Dreams to Creations

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen & Michelle

Disclaimer: This post features some PR products, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Blog Anniversary and Holidays Giveaway! (Closed)

2017-12-14T17:50:00.000-08:00

Affiliate Link

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Time sure flies fast when we are having fun! It seems like just yesterday when we published our first post. Now, it's another amazing year and we are celebrating another blog anniversary. We couldn't have done it alone and we are so incredibly thankful for each and everyone of you who have supported us and our blog.

If you are following us on Instagram, then you probably have already seen the giveaway. If not, here it is. Our Blog Anniversary and Holidays giveaway!! To celebrate, we have teamed up with Wishtrend for this giveaway and there will be 3 winners! (Since it's our 3rd anniversary~) Each winner will win the Prep and Hydrate Set, which includes the super popular Klairs Supple Preparation Toner, the Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water, and the Multi Function Cotton Pads. All the rules on how to enter this giveaway can be found on our Instagram post below.

🌟🎊🎁Giveaway🎁🎊🌟 To celebrate the holidays and our blog anniversary we have teamed up with @wishtrend for a celebratory giveaway! There will be 3 lucky winners and each will be receiving the popular Prep & Hydrate Set. . This set of skincare goodies includes: @bywishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water @klairs.global Supple Preparation Facial Toner #Wishtrend Multi Function Cotton Pads . . 🌟How To Enter🌟 1. Like this photo! 2. Follow @dreamstocreations and @wishtrend 3. Register at wishtrend.com 4. Tag 3 friends in the comments. . 🌟Optional Entries🌟 1. Repost this picture for 3 extra entries! Tag @dreamstocreations and @wishtrend in the caption with the hashtag #DTCxWishtrendGiveaway . 2. Share this giveaway in your Insta Story for 2 extra entries and tag @dreamstocreations and @wishtrend! 3. Tag 3 additional friends in the comments for 1 extra entry. . . . This giveaway is open internationally! The deadline to enter is December 22 at 11:59pm PST. Winners will be selected using a random name generator. . ✒ Disclaimer: You must be 18+ or have the permission of a guardian to enter. We (@dreamstocreations and @wishtrend) cannot be held liable for any adverse reactions. (Always patch test!) We are also not liable for any lost or damaged packages. By entering in this giveaway, you acknowledge and understand all the rules and disclaimer. . . Good luck 🍀 and may the odds be in your favor!

A post shared by Helen & Michelle (@dreamstocreations) on Dec 11, 2017 at 7:18pm PST

We wish you all the best of luck and may the odds be in your favor!

Disclaimer: This giveaway is hosted on Instagram and not the blog, so you'll have to enter over there. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer. This giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram. This giveaway is sponsored by Wishtrend.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals 2017

2017-11-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

Affiliate Link

It's that time of the year again! Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales are back and they are bigger than ever! To help you out, we got the roundup of this year's awesome beauty deals. So make that list, check it twice, and prepare yourself for the sale rush online or off. Don't forget, there will be additional deals that will go live between now and Cyber Monday (Nov. 27th) so check back for updates. Happy Shopping~

If you know of a deal that isn't listed, comment below and let us know. We'll add it to the list.

Deals

AmorePacific (US) - Receive a 3 piece TIME RESPONSE Timeless Trio with any $250 purchase (ends 12/1). Receive a complimentary sample of the new Vintage Single Extract Essence with every purchase! Free shipping and two complementary AmorePacific essentials deluxe samples with every order.

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Get 30% to 50% off select products (11/24-11/27)

BB Cosmetic - Sales can be found on this page (ends 12/01).
Use code: BBDREAMSTOCREATIONS for additional 8% off all orders.

Beautibi - Save $5 on all orders $25+ with code YAY, $10 on all orders $50+ with code WOOWOO, $25 on all orders $100+ with code WEEWOO, or $50 on all orders $200+ with code YAASS! (ends 11/27) New members, sign up via this link to get $5 off your first purchase.

Beautius - Save up to 70%! Extra 10% off on orders over $100 with code: BF10 ends 11/28. New members can sign up via this link to receive a 5% off code.

Birchbox - Spend $30+ get 10% off, spend $50+ get 15% off, or spend $75+ get 25% off. ACES: spend $30+ get 25% off. Annual subscriptions now just $99 with code: BESTYEAR99.

Bloomingdale's - Take 25% off a large selection of items plus free shipping (ends 11/27). 10% off almost all online beauty purchases (11/27).

~~Thanksgiving day online only, take 15% off when you spend $150+, 20% off when you spend $300+, or 25% off when you spend $400+ on a large selection of items plus free shipping (ends 11/23).~~
~~Black Friday Deals: 15% off when you spend $100+ or 20% off when you spend $200+ on a large selection of items plus free shipping (ends 11/25).~~

Chuusi (Canada) - Take 20% off your entire purchase with code BF2017 (ends 11/27).

Cosme-De - Up to 25% off site wide (ends 11/26). Plus, more savings on select brands.

Cosmetic Love - Save up to 60% off plus an additional 10% off with code: BLACKFRIDAY2017 (ends 11/26). New members save 10% on their first purchase.

Crystle Cove Beauty - Get 20% off site wide with code turkey2017 (ends 11/27)

e.l.f. - 50% off site wide with code CELEBRATE on orders $30+ (ends 11/27). Plus free shipping on orders over $25.

Foreo - Save up to 25% on select devices (ends 11/29 or while supplies last).

Glow Recipe - Get 25% off site wide with code: BLACKFRIDAYGLOW (excluding the glow in the know section) deal ends 11/26. New members save 15%.

IBBI - Save up to 30%, no code required. Some exclusions may apply.

Innisfree (Global) - Up to 50% off select products including skincare, makeup, body care, hair care, and beauty tools (ends 11/30, while supplies last). Free shipping on orders over $60.

Innisfree (US) - Free limited edition 3 piece deluxe sample set of Innisfree's skincare favorites with any purchase of $50+. The set includes their Green Tea Serum, Orchid Cream, and Volcanic Clay Mask. Free shipping on orders over $35.

Jolse - 25% off all products, no codes necessary (ends 11/30).

Laneige - 30% off selected Laneige favorites. Receive a 8ml Water Bank Moisture Cream Deluxe with every purchase. Receive a LANEIGE VIP travel kit with your $50+ purchase. (end 12/1)
Receive a BB cushion pen with your $25+ purchase. Use Code: BBPEN (11/30)

~~Receive a VIP travel kit with your $50 purchase (ends 11/26).~~

Leaders (US) - Get 50% off site wide and free gift with purchase with code THANKFUL50 (ends 11/27).

Melody Cosme - ~~Get 25% off with code: MORETURKEY ends (11/24).~~

Missha (US) - 40% off site wide, no code necessary.

Peach and Lily - Get 30% off site wide with code: PEACHANDLILY30 (ends 11/27).

Pink Blossom (Canada) - Get 40% off the following brands: Papa Recipe, SNP, Missha, Mediheal, Dr. G, Swanicoco, and A'Pieu. New members can create an account and receive 500 points, equivalent to$5. Free Shipping on orders over C$59.

Roseroseshop - Save up to 60%, no code necessary (ends 11/25).

Sephora (US) - ~~Doorbusters $15 and under (11/24).~~ Don't forget to use those sample codes for additional freebies!

Sephora (Canada) - ~~Doorbusters C$20 and under (11/24).~~ Don't forget to use sample codes for additional freebies!

Shu Uemura (US/Canada) - Save 20% on orders $50+ or 25% on orders $100+ with code SHUBF.

Sokoglam - 40% off Missha products with code: MISSHA4U. First time customers save 20% on their first purchase.

StyleKorean - Save up to 15% with Pre-Black Friday and Black Friday deals, codes below.

~~Pre-Black Friday (ends 11/23): Save 5% on orders under $100 with code MORE5, save 10% on order $100+ with code MORE10, or save 15% on orders $200+ with code MORE15.~~

Black Friday (ends 11/27): Save 6% on orders under $100 with code BLACK6, save 10% on orders 100+ with code BLACK10, or save 15% on orders over 200+ with code BLACK15.

StyleNanda - Save 30% to 80% on a variety of products including their beauty and fashion lines (ends 11/27).

Sulwhasoo - Receive a 5 piece Time Treasure Trail Kit with your purchase of $250+ (while supplies last). Free shipping with every order.

The Body Shop (Canada) - 50% off site wide, free shipping for Canada wide (11/29)
~~40% off site wide, including gift sets! Black Friday Tote – only $40 (a $125 value). (ends 11/26)~~

The Body Shop (US) - 50% off site wide and free shipping (11/29)
~~40% off site wide (ends 11/25).~~

The Lotus (US) - 40% off with code: THANKYOU2017 (ends 11/27). Free shipping on orders over $50.

Ulta - Black Friday Beauty Busters (in store and online) plus thanksgiving sales on select products. Free shipping on orders over $35.

Wishtrend - Up to 60% off and 1+1 deals for Cyber Monday. Free gift (Wishtrend Multi Functional Cotton Pads x2) on orders over $99 with code CMGIFT99. Additional savings and free expedited shipping as follows:
2017CM139: additional 3% off with free expedited shipping
2017CM169: additional 5% off with free expedited shipping
2017CM199: additional 8% off with free expedited shipping

Cyber Monday codes stack too!

Save up to 80% on select products and kits. Special 1+1 offers, free shipping on orders over $59 and free expedite shipping on orders over $139. Black Friday codes are stackable, so you can save more! (ends 11/26)
Additional savings: Save an additional 3% off orders over $139 with code 2017BF139, an additional 5% off orders over $169 with code 2017BF169, or an additional 8% off orders over $219 with code 2017BF219.
Free gift bundles with purchase: Use code: BFGIFT99 on orders over $99 to receive 2 packs of Wishtrend Cotton Pads plus the Klairs sample set, Wishtrend Vitamin 75 Cream sample, and Skinmiso Pore Corset sample. Use code: BFGIFT169 on orders over $169 to receive 5 travel size Klairs Supple Preparation Toner, plus everything in the BFGIFT99 bundle.

Yesstyle - Up to 80% off site wide. Plus, an additional 15% off purchases over $49 with code: 2017CYBER ~~(ends 11/27)~~ (offer extend til 12/03!) Free shipping worldwide for orders over $35.
~~Up to 80% off site wide. Plus, an additional 15% off purchases over $49 with code: 2017BLACK (ends 11/24). Free shipping worldwide for orders over $35.~~
Yesstyle is also hosting an awesome Black Friday giveaway on their Facebook page. They are giving away an iPhone X and K-Pop CDs, so check that out if you are interested.

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate/referral links. If you choose to use these links, we'll gain a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you in advance if you choose to use them. Your support will help us fund giveaways and keep the site going! You can find our full disclosure statement here.

Unboxing: RAN Bonus Box Bloomingdale's Edition

2017-09-23T04:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Every once in a while, RAN partners up with Bloomingdale's to create bonus boxes for selected bloggers. Last year, we had the wonderful opportunity to review one of their bonus boxes which included quite a few of our favorites. This year we are back with another bonus box featuring this season's best sellers! Let's get to know them!

This season's bonus box features a wide selection of products covering areas of skincare, makeup, hair care, perfume, and even beauty tools! It's certainly a well-rounded box to say the least and we like it. The box includes 10 products from 8 different brands and all of these products are new to us. Which means plenty to try and review. Which product would you like us to review first? Let us know~

Anyways, here are all the goodies that came in this box.

Viktor & Rolf BONBON Eau de Parfum

Michelle: Can we take a minute and admire the gorgeous bottle please. It's just so pretty and I know I will keep it forever. I absolutely fell in love with it the moment I opened the box and saw it. Anyone who follows Viktor & Rolf's fashion designs knows the bow is their iconic symbol that embodies the brand's high fashion spirit. So, I found this detailed design a great way to showcase the hard work and dedication they have towards their crafts, whether it be fashion or beauty.

BONBON is a pure and pleasurable scent. Its top notes are tangerine, blackcurrant, and orange. Its middle notes are orange blossom, jasmine, and peach. Finally, its base notes are guaiac wood, cedar wood, and caramel. Together, they create a delectable scent that reminds one of a yummy dessert with caramelized fruits, sweet edible flowers, and a sweet woody cream to top it off. It is truly a delightful and indulgent experience.

Sisley Paris Phyto-Eye Twist (in shade 1 Topaz)

Helen: I am all up for these all-in-one jumbo eye shadow pencils because they are easy to use and it saves a lot of room when traveling. This one from Sisley comes in a variety of shades, I received Topaz which is a good neutral brown shade. It looks gorgeous on the lid and it glides on smoothly. The product is enriched with green tea, white lily, and camellia to protect the delicate eyelid areas. Its formula is waterproof, however, I found it can smudge a little (especially if you have oily lids) so powder and prime when needed. So far, I like to use it as a light base on my lids by sheering it out a bit after application. I also use the product as an eyeliner, but I am not sure how well it will sharpen once the tip wears down. Guess I will find out when I get to that point. Have you guys tried this one from Sisley?

Guerlain Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum

Helen: Mon Guerlain is the brand's new fragrance. The perfume is inspired by Angelina Jolie and it is a tribute to strong, free, and sensual femininity. The fragrance comes in their iconic quadrilobe bottle with a chic twist. The original design was created in 1908. It is simple yet graphic and draws its look from that of an alchemist's bottle. Its unique name comes from its stopper, which is created from one piece to resemble four lobes. The new bottle has added gold adornment and it is enhanced with luxurious glass to give the perfume a more lux look and feel. The fragrance itself has a fresh oriental scent. Its top notes are bergamot and carla lavender. Middle notes are paradisone, sambac jasmine, and coumarin. Finally, its base notes are iris, vanilla tahitensis, and album sandalwood.

Wei Mung Bean Sprout Stress Relieving Soothing Mask and Rice Sprout Express Glow Illuminating Mask

Michelle: I haven't gotten around to test either of these masks but I am planning on testing them after our trip. Although I have heard a good amount about Wei, I've yet to try any of their products, so this will be a new experience and I'm excited for it. The Mung Bean Sprout Mask is a soothing mask meant to purify, cool, and calm the skin. Mung Bean has detoxifying abilities to clear pollutants and impurities from the pores while restoring the skin's natural glow. It can also help balance the skins water to sebum ratio as well. The Rice Sprout Mask is a brightening and restorative mask. Rice water is known to be used by generations of Asian women as a way to cleanse and perfect the skin. The mask is rich in nutrients and works to visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and leaves the skin bright and glowy.

PMD Personal Microderm Classic

Helen: This is the tool I am excited to test once we return from our trip. The PMD is quite a popular tool and it is known to provide the same result as one would receive from a professional in-office microdermabrasion treatment. It uses the patented spinning disc technology and their perfectly calibrated vacuum suction to remove dead and dull skin, increase blood flow, and stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin.

Trish McEvoy Long-Wear Face & Eye Makeup Remover Skin Cleansing Water

Michelle: I've been loving cleansing waters since I discovered them. They are the quickest ways to remove makeup and on days when I wear a lot of makeup, I like to use them before oil cleanser and foam cleanser to ensure I really remove everything. It's pretty much like a triple cleanse. I've only tried Trish McEvoy's Cleansing Water 3 times so far, so I can't say my final thoughts on it. However, it does seem to remove a good amount of makeup and it feels gentle on my skin, so that's good. The cleansing water is like many with a water-light, skin-conditioning formula that will leave the skin fairly clean. Although it advertises as a one-step cleanser, I find it's still best to at least use a foam cleanser afterwards to fully cleanse the skin and ensure all impurities are remove from the skin before continuing on with any skin care products.

Clinique Fresh Pressed 7-Day System

Helen: Here is another product I am excited to try when I return. This is Clinique's unique 7-day system that includes their Renewing Powder Cleanser with Pure Vitamin C and their 7-day Daily Booster with 10% Pure Vitamin C. This two-step system works to brighten the skin and provide anti-aging care at the same time. It will leave the skin feeling firmer and looking even more toned than before. Plus, the two-step can help to smooth out fine lines and bring back the skin's natural glow.

Kiehl's Grooming Solutions Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner

Helen: Kiehl's is known for their skin care and hair care products, so it is great to see a few of them in this box. This Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner is a 2-in-1 formula that can gently remove buildup and hydrate the scalp at the same time. It will leave the hair thoroughly cleansed with a soft, touchable feel and a full, healthy look. This 2-in-1 Nourishing Shampoo + Conditioner is formulated with caring ingredients that includes an aromatic blend of cedarwood, sandalwood, and eucalyptus essential oils. It will not only leave the scalp feeling refreshed but also provide a calming scent as well.

Kiehl's Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque

Michelle: This hydration wash-off mask from Kiehl's had me super excited upon first glance. Although I haven't had the opportunity to try it yet, I did take a close up look of it and as you can see, it's got calendula flower petals inside! It looks so cool. This mask claims to provide an instant cooling sensation upon application and leaves the skin feeling calm yet refreshed. Its star ingredients are, of course, calendula flower and aloe. Both ingredients work together to soothe the skin and reduce signs of skin distress such as dry skin or unbalanced skin. The mask promises to leave the skin hydrated and refreshed with a healthy looking complexion to boot. Making this the perfect pick me up mask. I can't wait to test it.

