Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

Laneige Sleeping Mask for Lips is a relatively new product launched in the end of 2015. It has become an instant hit across both Korea and the West.

And again I bought it product by accident. Thought it was a sleeping pack for the whole face and was very surprised when I received a small 20 g package for the money.  My disappointment faded away as soon as I opened the lid. The smell was irresistible: a Berry mix - very familiar but I still can't figure out what it reminds me of. 

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, 20 g

The product is designed for dry, chapped lips that need an extra care. 

Or for somebody who doesn't like to use lip balm during the day. 

My lips are mostly fine BUT I have a bad habit of biting them which doesn't make my lips prettier. Moreover, I've also noticed that the "quality" of this sensitive skin has definitely went down over  the years. This must be due to the lack of care it has received. The skin color is not as bright as it used to be, and my lips are definitely thinning. I was even thinking about lip injections. Boris, do not read this.

I wish you could smell that berry scent, mmmm

The instructions say that you should apply an adequate amount of mask on your lips before going to bed and wipe the access gently with a dry cotton pad in the morning. Easy as.

This staff felt nice on my lips. I was worried it would be all over the place when I turn in my sleep. But it did stay well and my lips had lots of product remain in the morning. 

I've done though a mistake and washed lips in the morning. They did feel dry after that, so I decided to try it again the other night. This time I've only gently wiped lips with cotton and they felt really soft, smooth and moisturized the whole day. Yay!

To my surprise there was another side effect. My lips looked kind of plumped the whole day even though I didn't scrub or massage them at all. You can't compare this to a lip injection or a vacuum lip enhancers, of course,  BUT your lips will look much better for sure.

They don't say how often the mask could be used, so I'm going to apply it every single night. It's just too good!

Ingredients:

Diisostearyl Malate Hydrogenated Polyisobutene Phytosteryl/isostearyl/cetyl/stearyl/ Behenyl Dimer Dilinoleate Polybutene Shea Butter Synthetic Wax Euphorbia Cerifera (candelilla) Wax Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate Butylene/ethylene/ Styrene Copolymer Hydrogenated Ethylene/propylene/ Styrene Copolymer Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter Dimethicone Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate Dehydroacetic Acid Methicone Copernicia Cerifera Wax Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate Polyhydroxystearic Acid Water Potassium Alginate Glycerin Propanediol Alcohol Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract Coffea Arabica Seed Extract Lycium Chinense Root Extract Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Extract Magnesium Sulfate Calcium Chloride Sodium Hyaluronate Beta-glucan Manganese Sulfate Zinc Sulfate Ascorbyl Glucoside Fragrance

Price:

Approximately 17100 KRW or 16 USD

I know this sounds really pricey, but a little goes a long way, and I'm guessing it will last me for about 4-5 months of everyday use.

Do I like it and will I buy again?

I absolutely love the product. It seemed kind of useless when I first saw it but now when the difference is obvious, I can totally justify this purchase and I easily imagine myself using it all the time. Will buy again.

Oh, just to mention, if you google other review, seems like everyone loves it too, not just me.

Whom would I recommend to use the product?

Everyone. Definitely must have product for dry and chapped lips, but I, honestly, would recommend for people with normal lips also as a lip balm substitute.

My overall impressions are 5/5/. I only wish this smell was all around me 24/7.

What lip care products from Korea would you recommend?

RIRE Quick Hair Tint Brush

RiRe Quick Hair Tint Brush is another Korean must have in my bathroom.

It's a temporary dye with a handy brush applicator to be used between hair dyes. Or instead.

RiRe quick hair tint, 20 ml

I got my first grey hair when I was 19, and this one patch on the forehead has been continuously growing ever since. Currently it's a large coin size, very visible and I have only two options: highlights every couple of months or dark dye every 1.5-2 weeks. Both options are not ideal right now for many reasons and I'm extremely happy to find this helpful Korean product.

Believe it or not, I bought it by accident and had very low expectations from the start. My surprise was indescribable when it hid my gray hair magically in just a few minutes and did not wash away quickly.

The application process is very simple. You'll find a grey spot (pictures online show people working on the whole head), press a button once or twice and apply a small amount on the spot. The product smells slightly iodinish and dries very fast (5-10 min) or you could speed it up by using a drier.

