Review: Dearberry Raspberry Exfoliating Lip Care Balm

Hello! Today I will be reviewing a lip care product. This is part of the Kiss of Berry lip balm line by Dearberry. Dearberry is endorsed by the cute boy band, Boyfriend (보이프렌드). There are a total of 6 flavors/colors and each balm matches with a member of Boyfriend. I happen to like Boyfriend's music a lot hehe, so when I saw these balms, I couldn't resist. I chose raspberry, because Youngmin (영민) is my favorite member ^^ I got the balm while I was in Korea for a little under $5, but I think that if you want to order it from America, I saw it online for about $10.

Dearberry doesn't appear to be a very popular brand for some reason? Sadly, the shop in Myeongdong (명동) closed while I was in Korea. Guess they didn't have enough customers? Personally I love the brand! It is economical, with HQ products. I also like their packaging: clean, simple, and pretty. I recommend you check out the brand if you haven't heard of it!

All the different flavors with each of the Boyfriend members (colenehyori)

The concept is quite cute. When you remove the top of the balm tin, it has a little message written by the member you have chosen. The tins are also autographed by the member you choose, but I think the autographs are at the bottom of the tin (after you use up all of the product). I haven't finished using mine up yet, so I have yet to see Youngmin's autograph...

Raspberry: Youngmin
Sugarberry: Minwoo
Blueberry: Hyunseong
Strawberry: Jeongmin
Cranberry: Kwangmin
Blackberry: Donghyun

According to the packaging, each balm also has a different purpose. Mine says "exfoliating lip balm" while sugar berry says "nourishing lip balm" and some of the others are referred to as just a "tint lip balm." Not sure if this really makes a difference or not? I suppose the tinted ones would have a more apparent color when applying them. 

Autographs/Messages contained in the balm tins (mwave)

Anyway, onto the pictures of my raspberry lip balm:

꽃보단 너야= You're better than flowers

So yeah, there isn't any English description on the back except "Kiss of Berry #1 Raspberry," and the website/made in Korea. I checked on the Dearberry website and they have a description, but it is in Korean. I don't think my Korean is good enough to translate it word for word, but this is about the gist of what I could understand:

Kiss of Berry Tint Lip Balm

Size: 6g

[Korean] 립밤과 틴트의 기능을 하나로 탱글탱글한 입술을 만들어주는 키스오브베리 틴트. 입술의 각질이 일어난 부위에 듬뿍 발라주고 각질을 케어해주세요. 사랑스러운 피치 걸러가 당신의 입술을 피치색으로 돌려드립니다.

[My Translation] This tinted lip balm has one of the feature's that gives you kissable lips. This balm will heal your lips and will return your lips to a lovely peach color.

So the second part was hard for me to understand...but I did my best to translate it. Feel free to click the link of "Kiss of Berry Tint Lip Balm" above, it has the Korean description there. If your Korean is better than mine, please feel free to correct me.

Swatches

As you can see, the balm gives my lips a very slight sheen or shine. You can apply more if you want your lips to look even shinier.

How I use this Product

I use it daily, as I would with any other typical lip balm, and reapply as needed. It isn't overly big or small, so it easily fits in my bag when I go out. I usually apply it directly onto my lips, straight from the tin, because I hate sticking my fingers into in. You could also use a brush, but I don't have any lip brushes.

I also like to put it on, and then apply a layer of lipstick or gloss on top of it. It looks nice, while keeping your lips moisturized.

My Thoughts on this Product?

First of all, it smells REALLY good. When I wear balms, I want it to smell good, so this product definitely fulfills that requirement. It is sweet, and actually, smells more like sugary strawberries than raspberries. It is definitely fruity. However, despite being called "exfoliating" this product does not do that.

The balm has a very slight pinkish color in the tin, but when applied, it doesn't really have a color, it's just shiny. The balm is slightly thick, but this will probably help protect your lips from the cold. It is relatively moisturizing, and good for dry/chapped lips. I find that it is better at protecting my lips from the cold/wind than moisturizing.

Also-- I can't stand the tin! It is certainly pretty to look at, but it is always a struggle to open the darn thing! It is awkwardly screwed on, so any time you want to open it, you have to unscrew it and pull. You can't just pop it off.

If you can find the balm for cheap, I think you should give it a try, but since it runs you almost $10 in the USA...I don't think it's worth it. It smells really good, but it is just a generic lip balm. You could buy Smith's balm or other balms for about the same price or less.

Who do I Recommend this Product to?

Those with dry lips, or who just need a balm to keep their lips healthy and moisturized. But, like I said, the price is a little steep if you are buying it abroad. So unless you are a big Boyfriend fan, or can find it for cheaper, I don't really think it is worth it! 

