Masking with Yogurt and Strawberries: Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask* Review

For whatever reason, I've been much more into moisturizing masks than my past favorite clays this year, even now in our stifling hot and humid summer weather. There's just something SO nice about relaxing with a cooling layer of moisture on your face - and if I can remember to pop my mask in the fridge for a bit beforehand (especially my sheet masks!), that takes the experience to a whole new level. What's your current favorite mask type - hydrating creamy ones or purifying clays?

Anyway, today I wanted to show you what I've been using for the past few weeks to soothe and replenish my skin - the Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Repairing Mask* ($25 for 80ml at Target), which is suitable for all skin types and contains the brand's propietory Sogurty (fermented yogurt enzymes) and a Multiberry Complex of raspberries, blueberries, wolfberries, cranberries and strawberries. You may remember I reviewed another product from the Multiberry range a while back; you can find my thoughts on the Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel* here. Laneige claims their Multiberry mask will leave your skin looking softer and healthy, and deliver moisture and antioxidants to repair it.

The packaging is quite similar to their cult Water Sleeping Mask (reviewed here - still a firm favorite) but in light pink instead of blue. You may think the price tag for this mask is a bit steep, especially considering that it's sold at Target, but you do get a very large amount in one jar. The tub comes in a cardboard box listing all the ingredients, and you also get a little plastic spatula to scoop out the mask. Aside from the ingredients highlighted on the front, the Repairing Mask also contains glycerin, shea and cocoa butters (second, third and fourth on the INCI list), as well as squalane, soybean and yeast ferment extracts, niacinamide and meadowfoam seed oil. The suggested application is 5-10 minutes on clean toned face, once or twice a week.

Despite the abundance of extra nourishing plant butters in the formula, I find the texture of Laneige Multiberry Mask to be quite fluffy and easy to spread around on the skin. It has that delicious strawberry yogurt scent but I don't find it too overpowering once I have the mask on my face. I usually leave it for a bit longer than the recommended 10 minutes (more like 15-20) and in that time, the mask sinks pretty well into my skin, so when I rinse it off, there's just a little left and it's very easy to get off.

After removing the mask, my face definitely feels softer - just like promised - and I guess it does look healthier as well, whatever that means. I have a lot less redness and my skin seems plump and glowy. It's not anything different than the result I get from their Water Sleeping Mask, except that I feel like that one is somewhat more hydrating whereas the Multiberry Mask is more moisturizing. They have very different textures as well; their overnight mask is a gel that easily absorbs into the skin (but still leaves a slight residue on top), this wash-off Repairing one is creamy and admittedly a bit heavier. I think both of these masks have their purpose and I like switching between them, but if you wanted to purchase just one, consider how long you would like to keep the mask on and whether your skin is overall dry (in which case I'd get the Multiberry Mask) or just occasionally dehydrated (Water Sleeping Mask).

I have now tried a lot of hydrating and moisturizing products from the Laneige range and I can honestly say they do them very well. I have recently used up my bottle of their Water Bank Serum* (reviewed here) to the very last drop and that was one of the most nourishing serums I've ever tried - so much so that it was perhaps a bit much for my combination skin in the warmer months. I think if your skintype is dry and you're not looking forward to shelling out big bucks for skincare at Sephora, you can't go wrong with these moisturizing products from Laneige; they also offer a Hydration Trial Kit which comes with 6 deluxe samples for a reasonable $29.

I'm curious, do you guys use any moisturizing/ hydrating products from Korean or Japanese brands in your skincare routine? I have to say that I'm an Asian beauty convert when it comes to delivering a big boost of hydration and luminosity to the skin without spending a fortune.

Disclaimer: Product featured in this post is a press sample I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured was purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

Skin and Body in Pregnancy: My Experience & Products I Use

Excitement levels are running high - I only have six weeks left until my due date! How crazy is that? But before our baby boy arrives, I wanted to write one last pregnancy-related post about my experience of carrying a human bean in my belly for over 9 months. If you're not interested in preggo stuff - please click away now, I may be oversharing some details; I do however think it's important to have an open discussion among women about their different experiences and struggles. Knowledge is power!

Baby bump at 32 weeks; photo by my talented BFF Mariya.

Overall, I am very grateful to have had an easy, comfortable, and healthy pregnancy thus far. If you remember my two other pregnancy updates (announcement here and gender reveal here), right from the very beginning I've been feeling well and suffered very few pregnancy symptoms that can make a preggo's life a living hell. I have not had any nausea whatsoever, in general I have maintained good energy levels, I have been sleeping well (even with the frequent bathroom trips), I haven't had almost any digestive issues or swelling, no cramping or bleeding. I have had the most normal pregnancy imaginable - but not only has my well-being been great, more importantly, as far as all tests and scans go, the baby has also been doing great, growing and developing steadily and swimming energetically from one side of my belly to the other (especially at 3am in the morning ;)

I am stressing all this because I'm sure all women, especially of child-bearing age, have heard pregnancy horror stories left and right, be it from well-meaning family members or anxious friends. Personally, after hearing all these accounts and retellings, it almost seemed to me like it was impossible to feel well and enjoy being pregnant - like things were bound to go downhill at some point or another. I only knew of one friend whose pregnancy experience has been overwhelmingly positive - ONE! If you've been considering having a child (or children) some time in the future but are worried about how your body will handle growing another human; please don't be. There's no way to predict what your personal experience may be, and feeling stressed and anxious over it certainly won't make anything better. I don't think there's any guarantee one way or another - sure, it's good to keep in shape and practice healthy habits beforehand, but as to specific symptoms etc... We really can't know until we get there. I was in fact quite resigned to the fact that I may be feeling awful when pregnant, and I was also worried about being able to conceive due to some medical history I won't bore you with - but all of that stress and anxiety turned out to be completely unfounded and unnecessary. Pregnancy CAN be healthy, enjoyable and happy; let's all try to remember that.

