very thick and gel / jelly like. Upon contact with skin + rubbing / massaging, the gel like consistency becomes watery and absorbs fully into the skin without any sticky or oily residue.

L - Before / R - After

Skin felt soft and smooth after usage. The leftover essence was easily massaged into the skin and as mentioned earlier, no oily film or residue. No stickiness detected either. However, the skin around my cheeks felt a little tight. I am unable to explain why but my skin did not feel dry or agitated. Tight feeling disappeared after following up with my usual skincare routine.

Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Absorbs quickly)
Effectiveness : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (It did what it was supposed to, just a star off for the weird tight feeling.)
Scent : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (A very acceptable scent, neither extremely appealing to me nor overwhelming.)
Overall : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (A decent mask for almost all skin types, not sure about those with sensitive skin though.)

Now for the Sake Nori Mask.

Basically a brightening mask!

*Not sure if this is true but I've once read that sake agitates those with sensitive skin. I however do not have that and thus am unable to confirm for you.

L - Before / R - After

I apologize that my pictures do not do this mask justice :/ If you can see, the lighting for both seems a little different and I am still working on it. This mask in reality made my complexion brighter, softer and smoother! If I'm not mistaken, my dark eye circles are a little less red / puffy? The serum for this mask is the same as the aloe once so I'm not going to repeat the picture. The absorption rate is also the same as the aloe one, with no sticky or oily feeling. The scent is also something floral... (What a relief cause I ain't no want my face smelling like sake :/)

Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Absorbs quickly)
Effectiveness : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (I love the brightening effect :D)
Scent : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (Floral is too meh for me.)
Overall : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (It's quite a good mask! Worth a shot.)

And lastly, the Sakura Honey one. I was most excited about this one due to the beautiful pink packaging!

Sooooo pretty and girly and appealing!

Mask shape is the same for all "flavors" in case you're wondering.

A different texture for the essence! This one is a little more runny than the previous two masks but still quite thick.

L - Before / R - After

Love this brightening and soothing mask! If you squint at the picture, you'll notice a little spot on my left cheek. It's alot less red after using this mask and face was brighter! I personally felt that this was even more moisturizing than the previous two masks as it took awhile longer to sink in and my face felt more... Nourished. I was hoping for a sweet honey kinda scent but sadly, this is once again floral. I have nothing against floral scents! I just prefer fruits~

Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Absorbs well but takes a longer time to sink in completely.)
Effectiveness : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Brightening as well as soothing.)
Scent : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (Floral again...)
Overall : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Y)

SUMMARY

I've always loved the VOV masks even before I was sent these for reviewing. I'm however guilty of purchasing only the fruity ones like the Strawberry / Tomato / Grape(Am not sure if it's called grapes, forgot alr). I super heart the strawberry one in particular because it smells sweet and amazing~ Recommended if you're a fan of sweet fruity scents. I was also sent a pomegranate one to review but I didn't have time to use it till the 7th month and honestly I'm a lil afraid of taking pictures of myself in case something (someone) else shows up.

Out of these three I've reviewed, I'd recommend getting either the Sakura Honey or the Sake Nori one as they're more unique and they hydrate my skin as well. I prefer my masks to have a whitening / brightening effect as my complexion is always dull. The aloe one is probably more for people who want to soothe agitated skin only.

These are available at Watsons for $2 each and they come in 15 types! So choose according to your skin's needs :D

P.S. You can find their FB page HERE! Also, they'll be having a buy 5 get 1 free promotion at Watsons from 15-28 August!

Love,
Domo ❤

Disclaimer : These masks were sent to me for reviewing purposes by Essential Nature (Thank you!) but do not affect the honesty of the review in any way. Please remember that not everyone has the same skin so effects will vary.

Product Review : Bihada Ichizoku Kurobarakamen Sheet Mask (Brightening)

Mask mask mask. In the end I always have reviews on masks. Why so?! I just like to pamper my skin often and feel like a tai tai. Or at least for my skin to feel like a tai tai's skin anyway. For my non mandarin speaking readers, tai tai means something like a rich lady who can sit at home and do nothing all day. Pardon me if I sound a little eccentric in my post today because I'm feeling woozy from low blood sugar or something. Can't eat at night if you wanna avoid the fatties!

Anyway, today I'm going to be reviewing a mask that I bought quite awhile ago and forgot to blog about :X I have too many folders so I must have missed this one.

Behold, the Bihada Ichizoku Kurobarakamen Sheet Mask! The name's really a mouthful ;) The picture is a little misleading though, initially I thought this was an eye mask. So all, please take note, this is a face mask :D

How can I forget? The description, how-to-use and most importantly, the ingredients list for all sensitive skin babes!

If you are from Singapore and reading this right after I publish it, I shall warn you now about the scary picture you're about to see.

