First Impression #4 - Clinique High Impact Mascara, Tony Moly Intense Repair Live Snail Lotion and Skin

Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black

This would be my actual second black mascara I ever tried, my first one was a cheap SilkyGirl one and converting to this, I definitely notice so much different. Even though it's only a free sample, it's still so much better than a my previous full size mascara *what am I saying right, duhhh!*. It gives me the perfect volumes and thickening. From wearing this, I definitely realize how much a good black mascara can do to your eyes, no eyeliner needed. Not only that, it does not transfer, I'm not sure if it's really waterproof but it does not smeared in rain or tears.Now that's amazing. Since I haven't tried that many mascara so probably I'm being naive, but seriously. Okay now I'm using the Maybelline's in pink and green tube *forgot the name at the moment* and it's still far from this "HIGH IMPACT" mascara. And I know there's many good reviews on this and even my favourite beauty blogger, Sam from Pixiwoo like this as well.

The question is, Clinique mascara is expensive, it's a premium beauty brand... would I fork out more than ten quids for a mascara that wouldn't last long?? I'm not sure at the moment, since I have other sample mascara to try on.

Tony Moly Intense Repair Live Snail Lotion and Skin (toner and emulsion)

Another Korean brand free samples I got from my Seoul trip. This is obviously the 'snail' skincare line from Tony Moly and one of the expensive one from the brand. The Snail Skin would be the toner which is in a clear watery gel-like consistency and the Snail Lotion would be the emulsion which is a typical milky light creamy fluid *sorry for the many adjectives*. So the line active ingredient would be snail mucin which is claimed to be very beneficial in repairing skin and rejuvenation. I feel they are very light which can be good but I can't help feeling a bit disappointed that they are as not moisturizing as I hope it would be *like The Face Shop INTEVIA*. However, knowing this I definitely confident that this is very good for acne-prone skin and even the sales assistant told me that this line does gear toward that skin type. I can say this work very well together and at night I would wear it together with essence and face cream which really freshen up my face and I feel it does rejuvenated, although not necessarily heavily moisturized. It's a decent product from Tony Moly.

1st Impression - Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation, The Face Shop INTEVIA Active Original Emulsion & Toner, Tony Moly Dr. Tony Ac Control Emulsion & Toner

I should be revising like crazy for exams, but I just can't help it, knowing that I haven't post these past. These are last bits of the free samples I got from my Seoul trip as well another sample foundation from Chanel that kind of tingling my 'Chanel-addict sensation'.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation - in #64 Beige Ambre

I really wish Chanel didn't discontinued Mat Lumiere, I thought this might be same as that, but it's not actually. Perfection Lumiere is actually more matte flat compare to Mat Lumiere.
Nevertheless, I think this foundation is decent, the colour range is wide compare to their previous line. Although I was quite torned between #64 and #60. I tried the Mat Lumiere is #60 and I had Lift Lumiere in #60. Both are slightly too light for my complexion but not really a bit deal for me since I always like brighter foundation. There was nothing darker than that unlike Perfection Lumiere, there are more shades after #60.

Without Flash

Without Flash - after blend - the 'orangey' patch '-.-

With Flash

With Flash- after blend

Unfortunately, they ran out of #60 when I got there, so I can't really compare to the other #60 in different formula. So I tried #64, but it was a bit too orangey yellow to my liking. Yellow tone foundation at the right shade can give a brighthening effect on like MAC Studio Sculpt NC42 on me, but this is just mehhh! '-.-
If I wear this alone I look a bit orange *some might think that's ok, but not for me* and my complexion kind off dull and sallow. So I was quite annoy with the shades, how #60 can look a bit too light and #64 is a bit too dark/orangey. If they had something in between, that would be great.
Enough about the shades and now about the texture, it's light and quite runny. It sets into matte finish and they had claim that. Coverage is up to medium buildable  To be honest I can't really slap this on because of the 'orangey' effect it gives to my complexion.
In conclusion, since I am fan of Chanel, if I got the chance I'm going to visit the counter at Debenhams and trying it again and to get the a decent amount of sample *perhaps #60 and #64*, I only got 2 sachets from counter in Boots. *booo* . For those who like matte finish foundation and wants to go for a bit luxury, try this foundation but if you have quite dry and flaky skin, might opt for something else.

