grav3yardgirl
Korean Beauty Products – Part #1
I mentioned in my previous blog post about the Fresh – Rose Hydrating Gel Cream that there are some new cool kids in the cosmetics world. Algae and those vibrating face scrubbers being two of them I listed, but the third was one was so whimsical, so disgustingly cute – I had to try some. Luckily for me, the magical world of Amazon Prime made my wish come true. I now present to you – straight outta the makeup bags of thousands of squealing K-Pop fan-girls, Ladies and Gentlemen –
Adorable packaging, irresistible marketing, cute and cuddly characters, weird and unorthodox ingredients? Holy cannoli – if this stuff was meth, I wouldn’t have any teeth left. I was once again inspired by Bunny a.k.a Grav3yardgirl when she did a haul from a Korean beauty supplier. Shortly thereafter I stumbled upon the new Korean Beauty Shop on Amazon – with almost 700 blessed products from the promised land, I was in trouble. This. Stuff. Is. Brilliant. I wanted to try everything, and ordered so many products, I’ll have to break this into two parts. Because not only is it adorable, its affordable. (See what I did there?)
TONYMOLY – Egg Pore Nose Pack, 7 Sheets – $5.98
Just yer basic pore strip as far as I could tell, except its made from EGGS! I saw quite a few products that were made with eggs and they were all geared towards pore cleaning and blackhead elimination. The only downside of this guy? It smells AWFUL! Like week old scrambled eggs someone spritzed perfume on. Yuck. And the fact that it sits right on your nose doesn’t make that any easier to handle.
I’d say they work as well as any pore strip I’ve bought stateside, but they’re probably a little cheaper. Pretty good deal if you can stand the smell.
TONYMOLY- I’m real mask, 11 sheets – $14.27
This was a steal. Seriously. If you are inclined to try any of the products I’m showing you, this should be it. The TONYMOLY face masks are sold in the pre-register line traps at Sephora in packs of 2 for $7.50. They also sell them at Urban Outfitters for $4 each. I got 11 of them, one of each kind they make, for $14. So you can buy them at Urban Outfitters for $4 each, Sephora for $3.75 each, or Amazon for $1.29. There should be no question in your mind.
I love all the different kinds, and they each are touted to do different things: Avocado gives you nutrition, rice clears your skin, red wine clears your pores, ect. There’s even a broccoli one (which does NOT smell like broccoli) that gives you “vitality.” I could care less if all that’s true, they make your skin feel great either way and they’re adorably awesome. I definitely will be ordering these guys again.
Innisfree – No Sebum Mineral Pact – $10
I like how these Korean products don’t beat around the bush. They don’t use dainty words like “oil control” or “shine control.” No. Straight up “NO SEBUM.” I like it. And boy, does this little guy deliver.
I’ve been using it to set (that means you put a powder on top of a liquid to make it stick, the more you know) what contouring and/or foundation I put on the oilier parts of my face -see post #1 The Battle of the Moisturizers for a topographical map. It does a fantastic job of keeping those areas matte and leaves my skin feeling very soft. I also carry it around with me when I wear a full face of makeup for periodic re-mattefying. This is another product that I will be purchasing again.
The Face Shop – Chia Seed Sebum Control Moisture Cream – $15.94
And here we have our much anticipated new contestant for the Battle of the Moisturizers! Made with chia seeds (of the chia pet variety), this guy has quite a few positive reviews and is very affordable.
Its currently in line behind the Dior Dreamskin for testing, so I can’t really say much about it, but it sure smells good! I did try it once just to have a whack at it and It made my skin a little tight? It almost made my skin feeling a little squeaky? I dunno, my official opinion will have to wait for after testing.
We’ll be breaking this guy down in the usual way once it gets it turn to do its thing on my face – stay tuned!
The Face Shop – Protect Me Hand Cream – $9.98
I don’t even need to say anything about this one. Just look at it. Freaking look at it. This stuff could smell like week-old mayonnaise and I’d still carry it around with me.
It super doesn’t smell like week old mayonnaise tho, it smells amazing.
LOOK AT IT! I bought 2 and gave one as a gift. I haven’t even used it because I don’t want to. Its too cute for me to use. I got the avocado kind, but there are also cocoa butter and mango scents. I will be purchasing both of those as well. Don’t judge me.
Another thing to note, they did just start carrying the cocoa butter version of this guy (along with a few TONYMOLY and other Korean Beauty products) at Urban Outfitters for $12.
