Skinfood Fruit Juice C (Whitening) Serum Review

Skinfood Fruit Juice C Serum (for Whitening Care)

I purchased this serum in my February skincare haul from Bonjour HK. The Bonjour website is actually quite friendly-- I initially wanted the Skinfood Tomato moisturiser, but my friend in Hong Kong said the line was discontinued in Hong Kong shops (so sad). I purchased this as a substitute because I wanted to try a whitening (brightening) product to lighten the scars on my face.

Let's find out if this baby works!

What they say: 'This skin-brightening essence contains fruit complex extracts with vitamin C and nano-processed vitamin C derivatives to revitalise skin. It also contains arbutin to keep skin looking radiant and vibrant.' (from the English Skinfood website)

Contents: 50ml; the serum is packaged in a half frosted bottle with a pipette dropper

Application: Use after your toner. Squeeze a few drops onto your palms and pat into your face for absorption. Follow it up with your moisturiser.

My Thoughts

Vitamin C is notorious for brightening so I picked this up in a heartbeat. IT SMELLS SO LOVELY; a fresh, citrus smell. Unfortunately, it didn't really work out for me. My face was not visibly brighter even though I used up the bottle very thoroughly everyday and night for around three months straight:( I'm not sure if it was because I only used a drop rather than three drops as others have suggested to cover my face.

The serum is light and non-sticky. It absorbed quite quickly and felt light on my face. I think it did a good job moisturising even though it was not slanted to do such a thing. Ironically, I think my face has actually gotten a shade darker even though I no longer see sunlight during my weekdays and have stopped wearing sunscreen with my 6am- 6pm schedule (so naughty).

Pros:
- smells good
- light weight, non-sticky formula
- cheap (I purchased it $13)

Cons:
- didn't whiten or brighten my skin
- no visible lightening of pimple scars
- quickly used up

Overall:
I have heard Skinfood is very hit-or-miss with their skincare products. This serum is a miss for me. I'm not pulled in by their makeup range but I do adore their wash-off packs (yes, the famous Rice and Black Sugar one I hauled together with this serum). I have heard good things about the more expensive Omija Whitening range from Skinfood though!

☆/ 5


TL;DR: It smells good and feels nice on the skin, but it did not do what it claimed for my skin. I would personally give this a miss. 
Have you tried any whitening or brightening products? What would you recommend?

Sample Review: The Face Shop Arsainte Eco-Therapy Crystal Water Super Gel

Arsainte Eco-Therapy Crystal Water Super Gel

A super duper refreshing and cooling gel cream from The Face Shop. It contains some star ingredients for the face such as arctic crystal water, hyaluronic acid, and xylitol. 

Another sample I picked up from my adventures at The Face Shop.

What they say: 'Containing 1,000mg of iceberg water from Newfoundland, Canada and 1,000mg of phyto- hyaluronic acid'.

It is suitable for all skin types and it is especially recommended for hydrating dry skin. This product is from the Refreshing Cooling Line. Apparently it also has some astringent properties.

Application: Use after your toner. You can place it in the fridge to maximise this gel's cooling properties. 

Contents: 1.2ml/ 0.04 fl. oz oz per sample packet (I used around 10 packets all up)

Sample review: The Face Shop Aloe Fresh Gel Cream

So I thought I'd finally get around to doing some reviews on the samples I've picked up this year! My blog is focusing much less on art/ drawings and cosplays than what I intended. *shrug* I'm going with the flow...

The first sample (and one of my favourites) I'll be reviewing is The Face Shop's Aloe Fresh Oil-Free Gel Cream.

Aloe Fresh Oil-Free Gel Cream

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a description of the product on the official The Face Shop website so you'll just have to run with my opinion and the teeny amount that was written on the packet. I guess it's for the Aloe Fresh line? Maybe suitable for sensitive skin (I dunno, just taking a stab in the dark guys...)? 

What they say: "Soothing and moisturising."

Contents: 1ml/ 0.03 fl. oz per sample packet (I used around 12 packets all up)

Benefit: Do the Bright Thing (That Gal, Dandelion, High Beam, They're Real) review

Around a month ago, one of my friends gifted me Benefit's 'Do the Bright Thing' kit. I was so excited because I have recently been 'researching' reviews of High Beam and I was considering buying 'Finding Mr Bright' to get the sample size version. 

