IOPE Air Cushion XP Intense Cover

Faking a clear complexion is easier than ever with the IOPE Air Cushion XP Intense Cover! Formulated with two different powder sizes, Melting Complex, Mineral Water XP, Siberia Peptide 6 Selection, three types of vitamins and Pore Elastomer, it nourishes, boosts skin firmness, brightens and absorbs excess oil for a flawless and healthy finish.

Name: IOPE 아이오페 Air Cushion® XP Intense Cover 에어쿠션® XP 인텐스 커버
Price: ₩ 40,000 for 15 g ×2
Made in: Korea

For starters, this foundation smells like peaches. The cushions by Etude House bear the same scent too, so perhaps this is a trait shared among the brands under the Amore Pacific umbrella?

The medium (buildable!) coverage is good enough to even out blotchiness and take some of the red out of the areas with a lot of sensitivities. For those wanting more polish, you may need to do a bit of targeted concealing. I don't mind a hint of bare skin to peek through on the days I wear base makeup (to stop myself from looking like I have caked on cement), so this amount of coverage is ideal for me.

It actually feels fairly nourishing, perhaps due to its rich formulation (we are talking about IOPE here!). It gives the most gorgeous, luminous finish and gets me through the entire day without disappearing. The T-zone area would benefit from a powder though, to ensure everything is locked in place - this would only be necessary if you live in a hot and humid climate or if you have combination/oily skin.

Here, I am wearing I23 Intense Cover Beige. I23 (supposed to be more beige in tone than say, I21 Intense Cover Vanilla) is ironically a little too neutral for my skin and lends it the faintest touch of pinkness. It is wonderfully healthy and all but my terribly yellow toned neck highlights the colour discrepancy all that more. As a whole, I like it a lot, but I do think that it would have been perfect should it be a tad yellower. IOPE, extend your shades please?

Before

After

The Air Cushion® XP Intense Cover retails for ₩ 40,000 on amorepacificmall.com. Note: you only have to purchase the compact once, after which you can go for the refills (that's some cash saved, woohoo!).

The full ingredient list for Air Cushion® XP Intense Cover:
미네랄워터, 티타늄디옥사이드, 징크옥사이드, 사이클로펜타실록산, 에칠헥실메톡시신나메이트, 페닐트리메치콘, 피이지-10디메치콘, 사이클로헥사실록산, 부틸렌글라이콜디카프릴레이트/디카프레이트, 라우릴피이지-9폴리디메칠실록시에칠디메치콘, 알부틴, 정제수, 프로판디올, 부틸렌글라이콜,메칠메타크릴레이트크로스폴리머, 아크릴레이트/에칠헥실아크릴레이트/디메치콘메타크릴레이트코폴리머, 폴리하이드록시스테아릭애씨드, 소듐클로라이드, 알루미늄하이드록사이드, 스테아릭애씨드, 트리에톡시카프릴릴실란, 디메치콘, 디스테아디모늄헥토라이트, 이소프로필팔미테이트, 이소스테아릭애씨드, 레시틴, 에칠헥실팔미테이트, 글리세린, 폴리글리세릴-3폴리리시놀리에이트, 디메치콘/비닐디메치콘크로스폴리머, 아크릴레이트/스테아릴아크릴레이트/디메치콘메타크릴레이트코폴리머, 마카다미아씨오일폴리글리세릴-6에스터스베헤네이트, 에이치디아이/트리메칠올헥실락톤크로스폴리머, 트리메칠실록시실리케이트, 디소듐이디티에이, 에칠헥실글리세린, 아데노신, 만난, 연꽃추출물, 토코페릴아세테이트, 헤스페리딘,판테놀, 매실추출물, 실리카, 글라이코프로테인, 리파아제, 키토산, 페녹시에탄올, 황색산화철, 적색산화철, 흑색산화철, 향료.

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Hwajin Cosmetics Yeblang Special A Star Jelly Cream

The Yeblang Special A Star Jelly Cream contains a blend of Astaxanthin, peptides and extracts of Artichoke and Seaweed to effectively improve the skin's elasticity.

Name: Hwajin Cosmetics 화진화장품 Yeblang Special A Star Jelly Cream 예브랑 스페셜 에이 스타 젤리 크림
Price: TBA for 50 g
Made in: Korea

The naturally occurring pigment in Astaxanthin (it may interest you to learn that this incredibly powerful antioxidant is 6,000 times stronger than Vitamin C!) lends the product the vibrant orange colour. Accordingly, your face will look more orange than usual with this product on. But no worries because the discolouration washes off easily.