RiRe brown color hair tint. You can see a small button on a side

I didn't save the package, unfortunately, but I'm pretty sure it said that the dye disappears after the first wash and might stain your bed-linen, so they suggest you wash your hair before going to bed. Hmmm.

In real life, my hair would not show any signs of greyness for weeks (!!) and I have never found any stains on my pillow case either. And of course, you don't need to wash your hair after the application. Not sure where these instructions on the package came from, don't let them confuse you.  

I was meant to show you the difference on my hair, but the color is still there after 3-4 weeks, and I will update the review later.

The product is sold in two colors only: brown with a red undertone and black. The lack of options is definitely a big minus here but at least the brown tint is not too dark and would match many brown hair colors. You can see a clear representation of the brown tone above and below is a picture of my hair. 

My poor hair after all sorts of experiments. All they want is to be cut off.

As you can see (hopefully) my "natural" hair color is lighter than the tint but it all blends in very well and you can't really tell the difference.

One thing to note! The tint will color your skin as well, so be careful during application.

Ingredients

Water, Alcohol, Benzyt Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lactic Acid, Aminoethylaminopropyl Dimethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Carbomer, C12-14 Pareth-7, Disodiurn EDTA, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Extract, Glycine Max (Soybean) See d Extract, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Ex tract, C120470, C115510, C11 7200, CI 60730, parfum.

Price

Approximately 9900 KRW or 9.50 USD (20 ml bottle)

Do I like it and will I buy again

Love it! Haven't noticed any downsides. Well, maybe accept for a lack of color options. Will definitely buy again. 

Though I think this little bottle will last me forever.

Whom would I recommend to

Anybody who has some grey hair. Probably not if you are completely grey as it will be timely to apply the product. Unfortunately, your hair color would have to be black or brown.

Overall impressions are 4.75/5 (make more colors!!). Great product, will let me grown my hair naturally without dyeing them. Easy to apply and stays on for a long time!

What products do you use to hide grey hair? Let me know.

HolikaHolika Soda Pore BB deep cleansing oil

HolikaHolika Soda Pore BB deep cleansing oil was one product I had to try because everybody was calling it "the best cleansing oil they have ever tried". Spoiler alert! I agree completely.

My bathroom ducks are loving Soda Pore cleansing oil as much as I do

If you are knew to cleansing oils I'll throw some basic information you'd need to know. 

I'm trying to keep my reviews short (so people can actually read them without falling asleep) but if you have questions, please let me know. Would be happy to help if I can.

• Many silicone based products (nearly all BBs, CCs, traditional foundations and make up bases) can't be removed from your skin with water and soap. You need oil to break their bonds.
• If you don't remove the products mentioned above, they will clog your pores, and as a result your skin tone will be dull and uneven and you will have blemishes and blackheads. Some people get an instant reaction (this is me! If i don't properly wash my face before going to bed = lot's of pimples next morning), others would only notice this change overtime.

BY THE WAY, there's this really cool experiment I'd recommend reading. The person slept in their make up for 1 month, and see what happened to their skin: horror story for skin

Now, this person did not remove their make up at all, and this is obviously an extreme case scenario which does prove how important it's to clean your skin well.

So...

• K-beauty in short is all about two major steps: cleaning and moisturizing. Good cleaning is an essential start of absolutely all skin care routines in Korea.
• Koreans use a two-step cleansing process: oil and soap. Oil "opens" pores and removes make up products that do not dissolve in water, washes away dirt and access oil produced by skin. Soap (by soap I mean traditional cleansing products) removed the rest + the cleansing oil.

How to use

Apply on dry skin with your hands (usually two pumps are enough for me), rub gently all around and wash away with water. You'll notice the oil turn into lotion like liquid when in contact with water. Follow up with your "normal" cleansing product (soap, foam, etc).

Veeeery oily 

After adding a little water

Some people say it removes their waterproof mascara as well. I don't agree, my non-waterproof mass-market one turns into panda eyes and nothing else. So this should be solved separately.  

The oil comes in a 150 ml plastic bottle (which looks like glass) and has a protective "lock", so you can put it in a travel bag and not worry about leaks. Great invention, please all other manufactures read this!! 

The bottle will last me for around 3 months (using it once a day every day).

