My Repurchased Essentials (with mini reviews)

My relationship with my skincare products is the same as my relationship with men - sure, I'll try something and I'll like it, but I'll always be wondering - what if there's somethin better out there? It takes a really strong product to inspire me to repurchase, mainly because repurchasing something isn't near as exciting as trying a new one.
Anyways, here are some gems that I have repurchased, have no desire to replace, and that I will continue to repurchase until I die, probably.

*Angels singing*

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream
This little pink tube is a staple among Korean skincare fanatics. It features 74% snail secretion filtrate. Snail slime is the closest thing to a miracle ingredient I've found. Put the snails all. over. mah. face.

Pink. So cute!

 

Pros:

Seriously cheap.

Effective against acne and redness. (Seriously, this stuff clears up my blemishes better than benzoyl peroxide.)

Cooling, lightweight.

Odorless

Sanitary tube packaging. No gross finger scooping!

Multi use product as a moisturizer, spot treatment, and sleeping pack. 

Cons: 

Just one - its not very moisturizing on its own. 

I get it on Amazon for $7.69

Tonymoly Magic Food Banana Sleeping Pack

Bought it for the packaging, repurchased for its seriously effective moisturizing power.  This is the only sleeping pack I've tried that makes me wake up with moist, (pleasantly!)spongy skin. Which is surprising, considering the basic water-and-glycerin formula. It does also include banana fruit extract and chamomile flower extract. 

Yes, the sticker does open!

Pros: 

  Cheap

Noticeably effective at moisturizing. 

Lovely buttery texture. 

 Sanitary squeezy tube.

Cons: 

  Uncomplicated

Artificial banana scent

I get it on Amazon for $8.03. 

Etude House Moistfull Super Collagen Eye Concentrate

   Old but good. What I like about this is that its thick and moisturizing enough for my dry undereyes while providing an instant brightening and line-filling effect with collagen. Its texture is interesting, almost putty-like. Its like a chok chok cream for your eyeballs.

Pros: 

Moisturizing

Wrinkle filler effect

Cons:
Texture is a little difficult to manage.

I get it on Amazon for $17.72.

Paulas Choice Clear Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution: Extra Strength

 This is my twice-daily BHA exfoliant. Once I tried this I kissed Stridex and Clearisil goodbye forever. This stuff makes me and my skin shiny and happy. In addition to 2% salicylic acid, it includes calming green tea extract.

Pop-up lid. Its pretty sturdy, I don't worry it will spill in my bag.

Pros: 

  Effective against acne

Not drying at all

No harsh ingredients

Soothing

Good for daily use

Cons: 

Expensive. 

I get mine from Paulas Choice for $28.00

Iope All in One Radiance Cream Review

I'm nearly finished with this cream, which means its time to review it!

Introducing...

A cream that moisturizes, brightens, and protects from the sun? Yes please.
This is actually the first IOPE product I've tried. IOPE tends to be more expensive, so I had high expectations for this sucker.
It claims to be a one step summer moisturizer with SPF 35, combining the functions of a moisturizer, suncream, and makeup base. It also claims to contain hydrolyzed collagen.
Pros:
1. First of all - the sexy, sexy packaging. The jar is relatively lightweight but has an opalescent sheen and a minimal design that is just very appealing. 

2. This cream has a lightweight, whipped texture - its not heavy at all. The scent is like a light sunscreen, inoffensive.

It looks and feels like frosting - I always want to lick it off my fingers!

Here's whats left in the jar that I haven't used up.

Unblended swatch on my hand.

3. True to the claim, this cream does have a whitening effect. The cream has a pale pink cast that brightens, as well as a glowy sheen.

Blended on my hand.

Left without cream/Right with cream.

Here it is on mah face.

 4. Also, SPF 35! Which means you get to skip a separate sun cream if you use this.

Cons: 
 1. Its sort of streaky - you have to work it into your skin like makeup. Its also a bit sticky, I'm assuming due to the collagen.
2.  Also, sadly, its not moisturizing enough for my dry skin. I ended up using it more as a sun cream with a separate moisturizer, which sort of defeats the purpose of it being an all in one cream.
3. Its on the more expensive side also.

Conclusions
I won't be repurchasing this cream. I loved its CC effect, but I need more moisture in an occlusive. This cream would be perfect for someone with more normal or oily skin who likes the dewy look but doesn't need as much moisture.  
I bought mine at Jolse for $37.38. 

Introduction to me and my skin!

Hello!

Finally took the plunge into beauty blogosphere.

I’m just a lil art student with an out of hand obsession with makeup and skincare, particularly K-beauty!  Thought I’d give a brief introduction to me and my skin type so you all can better understand my perspective on products! I even drew you a little picture because I love you so much. :)

Mah face.

My skin:

Very combination. 

Oil slick nose, normal forhead, dragon scale dry everywhere else. 

Hormonal acne prone, especially on my chin. 
Prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Hella pale (NW15). 

I'm no expert, but I'm looking forward to sharing reviews and favorites with you!