TONYMOLY – Panda’s Dream So Cool Eye Stick – $6.98
Another TONYMOLY product you can get on Amazon for half of what Urban Outfitters is selling it for. I was super expecting this to be menthol-y, like you normally would with any product in the US that is supposed to be “cooling.” WRONG! Zero menthol smell, no awkward stinging feeling, just cooling!
I first tried it on the back of my hand and almost jumped out of my desk chair. I then went around and smudged it on all my male co-workers (I wasn’t discriminating, they’re all male, everyone got smudged fairly) and they were equally taken aback… but that may have been because I was chasing them with a little panda stick. I like to use this when I first get up in the morning. I also imagine it would be rather soothing the next time I get a cold.
Etude House – My Beauty Tool – Lovely Etti Hair Band – $5.36
And I got a hair band. With cat ears.
CAT.
EARS.
OMFGWTFBBQKFC!!!1!!!ONE!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t have to explain myself to you people.
We’ll that’s it for part #1! Stick around for part #2 where I obsess over more adorable products made by the Korean gods of cuteness!
Battle of the Moisturizers: Contestant #2 Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare – Hydra-Pure® Oil-Free Moisture with Chelating Complex
Unlike our dearly departed previous contestant, the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hydra-Pure® Oil-Free Moisture with Chelating Complex (holy crap, long name) was suggested to be by HAL 9000 the Sephora Skincare IQ machine. I have never heard of this brand before and I was immediately skeptical as soon as I saw the price.
But Marina, you said the point was to find a moisturizer that cost LESS than LUSH’s Gorgeous! Why even bother trying this one?
I am really interested in finding something that costs less than $60 an ounce, and I am also looking to find something that could possibly work way better than what I have been using. But most of all, I want to test out the high-end, uber expensive products that make aggrandized claims and see if they really are better than what you can buy at CVS for $5. And THIS GUY is definitely one of those fancy shmancy products I want to run through the gambit. Lets get started –
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare – Hydra-Pure® Oil-Free Moisture with Chelating Complex
Cost = $78 US
Size = 1 fl oz
Extended cost (Cost / Size) = $78/oz
Estimated cost per application = $1.56
I used the same application amount estimate I did with the Fresh – Rose Hydrating Gel Cream because the consistency and feel of the two were relatively similar, which means this guy evens out to a whopping $1.56 an application. Holy heart-failure, Batman! I better be impressed. You know there are 514,063 things on Etsy that you can buy for $1.56 or less? A 90’s grunge choker, 1g of organic shea butter, a Kanye West Pin! I actually think i’d rather moisturize my face than have that last one.
So I didn’t really see what about this product constitutes it as “Hydra-Pure?” The first ingredient is water… so there’s that…But thats not really the headline. The big selling point for this guy is it’s “Chelating Complex.” Don’t be dazzled by strange words, kids. Lets talk about Chelation.
What the heck is Chelation?
Pronounced key-LAY-shun, its one way ions or molecules bind to metal ions. Dont worry if you don’t remember from high school chemistry what ions and molecules are, that part doesn’t really matter. What matters is these chelating ions and molecules are kind of like Pac-Man, and they like to chomp down on cherries… or metal ions.
So when Mrs. Pac-Man chomps down on the metal ion, it is rendered chemically inert and will no longer interact with your body. Now, Chelators are SUPER important, and not just for removing those hard-water stains from your shower (no joke, that’s one of the things they’re used for), they’re also key in curing heavy metal intoxication. I’m talking about arsenic, mercury, and lead poisoning. But thats not what we’re talking about with this product – the Chelators here are being used for, among other things (cough-preservatives-cough), neutralizing the “damage” hard water may be doing to your face. We’re talking about the calcium and magnesium that seeps in from old pipes and deposits in the ground that give 85% of homes in the USA what is refered to as “hard water.” Heres a full list of what this product claims to do:
- Softens hard water and removes heavy metals that antioxidants cannot
- Combats free radical damage
- Decreases redness and irritation
- Eradicates dull skin
- Eliminates waxy plugs/blackheads
- Cures the oil chemistry disorder that leads to acne and clogged pores
- Improves penetration of active ingredients
- Allows trace minerals beneficial to the skin to be absorbed
- Dual-mechanism, lightweight moisturizer provides immediate and long-term hydration
You guys know the drill, lets take this one by one –
“Softens hard water and removes heavy metals that antioxidants cannot”- This bit was news to me, I had heard of hard water making your hair gross, and that’s why they make shower heads with water filters in them, but I’d never thought of what it’d do to your skin. I did some googling and came across this article from SELF magazine. Holy cannoli! Its all right here! The acne, how the minerals clog pores, the irritation, everything this moisturizer claims to do! And they’re even getting their info from a real doctor, Dr. Dennis-… Wait a minute. “Dr. Dennis Gross, Manhattan dermatologist and founder of the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare product line.” But can you blame the guy? Hes just trying to sell his expensive stuff – its the American dream.
