[Holika Holika] Pig-nose clear black head *3-step kit & cleansing sugar scrub*

I'm back!!! My short break was longer than I planned it to be but now I'm finally back with a new review.
The two [Holika Holika] products I will review today are for blackhead removal. My favorites are still the [Bioré] PORE STRIPS I got in Taiwan, nevertheless I don't mind trying out some new products from time to time.

Not too long ago [Holika Holika] released this cute Pig-nose clear black head line which consists of six (6) different products, all for blackhead removal:
- Perfect sticker
- 3-step kit
- steam starter
- peeling massage gel
- Deep cleansing oil balm
- cleansing sugar scrub

I decided to get the 3-step kit and sugar scrub but it might be that you get better results when you use the whole line.

Description: Did you know there are no blackheads on the nose of a pig? And guess what else? You don’t have to either! Say goodbye to your blackheads with Pig Nose Clear Series. This series gets rid of blackheads that are deep-rooted in pores and makes your nose soft and fair.

3-step kit:

 Description: Pig Nose Clear Blackhead 3-Step Kit contains all three steps necessary for perfect pore control. The first step opens your pores to allow for easy blackhead removal and cleaning. The second steps eliminates all waste and removes even the deepest blackheads. The third step minimizes the pores for a fresh and smooth look and feel.

The 3-step kit is for a single-use only and contains three different kinds of sheets for your nose.

 STEP 1: The sheet in step 1 is a soft mask sheet for your nose and soaked with a essence. Apply it to your nose and leave it on for 15~20 minutes, then remove it and wash the remaining solution off.

STEP 2: This pink sheet is the typical pore strip for removing blackheads. Wet your nose, apply the sheet and gently remove it after 10~15 minutes or when the strip is completely dry.

STEP 3: The last step contains a clear gel sheet which is also soaked with a essence. Apply it to your nose for 5~10 minutes, remove it and gently tap to help absorbtion.

Benefits: 

Full Pore Control 

Opens Pores 

Removes Blackheads 

Removes Whiteheads 

Removes Dead Skin Cells 

Tightens Pores  

Smoothes Skin 

 

I used this kit only once and I didn't see any difference on my nose. Even the pore strip from step 2 didn't remove my blackheads, another reason why I will continue using the [Bioré] ones.

  

cleansing sugar scrub:

Description: The cleansing sugar scrub is an exfoliating blackhead removing wash-off scrub. Contains soft white sugar for exfoliating rather than the traditional rough black sugar in other exfoliators. Removes dead skin cells, allowing for easier extraction of blackheads and other impurities from pores. Also, contains pink clay ingredient to help absorb excess sebum without over drying. Lemon extracts and Aloe Vera gel provide a brighter complexion and nourish the skin.

The sugar scrub comes in a small, pink container with a twist-off lid.
It contains 30ml and has the description on the bottom (Korean only!).

The consistency is rather thick and you can feel all the sugar in it - especially when you rub it over your dry skin. It has a slight lemon scent!

Benefits: 

Removes blackheads 

Removes Impurities in Pores 

Nourishes 

Helps to control excess oil 

Moisturizing 

Brightens

I tried it out only once as well but I like it result. It didn't remove all my blackheads yet but it made my skin very sleek and soft.

How to use: After cleansing, apply an appropriate amount on areas with blackheads and massage into skin. After 15 minutes, wash off with lukewarm water. For best results, use 1-2 times a week.

Price: around US$4 (3-step kit)/ US$8 (sugar scrub) 
Bought at: eBay (f2plus1)  

What I love: 
There is nothing I really love atm!     

What I don’t like:  
The 3-step kit didn't change anything. My nose still looked the same afterwards but the sugar scrub made my skin more soft. 

Will I buy this again? No, would only try out another product of this line!

