Review ★ Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner

Hello everyone!

Today, I will be reviewing the Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner! I don't have many skincare products that I rave about since I'm pretty particular about them, especially when it comes to products that advertise that they minimize pores but are not that effective throughout the day or even in the long run. But I have finally found a product that does what it claims to do effectively!

Description
(Taken from the Etude House ebay listing/Etude House website)
The Wonder Pore Freshner is a total solution for pore troubles. It is an astringent toner with antiseptic properties that removes oil, dirt, germs, and residues for clear, healthy skin.

It claims to do 7 of the following:
★ Deep cleanse pores
★ Control sebum
★ Keep the ideal pH balance (4.5 ± 1)
★ Tighten pores
★ Brighten skin tone
★ Prevent enlarging of pores
★ Prevent skin troubles

It is 6 free, so it doesn't include: parabens, mineral oil, artificial fragrance, artificial pigments, talc and animal ingredients.

It contains their anti pore-dex complex (Korean pasque flower, dandelion, chrysanthemum, and hinoki cypress extracts) Those ingredients are used to treat acne and inflammation, soothe the skin, and cleanse the skin more thoroughly than the general ingredients in soaps and cleansers. It also contains astringentlex (rose geranium, lotus flower, great burnet, gambier, and cinnamon extracts), which is supposed to suppress the production of excess sebum by tightening the pores. Those ingredients enhance firmness and elasticity of the skin.

As many of you may know, there's a full line of Wonder Pore products. There's a freshner/toner (also comes as a mist), foam wash, mask, etc. I bought this toner because I really wanted something that was lightweight and worked well (previously, I was using a Caudalie toner but it didn't really do anything). The product comes in 250ml and 500ml bottles, so you can opt for a smaller, more convenient size if you'd like! If you have the bigger bottle, you can pour it into a mist bottle and use it as such, instead of actually buying the mist.

It comes in a cute box that lists all the benefits and whatnot. Most of it is in Korean, so I didn't include the other information on the box (which basically is about the benefits/usage/etc.). Instead of the typical pump, it has a dispenser that is like the ones on the bottles used in nail salons, or the make-up remover/alcohol bottles at the Sephora make-up applicator stations. It's a lot easier to control how much product comes out unlike the kind of pump that most liquid foundations and toners have. I find that those kinds of pumps usually squirt out too much product onto the cotton pad, especially if the toner has the consistency of water :<.

I have only been using this toner for around 3 weeks now, and there's a visible difference in the pores on my face. After a few weeks, the pores on my nose were visibly smaller and more refined, so my skin looks and feels a lot smoother. I hope the larger pores will shrink with time too OTL. It doesn't feel drying, and it doesn't give me that 'tight' feeling either. There's a slight cooling sensation after putting it on my face ^^, which feels nice~  My face looks a little brighter after using it too! I feel like it does control sebum since my face doesn't get as oily throughout the day (but it's still unavoidable if it's boiling outside), and I don't have as many bumps around my nose/forehead now.

There isn't any sticky residue after it is absorbed... I don't know if it's just me, but some toners leave a sticky residue or film on my face that makes me feel really greasy afterwards >_<.

The one thing I kind of dislike about it is the scent. It smells like alcohol, although it's not a strong scent, it can be off-putting to some. It's less bothersome after multiple uses since you get used to the scent. But I think the results trump the mediocre scent anyways.

I think this would be a great product for those with combination or oily skin or those with pore troubles. Although I don't feel like it strips my skin of moisture, it is still highly recommended to apply moisturizer afterwards, especially if you have dry skin. But keep in mind that what may work for me, may not work for you, since skin tends to vary from person to person! Generally, other reviews for this product are very favourable though.

Pros
+ Pores are visibly smaller after daily usage
+ Does what it claims to do for the most part (I don't know about the pH thing LOL)
+ Hygienic packaging
+ Gentle
+ Cooling sensation without the 'tight' feeling
+ Comes in multiple sizes
+ No sticky residue
+ Skin feels clean and smooth after it's absorbed

Cons
- Scent

Rating: ★★★★★

Where to buy? I bought it from for worldmarket201010 $20 CAD (link). That seller also sells 25ml sample bottles. You can find it in most online stores if they stock a large range of Etude House products ^^, or on ebay. The 250ml bottle is around $13-15.

