Pale Products and More

I've only recently started branching out and trying new sunscreens because before I figured if it ain't broke don't fix it or whatever, but lately I've been switching it up and I'm really enjoying trying new ones! Most recently I ordered the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF 50+ PA++++ to try out.

This is the first "milk" type sunscreen I have tried so I was excited! Japanese and Korean sunscreens are already pretty thin in consistency compared to their Western counterparts, but milky type versions are even thinner. This product is supposed to be shaken before use, and it comes out of a little tip to ensure you don't get too much out at once.


It has a  smell and a very thin milky consistency that runs immediately. I feel like with a thinner product like this I wanted to apply more than I normally do. I apply it in little blobs all over my face first, then dab it in with a puff. The following pic was the first layer, I did about one and a half more.


 It sinks in really easily and immediately after application it gives a very natural satin look with a glow on the high points of my face (vs the Can Make which gives a very glowy look to the point of emphasizing my pores). I really loved the finish right after application, it looked super natural and healthy.


After 30 minutes it still has a very nice natural look that is still satin, but maybe it has less glow at this point? Again, super natural looking. It wears so well under makeup, I haven't experienced any pilling. The slight glow does seem to come through under foundation, in a super natural, "lit from within" look.


This might be in my head but I feel like I get better protection from this vs Can Make, but it could be due to applying more of this product since its such a light consistency. I can add several layers of this product with no issue of it sinking completely into my skin.

I go through a bottle about a month and a half to two months depending on if I'm solely using this or rotating it with others.

Overall this has replaced Can Make Mermaid as my favorite every day sunscreen! I've already repurchased it (twice!), and definitely will in continue to do so. Applies easily, completely sinks into skin, leaves a beautiful, not overly glowy finish, and is relatively cheap. Can't ask for more.

So...Glossier. I'm a little late to the party, this I know. Its soo hard for me to buy makeup from a website that isn't Sephora or Ulta for some reason, so I just never got around to actually getting anything from Glossier. Spoiler? I regret that so much. But alas I finally gave in to my own laziness and made the purchase.

This retails for $16 (or slightly cheaper when you buy it in a duo with Haloscope, as I did). It comes in clear, blonde, brown, and black. It is supposed to fill and shape brows while keeping the hairs soft and appearing thicker. I opted for the shade black (I know I know) because I wanted one with color, but knew the other two would be too warm toned for me. The shade actually works really well and doesn't look too shockingly dark.


Now this product has been hyped so damn much I thought there's no way its that great. I've used the Essence Make Me Brow for awhile and liked it, but I could only use it along with my brow pencil because I have really thin tails and virtually no arch. Having to use a gel in conjunction with a pencil defeated the simplistic idea of a gel to me, and I thought this one would be the same...but I was wrong!

glossier boy brow in black

left: essence make me brows in browny brown top: glossier boy brow in black bottom: etude drawing brow in gray

I applied this after penciling in my brows the first time and it did make them appear thicker, but I wasn't really sold until I used it alone. Here's my (very sad) brows with nothing on it, notice the super thin tail and lack of arch, and overall lack of shape. Sorry the right brow is out of focus but you get the idea.



I applied Boy Brow all over and this was the result. I liked that the product seemed to really only grab the hairs and not smudge all over the skin underneath, but I still don't have an arch and will need to pencil one in if I left it at this. This is about how my brows look if I only use the Essence gel, so I wasn't too impressed yet.



Then I applied it multiple times over the tail area, really working it in, kind of intentionally getting product on the baby hairs and skin. I somehow faked an arch using only the wand and not going in with a brush or pencil????




And here's a picture after using it for a couple weeks and really getting the hang of it. Sorry that its a selfie but I think you can still see how nicely shaped they are etc etc.


Especially because I've been going for a more natural look lately, this is a game changer. Sometimes my pencil brows look a little too "done" for the rest of my makeup, or they look off when I'm wearing no other makeup, so Boy Brow being able to give me these super light and natural brows? I'm amazed. I love it. I'm a believer. This is seriously the best eye brow gel, end of story.

As my lust for cream products continues I decided I wanted to try out more cream bronzers than the ones I already have (RMS Beauty Burti Bronzer, review here, and Nudestix All Over Face Color Matte in Bondi Bae, review here) I do love both products, I just wanted to try something else out, and that just so happened to be the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer. I had my eye on it for awhile but I believe Sam Ravndahl on Youtube finally convinced me.