Rating: 3.5/5

Pros:

- The tin has Boyfriend's autographs/cute messages

- Smells delicious, like sugary strawberries

- The color is sheer and has a flattering shine

- Slightly thick/protects against the cold and wind

Cons:

- The tin is REALLY HARD to get open

- A little expensive (if you live abroad)
- It claims it exfoliates, but doesn't do this

So although I love the smell, and the balm does a pretty good job protecting my lips, it isn't as moisturizing as other balms I have tried. It does a decent job, but not enough to warrant the $10 range. I am almost done with my tin, but I don't plan on repurchasing.

Hope you guys like my review! Any thoughts? Suggestions? Feel free to leave me a comment~~ See you next post :)

Boyfriend- On & On

Cuteness overload!!!! Hahaha

Review: Etude House Silk Scarf Moist Hair Mist

Hi guys, this is my second post! Today I will be reviewing a hair product. Etude House is probably my favorite Korean cosmetic brand. It's just so cute :) All of their products have girly/pretty packaging and I haven't come across any products I don't like by them yet. This is part of the Silk Scarf line of hair products, though I have yet to try any of the other products in the line. I'd like to try more of them though!

So I just happened to buy this product while I was studying abroad in Korea. I've seen it online for around $10, and I think I paid about that when I was in Korea as well. So onto my thoughts about the product...

So the packaging is pretty simple. It's a pink spray bottle, and comes with a cap. The spray dispenser hasn't really given me any issues so far. I am almost done with my bottle, so it takes a few squirt attempts in order to get the spray to come out. A nice feature I noticed is that it is possible to spray with the bottle upside down (though spraying it in an upright position does the job just fine).

The scent is also HEAVENLY!!!!!! Oh my god I cannot stop smelling this product and my hair after I use it. It is nice and sweet, with a fruity scent and has some light floral undertones. The fruity notes are simply amazing. The product smells so good, and I cannot get enough of it. Sadly, the scent doesn't last. It lasts for maybe an hour or so? Then it goes away :/ They should bottle this scent.

So onto Etude House's English description:

The white writing on this bottle is INCREDIBLY hard to read, even in person. I thought I was going to go blind reading it @.@

Etude House Silk Scarf Moist Hair Mist 

Size: 170 ml (4.06 fl oz.)

Specially formulated with oil complex and floral scents, this weightless mist enhances shine and boosts hair's health, while providing vital nutrients.

[Directions]: Shake well and mist evenly over towel dried or dry hair. Massage onto scalp, and comb though the ends. Do not rinse. Style as usual.

[Caution]: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children. Discontinue use it signs of irritation and/or rash appear.

[Ingredients]: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Propylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Disodium Edta, Cetrimonium Chloride, Steartrimonium Chloride, Amodimethicone, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trideceth-12, PEG-14M, PEG-20 Glyceryl Trisostearate, PEG-32, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (list was provided by bubblegum-happiness)

Lastly I found this neat English description/ad of what this product can do:

Hmmm color treated hair? Sounds like this is for me haha. I went to salons and had my hair dyed several times while in Korea...

How do I use this Product?

Although the description says to use it only once a week...I have been using it everyday hahaha ^^; That is probably excessive, right? Well, onto how I use it. After I shower, I generously spray the product all over my wet or damp hair. It usually takes me 5-6 pumps. I spritze my scalp and my hair line, and the ends of my hair. I then run my fingers through my hair, making sure the product gets all over my hair. 

After that, I let it sit in my hair for about a minute. Lastly, using a wide tooth comb, I brush my hair. I use a wide tooth comb so that I don't pull out a lot of hairs (don't you just hate those flyaways?) At this point, combing should be easy. If you sprayed your hair well, and let it sit, the comb should run through your hair really easily. The last step is optional, but I like to blow dry my hair. For me, blow drying my hair after using this spray seems to have phenomenal results! My hair is smooth, shiny, full, and healthy.

My Thoughts on the Product?

I love this spray! Every time I use it I feel like I am pampering myself. I would describe it as a moisturizing detangler. I love to use it after I shower, because I hate combing my hair when it is knotty. This product has helped me minimize the many flyaways I suffer from.  As I mentioned above, blow drying my hair after this seems to have amazing results. I can't stop touching and smelling my hair haha. It is silken soft, full, shiny, and beautiful!

I have been using the product for a couple of months and am almost out. I plan on buying another bottle. Even if you don't use this product often, this hair product is great if you find your hair drying out or that you have more flyaways than usual. I just wish the scent would last longer!

Who do I Recommend this Product to?
Anyone with annoying flyaways, people with dry/damaged or color treated hair, or to any one who just wants their hair to look shiny, full, healthy, and to be silky soft. I think that this product is suitable for anyone who simply wants nicer looking hair.
I doubt this product will cure any major hair concerns (like if you have really brittle hair/super damaged hair from dying), but from what I experienced, it has helped with my own color treated hair and flyaways.