Benefit is one of those brands I associate with being young, fun, quirky, and creative. The only other Benefit product I have owned was 'You Rebel', a tinted moisturiser.

Thank you Helen for being a mind-reader and letting me try out High Beam and discovering new products:)

Do the Bright Thing

Do the Bright Thing!

Tony Moly Kiss Lover Live Tint #2 Orange review

I went to the China Town Tony Moly inside Morning Glory and got this at a sample for sale at $3. I know some people may think that's gross but I got it because it was pretty much full. Some reasons why this may have been because:

1.) I don't think this line of tints is very popular

2.) Most people go for the pink or even red rather than the oranges

After looking through all the samples (BB creams, eyeliners, sleeping packs, powders etc.), I judged this to be in the best condition. It looked hardly used and it worked well with my skin tone when I tried it so I purchased it!

Welcome to my family of tints

... the colours are too vibrant in this but it's Kiss Lover Live Tint #3 Red,  Kiss Lover Live Tint #2 Orange, and Cat Chu Wink (Tony Tint) #1 Cherry Pink

Swatches: #3 Red, #2 Orange, #1 Cherry Pink

I like this line of tints because it's more gel-like than the watery tints which dry really quickly. You get some time to work with this formula. Even after dabbing it in the inner parts of your lips, you still have time to wipe the colour from your fingers to a piece of tissue so it doesn't stain your fingers.

I think this colour is really pretty! I like it a lot~ I used to use orange lip glosses and I think I will start up again soon. The scent isn't anything too spectacular; it doesn't really smell much of oranges. Just an artificial sweet scent and a tad bitter if you lick it.

Cost: $3.00 (original price $13.99)
Consistency: Watery
Pigmentation: 4/ 5
Moisturising: 3/5
Colour: 4/5
Scent: 3/5
Taste: 3/5

TL;DR: Another pretty tint from Tony Moly. I couldn't justify forking out the full $14 for this colour on the spot, but I like it enough to go home and think about it.

I reviewed Kiss Lover Live Tint #3 Red here:)

Tony Moly Cat Chu Wink #1 Cherry Pink review

So... I went to the Tony Moly at Market City a few weeks ago and saw they finally sold Tony Tint (or Cat Chu Wink) in #1 Cherry Pink. ARRRGHHHHH. But they also sold the tiny samples for $3 so I purchased it. The full size is around $12.

Seriously, the tiny sample is worth $6??

All-in-all, I do like this tint. I love the colour more than the Tony Moly Kiss Lover Live Tint on my lips but I wouldn't necessarily reach for it more.

Pros: 

- smells amazing (like sweet, candy cherry)
- small size = convenient and can be used up (probably)

- pretty colour

- long lasting power

Cons:

- have to work with the colour quickly

- pushing the wand in the bottle squeezes out the excess tint to go on the side of the cap:(

- drying. You need to wear balm with it

- emphases flaky lips

Cost: $2.99 (free-- isn't this supposed to be a sample?? Or just a sample-sized item??  =__=;;)
Consistency: extremely watery
Pigmentation: 5/ 5
Moisturising: 3/5
Colour: 5/5
Scent: 5/5
Taste: 3/5

Rating: 4.5/5

TL;DR: The sample size is worth trying... even if you do have to pay three bucks for it. I don't think I would have regretted buying the full version if I came across it when I really wanted it but I have too many tints.. for now^^

Finally, an art-related WIP

I've started colouring this WIP again from ages and ages ago. I haven't drawn anything at all this year. I think it's because I stopped for most of last year and now I can't find the motivation to pick it up again. My entire 2013 folder is MT. TRULY EMPTY. Hopefully I can put this in it (but in reality, it belongs in the 2010 folder).

Life is going at me too fast these days... but yeah, I went to TonyMoly last week and yesterday and picked up more items. That post will be coming very soon in the near future.

Arrghhh we must reach 2.5million views for Exo's 'Wolf' this weekend! *shakes fist at SME*