Another thing of note is the scent: to me, it has the sharpness of a million juiced carrots (and some whole lemons) tempered with a hint of flora. Please tell me you smell the same thing?

It has the most insanely pleasing jelly-like texture and it wobbles back to its original, pristine condition after being thoroughly shaken up. There is an increase in plumpness and my skin also feels so much smoother; the improvement was visible from the very first use!

I think it is a better choice for those with drier skin because oilier people could get into a pickle with this one. It takes a while to sink in and it gives the skin a dewy glow that could be mistaken as an oily sheen. Nonetheless, I find it superb for bad skin days when I like to bang on something rich overnight to keep dryness and flaking away.

I will be testing this further, in fact, under different conditions: it is coming along with me to battle cold winds and central heatings sometime next month! Look out for an update!

The full ingredient list for Yeblang Special A Star Jelly Cream:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Alcohol, PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Adenosine, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Tocopherol, Cynara Scolymus (Artichoke) Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Asparagopsis Armata Extract, Octyldodecanol, Cardiospermum Halicacabum Flower/Leaf/Vine Extract, Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil Unsaponifiables, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tris (Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, Benzophenone-3, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance.

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

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White Cat Super Berry Silky Eye Balm

We all know about eyelid primers but the area under our eyes have always been left to dry (pun not intended!) so this little offering from White Cat could spin out a whole craze!

(Source: w-cat.co.kr/)

Name: White Cat 화이트 캣 Super Berry Silky Eye Balm 슈퍼 베리 실키 아이 밤
Price: ₩ 32,000 for 15 g
Made in: Korea

This MFDS certified eye balm works instantly and over time to diminish fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing with 12 berry ingredients including Chinese Wolfberry, Raspberry, Blackberry and Strawberry. It is basically an undereye primer with skincare benefits!

The silky white balm has a creamy texture that melts upon contact. It glides on smoothly, sinks in quickly and leaves practically zero residue! It has a very plasticky scent (I am sure it is due to the container) with a slight tinge of berries. It is not at all noticeable unless I plaster my nose to the jar.

Not only does this balm revitalise the eye contour by filling in fine lines and wrinkles, it also smooths epic lines along the nasolabial folds and the forehead. The bad news is it doesn't erase them. The good news is it will blur them slightly. In addition to all that, I can apply it before or after makeup without fearing that it will cause splotches or patches.

Truckload of products slapped on top of the balm

That said, foundation and concealer will still find a way to settle into fine lines, so negate this with a powder. It will extend the wear of the balm too! I had to find out the hard way - I peered into a mirror a goodly hour after I painted my face and got a shock from all the creasing.

I found the balm helpful, to be sure, but I don't know if it is worth repurchasing...

The full ingredient list for Super Berry Silky Eye Balm:
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Silica, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Ceresin, Beeswax, Phenyl Trimethicone, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipic Acid/Glycerin Crosspolymer, Squalane, Titanium Dioxide, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Adenosine, Lycium Chinese Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus (Raspberry) Fruit Extract, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Blackcurrant) Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract.

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

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The Saem Pure Seed Cleansing Oil (Perfect)

I realised that mineral oil based cleansing oils are not that bad after finishing the Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil. With that in mind, I went ahead and got The Saem's Pure Seed Cleansing Oil in Perfect (there is also a Moisture version!) delivered to my doorstep.

Name: The Saem 더샘 Pure Seed Cleansing Oil (Perfect) 퓨어 씨드 클렌징 오일 (퍼펙트)
Price: ₩ 12,000 for 200 ml
Made in: Korea

Seven botanical oils – Rice Bran, Coconut, Tea Tree, Jojoba, Macadamia, Rosehip, Grape Seed – blend together to deeply cleanse the skin. Dirt, makeup and excess sebum won't stand a chance against this cleansing oil!

The fresh green scent is wonderfully relaxing and is a good one to choose if you are in dire need of destressing after a long day. The oil has a watery texture (I would say around 30:70) that is easy to work with. Sadly, the lack of viscosity makes it less luxurious than its oilier counterparts, but it is still suitably pampering enough.

I use 2 to 3 pumps in the evening, massage in with fingertips, and then emulsify with water. By the time I am finished (all in all, maybe 2 minutes?), my skin feels smooth, soft and amply nourished. It is perfect to take off all of my everyday makeup, which consists of the usual suspects including mascara and eyeliner.

