SpaLife Hydrating Facial Mask [REVIEW]

This will be a mini review of the SpaLife Hydrating Facial Mask with natural volcanic ash and CoQ10 (whatever that is). I'll be honest: I bought these at a discount store when I was first getting into AB, and I 100% chose them because they were less than $1/each if I bought a pack of 6. Sheet masking sounded pretty expensive, and I wanted to try it without much commitment! Well, I guess I accomplished that much, but there's a reason these masks were on super sale.

Fit
The fit is not good. The mask didn't cover my whole forehead, and there were like 2 inches dangling off my chin - I admit to having a big forehead, but no one's chin is that long! Now that I've tried a few other sheet masks, I know what a good fit can be. This is not it! I felt like I kept having to adjust it - not relaxing.

Results
My skin looked a little brighter and clearer after using these, but nothing mind blowing. Frankly, "a little brighter and clearer" is the bare minimum any sheet mask should deliver.

Value
I will admit the value was fine since I found them for so cheap. But if you're looking for a budget-friendly, beginner-friendly mask like I was, I would recommend trying something like Tony Moly, or just ordering a box of a more well-known and well-regarded brand to get a bulk discount. (And oh my god, I would never pay $13.50 for 3.)

Overall Rating
2/5

Where to Buy
If for some reason you still want to buy these, at least use my iHerb referral link for 5% off, LOL.
iHerb Product Page 
Referral code for 5% off your entire order: HKP964
Or use my referral link

Alternatives (i.e. inexpensive, beginner-friendly sheet masks):
Tony Moly I'm Real Sheet Mask
$3.99 for 3 at iHerb
   Referral code for 5% off your entire order: HKP964
   Or use my referral link
$11 for 11 at Crystal Cove Beauty
$9.90 for 11 at Jolse
$1.99 each at Beautius
   Beautius referral link: http://rwrd.io/ejz4zg4

Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask
$3.98 for 3 at Jolse
$1.20 each at Beautius
   Beautius referral link: http://rwrd.io/ejz4zg4

It's Skin Green Tea Calming Cleansing Oil: It's Cheap, but... [Review]

Ahh, the It's Skin Green Tea Calming Cleansing Oil. I have mixed feelings about this product. On the one hand, it's cheap and works well enough. On the other, I certainly don't find it very calming, for reasons I'll get into below.

I bought this in search of a cleansing oil to replace my beloved Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity, which tragically is kind of expensive and also contains polyethylene. I was hoping for a cleansing oil that was cheap, effective, and pleasant to use. Reader, this is not that cleansing oil... To be fair, my decision making process for buying this went: search "cleansing oil" on Jolse, sort by price low to high, quick google that first result does not have a ton of negative reviews, purchase! Perhaps my expectations were unfairly high.🤔

Packaging 
It comes in a cloudy but translucent pump bottle, and a pump stopper is provided in case you want to travel with it. No complaints about the packaging; it's pretty standard.

It's Skin Green Tea Calming Cleansing Oil in action: one pump on my hand, rubbed in, emulsified with a splash of water, and rinsed clean

Application

Okay, this is where things get rough. I feel like I need to really slather this product on to get it to spread smoothly over my face - I use about 3 pumps of oil each time. This gets it to spread nicely, but then I have way too much oil on my face. If I want to leave it on my face a bit before washing it off to let it really sink in and get things moving, the oil starts to seep down my face and into my eyes. This BURNS. Like oh my god, it really BURNS. If I don't go rinse my eyes out immediately, they get really red and puffy, and I start tearing up. I'm not sure what would cause this, and I don't think I have particularly sensitive eyes. But wow, the burning is bad, especially when the product needs to be applied in such a high amount that dripping is a possibility. I never had this problem with the Banila Co. Clean It Zero Purity, which was much less runny but still spread easily. I've also had it sting my eyes when I'm rinsing it off, but that's not as bad since I'm already rinsing my face. If you're going to use this, keep your eyes squeezed shut!

I have also had the problem of this seeping onto my lips and then getting a taste of it, and wow, it is nasty. This is obviously not as bad as it burning my eyes, but it's another unpleasant aspect of using this product.

Texture
It's a cleansing oil, so not much to say here. Switching from a balm to a liquid oil cleanser, you'll notice it's much runnier (as you might expect LOL). I wish it spread more easily, but it's workable.

Results
The Green Tea Calming Cleansing Oil effectively removes sunscreen from my face.(I don't wear much makeup, so I can't speak to how well it performs in that area. But dear god, please don't use it to remove eye makeup.)  It does leave a light but noticeable residue, so I would definitely not use this without following up with a low pH cleanser second cleanser.

