pHind Out the Truth: Using pH Test Strips for Skincare – A Review of pH Dip Sticks

At this point in my life, using pH test strips is the closest thing I’ll get to an adult science fair.  It’s strangely gratifying when you successfully match up a test strip to the color guide.

Before I get into my experience using these strips, let me start at the beginning.  I had heard vaguely here and there about pH in skincare, such as the pH level a product must be at for optimum efficacy.  But only recently did I start learning about the natural pH of skin (it’s slightly acidic) and its importance to the skin’s moisture barrier.  Skin & Tonics did a great post explaining this concept.  Since I have skin on the drier side, I paid attention and basically agonized for a day over whether my skincare was destroying my moisture barrier.

Anyway, I decided to stop agonizing, bought these paper pH strips, and began testing away!

01 pH Test Strip Review
Unused strip resembles a pH of 5 on the diagram

Continue reading “pHind Out the Truth: Using pH Test Strips for Skincare – A Review of pH Dip Sticks”

Worth It? Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Review

01 Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Review“$95 for moisturizer?!” you screech. “Are you crazy?!”

Why yes, I am crazy. Crazy for dewy, moist skin.

Before I get into why I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream ($95 for 1.7 fl. oz.) and why I think you can pass on it, let me show you the gorgeous packaging and attention to detail. The outer box and the wraparound insert unfold like a blooming flower. Finally, when you get past all of that, the jar–with the CT logo right side up–reveals itself in all its rose gold and heavy glass splendor.

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Kracie for You – Kracie (formerly Kanebo) Wakanka Super Moisturizing Essence

Kracie (formerly Kanebo) Wakanka Super Moisturizing Facial Essence is pretty lightweight for being “super moisturizing” and reasonably priced at $30. I was in need of an essence/serum/ treatment between my toner/balancer and my moisturizer so I randomly picked this up and the tester swatch was just the right texture.

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Vitamin C You Later: Lessons from Using Vitamin C Skincare

At the risk of sounding obvious, don’t use brown-colored skincare. So I haven’t always been so informed about skincare ingredients. Vitamin C is popping up in lots of products nowadays due to its ability to lighten up hyperpigmentation. Turns out that one sign of vitamin C becoming destabilized and losing its efficacy is a deep yellow/orange or light brown color.

I’ve used various products without even realizing that this had happened because the product was discolored from the start and because I didn’t even realize that vitamin C was an ingredient.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Night Review Continue reading “Vitamin C You Later: Lessons from Using Vitamin C Skincare”

Not En Pointe: Chacott Cleansing Water Review

01 Chacott Cleansing Water ReviewThe saleswoman had me at “ballet.” Chacott for Professionals is a Japanese ballet brand, she explained. Well if it’s good enough for prima ballerinas, surely it’s good enough for little ol’ me.

02 Chacott Cleansing Water ReviewAccording to the saleswoman, the Cleansing Water is supposedly comparable to Bioderma but cheaper. I’ve never tried Bioderma, so I can’t speak to that point. However, my skepticism about cleansing waters was borne out when I used Chacott.

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Everything’s Coming Up Roses: Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask Review

As a huge fan of sleeping masks (the convenience! the ease of use! the fact that you can use it a ton of times and still have plenty left in the jar!), I’m thrilled to see that Western brands have picked up on this Korean trend. Just search for “overnight mask” on Sephora and you’ll see lots of offerings.

01 Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ReviewThe Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ($45 for a hefty 5-oz. jar) claims to counteract signs of aging and to brighten, tone, and hydrate. Read on to find out why it’s in the fridge . . .

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Koh-Gen D’OH! – Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation in OC2

The Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation is one of the highest rated foundations on MakeupAlley.com. At $62 it’s also one of the most expensive. And…although I do love it for my skin, it certainly isn’t for everyone. Because it’s too damn sheer for an “HD foundation.” Case in point: look below and tell me which pic is the “foundation” pic:

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Yes it’s the bottom one, by a small margin.
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Nymphomani-Ugh: Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer Baby Glow Stick Review

01 Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer Baby Glow Stick ReviewOn my neverending quest for glowy K-star skin, I tried Etude House’s Nymph Aura Volumer Baby Glow Stick. Etude House makes various Nymph Aura Volumers in liquid form. (Volumer=makeup that gives a dewy, shiny, plump look. It’s often liquid and can be mixed into liquid foundation and BB cream.)

03 Etude House Nymph Aura Volumer Baby Glow Stick ReviewSince I frequently wear mineral powder foundation and powder over my BB cushion, I thought the stick version would disturb my makeup less than the liquid version.

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