The Face Shop INTEVIA Active Original Emulsion & Toner

I got these free samples from Incheon Airport from my last trip and it also include their cream and comment on it here.

I enjoyed the richness of their cream and the same goes their toner and emulsion.
The toner is a milky fluid and thicker than the usual clear watery toner. As I would have expected the toner is very rich on the skin, smell nice and it does not have those 'milk' smell that is the usual for product like these. The emulsion is a light cream and my face feel very moisturized after I put on both of toner followed by this emulsion. I used these at night usually, together with the cream and continue on even when the cream is finished. As far as I notice these has not flared out my skin or cause a breakout. It feels just nice especially in the colder weather. Overall I think the INTEVIA range from The Face Shop is really good, the idea of stem cells is amazing and the products itself will very much attract those late 20's and early 30's group. Those with dehydrated skin will benefit a lot from this.

Tony Moly Dr. Tony Ac Control Emulsion & Toner
I just got to say Tony Moly really did well for this Ac Control range. It's very unexpected since typical affordable skincare would choose 'drying' 'matting' and oil-busting as the objective for their acne-control range.

It really get on my good side that this has non of those tea trea oil or those sulphuric sh*ts in it. Both the toner and the emulsion has a clean fresh smell and there's no medicated smell as well.
When I look it on the internet, apparently this range is botanical base and does not contain the typical acne-fighting ingredient, or even if they got it, it's not the active or main ingredient. They contain the Sciadopitys Verticillata Root extract or the Japanese Umbrella-pine which I don't know much about. It claims to soothes skin problems and tighten the pores. More on Japanese Umbrella-pine, it is said to be antimicrobial as well, so that makes sense for it to be in acne-fighting skincare.
The toner is a typical clear water-like liquid and the emulsion is just a white light cream. I used both of these in the days where some spots coming out and it does wonder. It work well with my Benzoyl Peroxide gel and it doesn't cause any drying or flakiness on face as I would expect from an acne-fighting skincare. This feature alone is very attractive to me. Those with dry but acne-prone skin would really like this. I believe my spots come down faster with these in combination of my Benzoyl Peroxide gel. If these are easily obtained I wouldn't mind having it for those very bad skin days. *I wish I got a larger sample*

1st Impression: Tony Moly Floria Nutra-Energy Mask, The Face Shop INTEVIA Active Original Cream, Decleor Aroma Purete Shine Control Oxygenating Fluid

I'm going back to Belfast in a few days and new semester starting soon..huuuu... well I am so grateful.. excited or actually nervous.. cause I finally passed first year and proceed to second year. 2nd year medic huh, what will I face this academic year? so  that's a little update from me, and this is another post before I'm going back to Belfast.

I'm glad that I manage to post a second post on 'first impression' and let's pray I'll keep this up.

TONY MOLY Floria Nutra-Energy Mask Sheet with Argan Oil

I really enjoyed wearing these. I got two sheets, one I used when I was still in Seoul and another when I got back. What's great about mask sheets they are very saturated with essence and for me it seems and feel more potent. The mask effect would be longer *you don't really need to wear it too regularly* and I can say the same for this mask. 

It claims to contain Argan oil, and usually I hear hair product with argan, seldom do I hear of skin care. Nevertheless, I could not deny Argan's benefits which is good for moisturizing *everybody needs that* and more claims of being anti-oxidant and very anti-inflammatory.

The sheet mask is made of thin 'canvas' *not sure* and it's drenched with the essence which seems like almost clear creamy gel and watery. I leave it on after I wash my face and I like the feel of my skin being 'drenched' and the effect is great. 

