• This or That | COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches vs. Rael Miracle Patches

    April 19, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I’ve tried out the Rael Hydrocolloid Acne Healing Patches (name has been changed to Miracle Patches) and compared it to my beloved COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches (read my review) and here are my thoughts:

    COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches

    The thin clear hydrocolloid patch feels similar to a hydrogel sheet mask in texture, adhering your skin strongly. It’ll stay on through showering and washing! It treats breakouts by eliminating infection and bacteria, which is what causes them in the first place. It’s able to breakdown debris from blackheads and absorb gunk from whiteheads overnight, so you won’t experience a harsh dry patch from using this. It even helps flatten and heal cystic acne faster!

    24 patches per pack (3 sizes):

    • 10 x 7mm
    • 5 x 10mm
    • 9 x 12mm

    The COSRX are the first patches I tried and I’ve compared them to the Nexcare ones which I didn’t like (read my review). I buy the COSRX patches on Chuusi.ca for $4.50 each.

    Rael Miracle Patches 

    Our high-grade absorbent hydrocolloid extracts impurities and provides a protective barrier that guards your skin from bacteria and irritants. These super-effective patches reduce inflammation and also prevent potential acne scarring.

    24 patches per pack (2 sizes):

    • 12 x 10mm
    • 12 x 12mm

    I bought these on Amazon.ca and got 4 packages for $24.46 which means 1 pack is $6.12

    The Rael ones remind me of the COSRX Clear Fit Master Patches (read my review) because they are tapered on the edges, but the COSRX Clear Fit only comes with 18 patches in 10mm size.

    Rael costs a little more, but they are better if you are wearing them out of the house. COSRX are cheaper, but they’re a little more noticeable (especially if it’s somewhere obvious like your cheek). COSRX comes with 10 of the small sized patches and I mostly use the medium and large patches. Sometimes when I peel off the COSRX ones, it folds over onto itself (like when you’re opening a bandaid and it sticks to itself and you can’t unstick it). The Rael (and the COSRX Clear Fit) patches are easier to peel off because the sheets are perforated.

    Cosrx (white sheet), Rael (clear sheets)
    Rael patches

    WINNER: It’s a tie!

    I think that since the COSRX ones aren’t tapered, they can absorb more. From now on, I will buy both and use the Rael ones if I need to wear one out of the house and use the COSRX for home.

    UPDATE: I’ve started to love the Rael patches more because I get pimples on my face where there’s curves (nose, jaw, chin). It’s easier for the Rael ones to stick since they’re thinner. I have noticed that if you wear the Rael ones for too long and there’s a lot of stuff to absorb, they will get gummy (for lack of a better word). The COSRX ones, since they’re thicker, they don’t get gummy.

    Have you tried acne patches? What’s your fave brand?

    Love,

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  • This or That | Banila Co. Clean It Zero vs. Heimish All Clean Balm

    April 9, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m comparing two Korean cleansing balms: Banila Co. Clean It Zero (Original) and Heimish All Clean Balm. I’ve previously compared the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm and the Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm (read my review).

    The two balms are the same price, but the All Clean Balm has 120mL while the Clean It Zero has 100mL.

    The All Clean Balm doesn’t have fragrance while the Clean It Zero does.

    I like the packaging of both, the Clean It Zero’s line of products are really pretty (pink, purple, etc.), but obviously I’m not going to choose one or the other based on packaging.

    Banila Co. Clean It Zero Original

    This sherbet-textured cleansing balm melts onto your skin to dissolve away sebum, pore-clogging impurities, and waterproof makeup in one simple step! This best-selling cleanser from Banila Co. has a mild formulation that is gentle yet effective, leaving behind zero residue. This oil-based cleanser deeply cleanses and mildly exfoliates without stripping the skin dry, so your skin stays happily hydrated after cleansing!

    Heimish All Clean Balm

    The Heimish All Clean Balm melts effortlessly into a smooth oil to dissolve away heavy makeup, impurities, and excess sebum. The oil emulsifies into a milky solution upon contact with water, leaving your skin clean without stripping away the skin’s natural oils. Shea butter, lime extract, and tea tree oil nourish and protect the skin during cleansing. Available in a solid balm texture, this cleanser is is all clean and no mess, making it easy to use and super travel-friendly!

