Saturday, February 4, 2017

(REVIEW) Whamisa Organic Seeds OILY SCALP

I started using the Oily Scalp before the Dry Scalp and ended up liking the latter a lot more. I'm still eager to try other Whamisa hair care products since the ingredients is definitely what has interested me the most from this brand. Just like the Dry Scalp this product also retails for 32,000₩.

✦DESCRIPTION

(From Packaging): Naturally fermented organic seeds ('Source of nutrition') subacidity ph4.5) shampoo relieves scalp itching and dandruff, 27(all ingredients) natural origin ingredients help sebum secretion reduce and hair conditioning that makes your hair look healthy, clean, and glossy. (500 ML)

►THE BREAKDOWN

When I'm really stressed out my hair undoubtedly becomes dry and suddenly I have dandruff. I had hoped that this shampoo would help with the dandruff but unfortunately it did not. However, I didn't give up and keep at it until I gave up. The oily scalp has a gel-like consistency so I use less product. It creates just as much bubbles as the dry scalp shampoo. If I use enough it lathers well enough to cover hair. The oily scalp shampoo is lighter in color than the dry scalp, a light yellow. The scent is absolutely a cross of menthol and peppermint and it is most definitely a strong scent too. It is stronger than the dry scalp so it not only does it last while I'm massaging the shampoo into my hair but also hours after my shower. The scent is a lot more long-lasting than the dry scalp shampoo. Since it contains menthol, peppermint, and rosemary it leaves a tingling sensation on my scalp when I use it. The bad thing about the menthol and peppermint is that if the shampoo for some reason lands on my face before I've lathered it then it's more if a burning sensation. Although, it makes my scalp feel refreshed and clean it leaves my scalp really dry and doesn't help with my dandruff at all. The good thing about using this shampoo is that although it dries out my scalp out a bit it doesn't leave my hair coarse or as dry as it leaves my scalp. The oily scalp shampoo doesn't help with hair loss or dandruff. It also doesn't make my hair look healthy or glossy and makes it only look and feel the tiniest bit of soft. The oily scalp does make my hair feel clean but because it dries my scalp it doesn't help sebum secretion all that much. Even though the texture and ingredients are excellent the scent and results are unsatisfactory. Out of both the oily scalp and dry scalp this one is my least favorite of the two. Whamisa states that the dry scalp shampoo is "formulated without Parabens/Synthetics/Chemical Preservatives, Artificial Dyes and Fragrances, Petrochemicals, Silicon/Mineral Oils, EDTA, Animal Origin ingredients, Chemical/Sulfate Surgactant, Synthetic Viscosity Agent." If one is looking for a Korean brand shampoo without all the above ingredients this a product worth trying out, perhaps it didn't make any big impact on my hair since it is dyed and on the damaged side. Whamisa also states that they are environment friendly and against animal testing which is another reason some may find this product appealing anyways. Will I repurchase? No. The oily scalp contains apple fruit extract and salicylic acid which are supposed to exfoliate but I just didn't see it so I'm tempted to try it one last time. But of course not any time soon.

╍ Notable Ingredients ╍

Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract,
Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Hazel Seed Oil,
Camelia Japonica Seed Oil, Ginger Root Ferment Filtrate,
Onion Bulb Extract, Licorice Root Extract, Salicylic Acid,
Rosemary Leaf Oil, Peppermint Oil

╍ Cautionary Ingredients ╍

Fragrance

╍ Full Ingredients ╍

*Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract(60.2%), **Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside, **Decyl Glucoside, **Lauryl Extract(5%), *Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract(2%), *Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil(1%), *Alcohol(1%),*Camelia Japonica Seed Oil(0.5%), **Caprylic/Capric Trigluceride, *Lactobacillus/Rice Ferment Filtrate (0.2%), *Lactobacillus/Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Fement Filtrate (0.2%), *Lactobacillus/Gucine Soja (Soybean) Ferment Filtrate(0.1%), *Lactobacillus/Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Ferment Filtrate(0.2%),*Lactobacillus/Ginger Root Ferment Filtrate, *Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract(0.1%), Lactobacillus/Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Ferment Filtrate(0.1%), ***Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, **Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, **Menthol, ***Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, **Salicylic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Chamaecyparis Obtusa Oil, **Fragrance, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root/Stem [NOTE TO WHAT THE */**/***'s MEAN](*Certified Organically Grown **Natural Origin ***Natural Preservative)
Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root/Stem Floating Around the Bottle.