Would I repurchase? Maybe. In my opinion, it's a great product for it's price, since it does a lot more than any other toner I've used so far. It's a little more expensive than drugstore toners, but it isn't as expensive as high end toners. But I haven't been using it for a long time yet, so I don't know if it'll continue to yield results after longer usage. But I would buy it again if it effective until I finish the bottle!

Have you tried any of Etude House's Wonder Pore products? 

What is your current/current favourite toner?

I won't be posting for a few weeks, since I'm going on vacation tomorrow and I have classes the day after. So I will do my August haul, and maybe a giveaway after I get back, since I have a lot of samples and unopened stuff (like fake eyelashes, masks, and some others).

Review ★ Tony Moly Pure Luminous Aura CC Cream

Hello everyone!

Sorry I haven't been updating, I have been pretty busy lately! I'm going on vacation next week so I won't be updating from next Wednesday to the start of school. Hopefully I'll have another review and my August haul post before then :D. ANYWAYS... 

I'm finally getting around to reviewing the Tony Moly Pure Luminous Aura CC Cream (that's a moutful LOL). I think it's one of the most popular CC creams out there! There's 2 other CC creams by Tony Moly with similar names so this one isn't to be confused with those ones (Luminous Bright Aura, and Luminous Live Aura).

Description
A 2 in 1 product that combines skin care and make-up with 7 functions/benefits: UV-blocking (SPF 30, PA++), whitening, anti-wrinkle, 'radiance', moisturizing, primer, make-up base. It contains tiny coloured (black, red, and yellow) capsules that change to match the colour of your skin. It can also act as a primer for your make-up. It has a 7 free formula (parabens, benzophenone, talc, mineral oil, organic pigments, sulfate surfactant).

So most of the information on the box is in Korean, except for the ingredients and directions. The side I didn't include was the ingredients list in Korean. The ingredients list is fairly long LOL. I like the packaging for the CC cream because it comes in a bottle with a pump, so it's easy to control how much product comes out of the bottle, and it's hygienic.







The formula is very light, and it blends very easily. It has a light floral scent, that resembles a few BB creams that I've tried. Like a few other CC creams on the market, the formula is very sheer. You can build it up a little, but it's still nowhere near medium coverage. It manages to slightly even out redness and light discolouration; however, it does not cover up blemishes, acne scars, or dark spots well. I think it's better as a base/primer for additional make-up, rather than as a stand alone product... unless you already have really good skin. It has a semi-dewy finish that isn't sticky, because the last thing we want is the heavy feeling on our face from that feeling. It gives off a healthy glow after it sets a little, kind of like a pick-me-up for your skin.

Even though the formula is supposed to change colour to match your skin, it is meant for people with fair to medium skin tones. I'm more of a medium skin tone during the summer, and even then it makes my face a slightly lighter than my body. The colour difference is unnoticeable up close, but it's more apparent from a distance. The colour isn't really a problem as a base, since a darker foundation/pressed powder can be used on top of it. As most products with SPF in it, you will end up having a white cast if you snap photos with flash (ie. family photos, clubbing photos, etc.).

Although summer is going to come to an end soon, it does not work well in hot weather as a stand alone product, since it doesn't last very long. So it's not a good choice if you're out and about in the sun, or if you're going to do activities which will make you sweat. It lasts for around 2-3 hours alone before disappearing.

As for skin types, I think this is better for those with dry skin since it is moisturizing, and it will make your skin look brighter. However, this isn't for those with combination or oily skin, since it doesn't last long, and it won't prevent your face from getting shiny after a few hours, unless you have foundation/pressed or finishing powder on top of it.