    WINNER: It’s a tie!

    They perform the same to me. If you want the cheaper option, the Heimish is the way to go.

    Have you tried these cleansing balms? Which did you prefer?

    Love,

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  • This or That | elf Lip Exfoliator vs. Tarte Lip Facial Lip Scrub

    February 1, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m doing another comparison post on lip scrubs (see the first here). I’m comparing lip scrubs again. This time, it’s elf Lip Exfoliator against the Tarte lip Facial Lip Scrub.

    elf Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac

    Gently exfoliate lips to remove dry, chapped skin with our Lip Exfoliator! A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. This Lip Exfoliator treats and smoothes lips for a conditioned and revitalized feel.

    Tarte lip Facial Lip Scrub

    Pamper & perfect your pout with this at-home lippie facial that exfoliates & treats dry, cracked lips & provides instant hydration, all in one easy-to-use pencil. The 2-in-1 lip scrub sloughs away dead surface cells, allowing moisturizing ingredients to penetrate deeply thanks to micro-fine sugar granules suspended in a conditioning treatment balm. The raw sugar acts as a natural exfoliator, gently rolling over surface imperfections to polish & improve lip texture.

    This felt so rough, my lips did not like this one. I tested it out by swatching on my hand to see if it was just in my head, but it actually made my hand red from applying it on my hand (not wiping it off). I would rather make my own sugar lip scrub than by this. Thank goodness I got this for free.

    WINNER: elf Lip Exfoliator

    Again, the elf one wins because it’s just so affordable and the Tarte one just felt so rough and abrasive on the lips.

    Love,

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  • This or That | Benefit 24 Hr Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel vs. Diorshow BoldBrow

    January 15, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Do you use brow gel in your brow routine? I’ve tried a few different ones: clear and tinted. I prefer a tinted brow gel because I find that the clear ones I’ve tried make my brows look glossy/shiny in the sunlight? Plus, tinted brow gels give a more natural, filled in look (especially if they have fibers) whereas the clear gels sort of separate my brows and tend to wipe off the brow pencil I used beforehand.

    Benefit Ready, Set, Brow Deluxe Sample of the 24 Hr Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel

    An invisible brow gel that shapes, sets, and locks in brow color for 24 hours. Hold eyebrows in place and keep them perfectly polished all day with this clear setting gel. The custom brush features long bristles that evenly coat brow hairs from root to tip and short bristles to sculpt and shape hairs into place. The flexible, flake-free and quick to dry formula applies easily to brows and locks on makeup for 24 hours.

    Diorshow Bold Brow in 002 Dark

    Update: They no longer sell this and they’ve replaced it with another brow gel.

    A brow mascara to achieve lush, full, and groomed brows immediately. Quickly and easily create a natural brow look that highlights lids and emphasizes the eyes. The formula coats each hair for a strengthening effect, and the mousse-serum format is enriched with microfibers to coat skin and brows for an instant, lush look. The natural shades match any skin tone: Light, Medium, or Dark, while the micro-brush coats each fiber for fuller, perfectly shaped brows.

    I think clear brow gels are great if you just want a 1 step routine and you already have great brows. If you’re someone who has gaps in your brows, then a tinted gel with fibers is really useful.

    I love the Benefit Gimme Brow and the Diorshow Bold Brow gels. I bought the Dior one because it has a little more product in it than the Gimme Brow, but sometimes the shade looks a bit gray-brown. The Gimme Brow expanded their shade range and they have a darker shade that would match my dark brows. Next time, I think I will try the Anastasia and Hourglass ones. I know Essence has one for a fraction of the price, but I feel like the darkest shade will be too light for me. I know Glossier Boy Brow is a fave for many people, so I might give that one a try at some point. Since brow gel is okay to keep longer than mascara (because it doesn’t go close to your eyes), I don’t mind a high end one.

    WINNER: TIE!

    After trying the Colourpop Boss Brow Clear Gel, I’ve changed my mind. Initially, I chose tinted brow gels, but now I love clear gels.

    Between the Diorshow Bold Brow and the Benefit one though, I prefer the Diorshow Bold Brow.

    What brow products do you use?