Value
I started using this 5 months ago, and I'm only have a couple uses left. It's currently listed at $8.91 on Jolse, which has free shipping. By comparison, the Banila Co. Clean It Zero Purity lasts about the same amount of time but costs $20. So yes, I definitely have to give the Green Tea Calming Cleansing Oil points for being a very cost-effective choice.

Overall Rating

For all my complaints, it does work and it's very cheap, and that might be exactly what you need! For that, I give it credit. But for me, the burning in my eyes and the less than great application are major negatives. I would only recommend this if you want a very cheap oil cleanser, and you're not planning to leave it on your face more than a minute or two. Otherwise, I'd say spend a little bit more to get a cleanser that's more pleasant to use. You clean your face everyday, you might as well enjoy it (or at least not be paranoid about burning your eyes!).

2.5/5

Where to Buy
Jolse, currently $8.91

Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence: An Anti-Redness Powerhouse [Review]

Let's talk about my first skincare essence: Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence. This product is a common favorite among online AB communities; in a roundup of the Asian Beauty subreddit's Top 20 Serums put together by user YogaNerdMD, it came in at 2nd place! For me, its reputation for fighting redness and acne, plus the opportunity to incorporate two famous AB ingredients (snail secretion filtrate and bee venom) sold me. In particular, I was looking for a product that would reduce how flushed my face looked by around noon everyday. I had very pink cheeks, as well as inflammation on my chin and Rudolph-levels of redness around my nose. After trying a sample I bought off of eBay, I bought the full size from Crystal Cove during a 30% off sale. It has become an essential part of my routine! (Essence-tial? Heh heh heh... >> ) 

My red nose has never saved Christmas, so it's got to go.

Packaging
The Snail Bee High Content Essence comes in a 50ml brown-tinted, plastic bottle with a pump. I really like the pump - it has the right amount of consistent resistance that makes it easy to dispense however much you want - i.e. just a small amount at a time if you don't want a whole pump's worth of product.

Trying to be artsy with product shots

Application
I just use my fingers to rub or pat about 2 pumps' worth on my face. I usually like to dispense just a little at a time, using about half a pump each for my forehead, each cheek, and my chin/nose. My routine order up to this product goes like this: cleanse, actives + wait time (if I'm using any), hydrating toner (optional), and then this essence. I use it both morning and night.

Texture
The essence is almost clear with a watery gel texture. It smells like absolutely nothing to me; although keep in mind, I have a weak sense of smell. It spreads really easily, especially if my face is slightly damp, and it sinks in quickly.

Left: straight from the bottle; Right: rubbed/patted in

Results
So, the results of this product can seem subtle, especially if you've been using it for months, like I have. However, I noticed a huge difference when I went on vacation and (foolishly) stopped using this for a couple weeks. Redness issues I had totally forgotten about returned, and it was not cute! That's the thing with a lot of products that really work: results build up slowly over time, so it's easy to gradually forget how bad things were before. A great reason to be consistent about taking progress pictures. :)

With regards to my acne itself, I can't say this product made too much of a difference, but it definitely soothes and prevents the redness caused by my acne and acne scars. In my experience, this improves the appearance of the acne-prone areas of my face, even if the amount of actual blemishes stays the same. It also adds some light hydration - more if you put on multiple layers.

Another aspect I really like about this product is how gentle it is on my skin. Whenever I have a cold, I sneeze like crazy, and the skin around my nose gets extremely raw and dry, and it starts to peel. The last time I had a bad cold, literally every skincare product I applied to that area burned, except this one! I ended up doing a few layers of Snail Bee essence in place of my usual routine on that area. It didn't totally eliminate the peeling, but I did notice that skin healed a lot faster than usual. 

Value
I purchased this product for $14 during a 30% off Benton promotion at Crystal Cove Beauty (see Where to Buy), and I've been using it twice a day. My bottle is starting to run low, but I estimate by the time I finish it, it will have lasted 5 months. This qualifies as a good deal in my book! Considering how much my skin likes this product, I would repurchase it at full price if I couldn't find a good deal. Keep in mind that Benton doesn't use much in the way of preservatives, so I wouldn't stock up on this product during a sale, unless I was sure I would be using it soon.

Overall Rating

The difference I saw when I stopped using the Snail Bee Essence for a couple weeks really convinced me of its importance in my routine. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an essence that reduces redness, promotes a more even skin tone, and adds light hydration, especially if you have sensitive skin. (Of course, it's still important to check for ingredient sensitivities and patch test!)

