Skincare and makeup junkies out there, I'm sure Laneige and Innisfree aren't strangers to you. If you're not that crazy over skincare but want to find out more about these two ultimate "holy grail" brands and my review on their customer favourites' hot products - this is the review! I was kindly invited by Korean Skincare and Makeup Online Store, 1030am to browse their selections and found that they have stocked up only all the super popular items, which save you the trouble from finding out what's good for you, but simply what product you need. They absorb GST, offer cashback incentives, and $10 off for all new customers (min. spending $60). In this review I will be focusing on a few items that you can find on 1030am.
First up,
the Laneige Trouble Relief Toner!
The way to a simple and reliable skincare regime is a three-step mantra:
Cleanse, tone, moisturize!
After cleansing, toning is super important. It can be seemingly redundant or seen to be optional. It is a crucial step to ensuring your skin's pH is returned to its healthy level after cleansing, and at the same time give it a dose of ingredients meant to repair and restore your skin. I use the toner step to help remove any excess stubborn makeup residue not taken away by cleansing as the cotton pad is more flexible to use.
Thus, picking the right toner can be confusing too.
The one that I was using before I received this Laneige Trouble Relief Toner was the L’Oreal Paris White Perfect Whitening and Moisturizing Toner which I am not completely satisfied with because it gives a slightly sticky afterfeel, but I didn't want to throw the whole bottle away so I continued using it anyway. It works, but I'm keen to try the Laneige one because I have lots of other Laneige items and trust their range! 😊
Take a look at this pretty shamrock-green bottle, it has a striking colour which differentiates itself from the rest of my other skincare items. Easy to pick it out immediately especially after cleansing. Its packaging is very unique as well. But what's more important is its contents of course.
My skin has no major problems apart from the occasional small pimple that appears randomly every few days, probably because perfect skin every-day is a myth... or is it?! I've been using this toner for nearly a week now, and my skin has not seen any of those pimples anymore. Of course there are many factors that come into play, but this is the only change in my whole skincare routine so I'd think this has contributed a lot to ensuring my skin is well cared for.
How does this Laneige Trouble Relief toner prevent acne?
This Toner is aimed at preventing acne by suppressing the growth of acne bacteria to prevent the inflammation of clogged pores and formation of papules. It contains the extract of Hinoki Cypress Polysaccharide, which reduces the growth of acne-causing bacteria by suppressing the formation of biofilm on the skin where bacteria tends to grow.
Does it dry out my skin?
No it doesn't. It is meant to be a daily toner with natural alcohol content that gently exfoliates skin. I used to love alcohol-based toners because it gives such a clean feeling after, but it actually strips my skin of moisture, so this actually helps balance that.
Ingredients
Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Betaine, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water, Acetyl Glucosamine, Phenoxyethanol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Propanediol, Cellulose Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
How to use
- Use every morning and night after cleansing.
- Remove moisture from the face, wet a cosmetic cotton pad with approximately 1ml (about 2.5cm in diameter), and gently wipe skin.
- Use gentle sweeping motions from the center of the face and out.
This is going into my regular skincare routine definitely.
---
Next, I will be reviewing the BB cushion I've been using for the past two years - the much raved Laniege BB Cushion SPF 50 PA+++!
For foundation and makeup base, I usually alternate between the Face Shop CC Cream (which is another product that many of my friends use) and the Laneige BB Cushion. The usage instructions are very different, so it depends on how I feel that day. I use the CC Cream because I like its pump mechanism as well - each has their own pros and cons.
Why I prefer the BB Cushion
The good thing about the BB cushion is that it is much more hygienic due to the remote application that doesn't require fingers, the little tailor-made puff picks up product from the cushion. The puff has antibacterial air cell properties and allows the formula to glide onto skin evenly without clots and cools skin since it does not absorb moisture.
What I was worried about the BB Cushion
Due to its instruction of usage, I thought that the BB Cushion wastes a lot of product because it goes through two 'sponges', and I didn't think it could last me a long time. Every time I have to press the puff into the BB cushion, I feel like I couldn't get enough product out. So that was a little troublesome and takes some getting used to. Considering I use the BB Cushion about 30-40% of the time for the past two years (I set a makeup base almost everyday), it is still surprisingly going strong.