[SKINFOOD] Special Cleansing Travel Kit

Sometimes I like to get a Travel Kit or Trial Kit! Not only because it is mostly cheaper than the full size product but also because it conatins more than a simple sample (pouch). This way I can try out a specific product better.
A few weeks ago I found at eBay the [SKINFOOD] Special Cleansing Travel Kit which contains the following:
- Black Sugar Deep Cleansing Cream
- Egg White Pore Foam
- Glacier Water Multi Gel
- Green Tea Deo Wash -For body-
- Citron Scalp Care Shampoo

I mainly got it coz of the Glacier Water Multi Gel but some of the other things looked interesting, too.

The 5 products came in a small travel/ vanity bag which is partially brown with a zipper on top.

The tubes looking all the same, just the print on the front is different for each product. Each tube contains 20ml and has a twist-off lid.

The descriptions on the back are always in korean only.

Black Sugar Deep Cleansing Cream:

Description: The mineral-rich Brazilian black sugar in the cleansing cream leaves your skin moist after washing and gently removes the dense make-up.

The make-up removing Deep Cleansing Cream has a creamy consistency, a light brown color and a slight sweet scent. I used it a few times now and it removed my make-up quite well without drying out my skin too much or burning in my eyes.

I used the following (left to right):
Eyeshadow, Eyebrow Concealer, Eyeliner/ Kajal, Mascara, Lipgloss, Lipstick, BB Cream

After massaging the cleansing cream over my skin (above) and after removing the residues with a tissue (below):

You can see that there is still the eyeliner/ kajal visible but it was completely gone after washing it off with warm water afterwards.

Egg White Pore Foam:

Description: A pore-refining cleanser with egg white extract that deep-cleanses pores with white foam.

[Egg white Story] Egg white, enriched with alumin, promotes firmer skin and smaller pores.

This cleansing foam with egg white extract belongs to the same product line as the Egg White Pore Mask I reviewed here.

The consistency is thick & creamy with a soft scent. It slightly tightens my pores and that's what I like about this product. I would get it as a full size but I own too many other facial cleansers already.

Green Tea Deo Wash -For body-:

Description: A cleansing body wash containing green tea extract is specially formulated to fight against unpleasant odors with its rich foam and perfect cleansing properties while refreshing green tea scent keeps your body refreshing.

The Green Tea Deo Wash was a product I wanted to buy before already but it's too expensive for me (US$24 for 400ml). So, I was more than happy to get a smaller size with this Special Cleansing Travel Kit.

The colorless liquid soap has a nice green tea scent...that's almost all I can say. I don't feel anything special about it. It's like every other body wash/ shower gel I used before.

Citron Scalp Care Shampoo:

Description: Citron Scalp Care Shampoo is free of 4 additives (colorings, paraffin, ethanol, benzophenone) and contains Citron extracts marked by its beautiful citrus aroma. The pure fresh lather cleanses your scalp.

[Citron Story] Citron, so popular as to be used for baths for its beauty ingredients, makes your scalp healthy and your hair beautiful.

In this colorless shampoo I was less interested! It has a nice fresh citrus scent and surely cleanses my scalp and hair as well but I still prefer other hair care products.
I need to use a conditioner, though, otherwise my long hair is hard to comb.

This Citron Scalp Care Shampoo might be good for those with dry or normal hair.

Glacier Water Multi Gel (Toning & Soothing):

Description: A glacier water-infused lightweight moisture gel that helps tone and soothe skin. Also can be used as a facial gel, overnight mask and body gel.

[Glacier Water Story] Pure glacier water is naturally alkalescent and enriched with oxygen, potassium, calcium, magnesium and other beneficial minerals.

The main reason why I got this Travel Kit is this Glacier Water Multi Gel (Toning & Soothing). I reviewed the Gel Mask already here and now I can try out the Multi Gel as well.
The clear gel is very moisturizing and refreshing but it starts to tightens my skin after it got absorbed. Therefore, I need to use a moisturizer over it.
Somehow, I find it vey similar to a aloe vera gel. Still a nice product and good for people with oily skin or after sunbathing.

 Black Sugar Deep Cleansing Cream, Egg White Pore Foam, Glacier Water Multi Gel

Green Tea Deo Wash, Citron Scalp Care Shampoo

Price: around 8,- €/ US$10 
Bought at: eBay (zinopark)       

      
What I love:   
Perfect for travelling and enough to use for a few times.   