5/5!

Where to Buy:
iHerb, currently $18
 Code for 5% off: HKP964 ** 
 Referral link **

Crystal Cove Beauty, currently $20
 Code for 10% off your first order: LoveBeauty
 Occasionally, Crystal Cove has promo codes for 30% off Benton products, so check for any special offers when you're ordering

Mishibox, currently sold out, normally $20
 Save $5 off your first order: http://r.sloyalty.com/r/vvvmhXDMxzrw **

** Indicates referral link
Gifs are from giphy.com

My Current Routine (Winter 2016/2017)

Here are my current AM and PM skincare routines. I'm still using my winter lineup, but the weather is finally warming up where I am, so this could be changing soon. I'm planning to write about how my routine changes as the weather transitions to hot and humid.

Morning:
Tosowoong Enzyme Powder Wash
Holy Snails Great White Shark Sauce (January 2017 Sauce du Mois)
Hada Labo Gokujyun Toner
Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
Simple Ultra-Light Gel Moisturizer
Sunscreen (formerly: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch, now trying out Goodal Mild Protect Natural Filter Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++ and Missha All Around Safe Block Waterproof Sun Milk SPF50+/PA+++)

A typical AM routine

Evening:
Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity
CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Hada Labo Gokujyun Toner
Stridex in the red box BHA or CosRx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid (I use one of these every other day, with a rest day in between)
Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
Mizon Snail Gel
CosRx Ultimate Nourishing Rice Sleeping Pack or Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
CosRx blemish patches

A typical PM routine

Currently Testing:
It's Skin Green Tea Cleansing Oil
Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask

Coming Up on my Testing Schedule:
Thayers Witch Hazel Toner with Rose Petal
Hertiage Products Rosewater and Glycerin Mist
Various samples I'm itching to try lol

CosRx Acne Pimple Master Patches: They are not kidding about the "master" thing.

My current stash

Dear reader. Dear reader. This is one of those products where I really, really wish I could time machine back to when I was in high school like some kind of Ghost of Acne Future, rip whatever the hell I was putting on my face back then out of my younger self's hands, point to my acne scars, and then shove these into my picky little teenage hands. That might sound dramatic, but these patches are THAT good. They: 1) suck all the gunk out of a blemish, and 2) keep dirty fingers away. It's really incredible how much something so simple as a tiny band-aid with a fancy name ("hydrocolloid") speeds up healing so much. All praise!!

Packaging
The packaging is a little much, imo. The actual sheet of patches has a clear plastic cover square that sits on it, and is sealed inside a little plastic pouch, which is inside the larger plastic pouch that has a Ziploc-type seal. I appreciate the commitment to hygiene, but I find that many plastic layers a excessive. After I open them, I just keep the sheet itself in the main pouch and throw away the middle layers. There are 24 patches in 3 different sizes on a sheet. I really wish they sold larger sheets, both to cut down on the packaging and the cost.

The unwrapping stages of the Master Patches

Application
This part is pretty obvious for this product: just stick the patch on the blemish. They come in three different sizes, so you can pick which works best. I apply these at very end of my routine. It's easier to get them to stick if you skip any thick creams or sleeping packs around the affected spot; these can make the patch slip around. 95% of the time, I have no problem with these staying on overnight (and I toss and turn a lot!). In the morning, I just peel them off. You can also wear these during the day and just take them off when they look full.

Texture Appearance
Not much to say about texture (it's a little circle that's sticky on one side and smooth on the other), so let's talk appearance. If you have a skin tone close to the patch color, these won't be too noticeable, but they're never going to be invisible. I usually stick to wearing them at home, mostly overnight. I've worn them out and about a few times, but not when I was going to meet anyone. But really whether you're comfortable wearing them during the day or not depends on you and your preferences!


Results

That feeling when the patch works perfectly and that giant blemish is G-O-N-E

The removal of the gunk will work best if the blemish is actually open. Personally, I'm usually afraid to cause more harm than good by attempting to lance, so I usually just stick it on the closed blemish and hope for the best. Worst case scenario: it protects the blemish from further irritation and keeps my fingers and other sources of germs off it. Best case scenario: the blemish is close enough to popping that the patch does drain it. And oh boy, is that satisfying. Seeing all that nasty goo that used to be in your face in the patch instead is disgusting, but it also feels so victorious. That little whitehead that, pre-patches, you would've pretended to ignore even though it was actually really distracting you? Gone! That medium pimple that you can't just ignore so it would've driven you crazy until you poked it and caused way more irritation than necessary? Gone! That giant blemish that would've turned into a red, inflamed monstrosity that lingered for weeks? Gone!