Brace yourself for the impact!

YES IT IS A SHEET MASK THAT IS BLACK! It's not a big deal because Ringo reviewed one HERE too but it's the first time I'm using a sheet mask that's black in color~  Also she took her photo in the day but mine's at night so it's horror factor +10.

Instead of the usual colorless essence you get in a mask, this one's slightly yellow.

Bihada Ichizoku says
The secret behind Kurobara's mysterious, alluring beauty! Sparkle like a gem against the midnight sky with this black sheet mask, formulated with charcoal to hydrate skin and tighten pores. Reveal brighter, fairer, translucent skin.

Bascially, this mask is for brightening. So ya ready to see the effects yet?

L - Before / R - After

The lighting is slight different even though I took both pictures in the same place with the same conditions. No photoshop was used to enhance the effects. No lies. Brightening, it is definitely there. My skin felt more plump and bouncy after the usage of this mask. So if you're talking about results, sure you'll be getting it. This mask also contains hydrolyzed collagen and that makes it easier for your skin to absorb the goodies! It's an awesome ingredient. Honestly though, I'm not an expert in every single ingredient so if you want a really thorough description on each ingredient, I'm afraid google will have to be your best friend.

The down side? I really don't like the smell of this mask. It was a little overwhelming when I had the mask on. Luckily it doesn't linger after I remove the mask so I just have to endure 15minutes of the smell. The mask is also slightly too small as it cannot cover some areas of my forehead. It could just be because I have a big forehead though. Preference of scent differs with everyone so maybe some will like it? It's a strange floral smell that I didn't quite like.

This mask is soaked and dripping wet with essence when you use it. So there will be a lot left on your face after you remove the mask and it takes quite a long time for the essence to be fully absorbed. Your skin will also feel pretty sticky while that is happening. You have to wait for everything to be fully absorbed before you can feel the smoothness of your skin and how plump it is.

This mask is also a little more pricey than most. It costs a whopping $8 per piece and is available at SASA and BHG Bugis/Clementi. The question I will present to you is whether you're willing to spend $8 a sheet of mask. I bought this to review but sadly I will not be purchasing it again. I still love my MBD masks, like the Hello Kitty one, the Chocolate truffle one, those are my favorites because of the lovely scent and the fact that they work well!

Texture : ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Absorbs really slowly!)

Effectiveness : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Quite plump and smooth)

Scent : ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Me no likey :X)

Overall : ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (One star off for texture, one off for the scent and one off for the price!!!)

Love,
Chiharu ❤

Disclaimer : I bought the mask myself so that I can review it for all of you <3

Product Review : Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Serum

As I'm blogging, it's nearly 4am! But I promised to be back on track and since there's an event tomorrow, I'll have to do the reviewing now and scheduling this to be published in the morning! Once again, it's a Naruko product. If you've watched 女人我最大, you'll know that Niu Er often talks about Naruko, which is actually his own line of products. The emphasis is on effective yet affordable skincare.

This Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Serum sounds pretty good doesn't it.

The box is a recyclable paper cardboard packaging kinda thing.

I'm not sure if it's right but I think the Chinese name for it translate to a phrase with the word "supernatural" in it! O____O???

His face is important. You want to know that your product is REAL and AUTHENTIC.

Here's the product. I totally adore it. Look at the luscious red bottle.It's a dear to have this around your vanity table. Most products don't really have such a rich color but this one does and it kinda perks up your day because of the color. Did you know that if you don't get enough colors in your life, you actually get depression?

That's the product description and usage in Chinese. Let me be your translator once again! Supposedly, this serum brightens your skin, gets rid of excess melanin and gives you skin that is free of dark spots!

Here's what the pump looks like. Easy to manage, one pump is sufficient for my entire face.

Take a quick look at what Naruko says.

To me, this serum is very very different from most whitening products. I'm not sure if most of you have noticed but the SKII Cellumination Essence, the newest Estee Lauder Even Skintone Illuminator and maybe your own whitening serum has shimmery particles in it. This is because of the ingredient Mica. It's a fine shimmery powder thing that's often used in whitening/brightening products to give your skin the pearly iridescence so that your skin will look brighter. So at that very moment upon application, you'll definitely see radiant skin. It's like a "trick" to get radiant skin on the spot so that after you test your serum at the counters it'll look as though it has an immediate effect.