Rating: 5/5

Pros:

- Affordable

- Pretty pink packaging
- Easy to use

- Smells like HEAVEN

- Helps reduce flyaways

- Makes your hair silky soft, shiny
- Looks GREAT after blow drying

Cons:

- The smell only lasts an hour for me :(
- The bottle is a little small for a hair product

So that's my review for Etude House's Silk Scarf Moist Hair Mist. Leave a comment-- tried it and love it? Hated it? Want to try it? Let me know!!! See you in my next post~~

Review: Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam

Hello! This is my first blog post review ^^

I have quite a number of Korean cleansers, but I decided to review this one, because it is the one I have been using quite frequently lately!

I purchased this product while I was studying in Korea, but you can buy it online quite easily, it runs you about $10 USD-- not too expensive.

So I'll begin by talking about the packaging:

As you can see, it comes in this squeeze-type bottle, with a flip cap. The product is relatively big, with a generous amount inside. I quite like the flip top (this seems to be the norm for most Korean cleansers). It allows you to dispense the proper amount and it is sanitary.

It has a subtle scent, I don't really know how to describe it, but it has a slightly perfumed scent and smells...clean?

Next is Innisfree's English product description: 

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic pore cleansing foam (with scoria and green complex)
Size: 150ml (5.07 fl oz.)

A pore cleansing foam with Jeju volcanic clusters to attach to sebum and purify pores.

[Directions] Apply a appropriate amount onto wet hands and work into rich lather. After massaging, rinse off with lukewarm water.

Swatches

Dispensed Product

 This is a swatch of the dispensed product on my hand. As you can see, the product is white and quite thick, with little red beads. These feel nice, they seem to serve as a gentle exfoliator, and I feel like these are what unclog your pores ;)

Lathered Product

This is a picture after I added some water and lathered the cleanser. You need very little product to cover your entire face! I'd say about a dime size would suffice. This product seriously lathers. It foams up like crazy. 

I actually like it, because I don't know if it is just me, but when a cleanser lathers up it makes me feel like it is working more effectively? I know that isn't true, but it makes me think it is cleaning my skin better haha.

How I use this Product

Anyway, I use this product once a day in the mornings. I find that it wakes me up in the mornings. The little beads are a very gentle exfoliant, which is nice, because I have SUPER SENSITIVE skin and pimples which don't need to be irritated. 

I wet my hands, then squeeze about a dime-sized amount into the palm of my hand. I rub my hands together until it forms a nice lather, then massage it into my face for about 40-50 seconds. I then use my hands to rinse my face off with lukewarm water, as directed.

My Thoughts on the Product?

I really find that this cleanser helps me keep my pores clear (it isn't magical or anything, but it does help), and it really does help with the excess oils on my face. I have oily-combination skin, so this cleanser helps mattify my skin. After washing with it, my face is nice and matte, without being overly drying. I have some acne, and it doesn't break me out either.

I have been using this product for about six months now and there is still plenty of product left to use. You really don't need much to wash your face!

Who do I Recommend this Product to?

Anyone with oily or combination skin. I suppose someone with drier skin could try this out, and may have no problems, but I think that the product might be a little drying for those without excess oil production in their skin to begin with. 

I think this cleanser works quite nicely for people with more sensitive skin too, as long as you don't scrub really hard. I have sensitive skin and it doesn't irritate my skin or break me out.

Rating: 5/5

Pros:

- Affordable

- Sanitary Packaging

- A little of the product goes a long way

- Gentle Exfoliant

- Smells nice/wakes me up

- Good for oily/combo skin

- Good for my sensitive skin

- Doesn't break me out

Cons:

- It takes me a long time to wash all the foam off (IT REALLY LATHERS!)

So that's it! I hope you guys like my review and it helps you decide whether you want to try it or not. See you in my next post~~

Introduction

Hello everyone! I decided to start off my blog with a introductory post-- after all, I should introduce myself to my readers before posting, right? So I am starting this blog with the intention of reviewing and talking about the multiple beauty products I try, mainly Korean products, from make up, to skincare, and more. I know it is much harder to find reviews or information about Korean products when we live abroad (I live in the USA), so I thought others might not only find these reviews helpful, but it might encourage people to try these products when they otherwise wouldn't. So with the intention of helping people choose what Korean products to try, I begin my blog! Now...for a little bit about me...

I am graduating college soon and I am an adopted Korean. I have lived in America all of my life, and it wasn't until last year (Junior year of my college experience), that I went to Seoul, South Korea for the first time. It was an emotional journey for me, and of course, an amazing experience. I studied at Yonsei University for a semester, and took advantage of every moment I could there. I saw amazing sights, traveled to amazing places, met my birth family...and of course took advantage of my obsessions...which include Korean cosmetics, skincare products, Korean dramas, and K-Pop!!!! All of my wishes came true in Korea last semester. I hope to return to teach English there in the future.

So after that introduction, I just want everyone to know that make up and skincare is a hobby of mine! My obsession started several years ago, from watching make up gurus on Youtube...so I do not claim to be an expert! Anyway, I hope that you guys will enjoy reading my blog and will find my reviews helpful :)

Gyeonghui Palace (Study Abroad, Spring 2013)