Now in my third trimester, I have definitely started feeling... quite pregnant. As of my last doctor's appointment, I have gained approx. 25 pounds. My family and friends are kind enough to claim that it's all in the bump; I do feel like my belly is rather on the large size, and it protrudes a lot in the front (I like to call it a watermelon). I have gone up between 1-2 bra sizes (larger cup as well as band size) and I think my hips are somewhat bigger as well, but all things considered I think it's not too bad. Because of the size/ weight of the baby bump and joint-loosening hormones coursing through my body, I have been experiencing pain in my left hip/ inner thigh area, which is making walking increasingly challenging - but you know, living in NYC, I still do it anyway - and then silently curse myself for not taking a cab ;)

So far - knock on wood - I have not noticed any stretch marks anywhere on my body. I have not had any stretch marks prior to pregnancy either, but I also realize I may still get them mere weeks before delivery, so I guess we will just have to wait and see. As far as bodycare, I have been using lots of moisturizers on the bump & rump area every single evening after shower, sometimes in the morning as well. I also like to scrub and massage my body quite thoroughly in the shower using lots of body wash and a loofa to get some good blood circulation and exfoliate all those dead skin cells. I haven't personally experienced a lot of dry skin or itchiness, which I understand can be quite common. The eczema on my hands, if anything, has been a bit better than in the past few years.

When it comes to the actual products I've been reaching for, I have not bought a single anti-stretch mark cream or belly balm or any of those other lotions and potions geared specifically towards pregnant women. As far as I know, stretch marks are genetic anyway, and while moisturizing your body can go a long way towards minimizing them/ making them heal faster, there's no proven skincare ingredient to completely prevent them or have them disappear. So I didn't bother paying more just to have a product labelled for pregnancy, and instead have been using lotions I've already had in my stash, as well as my new favorite body oil, the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil* ($45 for 100ml/ 3.3 fl. oz spray bottle at us.nuxe.com and Ulta, smaller sizes also available - the Limited Edition bottle in the photo looks full because it's my second one; my husband also uses it as a beard oil). It smells heavenly of sweet tropical florals and absorbs quickly into the skin, sealing in moisture. I have also been using the Prodigieux Shower Oil* ($15 for 200ml/ 6.7 fl. oz, here and here) from the same range, which feels nourishing on the skin and gives excellent slip for shaving. It also makes my skin look very luminous thanks to all the luxurious golden shimmer :) I have tried using coconut oil as well but felt like it was a bit too heavy for me, whereas most regular body lotions are currently too thin/ lightweight. I think for me personally, body butters and oils are the way to go.

I haven't observed any major changes in my hair or nails. My nails have always been strong and they grow fast, and that hasn't changed. My hair also grows quite quickly, and since I haven't dyed it for over two years now, it's all healthy, shiny, sleek virgin hair. I do use good conditioners and leave-in sprays in my hair, but it's now quite long and I do not have any split ends - that's probably a first. In my photos, you may catch a glimpse of my baby bangs; I now have long baby hair growing on both sides of my forehead. I've also noticed a lot less hair on my brush after detangling or styling, but I wouldn't say my hair looks or feels any thicker or fuller than before. That may actually be a good thing - I'm hoping to avoid dramatic hair loss post partum.

As far as the skin on my face - which is probably the most important to the vast majority of women - I'm very happy to say that it improved in pregnancy. Prior to getting pregnant, I have struggled with acne for most of my teenage and adult life. I have noticed quite quickly - within the first couple of months - that I was getting a lot less breakouts and absolutely no cystic acne, which had been my biggest struggle in the past. Overall, my skin is now more even in texture and tone, but I think my sebum production is only slightly diminished - my skin type is still combination. It can get very oily on the T-zone, but we're also currently in the hot & humid summer season here in NYC, so I'm sure that contributes to the oiliness as well. To help with any congestion, I have been quite diligent about using chemical exfoliants on my face twice a day; you can read more about my current skincare routine here.

The only acne/ skin texture I have been somewhat struggling with during pregnancy has been on my chest - and, uhm, belly. I had had congested pores on my chest before getting pregnant as well, but I feel that for the first 4-5 months, it unfortunately got worse. I just tried not to pay too much attention to it, made sure I was washing that area thoroughly every night and extended all of my facial exfoliants all the way down my neck and chest, and after those 5 months, it has pretty much all cleared up - either thanks to my efforts or just a spontaneous shift in hormones. But now that I've been acne-free, I have noticed a different issue - lots of tiny little skin tags all over my mid-section. They're so little that they eventually dry out and get scrubbed off anyway, but they're just... a bit strange and slightly annoying, especially if I mindlessly scratch one by accident. I do hope they go away post-partum :)

In terms of hyperpigmentation or melasma, which are also common concerns in pregnancy, I have not noticed anything out of ordinary. I am quite fair and naturally prone to freckles and hyperpigmenation anyway, so I have been making sure to apply lots of high SPF sunscreen on my face and chest (Mentholatum Sunplay SPF 50+ Super Block PA++++, reviewed here) as well as other exposed areas of my body (Neutrogena Sensitive Skin SPF 60+) any time I go outside, and I try to limit my sun exposure as much as possible. So far, I don't think my existing dark spots have gotten any worse or that I have got a lot of new ones, although I am always somewhat more freckly in the summer - that's just hard to avoid completely with my coloring. Speaking of pigmentation, I do have quite a visible linea negra on my belly, but thankfully it's not super dark - just a tan color, pretty much exactly the shade of my freckles. I'm sure it will fade completely a few months after delivery.

In general, I have not been very particular about avoiding lots of specific ingredients in skincare (or even my food aside from the obvious ones like alcohol or raw meat). Sure, I've put away all of my retinol and salicylic acid products for the time being, but I haven't been scrutinizing INCI lists looking for ingredients some people deem toxic, or irritating to the skin. I pay a lot of attention to ingredients any time I shop for skincare anyway, so I feel like I've done my due diligence regardless of pregnancy. There's lots of fear mongering out there and many pregnant women make the decision to switch to natural/ organic/ green beauty products, believing they're much better for them and safer for the baby. However, reality is a little more complicated than that - especially that the natural beauty market isn't in fact regulated by law in the United States. What I'm saying is - just do your own research.