This  Naruko Raw Job's Tears Supercritical CO2 Whitening Serum has no shimmers in it. That would mean that it's actually harder to get instant results. So personally, I've been testing this for at least 2 weeks now. Domokie only reviews stuff we've tested out for a trial period of 1 week at the very least, unless it's a mask or something along that line. This product has no detectable scent either and I think that's good for those peeps with sensitive skin. I swear I tried sniffing this for a scent really hard while trying not to snort it up my nostrils. I could NOT detect a thing. I did wish that it would have that kinda signature lavender / majoram scent that most of Naruko's products seem to have? (Those I've smelt anyway)

This product is a tricky one to review. Initially when I used it, it was honestly blah. Like because there was no mica in it, there's no instant gratification. After a few days, I still couldn't tell the difference. It was only till I had the most dreaded PIMPLES. Please note that I do not have freckles or pigmentation. So as usual, me being the itchy hand attempted to squeeze them out. Yes, it's actually okay to squeeze your zits ONLY IF you know how to. There'll definitely be scarring too. And then it hit me. I realized that with the usage of this serum, my pimple scars faded faster! Remember in my previous post on the AMPM Dual-Phase Tone Correcting Tinted Sunshade SPF35 ***? I've been using these two products together and I must say I have definitely gotten fairer. By fairer I do not mean bleached or snow white. My complexion is brighter and I think I don't look as ghostly when I see myself in the mirror without make up.

Also, this serum is super light. It's not light as in watery in texture but it absorbs into the skin within seconds. It's not oily which is a plus point for people like me. Should you prefer to massage this in slowly and lift your skin, I'd suggest 2 pumps or more, depending on the size of your face. Blot off any excess!

If you've always been looking for a whitening serum that wouldn't break your pocket, no harm giving this a go! You can get it for just $28.90 at Naruko's Web Store or head down to your nearest Watsons outlet! For a list of Watsons outlets that carry Naruko products, please see HERE.

On a side note...

You can make a box outta this! Awesome, I love boxes because I have TOO MUCH STUFF.

Ta dang~ Mine has nice bamboo prints on it :D Really lovely, I personally suggest using this as a lipstick casing. I think it fits the best.


Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Almost instantly absorbed.)
Effectiveness : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (It works well for my pimple scars but I can't be sure about dark spots...)
Overall : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (I think it's affordable and effective for me, I just wish it had a scent to it!)

Up till this point, Naruko hasn't disappointed me yet :D Plus, I adore their night jellies! My aunts and cousins use Naruko too~

Remember to like Naruko's Facebook Page if you haven't already, for more promotions and updates!

Cheers,
Chiharu ❤

Disclaimer : This product was sent to me for reviewing purposes by Naruko SG. This does not affect the honesty of my review in ANY way and it is 101% honest as usual. Do note however that time taken for results to be seen varies with individuals.

Product Review : LoveMore Red Magic White Power Lifting Mask + 5 cm Neck Care Double Lifting Mask (爱恋膜法红宝瞬白颈颜双拉提面膜)

Okay, I realized the trend with Taiwan masks. The names are really long and often in traditional Chinese which makes it really hard to read at times. However thanks to LoveMore Singapore, I didn't have to google high and low to find out the actual English name of the mask!

Presenting...

The LoveMore Red Magic White Power Lifting Mask + 5 cm Neck Care Double Lifting Mask, otherwise known as  爱恋膜法红宝瞬白颈颜双拉提面膜 in Chinese. LoveMore Singapore actually gave me three choices but something went wonky with the email and I didn't get to choose! However, I believe they are psychic because I wanted to try this Red Magic one since they posted it on their facebook saying it smells like blackcurrants!

Gets rid of the nasty pigmentation, away with dull skin~

Step-by-step guide to putting on this mask!

Never ever forget the ingredients list! I also believe most sensitive skinned babes can use this because perfume is the 2nd bottom on the list!

I love how the mask is such a bright shade of red, really kinda brightens the mood somehow.

So what is this mask good for? As the name suggests, it's probably for whitening and lifting! This Red Magic one specifically targets those who often spend their time in the sun. Might not be so "for me" because I actually spend my time camping at home or in shopping malls, away from the sun!

According to LoveMore Singapore, the LoveMore Red Magic White Power Lifting Mask + 5 cm Neck Care Double Lifting Mask is...

"Formulated to target melanin that causes dark skin, you will be surprised and pleased by the obvious whitening effect. Be prepared to buy a one shade fairer foundation!


Pamper your neck with the essence too! You will transform into the fairest Snow White!!


The Red Magic White Power Lifting Mask contains a strict selection of high-quality gem anion, Pyracantha essence, astaxanthin, red pomegranates, and red wine polyphenol.


Enhance the depth of anti-crime, the promotion of internal white factor synthesis by UV rays for a long time the formation of melanin, improved circulation force, locking the original dense black does not belong to you, like white water of a color number of the most appropriate choice!


With enhanced ability to turn darkened skin due to UV rays, the Red Magic White Power Lifting Mask is able to turn your skin fairer from within and improves the blood circulation of your skin. This series is definitely for you if you aim to be a shade fairer!"

Sounds good right? Now let's see if it's as good as it sounds.