Ingredients

Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil,Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,S orbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polybutene, Water, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Butylene Glycol, Mineral Water, Propylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract,Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Propyl Paraben

Price

Approximately 12500 KRW or 12 USD

Do I like it and will I buy again

I love it! Finally my skin feels 100% clean. And no more morning surprises after using silicone based products during the day. This was a huge problem all my life, and I can't believe it's finally solved. 

Will buy again and again.

What skin it's suitable/not suitable for

I've read literally a million of reviews, and everybody loves this cleansing oil. People with problem pores noticed an improvement over time. 

This soda pore oil will be a perfect cleansing product for oily skin with large pores and a tendency to clog. 

Must have for anybody using BBs, CCs and other silicone based products (read: nearly any cosmetics). 

It will suit other skin types as well but if your skin is, for example, super dry, you might want to try an oil for your skin type (just to get the maximum benefits).

My overall impression is 4.75/5. I took 0.25 point off just to be fair since this oil won't remove a water-proof mascara, but honestly, it's not something I expected at all. I always remove mascara with a separate product designed for sensitive skin around eyes anyways.

To me this oil is a definite must have and love at first sight. Would recommend to anyone.

Have you tried it? Is it good? 

  

ANSKIN Modeling Mask

If I were to write a sentence review on Anskin Modeling Mask, it would be: WOW effect with complications.

These masks work like magic (amazing lifting properties) but you need to follow correct instructions very carefully, otherwise, very little will your skin get from this product. 

I've watched several popular youtube videos on how to apply modeling masks and surprisingly they all do it wrong, so I definitely don't recommend relying on them. If not this post, then Russian web page irecommend.ru and Korean bloggers would be your best source of information.

My Anskin Modelling masks: Vitamin C, Cool - Ice and Pearl

The structure of this loooong review will be the following (jump straight to how to use if you are very impatient)

Anskin masks for different skin types

Ingredients

How to use and important complications

Price

Do I like & will I buy again

What skin they are suitable/best for 

Overall impressions

Anskin Vitamin C open package

There are several brands of Modeling masks (both Korean and Western) available on the market. I haven't tried any western masks of this kind but I've heard from several people they are not as good as their friends from Korea.  

Anskin is a big brand from Korea and their masks are the most popular modeling masks worldwide.

9 options for different skin types and problems:

I've copied these from Korean websites, please ignore the quality of English

Collagen 

Aging Skin Care: Containing marine collagen and hyaluronic acid, Prevents effectively the oxidation of the skin, and skin sagging, skin droop and aging skin, and helps to maintain skin elasticity Anti- Aging. Has a regeneration effect for damaged skin by aging effects

Rich Nutrition: The active ingredients in moisturizing and rich nutrition make tired, droopy skin cleaner, help cell regeneration, and maintain Skin elasticity, shine, and moisture.

Moisturizing nutrient: Through anti-oxidation, to remove active oxygen and strengthens skin to inhibit allergic reaction. Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine ,as active Ingredients, Intensively moisturize, calm the skin quickly, give skin flexibility and elasticity

Improvement of Skin Moisture by 250% : Prevent water evaporation on the surface of the skin, skin nutrition, skin soothing effects are improved. Soft GEL Type: All the disadvantages of modeling to complement developed so that anyone can manage without the burden of Soft Gel-type modeling product

Good for : Many fine wrinkles on the skin without elasticity

Aloe

Soothing: Contains variety of ingredients of Aloe such as steroids, amino acids, saponins, minerals and Allantoin, licorice extract. Have outstanding effects on improving skin, soothing and calming skin by supplying nutrients

Moisturizing and Soothing: Contained Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine Olive extracts ,as active Ingredients, intensively moisturize, Licorice Extract and Allantoin soothe and calm the skin quickly, and give skin flexibility and elasticity

Pores Care : With strong effect down skin temperature, has outstanding effects on soothing skin exposed UV Ray, stabilizing skin trouble, and improving large pores

Good for : Skin Trouble, Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin

Pearl

Whitening: Contains 20 of amino acids, 28 of minerals of Pearl Ingredients help blood circulation, cell regeneration, aging prevention and whitening. Helps to effectively improve sun tanned skin, dull skin and lots of blemishes to bright and improve rough skins moist and radiant