I think that's about all I wanted to say on this topic - please let me know if you have any questions by leaving me a comment. The gorgeous maternity photos I used to illustrate this post were taken by my talented best friend Mariya, who flew all the way from Seattle to spend a few days with me and give me the much needed female emotional support. Thank you, bae! Big thanks to Claire from the Land of Lorp and Allison from 10am Beauty for listening to my rants on Twitter and giving lots of helpful preggo/mama advice. And lastly, thanks to Nuxe for providing me with ample amounts of Huile Prodigieuse to smear all over my watermelon belly :) Just a few more weeks to go, you guys!!!

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Some of the K-Beauty brands & products you can score at the Peach & Lily Sample Sale.

In completely other news, me and Kar Yi are planning to attend the Peach & Lily 2nd Annual K-Beauty Sample Sale on Wednesday 8/24 at Stollway 250 W 39th St (between 7th & 8th Ave). The sale starts at 8am and goes on until 10pm (or until supplies last) and I thought I'd share this event with you in case you're a fellow Korean Beauty lover. RSVP by emailing events@peachandlily.com - even if you're not quite sure you're coming yet, it doesn't cost anything to get your name on the list. The brands you can grab at up to 80% off include Be The Skin, Cremorlab, May Coop, Mizo, Kicho, Lagom, Shangpree, Dr.Dream, 24/7 and Lady&Skin. Peach & Lily recommend to get there as early as you can, and only carry your funds with you (cash & credit cards accepted) instead of a whole purse (I don't know how doable that will be for me though, lol). If you happen to be there around noon and see a heavily pregnant lady waddling about, please come over and say hello!

Disclaimer: Products marked with an asterix (*) were press samples I received from the brands' PR for review consideration. I purchased everything else myself. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

Double Cleansing with Rose Petals: Nuxe Micellar Water* & Cleansing Milk* Review

I have finally, FINALLY worked my way through that giant bottle of Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Cleansing Oil (featured here and here), and as luck would have it, the tube of NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly (reviewed here) I was using along with it run out at the same time as well. That seemed like the perfect opportunity to try a new cleansing power couple: Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water* ($20 for 6.7 fl. oz, available at us.nuxe.com here and Ulta here) and Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk* ($20 for 6.7 fl. oz as well, available at Nuxe here and Ulta here), both from the brand's Rose Petal Facial Cleansers range, which is suitable for all skintypes including sensitive.

I'm a strong proponent of double cleansing my face at night: first to remove make-up and/or sunscreen, then to deeply clean the skin with a more nourishing product. I have not used a micellar water for a while - I believe the last one I tried was either Bioderma Hydrabio (I've also used the cult Sensibio in the past) or one from Avene; in general I prefer an emulsifying cleansing balm or oil to remove grime from my face. But I was willing to suspend judgement and see how effective Nuxe's version was at getting rid of that stubborn mascara and eyeliner.

The Micellar Cleansing Water comes in a simple plastic bottle with a flip top - very convenient and doesn't dump too much product onto my cotton square all at once. Something you'll notice right away with Nuxe's product is the fact that the liquid has a very slight yellow tint (unlike most other micellar waters that tend to be clear) and quite a strong soapy rose fragrance. I have said this in the past about other Nuxe's products and I'll repeat it here: yes, I would have preferred if the brand used less fragrance in their products or even skipped it altogether. However, it's not like I hate this scent - it really reminds me of soap I used to use at my grandparents' summer cottage when I was little; but more importantly, it doesn't irritate or aggravate my skin. So there's that.

Ingredients for Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water include rosewater, glycerin, allantoin and hyaluronic acid

As far as effectiveness goes, if memory serves me right, Nuxe's Micellar Water is just as good at removing make-up and left-over skincare as the overhyped Bioderma. Which for me is... unfortunately still not as good as just about any cleansing balm/ oil. Nuxe's micellar solution gets rid of all my face make-up quickly and without effort, but it doesn't quite dissolve all of my mascara and eyeliner. It gets rid of most of it - but I will usually still have some left right at the roots of my lashes. It's not my absolute priority to get rid of every last bit at this stage, since I'm following with another cleanser anyway, but I thought it's still worth mentioning. On the plus side, it doesn't sting or cloud my eyes, and leaves my face feeling soft and hydrated.

I then follow up with the Comforting Cleansing Milk, spreading one pump of product evenly across my dry face (or, well, slightly moist after wiping with the Micellar Water). Again, I find the design of the packaging to be both pratical and aesthetically pleasing. Unsurprisingly, the Cleansing Milk has the exact same scent as the Micellar Water but again, it's not a deal breaker for me personally. I will then massage the product briefly, concentrating on trouble areas such as my eyes or sides of the nose - some of it seems to absorb into my skin in the process - and then wipe off with a warm damp washcloth. I rinse the cloth and repeat several times to make sure I get as much off as I possibly can. In the mornings, I will also use the same technique with the Cleansing Milk, but it's a lot faster since I don't have any make-up to remove :)

Ingredients for Nuxe Comfort Cleansing Milk include rosewater, macadamia, coconut & sunflower oils, as well as glycerin and allantoin

I'm very happy with the results I get from the Comforting Cleansing Milk; it cleans my face effectively (I can see absolutely no left-over make-up on my washcloth after several passes) without stripping it of all moisture or disturbing its acid mantle. By the end of my cleansing routine, my skin feels smooth, plump and refreshed but without any residue or sticky feeling. Compared to another cleansing milk I was using recently, the Andalou Naturals Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Milk (reviewed here), I think the Nuxe's version is just as deep cleansing but somewhat more moisturizing, so I'd recommend it especially if your skin is normal to dry.

Out of the two products, I definitely prefer Nuxe's Cleansing Milk over their Micellar Water, but it's more due to my personal preferences than any fault of the product - I'm just still not a fan of these cleansing waters. However, if that's your thing - or you just need something super quick to cleanse your face when you don't necessarily have access to a sink and running water - Nuxe Micellar Cleansing Water is a really good option.

How do you remove stubborn make-up at the end of the day? What is your favorite texture for a facial cleanser - gel, milk, oil or balm? I'd love to know!