Final Thoughts: Wow, that's an amazing box filled with a variety of goodies. There's not a single product in there that we aren't excited for. Kudos to RAN and Bloomingdale's for creating such a wonderful box. It could even be a great holiday beauty box. We'd buy it. Anyways, we can't wait to test all the goodies and share our detailed review of them with you guys. If there's a product you'd like us to review first, please let us know in the comments below and we'll get to it asap.

Where to purchase:
-Bloomingdales.com

Find discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen & Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Lancome Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara Review

2017-08-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

What is your ideal mascara? Is it one that adds a ton of volume? One that can lengthen your lashes? One that's long lasting and smudge proof? Mine would be one that can add volume, lengthen the lashes, hold the curls, provide great lasting power, and is smudge proof. That might sound like a lot, but we are talking about ideals here and those are my criteria for the perfect mascara. However, finding the perfect mascara is hard, so I also set my criteria for my would be deal breakers which are that it can't hold a curl, isn't volumizing, and it's not long lasting. That's not asking a lot now is it? But you'd be surprised to learn just how many mascaras can't even pass that test. I'm constantly trying out mascaras in hopes of finding my ideal and this time I had the opportunity to test out Lancome's new Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara thanks to Influenster.

For those who might not have heard about them, Influenster is an online savvy shoppers community. It offers reviews for products shared by its users like myself. It shares the latest trends and releases. Plus, it also offers the opportunities to test out products for free. Which is how I got this and 2 other Lancome samples (that you'll see later on) to test and review. Influenster has been around for ages, so they are definitely trust worthy. You can find reviews of pretty much everything on Influenster. From pet accessories to food and beverages, it's like a massive review community with the perk of potentially getting freebies while you are at it. You can learn more about them on their site but for now let's get to know these goodies from Lancome.

Lancome Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara
10ml | $25

Product Description: Lancome's Monsieur Big is a volumizing mascara that delivers bold, volumized lashes. It features a large brush with a creamy formula that can deliver up to 12 times the volume with up to 24 hours of wear. Its formula is supplemented with waxes and polymers to adhere nicely on your lashes as it builds up length and volume at the same time. Its wand features soft and wavy fibers to apply the right amount of formula each time. This mascara is idea for all day wear as it doesn't flake or smudge.

To Use: Curl your eye lashes first. Apply mascara primer and let dry. Apply the mascara from root to tip. Layer if desired.

Ingredients: Water, Paraffin, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Copernicia Cerifera Cera / Carnauba Wax, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Cera Alba / Beeswax, Synthetic Beeswax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Polybutene, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Steareth-2,C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Tribehenin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Glyceryl Behenate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Silica, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Disodium Edta, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Tetrasodium Edta, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Bht, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- May Contain, Ci 75470 / Carmine, Ci 77007 / Ultramarines,Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 / Iron Oxides].

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: When it comes to mascaras, their packaging doesn't differ all too much from each other. The most common kind, like this one, is in a long black tube with the brand and name printed on it. (In Lancome's case, their brand symbol is also etched on the top of the tube too.) The Lancome mascara looks like most common mascaras, even their wand looks pretty straight forward, albeit a little on the big side. The mascara tube came with the above box packaging, which has plenty of information about the product. Although the name of the color has the numbers 01 in it, black is currently the only color in this line. Maybe they'll release more colors if this one does well? Who knows.

Scent: Some mascaras, like the YSL ones, comes with perfume like fragrance. Others, like the Lancome one, just have that typical mascara scent due to its ingredients.

Color: Black.

Texture: A super creamy formula that glides on easily and adheres nicely to the lashes. However, due to its texture, it can also clump if you apply too much.

Left: without mascara. Right: with Lancome Monsieur Big.

Michelle's Thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this mascara. As mentioned in the beginning of this post, the common deal breakers for me are when a mascara can't hold a curl, isn't volumizing, and it's not long lasting. Lancome's Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara definitely adds volume to my lashes and it is long lasting for sure. However, the main issue lies in its inability to hold the curl. As you can see in the images above, on its own my lashes can hold the curls quite well. However, once the mascara is applied, it immediately starts to fall flat. I suspect the creamy formula is too heavy and ends up dragging the lashes down. Which is unfortunate because I quite like its long lasting and smudge proof formula.

I have tried using the Monsieur Big with Lancome's base mascara but alas it seems the base was not able help the mascara hold the curl. Another slight issue I have with this mascara is its wand. It's on the big side which is also not ideal for my lashes, especially not for my bottom lashes. Due to the large size of the wand, it's hard to coat my bottom lashes well. So, I generally prefer mascaras with thinner wands for my bottom lashes. Anyways, this mascara certainly has its pros and cons. I think it would work better for people whose lashes naturally have a curl or whose lashes can hold curls well, so they don't have to worry about losing that curl when the mascara is applied. I probably won't purchase it in the future but I will use it every now and then. Hopefully, I can find a way for it to hold the curl better.

Aside from Lancome Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara, I also received deluxe samples of their Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover and Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base. Let's get to know them below.

Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
50ml | $15

Product Info.: This is a gentle duo liquid eye makeup remover. The formula needs to be activated by shaking the bottle to mix the product. Once shaken, apply it on a cotton pad and gently cleanse away eye makeup.

I used to use this eye makeup remover. There's nothing wrong with it and it really does remove eye makeup well. Depending on your budget, it can seem a little pricey but I didn't find that to be a problem. I moved away from this eye makeup remover because I had purchased other ones to try, that's all. I don't know if I'd ever come back to this eye makeup remover because I do like the ones I'm currently using. However, if I do have the Lancome eye makeup remover on hand for whatever reason I will use it.

Lancome Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
5.6ml | $25.5

Product Info.: The Cils Booster XL is a lash conditioning primer that can condition and prime the lashes to keep the mascara on longer and help the lashes look more volumized. It's innovative formula contains Vitamin E to strengthen and nourish the lashes while it coats and smooths your lashes to maximize the results of your favorite mascara.

I tried this mascara base in the past and honestly, I don't remember how I felt about it then which only means that it certainly didn't wow me. Otherwise I would remember. Testing it recently got me to realize why I didn't repurchase it the previous time. It doesn't do much for my lashes. It does condition it in a way if you will but it doesn't seem to volumize it anymore and in some cases it doesn't work well with some of my other mascaras. It's also quite pricey, pretty much the same price as a mascara. So, if it doesn't do what it promises it doesn't seem worth it.

Final Thoughts: Overall, Lancome's Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara can be a good mascara depending on your lash type. If holding a curl isn't a problem for you and you want what it offers, than you'll like its volumizing formula that's also long lasting and smudge proof. However, if you are like me and needs a mascara that can help hold a curl too. This mascara is probably not for you.

Where to purchase:
-Sephora.com

Find discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Olivarrier Fluid Oil From Jolse Review

2017-08-06T07:59:00.002-07:00

PR Sample

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Olivarrier's Squalane Fluid Oil is one product I'm surprised by. A few years ago, I would never think to add an oil into my skin care routine. As someone with combination to oily skin, I used to stay away from this type of product. However, I've been hearing plenty of good things about Olivarrier's Fluid Oil and its claim to be great for all skin types. I was curious and I wanted to see for myself. Does it really provide all the skin care benefits and work well for all skin types, even us combo to oily skin peeps? Read on to find out!

Olivarrier Fluid Oil
30ml | $35.7

Product Description: Olivarrier's Fluid Oil is made with 100% Squalane derived from olives. The product is colorless, odorless, free of preservatives, and chemicals. Making it great for all skin types. This oil will increase the skin's moisture level and be able to soothe, nourish, and heal the skin.

To Use: Take 1 or 2 drops and rub it in with your hands to warm it up. Gently pat your face with your hands until it's fully absorbed.

Ingredient: Olive Squalane.

Please Do not use if you are sensitive to its ingredient.

Ingredient Spotlight: It's easy to see which ingredient we'll be getting to know here, as this product only has 1 ingredient and it's Squalane. Squalane is a low molecular structure with small particles. That means the skin can absorb it easily and it won't block or clog the pores. This oil is created when squalene oil undergoes a hydrogenation process that turns the unsaturated oil into a saturated one. (Basically Squalene + hydrogentation = Squalane) The main difference between Squalene and Squalane, aside from its saturation, is its stability. Squalane is stable and has a longer shelf life than Squalene's unstable form that can go rancid fast.

Squalane is a popular skin care ingredient. It's known for its moisturizing benefits as it can leave the skin moisturized, soft, and plump. The oil is also known for its non-comedogenic, non-irritating, colorless, and odorless form. Making it great for all skin types, even those with sensitive skin. To make it better, Squalane also have the ability to help control excess sebum production, fight bacteria, soothe dry skin, protect the skin from free radicals, environmental damages, and more. This oil sounds pretty awesome by now doesn't it? Well, it gets even better as this oil is gentle enough for even the areas around your eyes and lips. Plus, you can use this oil pretty much anywhere. That means your hands, nails, and even your hair!

Packaging: Sleek and simple seems to be the theme these days and I'm totally okay with that. The box packaging for the oil is a simple black and white. It has some information about the product in both English and Korean. The oil is stored in a clear dropper bottle, as you can see in the picture below. This simple design emphasis the product's natural and pure ingredient.

Scent: None.

Color: Colorless.

Texture: Oily but not too thick and has a nice slip to it.

Michelle's Thoughts: Who would've thought that something as natural as 100% pure Squalane oil could be the product my skin falls in love with. I certainly didn't. I had plenty of doubts going into testing this product, worried that it would make my combo to oily skin even oilier. However, it didn't. Although, for me, it didn't help to decrease excess sebum production either which is disappointing as that's one of its promises. On the plus side, it has managed to provide quite a bit of care to my skin. The biggest being its ability to moisturize and it always leaves my skin plump, soft, and smooth after use. What's even better is that it's 100% natural and pure Olive Squalane, so I know there's no additives or others in it. This means it's great for all skin types, even those of us with sensitive skin.

A few things about the Squalane oil surprised me. First is its ability to absorb nicely into the skin. I was worried that it wouldn't despite its claims. However, I had no issues with it. I could put it almost any where in my skin care routine and it would be absorbed by my skin. Personally though, I like to use it after my essence and serum but before my moisturizer as that seems to work best with my current routine. Second, is that it doesn't leave behind any oily feelings once absorbed. This was another worry I didn't need to have because once the oil is absorbed it only leaves a light sheen (like the picture to the right below) but no sticky or oily feelings. Finally, I was worried that I might upset my skin's water to oil balance by adding an oil product when I already have oily skin. Surprisingly though, the balance doesn't seem to be disrupted. If anything, my skin's been feeling a lot more plump and soft lately.

Pros:
-moisturize
-smooth
-plump
-soften
-nourish
-colorless and fragrance free

Cons:
-price might not be suitable for all
-not much sebum control

Olivarrier's mask, lotion, and cream samples.

Final Thoughts: I think 'in love' might be the words to describe how I feel about this product because it's truly something. Its ability to moisturize is no joke and I love how it makes my skin feel plump, soft, and smooth. A little goes a long way too (I only use 2 drops at a time). So despite the 30ml looking small, it'll probably last me ages. The best thing about this product is that it's 100% pure Olive Squalane. No additives, fragrance, etc. Just pure, simple goodness.

Would I purchase it in the future? Yes. With all the products in our routines, sometimes all you need is a pure and simple product and I think the Squalane oil is the pure and simple product for my skin. I love it and I would gladly buy it again for the benefits it offers. Do I think it's worth a try? Yes! If you've never tried an oil in your skin care routine before, this is a good one to start with. It's natural and offers great benefits. It can't hurt, the only thing it can do is help.

Where to purchase:
-Jolse.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own.

Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop Review

2017-08-03T16:57:00.001-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

When do you think it's a good time to start using anti-aging products? Some might say 20s, 30s, 40s, or older, while others might suggest earlier. For me, this answer is subjective as it depends on your skin's needs. Some people might want to start earlier while others (blessed with amazing skin) might not feel the need to until late on. Whatever the case, it's always good to examine your skin and determine its needs instead of following the trends. With that said, preventing or slowing down aging is always easier than trying the reverse the signs of aging. So while your skin might not have wrinkles, it might still be showing small signs of aging such as loss of elasticity. In that case it's good to have 1 or 2 products, like the Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop, in your routine that can help with slowing down the signs of aging. So, what is this Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop and does your skin need it? Read on to find out.

Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop

20ml | $30

Product Description: The Klairs Midnight Blue Youth Activating Drop is an anti-aging serum that can delay aging, minimize the appearance of fine lines, improve skin texture, repair damaged skin, and strengthen the skin's barrier. It's a concentrated serum that contains only 10 ingredients, 95 percent of which are raw ingredients that contributes to its skin care abilities to delay aging. The star ingredients in this Youth Activating Drop are EGF (RH-Oligopeptide- 1) and bFGF (RH-Polypeptide- 1), both of which are known to improve skin elasticity, texture, and tone. The other ingredients in the serum add to its skin care benefits with moisturizing effects and antioxidants that can improve the overall health and quality of the skin.

To Use: In the evening, cleanse the skin first. Apply 3 to 4 drops of the serum onto the face and pat gently to let it absorb. Optional: apply an additional drop onto targeted areas to strengthen the effects.

Ingredients: RH-Oligopeptide- 1, RH-Polypeptide- 1, Butylene Glycol, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chlorphenesin, Guaiazulene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Ingredient Spotlight: The star ingredients in this Youth Activating Drop are no doubt the EGF (RH-Oligopeptide- 1) and bFGF (RH-Polypeptide- 1). Both ingredients are key factors that are crucial to the skin's elasticity, texture, and tone. EGF stands for Epidermal Growth Factor, which works by binding to its receptor (EGFR) to stimulate cell growth and differentiation. This effect helps to regenerate skin and has excellent effects on minimizing fine lines that forms during the 20s to 30s. As for bFGF, it stands for Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor which is present in the basement membranes and it's a member of the FGF family. This has the effects to help with wound healing as well as collagen and elastin production.

The body itself naturally produces substances called EGF and bFGF. However, in the your mid-20s the concentration of EGF decreases rapidly and the amount of collagen the skin produces also drops as well. Adding on the environmental damages and UV damages that can destroy essential elements of skin health, the skin's slow production of EGF and bFGF can't react at the same rate as before in healing the skin. Which can result in decreased skin elasticity, loss of firmness, and formation of fine lines and wrinkles. This is why products with EGF and FGF are helpful during this period, as it can slow down the signs of aging.

Other notable ingredients are Guaiazulene, blueberry extract, and adenosine. Guaiazulene is the same ingredient found in Klair's Blue Cream and it's known to be highly effective in the recovery of damaged skin as well as its ability to soothe sensitive skin. Blueberry extract is rich in antioxidants that can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and slow down aging. Finally, adenosine is a functional ingredient with anti-aging benefits. It can boost the levels of proteins such as collagen and elastin in the body which helps to slow down aging and reduced the appearance of wrinkles as well.

Packaging: The sleek black box packaging with white writing seen above stores the bottled Youth Activating Drop. Its design is clean and it has information about the product in both English and Korean. The serum itself is stored in a dark brown tinted dropper bottle, which is typical for concentrated products like these. The bottle also has information printed on it, which includes the expiration date.

Scent: Although there's no added fragrance in the serum, there is still a light scent to it. It's really faint and hardly noticeable in my opinion, unless you stick your nose right up to the bottle opening. It's a little hard to describe the scent because it's not something as simple as say strawberry or apple. I think the scent is likely caused by one or few ingredients and it smells a little chemical like, not in a bad way though. However, as mentioned above, the scent is hardly there so unless you really dislike the scent, you should have no issues with this product scent wise.

Color: A beautiful blue. You can see its color in the pictures above and below. It is transparent, so you can see right through it but everything on the other side will look blue thanks to its natural blue tint. I really like this color as it gives off a calming feel.

Texture: Liquidy like water. Its watery texture can make it a little hard to control, especially if you are like me and doesn't want to put it on the palms of your hands before patting it in. (I like to drop serums, essence, etc. in droppers straight onto my face and pat it in that way.) However, I've found a little trick that can help. The trick is to tilt your head slightly back and then apply the drops, one area at a time. This way, the drops will take longer to roll down and it'll give you plenty of time to pat it in.

Michelle's Thoughts: When I first laid eyes the Youth Activating Drop, I fell in love with its color. The see-through blue gives off a calming effect that looks visually pleasing. The product itself is pretty good as well and so far I've been very satisfied with it. Personally, I feel like this serum is best for those (like myself) who needs/wants a preventative product rather than a way to reverse signs of aging. If you have deep set wrinkles, this is not going to do much. However, if you want a product that can improve elasticity, slow down aging, and minimize the appearance of new or light fine lines, this is it.

