Review: Shara Shara Honey Bomb All In One Ampoule

When this arrived in the box, I was so excited to open it! The pictures online were so glorified. But when I was down to opening the box, the honeybomb looks sooooo small as compared to what I expected.

Its just this really small jar that fits in my hand. Reviews online say it would take ages to finish the product, but on the contrary if used thrice a week as a sleeping pack, I am sure I can wipe it out within 2 months.

So…
WHAT DOES IT DO?
This all in one innovative ampoule is like a compression of all your skincare steps, good especially for people who sees their skincare regime as a hassle, yet want to achieve that basic healthy skin anyway.

It is like a combination of moisturizer, serum, toner and ampoule, and it is suitable for all skin types!!  It did however, leave a tingly sensation on the sides of my nose. This doesn’t worry me because almost all products does this to my skin. However, people with sensitive skin might want to take note.

So Honeybomb is filled with three types of honey: Royal Jelly, Manuka honey, and Propolis Extract. It claims to improve skin texture with continued use, as well as even out skin tone and minimize fine lines.
Though not obviously stated, it has whitening properties as it contains Niacinamide which is an ingredient you should search for if you want to buy whitening products.

COST
This is one of the more expensive product that I have decided to try from Korea. I got it for 21.71USD at KoreaDepart, which is the cheapest I can find. Considering its 250ml size plus the fact that it is a multi-tasker, it can actually save you quite a bit of money!

INGREDIENTS

Ingredient List

Some of us just love reading the ingredients list. Luckily for us, this product comes along with an English dubbed list.

I love love love that it has sea buckthorn berry extract (Hippophae), as this stuff does wonders for your skin. Just this ingredient alone promotes skin hydration, elasticity, skin regeneration, and even helps treat and prevent acne! It may even be beneficial for people afflicted with Rosacea.

APPLICATION

This comes off as a smooth light gel with a light golden hue. Under stronger light, it is close to transparent. It smells… only faintly of honey.

It glides on very well, making application fuss-free, even more so when it comes with a spatula!

Look at that yummy goodness!!! It just makes you want to dab some onto your tongue hehe. BUT… fret not honey lovers, for this does not smell so much like honey.

I know I took out a huge ass dollop but trust me you do not need that much for application. It is only for presentation purposes. I should probably start investing in a camera though lol.
For normal use, you probably need only 1/5 of this size. As a sleeping pack, I would apply more generously which is about 3/5 of this size.

Thats how it looks like with one swipe of the pinky, and then when I smooth it out a little over the skin. With such a lightweight texture, you can be sure it is cooling as well. Though it is not as cooling as Aloe vera gel, it feels less sticky than aloe vera when applied, and also absorbs into skin faster.

I like to use this as a sleeping pack where I slather on a generous amount on my face. All that honey goodness!!!
One can finally feel like Cleopatra with her extravagant honey and milk baths.

EFFECTIVENESS

I love this product, and love the packaging. The size was good, but because I use it as an additional/ replacement step in my skincare rather than as a multi tasker, it is still a tug on my wallet. Hey I know I am super anal about price hahaha.
Application was a breeze.
But other than that, the effects weren’t something I would rave about. My skin felt moisturized and pampered and thats about it. I did not experience smoother or softer skin.
VERDICT
I would give it a 3/5. It doesn’t do much for me, it only maintains. However for users with troubled skin, it may be a very good product to consider especially when its suitable for all skin types and the fact that it contains sea buckthorn. THUMBS UP!!!

However, I will not repurchase it simply because I have cheaper alternatives to this, which I can’t wait to share with you guys!! A good example would be Aloe vera gel. It even does wonders for fever, and I am sure to blog about this soon for my dear readers.

Koreadepart Spree!!

Guess what arrived guys…

Happy happy me!!! These took about 2 weeks to arrive, which was faster than expected. I did however spent days pining for it and tracking the parcel every few hours. (hehe)

Anyway… During my purchase I was very aware of the fact that half the products I wanted to buy lack reviews on the net, probably because they are not quite widely used yet.

Imagine being wrought with uncertainty whether to purchase or not! I do love to go on sprees like this, and I confess that I am a tad addicted to hauling over skincare products time and again! But before every purchase decision, I will go through lengths to make sure that the product is really worth buying and lives up to what it purports.

So fret not my friends! I will do a review on each and every product you see here (except the samples) hahaha. But first.. Let me show you what I’ve got!

Don’t you just love those boxes!!! Korean cosmetics companies have a knack in whipping up cute and tempting packages to steal your hearts. Be aware!

