Whoops! It's Mid-October

So my hiatus was only supposed to be for a short period, but I forgot after getting out of this habit. Ghana has changed a lot in me, and where I used to stockpile and haul lots of products at once, I realize that I live in such gross abundance and should only buy what I need when I need it. Instead of buying things I don't need at all and let them sit in the closet.

Less of a consumerism mindset and more of use what I have and be over grateful for it.

I am also grateful that I live in a such a place of such abundance and accessibility. What would I do without Amazon? I have no idea, but I hate them at the same time for killing smaller markets in a world where everyone is just trying to make it.

In using what I have and not buying more, I realize I have been a part of this skincare game for many years now (over three, has it really been that long?!) and I know what I like. I really hated the Secret Key dupe for first essence treatment and would not buy that stuff again in a million years. Finally finished that bottle at the beginning of this month and it felt like ages before I went through it (I would use excess as well, but it still lasted FOREVER).

I know what I like and it's this:

1. Cleanser: sum37 MRCS, which is currently out of stock everywhere it seems. I have one stashed away, but am hesitant to start it now, so maybe I'll try the Neogen Green Tea stick to see how it compares. I am not a fan of oil cleansing.
2. Toner: Missha Clear Toner. Every time I am using a bottle of this, I just feel like my skin is so much more ready and willing to soak in other products. Love the wateriness of it, too. Currently I am using a Peach and Lily sample sale of Bitgoa Hue Essence Toner. It is actually lovely and great, but at that price I just kind of miss my $16 Missha Clear Toner bottle. It's more fragranced than I like, but it does work nicely (albeit seems like it's for older ladies and smells like it too). I recommend it, but I think there are cheaper products that work just as well.
3. First Essence: SK-II, which really, I've tried the Missha dupe, which is my favorite dupe of it, but there can't be a dupe when it sells for $150 a bottle (ok, that was duty free pricing, I think Sephora in the States has it for over $200). It feels like I am splashing my face in dollar bills when I use it, but I am always so pleased with the results.
4. Serums, ampoules, etc etc: Actually haven't found THE ONE yet. I've tried face oils, and The Ordinary (which just went through a mass of drama, I mean, the ex-CEO is clearly on some sort of drugs) isn't really as high quality as other products I've used and it's just ok. Never found a vitamin C serum that made me excited to use up the whole bottle. Definitely wasted two amber bottles as they spoiled before I remembered to use it more consistently. On my third bottle of Caudalie serum, but at that price, I just rather invest in my SK-II instead of extra serums that seem to peter out after a while. There hasn't been any wow's in this department.
5. Face Masks: Too Much Fun In the Sun by Leaders is my ABSOLUTE FAV and I got it by accident when it was on sale at a random TJ Maxx in a neighborhood I hardly visit. Great find, I really like them the most. Second would be Lovemore's Pearl Barley and Milk smoothing masks. To be honest, I guess I have a propensity towards smoothing masks; they seem to help my skin and make it feel much better.
6. Moisturizer: Though Mizon Snail line has earned it's place as I have bought it again and again and again (just love the scentlessness of it as well as the way it gets absorbed so quickly). But the true winner here is the chewy and sticky Joseon Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream. At 50 ml it goes so quickly, but the texture, the absorption, and even the light, sweet fragrance to it makes all my nerves at ease. It makes my face feel chok chok in the harshest of winters (which Mizon AIO Snail and Black Snail both fail to do).
7. Sunscreen: BAE Biore Watery Essence 50 spf pa plus plus plus plus. As a person of ghostly paleness, sunscreen is my life. Sometimes I don't feel fully protected by BAE Biore because it's chemical and not mineral, but I always go back for that light citrusy scent of sun protection. It goes on so smooth, I forget what my skin feels like underneath. It is BAE for a reason, great product, great results, great price (when you can find it for ~$6) and really, my most repurchased product in all of skincare.

