HAUL | I'm Back from China! (Makeup and Skincare)

Hi everyone,

I went to study abroad in Beijing, China this past year (which is why I hadn't been posting for anyone who noticed my absence) and came back recently. China censors Google (and its subsidiaries such as Youtube, Blogger, etc.) and Facebook so it was difficult for me to post on Blogger.
Of course, can't go to Asia without bringing back some goodies, so here are the ones I purchased

Bolded items are the ones I like so far

Left to right (1st row)

Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB cream SPF 20 PA++

(I went through some horrible skin trouble in China, so now some of the pores near my nose are horribly large. This BB cream makes them look very obvious and unpleasant)

Suki blush in 03

Suki Eyeliner Cream in 03 Pure Black (I actually like this stuff, lasts longer than pretty much all gel/cream liners I've tried, it barely smudges)

Biore UV Aqua Rich SPF 50 PA+++

Biore UV Tint Milk SPF 30 PA++ in Light

Biore UV Perfect Milk SPF 50+ PA+++

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery BB 3D Effect SPF 50 PA+++

(Incredibly thick and not really watery, I should probably mix this with a more watery sunblock or lotion)

Biore UV Aqua Rich Water base SPF 50+ PA+++

(Biore sunscreens are available in Mainland China and Taiwan, probably Japan too with different packaging.

I basically got the whole collection, which was a bad idea. The packaging intrigued me initially but my favorites out of these are the ones bolded. The rest are kind of dry without a moisturizer, so my skin gets oily very quickly. I noticed that with the watery milky sunscreen, my skin doesn't get as oily but if I wear foundation on top the texture of my skin is more exacerbated.

If anyone is interested in an in depth review, please let me know)

If you're familiar with Eastern Asian culture, you know they're all about being pale... there are quite a few whitening sunscreens out on the market that I didn't purchase.

(2nd row) 

Skinfood Sweet Almond Liquid eyeliner

Watsons My Party Gal mascara in Black

L'egere CC cream SPF 20 (not sure if anyone remembers but I used to LOVE the L'egere BB cream [discontinued] and decided to give the new CC creams a try. Will review soon but I'm not a fan)

Maybelline Pure Mineral BB creams

 - Clear moist

- Moisturizing SPF 25 PA++

(a bit thick, but good coverage)

- Water gel SPF 35 PA++

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum gel foundation in 51 Vanilla Clair (I've seen this in Lisa Eldrige's videos many times, and in Taiwan this was much cheaper than in China so I tried it. Not in love but I do like it)

Hera UV Mist Cushion Summer Proof in C23

(not sure if it's really summer proof, but it's light coverage as far as I can tell)

Shu Uemura UV Underbase Mousse POREeraser SPF35 PA+++

(I've heard about this for quite some time, it is very expensive [I got it at the airport for about $70 for 2] but my cousin highly recommended it as a daily sunblock for face. I quite like it so far, it helps with pores and a bit with oilyness)

Once again, bolded items are my favorites

Habo Labo acne cleanser (good for winter, very creamy)

Uno Ultra Black face wash (heard about this from a girl named MszJackieChu on Youtube, it is a bit drying but cooling on the skin)

Uno Moist Clear Facewash (haven't even opened this yet, probably will save it for winter)

Biore makeup removing cleanser

Innisfree Apple cleanser (smells great, works ok. Apparently Innisfree is a good Korean skincare brand. They have so many lines I don't even know where to begin) 

Innisfree Green Tea BB cream (not pictured)

Just meh, I'll review it one of these days

Hanajirushi Amino Acid cleanser

Shiseido Perfect Milk cleanser (I also had the cream one of this, a little goes a long way to create a lot of foam)

Wanmei (Perfect) Aloe gel (there's no immediate evidence but I think this helps a lot with my breakouts)

Tony Moly Dr. Tony AC Control Serum (bought this while I had a bad breakout as well, it helps some)

Naruko Rose Aqua Cubic 

- Hydrating Emulsion

- Moisturizing Cleanser

(very thick texture that turns foamy, not cleansing enough for me at times) 

- Serum (not pictured) 

I bought this line during the winter because Beijing is incredibly dry

Naruko Appleseed and Tranexamic Acid

- Serum

- Toner

- Hydra Milk

(this line is supposed to help diminish discoloration and even out your skin. I don't see a significant difference but I believe it helps) I'm not sure why I keep buying the Naruko line, it doesn't seem to do wonders for me but maybe if I use it consistently I will see a difference.