Transparency Effects: With excellent transparency effects, it suppresses the occurrences of imperfections such as darkness, blemishes and improves transparency, elasticity and hydration

Oil / Moisture Balance : Adjust Oil and moisture balance of the skin, raise rough skin to be shiny skin and improves skin clean and moisturized to prevent skin aging

Moisturizing nutrient: Through anti-oxidation, to remove active oxygen and strengthens skin to inhibit allergic reaction. Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine ,as active Ingredients, Intensively moisturize, calm the skin quickly, give skin flexibility and elasticity

Improvement of Skin Moisture by 250% : Prevent water evaporation on the surface of the skin, skin nutrition, skin soothing effects are improved.Soft GEL Type : All the disadvantages of modeling to complement developed so that anyone can manage without the burden of Soft Gel-type modeling product. 

Good for : Especially for dark skin with blemishes, freckles

Anskin Pearl Modeling Mask

Green tea

Soothing: Contains green tea extracts inhibit skin oxidation. Keeps skin youthful, clear and helps maintain the health of the skin because of its rich ingredients such as vitamin 

Anti oxidation : Ingredient called Catechin contained in green tea prevents skin oxidation and suppresses the black mark generated from UV rays, The vitamin C ingredient in Green tea helps to improve the skin ton bright

Rich Nutrition: The active ingredients in moisturizing and rich nutrition make tired, droopy skin more clean, help cell regeneration, maintain Skin elasticity, shine, and moisture

Good for : Sensitive skin, Skin trouble, Dark and Droopy Skin

Vitamin C

Improve Skin Tone: It contains vitamins E and C, supply oxygen to the skin, helps cell regeneration and excellent whitening effect for dull skin, dark circles or blemishes, when skin get tired, Vitamin C ingredients improve skin tone ,make skin elastic and bright

Healthy Skin Care: Effectively cares for allergic skin or skin that easily turns red with irritation

Moisturizing nutrient: Through anti-oxidation, to remove active oxygen and strengthens skin to inhibit allergic reaction. Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine ,as active Ingredients, Intensively moisturize, calm the skin quickly, give skin flexibility and elasticity

Improvement of Skin Moisture by 250% : Prevent water evaporation on the surface of the skin, skin nutrition, skin soothing effects are improved. Soft GEL Type: All the disadvantages of modeling to complement developed so that anyone can manage without the burden of Soft Gel-type modeling product

Good for : Dull skin, dark circles or blemishes, when skin get tired

Anskin Vitamin C Modeling Mask

Aroma

Younger-looking skin: Contains olive extracts inhibit the oxidation of the skin, and keeps skin young because of its rich ingredients such as vitamin E, helps maintain skin clean and healthy

Moisturizing and Soothing: Contained Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine Olive extracts, as active ingredients, intensively moisturize, Licorice Extract and Allantoin soothe and calm the skin quickly, and give skin flexibility and elasticity

Good for : Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin

Cool -Ice

Pore Contraction: With soft and cool feeling, It's excellent in recovering fatigue, promotes blood circulation and has the effect of pore contraction. Helps your skin effectively to maintain your skin elasticity and shrinkage of the pores, gives skin calming and refreshing the skin feeling.

Skin Soothing: Is effective in sedation for glowing skin, skin troubles, and red skin after peeling. Especially good for maintaining skin elasticity and recovery for tired skin

Moisturizing nutrient: Through anti-oxidation, to remove active oxygen and strengthens skin to inhibit allergic reaction. Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine ,as active Ingredients, Intensively moisturize, calm the skin quickly, give skin flexibility and elasticity

Anskin Cool - Ice Modeling Mask

Charcoal

Removes sebum in your skin and pores to maintain your skin clean and beautiful. Absorbs unnecessary oil or sebum neatly, exfoliates your skin effectively to maintain your skin tone bright.