Right now I'm in my 20s and in terms of aging I've noticed the decrease of elasticity in my skin as well as the formation of some light fine lines. To me, this is like a warning from my skin and it prompted me to add in some anti-aging products to my routine to boost elasticity, minimize damage, and slow down aging. I was eager to try the Youth Activating Drop as its promises to delay aging, minimize the appearance of fine lines, improve skin texture, repair damaged skin, and strengthen the skin's barrier are just what my skin needs right now. Plus, it only contains 10 ingredients so it's like a concentrated dose of goodness for the skin. After a month's use, I've found the best way for my skin to use this product and seen the awesome effects it provides.

I like to apply this serum right after I cleanse my face and before I apply toner. I found this to be more effective than applying it after toner. I use 5 drops: one on the forehead, one on each cheek/side of face, one of the nose, and one on the chin. Once patted in, I like to go back and apply an additional drop on my forehead area, as that's where my light fine lines are. Afterwards, I'll continue on with the rest of my routine. I've found this to be the most effective way to apply the product for my skin and the additional drop on the forehead adds some extra effects in minimizing those fine lines. As for its skin care effects, I've noticed that my skin overall is smoother and the texture is more refined. My skin feels softer, plumper, and more elastic than before. No doubt the product is helping to heal my skin, strengthen its barrier, and slow down its aging process. Also, the light fine lines on my forehead are less noticeable than before. They aren't completely gone but my hope is that with continued use of this product it'll help to increase elasticity in that area and decrease the appearances of fine lines even more until it's hardly noticeable or gone. Since those are light fine lines, they aren't set in stone and can still be erased with care.

Pros:
-soothes skin
-improves skin texture
-minimizes appearances of fine lines
-strengthen skin barrier
-delay aging
-great dropper and packaging

Cons:
-small bottle, might be pricey for some

Final Thoughts: The improvements I've seen over a month of using this product has been great. While it's not a cure all, it is a product that can help to delay aging, improve skin texture, minimize the appearance of fine lines, heal damaged skin, and strengthen the skin barrier. For my skin I've noticed the effects of all of those mentioned above, some more so than others. It's my hope that with continued use I would see even better results, especially with minimizing fine lines.

Would I purchase it in the future? Most likely. The Youth Activating Drop's concentrated dose of effective ingredients will delay aging, heal the skin, strengthen its barrier, increase its elasticity, and improve its texture. Who can say no to that amazing combo of skin care benefits? Do I think this product is worth a try? Yes! Especially if preventive effects such as slowing down aging are what you are looking for.

Where to purchase:
-Wishtrend.com

Use Wishtrend's special codes for more savings! This month get their Vitamin 75 Maximizing Cream for free (pay shipping only) with code WISHMAX.

Find more discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Eclado Revitalizing Elastin & Collagen Serum Review

2017-07-28T12:59:00.001-07:00

PR Sample

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Today, I am excited to share my review of the Eclado Revitalizing Elastin & Collagen Serum. I have been using this serum for over three months and I have to say, I am pretty impressed. Eclado is a brand my daughter and I discovered earlier this year via W2Beauty. We were both drawn in by Eclado's promise to provide specialized formulas to care for different skin issues while nourishing and hydrating the skin.

So far, we have both tried their sheet masks (a three in one that is unique and great for all skin types), my daughter tried their pore ampoule (which she likes a lot), and I am currently in the process of testing 2 other products from them. For me, it was their anti-aging products that caught my attention as that is one of my biggest skin care concerns. My hope with this Elastin & Collagen Serum is that it would improve elasticity of my skin and help to improve my skin texture as well. Read on to find out if this serum fulfilled my wishes!

Eclado Revitalizing Elastin & Collagen Serum

100ml | $120

Product Description: A hydrating serum formulated with collagen and elastin to improve the skin's overall texture and appearance. It can repair damaged skin, provide ample amount of hydration, and improve aging skin's elasticity. This serum is good for all skin types.

To Use: Cleanse the face and neck first. In your serum step, apply ample amount of the serum onto the face and neck. Massage gently and let it absorb before continuing with the rest of your skin care routine.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin , Hydrolyzed Collagen , Propylene Glycol, Alcohol, Biosaccharide Gum-1 , Panthenol , Hydrogenated Lecithin , Hydrolyzed Elastin, Dimethicone , Butylene Glycol , Glyceryl Polyacrylate , Natto Gum, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer , Oleth-10 Phosphate, Potassium Hydroxide , Phenoxyethanol , DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: As seen in the images above, the serum comes in a white box which has information about the product printed on it. The serum itself is stored in a beautiful red glass bottle with a pump. The pump also has a fitted lid as well.

Scent: Light sweet scent. Fragrance has been added to the product.

Color: The serum is colorless but looks a little cloudy as seen in the picture below.

Texture: A lightweight serum that is easy to absorb and leaves a smooth finish.

Helen's Thoughts: When it comes to products that needs long term use to see visible results, patience is key. After all, even the best skin care products needs time to deliver their best results. The amount of time it can take to see results can vary per person as everyone's skin type is different. For me, while the hydrating effects were there each time I applied the serum, it was the improving overall appearance and improving skin's elasticity that took longer to notice. I was well into my third week of twice-a-day use before I started to notice those effects. I did, in those three weeks, have moments of doubts but I am glad I waited through it as the results are worth the wait.

To isolate this serum's effectiveness on its own and than to see its effectiveness combined with other anti-aging products, I decided to test it three ways. First, I switched out all of my anti-aging skin care products so that the only anti-aging related product in my routine was this serum and sometimes sheet masks. I tested this for six weeks. Then I took a two week break to see what would happen to my skin without it. Finally, I reintroduced the anti-aging products I was previously using in my routine and added this serum back in to see the combined effectiveness of these products.

The first skin care benefit that peeped through was the improvement of my overall appearance at three weeks in. My skin became visibly smoother than before and it had a soft glow to boot. While it was not a dramatic change, it was enough for me to notice. Then came in the firmness. Again, not dramatic but the changes in my areas of decreased elasticity were noticeable. As I kept going, my skin felt more resilient and smoother. Plus the glow was still there. Six weeks went by fast and before I knew it, it was time to take a break from the product to see the effects without it. And as I suspected, I lost much of the elasticity, smooth texture and glow during those two weeks. I was happy when those two weeks ended as I can finally reintroduce my anti-aging products and add back in the Eclado Revitalizing Elastin & Collagen Serum. With all of my anti-aging products working together, the effectiveness were more noticeable and potent. My skin was back to the smooth texture, soft glow, and resilience in a little over two weeks and it continues to improve each day.

Pros:
-hydrates
-improves skin elasticity
-improves skin texture
-easy to use
-absorbs quickly

Cons:
-contains alcohol and fragrance, can cause sensitivity issues for some people

Final Thoughts: My skin fully enjoyed its time with the Eclado Revitalizing Elastin & Collagen Serum. It provided a smoother complexion and more resilient skin with a soft glow as well. While it is not a miracle product and the effects it offers are not dramatic, in my opinion it is still pretty good. This serum's price tag might seem slightly shocking to some at first glance, however, if you use the $1 per ml measure you'll find that it is actually decently priced as it does come with 100ml of product. A lot more than the common 30ml bottles of serums. (Although, it might be nice to have a smaller version of the serum, so people can try it before committing to the larger size.)

Would I purchase it in the future? Most likely. This serum has been a great addition to my current skin care routine as it has added to the anti-aging benefits the products in my routine provides. The 100ml bottle will last a long time as well. I am exploring the market for a more budget friendly version but I would be happy to buy another if I do not come across a comparable and cheaper version before I run out of my current one. Do I think this serum is worth a try? Yes, if you have the budget and are looking for these benefits. This is a great serum that does what it promises, so it is worth checking it out!

Where to purchase:
-W2Beauty.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own.

Eclado Professional Formula Pore Ampoule Review

2017-07-13T12:59:00.002-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

One of my biggest skincare concerns is pore care. Excess sebum, enlarged pores, and other pores issues can all be headaches. To make it worse, clogged pores can sometimes cause acne, which is another headache of its own. With all these issues you'd think finding the perfect products to cure and prevent them would be easy. But nope. Finding the right products that can help eliminate these issues can be just as hard, I would know. However, that doesn't stop me as I'm always on the look out for good pore care products to try and that's how I came across these Eclado Professional Formula Pore Ampoules. These Pore ampoules sounded promising and its lightweight formula is perfect for my combination to oily skin type. I was eager to test them and have been using them every evening for the past 3 months. What's the result? Read on to find out!

Eclado has 4 types of Professional Formula Ampoules. These ampoules are made with highly enriched ingredients that will give the skin intensive moisture and nourishment. The ampoules will protect the skin from the outside and deliver nourishment and elasticity deep inside the skin. The 4 Ampoules are Pore Ampoule, Collagen Ampoule, Snail Ampoule, and Vitamin Ampoule.

The Collagen Ampoule is made with collagen and Argireline, extracted from carrots to help prevent wrinkles from facial expressions. It works to tighten your skin by increasing its elasticity.

The Snail Ampoule is formulated with snail mucin to provide intense moisture and elasticity to the skin. It's easy to absorb formula penetrates the skin fast and gives dry skin the moisture it needs. Continue usage of this product will allow for smoother and more elastic skin.

The Vitamin Ampoule helps to brighten complexion. It works by reducing melanin production while slowing the aging of the body. The ampoule is formulated with seaweed, papaya, and panthenol to heal the skin and brighten its complexion.

Last but not least, the Pore Ampoule. This is the one we will be talking about today, so keep on reading!

Eclado Professional Formula Pore Ampoule
3ml x 12 | $66

Product Description: Eclado's Professional Formula Pore Ampoule is a highly concentrated, lightweight ampoule. It's formulated with green tea, witch hazel, bergamot, sage, and tea tree to control excess sebum, soothe the skin, and minimize the appearance of pores. Its lightweight formula is perfect for combination to oily skin types, as it's easy to absorb and dries to a matte finish.

To Use: Cleanse and tone the skin first. Squeeze a few drops of the ampoule out of the bottle onto the palms of your hands. Pat gently all over the face (avoiding the eyes and lips) until it's fully absorbed. Continue with the rest of your skincare routine.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Glyceryl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel Extract), Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) (Camellia sinensis Perafuta Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis flower Extract, Saponaria Officinalis leaf / root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) ) Leaf Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Propylene Glycol, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: Each box of the Eclado Professional Formula Pore Ampoule comes with 12 3ml bottles of the ampoule (as seen in the picture above). This packaging style is great for traveling and it ensures that the product is always fresh. You'll see in the images below, each small ampoule bottle has a plastic seal that needs to be twisted off before using. The outer box packaging of the product is plain and simple, with the product's name printed on the front and the ingredients for each of the 4 ampoules on the back as well as the expiration date.

Scent: There's a super duper light, slightly herbal scent in this ampoule. It's so light that I can hardly pick it up and say what it is exactly. Since this ampoule is fragrance free, I imagine the scent is naturally from the ingredients, which I'm okay with.

Color: The ampoule is colorless.

Texture: Super watery! Its texture reminds me of most watery toners.

Michelle's Thoughts: This has been my favorite pore care ampoule for the past 3 months. I use it with my pore care serum and together the duo has been the best at controlling my sebum and soothing my skin. I think the 2 products works best together because they boost each other's effects, making them better than if they were on their own. Which is great for me, especially during the summer months when I can get oily so easily. With the help of these 2 products, I know I don't have to worry about it as much. I still have to reach for a blotting paper every now and then but it's not as crazy as before when I need like 10. All you combination to oily skin peeps out there, you probably know what I'm talking about. Plus, no excess sebum means no need to worry about makeup breaking down on my face and looking patchy. It also means less touch-ups needed and less worries. Perfect!

For me, the Pore Ampoule's lightweight formula is perfect as it's so light that you won't even feel it on your skin. It dries to a matte finish and it doesn't leave behind any residues. The ampoule also absorbs super quickly, so I don't have to worry about any wait times in between products. I can just apply it and move on to my next product. Since this ampoule has a super watery consistency, I like to use it either before or after my toner, depending on the toner's consistency. If the toner is thicker I'll use the ampoule first and if the toner is thinner I'll use the toner first.

Like many pore care products I have tried, this one isn't perfect either. The downside for this ampoule is its promise to minimize the appearance of pores. For the 3 months I've been using this ampoule, I've barely noticed it do much in that area. Which is disappointing, since one of the concerns us oily peeps have usually with our pores aside from excess sebum is our pore size. Although there aren't anything that can definitively reduce the size of your pores (unless you go under the laser), products can sometimes help to reduce the appearance of the pores and making them look as if they were smaller than they actually are. That's what this ampoule promised, but unfortunately it wasn't able to deliver on that promise. At least not for me.

Pros:
-controls sebum
-soothes skin
-fragrance free
-lightweight
-travel friendly

Cons:
-effects for minimizing the appearance of pores aren't noticeable or long lasting

Final Thoughts: I really like this Pore Ampoule. Although it does have a downside, which I'm not too happy about, the pros it offers still outweighs the cons for me. The biggest pro for me and the main reason why I've been liking it a lot is its sebum control. I also like that it's fragrance free, soothes the skin, lightweight, and travel friendly! I recently took it on my trip and because it's already individually packaged I didn't have to worry about decanting it into a travel container.

Would I purchase it in the future? Likely. If I don't find another ampoule that can offer everything and minimize the appearance of pores, I'd likely come back to this one. Do I think this ampoule is worth a try? Yes! If you are looking for something that can control sebum, definitely check this one out! Also, try it with the Pore care serum for the best effect!

Have you found your pore care product? If so, what is it? If not, does this seem like it could be it?

Where to purchase:
-W2beauty.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review purposes. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

I'm From Ginseng Serum Review

2017-06-28T12:59:00.004-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

As you know from our past reviews, the two of us are both huge fans of products from the brand I'm From. Their Honey mask has been my go-to ever since I tried it out two years ago and I love it. Recently, the brand released their new Ginseng line and it includes this Ginseng serum. I had the opportunity to test it out and I want to share my review and experience of it with you all. Let's get right to it!

I'm From Ginseng Serum
30ml

Product Description: The I'm From Ginseng Serum is a nourishing anti-aging serum. It is formulated with 7.89% concentrated ginseng extract which can help to enhance blood circulation, increase skin elasticity, replenish the necessary nutrients in the skin, smooth and soften the skin, purify the skin with its antioxidants, and provide your complexion with a healthy and lively look. Aside from ginseng, this serum also includes other nourishing ingredients such as green tea, licorice, peony root, and rhubarb root to help boost its skincare effects.

To Use: Cleanse the skin and apply toner. Take an adequate amount and apply it evenly on your face. Gently pat the serum in with the palm of your hands. The heat from your hands will also help with absorption. This Ginseng Serum can be used both morning and night.

Ingredients: Water, Red Ginseng Extract, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Panax Ginseng Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Angelica Gigas Root Extract, Rheum Palmatum Root Extract, Angelica Pubescens Root Extract, Schizonepeta Tenuifolia Extract, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Ethoxydiglycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Ingredient Spotlight: The star ingredient in this serum is, of course, the ginseng. Specifically the Red Ginseng which is from Geumsan County and it has a history of 1500 years. Geumsan County has been evaluated as an ideal location to cultivate high quality ginseng due to its natural environment. Ginseng harvested in Geumsan often contains about 30 saponins (including ginsenoside), doubling that of ginseng harvested elsewhere which usually only contain 13 to 15 kinds of saponins. This Red Ginseng extract has also been six years in the making, as the process of making ginseng into ginseng extract is meticulous and everything from temperature to time and pressure needs to be carefully overseen to ensure the best quality. Ginseng is a popular anti-aging ingredient due to its ability to enhance blood circulation and increase production of new cells. It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to detoxify the skin and heal skin damages. This serum also includes panax ginseng seed oil, which helps to boost the skincare benefits the red ginseng has to offer.

Packaging: Like all I'm From products, the box packaging design is clean and filled with information about the product. The Ginseng Serum comes in a brown box (shown above). Inside the box, you will find the serum stored in a clear glass dropper bottle (see image below).

Scent: Fragrance has been added to the product but there is still a fairly strong hint of ginseng as well. The added fragrance has a sweet floral like scent to me. I am okay with the combination of the two scents but I feel like it can be strong or off-putting for some people.

Color: This Ginseng serum has a golden bronze like color.

Texture: The consistency of this serum is fluid but not watery. It is kind of similar to the Innisfree Green Tea serum but it has a slightly slick feel upon application. I find the serum absorbs really quickly when applied in a thin layer and it leaves a satin feel on the skin. However, if you apply too thick of a layer, it can leave a sticky feeling behind and can take some time to absorb.

Helen's Thoughts: One month in with this serum and I can already see some improvements. However, I am not head over heels in love with this Ginseng Serum and I will explain why later on. But first, I want to point out the goods this serum offers.