So the back row, from the left, I’ve got:

Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbona Ted Bubble Clay Mask –8.94 USD

Shara Shara Honey bomb All in one Ampoule –21.71 USD

Labelyoung Shocking Toner (Season 3) –9.90 USD

Labelyoung By Handmader Sonyu Oil –11.65 USD

Front row:

Skinfood Black Sugar Mask – 6.26 USD

Till now, I’ve used the clay mask and the honey bomb.
In fact I have honey bomb on my face now as I type this.
I can’t wait to share with you guys my thoughts on them all!

I’ve also been looking into making my own facial oil lately. And I must say I am very pleased and excited with what I’ve learnt about oils! It all started when I found out about rosehip oil and how it does WONDERS for your skin.
I really want to do a post about this soon. But that is only after I’ve received my oil haul from Amazon.

Till then my dear readers! 🙂

Review: Secret Key Bifida 97% Ampoule

Tada! Finally got down to reviewing this product. This ampoule is from Secret Key. Dont you just love the red gradient? It comes in a 55ml bottle, but this product is just really so-so to me. I actually have another Bifida ampoule from Dew&Dew. Haven’t got down to opening that bottle but when I do, I will definitely do a review comparison.
But first… What is Bifida?
It is a type of gram-positive bacteria found in the digestive system. Paula’s Choice claims that it has no known effect on skin when applied topically…
Well maybe thats why the product doesnt work much on me.

WHAT DOES IT DO

COST

Got this from Secret Key at qoo10.sg at 2 for 20SGD. Again, I got attracted to the steal!! It also came along with 3 syn-ake masks, so whats there not to lust for?  😛
You can also find this at koreadepart and also beautymet.
INGREDIENTS

As all Korean companies love to do, their ingredient list is in Korean. Couldn’t find anything on the net for the English translation… So will update when I found one.

APPLICATION

Apply before serum and essence. I tend to be generous with the application because no matter how much I applied my skin somehow feels dryer after it gets absorbed into the skin.

The texture is watery, but less runny than the Galactomyces ampoule I had from Dew&Dew.

After a pinky swipe, this is how it looks like.
The texture is really one of a kind. It feels watery yet sticky. It is light yet viscous. Its like goo.
If someone told me that its the extract of snail slime, I wouldnt be surprised!

EFFECTIVENESS
I really havent noticed much of a effect with this product. Maybe its cos I havent really been diligent in using it. Besides, its main purpose is to whiten and to ease wrinkles. At the age of 23 I doubt wrinkle easing will make much difference anyway!
As for whitening… I already think my shade is the lightest for my genetics. Somehow it refused to be whitened despite the amount of whitening products I dump onto it. Hahaha.

VERDICT
Honestly, I really want to like this product. It looks so professional in that bottle and theres so much of it! But it just didnt do much for me. Plus, application feels really funny cos it feels like I’m slapping slime onto my face. It does absorb into skin fast, but it somehow just made my skin dryer and sticky!
Therefore I am on the same page with Paula’s Choice.
Giving this product a 2.5/5.

Review: Dew & Dew Galactomyces 100% Ampoule

Hi guys! I’m back for yet another review. I just have so many products I want to rave about. And this particular review is dedicated to my HG product in my skincare regime..

Dew & Dew Galactomyces Ampoule!!
First things first, ampoule is a small sealed glass capsule containing a liquid, especially a measured quantity ready for injecting.
The liquid in ampoules is the thinnest, most concentrated and supposedly purest form for skin absorption. This means if your skin has trouble taking in thick moisture or gets sensitive and irritated in the process, this is the product to go.

In Singapore, ampoules are rapidly gaining popularity. They are often used in beauty salons and bridal makeup. Bridal makeup artists use ampoules as a quick and efficient fix to prep up the skin for the event, especially for photoshoots when the skin can already be tired from heaps of makeup and wedding stress. I mean, who wants all the long, late hours of wedding planning and stress to show up on the face on your big day?

WHAT IT DOES…
– Improves skin tone by reducing melanin formation, controls original skin metabolism
– Removes excessive sebum and dead skin. Prevents pore blockage
– Enhance skin regenerative capacity with natural non-oil moisturizing

Galactomyces is natural yeast used to brew alcoholic beverages. It was soon discovered that the brewers’ hands were much more silky and elastic for his/her age, and hence triggering further research. It was then found that galactomyces is one of the best yeast for skin by improving skin cell metabolism, making skin lively, soft and resilient.

COST
I got this at a real steal. Its a 30ml glass bottle and I got two of these bottles at 12 SGD. This is hands down one of the cheapest ampoules I’ve purchased, and probably the cheapest step in my skincare regime. You can find this in qoo10.sg

INGREDIENTS

Tada!! Fresh from the fridge!

Again, ingredients are in Korean. After some digging, the bottle claims to be 100% fermented galactomyces filtrate, which does wonders for your skin.
Research has shown that, the more fermented the active compounds, the better it is for your skin.