I didn't use it that much in the beginning because I didn't like the application method but it did grow on me. I preferred to use my fingers, but now it is easier after I started using a beauty blender, which works similarly.
Check out my arsenal of Laneige BB Cushions. I am a convert! I am currently still using my first Laneige BB Cushion of the pushBUTTON collection (right most). Which means they can probably last me for the next few years... They have refills too, which means you don't have to keep buying the entire product.
Now to demonstrate what I do with it... another reason why I am growing into it - it's super fast in blending in, I can cut down my makeup time quite a bit with this. Moreover, it evens out my skin tone without looking like I put on a lot of makeup.
Here is me in no.21, slightly darker than my original skin tone so I got no.11 as well to try, but I'll open it when I'm done with this... so maybe reviewing it next time to see how it goes. It has a smooth finishing and adheres to my skin perfectly, nicely done. Apparently, the skin’s surface temperature will drop 4 degrees Celsius immediately after application and allows a 12-hr color longevity effect which I can vouch for because I never felt any discomfort or dissatisfaction with my makeup every time I use this. It is a good and reliable companion for a makeup base.
LANEIGE Trouble Relief Toner 200ml and BB Cushion SPF50 + With Refill retails for $69 on 1030am. Note if you're a first time customer, you get $10 off for purchases above $60, so you can buy this whole set at $59. Super worth it because the BB cushion itself already retails at $59 in Sephora stores.
>>> Grab the awesome deal here! <<<
---
Moving on, it's the Korean skincare sensation brand - INNISFREE.
INNISFREE It's a real squeeze mask!!!
In Singapore, Innisfree stores are basically been ransacked mad by girls and guys alike because it is said to be super good and effective for your skin. I am equally intrigued - are they really that good? I give their masks a go... Masks, there are too many of them out there in the market, it almost seem like any of them would do. What about masks from this well-loved brand?
Mask up after cleansing and toning (with the Laneige Trouble Relief toner ;))!
Here I am using the Innisfree It's real squeeze mask (Strawberry). To me, this is not a fancy mask, it's very basic and straight forward, it is the sort that you stock up in the hundreds so you can mask up once every week. It has a good fit, not overly nourishing, good enough for a 15-minutes skin boost (after 20 minutes it is nearly almost dry). The after-effect is that my skin feels really pumped up and well-hydrated. It's not the best mask, but it is certainly value for money. 1030am has over 10 flavours of the mask here at $1.70 each.
---
This is the product that has been flying off shelves in Innisfree stores - Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask!
This volcanic mask is au naturel, with a "4 Free System", referring to no mineral oils, non-animal raw materials, no artificial flavor, no imidazolidinyl urea. It has excellent sebum adhesion using Jeju volcanic minerals, allowing powerful skin purification to clean inside of pores.
Is it really that powerful? Let's see..
This is the application process. Instructions to apply to the entire face after cleansing and toner except your eyes and lips. Rinse gently with warm water after 15 minutes.
So this is the 15 minutes waiting process... during the first 5 minutes, it dried up really quickly, resulting in almost a clay and smooth hardened layer over my face. It is recommended to use it 1-2 times per week and please adhere to the 15 minutes as advised!
This is me immediately after washing it off! My face feels strangely refreshed and lifted, given that there are no 'exfoliation' or scrubbing effect by the mask, nor peel-off.
For an unnecessarily close-up composite image of before and after - completely bare faced. This is the first time I am trying the Volcanic Pore Mask and certainly not my last, it works wonderfully to clear pores to smoothen out my skin. The whole tub is also very substantial, I only used probably around 1% of the entire tub for one time. 1030am retails this Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (200ml) at $27. The official website sells the 100ml one at $21, so yes, if you are looking for this fantastic deal, it's right here.
Never miss a post again!
I share interesting episodes in life revolving around food, lifestyle, travel and inspirational ideas. If you would like to stay in touch, follow me on my Instagram on @amie.hu and Facebook page!