Koh Gen Do Oriental Plants Lotion—II

Asia is well-known to be far ahead in their skin care products. I read that Japan is one of the many few countries out there who are really cautious about what they put in their beauty products. Their native consumers are quite aware of which ingredients are beneficial and which are not which makes it difficult for brands who put a lot of synthetics in their products to sell.  Doing all this research led me to a brand called: Koh Gen Do (Gen pronounced like ghen, not jen). The first product I decided to purchase was their Oriental Plants lotion for dry skin.

Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil - Rip Off

This oil is a top seller at Sephora. Regrettably, I have bought it a couple of times myself from there in the past. It has so many benefits and it is so versitile, it's hard to resist.  You can use it anywhere, on your face, on your hair and on your nails. Today, we will explore it's benefits and the "an arm and a leg" price.

Some benefits of Argan Oil include:

• The Vitamin A, E, anti-oxidents, and Omega-6 fatty acids
• It absorbs easily to the skin and does not leave a residue
• Treating skin infections, bug bites and rashes
• Reducing sebum levels for acne sufferers
• Preventing stretch marks by improving elasticity of the skin
• Soothing razor bumps and burns

If you're still reading this, you might be one of those intelligent consumers who are curious about 

Origins A Perfect World. Age-Defense Treatment Lotion

Background: I used to be apprehensive about the second step of the traditional skin care regimen.  Due to the fact, I have used awful toners before sold by amazing sales associates on commission. For example the  Clinique's second step toner was such a big disappointment - it made me breakout bad.  I was told it's alcohol free and it still irritated my skin.

Then I'd go back on the hunt for a toner just to be disappointed again. I could even remember a time about me complaining to the Sales Representative from Dior about the Cliniques toner (I didn't have a blog at the time and I just needed someone to vent to), He responded telling me that Clinique sucks (of course he's going to say that) and that their toner could be used as nail polish remover because of the acetone in it. (I had to google it to see if that were true and to my dismay he was right!). That being said, they have reformulated their toner and have removed the acetone.

YSL TOUCHE ECLAT LE TEINT Radiance Awakening Foundation

I think we all have been in search for the type of foundation where you can't tell that you're wearing any.  

Review: The Touche eclat le tent Radiance awakening foundation has a  flawless finish. It's stunning! I have olive toned skin, which is quite dry. I purchased a BD50 (Warm Honey) for YSL's foundation it's a tad bit darker than my actual skin tone. (I think next time I'll try the BD40). I find that some foundations never "sit" right - they magnify any imperfections. I always want my foundation to look natural, like great skin, not "great foundation" . The description below that Sephora provided about this foundation is context that I completely agree with. For it really does give you a healthy glow.

" [The YSL] Foundation is enriched with stimulating ruscus extract, an anti-fatigue formula that energizes skin by stimulating micro-circulation and targeting dullness to instantly improve the look your skin’s brightness and luminosity, while the vitamin E protects against free radicals. It leaves a weightless finish while offering eight hours of a refreshed, radiant look." Sephora Website

If you're going to be using this foundation I do recommend using their primer along with it - these two products combined can definitely become your Holy grail.  I find that the coverage is buildable, and less sheer than the last version. It only took a tiny bit to cover my face, using the beauty blender.  The consistency of the foundation is very runny, and "watery" to describe it and it feels very light once it sets on the skin. You won't feel like you're wearing anything on your face using this.

Ingredients Review: Another thing that I always look into are the ingredients, to see if it's a safe to use for everyday type of foundation. I have sensitive skin and I don't want to age quickly, so looking into the ingredients is very important. The first ingredient that I noticed was that there is Polyethylene Glycol (PEG). When this is put in low molecular weight, it's in the low risk category for causing any harm to your skin. I searched on google to see if the PEG's used in this foundation were safe and it said they were, they were in fact in the low risk category. Meaning it may effect those with extremely sensitive skin but it hasn't irrupted my skin. 

A lot of companies use PEG as an ingredient in their foundations just so the ingredients in the foundation will mix properly. It is supposed to help soften and lubricate the skin and also help deliver the ingredients deeper into your skin. On the downside PEG is known to reduce the skin's natural moisture. But it appears that majority of cosmetics out there will have this ingredient in it. 

Another ingredient that I found in this foundation was fragrance. If you have read my primer review, you would know how much I dislike having fragrances in my products and the potential side effects of fragrance. If it weren't for the fragrance this would be my number 1 foundation. Due to the fragrance and PEG, every time you remove this foundation off your skin, make sure you have an amazing moisturizing routine afterwards to replenish your skin. 

I've gotten several compliments about how wonderful my skin looks. In response I told my commenters that I'm wearing YSL's foundation. 

 

It just looks very healthy on the skin. It looks amazing in pictures. I've noticed in pictures I have an almost satin/radiant glow - not dewy like the NARS sheer glow. 

Ratings: 3.5/5  Why? -1 because of the fragrance! , -1.5  because I worry about breaking out using this.  

Would I buy it again? - I'm hoping I'll find another foundation similar to this one but without the fragrance. So we'll see. 

Price: 58$ Sephora

*More pictures coming to this post by Tuesday!

 
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%; Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, ethylhexyy, Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate,Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipropylene Glycol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Bht, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride. (F.I.L. B179701/1)

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer

Today's review will be on this YSL primer.  First and foremost I'll start off with a little background on my skin.  I have dry, dehydrated looking skin most of the time. Which sucks and sometimes even makes the best make up out there look unpleasant. So I know besides a great morning and night skin regimen - I need a really good primer for my skin 

Foreo

Review of the Foreo cleanser

Hey Friends !!!  :)  

This is a review for the Foreo Luna 2 for Sensitive skin (the lavender coloured one). The Foreo is a silicone made cleansing device that was created to give you a deep cleanse with up to "8000