Disclaimer: Products featured in this post are press samples I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products were purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

My Current Evening Skincare Routine

Compared to my morning skincare routine, evenings are always a bit more complex, mostly because I like switching products around and I also aim for a face mask about 2 times a week. Originally, I intended to include the three different face masks I rotate through in this post, but now I'm thinking I may discuss them separately, mostly because they're all new products that I haven't reviewed on the blog before - so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Again, my skin type profile: I'm combination, sensitive as well as acne and dehydration-prone. I'm also currently 21 weeks pregnant.

I wear make-up and sunscreen most days, so I always do a first cleanse to get the bulk of those products off with an oil cleanser. I'm still using the Shu Uemura Anti/Oxi Skin Refining Cleansing Oil (mentioned here) - I think I've been using it for about a year and a half now and I'm only now coming to the end of this giant bottle. It's a decent product, but I definitely wouldn't pay the full price now that there are so many cleansing oils to choose from even at the drugstore.

I then second cleanse my face using the same cleanser as in the morning, the NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly (reviewed here). About 3 times a week, I also like to manually exfoliate my face using the TATCHA Classic Rice Enzyme Powder* (click!); before getting pregnant, I found my stronger salicylic acid-based toners to be sufficiently exfoliating on their own, but now that I'm using gentler AHAs, I like the added boost from a physical scrub like the TATCHA. Also, to be perfectly honest, I sometimes skip the NUDE cleansing balm and go straight to the TATCHA powder after using my cleansing oil - I find that the TATCHA has some impressive cleansing properties as well.

Now that my face is all clean and fresh, I like spritzing it with my rock rose (Cistus) hydrosol again, either before or after applying the Nuxe Nuxuriance Ultra Eye & Lip Contour* (recently reviewed here) to my eye and lip areas. I then proceed by smoothing two pumps of Paula's Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment 5% AHA* (featured here) over my face and a little bit on the neck and chest. I've been using this product every night for about 6 months now and I've come to really appreciate it for how gentle (non-drying) but effective it is - also, I'm still on my first bottle, so even though the price seems a bit higher compared to Paula's other exfoliants, it lasts significantly longer than her liquids for example. I found that the AHA treatment helps to keep my skin clearer and smoother, on top of the more long-term anti-aging and hyperpigmentation-fighting benefits.

I do all of these steps in my bathroom, and then I give my skin at least a 20-minute break before completing my routine with the products I keep at my bedside in a little basket. I go one of two ways here: I either apply a thin layer of my favorite Laneige Water Sleeping Mask* (reviewed here) if I feel like my skin just needs some lightweight hydration, or I layer a serum first - I've just started using the new TATCHA Luminous Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate*, so no thoughts on it quite yet - and then press in about 3 drops of TATCHA Gold Camellia Beauty Oil* (reviewed here) over the top. This is my second bottle of the TATCHA oil and it remains one of my favorite facial oils I've tried to date. The very last step of my evening routine is to apply a generous amount of Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm to my lips and a nice blob of hand cream - my favorite is the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Fragrance-Free (I'm maybe on my third tube now...? Seriously, every time I try a new hand cream now, I just end up going straight back to the Neutrogena).

As you can see, my routine is a bit heavy on the TATCHA at the moment, and my sensitive and somewhat drier than usual skin is loving it - but man, it's going to be painful to repurchase these beautiful but pricey products. Stay on the lookout for my mask wardrobe post and the review of the TATCHA Overnight serum. What are your tried and true evening skincare routine workhorses?

Disclaimer: Products marked with an asterix (*) were press samples I received from the brands' PR for review consideration. I purchased all the other products myself. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured were purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading! 

My Current Morning Skincare Routine

I don't often talk routines on the blog; in fact, I can't remember the last time I shared my skincare regimen with you. However, I do think it's helpful to see how I mix and match between all the different products I review for you guys, and which ones I like enough to actually reach for on the daily.

Before we dive in, let's talk briefly about my skin: I have a sensitive combination skin type that's both acne- and dehydration-prone. My main concerns are keeping my skin clear, preventing and fighting hyperpigmentation from past breakouts and sun damage, as well as hydration and anti-aging. Hmm, is that too much to ask from a skincare routine? Maaybee. One important detail is that I'm currently 18 weeks along with our first baby, so everything I use has to be gentle and safe for pregnancy.

Now that we have this out of the way, here are the products I use every morning. I always start by cleansing my face with the NUDE Omega Cleansing Jelly (reviewed in detail here). I still like this product, but probably won't repurchase once my tube runs out - which will probably happen soon-ish - because I find the consistency just a tad too thick and difficult to spread around. I apply a dab of the jelly (cleansing balm, really) to a dry face and then remove with a warm, damp washcloth; I make sure to do several passes with the washcloth to really get everything off.

Next, I always always apply an acid toner; I'm currently rotating between the Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic (on my second bottle, review here) and the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner (click). I usually do the Pixi most days, and only reach for the Clarins about twice a week for a bit of a change. Both of these acid toners contain glycolic acid (AHA), but the Clarins has also a very low percentage of salicylic acid (BHA); some health practitioners discourage the use of salicylic acid in pregnancy, but my doctor (and other sources) thinks it's not a concern at 1% and below. If I had to choose one, I prefer the Pixi and think it's by far a better value for money, but I do enjoy my Clarins - it almost feels a bit more clarifying than the Pixi. I follow this chemical exfoliation step with a quick spritz of a hydrosol; I'm using the rock rose (Cistus) one at the moment.

I then apply a small dab of TATCHA Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Eye Serum* under both eyes, luxuriating in the cooling sensation from the porcelain applicator (I also mentioned this eye cream in my March Favorites post here), followed by a thin layer of InstaNatural Advanced Formula Vitamin C Serum* (review here) all over the face. I thought I wasn't seeing any further improvement from my Vitamin C products (I was using the Paula's Choice C20 Booster* before the Insta Natural one), but I was recently looking at my face shots from last year and my freckles and hyperpigmentation spots are without a doubt much lighter and less noticeable - so thumbs up for that.