It retails for $24 for 1 oz. of product, comparing to the other cream bronzers mentioned above; RMS is $28 .20 oz., and Nudestix is $30 for .25 oz., so you're definitely getting your money's worth with Milk which I appreciate. It is said to be a creamy matte that gives an immediate hydrated warmth.



The color baked is described as a "neutral bronze". I think this does pull relatively neutral, maybe slightly yellow (compared to Nudestix which pulls orange and RMS which pulls more red toned). I find that its easier for me to work with a yellowy or reddish brzoner over and orange one, as over application can easily be fixed with these tones. The product itself is creamy with an ever so slight tug when I swatch it. It applied opaque but sheers out nicely, although it can be applied darker if one desires- I'm just a sheer bitch lately.

I have applied this with both a sponge and a stipping brush, and I like both just as well. They both evenly apply the product, whether I tap the tool directly on the product, or swipe the product on my face first. It is not patchy and blends easily, its hard to over do it.

just bronzer and base products applied

It wears well for 6-8 hours, as with all creams its going to rub off easier than powder, but I find that, like most creams, if it rubs off it doesn't look splotchy or bad really. I love the color on my skin definitely more than the Nudestix one, probably tied with RMS.

full face done

Overall I really like this bronzer and it has quickly become just as used as my other two cream bronzers. I can't imagine running out of this giant product soon, but if I did I would repurchase. The color works on my extremely cool toned pale skin, its even and creamy without sliding too much, blends and fades evenly.

For the last several years I've used Wet N Wild Megalength on my bottom lashes, as per Taylor Thatyalaa's recommendation. I used to love it, but lately I find that lately it transfers onto my under eyes like crazy, and leaves me with big black marks at the end of the day, not a look. So thus began my quest for a new bottom lash mascara, and I quickly found the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara!

Now I had this in my Sephora cart and between the time I put it in my cart and the time I could buy it, it went half off, then went out of stock not only on Sephora but also on Ulta AND Clinique's website. Are you kidding me. So I tried to see if it was in store anywhere near me and one store still had it, so naturally I drove there as soon as I could to get it. Then all websites took off the listing for it, but its back on every site now? I was so scared it was getting discontinued.

I've tried a lot of different things when it comes to shaving products, creams, gels, you name it. I shudder when I think back on the period I actually didn't use anything at all to aid my shaving...my legs were so dry. Out of everything I've tried I've never been wowed, so when I was looking for something to qualify my Ulta order for free shipping and I saw this shaving oil on sale I knew I had to order it.

The Tree Hut Moisturizing Shave Oil retails for $11.99 on Ulta, but I did get it on sale. It claims to give you the closest shave possible and to protect your skin from nicks. Sounds good to me.

I used this for my legs only (as I've started getting my pits waxed), and I was very pleased. Its thin and runny, but not too liquidy. It pumps out easily and won't immediate slip off your fingers, which I was worried about. The smell is okay, I'm not a huge fan, but it doesn't linger. A little goes pretty far, I only needed one pump for each leg. Another positive is the stream of water that inevitably runs down my leg didn't seem to wash it off too much, as is always the case with shaving cream.

I did seem to get a closer shave than normal, and I used the same shitty razor I have been. My legs felt super moisturized when I got out of the shower, although they aren't dry to begin with.

Overall I really liked the ease of use as well as the results. I'll be using this bottle up for sure, and as of right now, definitely repurchasing.

I originally ordered the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel when I realized I was finally on track with my face sunscreen, but was forgetting about my body! Back in the day (like three years ago, lmao) I used to wear a lot of tank top crop tops (like that's literally all I wore), so its safe to say I damaged my arm and decolletage skin a fair amount. I wanted a product bigger than the typical face sunscreen since I would be going through it quickly, and didn't want to compromise on protection or cosmetic elegance, which brought me to this product.

Now if this is your first time on my blog or hearing about Asian sunscreens, PLEASE I beg of you, go read my review of the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Essence HERE. I go into detail on all the Asian vs western sunscreen basics and you'll be a lot less confused if you start there, I promise. I'm not getting into any of that stuff on this post, so pop that other post open in a new tab and skim it, at least. Or google it, because a million other people have explained it so much better than I have.

