Little Magazine 27
Winter Skincare Haul— 12 Products
Where to start?
I did a light deep-dive online recently, particularly at Yesstyle.com to take a looksy into current popular skincare products. Winter is here and I wanted to put some new products on my shelf. The products are a little mix of K-Beauty products with a few Japanese and American products in there. They were chosen for their friendly price-points, efficacy and universality (most people can use them).
This is a list of twelve products that I’ve settled on and will be trying them out this week and giving you my two cents in next week’s article for review! It won’t be a comprehensive review, obviously, because it’s a long list of products to try in such a short time, but I’ll be able to give you an introductory guidance on the tactile experiences of each product.
1. Rohto Mentholatum - Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion 170ml - Light
2. THE FACE SHOP - Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil
3. SOME BY MI - AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml
4. Dear, Klairs - Supple Preparation Facial Toner - 2 Types- Type with Essential Oils
5. Heimish - All Clean Balm 120ml
6. COSRX - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
7. Beauty of Joseon - Glow Serum
8. Beauty of Joseon - Dynasty Cream
9. COSRX - Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
10. Rohto Mentholatum - Melano CC Vitamin C Essence
Toner isn’t exactly what it used to be.
It used to be used to: remove stubborn soap residue and restore skin’s Ph levels from the harsh discrepancy between basic soap’s Ph and our skin’s natural (more acidic) barrier. This isn’t really needed anymore since skincare’s kind of caught up. Speaking generally, here—special skincare conditions not considered. So when you hear “lotion” in the K-beauty world, it’s more an adaption on the new skincare regimen. Proper cleanse considered (which shouldn’t disturb the pH all too much), it’s less a “toner” and more of a “pre-moisturizer” and more of a post-wash step. It’s an in-betweener. A skin conditioner, if you will. A restorative step post-cleanse and a primer step pre-hydration.
1. Rohto Mentholatum - Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion 170ml - Light
2. THE FACE SHOP - Rice Water Bright Light Cleansing Oil
I like K-beauty Oils because they’re light, almost watery, yet they break down waterproof makeup effectively and rinse off easily. Follow-up with a second cleanser! (A “soapy” product to remove excess oil.)
3. SOME BY MI - AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml
I like the idea of a “toner” that does more. Hopeful for this. Stay tuned next week! I like to use mine with a cotton pad—well-saturated, it double-duties as a gentle exfoliant (it removes yet more dirt than it would otherwise if you just splashed it on with your hands), even with a gentle wipe.
4. Dear, Klairs - Supple Preparation Facial Toner - 2 Types- Type with Essential Oils
Again. A new gen of multi-tasking toners. I wanted to compare two side-by-side. I’m curious but not overly excited. An effective toner will “awaken” the skin to absorbing subsequent products effectively, but inevitably they all seem to plateau. Thus—my skincare ADD, but! …we shall see. I’m cautiously optimistic.
5. Heimish - All Clean Balm 120ml
Sometimes a good ol’ thick cleansing balm is nice on the skin during winter.
6. COSRX - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Give me all the snail. Sounds gross, but the skin loves it. It’s the little extra bit o’ love that the skin needs in the winter. Like honey for the skin.
7. Beauty of Joseon - Glow Serum
Not gonna lie. The packaging and the effective marketing allusion to the poetic history of “Joseun” (blame it on the K-drama visuals) got me. Visions of milky skin on my elite royal ancestors drew visions that I, too, might be able to achieve radiant, transcendent skin… by using these two products. Lol.
8. Beauty of Joseon - Dynasty Cream
…we. Shall. See!
9. COSRX - Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
I’m skeptical of overnight masks. I tend to expect too much from them. They’re gussied up moisturizing masks, which is still good and needed. We’ll see if good ol’ Cosrx delivers!
10. Rohto Mentholatum - Melano CC Vitamin C Essence
Surprisingly high ratings for a Vitamin C product. I’ll give you my thoughts after one week’s worth of using it. A must in post-20’s medicine cabinets.
11. MACQUEEN - Waterproof Pen Eyeliner (2 Colors)
Wow. Blown away already. You can see in the video that I couldn’t wait to try this guy. The ONLY brush-tip waterproof eyeliner that I’ve seen (and I’ve seen a LOT in my life) that has the staying power of a bottled eyeliner. Thoroughly, thoroughly impressed. We shall see how it lasts on the oily eye area.
12. Dermalogica Hydro Masque Exfoliant
This guy snuck into the mix because I was hovering around Sephora when I picked the brains of the workers there (as I do), and the sweet lady eventually admitted that this is her personal favorite of the season. It simultaneously exfoliates and hydrates. Science. Good stuff. Theses are the two things that we need more of in the winter—to brighten and replenish. Yes, please.
Take a look at my quick Haul unboxing video if you want to see the packaging IRL here on my instagram page.
We’ll be in a different state of mind in one week as elections wrap up. Let’s remember to be prayerful for our nation’s future! With positivity and kindness, see you next Tuesday, friends! -Renee :)