Lastly, I seal all that hydration in with a good moisturizer; I either use the Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Moisturizer Cream for Normal and Sensitive Skin* (click!) on days I'm staying indoors and/or using make-up with SPF on top, or the Paula's Choice Hydralight Daily Mineral Complex SPF 30* (reviewed here). The Nuxe is by far more nourishing and moisturizing - I don't really think Paula's Hydralight sunscreen has enough moisturizing properties even for my combination skin, but paired with a good serum, it works - and helps to keep the T-zone oilies away for longer.

There you have it - that's wasn't too complicated and wordy, am I right? Well, we still have the evening routine to go through, which is a bit less straightforward; I never said I was low maintenance ;) What do you currently use in your morning skincare routine? Any products you just can't live without?

Disclaimer: Products marked with an asterix (*) were press samples I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. I purchased all the other products myself. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured were purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

Glorious Staples: Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Moisturizer* Review

With my combination, easily dehydrated skin, finding a good day time moisturizer can be a b*tch. Too rich of a formula and I'm an oil slick within a couple hours. Too matifying, and the dry areas on my face look wrinkly and cakey by the end of the day. Which is why I was so surprised to fall in love with Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Moisturizer Cream for Normal and Sensitive Skin* ($22 for 1 oz tube, also available in a 1.5 fl oz jar).

Nuxe's Crème Fraîche de Beauté claims to be a '24HR Soothing and Hydrating Moisturizer' and promises to leave skin 'fresh, soft and plumped'. And it does exactly that. There isn't really any advanced anti-aging or pigment-reducing technology involved in this moisturizer; it contains some tried and true moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and plant oils (macadamia, safflower, sunflower, soy and sweet almond) as well as plant extracts from aloe, orange blossom, oats and more.

It's a simple, no-frills moisturizer that just gets the job done. The texture of the Crème Fraîche is quite thick (definitely more cream than lotion) but it spreads and melts into the skin easily; I especially like to pat and press it into the skin. It doesn't completely disappear on the face like some more lightweight, gel formulas; there's still a fine moisturizing layer left over but I find it doesn't feel heavy or sticky and doesn't interfere with make-up application. This moisturizer leaves my skin soft and plump, and the effect lasts throughout the day and actually helps my foundation not break down on the more dehydrated areas around my face. The tube packaging is easy to use and sanitary, and I only need a small blob (the size of a pea) for my whole face.

One thing I'm not completely in love with when it comes to this moisturizer is the scent. It contains quite a strong floral fragrance (Nuxe says it's orange blossom) that lingers just a bit too long for my tastes. Not that there is anything wrong with orange blossom in itself; I just find it interesting that a product marketed for sensitive skin would contain so much fragrance. It doesn't irritate my skin though, so I guess I can't complain too much.

I would definitely recommend the Crème Fraîche de Beauté if you have normal/ combination skin type and are looking for just a good, basic moisturizer that could be used in the morning and evening, perhaps to layer with more active serums or other treatments. It's definitely one of the more moisturizing creams I've tried that still feel light on the skin and don't exacerbate my oil production. For other skin types, Nuxe also sells an 'enriched' version for dry and very dry skin, as well as a 'light mattifying' version for combination skin - this one also sounds promising for the hot and humid summer months.

As promised, I'm working on that skincare routine post for you guys - I'm thinking of breaking it down into two posts for the morning and evening routines (because I'm quite high maintenance in terms of number of products used). Stay tuned for those! Have you tried any skincare from Nuxe? I've been a huge fan of the Reve de Miel lip balm for years now but have never thought to check out the facial range - now I'm thinking there may be some gems hiding in there...

Disclaimer: Product featured in this post is a press sample I received from the brand's PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the product featured were purchased with my own money or provided free of charge. Thank you for reading!

Exfoliation for Dry & Sensitive Skin: Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel*

Have you heard about peeling gels? They're a very popular product on the Japanese and Korean markets, with cult favorites such as the Cure Natural Aqua Gel or the cheap as chips Skinfood Pineapple Morning Peeling Gel flying off the shelves. The US brands have already jumped on board with high-end options from Peter Thomas Roth and Boscia now available at Sephora.

Let me start this review by saying that I think most peeling gels are completely bogus. The idea is that you spread this gel on your dry face, massage it in, and you're left with clumps of dead skin that can then be washed off. As soon as I heard that claim I was about 98% sure that those 'dead skin clumps' were just the product balling up on itself. This has mostly been confirmed by Lab Muffin in this experiment - there may be some dead skin in those flakes you're seeing, but the whole concept is quite gimmicky.

However, when I was sent the Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Gel* ($22 for 120 ml/ 4 fl oz) for review, which is one of the most popular peeling gels on the market, I wasn't completely opposed to trying it out, especially that my skin has become too dehydrated and sensitive for my usual manual exfoliation methods - as much as I love TATCHA's Rice Enzyme Powder* (reviewed here), it can leave my face feeling quite dry and squeaky.

The Multiberry Peeling Gel claims to 'exfoliate dead skin cells and impurities with natural Konjac beads and chestnut extract'. The product also contains 'Sogurty™, a specialized fermented yogurt, [which] provides anti-inflammatory benefits', as well as an antioxidant berry complex. The texture of this product is a creamy gel with tiny little bits of something that looks like a cellulose sponge to me - I'm guessing those are the Konjac beads. There are no dreadful polyethylene (plastic) microbeads in this product.

I've tested this product on multiple occassions, on dry skin and slightly damp skin, on my face and my hands, and I do not think this is actually a peeling gel - it doesn't ball up and doesn't leave little gunky rolls on your face. To me, that's a plus - I've said already that the 'flakes' are just a gimmick - but the name of the product is a bit misleading if you were expecting a peeling gel in the Asian sense. Instead, the Laneige Peeling Gel remains creamy on the face, and exfoliates your face just with those tiny spongy bits - like a typical Western scrub would.

