Product Review: Konjac facial sponge

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Update and Product Review!

I've been using this Konjac facial sponge for a month now and have finally started to see some pink mildew/mold thing spread along the surface of my sponge.  Time to toss.  *sadness!*

I can't read Chinese or Japanese so my mom kindly did the translating.  Anyways, this Konjac facial sponge is used for the purposes of buffing the skin and adding luster, depositing nutritional benefits that help moisturize your skin, and cleansing your pores.

From the first time I used it to last night, I've noticed a remarkable difference in my skin.  My pores look smaller from the reduction in blackheads and my skin looks a little more glowy than before.  This sponge can be used with or without soap, either way it glides on your skin, and is great to use for a facial massage and exfoliation.

There are a lot of health benefits to eating and using konjac, which you can read about here.  I'm not affiliated with the website, by the way.  I just wanted to share this very informative website.

Konjac has a lot of vitamins so it's good to know that you are depositing the vitamins directly into your skin when you use the sponge.  I personally can't feel or tell the difference between having vitamins absorbed into my skin or not, but I can definitely see a healthier looking glow at the high points of my face more so now than 1.5 months ago.

I would definitely recommend everyone to try it.  It's a natural product so it's going to do good for your skin.  I should ask my mom if she can send me a whole boxful of Konjac facial sponge.  ^_^

Original post is below.

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September 26, 2011

Hi all! I'm getting ready to head back to the States and thought I'd first share this new find. It's a facial sponge made of 100% konjac. It gently exfoliates your skin as you massage your face and neck with it. You can use it with or without facial cleanser. I will do a more in-depth review later.
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Side notes: My skin always seems greasier and more easily oilier whenever I come back to Taiwan. Attempting mascara, even with the aid of primer, has been an exercise in futility.
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I just realized that my skincare routine gets severely interrupted when I travel. I don't have a "similar" routine for travel. Oh nonono! I have a completely different routine stripped of any frills!
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Hope you all have a great week! More posts to come!

Product Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

 

The first time that I tried this product was back in 2002!  Can you believe it's been that long?  This is one of those products I keep coming back to time and time again just because it satisfies nearly all my skincare needs.  I'd say this is one of my VIPs (very important products).  Hahaha!

Hydration for a full 24 hours

I have a day and night routine so I can't put this claim to the test all that much.  This gel moisturizer is one of the best moisture delivery systems I've used to date that doesn't leave my face feeling greasy or sticky afterwards.

Fine lines, flakiness and tightness are washed away

Yes, yes, and yes!  This product is simply amazing for the summer because it provides the right type of hydration for my skin that does plump up and minimize my fine lines.  The gel moisturizes but also provides some sort of barrier between my skin and the outside air.  The best part is that it takes 2 minutes to absorb into my skin, leaving it smooth and soft to the touch.  In the winter, however, my skin demands a little more than gel can provide.

Supple, firm, vibrant well-being

Huh?  Well, I guess my skin can feel supple after applying the Moisture Surge gel.  I have a feeling that this particular claim is a bunch of words thrown together that sound nice.  This gel isn't an anti-aging or firming product, so this claim here is based on your current skin condition.  

Even through shifts in humidity

Oh, YES!  It works in dry California in the summer, and it worked in humid Taiwan and Thailand, too.  It kept my face feeling as fresh as it could until my excited sebaceous glands took over.  

Other

I'm not sure how anyone could "tap" this product over makeup during the mid-day.  Personally, I'm confused because my makeup at mid-day is slipping around from my oils.  So, to tap this on during the day....?  Wouldn't my makeup just smear all over?

I use this when I have breakouts because it feels so light on my skin and doesn't aggravate or add any new pimples to the mix.

Verdict

Seeing as how this is my 9th year with this product, do I need to say it?  LOL!  Okay, yes, I would definitely repurchase this and I'd definitely recommend this product to people.

Clinique Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser

 

An impressions post.

I got the travel sized version with my Sasa purchase back in August.  Even if I didn't leave it behind in Taiwan, this travel sized tube wouldn't have lasted 4 weeks, so I'm not going to make this a product review post.  This will be my impressions post.  

For those who wonder at my stodgy adherence to "product review" vs. "impressions", it is this: product reviews are reserved for products I've used 4 weeks or more, whereas impressions are reserved for products that I use less than 4 weeks.