The capillary of charcoal removes contaminants, sebum, and impurities of your skin effectively. With superior effects for shrinking pores, it works effectively for Oily Skin and troublesome skin

All the disadvantages of modeling to complement developed so that anyone can manage without the burden of Soft Gel-type modeling product

Good for Slick Skin with lots of impurities because of wider pores

AC Control

Irritation Mitigation Efficacy: Contains Portulaca oleracea L. extract as major ingredient. Which is effective in improving the side effects in skin trouble caused by cosmetic products makeup and other environmental poisons

Moisturizing and Soothing: Contained Diatomite, Glucose, Betaine Olive extracts ,as active Ingredients, intensively moisturize, Licorice Extract and Allantoin soothe and calm the skin quickly, and give skin flexibility and elasticity

Rich Nutrition: The active ingredients in moisturizing and rich nutrition make tired, droopy skin more clean, help cell regeneration, maintain Skin elasticity, shine, and moisture

Good for : Skin Trouble, Dry Skin, Sensitive Skin

Ingredients

Full ingredients list will be different for each mask but let's look and compare the 3 masks I currently have. We will see obvious similarities.

Vitamin C: Diatomite, Glucose, Sodium Alginate, Calcium Sulfate, Betaine, Zinc Oxide, Ascorbic Acid(1%), CI45410, Tetra Sodium Pyrophosphate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten, Licorice Extract, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid

Pearl: Diatomite, Natural lemon grass particles (4%), Lemongrass extract, Sodium Alginate, Glucose, Magnesium oxide, Calcium Sulfate, Mineral oil, Corn starch, Tetra Sodium pyrophosphate

Cool - Ice: Diatomite, Glucose, Sodium Alginate, Calcium sulfate, Betaine, Zinc Oxide, Peppermint Extract, Tetrasodium pyrophosphate, Hydrolyzed wheat gluten, Licorice, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid

All masks contain the same 3 main ingredients: Diatomite (key ingredient #1: intensive hydration and skin soothing), Sodium Alginate (key ingredient #2: brown seaweed), Betaine (moisturazing and membrane protection).

How to use

1. You will need: 

• approximately 100 grams of mask
• approximately 60 ml of water (I recommend good bottled water)
• mixing bowl and spatula
• your favourite serum or cream
• something to cover your hair
• timer (to wake you up)

2. Hide hair. Clean your face as normal and apply toner if you use it

3. Apply your favourite serum or face cream. The mask will maximize its effect. This is #1 mistake youtube bloggers do. They use nothing under the mask.

4. 20 min after, start preparing your mask and apply it immediately. This mask can't be stored once mixed with water, and it becomes rubber like after approximately 5 min. So you'll need to be quick.

Take a mixing bowl and combine approximately 100 grams of powder and 60 ml of water at room temperature. You'll see after the first time if this much product is enough to cover your face in a thick layer. If it's not, increase the amount of powder next time. 

Small amount of Pearl powder and the water I like to use

I recommend using good bottled water, because you will get even more good stuff on your skin then.

Your ready mixture should look like a thick yogurt. 

Slightly thicker will be right as well

If you have somebody to help further, you need to lay down and ask them to apply the mask. In most cases, I'm guessing, you'll be doing it yourself and it's not the end of the world.

5. Stand in front of a mirror, close your mouth and start applying the mask all over your face with a spatula (including lips and excluding nostrils = you'll need to breath, and excluding eyes). #2 common mistake! Do not use hands. It will be a pain in the neck. Use spatula. #3 mistake! Don't apply in a thin layer. It must be thick! The thicker, the better it will work, and the easier the mask will be to remove. You won't be able to "peel off" the mask at all, if it is applied in a very thin layer (you'll have to wash it off = another pain in the neck).

Once done, close one of your eyes and apply on top of it. I know it sounds scary and feels even more scary the first time, but you'll be just fine. And your eyes will love it in fact! Your eyebrows and eyelashes (unless you do eyelash extensions) will be fine too. 

Finally, close the second eye and apply on top of it. Now you can't see anything and can't talk. My partner calls it an ideal woman :D

The mask should be thick enough to stay in one place

I hope you kept a clear way from your mirror to the bed.

5. Lay down and rest for 20 min. #4 common mistake! Do not stand, walk or sit. Your face must be resting in a horizontal position while the mask solidifies and shrinks. Otherwise, the lifting effect will be minimal. After 5-6 min you'll notice that your mask becomes firm. 

6. Approximately 20 min after, peel it off starting from your chin and gently pooling up to your nose and forehead. If you have any small pieces of mask left on your face, take them off with a wet cotton disk.