The most noticeable improvement my skin has had with this serum is its brightening effects. I was surprised by it, considering this is more of an anti-aging serum and I was expecting anti-aging effects to be on top not brightening. However, I do not mind it as I love the brighter complexion and healthy glow it has given my skin. Another improvement stems from the serum's nourishing ingredients to care for the skin and I definitely see and feel that effect. My skin feels rejuvenated and refreshed as the antioxidants works its magic to purify my skin while the ingredients replenishes the nutrients. It is a great combo and I have no complaints here. Aside from that, this Ginseng Serum has also managed to smooth, soften, and plump my skin. This is likely due to its ability to improve skin's elasticity, but I cannot say exactly how much it has improved as it is hard to measure. However, since the improvement is noticeable, I believe it is still doing a decent job as promised.

Alright, now, let's talk about the anti-aging benefits in this serum. This is the part that left me with mixed feelings and it is the reason why I am not completely in love with this serum despite all the amazing benefits I just talked about above. The Ginseng serum offers some anti-aging care but from my experience so far, it does not offer as much as it promise. One of the main claims that attracted my attention was its promise for wrinkle improvement. However, I have seen no improvements in that area over my month long use. I did notice some improvements with my fine lines which I think is really what this serum is good for. But if that is the case than the branding department made a serious wording error. Wrinkles and fine lines are different. They are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably but they should not be. Fine lines are much easier to minimize than wrinkles but even then it took almost three weeks to see some noticeable results with this serum and they are not completely gone either. Which means it will take more time to see better results.

Pros:
-nourishes
-softens and smooths
-plumps
-brightens
-hydrates
-rejuvenates

In-Between: Offers some anti-aging care but not as much as it promises

Cons:
-scent might not be suitable for everyone
-can leave a sticky feeling behind

Final Thoughts: I might not love this serum but I do like it. It does not offer the amount of anti-aging care it claims but it still offers some. I think this serum would be great for those who wants to minimize their fine lines. But if it is wrinkle care you are looking for (and yes there is a difference between the two), than this serum would not be your best choice. However, I still like this serum due to the other benefits I shared above such as its brightening properties.

Would I purchase it in the future? As an anti-aging serum, no but as a brightening and nourishing serum, yes. Do I think this is worth a try? If wrinkles are your worries and you do not care for the other benefits this serum offers, than I would say to try something else. However, if fine lines are your worries and you like the other benefits definitely give this serum a shot. It is worth it.

Have you tried any ginseng serums before?

Where to purchase:
-Wishtrend.com

If you are new to Wishtrend, you can use the referral code (064924203) for a $5 off voucher.
Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen

Disclaimer: This product was sent to us for review purposes. All opinions are honest and our own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Eclado Double Wired Lifting Mask - Peption 5 Review

2017-06-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

PR Sample

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Today, we are talking about sheet masks. Specifically, these unique 3 in 1 face, jawline, and neck masks from Eclado. In all our years of masking, we have never tried anything like this before. While there are 2 in 1 masks with face and jawline or jawline and neck on the market, these are the first 3 in 1 sheet masks we have ever seen. Needles to say, we were both pretty excited to try these Eclado Double Wired Lifting Masks. Let's get to know them!

Eclado is the company behind these unique masks. Their name comes from a combination of the French words éclat and doux, which means shine and soft respectively. The company was founded in 1998 and they preach the value of 'blooming pride' which is their belief that healthy skin leads to radiant, beautiful, and youthful skin. Eclado follows that belief by continually researching for new and improved formulas to help your skin maintain its beauty and youthfulness. Eclado's products are all science based beauty solutions proven to work against its targeted concerns. They offers a wide variety of products targeting different skin concerns, so there is something for everyone.

Unlike its name suggests, there are no wires in the mask. Instead, the lifting effects comes from the ear hooks that pulls the mask and allows it to shape the face to create that desired lift effect. There are 3 different types of masks in the Double Wired Lifting Masks line. The one we are reviewing today is the Peption 5 mask. The line also offers Brightening masks and Soothing Plus masks as well. All 3 masks have the same design and they all provide the signature lifting effect.

Eclado Double Wired Lifting Mask - Peption 5
box of 10 masks| 50g per mask

Product Description: Eclado Double Wired Lifting Peption 5 Masks are 3 in 1 sheet masks that includes a face mask, jaw mask, and neck mask. The mask's unique design allows it to provide a lifting effect along the jawline while hydrating the face, jaw, and neck areas. Peption 5 masks contains a variety of nourishing and anti-aging ingredients to give the skin that elasticity and firmness. These masks can also help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while providing the skin with moisturizing benefits.

To Use: Cleanse and tone the skin. Place the face part of the mask on the skin first and hook the sides to the ears. Next, smooth the jaw mask along the jawline and hook it onto the ears. Finally, smooth the neck mask on the neck and relax for 10 to 20 minutes before removing and continuing with the rest of your skincare routine.

Ingredients: Purified water, methylpropanediol, glycerin, butylene glycol, sodium hyaluronate, acetyl hexapeptide-8, copper tripeptide-1, SH-octapeptide-4, SH-decapeptide-7, RH-oligopeptide-1, RH-oligopeptide-2, RH-polypeptide-1, RH-polypeptide-3, RH-polypeptide-22, blueberry extract, licorice extract, raspberry extract, tomato extract, eucalyptus extract, green tea extract, portulaca oleracea extract, witch hazel extract, polyglutamic acid, adenosine, allantoin, cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, dimethicone, cyclohexasiloxane, sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, sorbitan oleate, carbomer, tromethamine, disodium, tropolone, caprylic glycol, ethylhexanediol, ethylhexyglycerin, 1,2 hexanediol, fragrance.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Notable ingredients: There are some amazing anti-aging ingredients in these masks. Most notably are the EGF ingredients as they are known to inhibit wrinkles, delay aging, moisturize the skin, and boost and regulate cell growth. These masks also include antioxidant ingredients such as green tea, anti-inflammatory ingredients such as licorice and a lot of nourishing extracts such as bluebery, raspberry, tomato, and eucalyptus.

Packaging: The packaging is plain and simple. There is not much information in English, as most of it are in Korean. However, the mask packaging does come with picture instructions that are pretty straight forward. It also comes with the full ingredient list in Korean which we translated (along with other information) for you guys above. The sheet mask itself comes folded with no protective layers. It can be a little difficult to unfold the mask, however, since it uses a sturdy material you do not have to worry about ripping it.

Scent: A mild, sweet floral scent with a hint of fruity notes. The scent is a bit perfume like but it is not overwhelming.

Color: The mask sheet is white and the serum is colorless but a little opaque.

Texture: As you can see in the picture below, the mask serum is not runny but not super thick either. Its texture actually reminds us a little of the Water Gel but more fluid and watery. The mask serum is easy to absorb and it feels nice on the skin.

Helen's Thoughts: These are the perfect masks to relax with after a long day. It covers the face, jawline, and neck as well as the eyes as it has a flap for each eye area. I like to lay down, close my eyes (so I can cover them with the eye flaps) and relax with the mask on. Its soothing formula is calming and it might cause you to fall asleep. Which is exactly what happened to me the first time I used this mask. It was the best two hour nap though and I do not regret a thing.

Before we get to the amazing benefits these Double Wired Lifting Peption 5 Masks has to offer, let us talk about the jawline area. This section was surprisingly effective at first as my jawline looked lifted after I removed the mask. However, within a few hours, that effect began to lessen and the 'lift' effect it offered was gone just like that. I had hoped that by using this mask over and over, the effect would last longer. However, a few masks in and the effect is still temporary. Disappointing, yes, but it is not the end of the world.

Despite the jawline con, these masks are still great masks. Not only do they feel amazing and relaxing on the skin, but they also offer quite a few amazing skincare benefits as well. The most notable effects for me are its moisturizing, nourishing, and anti-aging benefits. The mask's moisturizing and nourishing benefits are no joke. These masks are formulated with a ton of beneficial ingredients which always leaves my skin feeling soft, moisturized, and smooth. They can also adds a healthy glow, nourish the skin, and brighten my skin a little as well. As for its anti-aging effects, so far these masks have managed to firm and add some elasticity back into my skin. It has also managed to reduce the appearance of some of my wrinkles and fine lines. Although, it is not a huge improvement and for me the effects so far have been more noticeable on my fine lines than my wrinkles. I have noticed that my crows feet wrinkles look a little less obvious than before. It is going to take a lot more uses to get better long term results, however, I hope that by using these mask in conjunction with other anti-aging products in my routine I can speed up the process and see better results sooner.

3 in 1 face, jaw, and neck mask with eye covers too.

Michelle's Thoughts: As you guys know, I patch test everything (#SensitiveSkinIssues). Through my patch test I found that the serum can cause a slight warming/tingly sensation on my sensitive skin but it doesn't cause any negative reactions. That warming/tingly sensation usually only last the first 5 minutes and it hasn't cause me any issues. which is great. Applying these masks is a lot easier than it looks. Once you get the first set of hooks on (the ones on the side of the face), the rest comes easy. The overall mask fit was decent but it's lacking a bit for me in the jaw area (we'll talk about that later) and the nose area as the sides of my nose and the tip of my nose are not covered. The mouth hole is a bit small too, I didn't mind it covering my lips a little but it might not work well for everyone.

The main issue I had with this mask was jawline part. I did nothing for me and I suspect it's because it wasn't tight enough. Unlike the side of the mask which came with 2 ear hooks each, so you can choose how tight you want the mask to be. The jawline part didn't have that option. So, for me, it just ended up hanging there and it wasn't tight at all. The mask still managed to provide moisture and nutrition to my jawline area but I didn't experience any of that 'lifting' effect.

Other than that, I really like this 3 in 1 mask style. The design allows me to care for 3 areas at the same time which is great and saves time. Although the suggested wear time for these masks is 10 to 20 minutes, I actually like to wear them for at least 45 minutes. Since these masks are soaked with serum and even at around 45 minutes the mask is still pretty damp, so there's so need to waste. Plus, I get to enjoy the mask a little longer. The Peption 5 mask's formula is super soothing and relaxing. I can see how my mom fell asleep with it on the first time she used it. Aside from its soothing and relaxing effects, these masks are also able to hydrate, soften, nourish, and plump my skin thanks to its amazing ingredients. I find my skin always looks a little brighter after I use the masks and it has a nice healthy glow to boot. I'm not sure how much I can say of the mask's anti-aging benefits because I don't really have any wrinkles yet. However, I do have a few fine lines here and there and man oh man did this mask help with those. I was surprised to see the results and while some of my fine lines did reappear after a while, others actually stayed gone. I'm going to keep using these masks to see if I can get better long term results. Oh, and I almost forgot. Although this mask doesn't claim to have these benefits, I actually found it to be able to lessen the redness on my skin (although temporarily) and calm some of the smaller pimples on my jawline.

I know, not really a flattering sheet mask selfie but I wanted to show you guys what it looks like on the face with the hooks and all.

Pros:
-moisturizes
-anti-aging care
-soothes the skin
-calming formula
-nourishing ingredients
-unique design

Cons:
-fit will vary per person, the jaw area might be too tight or not tight enough for some
-fragrance has been added to the product
-jawline lifting effects are not long lasting

Our Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡

Final Thoughts: It has been a while since we last did a review of a product together. (Did you guys enjoy our joint review? Should we do it more often?). Our results with these masks were pretty similar in some areas and we both like these masks despite its few cons. Honestly, the mask's unique 3 in 1 design and its soothing & nourishing formula are the main reasons why we love this mask. It is super relaxing and a great way to unwind after a long day.

Would we purchase it in the future? Yes! The skincare benefits are pretty good with this mask and its impressive ingredient list is one of the reasons why we will get it again. We would also like to try the other two types of masks in the line as well. Do we think these are worth a try? Absolutely! 3 in 1 masks are relaxing and you get to care for your face, jawline, and neck all at the same time. It is something to experience if you have never tried a mask like this before. In our opinion, these are worth it.

What do you guys think of this 3 in 1 mask design? Do you like it? Would you try it?

Where to purchase:
-W2beauty.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen and Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was sent to us for review purposes. All opinions are honest and our own.

J.One Jelly Cushion By Re:cipe Review

2017-05-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

What is your ideal cushion? My ideal cushion has to have decent coverage, moisturizing properties, a lightweight formula, sun protection, and has a natural looking finish. Of course, the shade has to be right too and these days that can be so hard for some reason. Still, that does not stop me from testing out cushions I want to try. I have been wanting to try this J.One Jelly Cushion since last year and I finally purchased it a little while ago. I initially held off on the purchase because at full price it can be quite expensive. Shelling out a ton of money for something I may or may not like was not ideal, so I decided to wait. Luckily, there was a sale on this cushion, so I purchased it right away. I wanted to test it and see if it could be my ideal cushion. Read on to find out!

J.One Jelly Cushion
15g x2

Product Description: J.One Jelly Cushion is a convenient foundation compact created by celebrity Ha Ji Won. It is formulated to be lightweight and easy to blend. Leaving the skin with a natural looking finish that still provides decent coverage. This cushion is infused with lemon extract, sea buckthorn extract, and royal jelly to supply the skin with plenty of nutrients while hydrating and brightening it. The Jelly Cushion also offers sun protection of SPF 50+/PA+++ to protect the skin from any sun damages throughout the day.

To Use: Gently press the air puff against the cushion to pick up the desired amount of foundation. Gently pat and press evenly over the face until desired coverage is achieved.

Ingredients: Water, cyclopentasiloxane, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, butylene glycol, glycerin, dimethicone, ethylhexyl salicylate, niacinamide, dicaprylyl carbonate, butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, pentylene glycol, silica, hippophae rhamnoides fruit extract, citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, royal jelly extract, honey extract, lupinus albus Sseed extract, rubus chamaemorus seed extract, propolis extract, triceteareth-4 phosphate, glycol stearate, glyceryl stearate, bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, potassium cetyl phosphate, polysorbate 60, PEG-100 stearate, PEG-2 stearate, PEG-10 dimethicone, aluminum hydroxide, triethoxycaprylylsilane, sodium polyacrylate, sodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, ethylhexyl glycerin, isohexadecane, adenosine, polysorbate 80, sorbitan olivate, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, PVP, caprylyl glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, tocopherol, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, fullerenes, cetearyl Alcohol, xanthan gum, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, parfum, CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: J.One's packaging has always been simple, sleek, and to the point. This is no different for their jelly cushion, which comes in a compact case shown above. The cushion comes with one refill as well (see image below). Like most cushions, the Jelly Cushion comes with a protective sticker that needs to be removed before using.

Scent: Light, fresh floral scent. Fragrance has been added to this product but it is really light.

Color: There are only 2 shades available and the shade I have is #23. The other shade is #21.

Texture: Liquid foundation like in terms of texture. It is not super runny but still fluid and easy to apply. It also has a natural and satin finish.

Helen's Thoughts: The first J.One product I have ever tried was their Hana Cream. I liked it. I wanted to try more of J.One's products but shelling out a ton of money for something I may or may not like just did not seem worth it. So, I held it off. However, just before Memebox stopped being a retailer they had multiple sales and one item on sale was this J.One cushion. Naturally, I picked it up.

When it comes to cushions I look for one that has decent coverage, moisturizing properties, lightweight formula that is not sticky, travel friendly, sun protection, and has a natural looking finish. The Jelly cushion offers all of that and more. My normal to dry skin loves the cushion's nourishing and hydrating formula. The shade is close to perfect for me and the coverage it offers means one layer is enough. The natural satin finish the cushion leaves makes my skin look a little brighter as well. I have been using this cushion for a while now and I just recently switched in the refill, so you can say I like it a lot.

While this cushion is great, it has a few downsides too. The biggest downside is the lack of shade options. This is actually an issue with a lot of cushions and it would be nice if companies broadened their shade options. The second downside is an issue for me currently. It is hard to find this product locally. If I want to get it now, I would have to shop through a shopping service, as I cannot find it elsewhere. Another slight downside is that this cushion can settle into fine lines. However, this issue is easily fixed by wearing a good primer underneath.

Pros:
-medium coverage, buildable
-natural, satin finish
-moisturizing formula
-travel friendly
-comes with a refill

Cons:
-only comes in 2 shades
-hard to find locally

Helen's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡

Final Thoughts: I really like this cushion. It has the right formula for my skin type, it offers the kind of coverage I want and it has a nice satin finish to boot. The shade is a little off but that is easily fixable. The only issue I have with it is that it is hard to find locally. I might have to use another cushion until I can build up a decent size haul for a shopping service purchase.

Would I repurchase it in the future? Yes, as soon as I find a good place to buy it from. Do I think this cushion is worth a try? Yes, if you are looking for the same kind of formula I am. I think this cushion is great, if the shade and formula is right definitely give it a try!

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own.