When it comes to everything else that I've tried, whether it be exfoliating toners followed by AHA/BHA serums or clay masks for detoxing, or sleeping masks for the harsher winter months, none of them really wow me into keeping them, and often they sit in the medicine cabinet open and half used, forgotten because they didn't really bring anything to the table. Some products I just use to try to finish using, and got "creative" by putting it elsewhere (I've got the smoothest legs and tummy skin, I swear, I wipe my hands on my tummy after application way more frequently than I like to admit).

This is to say, that though my Skincare Journey is not over, it is slowing down. I am reusing products that are tested tried and true (oh dear lord I have over $300 of SK-II in my closet that is waiting on the queue to be used because other products are expiring first). My posts will be less about what is in my routine, but more on products I've been trying to use up so I can maintain the usage of my favorite products that are listed above. 

Skincare Routine as of January 11, 2016

NEW YEAR, NEW HAUL

It's been a CRAZY month, with Christmas, going to Taiwan, and, sadly, coming back home. Taiwan is really the home I chose and there's nothing that can compare.

That being said, my skin routine has been tweaked and partially neglected these past two weeks. Taiwan weather doesn't call for the use of a moisturizer as thick as Aveeno, and I ended up using some new products I bought instead.

1. Water Wash
2. Missha Clear Toner
3. Missha First Essence
4. Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream
5. Biore Watery Essence PA 50+++

It's been a rough two weeks of fun, food, and exercise. However, my poor skin has been breaking out around the edges that it was time to use some of the masks I bought upon my return. Changes in atmosphere, humidity, temperature, and jet lag all have taken their toll on my skin. My poor ever-pale skin.

So right now I am adjusting to this less humid weather and going back to a routine more similar.

1. Wash Rinse
2. Missha Clear Toner
3. Missha First Essence
4. SKII Repair C (aka liquid gold I sample from Sephora)
5. AM: Aveeno SPF 30 Moisturizer
5. PM: Nature Republic Super Aqua Max Combination Watery Cream

Last night I used My Beauty Diary's Black Pearl Mask and I have to say, I am happy with it. My skin has broken out, but it doesn't feel that way right now. It feels smooth, dewy, and irritation free! Yay.

Skincare Routine as of December 14, 2015

1. Oil Cleanser. None. No make-up = no oil.
2. Water-based Cleanser (Foaming Cleanser). None, see above.
3. Water rinse. My actual step 1. Water is at a neutral ph of 7. Check.
4. Toner. Missha Time Revolution Clear Toner. It goes one light, and you can feel it dry on your face in a very nice and refreshing way. Don't know if I am supposed to have it dry before I put on the first essence.
5. First Essence: Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence. It has the same water consistency of the Clear Toner, however it smells more yeasty. Due to the fact that often do my routine without my glasses on or my contacts in, I have been very nervous about getting the toner and the first treatment mixed up. Good thing the Clear Toner comes in a cheap plastic bottle with a round screw-off top, whereas the FTE comes in a glass bottle with an oval screw-off top. Also, the smell would be an indicator, but I don't usually realize until I slap it on my face. This watery essence does leave my face a little stickier than the toner. 
6. Serum or essence. MY LIQUID GOLD samples of SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C from Sephora.  Then, as of yesterday, I have had sample of Amore Pacific MOISTURE BOUND Rejuvenating Serum which I am using after the SKII is absorbed a bit into my skin due to it's thicker texture. The SKII glides on and leaves my face a little sticky, whereas Amore Pacific is light and gets absorbed almost instantaneously. 
7. Moisturizer. AM: Still using my holy grail of moisturizer meets SPF of Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 30. It really makes me feel moisutrized and happy to know that I am also getting SPF 30 out of it. It's heavier, so many people might feel it's greasy, but with my combination skin, it works like a charm. PM: Freeset's Donkey Milk 3D Moisture Cream, been using this for a while, and while it's not a holy grail, I am very content with its results. Each morning my skin feels plump and more balanced. My t-zone remains greasier than the rest of my face, but it really is not bad at all when using this cream.

