Essence Review And Swatches: Where Is The Party, Nude It, Blue Addicted

I am loving how accessible Essence is even though the displays at Watsons are less than adequately stocked. Essence is a super affordable German brand known for its spot-on trend products and adorable packaging.

They have a myriad of products to choose from, and today I am going to review their Colour & Go Quick Drying nail polishes!

Name: Essence Colour & Go Quick Drying Nail Polish
Price: RM 6.90 for 5 ml
Made in: France

Albeit tiny, the brush is a joy to use. It is not quite as wide or full as some other brush applicators, but it is nothing to scoff at. It is easy to control and deposits a nice amount of polish.

43 Where Is The Party? is a deep purple and green duochrome. The formula is slightly streaky with noticeable brushstrokes. It does need three coats for full opacity, but I am not complaining, the colour more than makes up for it. It is a great dupe to the more expensive Zoya Ki.

From left: one to three coats

70 Nude It is a nude beige creme. The colour is really flattering and the consistency and application is just amazingly smooth.

From left: one to three coats

78 Blue Addicted is a sheer dark blue jelly polish with loads of glitter - silver round, green hexagonal and blue hexagonal. I bought it solely because I read that it bears a close resemblance to Deborah Lippmann's Across The Universe.

It is not my favourite nail polish for various reasons. Number one being that I am not keen on the colour. It is very dull and the glitters do not stand out. My second reason? I dropped the bottle after using it for a single manicure and it shattered all over my floor.

Since I paid peanuts for it, I should not have expected the glass bottle to be particularly sturdy but it still rankles (> ω <) That being said, it layers over a similar blue polish very nicely.

From left: one to three coats

As for wear time, I saw wear around the tips around the third day. If you are in the market for beautiful nail polishes and do not want to commit a lot of money, Essence will be perfect for you!

Thanks for looking and commenting! Do you have any favourites from Essence?

Works With Water

I started consuming Coenzyme Q10 and Zinc supplements from February 1st. They were my happiest purchases of the month! Coenzyme Q10 does wonders in slowing down the ageing process and Zinc curbs acne and blackhead problems. Vain much?

Sadly, this Zinc supplement did not help to stop me from breaking out. Since I have already purchased a ton of bottles, I will still continue to consume it but I was honestly disappointed that it did not work.

To my delight, Works with Water provided me with an alternative when they sent four weeks worth of help: clear skin for me to try out.

help: clear skin contains Praventin™ a clinically proven bioactive protein, rich in lactoferrin, which has been shown to reduce the development of the bacteria responsible for many skin impurities, helping to prevent the formation of blemishes due to its antimicrobial effects. (Source: workswithwater.co.uk/)

Name: help: clear skin
Price: £ 32.47 for 28 days pack
Made in: UK

I took it religiously on a daily basis. Nothing can stop me in achieving a clear blemish free skin! Moreover it is such an easy upkeep; I stir it into my hot beverage, chug it down and I am done. That is how simple it is!

I experienced very clear skin whilst taking it, and there were no blemishes whatsoever to plague me. A few zits that were brewing in the backburner (they hurt a lot but no head) even vanished two days after I started consuming help: clear skin.

But the real test was during the time of the month where a few pimples usually pop up. To my surprise, only one tiny pimple popped up. Usually I will get a handful so overall it was an amazing month. I am pretty worried now that I have finished my supply, I definitely need to get more!

Works with Water also tucked in a box of help: revitalise my skin into my package. A box has seven sachets, which means a week's dosage.

help: revitalise my skin tasty gel supplements contain Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a proven anti-ageing agent, and Aloe Vera, which aids skin regeneration, to help your skin stay beautifully revitalised… and in tip-top condition. (Source: workswithwater.co.uk/)

Name: help: revitalise my skin
Price: £ 32.47 for 28 days pack
Made in: UK

As mentioned earlier, I take CoQ10 capsule supplements. help: revitalise my skin was a nice addition to my routine. A serving comes in its own sachet, so you can keep it in your bag when you are on the go, it is convenient and it does not take up much space.

The delicious apple flavoured supplement has a watery jelly texture.

I think a week is too short a time for me to notice a difference in my skin. And I have to admit that I have not observed an improvement after taking CoQ10 for the past two months.

The reason? One help: revitalise my skin sachet contains 600 mg CoQ10 whereas one CoQ10 capsule only has 30 mg CoQ10. It means that I have been taking practically nothing all these times; 20 times more is nothing to scoff at. I have to take a zillion capsules per day for any effect to show (> ω <)

There is no point for me to do a comparison, help: revitalise my skin is another kettle of fish altogether. I think it is very obvious that I much prefer help: revitalise my skin, it has a higher concentration of CoQ10 and also it is reasonably priced.

I read that the products from Works with Water might be sold at SaSa stores nationwide soon and I can't wait for that time to come!

For now, I would purchase them from workswithwater.com (FREE worldwide delivery for orders over £ 45). They are also available in SaSa stores in Hong Kong and from Boots, Superdrug, Waitrose and Holland & Barrett in the UK.

For more information, see their
✤ Facebook: facebook.com/HelpClearSkin
✤ Twitter: twitter.com/HelpClearSkin

Disclosure: Entry contains press sample(s).

