Minimalist WIP | Second Decluttering of 2017

A few days ago I decided to go through my clothings once more to see what are the clothes I haven’t worn in a month or I no longer wish to wear. This is the pile I was able to compile.

Here’s the list and reasons why:

• Sun hat - I seldom use it
• Short dress - too short for my current tastes
• Duvet cover - too childish, I prefer solid colors or minimal patterns/prints
• 1 pair of socks - size too big, it was a gift
• Two pairs of denim pants - seldom use it, and whenever I do get to wear them, they make me not want to wear them (do you have clothes that makes you feel like that?)
• Pink hoodie - second hand from a friend, I realized I had more than enough hoodies in my wardrobe. It’s not needed.
• Black jeggins - worn out and has holes
• Black winter jacket (not pictured) - wasn’t happy with it, no zippered pockets, too tight around shoulders (I have pretty broad shoulders for person my size/height...)

Most of these items I was able to give away to my landlady. She loves taking things from me, yet tells me I am wasteful. However, in my perspective, if I am able to give it to someone who can give it more use, it is not wasteful. It is wasted on me, if anything. What do you think?

Cruelty-free Make Up Review: alima PURE - Pressed Foundation With Rosehip Antioxidant Complex

Alima PURE - Pressed Foundation With Rosehip Antioxidant Complex

Product Brand: alima PURE

Website: https://www.alimapure.com/

Line/Collection: Pressed Foundation with Rosehip Antioxidant Complex

Shade: GINGER (works for those who use the loose powder formula in Warm 2 and/or Warm 3)

Volume: 0.31 oz or 9.0g
Price: $34 USD

Made in Italy

Ingredients (taken from print on the box packaging):

Mica, Oryza Sativa Powder, Zinc Stearate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Benzyl alcohol, Parfum, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum,, Parkii Butter, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Dextrin , Aqua, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Limonene, Linalool [+/- CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, CI 77891]

Packaging: The packaging is mostly recyclable, as the box itself is made out of paper and cardboard and the sponge applicator and the pressed powder foundation were packaged in plastic.  

My experience with the product:

My skin: combination (oily/dry depending on season/temperature)

Undertone: warm/neutral

Other useful information: acne prone skin; large pores on T-zone and cheeks

First impressions:

• I dislike the puff/round applicator. It’s texture likens the makeup sponge/square/wedge applicators. And the thought having it touching the pressed powder after every use is off putting. Applies unevenly in the skin.
• Applies better with a brush, though be gentle when you swipe your brush across, you may end up loosening too much powder than you need.
• Light and pleasant scent.
• Matte finish and may end in a dewy finish if you have oily/combination skin.

Pros (things I liked about this product):

• Light to medium coverage,
• Matte finish (I also like how it becomes somewhat dewy as it settles during the day - similar to some BB cream/Cushion’s finish).
• My skin did not break out during or after use.
• Reusable compact - only need to repurchase the pressed powder tin.

Cons (things I did not like about this product):

• Cakes up and clings to dead skin - so make sure you exfoliate regularly.
• Sponge round applicator - I like using a brush to apply the product instead.
• Price of the product when you first buy it with the compact

Verdict:

• Will I repurchase the product? Yes - as I currently like what this company stands for as well as the quality of the product. I will probably repurchase the refill product, not the compact itself as it is reusable (just what I love about this company).
• Will I try another product from the same line/collection? Probably.
• Will I recommend this product? Yes!

This is my first pressed powder foundation that I have ever owned and used. All this time I have only used liquid foundations (esp. BB Creams, CC creams, and BB Cushions) - switching to a different kind of foundation was somewhat difficult to decide. As most beauty junkies know, eastern beauty products usually aims to be more “natural” and have more skin care properties - hence I love BB creams so much. And the application process is so effortless - does not necessarily require you to purchase tools. It is engrained in our minds that these are the better products in comparison to most of their western counterparts. Well, at least, I thought so. However, my way as a consumer has changed. Personally, I now believe that less product is better (psst, I am doing the minimalist thing here too) and of course, the more natural the product, the better. Since I already have skin care products, I do not see the need to purchase a beauty product that contains skin care properties - I just need it to not damage my skin and cover what I need it to cover. And maybe sunscreen properties would be nice.

• How did I come across the brand? YouTube reseach on cruelty-free products
• What made me decide to switch to mineral makeup? The small number of cruelty-free Korean products and the lack of access of them. Maybe mineral makeup is better in terms of less chemicals, less likely to clog pores, works better during summer.
• How did I find my shade/color? I know that I am a warm undertone so ordered samples of the loose powder formula that is similar what I thought to my skin tone. I ended up ordering Olive 2, Warm 3, and Warm 4 - I matched Warm 3 pretty well. Then I decided that the compact is a better option for me, and Ginger was the closest thing to Warm 3 - as it was stated in its description on the website.

Arelistical rating: 8/10

Have you tried this product or this brand before? Any thoughts or questions? Let me know in the comments!

Cruelty-Free Make Up Review: Beyond - Alice in Glow Cushion Limited Set - 02 Vanilla Cake

The Beyond x Disney "Alice in Glow" collection was inspired by afternoon tea party of Alice.

BEYOND Alice In Glow Cushion Limited Set

02 VANILLA CAKE (SPF 50+/PA+++)

Product Brand: Beyond
Line/Collection: Alice in Glow Limited Set
Shade: 02 Vanilla Cake
Volume: 40 ml/ 1.35 fl oz.
Made in Korea

Claims (taken from print on the box packaging):

Glow and moisture cushion maintaining fine skin brightly all day long with micro foam cushion.