Sample Saturday: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce

2017-05-20T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Have you found your perfect sunscreen yet? I have a few favorites but I'm expanding my horizons this year and trying out more in hopes of finding my HG sunscreen. I've already tried this Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce for Face in the past but this time, I thought I'd share my thoughts on it with you guys. My favorite sunscreen from Shiseido is actually their Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector. I've used the Urban Environment sunscreen for many years and it's one of the few sunscreens I've repurchased multiple times as well. As for how I feel about this WetForce sunscreen? You'll have to read on to find out!

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce
For face, sample size,

Product Description: The Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce for face is an innovative protective sunscreen. It's made to become more effective when it comes into contact with water. Making it a great sunscreen for outdoor activities and sports. The sunscreen's high SPF protection will protect the skin from UV damages and help to reduce the appearance of photo-aging at the same time. Despite its high coverage and protection, this product is made with a gentle formula that will be comfortable on the skin.

To Use: Use this product as the last step of you skincare routine. Squeeze out a pearl size amount of the sunscreen and dot on five parts of the face. Gently smooth the product out evenly over the entire face. Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply after 80 minutes of swimming/sweating or every 2 hours.

Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Sd Alcohol 40-B, Isohexadecane, Butylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Lauryl Peg-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Xylitol, Glycerin, Polybutylene Glycol/Ppg-9/1 Copolymer,Isododecane,Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Peg-6, Dextrin Palmitate, Peg-32, Peg/Ppg-14/7 Dimethyl Ether, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Ononis Spinosa Root Extract, Ectoin, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Silica, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Carboxydecyl Trisiloxane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trisodium Edta, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Talc, Alcohol, Bht, Syzygium Jambos Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The sample size comes in a squeeze tube packaging as seen in the picture above. The full size product comes in a squeeze tube as well, but it's much larger and looks more like a squeeze tube bottle.

Scent: Fragrance was added to this sunscreen, likely to cover that sunscreen scent we're all too familiar with and it does seem to help. Although, there's still a hint of the typical sunscreen scent, it's mainly covered by the nice floral scent and a hint of alcohol as well. (Alcohol is 3rd on the ingredient list.) To me, the scent is more than mild but not overwhelming and it does lighten over time.

Color: The sunscreen is white in color. It can leave behind a white cast.

Texture: The sunscreen has a lotion like texture that's not runny but not thick either. It feels lightweight on the skin. Once it dries, it leaves a slight silky veil on top of the skin.

Michelle's Thoughts: My favorite sunscreen from Shiseido is still their Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector. It's been my go to for years and it's one of the few sunscreens I've repurchased multiple times over the years. I've tried some of the sunscreens from their WetForce line too, mainly the Face and Body version, as well as this one I'm reviewing today. The Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 50+ WetForce for Face is not perfect but still good. I personally think the sunscreen's innovative WetForce formula is amazing and it works really well actually. I've taken the Face and Body version on multiple beach vacations trips with me and it's always protected my skin from the harsh UV rays. It offers great protection from water as well as sweat, which is what makes it great for summer vacations. Like the Face and Body version, this Face Only version stays in place and it doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin. It offers the same kind of protective skincare benefits and it has the exclusive SuperVeil-UV 360 technology which helps to reduce the appearance of photo-aging.

As awesome as this sunscreen sounds so far, it does have a few downsides and they're the reasons why I won't get a full size of this. However, I do use this sunscreen whenever I get a sample of it. For me, its main downsides are the white cast it can leave behind and the uneven/pilling application it can have at times. As you'll see in the swatch picture below, the picture on the right shows the white cast after application. It's not super bad on my skin tone, but I imagine the results will vary for some. I have worn this into the water and found that some times it can get even whiter once it hits the water. Making it look like a slight white mask on the face. The other issues is the uneven/pilling application it sometimes have. This issue it's likely a combination of the sunscreen and my skincare products but I'm not going to change an entire line of product for one sunscreen. Especially since there are other options on the market. That's a personally opinion though and it might not be an issue for others but it's good to check just in case. However, if you are lucky and don't have these issues with this sunscreen, I think you'll like it a lot.

Pros:
-great sun protection
-waterproof formula
-reduce appearance of photo-aging
-sweat-proof
-doesn't feel heavy or greasy on the skin

Cons:
-can cause white cast
-can cause uneven application or pilling

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡

Final Thoughts: This is a pretty good sunscreen and I would probably like it a lot more if it doesn't have those 2 cons for me. The white cast is not the biggest of issues but the uneven application and potential pilling is. Which is why I haven't bought the full size version of this sunscreen yet. However, I still use any sample size that comes my way in beauty boxes I've purchased or in this case, this sample was from the Sephora Sun Kit I purchased last year. I think this sunscreen would be great for people are looking for a waterproof and sweat-proof sunscreen. Not everyone will have the same issues I have with the sunscreen, so it's worth a try. You can always stop by your local Sephora to test it out before you make the purchase.

Where to purchase:
-Sephora.com

Do you guys feel the same about this sunscreen as I do? Or are you one of the lucky ones?

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb Review

2017-05-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Affiliate Link

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Two years ago Belif, among other K-Beauty brands, stormed the Western beauty world and introduced themselves with a big bang. They were talked about in magazines, social media, and the lucky few got their spot in the ever so popular Sephora shops. Needless to say, there were (and still are) a lot of buzz around Asian beauty products and the amazing benefits they offer. While many Asian Beauty veterans were already familiar with the brands that flooded the Western markets, there were still some that were news to us as well. For me, Belif was one of those brands.

This interesting brand with a seemingly misspelled name caught my attention in the most unusual way. I was curious, so I looked them up. While its name might have drew me in, its history and its line of skincare products is what kept me wanting to know more. With a little luck, my mom and I won a giveaway hosted by Belif, which landed us 5 of their best sellers. One of them was this Belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb. I've been using this moisturizer for the past 2 months and I'm ready to share my thoughts on it with you guys. Read on to learn more about it!

Belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb
50ml,

Product Description: Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb is a lightweight gel cream. It's formulated with a blend of apothecary herbs, which includes antioxidant rich lady's mantle. This formula provides intense hydration, improves skin elasticity, minimizes the appearance of pores, and helps to neutralize skin damaging free radicals. It will leave the skin healthy, moisturized, soft, smooth, and supple.

To Use: Use this as the moisturizer in your skincare routine. This gel cream can be used morning and night.

Ingredients: Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methl Trimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Malakite Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract, Stellaria Media (Chickweed) Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Leaf Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Nepeta Cataria Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Leaf Extract, Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract, Dimethiconol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sodium Acrylate/Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Dimethylacrylamide Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Ceramide 3, Cholesterol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Phenl Trimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Panthenol, Squalane, Triethylhexanoin, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, PEG-150, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, C14-22 Alcohols, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Lecithin, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Trisodium EDTA, Fragrance+, Citronellol, Limonene, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The Aqua Bomb comes in a sturdy plastic container and an outer box package as seen above. The outer package has a lot of information (in English) about the product and it includes the full ingredient list as well. The gel cream is stored in an easy to use container with a twist off lid.

Scent: A citrus-herbal mix of scents. It's medium to mild but dissipates quickly after application. To me, the scent is really calming.

Color: Light blue in color, as seen in the picture below. It's really opaque and doesn't leave behind any color once applied to the skin.

Texture: Gel like cream. It's light and refreshing. Easy to apply and absorbs fast as well.

Michelle's Thoughts: As you can see, I've been using this Aqua Bomb moisturizer for a while now. I'm 2/3 way through it and it won't take long before I clear the container. I was particular cautious with this product, as I am with any products that contains alcohol denat. (It's 5th on the list). From past experiences, I can be sensitive to products with alcohol denat., especially if they are one of the first 3 ingredients. Being 5th on the list means there's a good chance that it won't irritate my skin, but it's always good to be cautious. So whenever I come across a product with alcohol denat. as an ingredient, I always do a thorough patch test.

As expected, this Aqua Bomb gel cream didn't irritate my skin, which is great. Its citrus herbal scent also covers the alcohol scent, which is another plus. I've been using this gel cream morning and night and it's a hydrating yet lightweight gel cream. I like to apply a bit more on my combination areas and a bit less on my oily T-zone, as I've found that if I apply too much on my T-zone it can cause excess sebum. However, after finding out the perfect ratio I rarely run into any issues. I love how easy it is to apply and use this gel cream. Its citrus herbal scent is calming and relaxing. This gel cream contains nourishing ingredients to provide long term care for the skin and it also soothes the skin as well. Leaving my skin feeling soft and plump.

Since I've already found my HG moisturizer for the cooler months, my current moisturizer hunt is mainly for a good moisturizer for the warmer months. After 2 months of use, I think this is a good moisturizer but it comes with a few issues of its own as well. The biggest issue is its alcohol denat. ingredient. This potential irritant will make this a hit of miss product. While it's lucky that this gel cream doesn't irritate my skin, I'm still iffy on getting this again. It would be awesome if this product doesn't contain alcohol denat., I know I'd for sure purchase then. The other issue I've come across with this gel moisturizer is that it doesn't really minimize the appearance of pores, despite what it promises. At least, I've never seen any results of it.

Pros:
-moisturizing
-nourishing
-soothing
-softening
-plumping
-lightweight

Cons:
-contains alcohol denat. which can be an irritant for some
-scent might not be suitable for everyone
-doesn't minimize appearance of pores as promised

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡

Finals Thoughts: I really like this Belif The True Cream - Aqua Bomb and I would love it even more if it takes out its alcohol denat. ingredient. I think that's my only complaint for it and I do hope Belif will update this gel moisturizer with that in mind. I'm also slightly disappointed that it doesn't minimize the appearance of pores as promised. However, overall, this is a pretty good moisturizer for the current season.

Would I purchase it in the future? Undecided. If Belif upgrades the product and take out its alcohol denat. ingredient, I'd be happy to purchase it and add it to my moisturizer arsenal. In the meantime, I will be testing out other moisturizers for the warmer months. Do I think this is worth a try? Yes, as long as you don't mind the alcohol denat. ingredient and is looking for a lightweight yet hydrating moisturizer that also offers nourishing, soothing, softening, and plumping effects. This Auqa Bomb moisturizer would be worth the try for you.

Where to purchase:
-Sephora.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Peripera Oil Capture Peach Sun Review

2017-05-03T13:39:00.005-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Let's talk about sunscreens today. Do you wear sunscreen every day? Growing up, one of my mother's best skincare advise was to wear sunscreen every day. I followed that advise until I hit my teenage years. Those are the years to be rebellious after all. The idea of wearing sunscreen every day even when there's no sun to be seen, seemed like such a hassle. The teenage me then didn't understand at all. Sure, my mom explained about the potential sun damages, aging effects, etc. but I was young and aging seemed like such a thing of the future. I did still wear sunscreen, but it was more of an on/off thing versus everyday. That was until I saw a picture of a truck driver who had sever sun damage to only the left side of his face (since that's the side that faced the window). It was a shocker and the picture, and my mother's nagging (but I love her for it) got me back on track with every day sunscreen usage.

Using sunscreen is no longer an issue for me, but finding the perfect ones can be hard. I've tried many sunscreens and I honestly haven't come across a HG yet. I have a few favorites but the common issue I usually have with sunscreens are that some work well on its own but doesn't layer well with makeup or skincare. Others causes that sunscreen white cast so many of us are only too familiar with and some are just straight up...well to put it nicely, dreadful. So, my sunscreen hunt hasn't exactly been easy but what can you do, life isn't easy either. You just got to keep going and keep trying! Anyways, today I want to share my review of Peripera's Oil Capture Peach Sun. This is a sunscreen I started testing 2 months ago. Read on to see if this is a dud or a favorite.

Peripera Oil Capture Peach Sun
40ml

Product Description: The Peripera Oil Capture Peach Sun is a brightening sunscreen. It has sun protection of SPF 50+ PA+++ and can help to control excess sebum as well. This sunscreen can help to enhance skin tone and leave the skin with a soft finish.

To Use: Apply it to the skin as the last step of your daytime skincare routine.

Ingredients: Purified Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zinc Oxide, CI 77947, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dipropylene glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Methicone, PEG-10, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sodium chloride, Corn Starch, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Gossypium Herbaceum Powder, Lauryl, Tris(Trimethylsiloxy) Silylethyl.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The Peach sun comes in a pump tube packaging as seen in the image below. It's easy to use and travel friendly as well. The product also comes with a box packaging as well, with product information in Korean.

Scent: Sweet baby powder, slightly peachy scent is probably how I'd describe the scent of this sunscreen. It's more sweet baby powder than peachy but I don't mind, it smells nice anyways.

Color: As seen in the picture below, the sunscreen has a super light pinkish peach white color. The color is really more white than pinkish peach though. Once spread out, the color isn't really noticeable and it kind of acts like a pink/peach color corrector as it brightens the skin. This product may not work for all skin tones, as it might look like it's creating a white cast for some.

Texture: The sunscreen is like a BB cream or CC cream but more fluid in terms of texture. It's easy to apply and spread. The product also leaves the skin with a soft finish.

Michelle's Thoughts: I'm pretty picky with sunscreens, as one should, and there are always a few things I look at when I'm testing a new sunscreen. First is to make sure that it doesn't irritate my skin, because a sunscreen can be the best in the world but if it irritates my skin then it's a no go. Second, does it play well with my skincare/makeup products or does it cause piling? Cause it's got to go in between the two, and if it doesn't play well it won't look good. Plus, product pilling can be a big issue and it doesn't look pretty either. Third, does it leave a white cast? Sunscreens that leaves a white cast are not really a thing of the past yet but a lot of new sunscreens have gotten rid of that issue, which is great. There are a few other things I look for when it comes to sunscreens, but those 3 are the main points.

The Peripera Oil Capture Peach Sun passed some of those points but fell short on some too. The first thing I can say about it is that it doesn't irritate my skin. Yay! Although, I think you guys may have already gotten that since I started testing this 2 months ago. Now, does it play well with my skincare/makeup? Well, sometimes. One of the downsides of this sunscreen for me is that it can pill. It's not that it pills every time and it's not really pilling due to a particular product in my routine. It's just the combination of it all on some days that just doesn't work well as others. This is especially true when my skin is really oily. Which brings me to the next point, this sunscreen doesn't control oil as well as it promotes. The oiliest part of my face is my T-zone, the second are my apple zones. This sunscreen can sort of control my apple zones' excess sebum but it fails when it comes to my T-zone. This is unfortunate, but that's why they made the No Sebum powder right? That things is seriously my oily T-zone's savior. Finally, the white cast. I think for this sunscreen, the white cast issue will differ based on skin tones. The overall is that it can cause a light white cast but it's not really noticeable on certain skin tones, such as myself. I'm about NC 20 by the way, the white cast it's light enough and mixed with its pink/peachy brightening color that it just makes my skin look slightly brightened. That might not be the same for all skin tones though. So test it out before you wear it out.

Pros:
-SPF 50+ PA+++
-brightens skin
-evens skin tone
-soft finish

Cons:
-not for all skin tones (as it can look like a white cast for some)
-doesn't control excess sebum well like advertised
-can cause pilling on the skin

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡ ♡

Final Thoughts: This is not the best sunscreen I've ever tried but it's not the worst either. It fells short in a couple of my needs but it offers some amazing benefits as well. I liked that it has SPF 50+ PA+++, can brighten the skin and evens out skin tone. I was disappointed by the potential pilling and the lack of sebum control as opposed to what was promised.

Would I repurchase it in the future? Probably not. I'm glad I gave this a try but it's just not for me. Do I think this is worth a try? A lot of the issues I have with this sunscreen seems to be due to the excess sebum. So, maybe if you don't have oily skin, you might have better luck with it?

Have you tried this sunscreen from Peripera? Did you have better luck with it? Let me know in the comments below!

Where to purchase:
-Amazon.com
-ClubClioUSA.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Sample Saturday: Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream Review

2017-04-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

This Sample Saturday I want to share my review on the Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream. Although I'm familiar with the Goodal brand, I haven't really tried many of their products. So, when I found these deluxe samples in my stash, I thought I'd give them a try. I've never tried a facial cream quite like this before. It's really more like a melting balmy product as opposed to a cream, so the name throws it off a bit. However, its texture and its process of use is what makes this product unique. Read on to learn more about this product and my thoughts on it.

Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream
10ml deluxe sample

Product Description: The Goodal Moisture Barrier Cream is an innovative melting balm type of cream. It's formulated with ceramides and mistletoe complex to strengthen the skin's moisture barrier and help it to retain moisture. Additionally, it also contains water sourced from South Korea's Seorak Mountain to provide additional moisture benefit. This facial cream will repair damaged skin barriers and make your skin look visibly smoother and brighter.