Gmarket Haul

I browsed on global.gmarket.co.kr for a few weeks before I decided on the following items. There is nothing better than gifting yourself a few things hahaha!

ღ White dress

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: 로베인
Colour: White 화이트
Estimated weight: 0.63 kg

The seller took absolutely forever to send my order out, and I think I know why. They spend their time updating their listings. I see new items every single time!

The dress itself is nice albeit weighty and stiff. I did not expect the material to be embedded with shiny bits. My feathers were further ruffled when I discovered that the size runs smaller than the actual measurements. I can't wear the dress at all, it is uncomfortably snug.

Overall rating: ★★★☆☆☆☆

ღ Mint dress

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: 로베인
Colour: Mint 민트
Estimated weight: 0.63 kg

While the dress above is too small, this one on the other hand is a bit too big hahaha. The measurements from this seller is obviously unreliable. The colour that I chose, mint, is a delight; I love how it cheerful it looks. The dress itself is light and floaty.

Overall rating: ★★★★☆☆☆

ღ Black dress

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: 나날샵
Colour: Black 블랙
Estimated weight: 0.40 kg

This dress is made from a T-shirt material. I adore the flared bottom half, it is so fun and flirty! The cut fits me perfectly although some accessories are definitely needed to jazz it up.

Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

ღ White slip dress

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: 나날샵
Colour: White 화이트
Estimated weight: 0.40 kg

It is a basic slip dress. I was looking high and low for one in department stores but I ended up going home empty handed. Have slip dresses been rendered obsolete? This slip dress meets my criteria: it is affordable and more importantly the material is thick.

Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

ღ Ivory slip skirt

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: 러블리홍
Colour: Ivory 아이보리
Estimated weight: 0.40 kg

It should not be made from a flimsy fabric as a slip skirt is meant to conceal or cover up sheerness from the dress/skirt worn on top of it. I was not overly impressed but I shall overlook this because the bottom frills are just too cute.

Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

ღ Beige bag

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: FNB(에프앤비)
Colour: Beige 베이지
Estimated weight: 1.96 kg

Am head over heels with the bag, it is exactly what I am looking for. It is roomy and very well made. The stitches on the bag and hardware fixtures are in impeccable condition. It even comes with an extra sling (three 'handles' altogether) for me to turn it into a satchel. The base of the bag even has studs!

Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

ღ Beige heels

Stock photo.

Actual item.

Seller: 오렌지 스타일
Colour: Beige 베이지
Estimated weight: 0.84 kg

I was most excited over this but sadly the colour that I got was off target. Instead of beige I got something that resembles a grey. Other than that, it is expertly crafted, has thick plush insoles and the 7 cm heel height is perfect for shopping expeditions.

The size that I got is just right for me. I was needlessly worrying for nothing, I know my Korean shoe size now and I shall purchase more shoes from Gmarket in the future!

Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

I have mixed feelings about this order. I am cross about the sizing and colour but everything else is so lovely that I can't stop squealing whenever I see them~

Did you treat yourself recently?

(Source: Promotional images are from global.gmarket.co.kr/)

Banila Co Prime Primer Hydrating

Hydrating is one of the newer additions to the famous Prime Primer range from Banila Co to hit the stores. It has sebum regulating properties, but what's more, it hydrates your skin with minerals from glaciers and hot springs.

Name: Banila Co 바닐라코 Prime Primer Hydrating 프라임 프라이머 하이드레이팅
Price: ￦ 18,000 for 30 ml
Made in: Korea

It does not leave a sticky film - almost as if it absorbs into my skin - and provides a smooth canvas for my foundation to work on. It does a fantastic job in filling in my pores as well as fine lines.

Sometimes my skin gets very dehydrated which results in floaty, cakey, powdery looking foundation. This primer fuses the foundation to becomes one with my skin. I noticed that my foundation-ed face does not look like it has layers and layers of products slapped on top of it these days (*face palms* haha!) after getting my hands on this primer.

The consistency is fairly thick yet easily blendable when compared to the runny Castledew Watershot Base; a base from another Korean brand.

The scent is quite light and florally. Personally I am not bothered by it all all, however, I am not most partial judge. A friend was not pleased by the fragrance that the aforementioned Castledew base gives out whereas I am fine with it!

All in all, I am very pleased with this primer. I believe that it will suit most people and not only with those with dehydrated skin like myself.

There are two other primers in this Prime Primer range:
Classic for pore concealing and,

Classic Matte to mattify your complexion.

You can purchase Banila Co at banilaco.com or global.gmarket.co.kr from seller banila co.

The full ingredient list for Prime Primer Hydrating:
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Alcohol Denat, Xylitol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Viscum Album (Mistletoe) Leaf Extract, Juniperus Communis Fruit Extract, Lemon Balm Extract, Arctium Majus Root Extract, Saponaria Officinalis Leaf/Root Extract, Hypericum Perforatum Extract, Peppermint Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Witch Hazel Water, Onsen-Sui, Sage Water, Hexyl Laurate, Magnesium Sulfate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Montmorillonrte, Glyceryl Caprylate, Talc, Ethylparaben, Chlorphenesin, Propylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Isobutylparaben, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Spice, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarine.

(Source: Promotional images are from global.gmarket.co.kr/)