SWATCHES

DRY SCALP ON THE LEFT & OILY SCALP ON THE RIGHT.



Overall Pros ▬

pH(4.5), Mixed with water has a pH6.
Doesn't leave hair coarse.
Cleanses and rinses off well.

Overall Cons ▬

No significant long-lasting results.
Doesn't help with hair loss or dandruff.
Doesn't make hair look glossy.
Leaves scalp dry.
Strong minty fragrance.
Expensive.

► Recommend

No.
My expectations were absurdly high for both the oily scalp and dry scalp but read those ingredients and you'll think the same. Out of both shampoos this was my least favorite and maybe it's because and not fond of minty scents. I had less results with this shampoo but again someone may find it appealing to try out because although it didn't do much it didn't destroy my hair. Maybe my scalp was to dry to be saved so there's that.
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(REVIEW) Whamisa Organic Seed Shampoo DRY SCALP

Hello, this is my first ever hair product on the blog since I started this blog years ago. I'm starting to delve more into hair products and actually have a few more items that I'm currently trying before I post them on the blog. Whamisa is a popular brand online and I haven't tried their skincare since nothing really appealed to me until I came across the shampoos. Whamisa's hair care lineup includes the dry scalp shampoo, pictured here, and the oily scalp which I have also tried and will be posted after this. This product retails for 32,000₩. I purchased mine for a little less but still consider the shampoos price a little steep.

✦DESCRIPTION

(From Packaging): Naturally fermented organic seeds ('Source of nutrition') subacidity (ph4.5) shampoo enables your scalp and hair to care more effectively. It helps sebum secretion reduce and hair conditioning, 28(all ingredients) natural origin ingredients give your hair look healthy, clean, and glossy. (500 ML)

►THE BREAKDOWN

I have dyed blonde damaged hair and last year I started to lose a ton of hair more than I have ever lost. I really don't know the reason why but I'm sure it was various things like stress, change of weather among other things that unfortunately lead to a severe problem of hair loss. Around that time I was looking for shampoos that would either help ease the hair loss or completely rid my problem and this shampoo was the closest thing I could find. It took me a few weeks to commit and buy these shampoos because I've used cheap shampoo all my life until I bought this $20 purple shampoo so I guess buying this shampoo will ease me into trying other relatively expensive shampoos. Now that I really looked into it it's not too expensive as it has tons of amazing ingredients, has 500ml worth of product and has a pump so it is worth the $30. I started using the Dry Scalp in November and now have  a little less than half left. I wash my hair either one or twice a week and sometimes every other day in a week. I didn't use any hair products or used heat styling products because besides being paranoid about hair loss I really wanted to see if the shampoo did indeed help the condition of my hair. The dry scalp shampoo is really watery and runny and I always tend to use more than I should because of it and also because I have a lot of hair even though I was losing a lot of it. The scent is sweet yet is not fruity nor flowery either. I still find the scent to be herbal-like but just sweeter than herbal based products. The scent is the perfect amount of sweet although it is a strong scent I never found it to be bothersome. The scent lasts while I'm massaging the shampoo into by hair. It also lasts about two hours after my shower but abruptly fades with no traces left behind of the addictive sweet scent. The dry scalp shampoo has a pH4.5 but rises to a pH6 when mixed with water. When using the shampoo I wet my hair then apply the dry scalp shampoo and find that it lathers well and creates a decent amount of suds. I find that the shampoo soothes my scalp and makes it feel velvety soft. Once out of the shower my hair still feels soft and hydrated. Yet, having used the product for 3 months the results are not long-lasting. Yes, my hair feels soft and hydrated but only on the days I use the shampoo and the day after using it. The dry scalp shampoo unfortunately didn't help with my hair loss but it didn't make it worse either, It didn't make my hair look healthy nor glossy but I have dyed hair so I wasn't expecting that it did. It did make my hair look and feel soft and although it didn't drastically improve or help the condition of my hair it kept my hair pretty stable. Shampoo also made my hair feel clean without stripping it of its natural oils and I did notice that it helped a bit with sebum secretion. This shampoo is a lot more moisturizing than shampoos I've tried in the past but again there is no long-lasting benefits. It's a decent shampoo but with all the exceptional ingredients and steep price I was expecting just a bit more results. Whamisa states that the dry scalp shampoo is "formulated without Parabens/Synthetics/Chemical Preservatives, Artificial Dyes and Fragrances, Petrochemicals, Silicon/Mineral Oils, EDTA, Animal Origin ingredients, Chemical/Sulfate Surgactant, Synthetic Viscosity Agent." If one is looking for a Korean brand shampoo without all the above ingredients this a product worth trying out, perhaps it didn't make any big impact on my hair since it is dyed and on the damaged side. Whamisa also states that they are environment friendly and against animal testing which is another reason some may find this product appealing anyways. Will I repurchase? No, at least not soon anyways. I just want to try it one more time because the ingredients are too good to pass up. In the end it didn't help or worsen hair fallout but it just didn't live up to my exceptions.