That being said, I actually quite like it. If you're expecting a heavy duty facial scrub, this is absolutely not for you. The Multiberry Yogurt gel is extremely gentle and thus not as effective at removing dry patches as a sugar scrub or a powder exfoliant like the TATCHA. It does however excel at softening dry skin and leaving your face smoother, hydrated and calm. My favorite way of using this product is actually as an occasional (2-3 times a week) morning cleanser: it doesn't strip my skin but gives at a somewhat deeper clean than my regular Andalou cream cleanser, and it washes away very easily - scrubs that are difficult to remove and leave scrubby bits all over my face and hair are one of my pet peeves. It also helps that it's a cheery baby pink color and smells very convincingly of strawberry yogurt. Yum.

I would recommend it to those with dry, dehydrated and/or sensitive skin looking for a very mild physical scrub or an exfoliating cream cleanser. I think you'd be disappointed if your skin is combo/oily and you were looking for something to help with clogged pores or pronounced flakiness - I'd suggest the Andalou Naturals Lemon Sugar Scrub or the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powders instead. Have you tried a peeling gel before? What are your favorite manual exfoliants?

Disclaimer: Items marked with an asterix (*) are press samples I received from the brands' PR for review consideration. All links are non-affiliate. All opinions are 100% honest and unbiased, no matter if the products featured were purchased with my own monies or provided as free press samples. Thank you for reading!

No Fuss Skincare Routine: Paula's Choice Hydralight Range Review*

This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Pretty In My Pocket. The products featured were provided free of charge by Paula's Choice for review consideration.

I was beyond excited when Pretty In My Pocket presented me with the opportunity to test out a custom skincare routine from Paula's Choice. Long-time readers of the blog will know that Paula's Choice is a brand that I trust when it comes to effective cruelty, fragrance and dye-free products suitable for sensitive skin and acne, which I've been struggling with most of my life. Paula's Choice also kindly offered me a personal email consultation with one of their skincare experts, but the great thing about their website is that this perk isn't just reserved for bloggers or VIPs - it's free and available for anyone who desires to find the best Paula's products to suit their skin's needs - just call 1-800-831-4088. Paula's Choice also offers 100% Money Back guarantee within 60 days if you're not completely satisfied with any of their products.

During my email exchange with Holly, their fabulous specialist, I was asked about my skin type (normal, dry, oily, combination/dry or combination/oily) and skin concerns (acne, dehydration, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, eczema etc.). I diagnosed myself as combination sensitive, and told Holly I've had problems with some acne spots and clogged pores as well as sun spots and post-acne hyperpigmentation. Taking my feedback into consideration, Holly chose for me the Hydralight Advanced Kit for Normal, Combination and Oily Sensitive Skin ($99 for 5 products), and added in another exfoliator to help with my pores, the RESIST Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA, as well as their C15 Super Booster to fight my hyperpigmentation. I promptly received all these products on October 20th (yes, exactly a month ago!), emptied my bathroom cabinet of all other skincare bits, and started following my custom routine as shown below. Here's are my thoughts:

1. Hydralight One Step Face Cleanser ($25 for 16 oz): The Hydralight Cleanser is a non-foaming gel geared towards sensitive as well as combination and oily skin types. The two main ingredients are moisturizing glycerin and sodium laureth sulfate, a cleansing agent, as well as repairing niacinamide, soothing allantoin and hydrating sodium hyaluronate. I used this cleanser by applying it onto a damp face, massaging it around in circular motions, and rinsing off or removing with a warm washcloth. Mind you, I did not use it to remove heavy make-up - I always use a separate cleansing oil for that - but I tried it on light make-up one day (just concealer and blush) and it got it off without any trouble. I found the gel texture the most similar to Dermalogica Ultracalming cleanser, if you've ever tried that; but basically, it does feel a little bit like washing your face with just glycerin, which I quite like :)

According to Beautypedia, the second ingredient in this cleanser, sodium laureth sulfate, is a gentle detergent that's suitable even for the most sensitive skins, while sodium lauryl sulfate is the extra harsh, irritating ingtedient we should aim to avoid in our skincare (read more about sulfates on Beautypedia here). I can't verify that - but in the past three years, I've taken to avoiding both ingredients, as well as any foaming face washes just to be on the safe side and try to protect my skin's acid mantle as much as I can. So I'm not entirely sure if I've now become allergic to sodium laureth sulfate or if it was something else in this cleanser, but unfortunately, during the three weeks I've used it day and night, my skin freaked out. It became dry, tight and red, and I developed a lot (and I mean a lot) of clogged pores on my forehead. In the last week of testing the Hydralight routine, I replaced the One Step Cleanser with the Andalou Apricot Probiotic Cleansing Cream, and I've now pretty much got the situation under control. So unfortunately, while I quite enjoyed the Paula's Choice Cleanser to begin with, it turned out not to work for my skin - but your experience may of course vary.

2. Hydralight Toner ($20 for 6.4 oz): The Hydralight Toner is a lightweight liquid meant to normalize combination skin and calm down redness. It contains a lot of botanical antioxidants like green tea extract and grape seed extract, as well as willow herb and allantoin to soothe and sodium hyaluronate and glycerin to hydrate. I've found it to be a very nice refreshing toner, and it became especially important in my routine after the misshap with the cleanser; it made my skin feel a lot more comfortable and soft right away. If I could change one thing about it though, I would repackage it into a spray bottle (well, I actually did that for my own use by decanting a little bit into a travel spray bottle); but that's my preference for all hydrating toners as I dislike rubbing my face with too many cotton pads. I do very much enjoy this toner and will continue to use it in my every day routine.

3. Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion ($28 for 2 oz): The Hydralight Lotion is a light moisturizer meant to soothe sensitive and combination & oily skin, and it's suitable for use around the eyes. The ingredients include emollients such as caprylic/ capric triglycerine, squalane and glycerin, soothing oat kernel extract and a whole skew of antixodiants such as Vitamin E & C as well as superoxide dismutase. I'm always slightly skeptical when trying out new moisturizers as most of them leave me very greasy, but I was pleasantly surprised after using the Hydralight Lotion - it absorbs very quickly and leaves no shine behind, just plump, moisturized, happy skin. Even though I was advised to use this mostly at night, when my skin was feeling particularly dry I would sneak this into my morning routine as well, as I found the Lotion to be more moisturizing and soothing on my skin than the Mineral Complex; it almost has a cooling effect when you massage it into your skin. I give it two thumbs up!