To Use: Take a decent amount of the cream and warm it up with your fingers. Apply the product on clean skin after toner and serum in am or pm.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Cyclopentasiloxane, Myristic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Cyclohexasiloxane,Cetearyl Alcohol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, PEG-150 Distearate, Fragrance(Parfum), Onsen-Sui, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Cetearyl Glucoside, C12-16 Alcohols, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, C18-21 Alkane, Adenosine, BHT, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylic/Capric, Triglyceride, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract, Trideceth-6, PEG-40 Stearate, Polydecene, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Ceramide 3, Squalane, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower/Leaf Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Iris Versicolor Extract, Leontopodium Alpinum Flower/Leaf Extract, Rose Extract, Freesia Refracta Extract, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The deluxe samples comes in small plastic containers as seen in the picture above. They are packaged in box packaging as well, with minimal information about the product. Their full size counterparts comes in larger glass jars with mini spatulas provided.

Scent: Balmy, floral fragrance. It has a hint of plastic like scent too (not sure if it's just my sample size containers) but I'm not a fan of it.

Color: It's creamy white in color.

Texture: This barrier cream starts off with a balm texture. It's almost waxy but not quite. Once you start to warm it up with your fingers, it melts and allows for easier application. The process reminds me of my cleansing balms, except it's not for cleansing.

Michelle's Thoughts: When I first saw this, I didn't think I'd like it at all. The balmy than melting to an almost oil like texture reminds me of my cleansing sherbets. Every time I used it, I felt like I was about to remove my makeup instead of applying a moisturizer. I had a few worries too, mainly if this moisturizer was going to be too oily for my skin.

To find out, I started with patch testing as always. Luckily, there were no irritations or break outs. The only thing I found that I didn't like through patch testing is this cream's scent. It's got that balmy scent mixed with floral fragrance and a hint of what seems to be plastic? Not too sure there about that last part, but whatever it is I don't like it. The cream (if you can really call it that) is surprisingly easy to use if you can get past the texture and scent. After you warm up the product, its oily texture is runny and spreads so easily. It does leave a film behind but it doesn't feel uncomfortable. The film acts like a barrier as it keeps the moisture in, so my skin stays moisturized. My biggest worry was that this balmy cream would be too oily for my skin and unfortunately it was for some of my oily parts like my T-zone. I think this would be great for those with dry skin types but for my combo to oily skin, it was mixed feelings all around. The parts of my face that are drier loved it while the others (like my T-zone) found it just a bit too oily for their liking. A few things to note is that, for me, I'd probably only use this during winter months or cooler spring days, as its moisturizing.oily formula would be too much for my skin in the summer time. I also only use this in the evenings as it doesn't play well with my makeup.

Pros:
-moisturizing
-softening
-smoothing
-unique formula/texture

Cons:
-scent might not be suitable for everyone
-might be too oily for some people

Final Thoughts: I started with unsure feelings and ended with mixed feelings. The oily parts of my skin really didn't like this at all, but some of my dry patches loved it when they are super dry. The conclusion I've come to is that it's a moisturizing balmy product good for drier skin types as opposed to oily skin types. I can't see myself purchasing the full size of this because I'd only be using it during the winter days and only on a few dry patches when they are super dry. Plus, I really dislike the off putting scent which I just can't get use to. It was nice to give this a try but it's not for me.

Where to purchase:
-Amazon.com
-ClubClioUSA.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Yesstyle Beauty Box - Sweet Spring Makeup Kit Unboxing

2017-04-27T12:38:00.001-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

We are back with another Yesstyle Beauty Box unboxing! Last time, Yesstyle released a Skincare Essentials box and it contained some nice products. This time, they launched their Sweet Spring Makeup Kit which includes a selection of full size makeup products and sample size makeup and skincare goodies.

For those who are unfamiliar with Yesstyle, they are an online beauty, fashion, and lifestyle retailer. We've been shopping with them for nearly 7 years now and if you frequent our blog or Instagram you've probably seen a few of our hauls from them as well. They are one of our trusted sites to shop at and we've shared our thoughts on their site, membership program, customer services, etc., so check that out if you'd like. They have released a few beauty boxes and it seems like they will release more in the future as well. It'll be exciting to see what other beauty boxes they release in the future, but for now let's get to know the Sweet Spring Makeup Kit.

The Sweet Spring Makeup Kit comes with 9 products in total. Five of them are full size products while the other 4 are samples. The products in this kit are good introductions to K-beauty makeup products and the kit contains enough to create a full face look. There are also a few skincare samples, such as cleaners, toner, serum, and emulsion to provide a sneak peek into K-beauty's skincare realm. This kit comes with products from both well known brands and not so well known brands. So it's a great way to discover different brands and try out their products.

The Sweet Spring Makeup Kit includes the following products:

- RiRe - Luxe Dual Stick #2 Shadow + Blusher | Full Size
- RiRe - Lip Manicure Rouge Highfix | Full Size
- Heimish - All Clean Balm (5ml) | Sample
- Thank You Farmer - Sun Project Sun Essence + Be Beautiful BB Cream + CC Cream Trial Set (3 pieces) | Sample
- Etude House - Pink Vital Water Trial Kit (Facial Toner + Serum + Emulsion) (3 pieces) | Sample
- A'PIEU - My Little Mascara (High Curling) | Full Size
- Berrisom - Oops Dual Contouring (No.01 Highlighter & Shading) | Full Size
- MCC - Accent Waterproof Eyeliner (#1 Accent Black) | Full Size
- COSRX - Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser | Sample

RiRe Luxe Dual Stick
02 Shadow and Blush (in coral and pink) | Full Size

There are 3 types of Luxe Dual Sticks from RiRe and the one we have is the Shadow and Blush pair. The other 2 are the Highlighter + Shading pair and the Foundation + Concealer pair. Together, these Luxe Dual Sticks can create a full face makeup look. The Shadow and Blush pair that we have comes in the shades coral and pink. Both shades have creamy formulas that can be applied on the eyelids as eyeshadow and on the cheeks as blush.

Michelle: I've tried the Shadow and Blush stick a couple of times and so far I like them as blushes a lot more than as stick eyeshadows. Their creamy formula is fairly easy to blend on the cheeks (I like to blend it with my fingers) and it has decent lasting power. They won't last you a full day and I found mine usually starts to fade after a couple of hours of wear. However, if I use a powder blush on top, the powder blush usually helps it to last longer. I'm not a fan of using it on my eyelids as eyeshadows. The colors just aren't what I would usually wear, unless it's for a creative look of some sort. I did, however, test them out as eyeshadows and my semi oily lids just aren't fans of their creamy formula. Even with a good primer, they can still crease and shift around after a couple hours of wear. If you have semi oily or oily lids, I'd suggest using these as blush only.

Berrisom Oops! Dual Contouring
#1 Highlighter and Shading | Full Size

The Berrisom Oops! Dual Contouring product is a 2 in 1 highlighter and shading product or 2 in 1 eye brightener and concealer product. The one we have is the highlighter and shading product. The product's highlighter works to create dimension and emphasis features with a touch of shimmery glow while the shading helps to hide/diminish/slim down an area and recede it into the background. Both sides of the shading and highlighting product comes with their own built-in wand applicator to help scoop out the product. The product comes in the box packaging seen above and has diagrams showing how the product can be use.

Michelle: So far, I have a love-hate relationship with this product. Both the highlighter and shading product have this creamy, slightly mousse like texture. They are fairly easy to blend (I used my Beauty Blender) and a little goes a long way for them, especially for the shading color. Color wise, I like the highlighter better than the shading color. The highlighter is a pinkish beige color with a hint of shimmer. It looks pretty good on my skin once blended out but you will want to work with it as it can look cakey if you don't blend it out well enough. The shading color is the one I have the most issues with. I think the shade is just not a good match for me.

RiRe Lip Manicure Rogue Highfix
09 Brick Red | Full Size

RiRe's Lip Manicure is a richly pigmented liquid lipstick. It comes in 11 different shades and the one we have here is #9 Brick Red, which is a beautiful calm orange red color. This liquid lipstick has a gloss like texture and once it dries, it stays nicely on the lips without any sticky feelings.

Michelle: I actually have this liquid lipstick in Wine Burgundy, which is a pretty burgundy wine color true to its name. I've been using this on and off for a while now and it's good but not perfect. Brick Red is the same as Wine Burgundy in terms of formula, pigmentation, and scent. Both lip liquids are really pigmented but you can create a not so bold look with them as well by applying less product. I can use the Lip Manicure to create a gradient lip look, bold lips, or anything else in between. This liquid lipstick has a fairly long lasting formula. Once it dries, it stays. Although, throughout the day there can be a little transfer here and there when you drink/eat but most of its color stays.

MCC Accent Waterproof Eyeliner
#1 Accent Black | Full Size

The MCC waterpoof eyeliner is a pigmented creamy liner. It comes with a removable sharpener to keep the tip point precise and allows for smooth application. The liner's waterproof formula ensures that it stays in place throughout the day as well.

Helen: I have a lot of eyeliners and I go through them rather slowly, even though I use them quite often. This one is a pretty decent eyeliner but it does not stand out from the lot I have. Its color is not fully black but more like a grayish black that is more black than gray. This eyeliner does have a waterproof formula and it lasts all day too. However, keep in mind that my eyelids are neither oily nor dry, so I do not have to worry about smudging as others might. I find this liner is easy to apply and glides on smoothly. It also comes with a sharpener that I can use to keep the tip pointed.

A'Pieu My Little Mascara (High Curling)
3.8g | Full Size

This High Curling mascara from A'Pieu has a slightly curved wand to lift and define the lashes from root to tip. Its long lasing formula coats each lash, providing plenty of volume without weighing it down.

Michelle: I have to say I'm really impressed with this mascara. I can't remember the last time I used a $4 mascara that gave me length and volume without clumping or weighing my lashes down. This A'Pieu mascara did all that and it has decent staying power too. It's almost as good as my $20+ mascaras, which is saying something. One downside of this mascara is that it can smudge and it's not waterproof. However, I just simply wear a top coat over it and it solves all those problems. Something to note about this mascara is that it's on the small side. It's about the size of deluxe mascara sample, which might also explain its inexpensive price as well.

Etude House Pink Vital Water
Toner, serum, emulsion | Sample Size

Helen: These are samples from Etude House's Pink Vital Water line. It includes their facial toner, serum, and emulsion. I was able to get 2 uses out of each sample but it was not enough to say if they are effective or not. However, I will share about their texture and scent. All 3 products have similar scents, which is a light floral scent with a tiny hint peach. The toner's texture is fluid but it is thicker than water. The serum is like a runny lotion and as you apply the product, its texture turns more watery. Finally, the emulsion is like a facial lotion. It is thick enough to hold its shape but still light and thin enough to be easily spread and absorbed.

Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Sample Size

Michelle: This is the popular low pH cleanser from Cosrx. It's a favorite for a lot of people, including myself. This cleanser is effective, gentle on the skin, and it's inexpensive too! I recently wrote a full review on this cleanser, so feel free to check that out! The only issue people might have with this cleanser is its scent, which is a tea tree herbal scent. It's fairly strong and tea tree scent in general is just a hit or miss for most people. I got used to the scent over time but on days when I'm extra senstive to scents, I reach for my less scented cleanser instead.

Heimish All Clean Balm
5ml | Sample Size

Helen: This has been on my wishlist for a while and the only reason why I have not gotten it is because I still have not finished my current oil cleanser. I have heard good things about the Heimish balm cleanser and I am glad I got to test it out. This balm cleanser reminds me of the Banila Co. Clean It Zero except its texture is a bit firmer. It still melts easily onto the skin and removes makeup effectively as well. The scent will be the only thing I need to get use to if I do decide to purchase the full size. As it is a mix of earthy, herbal and citrus scents and I am not too fond of it.

Thank You Farmer
Sun Essence, BB Cream, CC Cream | Sample Size

Helen: Thank You Farmer is another brand I have been waiting to try for a while. So these samples were really helpful. The Sun Essence is nice. It does have a shimmer but it is not too much and it adds a nice glow to the skin. The BB cream provides a natural coverage and does not feel heavy on my skin either. It can settle into fine lines but a good primer can help to prevent that. Out of the three samples, the CC cream has to be my favorite. It adds a nice radiant glow to my skin while providing the natural coverage I seek.

Final Thoughts: Yesstyle's Sweet Spring Makeup Kit is a good selection of full size and sample size products. For us, these selections were great as we ran into a few new brands, some old favorites, and a few that's been on our to try list. The price of this box is pretty good too. It's a little cheaper than the price of the five full size products together. We are quite pleased with this box and we believe the Yesstyle team did a great job curating this box. The value and variety is there and we liked almost all of the products included.

Have you tried any of these products yet? What are your thoughts on them? Let us know in the comments below!

Where to purchase:
-Yesstyle.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen and Michelle

Disclaimer: These products were send to us for review purposes. All opinions are honest and our own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser Review

2017-04-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Last year I discovered two of my favorite gel cleansers and one of them was this Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser. The other is the Nooni Gel Cleaner. These two were game changers in my cleansing routine and I was so happy to find cleansers with really nice formulas that's gentle on my skin, have low pH and are very affordable as well.

The Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser was the first of the two gel cleansers that I tried and fell in love with. This is my second tube and I have a third in my stash since I'm almost done with this one. You can say this one's a keeper. Let's get to know it!

Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

150ml | ~$10

Product Description: The Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a gentle cleanser great for morning and night. It has a low pH of 5.0 - 6.0, which is optimal for the skin. This cleanser is formulated with a variety of natural ingredients, such as evening primerose and tea tree oil, to restore the skin to its optimal balance, control excess sebum, and reduce irritations all at the same time. It also contains natural BHA to help refine skin texture as well. This low pH cleanser will effectively cleanse the skin by removing build-up of sebum, dead skin cells, and other impurities without stripping the skin.

To Use: In the morning, use it as a gentle cleanser on damp skin to remove any irritants built up overnight. In the evening, use the cleanser as a second cleanser and gently massage it onto the skin to remove sebum and impurities before rinsing off.

Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Polysorbate 20, Styrax Japonicus Branch/Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces Ferment, Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Leaf Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Allantoin, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Betaine Salicylate, Citric Acid, Ethyl Hexanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: Cosrx's gel cleanser comes in a squeeze tube as seen above. There's plenty of product information in both English and Korean on the package.

Scent: Herbal, tea tree scent. It's fairly strong and it won't be pleasant for everyone. I wasn't the biggest fan of it when I first started using it. However, I've kind of gotten used to it over time.

Color: Colorless, as seen in image below.

Texture: The cleanser starts off as a fluid gel. Once water is added, it can foam up into a nice lather.

Michelle's Thoughts: Finding a good cleanser can be as hard as finding that perfect facial cream or serum. Especially when you have sensitive skin like me. I've come across a lot of cleansers that strips the skin, doesn't cleanse well, or just weren't gentle enough on my skin. Those aren't the only issues either but I'm glad that tough journey of finding the perfect cleanser is over. I still opt to try new cleansers from time to time, but at least now I know if the new ones don't work I have two that I love that I can fall back on.

The Cosrx cleanser has been a stable product in my cleansing routine ever since I discovered it last year. It wasn't exactly love at first sight, but it came pretty close. The main issue I had with it when I first started using it was its scent. That herbal tea tree scent is not going to be pleasant for everyone. It certainly wasn't for me at first, that's for sure. I did, overtime, start to get used the scent so that it's not a big issue anymore. However, if I feel that I'm extra sensitive to scents on a particular day I make sure to use the Nooni cleanser instead. Aside from the scent, everything else is great! The gel cleanser cleanses well as a second cleanser or as a gentle morning cleanser. It has a gentle formula that's perfect for my sensitive, combo to oily, and acne prone skin (yeah, I wasn't gifted in the skin department). The cleanser also helps to reduce irritations, improve skin texture, and control excess sebum as well. Which makes it perfect for my skin type. This cleanser is really easy to use and I find it lathers nicely. Although from experience, it lathers a lot better while I'm in the shower than if I'm just in front of my sink. Alternatively, you could also use a foaming tool to help make foam but I find my hands do the job quite nicely.

Pros:
-cleanses well
-gentle formula
-controls excess sebum
-reduce irritation
-inexpensive
-improve skin texture

Cons:
-scent might not be suitable for everyone

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Finals Thoughts: Who'd thought the best cleanser would have so many amazing skincare benefits at such an inexpensive price? I know I didn't when I first started my cleanser hunt. However, I'm more than happy that I found it. The Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser has proved its worth as a HG cleanser for me and I will keep using it. Its 150ml tube lasts for a long time and its inexpensive price makes my wallet happy.

Would I repurchase it in the future? Heck yes! I'm on my second tube about to go onto my third. You can say this is a going to be a long term relationship. Do I think this cleanser is worth a try? Yes! If you're all about that low pH cleanser life like me, then give it a shot! It's a really great cleanser and in my opinion, it's worth every penny.

Where to purchase:
-Wishtrend.com
-Yesstyle.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Sample Saturday: Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil - Moisture Review

2017-04-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

I've been pretty set with my oil cleansers ever since I discovered my holy grail 2 years ago. Recently, I also found a second best, so I haven't really branched out to try more cleansing oils. However, after I find this sample (and a few others) in my stash I figured I'd give it a try. Can't hurt right?