The mask is as usual, soaked in a clear essence. Very moist and nicely saturated.

Here's it on my face, it's quite a good fit, except that my nose is once again lonely.

The reason why this time I included picture of my neck is because of the extra 5cm! It really is bigger than the SexyLook ones I used the previous time round.

See the neck portion? It honestly is a whole lot bigger than the Sexylook one. However, because it is so big, it might feel a little tight because it reaches the lower part of the neck and sort of suffocates me when I look straight. So while I was masking, I had to tilt my head upwards. Shouldn't be a problem for regular people because I have a thick neck.

L - Before / R - After

So the weird thing is that my pictures are more wonky this time round. My before picture actually looks pinker, healthier. I honestly don't know why. I swear that is not the case in RL. My face is slightly brightened only though. I believe that could be due to the fact that I'm actually not the right target for this mask? I'm more of a inconsistent sleeper kinda person so I'm guessing that the Gold Magic one might have suit me better? Actually the Black Magic one also suits me pretty well. 

Lifting wise, YES IT WORKS. Double chin is definitely reduced!!! Jawline is also sharper so yes that part definitely works. This mask moisturizes super well though. My skin is freaking soft after using and the essence absorbs so easily! It doesn't smell like blackcurrant to me, smells more like some kinda floral fragrance that I neither liked nor disliked. The quality of the mask is slightly thicker than SexyLook though.

All in all, 8 pieces a box for only $13.90 at Watsons sounds like a pretty good deal. 

Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Great texture~)

Brightening : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (It's pretty slight because it might not be the most suitable for me.)

Lifting : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Great great great, use often to reduce double chin!)

Scent : ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (Not my favorite kinda scent.)

Overall : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Will purchase for the lifting!)

Here's their FB page in case you'd like to know more about them!

Lush Beauty

LoveMore

PS, I've purchased Black Magic and Gold Magic already! Review not so soon though, stay tuned for it~

Cheers,

Chiharu ❤

Disclaimer : The mask was sent to me for reviewing purposes. My reviews are 101% honest regardless of whether they're sponsored or not. Do take note that effects vary with individuals.

Product Review: Shills Moisturing & Whitening Cold Gel Mask

It's a lovely lazy Sunday~ And I'm back with another review! It's another one of Shills product that were given to us at the Shills event with Judy Lin. I've previously reviewed their Pore Minimizer Clarifying Toner here, and now it's time for the cold gel mask!

The product size is surprisingly generous -- 150ml in a huge tub. I recommend putting it in your refrigerator for maximum comfort when applying.

And of course, not forgetting the information and ingredients list:

And that means, google time! (Skip the next section if you want~ It's my personal hobby to google everything~)

The top three ingredients should be familiar to most people. Glycerine softens your skin and is also highly hygroscopic (meaning it absorbs moisture from air), whereas Sodium Hyaluronate, when applied topically, reaches deep into your dermis to combine with and maintain moisture. Quick fact: Sodium Hyaluronate (which has a smaller molecular size than Hyaluronic acid) can hold up to 1000 times its own weight in water.

Most of the other ingredients are stabilizers, preservatives, etc (carbopol is a carbomer and it acts as a thickener; triethanolamine is a emulsifier and pH balancer; etc). But I found an interesting ingredient! Trehalose is a naturally occurring saccharides present in a wide variety of plant-life. In nature, the presence of trehalose is one of the reasons why plants and animals 'revive' even after entering cryptobiosis. (Water bears and sea monkeys, for example.) 

The last ingredient, which is really a mouthful, is actually licorice root extract (yeah, licorice as in that medicinal tasting candy nobody touches during Christmas). It's an excellent skin lightener and brightener though~

The product itself is a thick, clear gel that is cooling to the touch and feels very hydrating. I reckon it'd feel better to the touch if you put it in the fridge. Perfect for a hot day like today.

The excess gel on the tab. The gel is quite thick actually, so a little goes a long way. I put slightly too much for one hand unfortunately.

Application is easy: just slather on a thick layer and leave the mask on for fifteen to twenty minutes. Compared to the Skinfood's Cucumber Mask it's not as soothing and doesn't smell as nice (this doesn't have much of a scent at all), but it retains coolness better and is just as hydrating. Skin feels softer and more hydrated after application, though the whitening effect isn't as obvious.

Overall I think it's a good buy, especially at $28.50 for a huge tub (BeautyBistro's prices). And Singapore's weather is so hot nowadays, there can never be too many cold gel masks!

Texture : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (Cooling to touch, smooth & thick consistency)
Fragrance: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Not much smell at all, which can be a good thing)
Hydration: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (Not as rich as the cucumber mask, but pretty good)
Whitening: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ (Didn't really see much of an effect for this)
Overall : ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (It's a pretty good buy~)

Signing off,
Ringo