4. Hydralight Shine-Free Daily Mineral Complex SPF 30 ($28 for 2 oz): The Hydralight Mineral Complex is a moisturizing mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide 6%, titanium dioxide 2.32 %) for the daytime, enriched with anti-irritants such as licorice root extract and allantoin. It's a white lotion with a siliconey texture that should be familiar to all physical sunscreen users; mind you, the Mineral Complex is thicker than Japanese/ Korean- inspired liquid sunscreens in shake-up bottles and more like your traditional 'Western' sunscreen. I was very impressed with the blendability of this sunscreen and the matte finish it left on the skin, which lasted through most of the day even on my very oily nose. I do find that it leaves a bit of a white cast especially when you first apply it, like most mineral sunscreens tend to do, but on my fair skin it wasn't very noticeable and didn't interfere with my make-up. Compared to the Paula's Choice RESIST sunscreen I've been using this summer, I think the Hydralight Mineral Complex is marginally heavier in texture, but I'd say I like them both about the same, and find them very effective in terms of UV protection.

5. Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion ($26 for 3.3 oz): My Paula's Choice consultant advised me to use the BHA Lotion in the mornings, or alternating it with the RESIST 5% AHA, discussed below. In the past, I've tried both the BHA Gel and the BHA Liquid in the 2% strength. The 1% BHA Lotion is aimed at more sensitive skin, hence its inclusion in the Hydralight Kit, and claims to unclog pores and mild bumps for normal and slightly dry skin types. I was a bit hesitant to try it as my skin certainly isn't dry, but I found the Lotion to be very lightweight and fast absorbing - on me, it's actually significantly lighter in feel than the viscous BHA Liquid. The Lotion helps to keep my pores clear and even out my skintone, but at the moment, I need to pair it with a slightly heavier moisturizer to help with seasonal dryness.

6. RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA ($32 for 1.7 oz): Compared to the 1% BHA Lotion, the RESIST AHA Treatment is a significantly higher price point, but that's because it contains more anti-aging ingredients such as peptides, curcuminoids (antixoidants derived from turmeric) and ceramides. It's recommended for dry skin types, and I did find it to be more comfortable and nourishing on my skin than the 1% BHA Lotion. The Daily Smoothing Treatment is a pale yellow lotion with a silky texture that absorbs nicely into the skin. On the days I had more irritation/ active spots on my forehead, I experienced a little bit of stinging upon application, but that would go away quickly and I haven't noticed any extra redness in my skin because of that. In terms of effectiveness on my face, I think the AHA Treatment and the BHA Lotion were pretty close, but I do marginally prefer the Treatment for now - I'd have to test them both more extensively for a longer period of time to really compare the results though. All in all, I'm quite impressed with the unclogging, brightening and plumping effects of the Daily Smoothing Treatment, and I will continue to reach for it in my everyday routine.

7. RESIST C15 Super Booster ($48 for 0.67 oz): All of the Paula's Choice RESIST Super Boosters are packaged in little glass bottles with a dropper and are meant to be used as add-ons to your regular routine to target specific concerns: the Hyaluronic Acid Booster for dehydration, the Renewal Oil for moisture, the new Retinol one to firm and prevent fine lines, and lastly my C15 to fight hyperpigmentation and dark spots as well as brighten the skin. You can either use them alone, like a serum, or mix them into your moisturizer or lotion. The C15 Super Booster contains 15% of ascorbic acid (according to Beautypedia, the most effective but difficult to stabilize form of Vitamin C) as well as Vitamin E, ferulic acid and octapeptide.

The texture of this product is very liquidy and feels almost like an extremely lightweight oil that sinks into my skin immediately with no residue whatsoever. A lot of Paula's Choice fans have commented on the strange smell of this product, and while I have to agree it's not very pleasant as you're applying it (to me, it smells a bit like mayo?), the scent doesn't linger and doesn't really bother me in the least. If you've been a regular reader of my blog for a while, you know that I really enjoy having a Vitamin C serum in my routine and have tried a lot of different ones in the past. I have to say that the Paula's Choice C15 is definitely in my top three; after four weeks of using it every night, I have noticed an improvement in my freckles/ sun spots, and my post-acne hyperpigmentation marks fade significantly faster. It may seem like the C15 Booster is very expensive for the small amount you're getting in the bottle, but ascorbic acid products need to be used quickly after opening (the C15 Booster has a three month shelf life, according to the packaging), otherwise they start to oxidize and may actually do more harm than good to your skin - so I decided to go ahead and also use the Booster on my hands and chest, which always get the most sun damage. I really like this Booster and would consider repurchasing next time I'm in the market for a Vitamin C product.

Whew, that was a lot of information, wasn't it? I'm sorry if you found this a little wordy, but I like to give you pros and cons about each product I'm reviewing so that it's more helpful when you're making the decision to purchase (or not). As far as my overall thoughts after following this routine exclusively for four weeks, I'm very happy that I got to try these products, because I feel that they taught me more about my own skin. What I specifically mean is that I didn't realize my skin was so prone to dehydration and dryness; I previously thought my skin was more combination/oily, but right now I would say that it's probably leaning more combination/dry. Due to the dryness I've been experiencing by following the Hydralight routine to a T, I broke down after three weeks and reintroduced a very basic hydrating serum (Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion) to layer under my moisturizer - and I even think I could amp up the nourishment a little bit more from there by adding in a facial oil at night. By switching out my cleanser and adding in an extra hydrator, my face is already feeling a lot more comfortable, and the bumps on my forehead have started to go away.

So while not all of the products I was recommended worked out for me, I did very much enjoy clearing out my medicine cabinet of all the extraneous bottles to follow this simplified, no fuss routine for a month. I will continue to use all of these products with the exception of the One Step Cleanser, and while I currently have products from other lines to supplement what I lacked in my Paula's Choice regime, I absolutely think I could customize the Hydralight routine further with other Paula's Choice products such as the RESIST Hydrating Cleanser,  Hyaluronic Acid or Renewal Oil Boosters. Paula's Choice continues to be one of my favorite affordable skincare lines, and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to road test more of their products. Have you ever followed a skincare routine with products from just one brand? What are your favorite Paula's Choice products? If you've been thinking about placing a PC order, don't forget to use my code PRIMPFALL20 for 20% off your purchase and free shipping - and get on that discount now, the code expires Dec 31st 2015!