    Love,

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  • real techniques miracle complexion sponge vs sephora total coverage sponge

    Dupe It Out | Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge vs. Sephora Total Coverage Sponge

    August 3, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m back with another Dupe It Out. It’s been a while since I’ve done one. Today’s duel: Real Techniques vs. Sephora! Recently, I purchased a 4-pack of the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponges at Winners for $20. I was already using the Sephora Total Coverage Sponge, so I thought I would compare the two. I know Sephora wasn’t the first to come out with a beauty sponge and the Real Techniques one isn’t a dupe for it, but they’re both makeup sponges and they have similar textures and density.

    real techniques sponge

    Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – If you pick up the sponge from the drugstore, this sponge could be $10 each, but if you pick it up at Winners, and get the 4-pack, it’s $5 each.

    This versatile beauty tool was designed with a revolutionary foam technology to evenly blend makeup for a smooth, enhanced finish. Use damp for a dewy glow or dry for a full coverage.

    • rounded sides blend large areas of the face with a dabbing motion
    • precision tip covers blemishes and imperfections
    • flat edge for contouring around the eyes and nose
    • ideal for liquid foundation
    • latex-free

    For best results, replace your makeup sponge every 1-3 months.

    sephora sponge

    Sephora Total Coverage Sponge – I bought the sponge that comes with the bar soap. Before buying this one, I had only bought ones from Winners that are $4-6.

    This sponge is specially designed to give makeup an expert boost. The wide base can cover the larger surfaces of the face, while the pointed tip is perfect for contouring around curves, and precision application around the nose, chin, and under the eyes. This sponge is intended to be used wet. The wetter the sponge, the more sheer the coverage. It is formulated without natural latex.

    real techniques vs sephora

    Both have the same feel and density (how squishy they are when wet). I’ve used some sponges that are denser and basically bounce off your face because they’re so hard. Most sponges I’ve picked up at Winners have the same feel and density (if you want a cheaper version of the Sephora one).

    I tested out both sponges with liquid and stick foundations and they both performed the same; blending the foundations beautifully. The only thing that sets them apart are the price, shape and size.

    WINNER: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge won for the following categories:

    • More budget-friendly
    • Faster blending because it’s bigger
    • Easier for baking because of the flat side
    • Better blending for stick foundations

    WINNER: Sephora Total Coverage Sponge won for the following categories:

    • Easier to blend under eyes because tip is smaller

    If I had to choose, Real Techniques would win. I can’t say if it would win against the beauty blender because I’ve never tried one (and I don’t really plan to spend $20+ on a sponge in the near future), but it wins in more categories than the Sephora sponge. If you like smaller sponges, I also saw another Real Techniques pack that had 2 of the regular orange ones, 3 mini ones and 1 pink one that’s shaped more like the Sephora one, but it also has a flat side too.

    ss.jpeg

    OVERALL WINNER: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

    Which makeup sponge is your favourite?

    Love,

    jen

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  • clinique take the day off cleansing balm vs pixi nourhsing cleansing balm

    This or That | Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm vs. Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm

    June 22, 2018

    Hi Everyone!

    As you all know by now, I love Winners. I spotted the Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm and thought I’d give it a try. I already had the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, so I thought I’d compare the two.

    Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm – You massage this onto your dry face and wash off with warm water.

    Lightweight makeup remover quickly dissolves tenacious eye and face makeups, sunscreens. Transforms from a solid balm into a silky oil upon application. Cleans thoroughly, rinses off completely. Gently helps remove the stress of pollution so skin looks younger, longer. Non-greasy. Non-drying.

    Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm – Like the Clinique balm, you apply it to a dry face, but you have to use a damp wash cloth to remove it. I tried washing it off with just water, but you need the face cloth to wipe off the balm or else it will just feel greasy and you’ll never get it off.

    A gentle cleansing balm that removes all traces of makeup as it nourishes, leaving skin silky-soft.

    WINNER: Clinique’s Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

    Originally, I thought the Clinique one was more expensive, but there’s actually more in the jar than the Pixi one (according to the Sephora website) and it worked out to be cheaper. But, then I was on the Clinique site and the amount in the jar was different- I would assume Clinique’s is more accurate which makes the Clinique one a little more expensive per mL. Either way, Clinique wins in my book. I like it better because you don’t need a damp wash cloth to wipe it off and it rinses off easily with water. I also don’t love the smell of the Pixi one- it has sweet almond oil in it.

    Love,

    jen

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