It get rids of the tiredness, get rids of dry patches and does not cause breakouts on me. Probably it does have 'anti-inflammatory' effect *calming*. If this is very cheap I might get this, though I wouldn't go as far to get this through online *which is the only possible way now, since I just realize Tony Moly is not available in Malaysia*. I'm not crazy this product anyway.

The Face Shop INTEVIA Active Original Cream

This is another 'premium' skincare product samples and I got generous amounts of them *thank you Incheon Airport!* This got placenta protein in it. So what I heard about placenta; they associate with stem cell, being very nutritious *for foetus growth* so it's very much related to rejuvenating and repairing in skincare, so therefore very popular in anti-aging skincare. This claim to reinforce skin wall and skin nourishment. The texture of the cream is very very thick which suit it's status as a premium skin product and supposedly quite expensive as well *30000 won I think*.

Generally, I like to wear to quite a thick cream despite being quite oily, but this is just tooo thick and I only wear this at night and in small amount. The thickness of it does give off 'waxy-like feel. After a while using my skin does feel great, very nourishing and definitely moisturizing and the 'tan' I got from Seoul trip reduced faster than normal but then again it could be the addition of other product, but I wouldn't deny it's rejuvenating properties. Other than waking up with 'plump' feel on my skin, there is no breakout from this product and I think it would be great for those with very very dry skin. I kinda sucked into the placenta idea, but the cream just too thick and this is quite expensive.

DECLEOR Aroma Purete Shine Control Oxygenating Fluid

This is one product I really enjoy especially for summer or being back in Malaysia *got the sample from Female Magazines. Since it says 'shine control' and 'fluid', I know it is definitely very good for those with oily skin. Now my skin is a mix of slightly oily with dry patches and I'm more concern of the dry patches that oiliness, since at least oiliness give my skin quite a healthy sheen and I like that. So shine control product is not really my thing especially those 'powdery' 'sulphury' toner or fluid. Nevertheless Decleor is a famous 'spa' style products and I never thought they would have something that mattifies skin.

Since Decleor is an 'aromatherapy' brand it's no surprise that their active ingredients are botanic based and for this it's packed with Ylang Ylang and Madagascan Water Lily. The texture is quite thick but not really creamy *slicky*, it's still feel like a creamy gel although being a bit thicker, it feels more hydrating.

I love that it doesn't dry out my skin like most shine control sh*t, and it is not heavy at all. It's great in the day and I wear under makeup *especially in hot humid weather*. Regarding it's shine control, I really like it's not really hardcore. It reduce shininess but it does not mattifies to a almost 'powdery' finish. Saying that, I'm not sure people with very oily skin or those crazy about mattifying their complexion would enjoy this product.

For me, it reminds me of Chanel Mat Lumiere but as a moisturizer, 'it mattify the skin, but still gives a glow'. I would consider to get this especially for summer or hot humid weather, when I feel extra greasy, this is good as day moisturizer, though the hitch is that it's quite expensive (GBP24.00 for 50ml). 

1st Impression: Tony Moly - Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack, Floria Flower Energy Foam Cleanser, Intense Repair Syn-Ake Wrinkle Filler Perfector

I started to realized that I'm started to hoard samples of skincare, perfumes and even makeup. While some sample are generous enough for me to comeup with a decent reviews which I totally loves how generous is the sellers, well some samples are just ... nahhh... especially ones in sachets. I definitely not the type to waste these, I will try not let these free samples left out to rot so I thought if it's not worth a thorough review I might do a first impression post on them. This should be short, almost spontaneous and should give me idea whether I should get it or not. 

So I was in Seoul for a holiday and I shopped for several days and I was given a lot of free samples, even the airport comeup with this Summer Sale goodies bag and fill with all beauty stuffs.

Tony Moly Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack
Now I didn't find this in the store *or I just didn'notice* but it should have been one of my purchase because it's actually quite cheap and it's just a mask which I can compromise into my skincare, that's my initial thought when I went searching for this product on the internet.

So this product should be packed with tomatoes,so there's vitamin C definitely good for the skin especially for brightening. There's more ingredient and benefits they claim but since it's just a first impression post, I just going to skip that. 