╍ Notable Ingredients ╍

Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract, Hazel Seed Oil, Camelia Japonica Seed Oil, 
Lactobacillus/Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Fement Filtrate, 
Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate, 
Lactobacillus/Gucine Soja (Soybean) Ferment Filtrate,
Soybean Seed Extract, Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract,
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Licorice Root Extract,
Sage Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil

╍ Cautionary Ingredients ╍

Fragrance

╍ Full Ingredients ╍

*Hordeum Vulgare Seed Extract(60.2%), **Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside, **Decyl Glucoside, **Lauryl Extract(5%), *Aloe Maculata Leaf Extract(5%), *Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil(1%), *Camelia Japonica Seed Oil(1%), **Caprylic/Capric Trigluceride, *Lactobacillus/Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Fement Filtrate (0.2%), *Saccharomyces/Barley Seed Ferment Filtrate(0.2%), *Lactobacillus/Gucine Soja (Soybean) Ferment Filtrate(0.2%), Acorus Calamus Root Extract, *Phaseolus Angularis Seed Extract(0.2%), *Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract(0.1), *Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract(0.2%), *Lactobacillus/Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Ferment Filtrate(0.2%), Xanthan Gum, *Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-yuen Seed Extract(0.2%), Lactobacillus/Turmetic Ferment Filtrate, ***Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, **Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, ***Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, **Gluconolactone, **Citric Acid, Salvia Ogfficinalis (Sage) Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, **Fragrance, Paeonia Officinalis Root/Stem [NOTE TO WHAT THE */**/***'s MEAN](*Certified Organically Grown **Natural Origin ***Natural Preservative)
Paeonia Officinalis Root/Stem Floating Around the Bottle.
SWATCHES
DRY SCALP SHAMPOO ON THE LEFT & OILY SCALP SHAMPOO ON THE RIGHT
Twist to the right to open when opening for the first time.
Bright amber color.


Overall Pros ▬

Sweet herbal scent, pH(4.5),
mixed with water has a pH6.
Moisturizing.
Makes hair feel and look soft.
Cleanses and rinses off well.

Overall Cons ▬

No significant long-lasting results.
Doesn't help with hair loss.
Doesn't make hair look glossy.
Expensive

► Recommend

No.
I'm so tempted to say yes but the lack of results and the steep prices makes me reconsider recommending the product. Overall the ingredients are amazing but the product itself is nothing special. Maybe it just didn't suit my hair but if the price is not an issue then maybe it is worth a try.
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Thursday, February 2, 2017

(REVIEW) Skinfood Black Sugar Perfect First Serum 2X ESSENTIAL

I've tried a few Skinfood products and it is a solid brand so I was finally ready to try out their hyped Black Sugar Perfect First Serum. Skinfood has upgraded their Black Sugar Perfect First Serum to include two types the Essential and Light versions. I have bought both and I'm currently trying out the Light hoping for better results. This product retails for 24,000₩.