Ready mask looks solid and feels like soft rubber

This is how the "inside" looks

7. Admire your skin. It will be very smooth and lifted, also moisturized, and the skin tone will look healthy. 

You don't have to apply any products after the mask, but I usually finish up with a night cream just before going to bed.

They recommend doing a series of 10 masks (1 mask each day) for a start and then having it 1-2 times a week as a follow up.

My partner has filmed me applying a modeling mask once. It's a silly video but you get to see how I do it: Anskin Modeling Mask  

Price

700 ml container would cost you 25-30 nzd and could be purchased from here in NZ:
Anskin Modeling Mask

Do I like it and will I buy again?

You'd guess by now, I'm in love with Anskin Modeling mask and I only wish  I discovered it before. Once I finish 1 or 2 of my current masks, I will go ahead and buy other types as well. Charcoal and Collagen are on my top list.

From the masks I've used so far, I equally like all three of them.

Vitamin C makes my skin bright and live instantly. It has a pleasant smell and feels amazing.

Cool Ice is a must have for summer. I love the cool sensation, and the light blue color is adorable.

Pearl I didn't like as much from the start but after a couple of uses, I think I've noticed that it gives me a maximum lifting effect.

What skin it would be suitable for?

Absolutely all skin types! Any skin could benefit from all mask options, to be honest, however, if you have big concerns about a particular problem, you'll find a targeted option from one of the 9 above.

Very suitable for aging skin, simply the best! 

My overall impressions are 7/5. How did we live without this product before. Highly recommend to try for absolutely everyone. 

Have you tried modeling masks already? Are you also in love with them?

TONYMOLY Tomatox Magic Massage Pack

TonyMoly is famous for having adorable packaging of their products. Check this mask. It looks so much better than real tomatoes you find in NZ in winter. I wish I could chop chop it in my salad. 

Anyways, the pretty tomato is in fact a very famous and well-known worldwide Korean whitening mask. If you are new to K-beauty (short name for Korean cosmetics trend), start your journey with this product!

TonyMoly Tomatox mask

Quick note: For those who are thrown away by the word "whitening", neither do I like my skin to be whiter, however, "whitening" also means "helping an even color" which is something we all strive for, right?

TonyMoly is claiming that this mask will not only clean your skin but will also make it look brighter and will minimize appearance of blemishes and spots. Tomato extract is meant to detoxify skin and help to get rid of impurities and dirt trapped in your pores. Spoiler here! It does all of these.

TonyMoly Tomatox mask, still plenty left after being used 2-3 times a week for a month

First, clean your face, apply toning and finally use an appropriate amount of mask on the whole face. This product is called a massage pack and instructions suggest you actually massage this gently all over the face for 1-2 minutes. I'm not exactly sure how you'd do that. I tried several times but the mask seems to be too liquid? So I just ignore that part and apply the mask as normal.

You then want to leave it for 10-15 min. 

Finally, instructions tell you to wash the mask off with warm water. Haha! You'll read a lot of reviews where people complain it's actually a pain in the neck to get the product off your skin. It's liquidish, yes, but still sticky and leaves white spots here and there. My way, which works 100%, is to use a sponge or a cloth to wash the mask off. I use konjac sponge but anything spongy will work really. Will save you lots of time!

TonyMoly Tomatox mask

Once done, you'll immediately notice that your skin color looks more even, it might even appear whiter (which is a visual effect of the mask, not a real whitening, in my opinion). Blemishes will not disappear straight away but they will be less noticeable, and your skin will definitely feel and appear cleaner. 

Ingredients:

Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Water, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Niacinamide, PVP, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Pearl Powder, Coral Powder, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract , Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract , Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract , Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Panthenol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Arginine, Aluminum Hydroxide , Fragrance, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch , Propylparaben, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Sucrose, Tocopheryl Acetate.

Price:

Approximately 8330 KRW (8 USD)

Do I like it?

Yes yes yes. It cleans my skin really well, yet doesn't dry it at all! When I just got Tomatox, I've been using it every second day and had no allergic reactions what so ever. My skin looked very even, bright and healthy. The mask does everything it claims. 

I haven't used it for a week now and my skin still looks the same good.

Will I buy it again?

Yes yes yes. It will be my must have and I have bought a pack for mom already.

What skin it will be suitable for?