This is the Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil in Moisture. I've tried many Etude House products in the past but never their cleansing oils, so it was a good chance to try it out. Let's get to know it!

Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil - Moisture
Deluxe sample 25ml,

Product Description: The Etude House Real Art Cleansing Oil in Moisture is a moisturizing type of cleansing oil. It's formulated with various nourishing oils such as coconut oil, sesame oil, and grape seed oil. These oils are effective at removing dead skin cells and cleansing away makeup.

To Use: Apply an appropriate amount of cleansing oil with dry hands on dry face. Massage gently to dissolve the makeup. Emulsify by adding water to the product and rinse off after. Continue on with your second cleanser.

Ingredients: Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Triethylhexanoin, Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Peg-8 Isostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isostearic Acid, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Squalane, Nelumbo Nucifera Germ Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Pinus Koraiensis Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Fragrance.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The deluxe sample came in a sample bottle with a twist off lid. As you can see in the picture above, the opening is a decent size so the oil comes out easily. The full size product comes in a pump bottle with a box packaging.

Scent: Strong citrus-floral scent with plastic like scents in the mix. It's not the best combination to be honest. Fragrance has been added to the product and I wish it was able to cover the plastic like scent more.

Color: As you can see in the picture below, the oil cleanser is colorless.

Texture: Like most oil cleansers, it has that fluid form. Kind of like coconut oil when it's runny.

Over a minute and rubbing and it wasn't coming off easy.

Michelle's Thoughts: I did a simple cleansing test with this cleansing oil and only tested it against one product, which was the Benefit Push-Up Liner. As you can see in the pictures above and below, this cleansing oil didn't pass the cleansing test. That's a big let down because that's essentially a cleansing oil's main job. So failing at it already put it at a disadvantages against other cleansing oils. Plus, the Benefit liner isn't the hardest makeup product to remove and it took more than 1 minute of rubbing to get it to where it is in the end. That bit of liner left over that the cleansing oil wasn't able to remove is proof that this cleansing oil lack some cleansing abilities. It's already lost some love in my books, however, that's not all that's disappointing. The scent of this cleansing oil is just not pleasing. I think Etude House got that too, so they tried to cover it with additional citrus-floral fragrance. The fragrance on its own would have been nice but the cleansing oil has this plastic like scent that's just so hard to cover. The mix of the 2 scents isn't very pleasant and I'm not fond of it.

I will say that this cleansing oil isn't completely bad. Sure it failed its main job and has a not so pleasant scent to boot, however, it's got a few goods too. For one, it contains some nourishing oils and extracts to care for the skin. That's more than some other cleansing oils out there. This oil also doesn't strip the skin and since it's a moisture oil, it does leave the skin feeling slightly moisturized as well.

The oil cleanser wasn't able to completely remove the liner.

Pros:
-nourishing ingredients
-not drying

Cons:
-fragrance might not be suitable for everyone
-might not remove all makeup cleanly

Final Thoughts: Well, it's pretty clear what my thoughts are on this oil cleanser. If it doesn't pass the test, it won't go well in my books. This cleansing oil does have room to grow and I believe Etude House upgraded this cleansing oil not too long ago. So maybe the new formula cleanses better and eliminates that plastic like scent. I haven't tried the new formula yet because I don't want to chance it with a full bottle. However, if I happen to come across a sample size of it in the future, I'll make sure to review and compare it against this one.

Where to purchase:
-Yesstyle.com (new formula)
-EtudeHouse.com (new formula)

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

DD'ell Extra Vitalizing Serum Review

2017-04-21T12:57:00.007-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Today I want to share my review of this DD'ell Extra Vitalizing Serum with you guys. I have been using this serum since late last year and I just finished it at the end of March. I decided to wait until I finished the serum to write the review because I wanted to see the end result one bottle of this serum can bring before sharing it with you guys.

DD'ell is a professional cosmetic brand in South Korea. Their name, DD'ell, comes from the french word meaning 'for women'. The idea is that their brand wants to create products to fulfill every women's needs and desires. Anyways, on to the review!

DD'ell Extra Vitalizing Serum
30ml,

Product Description: The DD'ell Extra Vitalizing Serum is a highly concentrated serum that provides brightening, hydrating, calming and anti-aging effects. The serum includes various ferment ingredients that can provide moisture and anti-aging effects to the skin. It is also formulated with green and brown algae which can prevent photoaging, calm the skin, and reduce inflammation. Niacinamide is the brightening agent in this serum and it is known to be effective.

To Use: Apply the serum morning and night after cleansing and toning.

Ingredients: Galactomyces ferment filtrate, bifida ferment lysate, amorphophallus konjac root extract, caulerpa lentillifera extract, himanthalia elongata (brown algae) extract, niacinamide, adenosine, purified water, glycerin, alcohol denat., dipropylene glycol, methyl gluceth-20, PEG-32, glycereth-26, pentylene glycol, divinyldimethicone/dimethicone copolymer, cyclopentasiloxane, sorbitol, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, trimethylolpropane tricaprylate/tricaprate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, polymethylsilsesquioxane, cyclohexasiloxane, dimethicone, polysorbate 80, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, cyclomethicone, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, arginine, hydrogenated lecithin, polysilicone-11, dimethiconol, panthenol, C12-13 pareth-3, C12-13 pareth-23, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, lecithin, sodium laureth sulfate, 1,2-hexanediol, hydroxyethylcellulose, C12-14 pareth-12, ethylhexylglycerin, disodium EDTA, phenoxyethanol, fragrance.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: Simple yet unique, the DD'ell serum comes in a white bottle with a not so usual dropper top. Instead of the usual squeeze dropper, this one comes with a push-down button. It is kind of temperamental, sometimes it works well but most of the time it is hard to get product up the dropper. The expiration date is printed at the bottom of the bottle. On the box packaging, there are some information regarding the product in both English and Korean.

Scent: This serum has a soft floral scent that is fairly pleasant. Fragrance has been added to this product.

Color: A milky colored liquidy serum.

Texture: The serum is thin and liquidy. It spreads on the skin easily and absorbs fairly quickly.

Helen's Thoughts: I have plenty to say about this serum, good and bad, but first I will start with its packaging. This is one unique yet hard to use dropper. It looks nice on the bottle and makes the overall packaging looks clean and neat. However, on a user friendly scale, it is not very friendly at all. The button mechanics does not work so well. Not sure if it was just my bottle but 9 out of 10 times I will have trouble getting the serum into the dropper. It can be kind of annoying at times. Towards the end of the product, it became harder and harder to get the serum into the dropper so I just ended up pouring it onto my palm before using it.

When it comes to the benefits of this serum, most of the promises were fulfilled but some were not. One of the main benefits of this serum is its brightening effects. I was able to notice a bit of its brightening effects after a couple of uses but the effects did not seem long lasting at first. However, after a few months of usage, my skin overall looks brighter than before. I cannot just claim the effect all on this serum because I do have a few other products in my routine that provides brightening care as well. However, I do believe this serum's brightening effects added to the overall benefits and it helped brighten my skin while keeping its effects long after use. Another benefit of this product is its hydrating formula. It is not super hydrating but it provided a good amount of moisture for my normal to dry skin type. I did like the serum's calming properties. It felt really nice when I applied it on my skin and it managed to calm any irritations I might have had. The serum's nourishing formula also managed to care for my skin and soften it as well.

The other main benefit of this serum that failed to perform is its anti-aging care. I was really looking forward to this serum due to its anti-aging promises and its pretty great looking ingredient list. From start to finish, I only noticed some temporary plumping effects and some of my fine lines did look slightly diminished. However, the overall effect was minimal and none of the anti-aging benefits were long lasting. Which was disappointing. One of the reasons I waited to write my review was because I wanted to see if its anti-aging care would become more noticeable towards the end of the bottle. However, nothing changed and only the minimal benefits were presented at the end. This serum contains some amazing ingredients, many of which provides great anti-aging care. So, it was disappointing to see that it did not do much in the end.

Pros:
-hydrating
-calming
-brightening
-nourishing
-softening

Cons:
-no long lasting anti-aging results
-packaging flaw, button issues
-fragrance might not be suitable for everyone
-alcohol is an ingredient and can be irritating for some

Helen's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡ ♡

Finals Thoughts: I have mixed feelings about this product. On one hand, I loved the brightening care it provided for my skin. It gave me noticeable results that are fairly long lasting as well. My skin looks great and it has a nice glow to boot. On the other hand, the serum's anti-aging properties failed to prove itself. The minimal benefits it provided are disappointing to say the least, especially with its rather nice looking ingredient list. The packaging flaw is also a knock back for this serum. It is just not user friendly.

Would I repurchase it in the future? Not likely. While I like the brightening effects this serum offers, I mainly came for the anti-aging care which it failed to provide. I think I will keep hunting for other anti-aging serums. Usually this is where I say if this serum is worth a try or not, however, it seems like this product is either out of stock or no longer on the market. At least, I could not find it anywhere, not even on the official DD'ell website.

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Helen

Vivito Painting Sweet Lip Balm Review

2017-04-18T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Have you tried a jelly tint balm yet? There are quite a few options on the K-Beauty market and this Vivito Painting Sweet Lip Balm is one of them. Jelly tint balms are usually balm/gloss hybrids. They help to moisturize your lips while adding a hint of color to enhance your natural lip color. I have tried a few jelly tint balms by now and this Vivito lip balm is one of the few that I like. Let's get to know it!

Vivito Painting Sweet Lip Balm
#2 Berry Farm, 12g

Product Description: The Vivito Painting Sweet Lip Balm is a tinted lip balm with a jelly-like texture. It provides moisture and nutrients to the lips, keeping it soft, smooth, and hydrated. The tinted lip balm is formulated with various nourishing ingredients such as blackberry, cacao seed butter, and orange peel. These ingredients work together to relieve dry and chapped lips.

To Use: Take a good amount of the lip balm and apply it evenly on the lips. Reapply when needed.

Packaging: The tinted lip balm comes in a magenta tin container. It's compact and good for on the go uses. The outer box packaging has some information about the product as well.

Scent: It has a sweet mixed berries candy scent.

Color: Berry Farm is a raspberry like color. The color is light, like most tinted lip balms, and it adds just a touch of color to enhance the natural lip color. It can leave a light stain behind too.

Texture: The tinted lip balm has a jelly like texture. It's easy to apply and leaves a light gloss finish.

Michelle's Thoughts: I like this tinted lip balms's hydrating and nourishing formula. It feels nice on my lips and keeps them protected throughout the day. The Vivito lip balm also adds a nice touch of color to my lips for a day to day look. The tint balm can stain the lips a bit as well so even if the glossy finish disappears, a bit of the color still lingers. The downside with this staining tint balm is that it's stored in a tin container. So, you'll either have to use your finger or lip brush to apply it. Not many people bring a portable lip brush with them, so they often opt for using their fingers. However, the issue is since it's a staining lip balm it can stain your finger too. That won't be ideal for everyone. I managed to bypass this by scooping out this tint balm and storing it in a clean lip balm stick container. However, it would be nice if staining tint balms in general just all came in stick form.

This Vivito Painting Sweet Lip Balm reminds me of Too Cool For School's Dinoplatz Lip Balms. They both have similar textures and packaging styles. They function the same and each offers a hint of color with plenty of hydration for the lips. Their main differences are seen in the price (TCFS is cheaper) and ingredient list. Plus, TCFS has a few more color options than Vivito.

Pros:
-hydrating
-nourishing
-add a light touch of color
-sweet scent
-staining formula helps the color last longer

Cons:
-packaging not so convenient as the color can stain fingers and it's not sanitary

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡

Finals Thoughts: I like the Vivito lip balm, however, they are rather hard to find/get. So, I ended up looking for alternatives, which is how I remembered the TCFS tint balms. Both tint balms are very similar, except TCFS's tint balm is a little cheaper.

Would I repurchase the Vivito lip balm in the future? Not sure. This product is kind of hard to find. Plus last year, Vivito's main company, Carver Korea, was acquired by another company. So, I'm not even sure if they are still producing Vivito products. Which makes me a little sad because my favorite eye and lip makeup remover was from them too. However, if I can't find the Vivito lip balm, at least I know TCFS's tint balms are great dupes for them!

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Gift W/ Purchase Affiliate Link

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Sample Saturday: Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner Review

2017-04-15T13:56:00.001-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Have you tried the Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner yet? I know this product has been out for a long time and I've actually been using it for a while too. However, today I want to chat with you guys about it and share my review on it as well. This product had all the buzz when it was released and it quickly became a love-it or hate-it product. You're either on one side or the other, not many people fell in the middle. This is a practice makes perfect product, which means it's not very beginner friendly. There's a learning curve and you have to put in the time and effort, even then you might still run into issues. Needless to say, not everyone liked it.

When the liner first came out, I debated a lot on whether I should get it or not. After seeing the initial wave of reviews (good and bad), I decided to wait. When Benefit introduced more color options to the line, Sephora offered a free gift with purchase promo of it, so I got a deluxe sample in Beyond Brown to try. I knew the learning process wasn't going to be easy but I was up for the challenge. After testing it out and using it for a few months, I'm ready to share my thoughts of it. Read on to find out how I feel about this gel liner!

Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner
Beyond Brown, deluxe sample

Product Description: The Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner is a gel eyeliner pen with a long lasting formula. The eyeliner's innovative and waterproof formula promises to last for 24 hours and it's the first budge-proof and foolproof gel eyeliner in a pen form. The liner uses a soft AccuFlex tip with a custom angle to draw an easy liner. The tip's flat wide guard helps to liner get as close to the lash line as possible by gently pushing the lashes aside during application. This Push-Up Liner is also noncomedogenic, vegan friendly, and it does not contain latex. The eyeliner comes in 5 different colors and they are Black, Beyond Brown, Beyond Blue, Beyond Purple, and Beyond Green.

To Use: Make sure you prep the pen for every application and use the product as soon as it's dispensed. Twist the base once to dispense the gel to the tip. Rest the tip on the base of the lashes and slowly guide the pen along the lash line from the inner or outer corner. Clean the tip with a tissue paper to prevent left over product from drying on the tip. Tip: to prep the liner and clean away any dried clusters, twist the bottom half a rotation. This will dispense a ting bit of product. Clean it all away before using it as usual.

For first-time users, remove and discard the tip protector. Activate the eyeliner by twisting the base, keeping twisting until gel is delivered to the tip. Wipe away any excess on a tissue.

Ingredients: Isododecane, Dextrin Palmitate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Silica. [+/-: CI 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 77007 (Ultramarines), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), CI 77288 (Chromium Oxide Greens), CI 77289 (Chromium Hydroxide Green), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide), CI 77742 (Manganese Violet), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)].

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

New liner with tip protector.

Packaging: Packaging wise, the deluxe sample has the same style as the full size except smaller. The box packaging comes with a good amount of information on the product and the rest can be easily found on Benefit's website or Sephora. The liner pen is the same style but smaller in size. It's easy to grip and use. When you first get the liner, you'll find a tip protector inside. (See image above.) Remove the tip protector and twist to the bottom to start dispensing product.

Color: There are 5 shades in total and the color I have is Beyond Brown. Beyond Brown is a super pigmented dark brown shade. The other colors are Black, Beyond Blue, Beyond Purple, and Beyond Green.

Texture: The gel liner is soft and lightweight. It glides easily and smoothly along the lash line.

Michelle's Thoughts: This is definitely a practice makes perfect product. Having read a ton of good and bad stories regarding this liner, I made sure I gave it multiple tries before I made my decision on it. It took me a few practice runs to get the gist down, a few more to get the tricks, and even more to perfect the line. I can say that it's a lot better and easier to use this liner now than it did when I first tried it out. The biggest thing to take note is that you have to follow the instructions. Prep the liner, use the product right after dispensing, clean the tip afterwards, etc. It's all important and it all helps to make sure your application goes smoothly. That being said, I'm a little sad for all the product I had to waste while learning to use this liner and while using the liner in general. I don't feel super bad because this was a gift with purchase but still, it can feel wasteful. So, I can only imagine how people who bought the full size product might feel towards it. I wonder if Benefit can do something to lessen the wastefulness.

There's definitely a learning curve for this liner and it can be a challenging one too. However, if you put in the time and effort (and read the instructions too), it'll get better. For me, after I learned the ways to using this liner everything came nicely. The color I have is Beyond Brown, it's pigmented and the shade is perfect as well. It's great for day to day wear and its long lasting formula will keep the liner in place throughout the day. The only downside is that it can smudge (as seen in the picture below). Luckily, this is also kind of preventable too. I have hooded and semi oily eyelids, not the best combination for eye makeup I know. Eye primer, powder, etc. can help but there's no 100% guarantee that it will prevent smudge or smear completely. However, I have a little secret weapon and a little side helper to help me combat the smudge/smear. My secret weapon, aka my No-Sebum powder, helps to control my oily lids and decreases the chances of smudges/smears. I just apply it before I apply my liner and after I apply the liner, to help 'set' it and control excess sebum. This works most of the time. However, just in case, I always bring along some portable Q-tips. In case it does smudge a little, I can clean it away with a Q-tip before it causes any big issues.