PS. You can read even more reviews on Paula's Choice as well as hundreds more brands on the Pretty In My Pocket app, which you can download here: http://www.prettyinmypocket.com/download

Snail Flail? Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream Review

Are we still feeling scandalized by snail secretions in our skincare? I've actually never been very squeamish about it, but either way, late last year (sic!) I decided to purchase this Snail Recovery Gel Cream ($6-10 for 45ml from Amazon or eBay) from Mizon, a Korean brand famous for its snail extract products. I'd had some good luck with snail sheet masks in the past and was looking for an inexpensive hydration booster to add to my routine, and this seemed to fit the bill.

The Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream is actually a difficult product to categorize. It's a multipurpose product containing 74% Snail Secretion Filtrate that can be used as a serum, after sun, sleeping mask, soothing salve for irritated/ blemished skin. It's definitely not a moisturizer; this light, clear gel sinks into the skin almost immediately and doesn't provide much nourishment like a standard Western cream does. If you wanted to incorporate it into your skincare routine, I would use it either instead or together with a serum/ essence, and follow with a moisturizer. Apart from the snail extract, it also contains hyaluronic acid, soothing plant extracts like gotu kola, green tea, lotus and white birch, as well as peptides, allantoin, panthenol and adenosine towards the very end of the ingredients' list.

I've been using the Snail Recovery Gel Cream on and off for months now, and here's what I found. Yes, I do think this airy, fragrance-free gel provides a soothing boost of hydration to the skin - I especially like to use it when my skin is acting up for one reason or another (seasonal dehydration, breakouts, redness and sensitivity, dryness resulting from treatments containing salicylic acid/ retinols), and I either leave it on the skin for the entire day/ night, or rinse off after 20 minutes to an hour. It sinks in very fast and doesn't leave a sticky residue, so even my skincare-hating husband wouldn't mind using it on his face :) I would liken it to an aloe vera gel in terms of its versatility and results, but on my skin, it's even more effective. It would also be a terrific option for anyone who's allergic to aloe vera, which is actually more common that you would think.

All in all, I think it's a handy little product to have in your medicine cabinet, but I don't think it's a miracle worker. I do own other products that are more effective in their respective categories; for example, Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (click!) is a better hydrating overnight mask, or the Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Gokujuyn Lotion (click!) is a better hydrating serum/essence than this Snail Gel. However, if you were on a limited budget, wanted to streamline your routine, or looking for a single multipurpose product to pack for travel, the Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream is a great option. Have you tried any products with snail filtrate? What is your favorite 'do it all' skincare product?

Revisited: Paula's Choice CLEAR Extra-Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution

It wasn't that long ago that I reviewed one of the cult products in the Paula's Choice range, the Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid - and while I thought it was a decent acid toner, I wasn't blown away. However, when I recently won MegsMakeup8's generous Paula's Choice giveaway on Instagram, I decided to try another liquid exfoliant from Paula's range: the CLEAR Extra Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution with 2% Salicylic Acid ($28 for 4 oz/ 118 ml).

I've said in the title that it's a revisited product because honestly, I don't know how the CLEAR Exfoliating Solution differs from the BHA Liquid. The salicylic content is exactly the same, the ingredients are the same, the texture is the same, so it's a bit confusing why Paula would have two exact same formulations marketed as two distinct products - please let me know if I'm wrong on this, but for now my understanding is that the two products are one and the same.

The CLEAR line, aimed at acne-prone skin, is all packaged in pretty blue bottles, and the Exfoliating Solutions come in two strengths, 1% and 2% salicylic acid (BHA). As you know, I'm a long-time hydroxy acid user, so I chose the Extra-Strength, hoping to get a more noticeable result. I've been using the Solution for the past two weeks, having replaced my usual First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads with it at night time.

The Extra-Strength Solution is a clear, fragrance-free liquid I use in the acid tone step of my evening skincare routine. Even though it's a transparent liquid, it does not feel like water on the skin - it's a bit thicker than water and has a bit of slip to it, leaving a somewhat oily film on the face, which is why I reserve it for use at night. In the past, I quite disliked the texture and feel of this product on my face, but since my skin has gotten a bit drier this past year, I actually don't mind it as much anymore. Now it feels like the liquid is a bit more nourishing, and maybe the ingredients that provide that slip in this formula also help to cushion the skin against the possible dryness from the salicylic acid.

In terms of results, I can already see a bit of an improvement in my skin after switching from the FAB pads (and don't get me wrong, I still love that product! Simply taking a bit of a break). Most of the bumpy texture I've had on my forehead for the past month has disappeared already, my pores are overall clearer, and my whole face looks a lot more even in tone. I've also haven't had any significant breakouts in those two weeks, and the two tiny whiteheads I got where gone within a couple days without leaving any marks. I'm quite impressed! Another interesting thing about the CLEAR Solution is that somehow it still manages to pick up dirt from my face even after double cleansing with oils and balms; I think the oilier texture dissolves the last traces better than a regular toner, or maybe the product is already pulling some gunk from the pores.

I'm quite happy that I gave this product another chance - I don't know if it's something I have to have on hand at all times, but I think it's a nice one to rotate in and out of my routine once in a while. It just goes to show how our impressions of products change according to the condition of our skin. In that same order, I also got the RESIST Exfoliant, which I believe Claire has told me doesn't have that slippy texture, so it'd be an interesting one to compare - stay tuned for the review! As for this CLEAR one, I would especially recommend it if you're struggling with uneven texture, but your skin is more on the normal to slightly combination side, and prone to dehydration. For oilier-skinned folks, I don't think the slightly oily residue of the Exfoliating Solution would feel very pleasant. Have you tried any of the Paula's Choice AHA or BHA exfoliants? Which one is your favorite?