Tested against Majolica Majorca Lash King Mascara, Integrate Cat Look Liquid Eyeliner and Etude House Color in Liquid Lips

I was a little apprehensive at first because my skin reacted really well with my previous cleansing oil, but I am happy to report that nothing has changed. They are about the same price per ml, with Kose at RM 0.21 and The Saem being RM 0.22, plus they are both not sold here, so that puts them on an equal footing. Can you tell that I am crying as I type this out? Haha!

Although it is meant for double cleansing, I would be interested to know if anyone uses just this oil alone? Let me know in the comments or on any of my social media accounts! If I ever step foot on Korean soil, I will bring back a BOX of this stuff but for now, I will rely on Gmarket.

The full ingredient list for Pure Seed Cleansing Oil (Perfect):
Mineral Oil, PEG-20 Glyceryl Triisotearate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-20 Glyceryl Stearate, Argania Spinosa Tree Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Seed Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Gnaphalium Leontopodium Flower Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Alchemilla Vulgaris Extract, Origanum Majorana Leaf Extract, Water, Tocopheryl Acetate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum.

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Catalina Geo Color Capsule Make Up Base Blue

Without - With

Name: Catalina Geo 카타리나 지오 Color Capsule Make Up Base 컬러 캡슐 메이크업 베이스 Blue 블루
Price: ₩ 47,000 for 35 ml
Made in: Korea

If you think this make up base looks familiar, then you are partially correct because I have reviewed the white version earlier on. But the one I have here is blue, so it deserves a whole new page to itself! As a side note, I believe that Catalina Geo and I-Miix are the same entity - they changed up their names as a marketing strategy.

The pearl blue shade adds radiance to fair skin, and reduces minor imperfections. You don't need to dip your face in a vat of this stuff; a pump is plenty enough. You wouldn't want to turn into a smurf, right? Haha! Jokes aside, the effect is subtle but it imparts enough impact that it would be wise to bring it down to the neck.

I would like to reiterate that dabbing vigorously is a must with this product. My friend sweeping away bits of crushed pearls stuck to my face is not a memory I like to relieve often *hangs head in shame* For those interested, my previous review is just a click away for a deeper understanding of the formulation, texture and longevity.

The full ingredient list for Color Capsule Make Up Base:
Water, Titanium Dioxide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Squalane, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Polysorbate 60, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Ultramarines, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Algin, Agar, Carrageenan, Methyl Paraben, Allantoin, Carbomer, Magnesium Aluminium Silicate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Disodium EDTA, Cellulose Gum, Propyl Paraben, Tocopheryl Acetate, Yeast Extract, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fragrance.

Disclosure: BNTGirls sample. Head on over to BNTNews for more exciting news, may it be K-Beauty, K-Fashion or K-Pop!

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CNP Laboratory Propolis Energy Ampule

Made with Propolis, Sophora and Imperate Extracts, the CNP Propolis Energy Ampule is nourishing, moisturising and has healing properties to rejuvenate the skin!

Name: CNP Laboratory Propolis Energy Ampule 프로폴리스 에너지 앰플
Price: ₩ 25,000 for 15 ml
Made in: Korea

If you only dab a drop or so a day, this tiny bottle should last quite a while. Alas, I don't do it that way. I add a drop to my serum and moisturiser both day and night, so that works out to be four drops a day? I foresee my bottle finishing up really quickly; I should be almost done with my bottle by the time this review goes live, haha!

In case you aren't keen to emulate my example, you can apply it prior to your serum. It is meant to boost your routine and supercharge your skin with high concentrations of active ingredients. It is worth noting that this light-bodied ampoule feels a bit sticky when used alone but this problem disappears when combined to other products.

On the off chance that you may want to take it a step further, you can even dispense a drop to alphabet creams or foundations. It lends the skin a celestial sheen which looks both natural and healthy. But not too much at once, for everything may just slide off, considering how high the temperatures here can soar.

The reason I am so liberal with the product is because it noticeably softens skin and accelerates healing, whether they be new or old spots. With results like these, can you blame me for being so heavy-handed with the ampoule? In addition to all those good points mentioned above, it doesn't possess much of a scent. Well, light and floral don't count as scents for me, haha!

I have already bought a backup at Watsons, where it retails for RM 103.10. It is also available on hermo.my.

The full ingredient list for Propolis Energy Ampule:
Water, Propolis Extract, Beta-Glucan, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Madecassoside, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Arginine, Honey Extract, Allantoin, PEG-8, Siegesbeckia Orientalis Extract, Rabdosia Rubescens Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Punica Granatum Fruit Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract.

Disclosure: Press sample.

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