The liner can smudge a little but it still has pretty good staying power.

Pros:
-good pigment
-great formula
-long lasting
-good color choices
-unique style

Cons:
-can smudge a little
-can be hard to learn
-can seem a bit wasteful

Final Thoughts: There are many practice makes perfects products on the market and many run into the learning curve issues. However, there are people like me who want to learn and try new things. Who want to discover the best and gain some knowledge in the process. These type of people are more likely to try products like these. I really like the Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner. Despite its rocky start, once you get the hang of it everything comes smoothly. There're a few downsides and I hope Benefit can upgrade the product later on to eliminate the cons.

Would I purchase the product in the future? Currently debatable. Even though I like the liner a lot, the wastefulness and the potential to smudge, holds me back just a bit. If Benefit can improve in those areas, I'd definitely purchase it. Do I think this is worth a try? Ask yourself this, are you willing to learn a new way to use a liner even if it might be time consuming or challenging at first? If the answer is no, than I'd suggest looking else where. However, if the answer is Yes, than give it a shot! It's worth the hassle to learn and who knows, maybe Benefit will use this technology to create other products. At least by then you'll know how to use it. Alternatively, you can always hop to your local Sephora and give it a try there before making your decision!

Have you guys tried the Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner? What are your thoughts on it? Let me know in the comments below!

Where to purchase:
-Sephora.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was gift with purchase. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cushy Blusher Review

2017-04-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Today, I want to share my review of the Too Cool For School's Dinoplatz Cushy Blusher. I got this blusher last year but I didn't get to try it out until a few months ago. Powder blushes have always been what I used because it's what I have and it works. So I didn't really branch out to try other blushes. However, back when I made that haul I made a spur of the moment purchase on this cushy blusher, so here we are. Since I have it now, I might as well use it. After testing it out, I couldn't believe that I didn't try it sooner. Curious about how I feel about this product? Let's get to know it!

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cushy Blusher
Shade #3 Lava Martini, 19g

Product Description: The Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cushy Blusher is a natural-looking blush that comes in 3 shades. This is a liquid type blush stored in an easy to use tube with a puff applicator. The blush has a hydrating formula and a soft texture, making it easy to spread and blend.

To Use: After applying base makeup, squeeze the tube and dab a moderate amount onto the cheeks. Blend it out using the cushy applicator. If this blush is used before powder, the blush will provide a soft and natural look. If it is used after powder, it will create a more vibrant glow. Tip: the blusher comes with a replaceable applicator. To replace the applicator, pull the front part of the puff to separate it from the tube. Take the new applicator, press and twist it onto the tube.

Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Silica, Isododecane, Talc, Dipropylene Glycol, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, C12-14 Pareth-3, Phenoxyethanol, Titanium Dioxide, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Fragrance, Alumina, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Chrysanthemum Indicum Flower Extract, Lilium Candidum Flower Extract, Red 30 Lake.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The cushy blusher comes in a squeeze tube with a puff applicator and a twist-off lid. The product is designed with the Dinoplatz theme, which we will talk about in a minute. The packaging has some information about the product. Aside from the blusher, the product also comes with a replaceable applicator.

Another product from TCFS's Dinoplatz line! The Dinoplatz line was created by Hatori Sando who is friends with TCFS's creative director. They have been collaborating together for many years on the Dinoplatz line. The Dinoplatz design shows dinosaurs roaming around the modern forest of New York City, where buildings replaced trees. Some of his designs also features New York's landmark buildings.

Scent: The blusher has a rosy floral scent as it contains rose oil and other floral extracts as well. Fragrance has also been added to the product, however, it's not overwhelming. Instead, it's quite mild and lovely.

Color: There are 3 color choices for this blusher. The one I have here is #3 Lava Martini, which is a rosy pink color. The other 2 colors are #1 Beach Break (a warm tone peach color) and #2 Surf's Up (a bright pink color).

Texture: The blush is in a liquid like form. It's easy to spread and blend.

Michelle's Thoughts: I purchased this blusher as part of my TesterKorea haul. It was a spur of the moment kind of purchase and honestly I can't remember why I decided to get it. However, I'm glad I did because I really like it. The cushion trend has become huge all over the world. All sorts of brands are making their own cushions now and their variations of cushion products. Like did you know The Body Shop makes cushions foundations too? I just recently found out. Or that there're cushion eyeliners, cushion bronzer, and even cushion blotting paper? Yeah, that last one had me like O.O/ Who'd think that in just less than 10 years, the cushion trend would become so big that practically every beauty product has its own cushion variation. I'm sure Iope, the company behind the first ever cushion product, never thought it could become this big. I'm glad it did become this big because it pushes companies to try new formulations, improve their product's quality, and create new products based on this technology.

Okay, I went off track there a little let's bring it back to the Cushy Blusher. I like this Cushy Blusher, but it could be improved in some areas. The shade I have here is Lava Martini, which is a rosy pink color. As you can see in the swatch below, the color is there but light. That's just one layer and it creates a natural look. I can easily layer the product to create a more dramatic color, however, on a daily use the below version is fine for me. The formula of this blusher is good. The product is in liquid form, it spread easily, and blends smoothly. However, it lacks a little in its lasting power. If I'm lucky, it lasts about 4 or 5 hours. However, I'll always have to touch up. On the up side, at least it's pretty easy to touch up. Another flaw of this product is its packaging. Finding the happy medium of how hard one should squeeze the tube to get the product out without over-squeezing it and getting too much product can be hard. Sometimes the product can take forever to come out while other times one accidental hard squeeze could bring out too much. I wish there could be a better way to allow the product to be dispensed onto the puff applicator and also to control how much product comes out at once.

Pros:
-natural color
-floral scent
-cute/unique design
-blends smoothly
-hydrating formula

Cons:
-packaging flaws
-not long lasting

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡

Final Thoughts: Despite its packaging flaws and its not super long lasting formula, I still really like this cushy blusher. The color is perfect for me. It's natural enough for daily wear and if I want to, I can easily layer it to create a more dramatic color. The blush's hydrating formula feels nice on the skin and blends smoothly as well. I like the rosy floral scent as well. Plus, it's travel friendly and I can easily bring it around with my for touch-ups.

Would I repurchase it in the future? Possibly. It would be nice if TCFS could fix the packaging flaws. However, I like the color enough that I would probably get it again. Unless, I find another cushion blusher that works better. Do I think it's worth a try? Yes. The concept of this product is great. It's great for travelling, on the go touch-ups, and it comes with a build-in applicator. The formula is good and the product blends smoothly into the skin. It's worth checking it out.

Where to purchase:
-Sephora.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Skinfood Facial Water Vita-C Cream Review

2017-04-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

Now that the weather's getting warmer, I've began to change up my skincare routine. Slowly taking out products suited for the colder months and adding in products better for the warmer months. One of the many changes will be the moisturizer, as I generally prefer a lighter moisturizer that hydrating but not too rich in the warmer months. Although, I do have a favorite, I wanted to try a few things in my stash and one of them was this Skinfood Facial Water Vita-C Cream.

Skinfood Facial Water Vita-C Cream
75g,

Product Description: The Skinfood Facial Water Vita-C Cream is a facial cream that works to moisturize the skin with their Vita C complex and Alaskan glacier water. The Vita C complex includes berry extracts that are rich in vitamin C such as raspberry, acai berry, cranberry, and strawberry. The other moisturizing ingredient is Alaskan glacier water which is rich in minerals, ions, and more.

To Use: Apply an ample amount of the moisturizer onto the face. Gently pat in the cream until it's fully absorbed. You may refrigerate the product before use to enjoy it as a cooling skin treatment. This facial cream can also double as a hydrating mask pack by simply applying a more liberal layer.

Ingredients: Water, cyclopentasiloxane, butylene glucol, glycerin, euterpe oleracea fruit extract, fragaria chiloensis (strawberry) fruit extract, rubusidaeus (raspberry) fruit extract, vaccinum macrocarpon (cranberry) fruit extract, octyldodecyl myristate, dimthiconol, phytosteryl/behenyloctyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, triethanolamine, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP copolymer, carbomer, tetrasodium EDTA, tocopheryl acetate, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, CI 17200, Parfum.

Please Do Not use if you are sensitive to any of its ingredients.

Packaging: The Vita-C cream comes in a see-through glass jar container with a twist-off lid. On the bottom of the container, you can find product description and full ingredient list, as well as the product's manufacturing & expiration date. Inside the container, there's a plastic lid, removing that will reveal the facial cream. A paper packaging also comes with the product and it contains information regarding how one should use the product. Note: The product should come with a plastic seal wrap, as seen in the first picture. This ensures that the product hasn't been opened by anyone else.

Scent: Despite the berry ingredients in this facial cream, it doesn't smell like berries at all. Instead, it has a sweet floral perfume scent. Additional fragrance has been added to this product.

Color: The cream is mostly opaque white in color with just a hint of pink.

Texture: The consistency of this cream is like a watery cream. It's light and spreads easily, turning almost into a water like state making it easy to absorb. This cream is lightweight, almost like a gel cream but without the gel consistency.

Michelle's Thoughts: I started to test this cream about 2 months ago in preparation for the spring season. I have my HG winter moisturizer but in warmer months, I usually use moisturizers that are lighter but still hydrating yet not too rich. So I was working on switching to these lighter moisturizers. I found the Skinfood Facial Water Vita-C Cream in my stash and figured I'd give it a shot. I have been using this cream on and off for the past 2 months and for me it's just a decent moisturizer with no Wow factor.

This is a moisturizer that would just come and go in my books. There's nothing really special about it that reels in me and makes me want to repurchase it. It has some pros and some cons, it's not perfect but not the worst. For me, the pros of this product are its nourishing ingredients, easy to absorb formula and its inexpensive price. Although the nourishment a product provides aren't always a noticeable skincare effect, it's still nice to know that the product contains these nourishing extracts. I like that the formula is easy to use and absorbs quickly. It doesn't leave behind any sticky residues and you can layer it without it feeling heavy on the skin. The inexpensive price is great for those shopping on a budget or those new to K-beauty and doesn't want to shell out a ton of money for their first haul.

Although the Vita-C cream is suggested for normal skin/all skin types, I don't think it's moisturizing enough for some skin types. I have combo to oily skin type and I find it's not hydrating enough for the combo parts of my skin for the current spring weather. I have to layer the product to get the right hydrating amount. The moisturizer is better for my T-zone area where it's oily as it provides good hydration without causing the T-zone to be even more oilier. I think this moisturizer would work best for people with oily skin types. For people with combination or dry skin types, this might not be hydrating enough. As a reference, my mom has normal skin type and she doesn't think this moisturizer is hydrating enough for her skin now either. Hopefully, when the summer comes this moisturizer will be better suited for my skin. Another flaw for this product is its scent. It's a bit too strong for my taste. The floral scent isn't bad once it lightens. However, upon application the scent is pretty strong and takes some time to dissipate. If you are sensitive to scents, you might not like this product.

Pros:
-hydrating (for some skin types)
-nourishing
-lightweight
-easy to use
-inexpensive

Cons:
-fragrance might not be suitable for everyone
-not hydrating enough for all skin types like advertised

Michelle's Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ♡ ♡

Final Thoughts: I think the easiest way to explain my thoughts on this product is that it's not my cup of tea. This moisturizer has a few good points but also a few flaws that can't be over looked either. It's a good beginner K-beauty product and great for those on a budget. However, if you are willing to spend a little more, there are plenty of other moisturizers that are worth a look.

Would I repurchase it in the future? No. While it's great to test out this Vita-C cream and I will finish my jar, I won't be buying it again. There are other moisturizers I want to try and this one just didn't stand out for me. Do I think this is worth a try? Honestly, not really. Maybe only if you are on a really tight budget and need a moisturizer to hold you over until you have more money. Otherwise, there are plenty of other moisturizers on the market.

Have you tried this moisturizer from Skinfood? What are your thoughts on it? Let me know in the comments below!

Where to purchase:
-Yesstyle.com

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo

Google+: +Dreams To Creations

Until next time~

~Michelle

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. All opinions are honest and my own. This post contains some affiliate links, for more information check out the full disclaimer.

Sample Saturday: Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cinema City CC Cream Review

2017-04-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Dreamers and Creators!

If there's one thing I've loved about Too Cool For School (TCFS) over the years it's their packaging designs. Especially the ones for the Dinoplatz line. Which is where this CC cream falls into. The playful designs of dinosaurs 'invading' NYC is a change of pace from the cutesy, chic, simple, or luxurious designs we often see on beauty products. It's creative, yet not over the top. I actually keep all the packaging from this line because they are too good to be thrown out. That's not something I can say for all my other products.

As I've said many times, samples are a great way to test out a product. If you don't like it, it's okay because it's a sample. If you like it, great! Now you know you want to whole thing. For me, this was a sample that didn't quite suite my taste. It just wasn't for me but I wouldn't have known that if I didn't try it. I'll share why it didn't work out later on in the post, but for now let's get to know this CC cream.

Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cinema City CC Cream
deluxe sample,

Product Description: The Too Cool For School Dinoplatz Cinema City CC Cream is a color correcting cream formulated with 48% glacial water from the Eklutna Lake in Alaska. It's also formulated with ingredients such as niacinamide, argan oil, adenosine, and apricot oil to nourish, brighten, and moisturize the skin. This CC cream is infused with water-in-silicone technology, which helps to blend the cream smoothly onto the skin. It can protect the skin from sun damages as it has sun protection of SPF 30/ PA+++. Plus, it can help to neutralize redness on the skin as well.

To Use: Dispense and apply the CC cream with your fingers, sponges, or a foundation brush. Lightly dab the product onto the skin and gently blend it in.

Packaging: The deluxe sample comes in a squeeze tube with a twist-off lid. It has that whimsical signature Dinoplatz designs.

Neat fact! All the designs from the Dinoplatz line was hand drawn by New York based architect and painter Hatori Sando. Hatori Sando is a friend of TCFS's creative director and they have been collaborating together for many years on the Dinoplatz line. The concept that inspired this line of illustrations is the idea to create 'the new from the old'. He drew dinosaurs roaming around the modern forest of New York City, where buildings replaced trees. Some of his designs also features New York's landmark buildings.

Scent: Sweet floral scent. The scent is more than mild but not overwhelming.

Color: The CC cream comes in one shade and it's fairly light. As you'll see in the last picture of this post, the product isn't the best match for me and can leave a slight white cast.

Texture: The CC cream is kind of runny compared to other CC creams on the market. It is easy to spread and leaves a natural and slightly velvety finish.

Michelle's Thoughts: Believe it or not, this CC cream is not actually sold on its own. Instead, it's generally sold in combination with TCFS's cheek blusher, highlighter, or concealer. By that, I mean it literally has a second compartment on the twist-off lid for a blusher, highlighter, or concealer. It's pretty neat. We can't forget about the awesome packaging! Designed by the painter, Hatori Sando, it's literally dinosaurs playfully invading NYC. I like it, a lot. If you have time, definitely check out the entire Dinoplatz line. The packaging designs are just awesome. Plus, they make pop-up art versions of it as well. Just how awesome does that look? I know I'm definitely keeping that.

Anyways, the CC creams itself is okay. As you can see in the picture below, the color is a bit light on me. (For reference when I first applied it, it's lighter than the Hera UV Mist Ultra Moist cushion in shade 21.) The CC cream does balance out (or oxidizes a bit) over time but it's still light and has a slight white cast as well. Which doesn't help its case, at least not for me. It'll probably work better for those whose skin tone is a better match for the shade. I found I have to wear a primer with this CC cream, otherwise it will settle into fine lines. The CC cream's lasting power isn't the best either, at least not for my combo to oily skin. It generally breaks down around my T-zone first, even if I use primer. One of the promises that drew me to this CC cream was its ability to neutralize redness. While it does that, sort of, it doesn't completely neutralize the redness on my face. In my case, I find a green concealer works a lot better. I think this CC cream would work best for those with blemish-free skin that just wants a natural coverage. As it offers just that and it leaves a natural and slightly velvety finish.

Pros:
-natural coverage
-feels lightweight
-easy to use

Cons:
-one shade only
-can settle into fine lines
-fragrance might not be suitable for everyone

Final Thoughts: Not every product is made for my skin. If it is, than I wouldn't have the need to test everything. I'd glad I got to try this CC cream out, at least now I know it's not for me. TCFS has plenty of other great products that I love and use, so this little setback won't change my mind about the brand. Plus how many brands do you know that offers pop-up art packaging? I know I can only think of one and that is Too Cool For School.

Where to purchase:
-Sephora.com (CC cream comes with cheek blusher, highlighter, or concealer)

Have you tried the CC cream before? What are your thoughts on it?

Find the latest discount codes on our deals and steals page!

Instagram: @dreamstocreations

Twitter: @dtcandmomo