Now keep in mind, that these do not work 100% of the time - I do sometimes wake up to empty patches. And sometimes a blemish is so relentless, I have to use a patch on it multiple nights in a row. But regardless, I really feel like using the patches makes my blemishes heal faster. This is such a healthier, cleaner way to drain them than squeezing, poking, etc. In my experience, taking care of things this way really prevents a single pimple from becoming a series of pimples, or worse, a lasting acne scar. Again, if only I had found these about ten years ago!!

Value
So unfortunately for me (but fortunately for CosRx shareholders), I really tear through these things, especially during that time of the month, or my recent Purge-ageddon™ from introducing AHA to my routine. A single sheet is usually around $5, which is a real drain on my wallet. If you anticipate going through these at Glow Poe-like rates, I recommend buying in bulk. You can get a 10-pack for around 50% off! See Where to Buy, below.

Overall Rating
In case you haven't guessed, I love these. One of the best products I've found since getting into AB skincare, hands down.
5/5!

Where to Buy
iHerb, currently $4.50 but out of stock (estimated to be back in stock April 13, 2017)
  Save 10% on your order: http://www.iherb.com/?rcode=HKP964 **
  Or use the code: HKP964 **
Jolse: currently 1 sheet for $3.75, 4 sheets for $11.23, or 10 sheets for $22.48
Mishibox: currently $5
  Save $5 off your first order: http://r.sloyalty.com/r/vvvmhXDMxzrw **

**Indicates referral link or code
Gifs from giphy.com

Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter: My Winter Life Saver

The author trudging to class.
Hello, darkness, my old friend...

Well, well, well... I had thought that it was warming up here, but according to the forecast, my "spring break" next week will involve snow and subfreezing temperatures. So. The Midwest strikes again! Anyways, what a perfect time to discuss the best way I've found to protect my lips from this kind of weather.

You know there's tornadoes here too? I left the beach for this? (Graduate education, etc, etc)

After moving here from California last fall, I am (still) in the midst of my first "real" winter. As such, I am on high alert of developing chapped, peeling skin and lips. As the weather transitioned from hot and sweltering to freezing cold and bone dry, it became very clear that my old lip balms were not cutting it. After browsing Target's website during a sale last November, I ordered several potential replacements. Vaseline Lip Therapy in Cocoa Butter is the winner by a mile!

The winning lip balm stands victorious over its fallen competitors...

Packaging
It comes in a small tin containing 0.6 oz. This may seem tiny, but a little goes a long way. There are some reviews complaining that the lid is difficult to take off, but I haven't had any problems.

Application
To apply, I just swipe a little balm on my fingertip and spread it on my lips. Some people might find sticking their fingers in the tin every time a little icky, which I get. I'm okay with it because I only use it once in the morning and once at night, so I'm at home, and I wash my hands right before. However, this isn't something I would carry around in my bag or take to work, unless I was confident I could easily wash/sanitize my hands.

Texture
As you might guess, the texture is similar to regular Vaseline, but the Lip Therapy version is a little thicker, smoother, and less greasy. It spreads easily and leaves a thin, smooth layer that lasts for hours and protects against the elements. It wears away gradually, faster if you're eating or drinking (like any lip product).

There is a light cocoa butter scent, which fades after 20 minutes or so. If you like the smell of cocoa butter, it's a nice bonus; if not, I doubt it's strong enough to be a deal breaker. Personally, I don't have a strong sense of smell, so I didn't even notice it until I sniffed the actual tin, lol.

Ingredients
In my experience, plain Vaseline protects lips from losing moisture but doesn't do much actual moisturizing. I feel like the addition of cocoa butter really gives this product a 1-2 punch: hydration and protection! Also, if you're into short ingredients lists, Vaseline Lip Therapy only has three: petrolatum, cocoa butter, and flavor/aroma.

Results 
Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa Butter has been a life saver (lip saver) for me this winter. Even on days when it's below freezing and super dry, my lips feel great. Once I started using this product in the morning and evening, I went from applying chapstick like every ten minutes to... maybe once or twice during the day. Total game changer.

The penguins approve!

Value
As far as price goes, there's everything from basic $1 drugstore chapsticks to $40 lip crèmes from France. A Vaseline Lip Therapy tin is currently $3.49 at Target, which places it safely in the "good deal" zone for me. Especially considering I only need to use it twice a day instead of the 20 times a day I was using my old lip balms!

Overall Rating
This is an HG for me, for sure.
5/5!