This retails from $10-$20 depending on where you get it from, and is 140g, so a bit larger than the standard smaller tubes of facial sunscreen. It has a pump which I loooooove. The product itself is white and thin, but thicker than Biore Watery Essence. It has a faint, fresh scent. Applying it feels like applying a lotion, and it does leave a bit of a tackiness to the skin, although that does fade within the hour.


I apply this to my arms/hands, shoulders (if exposed, which isn't often), neck, decolletage, and ears, as well as any other exposed spots, but those are typically what is exposed.

biore for comparison

Reapplying this is easy and the product layers just fine, I have not had any issue with it pilling, although I can't say it won't on the face, as I've only ever used it there in dire situations.

Overall I love this body sunscreen and have repurchased my second bottle. It provides the protection I need on days I'm working, or at school, or running errands, and you can't beat the cosmetic elegance it provides over western sunscreens.

When Milk first came out with their Blur Liquid Matte Foundation I wanted to try it but alas, the lightest shade was too dark as per usual. The they announced they were releasing a lighter shade and I was so excited I didn't even try to find it in stores and swatch, I just ordered it with fingers crossed.

It retails for $40 for the standard 1 fl oz., and it said to be full coverage with a matte which had me a bit hesitant as I prefer wearing sheer to light coverage bases with skin like/dewy finishes. I figured I could sheer it out and only apply a small amount though. It claims to be ultra lightweight with a pore blurring effect.

The new lightest shade Porcelain is said to be very fair with neutral undertones. I feel like this leans ever so slightly cool toned, but is neutral for the most part. It looks a bit dark in swatches, but blends out to match me decently well. I've found that no matter the shade or undertone of any product, my face always looks different than my neck (even with no foundation on) and I've just got to accept that no shade will ever be perfect, lol. I was a little put off by the swatches as it looks very dry and almost chalky.



I applied it over only my sunscreen (I've worn it with both Can Make Mermaid Gel and Skin Aqua Ultra Moisture Milk- a slight glow comes through with Can Make, but not that noticeable) since it is supposed to be blurring I really wanted to test that. I applied with my Eco Tools sponge (the green one) and did not set my face with any powder seeing as how this is supposedly matte. I did spray my face with my Smashbox Primer Water that I use everyday. I wore it for 7 hours for this review but have worn it before for 8-10 hours as well. Let's not talking about my brows....I know :-(

applied to left

I like the squeeze tube and found best results simply squeezing it directly onto my face. My first thought was how far the tiniest amount goes- I have not attempted to build to full coverage because I hate that look, but I have no doubt it could get there. With the amount I applied (a small line of product on each check, a dot on my chin, and a smaller yet line on my nose and forehead) I feel it was at medium light coverage. By that I mean in the ranking of light coverage there's low light (not quite sheer but almost), medium light (freckles coming through not really covered at all but overall even tone), and high light (freckles somewhat covered but still visible).

applied on full face

Immediately after application it looked like a semi matte/satin finish that looked a bit dry in some areas- and I don't have dry skin. I noticed it gave my face a slighter more textured look especially on my forehead where I usually never have an issue, which I thought was ironic for a "blurring" foundation, and didn't notice and minimization of my pores (but they also weren't emphasized). It overall looked okay, and as I applied the rest of my makeup it settled into my smile lines. This product did not set down my itself, which is annoying for a matte foundation.

full face done

After 5 hours of wear it seemed like it had warmed up to my face a bit more and the textured areas didn't look as noticeable, but I did look like I was getting a bit oily. I think it had to do with the product not setting down, but I didn't want to powder to alter this review. (I have powdered when wearing it otherwise, but only with powders I was trying out- so I can't say for certain if powder cakes it up or it was just the powders I was trying). My smile lines were less visible, but there was product in them. Again my pores weren't covered, but they seemed to be possibly less visible than they usually are at this point.


At the end of the 7 hours (short wear test- sorry!) I didn't get any pictures because I had actually cried (lmao) but I was impressed by the fact that you couldn't see any tear stripes (which happens with a lot of foundations in my experience) and the foundation didn't look that altered by my tears (and there were a lot). On other days when I have worn this for 8+ hours I notice at the 8 hour mark I start to see the foundation rubbing off a bit on my chin, nose, and around my mouth. I also looked pretty oily by the end of those nights.