What's new here? Amore Pacific and Missha Time Revolution Clear Toner and First Treatment Essence.

Wrote about my New Sample Excitement with Amore Pacific.

Wrote about my disappointment with Missha's Super Aqua Cell Renw Snail Sleeping pack.

Pretty darn happy with my Time Revolution set so far. Should also note that I have been suffering from acne on my chin/chin jawlin/upper lip since last Wednesday. Though I don't usually get pimples on my chin's part of the jawline, they have subsided quickly and I hardly know the difference now.

My period arrived yesterday, which is usually the factor to blame when I get mouth/chin area pimples. Jawline though? That's a bit weird, but no one can tell, just me.

Got a compliment on my skin on Sunday. My friend who hasn't seen me in a couple of months (she moved cross-country for her career) said my skin looked fantastic.

In another unrelated comment about my skin, someone noted that I looked "paler," which I didn't really think was possible considering how ghostly pale I am already. Here's the hoping that this "paler" comment is in regards to my skin's cells balancing and renewing themselves.

Also have to think of how much long I am going to go around to random Sephoras that carry the SKII line and ask for samples of my liquid gold. I cannot live on samples forever, but $170 for a single ounce really is beyond my means. I am already so stoked that I got the Missha Time Revolution set for 46 bucks during the Black Friday weekend, and I am going to use that for at least the next year.

Nervous though, because I am pretty sure I am going to do a Duty Free Incheon Airport haul in the next month and those products will bring so much excitement that I just might switch around my routine. As someone said, your skincare products are more of a wardrobe. You can't wear all of your clothes at once, but you can pick and choose what you want for the time being.

New Sample Excitement! Amore Pacific MOISTURE BOUND Rejuvenating Serum

A long, long, long time ago I got a sample of a moisturizer from Amore Pacific. It was like heaven, the first time I was truly impressed by a face cream, ever. Impressed until I saw the price tag!

It was such a tease, that sample bottle. Perfect sanitized dispenser, one pump did the entire face. I really thought that I was in love and then the price tag came at me like a stream roller.

To say the least, I have never purchased any of their products, but instead fantasied about the way their cream made my face feel.

Now, in the future, I am a bit less naive, I am a bit less enamored. However, in getting a sample of my "liquid gold" aka SKII Facial Treatment Repair C, I wanted to see what Amore Pacific had to offer. It is known that they try to compete in the luxury skincare market against SKII.

Oddly enough, the Sephora I went to had them place side by side. They're both into using a type of anti-aging ingredient, but SKII has it in it's purest form, or so I've heard?

Interestingly enough, though they have the basic Korean face routine items, they do not match since it seemed that Amore Pacific did not carry an item that would be the same as the SKII serum that I've been using. Instead, I opted to just use their Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Serum, which has a thicker consistency reminding me of a light facial cream.

This sample is less of a serum than SKII's Repair C. SKII's Repair C has a viscose consistency that is slightly sticky, but goes on very smooth all the while being completely transparent. Amore Pacific's Rejuvenating Serum has a heavier cream sort of texture that is heavily fragranced (in fact, that is the strong most noticeable thing, it's ridiculously strong perfume). It is while, goes on clear, but reminds me more of a end of the routine of kind cream.

Which is exactly what I have done with it.

I've only got a single sample of it, so I don't expect it to last the week, but I am using after applying SKII Repair C. Let's see how this new sample goes, shall we? (It really is so heavily fragranced, I am kind of turned off by it. It is layered UNDER my Freeset Donkey Milk 3C Moisture Cream, which has the thickest consistency, and yet I can STILL smell the Amore Pacific. This is a $100 product, why does it need so much fragrance?