 But what do bothers me a bit is that what I get from the sachet is just a white smooth paste but when I look at other pictures of this product it actually contain some kind of fine red grain, or I just didn't notice?

Let's move on, I massage into my face and leave for a while and it felt like regular mask, I don't feel the tingling like what people have claim about this product. The texture felt nice on my skin, it looks like clay but it's not. What I love about this is that's easy to rinse and there's no feel of residues left behind.

There's definitely some instant bright effect but believe me this is no magic paste, even though they write Magic there. So probably with continuous use you could see a more permanent effect?

Since I'm quite on the rush of finishing sachets of free sample, I kind of wearing this regularly,and thank god there's no bad reaction with my skin, I don't get breakouts from these as well. For a first impression since I find this very affordable, there's nothing wrong getting this mask, if you have extra scrape of cash, you could get this, especially if you're a beauty junkie.

Nevertheless I wouldn't run out to get this immediately.

Now I'm not sure about this, is there Tony Moly stores available in Malaysia? or does SASA stock them? I'm not sure, but I do find some reviews made by fellow Malaysian, not sure how they got them *online/stockist/stores*.

But I am pretty sure this brand is definitely not available in the UK, so people buy them through online, where they really shipped the products straight from Korea *expensive postage for such a cheap product* So hopefully this post give like an insight about this product.

I just thought I take the chance to include other product, since it's been a while I post something hehe. These are Tony Moly as well.

Tony Moly Floria Flower Energy Foam Cleanser

I would say, there's nothing much about this. It's just a regular foaming cleanser and it foams well. Since it's a foaming cleanser, it is quite drying, so I still prefer my Origins A Perfect Day cleanser. It's claim "Youthful radiant  skin and blooming 'baby-face' *yes, it was written there* made by time reversing..." something. haha! But anyway, I check this out on the internet, it contains many plant base ingredients up to 14 flower extract. It contains Hibiscus that is a super anti-oxidant and Evening Primrose Oil. 

Tony Moly Intense Care Syn-Ake Wrinkle Filler Perfector

Now this seems interesting, more towards the premium end of the brand, this is target more for mature women since it targets wrinkles, obviously by the name. So three sachets are all of different products, there is the Wrinkle Serum, Fine Wrinkle Filler and Deep Wrinkle Filler. The active ingredients in these product is actually snake venom  o.O *wow!*. I know some oriental cuisine would have snake for soup since it's healthy, though I never heard of snake venom in a skin care product before. They also contain 'marine collagen water'.. hmmm *collagen sounds good*

What's quite misleading for the Wrinkle Serum, here the name suggest "wrinkle reducing" but in the explanation they only talk about face contouring like "manage face outline... the u-zone" which is actually not surprising since Koreans *Asian in general* do take face shape seriously and V-shape *almost sharp chin* is ideal. I do like the consistency of the serum, it's nothing new, cream-gel like consistency, a nice smell and fresh to be put on. At first I thought I would just put this on wrinkle are like my smile line, my forehead due to dry lines... but since they talk about face surface and outline, I put it on my whole face.

For the filler, surprisingly both type is of way different consistency. The Fine Wrinkle  is of clear gel consistency and it's very light but the Deep Wrinkle Filler is of white thick creamy paste. So you have to work it a bit more into your skin with the Deep Wrinkle Filler. At first I thought these are like primer before putting on makeup which suppose to fill in your wrinkle, but it's actually a serum type, so you put on the Wrinkle Serum, then spot application to wrinkle area with the Fine Wrinkle Filler follow by the Deep Wrinkle Filler. I haven't seen much improvement on wrinkles since it's just a sachet of sample, but I notice how moisturizing these are which is a good sign for wrinkle improvement. In the whole, I thought of it as quite an interesting products but I think it's no surprise if this is quite expensive, though not too expensive since I believe Tony Moly is an affordable brand. Again, all these didn't give bad reaction to my face.