Overall I think this is okay. I continue to use it due to the shade working for me, but it doesn't do anything crazy. Its very disappointing that this matte, blurring product was not really matte, nor blurring. It also didn't set which is a huge negative for a matte foundation for me, as I don't really want to be powdering an already flat looking base. That said I can make it work since I do apply such a sheer layer of this (usually sheerer than applied for this review), and set with a suuuuper light dusting of powders.

Wow a deodorant review, almost feels like we're back in 2017 right. As you all know (or may not know) I've been on a long and tiring journey into finding a natural/antiperspirant free deo that works for someone as extremely sweaty as I am. I luckily found this very product in the Lush Aromaco deodorant, and still use this every day and love it, but I wanted to try out Lush's other deo, just to see. Because I'm never happy and always want options, lmao. There's also a little wrap up summary at the bottom if you don't care for my excruciatingly detailed deodorant reviews.

This deodorant supposedly has sweat absorbing powders and odor eliminating essential oils. It smells citrusy due to juniper oil, lemongrass, and tea tree. It comes in a an oval solid with a blueish backing, as the product itself is extremely crumbly. I will say that some reviews have mentioned a burning sensation when first applying this, and the cashier did make an offhand comment about not applying it to freshly shaven pits. I initially tried this with gornw out armpit hair and experienced no burning, but did experience slight burning and continued irritation throughout the day post wax.

As with all my deo reviews, I applied this product after my nightly shower, and once again in the morning before my day. Application is, at first, a bit tricky, as I was expecting it to be a similar creamy consistency as Aromaco. It is definitely not, its a very delicate, crumbly, and powdery block that sort of...crumbles everywhere as you apply it? Not large chunks, but a fine dusting sort of gets all over the counter/floor etc. It also goes on looking very powdery and white, and feels veryyyyy dry, like when you apply something like talcum powder to skin, but not in an uncomfortable way.

Lots of reviews mentioned keeping the product in a tub and letting it crumble into a powder, then applying it with a brush, which, on my second day of owning this, I was forced to do. I attempted to store it in a container and when I opened it up, the product was completely cracked like in the photo. I actually find it easier to apply this way, and a lot less messy, as well as less drier on the skin.


Upon immediate application the citrusy lemongrass smell is strong, and it continued to linger until I went to sleep, several hours later. It is not overwhelming or unpleasant in any way, but if you don't like overly scented deos this would be good to know. I feel like the scent was stronger when I had hair, I don't notice it that much now that I'm waxed. By the time I went to bed there was no odor, other than the deo itself, and I felt very dry and fresh. I find the dry feeling is more apparent when I had hair. I also feel like the product itself becomes less pungent the longer you have it, the scent was super strong when I first purchased it!

In the morning the scent lingered ever so slightly if I really stuck my nose in my pit, but of course became more apparent again when I reapplied it. When I had hair I woke up with no bad smell, after my wax I would wake up smelling a little teeny tiny bit off if I had sweated a lot. It can leave marks on your dark shirts when you pull them on if you're not careful when applying the solid product directly to the skin, but applying the powder with a brush does not seem to leave any marks.

During a school day I'm walking to and from my car and on campus, usually in direct sun, in summer. So its safe to say I did sweat, so of course this product will not keep you completely dry. I did notice I might have been a little less damp than I usually am, but nothing crazy. When I first started using this, by the end of a school/errand/chill day I could still smell the citrusy lemongrass scent and no bad armpit smell with hair. Post wax I find that I don't smell the scent as much and can occasionally smell a  bit, but only if I'm really sticking my nose up in there. I find that it smells slightly different than when you first apply, but not BO-y at all, just (as I've said before about other deos) kind of like the deo mixed with sweat, NOT mixed with BO.

During a regular work day (anywhere from 6-10 hours) I'm in the drive thru which has air conditioners that break like every other day. Its common for it to be 80 degrees and higher, what with the lack of air flow, panini presses, bagel toaster, constantly opening window, as well as 3+ employees in a tight space, not to mention the running around I do. I think this was a pretty good way to test if this really holds up. It did great pre wax, but post wax its only okay. The lemongrass scent was present throughout the day if I stuck my nose in my pits, and absolutely no bad BO smell with hair. By the end of the night my armpits again smelled like sweat mixed with the deo, but not a bad smell at all. Post wax I found the smell wearing off quicker, and while I wouldn't smell during the shift, when I got home and put my nose in my pits sometimes I would smell only a little bit, other times a decent amount (not noticeable unless sticking my nose there, though!)