I am leaning towards calling bullsh*t on this claim that Chelators can do so many amazing things for your skin. According to Cosmetics and Toiletries Magazine “Chelators are used in almost every personal care formulation type to increase effectiveness and improve stability, thereby improving consumer acceptance. In addition, they have demonstrated the ability to boost preservative activity. Chelators are used in liquid soap and body wash to prevent fragrance and color degradation and for their synergistic effect with antimicrobials. They are also incorporated into bar soap to prevent rancidity, softening, brown-spotting, cracking and discoloration due to metal ions, as well as to enhance foaming and rinsability.” Chelators are everywhere, and the ones in this moisturizer aren’t that special. Not to mention, how effective can they be when they’re in a moisturizer? You’ve already washed and dried your face and the oils in your skin are hard at work neutralizing metal ions on their own. Thats right, thats what they’re there for.
(I’ll get off my soapbox now, no pun intended, the rest of this will be quick, I promise)
“Combats free radical damage” – This is what antioxidants do, and this product does have a lot of very effective ones. Free radical damage basically means oxidation (its when a molecule loses an electron and becomes unstable, Antioxidants have electrons to spare and donate them – but that’s a WHOLE ‘nother post). But one of the antioxidants is soy isoflavones – which means don’t use this moisturizer if you’re allergic to soy.
“Decreases redness and irritation” – This Is another claim of Dr. Gross’, (this guy must have been made fun of when he was a kid) said reddness and irritation is allegedly caused by the soap scum on your face. File this under “meh… mabey.”
“Eradicates dull skin” – I’m sure you guys remember our friend Tetrasodium EDTA from the Fresh – Rose Hydrating Gel Cream, well guess who is back and is also a chelator? For those of you yet to catch up, Tetrasodium EDTA “reversably” damages the top layers of your skin so whatever its mixed with can absorb better. The internet hates this stuff, but i’m on the fence.
“Eliminates waxy plugs/blackheads” – Oh boy, chelators are soooo fancy! They can also do your taxes and walk your dog!
“Cures the oil chemistry disorder that leads to acne and clogged pores” – “Ugh, chelators, chelators, chelators!”
“Improves penetration of active ingredients” – (cough-Tetrasodium EDTA – Cough)
“Allows trace minerals beneficial to the skin to be absorbed” – Yawn, this guy is just going on about the same ingredients..
“Dual-mechanism, lightweight moisturizer provides immediate and long-term hydration” – I don’t really know what Doc is on about with this one, but I will say that this product has a lot of skin conditioning ingredients. I mean A LOT! At least twice what the Fresh – Rose Hydrating Gel Cream had. Maybe that’s the “long term hydration?” I don’t even know anymore.
In Conclusion…
I know it really sounds like I’m hating on this moisturizer, but the truth is i’m being skeptical because I REALLY want to believe all the things its claiming to do. I think a lot of it make sense theoretically, but I have a hard time accepting a product that claims to do so many things without solid scientific studies to back it up, even if the product is made by a licensed dermatologist. Like my homeboy Justin and homegirl Sydnee say on their podcast Sawbones “Cure-alls cure NOTHING!” (p.s., if you’re not listening to Sawbones, we can’t be friends)
I do have relatively hard water and I didn’t see anything miraculous while using this product, but I believe a 5 day trial-run sample wasn’t enough to see any improvement. I feel like if there are benefits to what Dr. Gross is selling, they’re best seen in the long-run. Unfortunately $78 a bottle is out of the question for long-run use for me. Sorry Doc.
New Contestants!
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dior’s Capture Totale Dreamskin has entered the building! I decided to test this one out after seeing Bunny a.k.a Grav3yardgirl talk about it on her YouTube channel. I love that chick, but I wanna see for myself If I can really get me some dreamskin, and at $115 a bottle I am ready for some serious testing.
We do have another candidate hiding out, but hes a secret that will be revealed in a haul coming very soon, I promise! BE EXCITED!
Sources
How 2: "Girl" 