✦DESCRIPTION

(From Packaging): Achieve a smoother, clearer complexion with a combination of moisture rich black sugar and Cheongju, a traditional Korean Wine. (120ML)

►THE BREAKDOWN

I've been using the Essential version for more than 2 months and actually really enjoy the product. The product comes with cotton pads that I unfortunately haven't tried out yet since I'm trying to use up my other cotton pads. The product is housed in a glass bottle and the bottle doesn't over dispense product. The texture is watery and the color is clear. As for the scent it has a sweet alcohol scent to it. As the name suggests this product is meant to be used right after cleansing since it is a first serum. I sometimes use it before my toner or after my toner, especially if I'm using a first essence. I tend to layer my products from thin to thickest texture. The product isn't sticky itself and when applied leaves my skin incredibly soft and supple. However, once patted into the skin I find it a little sticky but not unbearable. After using it for the two months I noticed that when I didn't use it my skin didn't feel as soft or moisturized as when I did use it. Layering this product under my other hydrating layers is a definite must as my skin feels and looks absolutely times more smooth and supple. I've been using other brightening products so I can't comment that this product was the sole reason for brightening my complexion but because of the ingredients I'm certain that the product played a part in brightening my face. I did notice that it has very minimally helped the appearance of pimples. It has also has slightly helped some of my redness but not as much as I had expected or wanted it to. It doesn't help much with excess sebum but it doesn't make it overproduce either. Perhaps if I use the exfoliating cotton pads I might notice it helping sebum production. Overall I find the product works best for moisturizing my skin and prepping it for makeup. Although, the scent is a little strong it isn't bothersome but it might be for those sensitive to fragrances and sensitive to fruit extracts. On my dry sometimes combination skin I found it gentle and very hydrating. Will I repurchase? No, I really liked it but I'm always open to trying new products. And I also have the LIGHT version to try out so that one may fair better. I think it's very hydrating and if I can't find a product to replace in the near future then I might consider repurchasing it but for now nope.

╍ Notable Ingredients ╍

Niacinamide, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, 
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

╍ Cautionary Ingredients ╍

Alcohol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glycolic Acid, Salicyclic Acid
Fragrance

╍ Full Ingredients ╍ 

Water, Black Sugar Extract, Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Gycol, Niacinamide, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Arginine, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactobacillus/Aspergillus/Prunus Mume Fruit Ferment Extract, Lepidium Meyenii Root Extract, Sarcodon Aspratus Extract, Rice Ferment Filtrate, Glycolic Acid, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Maackia Fauriei Stem Extract, Salicyclic Acid, Adenosine, Sucrose, Glucose, Disodium EDTA, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, 1,1-Hexandiol, Caprylyl Gycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Caramel, Fragrance.

SWATCHES

Overall Pros ▬

Very moisturizing and hydrating,
Watery Texture,
Leaves skin smooth and supple.
Fruit extracts.
Minimal Brightening.

Overall Cons ▬

A little sticky,
Strong sweet alcohol scent.
Fruit extracts.

► Recommend

No. 
The product itself is quite good it offers the skin tons of hydration and moisturizing benefits and some brightening. I didn't notice any exfoliation but it does contain products that are in exfoliating products. It doesn't help sebum production but minimally helps appearance of pimples and redness. It contains ingredients that soothe the skin so it is quite gentle but the scent may not be ideal for those sensitive to fragrance. It is a standard  product that performs like many other products out there so it is not a must have unless the ingredients and benefits are appealing enough to the individual.
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(REVIEW) Sulwhasoo Snowise EX Cleansing Foam

Hi, I'm trying to upload a few more reviews before I have to sort out all the photos I've taken thus far of the products I'll review in the next weeks coming. Sulwhasoo has been a brand that I've always been interesting since years ago since it really focuses on herbal ingredients but the price is a little steep. The few first products that I've tried from the brand have been the Perfecting and Brightening cushions so I'm excited to delve into the brand's skincare. This product retails for 40,000₩.