Skinfood Peach Sake Silky Finish powder (smells pleasant and seems to control oil decently, definitely can't use too much or you end up with a white cast)

Naruko Raw Jobs' Tears

Pore minimizing & Brightening Night Gelly

Foaming wash

(Got this set to help with my enlarged pores, haven't seen a huge difference either but again, hope it helps after using it consistently for a while)

Heynature Pearl Label BB cream SPF 35 PA++

This brand for BB creams provides relatively thick coverage but always seems to break me out. I always fall for advertising schemes.

Of course, can't forget the sheet masks that are so popular.

I'll just mention the ones worth knowing

Skinfood Black Sesame Hot Mask 

This mask warms up on your skin as soon as you apply it and is supposed to be good for blackheads and pores. Your pores do look really clean when you wash the mask off, but I don't know about actually minimizing them just yet.

My Beauty Diary:

Japanese Cherry Blossom (brightening, clearing)

Snail mask

Hello Kitty Anti-Oxident & Oil Control Facial Mask

(bought these bc they're Hello Kitty, nothing special)

Naruko Rose Aqua Cubic hydrating mask

Dr. Morita Set Tyan Whitening Mask (Calming & Whitening)

(These masks were very soothing once you put it on, I recommend trying them if you see it)

And that's it for now

Have you tried any of these products? How do you like them?

Let me know if you have any interest in any items I mentioned

Holy Grail BB Cream Review: L'egere White Multi BB cream

Bare skin --- Swatched on face --- Blended in

Copied straight from the box but forgot to take a picture of it:

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Claims:

All in one functions: sun protect + makeup base + skin cover + foundations for 24hrs

Whitening & Skin Care Formula: White Multi BB cream acts effectively on irritated skin, concealer dermal blemish and helps skin rejuvenation with innovative active ingredients. Blocking the penetration of UV rays and other harmful factors. This silicon-based formula defines a natural, long-lasting complexion, with gentle calming effects of natural, plant-derived soothing particles not only on oil and sensitive skin, but also on irritated skin following peel care.

Good for: Skin that needs protection, irritated skin by peeling and laser procedures, sensitive and troubled skin.

Ingredients:

Arbutin, Cyclomethicone, Jojoba oil, Polyglyceyl-4-Isostearate, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Beeswax, Tocopheryl acetate, Propylparaben, Sorbitan sesquioleate, Petrolatum, Titanium Dioxide/Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499) / Dimethicone, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Magnesium sulfate, Methylparaben, Sodium Hyaluronate, Marine Collagen, Rose water, Centella asiaticacosides, water, fragrance.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I typed the ingredient list myself... And I think maybe in Asia they don't list the ingredients by the amount present in the product, since water is the 2nd to last ingredient.

Pros

- Light to medium coverage

- Very natural looking when blended in correctly

- Minimizes pores

- Satin finish

- SPF (number not stated for some reason)

- Squeeze tube packaging

- Looks good even on slightly flaky skin

- Moisturizing

Cons

- Limited color selection (just one color, to be exact)

- Not easily accessible

- Silicon-based (as stated on the box)

- Contain paraben ingredients (for ppl who are iffy about that)

Price

$20+ for 1.69 fl oz / 50 g

Verdict

This is one of the most popular BB creams in Taiwan, according to fuzkittie on Youtube (whom I heard this from). I purchased this for $20 on Ebay (including shipping) and I really like it. It gives pretty good coverage considering BB creams are supposed to be just a slight step up from tinted moisturizers. This definitely covers better than the Skin79 Hot Pink BB cream but only works if the color matches you. As you can see in the swatch the color comes out tan, esp compared to my NC20 ish skin. It does blend in nicely, and I find the best way to blend it in is patting with your fingers. In the picture it looks slightly brown-toned, but I've been using it a lot more recently and it actually blends in perfectly if I pat instead of trying to spread it.

If I wanted complete, full coverage I'd need to follow with concealer, but if I'm not taking pictures just wearing this is nice.

FYI - if you see this for less than $20 on Ebay, it is probably a fake, since retail in Taiwan is no less than 600 TWD which is about $20 USD

Would I recommend it?

For those between NC20 and NC35 (ish) and are willing to shell out $20+, I would say yes.

Repurchase?

Yes, if I ever use this up.