The following picture is the product after about a month of use, minus a pretty decent sized chunk I took out to carry around with me.


I was initially completely impressed with this product for hairy pits. After such great luck with Aromaco, I did try the Greeench deo powder from Lush with shit results, so I wasn't holding out much hope for this, but it really impressed me and I might even like this more than Aromaco, WHEN I HAVE HAIR. After my wax and as my hair kept growing in though, I found that this did irritate a bump I had and I had to stop using it for a time because it burned so bad. I found it didn't work as well as Aromaco, and irritated my skin when I was hairless, but when I have hair it works better. I find it super easy to just carry around a little chunk to reapply if I need to when I have my hair removed, but when its growing back I don't feel the need to reapply. Overall it works pretty well, and I will repurchase.

BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE THIS IS SUPER WORDY:

• People who let  armpit hair grow out: THIS WORKS GREAT at keeping smell away and keeping you slightly drier than usually- even after 6-10 hour shifts. 
• People who remove armpit hair: THIS WORKS OKAY, but you may feel most comfortable carrying around a small chunk of the product to reapply if you get really sweaty.

As I've mentioned and everyone can notice, I'm a sucker for cream products lately. I just can't help it, its something about glowy, soft makeup for the summer, I'm all about it. Being my latest obsession, I decided I needed more cream products which led me to purchasing several RMS Beauty ones. I own the Living Luminzer by them and love it, so I figured I'd probably like their other products.

These retail for #36 for .17 oz., to compare; the Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek is $24 for 1 oz., and the Too Faced Peach My Cheeks Melting Powder Blush is $30 for .44 oz. I'm comparing to blushes because I only use these as blushes. They are said to be a multitasking cream to hydrate and give a natural finish. This review will only be focusing on using these are blushes.

Spell

Demure

Spell is a "modern nude dusty rose" while Demure is a "soft pink rose with a hint of mauve". For such descriptive colors I don't think they are quite accurate. Spell looks like its description in the pan, but swatched on my skin tone it looks alarmingly orange, nothing dusty or rosey about it. I'm also not sure if I see much mauve in Demure, but I'll let that one slide. Demure is much more pigmented than Spell, and seems to have a heavier consistency whereas spell is more sheer and balmy.

Spell

Demure

I prefer the consistency of Spell, as Demure can feel a bit heavy on the face.

Spell

Spell

I find that these wear well. Although they never set to a powder finish, they don't really stay tacky either. They set enough to wear they last, but will rub off if you aren't being careful. I think they wear well for 6 but are doable for 8, they will just be somewhat faded.

Demure

Demure

Overall I do like these, although they aren't my favorite. I reach for Spell more due to its consistency, but I do still enjoy Demure. These wear well enough for cream products, and I don't find them patchy or difficult to apply.

So after using my Biore Watery Essence for years (review here), I decided to branch out and try something new. Also widely popular, I picked the Can Make Mermaid Skin Gel. I had read many raving reviews of this on the Asian Beauty subreddit, so naturally I ordered it.

Depending on where you purchase it, I've seen it range from $10-$14 for the 40g tube. The Biore Water Essence is 50g, so its pretty typical for a facial sunscreen. It is supposed to be light and refreshing with no stickiness, as well as being moisturizing, as per their website.

Just as a baseline I will be comparing this to the Biore sunscreen, as its what I have used and know. It came in this cute little box which I'm obsessed with, lol. I find this is thinner than the Biore Watery Essence, and has no scent. It applies like a lotion and absorbs faster than Biore, as well as feeling less sticky while it dries.


I apply this the same was as Biore, by dotting the two fingers (and a lil more) worth onto my face, then patting it in with a cushion puff. I really love this method for how even I feel it applies and also how fast it is!

immediately after application

After the 30 minutes I feel like my skin is still super dewy, but slightly less so. My pores are still emphasized and all that. It sinks in completely and I can't feel anything on my face when I touch it. I do feel like its slightly moisturizing.


I really love this sunscreen! Its a bit annoying on days where I sleep in too late because I have to really remember to apply my blur stick like whenever I get to where I'm going otherwise my pores are.......a mess.....but that's just my own laziness. This applies easy, sinks in fast, and leaves no reside! I plan to repurchase to use moreso in the winter though, as my pores and overall dewiness border on a problem when I'm out in the Florida humidity of the summer.