Where to buy:
Target, 0.6oz tin currently $3.49 ($5.82/oz)
You can also buy a little 0.25oz tub for $1.79 ($7.16/oz), if you'd like to try it out.
Vaseline Lip Therapy also comes in Aloe, Rosy, and Original versions, which I haven't tried, but they also receive high ratings.

Gifs are from giphy.com

Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity Review: The Oil Cleanser that Converted Me

I love it so much it sparkles...

When I first started reading about AB, I have to admit I was very skeptical of double cleansing. First of all, cleansing twice seemed superfluous. Second of all, I could not get over the idea of an oil cleanser. You're telling me to put oil on my face?? Did I not spend the entirety of my teenage years trying to get oil off my face?? Crazy talk. However, after enough time down the rabbit hole of AB blogs and forums, I decided to give it a go and ordered Banila Co Clean It Zero Purity oil cleansing balm.

You're telling me... to put oil... on my face?

The first time I used it, I was cringing and praying I wouldn't break out from adding more oil to my face. Let me tell you, that reaction was pure nonsense. By the time I finished my double cleanse with CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, my face had never felt cleaner. Or softer. Or smoother. It was like I had just truly washed my face for the first time in my life! And that, my friends, is when I became a total believer in the AB skincare philosophy.

Me after double cleansing literally one time.

Packaging
The cleanser comes in a solid plastic container with a little plastic spatula and a plastic disk that fits over the opening, under the lid to store the spatula. Personally, I think the jar is adorable (but not too adorable, ya feel), and I like how it looks sitting on my bathroom counter. The spatula is solid and works well. The only thing I would change is I wish it snapped onto the inside of the lid or something instead of having to fiddle with the plastic disk.

Brand new from the box! The spatula and spatula-holding disk come in plastic on top of the jar.

Left: My new jar, still sealed. Right: My in-use jar with the plastic spatula and holder lid.

Application
To use the cleansing balm, I scoop out a small amount (~hazelnut sized) out of the jar with the spatula and transfer it to the back of my hand. Then, I use my fingers to spread some dabs around my face and gently massage it around. Next, I usually hop in the shower to emulsify it with warm water, rinse, and follow up with my low pH cleanser (currently CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser). Obviously, you can also do this at the sink, but I tend to splash water all over the front of  my shirt, so... shower it is!

Texture
It's very smooth; the balm looks waxy but has a texture closer to room temperature butter when you scoop into it. It's similar in appearance and texture to solid coconut oil. I really like that it's a balm instead of a liquid oil - much easier to travel with! Once it comes in contact with your skin, it melts into a liquid quickly. It also emulsifies easily with a splash of water.

From left to right: straight out of the jar on my hand (that's about how much I use at once), spread around my hand, emulsified with water, and rinsed off all the way. It looks a little melted in the first picture; it actually comes out neater, but I was trying to get it just right for the photo and ended up smearing it.. :/

Results
My face feels so, so, so much cleaner now that I'm using this cleanser. I think my skin feels softer too. Before really reading up on skincare, sunscreen removal was a huge issue for me. I always felt like I still had gunk or residue on my face, even after scrubbing away with my old face wash (ugh). No more! This cleansing balm does an amazing job taking off even my thickest physical sunscreens, and my face just feels so much happier and cleaner.

Value
This is not the cheapest oil cleanser on the market, but at around $20, I think it's a reasonably good value. Using it once a day, a jar lasts me around 4.5 months. If you'd like to try the original Banila Co Clean It Zero, it is usually available for a few dollars cheaper. Personally, since I was a total skincare newbie when I ordered this, I decided to play it safe with the Purity version, which is supposed to be better for sensitive skin. YMMV.

Overall Rating
In case you haven't guessed, I highly recommend this product. It is for sure an HG cleanser for me, and I've already ordered a new jar so I'm ready when this one runs out.

5/5!

Note: So, I recently find out that most cleansing balms, including this one, contain polyethylene. Polyethylene is used to make microbeads and a lot of common plastic goods, and unfortunately, it has some pretty nasty environmental effects. I'm not saying don't buy cleansing balms because I think minimizing your environmental impact is personal, and there are lots of different ways to cut back besides your choice of cleansers haha. That said, I'm planning to look for alternative oil cleansers that I love just as much after I use up my supply. Can't be too sad about an excuse to try new products! ;P

Where to buy:
iHerb, currently $19.78
Code for 10% off your first order: HKP964 **
Referral link **

Memebox, currently $24
Link for 20% off your first Memebox order **

** Indicates referral link or code