Moving on!  Below is a snapshot from the Clinique website with the product and how to use info.

Removes long wearing makeup and sunscreen

I personally did not find it very effective, even though I washed my face twice with the product.  You can see the results below. 

No flash

Leaves skin feeling moist, clean, and fresh

Yes and no.  I firmly believe that your skin adapts to its environment over time.  I used this this cleanser in both California and Taiwan/Thailand with different results.  In California, my skin did feel moist, and fresh.  Clean?  Maybe not so much as there was always some residue left on my cotton ball.

In Asia, this cleanser didn't have much makeup to clean off (because I sweated my makeup off!), so it did clean very well, I thought.  However, due to the humidity, I didn't really appreciate the moist feeling on my skin after cleansing, so I didn't feel so fresh.  As I described in another post, after washing my face with this in Asia, my skin would feel sticky, like how it feels in the middle of the day with a layer of makeup and oil. 

Disclaimer!

1. I was in Asia only 10 days, so not enough time for my skin to adapt to the climate there.
2. I know there are specific products to remove makeup before cleansing, but I like to consolidate my steps and counter space and use as little products as possible.  Hence, my VIP and point of comparison cleanser is the Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash.
3. This cleanser (how it feels on your skin and after you rinse it off) reminds me of the Mentholatum Acnes cleanser that I like so much.

Verdict

Granted, it has a luxurious feel to it and a little goes a long way AND I like Clinique.  However, for its efficacy and the $20 price tag, I will pass.

Thailand Travels: Beauty Edition

After all the traveling I did in 2010 I like to think that I've mastered the art of traveling light.  It could also be considered the art of subsistence living, beauty-wise.

The above picture details what I brought with me on my Taiwan/Thailand trip minus the makeup brushes and 1 Clinique foaming cream cleanser and my Missha bb cream.  That Clinique cleanser got accidentally left behind in Taiwan.  It's okay.  I wasn't too impressed with the cleanser because it made my face feel sticky (like how it feels when you touch your semi-oily face in the middle of the day) after washing.  I know it didn't strip the oils from my face, which I would have appreciated in the winter, but for Taiwan and Thailand?  Capitals of HOT and HUMID?  It just wasn't working out.  I didn't even use it all that much.  I just did the wash cloth in hot water and wiped.  :-P

So, in a nutshell, the makeup ended up in one of my UNII palettes which was awesome because I could touchup on the train, plane, and bus without having to bring my entire bathroom sink counter.  The skincare items were tried and true products and perfect for the hot and humid climates.  I used the Clinique moisture surge line for eye gel and moisturizer.  I also used a Clinique eye cream with SPF for day time, and the Aveeno sun block (packed into my contact lens case).  I should have put some of that Aveeno on my feet because I have a funny ballet shoe tan.  =_=

I forgot to get my Missha bb cream out (it's the same one in my Swatchfest for face post) but I ended up using it half the time.  Seriously, the weather in Thailand and Taiwan was just anti-makeup.  Everything melted off my face by breakfast time.  But it's okay.  I had fun with my family and I think that more than makes up for the inconvenience of a couple of visible acne scars.  Haha!

I've dedicated a page to my Thailand Vacation, which you can get to through the pages tab above or by clicking this entire sentence.  ^_-

Thanks for reading!  ^_^

China Airlines Beauty Collection

 

Here is my China Airlines beauty collection!  Let me just say that I am a loyal China Airlines flyer.  Yes.  I'm aware of their history, but what can I say?  I've always flown China Airlines when traveling to and through Asia.  :-)  Also, it doesn't hurt that China Airlines has a really good catalog of in-flight, duty free products.

I bought a couple of luxurious goods.  This isn't going to be a review post because I haven't opened any except one, and the one I opened I haven't used that long.

Now......   BEHOLD!!!!!!!

 

 

 

I guess packaging makes all the difference.  They're both 30ml.

 

This is the palette I always wanted because it has everything!  I'm wondering if I shouldn't host a blog giveaway with this as the main prize...?