• SPF 50 PA+++
• Dermatologically Tested 
• No Paraben Added
• No Tar Colorants
• Against Animal Testing
• Eco Beauty Lab
• Sustainable Growth

To use: Apply to faces.

Caution: For external use only. Avid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children. Discontinue use if signs of irritation and/or rash appear.

Packaging:

My experience with the product:

My skin: combination (oily/dry)
Undertone: warm/neutral
Other: acne prone

I have been using this product for about 5-6 months now. So I was able to test this cushion compact during Summer and Fall/Winter climates. I do not hate this product, but I am not impressed by it either. I purchased this product on eBay, from a seller that ships from Korea. The price was $25 USD, it claims to be a limited edition cushion. It came, as shown in the first photograph, with the compact and a refill cushion.

Pros (things I liked about this product):

• Light to medium coverage,
• Dewy finish,
• My skin did not break out during or after use.

Cons (things I did not like about this product):

• Feels sticky after application,
• Very easy to transfer - need to use powder,
• Moves around - leaves puff marks if you apply in same area twice,
• Settles on fine lines if my skin is too dry,
• Too light for my skin tone,
• Oil control is poor.

Verdict:

• Will I repurchase the product? No
• Will I try another product from the same line/collection? No
• Will I recommend this product? Depends; I would recommend it to those who do not have a lot of issues with their skin. I do not recommend it to those who have dry skin.

I will continue using the product until I finish it because I do not like wasting things; though I will be giving away my refill cushion that it came with. I will be venturing out of Korean products, maybe by my next CF makeup post it will be about a non-Korean brand. Also, I won't be making a purchase of any other makeup until the ones I have are used up. May take a while. So take care, and take care of your loved ones - until next time!

Arelistical rating: 6/10

Cruelty-Free Make Up Review: Beyond Angel Aqua Moisture BB Cream

Ever since this year started, I wanted to do some changes. There are definitely a lot of things I wanted to do and change.One of the changes being switching to cruelty free and environmentally friendly makeup products.

The journey started this January, with some decision making and research. As you can probably tell from the title, I picked up a BB cream. Since my late teens I have been using BB cream and stuck with it - because of the added benefits to the skin aside from covering imperfections.  Also, they do not require much tools for application, some can build up, and usually can adjust to your skin tone. It's a multipurpose product - I love multipurpose! Anyway, you probably already got the idea I like BB creams over traditional foundation makeup - now, let's get on with my impressions with this product!

Product Brand: Beyond
Line: Angel Aqua - Moisture BB
Shade: 02 Natural
Volume: 40 ml/ 1.35 fl oz.
Made in Korea

Claims (taken from print on the box packaging - only the English portions anyways):

• Chemical Preservatives FREE
• Ethanol FREEreview
• Tar Colorants FREE
• Mineral Oil FREE
• Animal Origin Ingredients FREE
• Fragrance FREE
• SPF 20 PA++
• 65% Water Contents
• Dermatologically Tested 
• No Paraben Added
• Minimum Chemical Colorants
• Against Animal Testing
• Recyclable Package 

During my research on cruelty free Korean BB creams, I did not stumble to a lot of choices, sadly. The search was tough as not many Korean BB creams are cruelty free. I was able to identify a few that I think I would like to try in the future, besides the brand Beyond, that are more accessible, like Lineage, ARITAUM, and IOPE. I was able to find out more about the specifics via this blog post by Kira on Medium (https://medium.com/@givemecorgisordeath/cruelty-free-korean-beauty-9f162cfa7a6b#.x81xq4he4) Check out the post - there is a table where you can read up the brands that are cruelty free and more.

Unfortunately, I could hardly find much of the non-animal ingredient ones that was accessible near me - or even eBay. I was able, however, to find this brand, Beyond, on eBay. There wasn't many seller who carry this product. From all the claims (above), it made me very excited to try this.

Packaging:

• Simplistic and light design, cute light blue color. Made of recyclable material. 
• Squeeze tube bottle with pump! Love the pump - easy way to dispense the product. 

My experience with the product:

Pros:

• Packaging/product dispense with pump - easy to dispense product and hygienic,
• Recyclable bottle and box,
• BB cream is easy to blend, 
• Light to medium coverage,
• Build-able coverage,
• Dewy finish,
• My skin did not break out during or after use so far.

Cons:

• Cakes up or makes skin flaky,
• Dries my skin,
• Feels sticky after application,
• Settles in fine lines,
• Easy to transfer - need to use powder,
• Too light for my skin tone,
• Oil control is poor.

Well, this is what I have to say about this product regarding my experiences based on 4-5 months use. I am trying very hard to like this product, really; I even try adding Jojoba oil to add more moisture and fix the flakiness. It slightly remedied the problem, not a big change. I am not planning to repurchase it because of how unnatural it looks afterwards, once it starts to flake. It's disappointing, but this is only the beginning - just my first cruelty-free product. Once I am done using this product, I'll go back to research other Korean BB/CC cream brands. 

I like this brand and everything it stands for - just this product did not meet my needs for a BB cream. I may try their other products, probably the CC cream from this line. I only found one review on it - looks good, but it doesn't have the pump, sigh. 

Arelistical rating: 6/10