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A S T R O P H O R I A

A S T R O P H O R I A: April 2013

This page has moved to a new address.

A S T R O P H O R I A

A S T R O P H O R I A: April 2013

Tuesday 30 April 2013

Review ★ Freeman Mint & Lemon Clay Mask

I was going to post this yesterday, but I got caught up with League of Legends ;___;... which I'm terrible at LOL. The games take so long, I swear, it's like a test on my patience. At least it keeps me awake, and distracted from my psycho neighbours who bicker all the time.

ANYHOO...

A few weeks ago, I finally found the Freeman's masks. They're supposedly more common in the states, but they were hard to find in Toronto. Surprisingly, the Shoppers Drug Marts here don't stock them OTL. BUT ALAS, I found them in Loblaws, which was unexpected since it's a grocery store, with a tiny section dedicated to drugstore bath items, make-up, and skincare products. It was on the bottom shelf in the skincare aisle, which made it more inconspicuous. The masks go for about $5 ($3.77 on sale) which is really cheap in comparison to other drugstore masks, and of course, the brands housed at Sephora. The masks are supposed to be like $3.99 in the US. The masks are rated really well on various websites, and there's a few youtube gurus who recommend it as well.



I can honestly say this is the mint & lemon mask is the best mask I have used, in comparison to Origin's Active Charcoal Mask, Innisfree's Jeju Volcanic Clay Mask, DDF's Sulfur Therapeutic Mask (discontinued, but it was good for clearing up spots), or even Boscia's Black Luminizing Mask (it's a peel type mask though). I'm not going to compare it to the sheet masks since sheet masks are serum based, and they're for hydrating and whatnot.


The mint & lemon mask does as it claims to. As far as the typical clay mask goes, it can be quite drying. However, I haven't had problems with it causing irritation/itchiness, dry patches, or flaking. Although it's a bit drying, it's nothing a little moisturizer can't fix. Either way, your face will feel super soft after aha.

My camera wouldn't focus properly in the before picture, but I think the difference is pretty obvious??
Before (after cleansing) / After (after the mask + Lancome hydrating toner + Caudalie beauty elixer)
My personal rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is one of those products that show that a hefty price tag doesn't necessarily mean it's a spectacular product, and even cheaper products with less fancy packaging can work really well too.
  • It dries very quickly, unlike other masks where you have to wait about 10-15 minutes for it to fully dry before you can wash it off. 
  • It's a more cost-effective way to spot treat pimples or fight break-outs.
  • Works best for those with oily/combination skin.
  • Overall texture of skin is improved.
  • The scent isn't overpowering.
  • I would not recommend it for people with really dry skin.
  • Your face will feel a little 'tight' (that's the only way I can describe it :c) if you leave it on for too long. 

I also bought the avocado & oatmeal mask, but I haven't tried it out yet. That one is also well-received by many :3.

That's about it for today... now I'm going to go play League of Legends huhuhu. 

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Saturday 27 April 2013

Let's talk about lurve

Most of the people I know have someone. By someone, I mean: a significant other, a person he/she is seeing, or a crush. But I don't have that person in my life, maybe I could have; but it just didn't end up that way. I feel like I'm missing out on something, or I feel as if I'm the odd one out because you would think that by now, I would have someone in my life.

Honestly, it's beyond me as to how two people like, or even love, each other at the same time. Out of billions of people in the world, those people found each other. Perhaps it's because I don't fall in like often, and I fall flat on my face whenever I do. I feel too much, or too little. Some people seem to fall for people easily, or they're more open to giving someone a chance because they relate in some way or another. Maybe I'm placing too much of a premium on feelings. I don't really remember what it's like to be in a relationship. My mom and I went on a tour in Beijing last summer, and this lady told me to date as many guys as possible until I find 'the one', regardless if I liked any of the guys or not LOL. I don't think I could do that (it's not like a lot of guys want to date me anyways LOL), time is precious and I wouldn't want to waste a someone's time like that when I can probably guarantee that I won't like them that way.

A lot of my friends say I have high standards, but I don't think so. I can't deny being shallow, because everyone is shallow to a certain extent. Looks do matter to a certain degree, but people have different preferences, and besides physical attraction can be overlooked if you have an attractive personality. Anyways, I think my standards are pretty cookie-cutter (intelligent, funny, decent to good looking, etc.). I could forgo the petty stuff if I really liked a guy. Above all, I look for a connection, like you know, your significant other should be like your best friend. I'm a really insecure/distant person. I think I'd be doing a guy a favor by turning him down, so that he would not be subjected to the torture which is known as my insecurities LOL. It is a bad idea for me to be in a relationship, since I might end up depending on the person to validate my self-worth. Like they say, you have to learn to love yourself before you can love somebody else.

A part of me just wants to dress-up for dates, and have someone to do the cute, wishy-washy things that couples do. But the other part of me wants to avoid feeling anything for anyone, because chances are, I will get hurt and it will be disastrous OTL. I don't know, sometimes I think love isn't meant for me, just like how some things aren't meant to be... oh look, that rhymed. I guess I'm just one of those difficult people. Upside is that I'll love you unconditionally? LOL. It kind of scares me to think that I might not find my other/better half or even have one LOL, because some people just don't end up with someone. I'm still young, BUT STILL LOL @ u@;

I'll make a post on these clay masks that I found tomorrow or something, because they are magical omg.


My current favourite song ^^. She reminds me of IU.

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Friday 26 April 2013

Starting again wooh

I decided to make a blogger/blogspot, but not like anyone cares OTL. I would use my livejournal, but the layouts have ads on them, and there's spam bots too. I also deleted all my posts like a year ago, so I don't really see a point going back there. I kind of wish I kept those posts because just so I can look back and laugh at them (but in the case of that livejournal, it wouldn't be all that funny- perhaps I'll make a post on why, just so I can laugh at it in 1-2 years time). Tumblr is for reblogging pictures and short thoughts... I have way too many posts on Tumblr to keep track of anything personal, despite having a tag for it. SO YEAH. 

I finished my last exam on Monday. So I've been doing leisurely stuff like watching movies, and exercising. I'm adamant that I will lose some weight this spring, because if I could do it properly before, I can do it again (and I would really like to fit back into my Talula/TNA dresses). I should really find a job though, but most places require specific experience, or a few years of relevant experience. SIGH, growing up sucks. 

I went shopping though, which I should not be doing, considering my lack of income (yay for impeding on my savings). I think I have too many clothes for a person lacking a social life LOL. I bought some stuff from forever21.com. Honestly, I dislike shopping at the actual stores, because it's always crowded and it's such a hassle to find something I want. The website is another story though. I still think the quality isn't great, but you get what you pay for. 


The cardigan/shawl thing feels uncomfortable because of the mesh material, and the lace part kind of feels like paper LOL. But it's nice looking, so I probably won't exchange it for something else. I like the dresses because they have pockets hehe. 


I got the shirt and high-low dress because I don't have much colour in my closet. Most of my clothes are pretty dark, so I thought I'd buy some bright, 'girly' clothes since it's spring. I also bought two pairs of shorts.


I also got these things from the Sephora store (Phyto phytojoba hair mask, Murad clarifying cleanser for acne, Shu Uemura lipstick in PK340). The hair mask makes the ends of my hair feel soft * u *, so hopefully it'll save me from having to cut my hair because I'm trying to grow it out. 

YEAH, that's it for now. 

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