What I don’t like: 

The two products I don't like a lot are the Green Tea Deo Wash and the Citron Scalp Care Shampoo.

      
Will I buy this again? No! I might consider to get the full size of the Black Sugar Deep Cleansing Cream, though.

[TONYMOLY] BABY DOLL POT CONCEALER *Light Beige*

A concealer is something I often use when apply make-up, especially when the BB creams coverage alone isn't enough. Usually I get concealer sticks in beige shades but sometimes in green as well (to cover red spots). However, the last concealer I purchased is the [TONYMOLY] BABY DOLL POT CONCEALER which belongs to the same product line as the BABY DOLL BB POWDER.
As always, I got #1 Light Beige! For darker skin tones it's also available as #2 Natural Beige.

Description: Baby Doll Pot Concealer that is natural and perfect coverage, longlasting effect and low-stimulus concealer. It maintains clean makeup condition for a long time, because porous powder absorbs excessive sebum and coated powder particles enhances adhesion.

The concealer comes in a small, round jar with a pearl white twist-off lid. 4g are inside!
On the bottom is just a simple sticker with some informations in korean. No description or ingredients are on it, though.

Underneath the lid is a second white cover to protect the product itself.

The soft scented BABY DOLL POT CONCEALER has a creamy concistency, is easy to spread on my skin and gives a slight matte finish.
Even though, #1 Light Beige is the lightest shade it just fits my pale skin tone when I blend it well.

All in all, the concealer covers up quite good with a matte finish. 

But, I don't find it hygienic that I need to dip my fingers in the pot to get the product out. Of course, I could use a small brush or something but I never do.

How to use: Dot onto blemishes, and then softly spread it with a finger. 

  
Price: around 6,- €/ US$8 
Bought at: eBay (zinopark)       

 

What I love:   
The creamy concealer is easy to spread on my skin and the coverage is quite good!
 

What I don’t like: 

The color fits my pale skin tone only when blended well and I need to dip my fingers in the pot.

 

Will I buy this again? I don't think so! Maybe switch back to concealer sticks again.

Soul of Asia ~ Seoul (South Korea)

Last year, after I left Australia once again, I made a stopover in South Korea. I stayed in Seoul from 03/12 to 03/17. This time I planned everything before and it worked out pretty well. I saw everything I wanted to see during this 6 days without spending too much time in the hotel.

The weather wasn't the best in March, it was cold but it didn't rain much.

I booked my flight with Korean Air and I had a Open-Return-Ticket which was valid for 1 year. It was a special ticket for people with a Work & Travel Visa.
The flight was with 11 hours from Germany - Korea and with about 10 hours from Korea - Australia quite long. I spent most of the time with sleeping and watching movies.

I made the stopover in Seoul on my return flight and I arrived at Incheon Airport on 03/12 about 7pm. I was exhausted and tired!! I wanted to take the airport shuttle bus for 14,000won (US$14) but got intercepted before by a taxi driver. It was a black limousine and cost me at the end about 160,000won (US$160). I was super angry about myself afterwards and never took a taxi again!!

I stayed for 5 nights in the CO-OP RESIDENCE - close to the 'Dongdaemun History&Culture Park Station'.
The room was small but big enough for me alone and came with a kitchen and free Internet.

I will finish this post with photos coz it would be too much when I write about every single day.

DAY 1:
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gwanghwamun Square
Changdeokgung Palace
Changgyeong Palace
Insadong Street
Hangang River

  Some souvenirs I got on the first day!

DAY 2:
Itaewon Street
COEX Mall/ COEX Aquarium
World Trade Center
LOTTE WORLD

I got drawn as a mermaid at LOTTE WORLD.

DAY 3:
Deoksugung Palace
Namdaemun Market
N Seoul Tower

DAY 4:

National Museum Of Korea
Myeong-dong/ Myeong-dong Cathedral
Namsangol Hanok Village
Dongdaemun Market/ South East Gate/ Cheonggyecheon Stream

Seoul is definitely worth a visit. I really enjoyed my short stay and hope to go back one day!