Pros
+ Lightweight
+ Blends easily
+ Hygienic packaging
+ Brightens up skin
+ SPF 30, PA++ for protection from the sun
+ Moisturizing
+/- Floral scent
+/- Dewy finish

Cons
- Not long lasting
- Very sheer
- Does not match darker skin tones

Rating: ★★★★ (it's more like a 3.75/5 to me LOL)

Where to buy? I bought it from f2plus1. But you can find it in almost every Korean cosmetic retailer, since it's a relatively common and popular product~

Would I repurchase? No. It's comparable to Innisfree's Real Skin CC cream, except that it has a floral scent, and it doesn't last as long. Overall, it's a good product; it's not great, but it's not bad either. It's a good base for additional make-up, but not so much by itself. However, this is a product that may interest you if you have good skin, and/or if you're looking for something to give your skin an extra boost without feeling sticky.

Review ★ Innisfree Juicy Gloss Pencils

Harro!

I feel like I'm really slow with putting out reviews LOL, but I finally have a review to share :D. I will be reviewing the Innisfree Juicy Gloss Pencils, which sparked my June haul because colour changing things fascinate me * A*.

Description
Lip pencils that contains moisture that melts softly on your lips. They contain vitamin E which helps keep your lips healthy, as well as camellia flower oil to keep your lips hydrated.

I got 4 out of 5 of them.
★ #1 Tropical Lemon
★ #2 Cheongpodo Aid (green grape)
★ #4 Grapefruit Puree
★ #5 Cherry Soda

It also comes in #3 Strawberry Sorbet

I didn't purchase Strawberry Sorbet because the swatch in the item information in the listing looked like a slightly cooler version of the Green Grape (baby pink).

They didn't come in any additional packaging with product information, so I don't know what additional ingredients are in it. There was a sticker on the lid so you know someone didn't tamper with it. The cap is decorated with a cute fruit print that just screams summer!

You have to twist the bottom to get more product, just like a lipstick or a lip crayon. The manufacture date can also be found at the bottom.

The glossy pencils function like a tinted lip balm/crayon, and they have a similar texture. They leave your lips looking healthy and moisturized. The finish isn't sticky even though it leaves your lips with a light shine, so that's a plus too :D.

Tropical Lemon and Green Grape are really sheer, so I was a little disappointed with them. Tropical Lemon is a warmer shade of pink than Green Grape. But you can't really tell once it's applied (as seen in my lip swatches OTL), so you're better off buying one or the other if you're interested in them, since the only key difference is the scent. Those two are comparable to a lip balm, rather than a lip stick/crayon. Tropical Lemon and Green Grape is good for those looking for a low key lip colour, instead of a solid colour. They give a sheer hint of pink to your lips without it looking like you're wearing a lip colour. I think they smell the best out of all the ones I purchased * u *.

On the other hand, Cherry Soda and Grapefruit Purée do not disappoint, because they are pigmented and true to colour. It only takes one swipe for a solid colour! I don't have many orange lip products, so Grapefruit Puree is a good addition to my collection :D. Strawberry Sorbet is like Cherry Soda and Grapefruit Purée in terms of pigmentation, since it doesn't have to oxidize into a colour like the colour changing ones. So I kind of wish I purchased that instead of Tropical Lemon or Green Grape.

They last for a few hours before drying out. Cherry Soda tends to leave a tint after drying out completely. I like to use that one for the gradient lips since I feel that Benetint can be a tad drying >__<.

Pros
+ Moisturizing
+ Pigmented
+ True to colour (except for Tropical Lemon and Green Grape)
+ Scent matches their names. The scent of Cherry Soda might be too artificial for some though.

Cons
- None.

Rating: ★★★★★ (for Cherry Soda & Grapefruit Puree) / ★★★★ (for Green Grape & Tropical Lemon)

Where to buy? f2plus1 for $9.90USD~ (link). Most ebay sellers will sell it for $10. You can also find it at Jolse for $10, and kpoptown for $9.

Would I re-purchase? No. They're not a holy grail product, but overall, the juicy gloss sticks are a good product, with cute packaging to boot! They're inexpensive, so you should definitely try them out if you're looking for a lip crayon, or a new lip product to try out!