✦DESCRIPTION

(From Packaging): A cleansing foam formulated with traditional Korean herbs 
gently removing excess sebum and skin for bright, transparent complexion. (150ML)

►THE BREAKDOWN

I'm easily captivated by cleansers and although this cleanser is quite expensive I thought I'd tried it out anyways. I've had this cleanser in my skin care stash for a little less than a year and finally opened it 2 months ago. I like that the packaging is simple yet luxurious. The only trouble I had with the packaging is that if I store it downright the next time I used the product a lot of product would come out and leak into the cap. I now store it upright so I longer lose product because of it. The cleanser has a thick creamy texture with a stringy feel to it. I find that it takes a few more seconds to lather up the product since the texture of the cleanser is creamier than other foam cleansers I've tried. I've only only used my hands to lather up the cleanser and it lathers decently. More than other low ph cleansers and the bubbles are denser as well. I might try a foaming net next just to difference, The scent is a very rich and aromatic herbal scent. I was worried the scent would be too strong or bothersome but it's neither. I don't find it overpowering and instead find it pleasant and my favorite thing about the cleanser.  I've used the cleanser in both in my morning routine as well as in my evening/night routine. The cleanser is a low ph and I find that although it has amazing foaming abilities my skin doesn't feel tight or dry. I don't find that it helps my sebum it relatively makes my skin feel and look clean. During my evening routine I find that it cleanses off really well any residue my cleansing oil has left. Occasionally I use this cleanser to remove sunscreen or eyebrow makeup and find it effective enough to removing such products. However, I have not tried removing base nor eye makeup with this cleanser as I prefer an oil cleanser. The cleanser is very gentle and leaves my skin feeling soft and moisturized. So moisturized that I sometimes have to make sure I've gotten off all the cleanser on my face. I have dry skin and find that this cleanser is gentle enough to keep my skin from drying out yet I can still lather it up to create bubbles. I prefer foaming cleansers to gel cleansers and although this cleanser is really good for my dry skin I can't help to want more. I like this cleanser but I don't love it and even though it matches well with my dry skin I still feel like something is missing. My skin has considerably brighten up but I probably would not entirely associate it to this cleanser as I've been using multiple brightening products. However, this cleanser always leave my skin feeling soft and clean but it's not on my skin for long to associate any brightening. But I do find that the long term benefit is that my skin doesn't feel tight or dry after using this cleanser. Will I repurchase? Yes because it is a safe low ph foaming cleanser ideal for my skin type. Plus with 150ml worth of product it's worth the high price.

╍ Notable Ingredients ╍

Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract,
Honey, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid

╍ Cautionary Ingredients ╍

Butylene Gycol, Fragrance

╍ Full Ingredients ╍ 

Water, Sorbitol, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Arginine, Oldenlandia Diffusa Extract, Hydrolyzed Ginseng Saponins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract, Polugonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract, Lilium Tigrinum Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extact, Honey, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Sodium Salicylayte, Butylene Gycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Methoxy PEG-114/Polyepsilon Caprolactone, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Titanium Dioxide(CI 778911), Polyquaternium-7, PEG-14, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

SWATCHES

Texture of the product is very creamy.
A small glop of cleanser with a few drops of water,
PH6 ! ! !

Overall Pros ▬

Super Gentle, Low acidity (PH6),
Creamy Texture,
Herbal scent is not overpowering.
Leaves skin smooth and hydrated.

Overall Cons ▬

Not exactly a PH5 cleanser.
Scent may not be appeasing to everyone.
Takes time to lather.

► Recommend

Yes. 
The Sulwhaso Snowise EX Cleansing Foam is a low acidity cleanser that lathers up nicely yet still feels gentle on the skin. Leaves the skin soft and not dry. It doesn't make the skin feel tight but leaves the skin hydrated. It doesn't help with sebum but it doesn't make the skin overproduce oil either. This cleanser is a very safe option for not only dry but also for oily, combination, and normal skin types. The price might be a bit steep but one only needs a glop so it will definitely last long.


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