  

Ahaha!  I love going back to Taiwan to visit my family.  I can't wait until Mr. P can come with me.  ^_^  Look at the cute paper cup we used in Taiwan.  It's so smart because it's 1-2 time use, is really thin and easy to recycle or decompose, and you can fit so many more cups in the cup dispenser than you can with the structured cups we see here in America.

Cute paper cups from the water fountain and Kaohsiung Int'l Airport.

Whoa!  What a grip!

My brother filled my water cup / pouch thingy for me.

Soooo.... yeah.  I'm still wondering if I should host a blog giveaway for the Lancome travel palette.  It's really one of the most perfect palettes I've ever seen because it has everything!  The product detail says it has:

• 1 mini lip contour pencil in Rose The
• 1 mini black khol pencil
• 1 powder blusher in Rose Sable 02
• 1 compact powder in Translucide 01
• 1 concealer in Beige Clair 02
• 3 ombre absolue powder eye shadows in White Duo G01, Dark Purple Quad A10, and Mono A10
• 2 color focus powder eye shadows in Mauve Quad N4 and Gris Acier
• 1 color design powder eye shadow in #501
• 1 color fever shine in #306
• 1 color fever in #312
• 1 l'absolue rouge in #354
• 1 free mini virtuose black mascara

I should have bought 2 so I can try one for myself.  Ahhhh, well.  This is how the cookie crumbles I guess.  I'm still deciding if I want to do this giveaway, but I'm down to hear your thoughts.  Feel free to leave me a comment with your thoughts and suggestions.  Of course, it doesn't hurt to follow me, either.  *wink, wink!*

Thanks for reading and I promise to do a review on the Lancome Blanc Expert a little later.

Durango's Restaurant: Authentic Mexican Food

Outside the restaurant.  It's modest exterior hides a bold interior.  haha

Easy access information right here.  :-)

Chips and 2 types of salsa.  I think one is Pico de Gallo salsa and the other is a chipotle mole type salsa.

My carne asada quesadilla!!!

Mr. P's asada enchilada plate.  Look at that enchilada sauce!  Mr. P inhaled his food so fast!

This weekend Mr. P and I stopped by this Mexican restaurant on our way to visit friends in Murrieta.  I've been craving some Mexican food out here in Rowland Hts., but wanted good quality Mexican food like the food at El Atacor Taqueria up in Los Angeles.  I am so glad we stopped here. 

Welcome, Durango's Restaurant!

Really, the food is well seasoned and flavored.  What I like from my dish is that this is GOOD Mexican food.  It's not overly greasy like Mexican fastfood, and they used real beef steak for the meat, not the ground up meats. 

Also, I really liked the variety of meats and preparation styles for each food type that was on their menu.  I like to think it's a sign of their authenticy, like they wanted to show you what real Mexico was like beyond the usual chicken, pork, and beef.

We also had a really good waiter.  Yeahhh.... we did wait a little long for the food, but it was soooo worth it.  Our waiter was also really nice and gave us extra chips and salsa and refilled our drinks when he came to check up on us and keep us posted on our food.

If you're in the La Puente, see if you can stop by. 

Battle Mascara 4: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Mascara vs. All Others

Hi All!  So, let me first preface this by the following:  Results depend on environment as much as they depend on your own genetic chemistry. :-)

Okay on to Battle Mascara 4! 

CG Exact Eyelights Mascara (I used waterproof)

This mascara has sparkles in it.  When it dries turns crunchy, which maybe dries out my lashes

 So, my score card shows CG Exact Eyelights is a great mascara.  It lasts the whole day and doesn't make me look scary by the end of it...in America.  I took this with me to Taiwan and Thailand.  I just gave up using it in Asia because the heat and humidity, mixed with my oils and sweat, broke it down fast.

I like that this mascara has sparkles in it.  Granted, I don't think people can really see them on my lashes, but I can and that's what matters. ;-)

I used two types (non-oily and oily) eye makeup removers to take this off because this is strong enough to stand up to the Johnson's Head to Toe Baby Wash that I use for my face.  Let me just conclude that you need the oily type to remove this mascara.

Here are a couple shots of my eyelashes with the CG Exact Eyelights wp mascara.  You can see the sparkles in some of them.  I really love they way it holds the curl!!  And side note: my left lashes are longer than my right lashes, it's not the mascara's fault!  haha.
 

Thanks for reading and have a great week!