That the bottle is made of glass may prove to be a hazard, but it is to prevent the ingredients from reacting with the bottle material.

APPLICATION
Apply it before your serums and essences, as ampoules are the most lightweight and concentrated.
*Take note that since ampoules are very concentrated and intensive, you might not want to use it everyday. Some people use it as a 10 day intensive fix for the skin, and some use it every alternative day.
IT all depends on your skin, and the intensity of the ampoule.

I usually dispense about 3-4 drops onto the back of my hand. And then dipping my finger into the drops and tapping it onto my face. Tedious process I know, but it is all in the name of hygiene.

As you can see, the liquid is absolutely clear. It is a little viscous, but not so much such that when I tilt my hand a little more, the liquid would start running down the sides.

This is how it looks like with one swipe of the pinky.

Smooth and tap it all in and… Tada! Happy, moisturized skin.

EFFECTIVENESS
Hands down the best ampoule I have ever purchased. After 2 weeks of nightly usage, my skin became 2 tones lighter. Bf himself said that my skin became really lighter. Now I have to whiten my body. Which IS… actually not a bad problem at all haha.

This ampoule is also very moisturizing. It is as if I have used a sheet mask the night before, only better.  For ladies who are lazy to use sheet mask because of the wait and the trouble, this will be a fast alternative for your regime.
Sometimes when I am lazy, I just use this ampoule and top it off with my ponds night cream.

VERDICT
Repurchase repurchase repurchase!! This was and is my life saver. The effect amazed me so much so that it is one of the biggest trigger for my journey into proper skincare.
The brand sure does sound a little shady, something I have never heard before. It reminds me of Johnson & Johnson lol!
But who cares about brand when the product is cheap and effective?
This is definitely a 5/5 for me.

It’s Skin Power 10 Formula Effector Review (Vitamin C)

Seems like this series has been raved for quite awhile. Not surprisingly,  I fell prey to the uniquely colored bottles, each claiming to solve a skin problem.

It’s Skin power 10 formula effector range is basically different types of serums contained in 30 ml plastic bottles with a built-in pipette. They are both number and color coded which makes for easy identification. Here is what each type claims to do:

I love the fact that it comes with a pipette cos how often do you actually get to use such stuffs now?  The last time I used one was during secondary school science lessons, dispensing solutions to test tubes with a pen and paper by the side ready to scribble down the chemical reactions observed.

Anyway I was so happy when it arrived in the mail. Cute little potions sitting on your vanity table. Imagine that!

Now.. the cost…

COST
I’ve heard that these cost about 10-12 SGD in Korea airports. Online, you can find them retailing for about 11 to 14 USD. There’s a particular online retailer at qoo10.sg that sells it at 3 for $23, which is a steal I must say.

For 30 ml of this goodness, I must say it is pretty worth it at the retail price. Especially when you compare them to western products that charge 3 to 5x more.
APPLICATION
Unlike most pipette bottles, these actually come with an additional plastic cap. It can get pretty annoying having to uncap and recap but I guess it’s for hygienic reasons.

The vita c serum has quite a thick and gooey consistency.

It is even thicker than the essence I’m using now (Garnier’s Sakurai white essence). Its funny cos the general rule is serum before essence since the lighter texture always goes first. But this serum is thicker than my essence. Anyhoo, I apply it before essence and after toner.
Though this serum is thick, once smoothed in, the skin absorbs it quickly..

This is how it looks like when spread with a pinky

It does not have an oily after feel, and feels only slightly sticky. I love that it has a slight citrus fragrance, though I sure do hope it’s not artificial.
After application, it gives my skin such a nice dewy glow! This is a big reason why I like this product. There’s no need for foundation cos it makes your skin looks so hydrated and fresh! I only had to put on Tarte cheek stain to complete my look.

INGREDIENTS

Unfortunately, ingredient list is in Korean.
Main Ingredients: Vitamin C, green tea extract, PGA components

EFFICACY
I’m always happy to use vitamin C products. Vita C helps to brighten your skin and and suppress the formation of freckles that can make skin look dull and dark, and tightens pores to leave skin fair and luminous.
The first night I applied this, I woke up with really soft skin the morning after!! Though brightening wise, I did not notice an improvement, but it has prevented freckles and dark spots for me so far…

VERDICT:
I would definitely repurchase the vita C. Simply because it is value for money, and really did make skin not only look but feel healthier, softer and fresher. However it does not seem to have brighten my skin. Also, the serum may be a little too thick for my liking, but this was resolved by it melting into skin fairly quickly. 4 stars for this product!

There is a similar vit c serum that I have been itching to try: C20 by O.S.T.
It is more expensive but has been said to work better than this product. When I get my hands on the C20, I will do a comparison review! 🙂