All skin types. Especially skin with uneven tone. Would totally suit aged skin.

Not suitable for?

Tomato extract is a major ingredient in the mask and I would imagine people allergic to certain fruit extracts might have a reaction to it. TonyMoly sells samples of Tomatox, so you might want to test them first if there're any allergy concerns you have. 

My overall impression of TonyMoly Tomatox mask is 5/5. I would recommend it to absolutely anyone. Great price/value/quality ratio as well.

Have you used this product? Is it your must have?

TONYMOLY Eggs for Pores

TonyMoly has a set of 3 beauty eggs (there used to be four of them, but real egg jelly has been discontinued some time ago). These eggs are targeted for skin with enlarged pores and blackheads (they usually come together anyways). Each of these eggs does a different job but I think it's the best to use all 3 in conjunction.

TonyMoly eggs

The package looks massive when you first see it but your wow will fade away once you open them. Product inside seems tiny, however, it's very economical and will last you for a while. 

Oil gel, Tightening pack and Pore balm

1. TonyMoly Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm 30ml

steam balm

This steam gel is a transparent substance with small yellow beads. Kind of looks like scrub.

You would use this product after your normal cleaning routine. Make sure your skin is dry. Put a small amount on your fingers, rub into desired area (sides of your nose?) and massage for 3 min. The gel will change its color to white and you should hopefully feel a warm feeling on your skin. This egg product is referred to as a steam balm and the idea is that the warmth will open your pores and help cleaning. My rate of success with this pore balm is 50/50. Sometimes it just doesn't get warm what so ever, oh well.

They recommend you use the product 1-2 times a week, which I do. I think it will last me 2 months max (right now half way through). I personally use other products to clean my pores and add TonyMoly Egg Pore BlackHead Steam Balm in my routine twice a week in order to maintain the results.

Ingredients:

Major ingredients (claimed by producer): fertilized eggs component, wine vinegar, hot water, charcoal powder, green tea powder, sea salt.

Also 5 Free System (parabens, mineral oil, tar dye, benzophenone, triethanolamine)

Full list of ingredients:

Glycerin, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl - 3 Methylglucose Distearate, Polysorbate 80, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sea Salt, Onsensui, Charcoal Powder, Vinegar, Egg Shell Powder, Cellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Panthenyl Triacetate, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Hydroxypropyl Methycellulose, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Egg Yolk Extract, Xanthophyll, Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891), Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Mannlol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Shellac, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder, Iron Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethyl hexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Iron Oxides (Cl 77492), Fragnance

Price: 

Approximately 7500 KRW (7 USD)

Do I like it?

Mostly yes. I like the warm feeling and gentle scrubbing. The product probably won't clean really bad blackheads but it will help to maintain clean pores.  

Will I buy it again?

Probably won't. I wish there was something stronger behind that pretty egg face. No doubt, I can live without it.

What skin it would be suitable for?

Normal to slightly sensitive skin with minor-minor blackheads. Would be suitable for aged skin.

Not suitable for?

Bad blackheads. Won't make a difference. 

2. TonyMoly Egg Pore Tightening Pack 30ml

tightening pack

Looking ricotta like this product is a second step of TM egg pore routine. 

Once you've opened and cleaned your pores, you want to "close" them and prevent contamination.

Apply on desired area, wait for 10-15 min and wash away with warm water. Easy as. 

This mask feels very dry right from the beginning and once it dries further on your skin, you definitely won't like to keep it on for longer. For this reason I won't recommend applying it on non T-zone skin. It will dry your skin a lot.

Ingredients:

Same active and "free from" ingredients as above.

Full list:

Water, butylene glycol, bentonite, zea mays (Corn) starch, glycerin, kaolin, alcohol denat., PVP, acrylates copolymer, sodium hyaluronate, titanium dioxide, PEG-60 hydrogenated castor oil, xanthan gum, potassium alginate, cellulose gum, lecithin, creatine, TEA-cocoyl glutamate, ceramide 3, caprylic/capric triglyceride, polyglutamic acid, saccharide isomerate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, lysine, histidine, arginine, threonine, valine, tryptophan, retinol, ascorbic acid, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, collagen, biotin, polysorbate 20, magnesium aspartate, zinc luconate, copper gluconate, coppertripeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, panthenol, niacinamide, sea water, tocopheryl acetate, glycine soja (Soybean) sprout extract, magnolia kobus bark extract, camellia japonica flower extract, egg yolk extract, propylene glycol, arctium lappa root extract, calendula officinalis flower extract, citrus limon (Lemon) fruit extract, humulus lupulus (Hops) extract, hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract, salvia officinalis (Sage) leaf extract, saponaris officinalis leaf/root extract, triclosan, triethanolamine, disodium EDTA, chlorphenesin, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, fragrance, CI77491, CI77492.