Skincare Routine as of November 23, 2015

1. Oil Cleanser. None. I haven't worn make-up, so I really don't take this step seriously.
2. Water-based Cleanser (Foaming Cleanser). None, see above.
3. Water rinse. My actual step 1. Water is at a neutral ph of 7. Check.
4. Toner. None! I have the outdated Holika Holika one that I referred to in my last routine check-up. Unfortunately, I am having a slight reaction to the Hada Labo Alpha Lotion that I purchased earlier this month. It did not last me a week because I was tired of all the little bumps and white-heads that I do not normally get. It has been one week since then and my skin is still trying to heal itself.
5. Serum or essence. Right now I have been leeching samples of SK-II Facial Treatment Repair C from Sephora. They have this nifty thing where I can go in and ask for a sample, they give me a few pumps in a small container, and viola, liquid gold! And at the price Sephora is selling it for, ($170 for 1 ounce) it truly is. I keep it in a dark place in my medicine cabinet and one sample usually lasts me almost a week. Mornings and evenings. In the evenings I have also stuck to using my freebie Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum.  Usually I place this on the drier patches of my face, the "U" shape that combination skin knows so well. Especially since they're the problem spots the Hada Labo Alpha Lotion had exacerbated.
6. Moisturizer. AM Go to: Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 30. PM Go to: OH YAS MY DONKEY MILK 3D, where you can read the lovely Fifty Shade's Review on it. I have scoured, found it for 35.99 for a 50g glass tub, and I had purchased it the day after I bought/used the Hada Labo Alpha Lotion for the first time. It took me five days, but I finally gave up what isn't good for me for something better, and that is Freeset's Donkey Milk 3D Moisture Cream.

What's new here? SKII and Donkey Milk.

The tricky thing about the SKII Facial Treatment Repair C is that people are often confused and fooled by the name. Even the Sephora rep told me that it has vitamin C in it. Which I quickly corrected him, "Oh, actually, no, it doesn't." He didn't believe me and had to read the label himself.

"Saccharomycopsis Ferment Filtrate*, Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Methylparaben, Sodium Benzoate. *Pitera."

And that is all there is. No Vitamin C, none of that active culture at all. "C" is supposed to be for "concentrate," but why not create one good product versus a bunch of little ones? The Essence, which another Sephora associate raved has the "highest content of Pitera," is the main-seller and is so watery that I cannot get a sample of it because it's just going to go all over. Hmm, it's about time for me to pick up another sample of liquid gold. Good thing a little of this serum goes a long, long way.

The Donkey Milk 3D Moisture Cream has been making me very happy, but I am going to wait until the two week mark to see if this is just instant gratification or what.

All in due time, my dears, all in due time.

Testing Hada Labo Alpha Lotion

Went shopping in the neighborhood and found that upstairs had a plethora of Asian beauty products.

They had Hada Labo line of products, and after using a Kate Somerville toner that made my face feel hot and unpleasant, I decided to stick to my Asian guns and go with Hada Labo Gokyujyun Alpha Lotion. I was tempted to get the regular moist product that beauty bloggers either rave or say it's overrated, but at 16 dollars I really did not mind trying the anti-aging one that I have seen less reviews of. Basically there is hyaluronic acid in the white bottle one that people usually review, whereas there are several additional ingredients in the Alpha Lotion like collagen to promote new skin growth. However, as I plug away the ingredients, I realize that the original has much fewer ingredients and also no irritants and less problems. Where the Alpha anti-aging toner that I purchased comes with a slew of irritants and not so safe chemicals. Less is more when it comes to many things in life and I am beginning to believe this about beauty products as well.

Used this product tonight and have a pimple forming on my cheek. Just one not so nice pimple. We will see if it gets better or worse as times progressed. Still using SKII Repair C serum that I ask for every time I am at Sephora. Ain't nobody got time for a $170 for 1 oz product. Sephora gives me a couple days worth at a time and in two weeks I can reevaluate if I like it enough at that price (hint: probably not).

Did try out a Donkey Milk 3D cream that smells great and puts one back of my hand to shame. (I always test there for some odd reason.) $40 later I think I am going to get it, but shop around in case I can save five bucks.

Let's see how my skincare wardrobe pans out. Can't wait to get to Lotte Duty Free in Incheon!!! I've been dying to get my hands on sum37's rose stick cleanser.