Price: 

Approximately 7500 KRW (7 USD)

Do I like it?

It's fine. I like the fluffy consistency and that it doesn't slide off from face. But it's a little bit too dry and even though it does tighten pores, it only lasts for 10-30 min max. 

Will I buy it again?

No. I'd rather buy a product which does a similar job but could be applied on the whole face. Please see my Tomatox review for more information.

What skin it would be suitable for?

Oily skin or skin with oily T-zone. And large pores.

Not suitable for?

Definitely not dry skin.

3. TonyMoly Egg Pore Silky Smooth Balm 20ml

smooth balm

Say "YES" to silicones of all nature and kind if you are going to use this product. Don't forget to look at the ingredients below and freak out. SILICONES!

This is the final product of the TonyMoly Egg pore series. I feel like they launched the first two products, realized they were not strong enough to sell and then said: OKAY, We'll give you something that will hide all your pore problems away. And it does!

Pore Silky Smooth Balm is a 100% cosmetic product which will not "cure" the appearance of your pores but it will hide all defects like a pro. Many people call their skin "Photoshoped" after using this balm. It will hide large pores, small wrinkles, will also control oil produced by your skin and will make your skin tone nice and even. Perfect as a make up base.

Apply this balm in the morning as a final step of your cleaning routine before foundation (you actually don't have to use foundation at all if you like). Put a little of balm on your point finger and tap in. Don't massage and spread, you need to get the product INTO your pores and wrinkles so they visually disappear. Don't be greedy and don't put to much of the product. All the access will come off and will look ugly. 

One IMPORTANT note. If you are using this product (on any products with silicones: BBs, make up bases, etc) make sure, absolutely sure, you have a hydrophilic oil to to wash it away later, before going to bed. Never-ever go to bed without properly removing all silicone based products first.

Your pores will be clogged. Your skin won't breath. And you'll end up having lot's of blemishes, pimples and what not. Sometimes even the next morning! 

If you don't have a hydrophilic oil yet, please, do not use this balm.

Ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone, Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, silica, Ceresin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Titanium dioxide, Bis-PEG/PPG 14/14 Dimethicone, Camellia Sinensis Seedoil, limanthes alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, glyceryl Linoleate, Glyceryl Arachidonate, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Creatine, TEA-Cocoyl Sodium Ascorbyl Phospate, Lysine, Histidine, argine, Threonine, Valine, tryptphan, Retinol, Ascorbic Acid, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Biotin, Polysorbate 20, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Copper Tripeptide-1 Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 Panthenol, Niacinamide, Sea Water, Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Water, Tocoheryl Acetate, glycine Soja (Soybean) Sprout Extract, Magnolia Kobus Bark Extract, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Egg Yolk Extract, Propylene Glycol, Arctium Lappa Root Extract Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Humulus Lupulus (hops) Extract, Hypericum Perfcratum Flower/Leaf/ Stem Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Propylparaben, fragrance.

Price: 

Approximately 11000 KRW (10 USD)

Do I like it?

I do. Would use it for a special occasion. I'm too lazy to apply it each and single day. Plus most BBs kind of hide skin imperfections to a certain level anyways. 

Will I buy it again?

This little much product will probably last me forever. I might buy it again when I finish it off.

What skin it would be suitable for?

All skin types. Skin with large pores, tone unevenness, wrinkles and other minor skin appearance problems

Not suitable for?

Not suitable for people who skip night face cleaning. You evil people. 

My overall impression of these TonyMoly Pore Eggs is 3/5 I'd say. These are pretty eggs and they will look nice in your bathroom but it your skin has a serious problem with blackheads, you better invest into something more efficient. 

Have you used these Eggs? How did you like them? Let me know.